Monday, August 18, 2014

Late Summer at Rue 27 Maison...

Late Summer is here....the days are still warm.. the nights are getting cooler, the days shorter in southern Cali....Autumn is my favorite time of year...I love these late Summer days because I know what's to come...beautiful enchanting... Fall. This has been a busy month at Rue 27 Maison, many buying trips and antique markets...we also moved into our second location on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach. As we approach Fall and the Holiday season our days will be full & exciting...I hope yours will be as well...Sharing with you a few glimpses into the past few weeks at Rue 27 Maison...

Wine Bar at Rue 27 Maison...

at our new location on Newport Avenue...

Love the casual feel of French inspired textiles...

Fabulous French...

Antique statues, Santos & French cage dolls always in demand...

Beautiful detail on this vintage garden statue...

Lunch at Rue 27 Maison...taking a break with a French inspired lunch...

After lunch...displaying a few of our new finds...

Sorting and stocking our new location...

Antique books... Blue & White always in our inventory...

European Country finds at Rue 27 Maison this week...

Antique & Vintage bottles graced with fabulous old world inspired finials at Rue 27 Maison...

Until next time...Cheers ♥

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Summer brocantes...

The days of July are almost over, only a week & a half left, then August which seems to pass quickly as well...many summer antique markets, brocantes, house clearings...lots of fleaing for the upcoming fall & holiday season. We have been busy, hence my absence for the last few weeks, on several buying trips, all with wonderful treasures to be found. I hope each of you has had a fabulous summer...Sharing with you a few of my faves of the summer markets...

Antique starburst giltwood mirrors & french caned furniture...always on the shopping list

fabulous French finds from Atelier de Campagne...

always looking for crowns...

outdoor markets in SoCal...

shopping in New Orleans for garden objects...

window shopping for treasures...

Antique French furniture...

Antique European grain sacks..

See you in a few weeks...Happy Hunting...Cheers ♥

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Happy 4th....an American Summer Celebration

Sometimes in the summer's hot, Fourth of July celebrations, we tend to forget the reason for Americans honoring this special day...we are all blessed to live here, all blessed for our liberty, freedoms and our right to be an American...we are not a perfect country...we will always disagree and the fact we can makes us as Americans...perfectly free.

Growing up in the South, I have always been a big fan of William Faulkner...I love this quote by him..."We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it..."

Happy 4th of July to all....Cheers!

Charming American pride in our flag...

July 4th table..

The perfect July picnic...

Always a treat...fresh watermelon

Land of the free...

Friday, June 27, 2014

Summer's Joy....the Porch

The porch ...from Old French porche, is a construction external to the walls of the main building proper, but may be enclosed by latticework, broad windows, screen, or other light frame walls extending from the main structure. There are various styles of porches, all of which depend on the architectural tradition of its location. All porches will allow for sufficient space for a person to comfortably pause before entering or after exiting the building...That's the architectural description of a porch....we all know, a porch is so much more. Growing up in the South, it seemed everyone had a porch, some grand, others small...some with large columns, others with simple screened panels. A porch holds many memories...always in use during the summer, spring & fall with small gatherings, dinners...celebrations..and in the winter it's our glimpse into the beauty of the outside, a refuge from being cooped up inside. A porch is also that perfect spot to enjoy a great book, a glass of cold tea or just to relax. My grandparents had a large front porch with scrolly white iron furniture...the ceiling was painted a very light blue. The delight of that light blue ceiling has stayed with me, all the ceilings were white or off white back then :)) On that porch was a metal white settee glider...what a treat for all the cousins..there were also several concrete pots with flowers & my Grandmother had a flower bed of hollyhocks on one side. When I close my eyes I can still see that porch & relive all the wonderful, fun times spent there with my warm, loving family. Sharing with you a few fave ideas for a delightful & memorable porch...

Beautiful Southern porch at twilight...

Charming Cottage Porch...

Southern porch with the typical light blue ceiling..

Gorgeous blue hydrangeas grace this summer porch...

All white country porch..


Lovely hollyhocks...just like my Grandmothers :))

Until next time....Cheers!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Flower Crush....white peonies

My love affair with the peony began many years ago...it is one of my favorite flowers...I love white peonies....I think the peony looks fabulous in most settings from formal to country. For me the peony is a very romantic, old world flower. I love to see a large bouquet in a very rusty french urn or confit pot. I love the tension between the rustic & the delicate petals of the peony. Many years ago when I visited Britain, I saw large bouquets of peonies both the white & pink ones, in the florists & flower markets. I had never seen these large masses of peonies in the US...it seemed everywhere I looked there were gorgeous peonies. I visited the Chelsea Flower Show one year in London, peonies were definitely a favorite of the floral designers...the beauty of the designs were breathtaking. I love to see peonies in a wedding...from the bride's bouquet to the church & reception flowers, they add that special romantic touch and the fragrance is perfect, light & slightly sweet.

The peony is a flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America....The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Asclepius became jealous of his pupil Zeus saving Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning him into the peony flower.
Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony, giving it the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers.
Peonies are also extensively grown as ornamental plants for their very large, often scented flowers.

When I went to a local farmers market earlier this week, I came home with lots of organic fruits & vegetables and a large bouquet of white peonies... unfortunately I didn't find any nymphs hiding in the petals..I did look ;)...Sharing with you several ways to enjoy these beautiful flowers...

White peonies at Rue 27 Maison

Gorgeous bridal bouquet...

Perfect for the elegant table...

Love peonies in a rustic setting, this basket is on my courtyard table...

White peonies have a creamy or blush coloring on the white petals...

Blue & white with peonies looks fabulous...

Simply stunning with mercury glass...

Romantic & beautiful peonies..

Until next time...

♥

Happy Fathers Day weekend to all...I was blessed to have an amazing Father, whose loving spirit still guides me...very thankful my husband is a very special, loving Dad to our children..you are more important to your family than you'll ever know..

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Summer's delight....Cherry Festival in SoCal

Summer is in full swing...beach time....picnics....warm leisurely days....clear starry nights and festivals...fairs...parades...July 4 will be here before we can blink. This weekend is all about a southern Cali Cherry Festival, in Beaumont...pictured above at night from IE Fun Magazine. Every time I type the word cherry...I want to type cheery...maybe its because this little red delicious fruit, the cherry, makes me happy...not quite sure...I just know I cannot remember a time when I didn't anticipate each summer's fresh cherry season. I love cherries, not the ones from a glass jar, not the ones in Shirley Temples, not the ones on the top of ice cream sundaes...the cherries I simply adore, are the fresh ones, sweet & crisp...truly summer's delight for me.
Yesterday, my hubby & I went to the Cherry Festival, just under two hours from us, we also visited an cherry orchard in Cherry Valley, a few miles north of the festival. It was a treat visiting the orchard, the trees are beautiful, the leaves rich, vibrant green & the cherries a brilliant red against the blue sky. There were several varieties of cherries, we left with several bags...happily sampling on the drive home....saving some for a fresh cherry pie. The Cherry Festival is set up close to Beaumont's downtown, in Stewart Park, it has been going on for over 90 years....it is a 4 day event, kicked off by a pancake breakfast, with homemade cherry syrup, a large parade with a grand marshal, the fair & tents are set up in the beautiful grassy park, where vendors sell lots of cherry goodies & other specialty items. There is also a large stage with ample seating and nightly musical performances. The event is well planned and all proceeds go back into the community. It is definitely a special event that this charming town of 30,000 plus looks forward to each year & also draws many out of town visitors. Sharing with you a fun & cherry delicious day...