My New Kitchen Slipcovers!!!

Back to school and back to projects that needed to get to done! I am so excited to share with you my new kitchen slipcovers!

Let’s start at the beginning, with two teenagers, a big, hairy dog and an Italian family who loves Marinara sauce; my kitchen was not a perfect environment for my linen, upholstered chairs! We’ve been living with dish towels draped over the seats to catch any spills– not very pretty. I needed some washable slipcovers and I needed them pronto!

As always I had an inspiration photo to show my wonderful seamstress (Photo: Things That Inspire). These were close to what I envisioned. I liked the straight lines and the overall length. I wanted something to cover the chair but not be too fussy.

I also needed the slips to be washable. I found these wonderful oversized napkins from French Laundry Home. I like their “grainsack” look and feel. They were big enough to cover just the seat, so we needed something extra for the skirting piece.

You might remember my wonderful linen blend curtains I found on sale last year at Country Curtains.

I bought extra fabric for $6 a yard and had these wonderful slipcovers made for my club chairs. Read all about my Family Room redo HERE. Fortunately I had enough fabric left to use for the skirting.

Here is the chair before…(not pasta friendly!)

And here is the slipcover after! Large enough to handle any spill and simple to throw in the wash!!

I love the back – I didn’t want any ties.

The hidden Velcro does the trick of keeping it neat and in place.

The bench also needed a bit of covering up. As much as I loved the Antique printed grainsack I bought from Kym Fraser of 3 Fine Grains, it was much too valuable to be stained with hot fudge!

A quick call to my dear friend, Wendy Lewis of Textile Trunk, and a more reasonably priced antique grainsack was on its way. We took out the stitching on both sides, sewed in the corners and added the ties. Look closely and you can see the fold (that was the bottom of the sack) still in the cover.

An indestructible and beautiful slipcover!! You can also see the chairs with their new, pretty dresses peeking through!

The lighting was not the best when I took the picture this afternoon, but I wanted to show you how wonderful the new slips look in the Breakfast Room!

Sometimes it seems daunting to live with linen or all white furniture. Slipcovers are the secret! Your kids can eat hot fudge and still live in a beautiful room without worry.

Do click HERE to see the wonderful new stock of antique fabrics available from Wendy at Textile Trunk. She just got back from Europe and you will go crazy!! And get ready to see some kitchens I have been working on, some reader’s renovations I am thrilled to share and some more personal and professional projects I am starting for the Fall!!

So happy to be back!!

(all photos and content copyrighted by Willow Décor and not to be copied with out written permission)

Simon Pearce Evergreen Trees and 3 Fine Grains Giveaway Winner!

Several Christmases ago Dave presented me a beautiful box tied with a purple ribbon. I unwrapped the most gorgeous crystal evergreen tree. I had never seen one before, but Dave spied it in the city and knew I would love it. It remains one of my most cherished gifts. Each year he adds to my collection. My Simon Pearce Crystal Evergreen Trees remain my favorite collection.

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I keep them out all year, but during the holidays I add my collection of antique mirror and mercury glass trees. All together they make a spectacular display in the Conservatory on our piano. They reflect the snow and sunlight during the day and Christmas tree lights in the evening.

They are really stunning and a true work of art as each one is hand blown by master artisans in Vermont.

This year Simon Pearce added the bubble trees. These have tiny air bubbles in them to imitate snow. They are very pretty too, and prefer them mixed in with the clear ones.

Simon Pearce has a wonderful video showing the intense process and mastery needed to create one of these beautiful trees. You can view it HERE.

The Boston store has this wonderful table display using the trees as an interesting centerpiece. I just may want to create a similar display on Christmas Day on my own holiday table. The way they sparkle and catch the light is just magical.

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Finally congratulations to Morning T for winning our Grain Sack Christmas Tree. Enjoy, Enjoy!!

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And another big thank you to Kymberley Fraser of 3 Fine Grains for such a generous giveaway!

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May you all enjoy this wonderful week!

Last Chance to Enter!

The 3 Fine Grains - Grainsack Tree Giveaway is winding down - don't forget to enter - you can enter HERE.

Also remember our blog friend Kristin at Covetable Designs? She has launched an on line design business. Kristin is an incredibly talented designer, check out her latest before and afters HERE. As a Holiday gift to here readers she is giving away a free design session. Wow- isn't that fantastic?!

To enter click HERE. Thanks Kristin and best of luck to all of you!! Have a great Saturday!!

Cookie Exchange, Miracle Chase Giveaway Winner & More

Tonight is my annual Cookie Exchange. I have been hosting a Cookie Exchange almost every year since 1995. During the early years we moved often, but even though I barely knew my neighbors, I invited everyone over for some Holiday cocktails and a cookie swap. It was a great way to get to know people and have some fun. This year we are having a big turn out. My neighbors and I always look forward to it as a nice and welcome respite during the crazy Holiday season.

I usually make Pizzelles. They are a traditional Italian wafer cookie. You make them on a special waffle-like iron. My kids love them.

I wanted to make these adorable snowmen I saw over at The Decorated Cookie blog, but time got away from me. You can see the step by step directions to make him HERE.

Congratulations to PVE Designs for winning The Miracle Chase Giveaway. She will receive the 5 Miracle Chase books and the $25. Starbucks Gift Card. We will be anxious to hear how she and her girlfriends enjoy the book, and hopefully how it brings them even closer together. The authors have offered to Video Chat in to the women's get together. We will be anxious to hear how it goes.

Finally, please remember to enter our 3 Fine Grains Giveaway. Enter by Sunday at 6 pm to win this gorgeous Grainsack Christmas Tree. To enter click HERE.

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Enjoy this wonderful Holiday week and check back on Sunday night for the winner!! I am off to make Pizzelles and get ready for the party.

The 3 Fine Grains Giveaway!!!

Several years ago when I met Kimberley Fraser, owner of 3 Fine Grains, she was just starting out. An accomplished Interior Designer turned Antique Textile Artist, Kym had the wonderful idea of creating, furniture, pillows and other accessories from Antique French and German Grainsacks.

Her textiles are authentic, original, antique grain sacks. As I have mentioned in the past, these textiles are very expensive and as such Kym's beautiful items are really heirlooms to treasure

Today we are seeing the grainsack trend everywhere but Kym was a pioneer and one of the first. You might have recently seen Kym's pillows in Country Living Magazine. You see a magazine editor was visiting me and admiring my pillows from Kym. I was so happy to tell her all about 3 Fine Grains. She contacted Kym and several months later there were Kym's beautiful pillows on the pages of the October issue of Country Living! I was so thrilled for her!!

Kym has become so popular via the blog world and through her website that she has just opened up her own shop in Agoura Hills, CA called A Beautiful Mess.

The shop is gorgeous and chock full of antiques, textiles and other fabulous goodies.

I am always excited to hear about her new designs. In my experience 3 Fine Grains will always be on the cutting edge of the home accessory trends. In fact, watch for the January Issue of Romantic Homes Magazine for an article about Kym's store A Beautiful Mess! Kym's designs are getting very sought after and she is on the rise.

Unfortunately we don't all live near A Beautiful Mess, but you can call Kym and she will send out what ever you see here on Willow Decor ! Here are some of my favorites:

I love these grainsack rosettes ($25), created with found objects and bling! They can be Christmas ornaments or tie them to a wine bottle to create a really spectacular gift.

Or look at these amazing grainsack Christmas stockings ($69). They also come embellished with the grainsack rosettes ($95).

Or these spectacular doves made with antique French Linen and antique button eyes. They really stole my heart. As with all of Kym's designs, because they are antiques and one of a kinds, there is a limited supply.

Because Willow Decor was the first to introduce the blogsphere to 3 Fine Grains, Kym has always had a special place in her creative little heart for us.

So in the spirit of the Holiday season Kym is giving us this wonderful Grainsack Christmas Tree. It measures 15 x 15 and retails for $325.00. Handcrafted out of antique German Grain sacks, the tree would look gorgeous in any room in your house.

The trees come in three sizes - Small which is our Giveaway Tree, Medium which is 19 X 19 and retails for $400, and Large which is 23 X 25 and retails for $495. I almost don't want to give it away. Nevertheless, it will be sent next Monday to a lucky reader. Here is what you need to do:

Visit the 3 Fine Grains website HERE or if you are lucky enough to live close by go to A Beautiful Mess in Agoura Hills, California.

Come back to Willow Decor and leave a comment on what other beautiful items Kym creates that inspire you.

For an extra chance to win become a subscriber or follower.

I will announce the winner on Sunday, December 19th -and mail the Grainsack Christmas Tree out on Monday so you can enjoy it for the Holidays.

A big Hug and huge Thank You to Kym of 3 Fine Grains for her generosity.

This is so much fun -I feel a bit like Santa - Ho Ho Ho!!!

To Contact Kym at A Beautiful Mess call 818-874-9092

To visit 3 Fine Grains click HERE

To visit A Beautiful Mess on Facebook click HERE

To read my previous posts on 3 Fine Grains click HERE.

(all photos property of 3 Fine Grains)

And Here's What The Kids Are Giving Teachers.....

Teacher gifts are always a challenge. Every year I try to find something small, but personal, that the teacher or coach will enjoy. Craft shows and handmade items are generally my favorites and this year I have found some wonderful, thoughtful gifts. I have included all the links in case you think some of them might work for you. (Please note that Willow Decor accepts no advertising of any kind. All items mentioned I purchased and my endorsement is not compensated in any way!)

My children go to a small school and in many instances both have the same teacher for different classes. Luckily none of their teachers read my blog, so I can reveal who is getting what!! First, the English teacher. He is very inspirational so we found this small quote on a canvas transfer above that he can hang on the wall of his classroom. Inspirational wall art can be found here.
Our Science teacher loves cooking and especially the science behind cooking. Alton Brown's cookbook goes deep on science while still being witty and fun! We think he's really going to like it! I found it on Amazon, but any book store has this.

The Latin teacher is always inspiring the kids and makes class so much fun. We found this wonderful copper bracelet on ETSY. It is written in Latin and means "She flies on her own wings" which really means "She is strong". You can find it on ETSY by I Am What I AM.

ETSY has so many unique items. I was practically giddy when I found these cuff links, decoupaged with vintage French music.

You see these are for the Director of Chorus, who also happens to be the French Teacher! Come on - aren't these so great?! You can bet no one else will be giving him these!! You can find them here on ESTY by ISMAY.

The Math teachers are both getting these cool Math Equation Clocks. You solve the equation to get the number (or time). They are made with recycled CD's - I think they are so fun! Also on ETSY by Geek Gear

Some of our other teachers and coaches are getting the most wonderful candy ever made. It is a fragile toffee enrobed in Callebaut Chocolate and rolled in hazelnuts and almonds called Milk Chocolate Butter Nut Munch.

It is made by the Trappistine nuns of Mount Saint Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, Massachusetts. A wonderful order of almost fifty women praying for all of us and making yummy candy as well. I love to visit the Abbey and drove out there yesterday to pick up a case, but you can also mail order it by clicking HERE. All your purchases support the Abbey and the work of the nuns. I encourage you to try it - it is so delicious!
Stay tuned on Sunday for a wonderful inspirational post here at Willow Decor- I will be sharing some personal discoveries and a fabulous GIVEAWAY! I am really excited to share it with you!!

And the following Sunday, get ready for a second fabulous GIVEAWAY from our friend Kym at 3 Fine Grains. You know we LOVE Kym here at Willow Decor. Kym just opened a new store called A BEAUTIFUL MESS so if you live near Agoura Hills, California be sure to check it out HERE or come back next Sunday to see what amazing item she has for you for the Holidays!

Have a great weekend! So excited for Sunday Night!!
xox-Gina