Visions of Sugarplums

Do you often wonder at what prompts us to see things in such an individual way....everyone has a different point of view or vision perhaps, of the same object?

What does the mind's eye record and remember, or just toss away into the far recesses??

Why are we drawn to certain colours, styles and dismiss others?

I know that my preference and taste for clothing and decor has not really radically changed over the years. I love romance, roses, antiques, soft muted colours, and nature, and notice every detail about it all !

What I see in my mind's eye influences everything.

The hand painted ceiling above, was taken in my uncle's old home in Italy. It just captivated me. It was in the very top floor of what must have been the main bedroom.  Can you imagine looking at that before you fell asleep each evening and upon awakening? Amazing. I wonder who painted it?

I purchased this beautiful water colour from a customer of mine. It hangs in my kitchen.

Roses, china, romance, what else is there??

We recreate what we see.

We gather what we love.

My fireplace mantel this spring.

A curtain finial I fashioned from chipped china roses. I swagged my cotton organdy curtains from it.

The same colours translate into every aspect of life, holidays and celebrations.

Interesting....

A cherub ornament on my tree last year. A throw back, perhaps to the ethereal, painted ceiling????

This lovely canvas was Paul Gosen's rendition of the court at Versailles. A local artist who painted furniture for me in my days as a shop keeper. Still the same palette of preference.

Collections reflect recorded images, memories, influenced by our surroundings and experiences, acquired through living and learning.

A vintage bark cloth pillow which I have loved for years. The silk fringe is still in perfect condition.

Vintage Murano glass mirrors must be an influence from my Italian roots. I antiqued it to look older.

Glass prisms from vintage boudoir lamps on my dresser pair well together.

The curtain finial, up close and personal, and of course, embellished by a hand made tassel, in a lovely French blue.  My twenty something Ralph Lauren wallpaper as a back drop!!!

I will hate to strip it shortly when we do the reno. I have thought of washing it with a thin glaze to mute the colours. What do you think?

The visions we see and translate into our homes, determine who we are or who we have become.

At Christmas time, I notice that all that I love and cherish from years of homemaking, take on a different meaning for me. Even as a young wife with very little, I embraced making a home beautiful and comfortable. Nothing has changed. I still envision making it the same.