Maison European Antiques: October 2014

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Vignettes

October...one of my fave months....it's a beautiful time of year...the days of October seem to be passing too quickly this year...its hard to believe All Hallow's Eve or Halloween is only a little over a week away! I am hoping things will slow down so we can savor all, this beautiful season has to offer. Rue 27 Maison moved into a second location last week in San Diego, Vignettes on Newport Avenue. Since I am a true Francophile....Vignettes will be a perfect collective for my antique & vintage finds. The propriétaire of Vignettes is Lori Chandler...who has a wonderful eye for all things French. Vignettes is a French inspired collection of fabulous vendors & has been in the same location for almost twenty years. As you step inside you are immediately enchanted by all the beautiful & artful settings...French décor, faded grandeur and all that is time worn...you will find it all...in abundance at Vignettes..I am very excited to be part of this fabulous collective!
Sharing with you a glimpse into Vignettes...please stop by for a visit if you are in San Diego...

Dramatic black & white facade...Vignettes

Fabulous French finds at Vignettes...from Lori Chandler

Beautiful fall arrangement greets you at Vignettes...

our new setting...the blank canvas

Rue 27 Maison....almost done

adding that final touch...

Rue 27 Maison at Vignettes...

antique & vintage baskets...demijohns from Rue 27 Maison

Rue 27 Maison

Until next time....Cheers!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

J'adore....The Greys

J'adore grey...the greys....French grey.....not 50 shades... but the color...grey! Grey is the dominant spelling in Europe and England, although gray remained in common usage in the UK until the second half of the 20th century. Gray has been the preferred American spelling since approximately 1825...although grey is an accepted variant. I love to spell it...grey...it seems more old world to me.
In the Middle Ages, grey was the color of undyed wool, and was the color most commonly worn by peasants and the poor. During the Renaissance and the Baroque, grey began to play an important role in fashion and art. Black became the most popular color of the nobility, particularly in Italy, France and Spain, and grey and white were harmonious with it. Grey became a highly fashionable color in the 18th century, both for women's dresses and for men's waistcoats and coats. During the 19th century, women's fashions were largely dictated by Paris, while London set fashions for men. Over the century, bright colors disappeared from men's fashion, and were largely replaced by a black or dark charcoal grey in winter, and lighter greys in summer. In the early 20th century, the coat was gradually replaced by the suit a less formal version of evening dress, which was also usually black or charcoal grey. The greys continued to be in style throughout the 1950s. then the blacks, navys became very popular once again. Grey has gone in and out in fashion in the last years but still has the look of class & elegance.

the greys at Rue 27 Maison...

The greys in furniture, textiles & home decor have become more popular in the last few years. I love to see grey used in a home...grey velvet is gorgeous as is grey toile and grey silk is rich & beautiful. The countryside of France & Sweden have beautiful manor homes, farmhouses and cottages that have an abundance of greys in painted furniture & textiles. The color looks wonderful when used with a pop of color...it is neutral & very rich in color at the same time. I use grey in my home & shop, it is the most requested color right now by my clients. The Greys are beautiful with a long history, I know the greys will be around for many years to come. Sharing with you a few faves of the color...grey ♥