Isabell's Beautiful Gustavian Chair

I get the most wonderful emails from people all over the world about Willow Decor. One of the most recent was from Isabell in Norway, (but moving to Sweden). Please read her wonderful note and photograph, which she has allowed me to share with all you.


Hello ”Willlow Decor” !

My name is Isabell, a frequent reader of your lovely blog and I wanted to thank you, because by you I came in contact with lovely Kymberley Fraser. A while ago you made a post about her, and you showed pictures of some of 3 Fine Grains sacks. I have this great passion about sacks, so seeing them made my heart jump….. I contacted her and bought the one you see, which now is on my Gustavian chair…..the furniture upholsterer in Stockholm thought the old chair and the sack made a good marriage. So do we……………..

Your last post was wonderful, the furniture you have is really pieces to love. So beautifully done, and so nice they look in your home. Of course the cushions from Kym , just love the as well………….

Isn`t it fantastic how mutual interest have no boundaries, no borders, by your post I read, I came in contact with Kymberley, she sent me the sack to Scandinavia, (Norway), I sent the sack to Sweden, and now I am about to move back to Sweden living and loving among many other things our chair………the world seem smaller in a way……………………

Once again thank you !

Kind regards

Isabell

The reach and power of the Internet continues to amaze me. I am so grateful to be able to find so many other lovers of fine antiques and home decor world wide. I know you will agree that Isabell's Gustavian Chair is exquisite! Fabulous job, Isabell and thank you so much for sharing!

Ambience ....

I often wonder why it is that France pulls so heavily on my heart strings. When I thought about writing a new book I pondered on this for a very long time. I knew that when I finally could answer this question I would have the words to say what I wanted. I did find my answer and that was my starting point and my ending paragraph. French Essence is about ambience; creating it, living with it and loving it.

I like to think that in France there is a sixth sense a French sense.

There is a certain something about the French and the style in which they live that creates a unique ambience. Their success lies in their inherent ability to blend all the senses, which makes for a life that is filled with emotion and a life which is forever stimulated. Ambience permeates every aspect of French life, whether it be in private places or public places.

Thank you for the wonderful comments and emails - I am deeply touched by your generous words and I am so very appreciative of your support. To answer some of your questions, French Essence is available in Australia and New Zealand now and will be sold on Amazon later this year. In the meantime to win a copy of French Essence please leave a comment and subscribe to my blog here. If you are already a subscriber or a follower you will be automatically entered to win. I will draw the winners next week, xv.

images from French Essence - photographer Carla Coulson

Do Something Different

Living room furniture in the kitchen, a BOLD back splash and a door turned headboards. All kinds of clever people with GREAT design ideas ! Look at your things in a new way!!

Happy Hump Day

I can't believe I still have the flu hump day brought to you by Emily Todhunter. Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Island Life

There are so many beautiful designs available for kitchen islands. From wonderful old butcher's blocks to marble-covered masterpieces, the island has become an essential design part of every kitchen.

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Images 1 - House Beautiful Image 2 - Home Beautiful Image 3 - Country Style Magazine Image 4 - Scott Sanders Design Image 5 - Plain English Image 6 - My Home Ideas

Love .... Painted Drawers

Image 1 - Tobi Fairley Image 2 - Graham & Green Image 3 - Country Homes & Interiors Magazine Image 4 - Annie Schlecter Design Image 5 - Steven Randazzo Image 6 - Marie Claire Maison

Stella and Dot Giveaway!

Stella and Dot's fabulous line of jewelry has been featured in countless magazines and publications including InStyle, Lucky, Elle, The New York Times, and on the Today Show and is a favorite of celebrities and women everywhere. So what makes Stella and Dot special? It's their line of versatile, high-quality (the jewelry is made by the same people who make jewelry for Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys), celebrity-coveted jewelry with many options under $50. They carry everything from bold statement necklaces to glamorous chandelier earrings, to delicate, customizable chains and charms. There is literally something to satiate any fashionista's desire to spruce up her fall wardrobe with a few new accessories.

The Gorgeous Natasha Embroidered Bib Necklace

All of Stella and Dot's embroidered pieces are made by hand at their couture house which also services Lanvin, Prada, Dior, and Jason Wu. Talk about affordable luxury!

The Darling Garden Party Necklace

Debra Messing wears the stunning Delilah Necklace which is made with amazonite, new jade, and glass beads.

Penelope Cruz wears the appropriately-named Penelope necklace.

Ali Landry in the Happy Flower Necklace


The Natasha Bib Necklace is featured in the October 2009 issue of InStyle!

The Happy Flower Necklace was featured in Lucky.


The Giveaway:


La Dolce Vita has partnered with Stella and Dot to give one lucky reader a pair of the gorgeous Garden Party Chandelier Earrings. They happen to be my one of my favorite Stella and Dot pieces. Rachel Zoe can't live without her wide-legged jeans and I can't live without a big pair of gold chandelier earrings! I seriously wear them with everything. Nothing adds a little touch of glamour to even the simplest of outfits like a great piece of jewelry, especially a beautiful pair of earrings like these.

Giveaway Details:

1. To enter the Stella and Dot giveaway, click here to check out their jewelry and leave a comment on this post telling me which piece is your favorite. Be sure to include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you should win!

2. Leave ONE comment on this post between today and Wednesday, October 7th Midnight, CST. A winner will be announced on Thursday, October 8th.

3. Link to this post on your own blog (include the url in your comment) and receive an extra entry.

4. Twitter about this giveaway with a link to this blog post for another entry (follow La Dolce Vita on twitter in order to show me your tweet).

5. Anonymous entries will be ignored, so please include email with comment. Your e-mail address will never be used for anything other than to notify the winner. Good luck!

Orange Crush

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Are you an orange person? I love how this fabulous colour has been used in these rooms, especially where it is paired with turquoise and white - I think this is one of my favourite colour combinations at the moment.
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Images 1 & 3 - Martha Stewart Image 2 - Victoria Pearson Image 4 - Metropolitan Home Image 5 - Wendell T Webber Image 6 - Alexandra Rowley