Romantic Vignettes

On Hiatus...

Romantic Vignettes is currently on hiatus until further notice.

We encourage you to browse through our archives and visit Alice W.'s blog for inspiration in the meantime.

Thank you! 

Vignette of the Moment: December 14th, 2009

Welcome to the home of Mary Allison Prehn. Allison has generously opened her home to us for the season, to be inspired by her romantic style and the holiday vignettes throughout.

 
{Photo, courtesy of Pritish Savant, of Allison in her 1920's French chaise}

Allison describes her style in her own words:

"I would use these words to describe my style: antique, French, vintage, cottage, shabby chic, Victorian, and a little country. My thought process in acquiring furniture is that it can be painted and reupholstered, thus I have focused on finding pieces that I love in terms of shape, quality and detailing… I am very particular about detailing. So, my home is in its “raw” state. My vision is for everything to be in shades of white and gray… one day!

Some day my home will reflect more accurately that I love the color white - pearl white. I also love aged items and using pieces however I feel - not specifically for the purpose of reinventing them, but for the sake of using what I have for whatever function is needed, or for whatever is beautiful to my eye. I am inspired by natural light and aged items. I am drawn to the stories they contain, their connection to the past, and that something mysterious that cannot be labeled. I love asymmetry when done right and I believe scale is the most important thing in any space of any style."

Now let us tour Allison's home, as she guides us in her own words along the way...

"Welcome to my home...

Simple greenery above the frame and an asymmetrical holiday duo on the coffee table provide enough holiday cheer without being overwhelming.

   

The first to greet guests is a wee little Santa on the coffee table with a holiday greeting nearby- a special one sent to a great aunt by my grandfather many years ago. The bowl of goodies is accompanied by a single hydrangea for a delicate, simple pairing.

Snowflakes, doves, pearls, icicles, feathers and shiny ornaments all adorn the tree… all things pure, delicate, lovely, winteresque and of course, white...

“True” is the title of this framed sheet music. Truth is what is worth displaying and searching out all year long. Triple layered frames give this piece the prominence it deserves. A simple stalk of kale is reminiscent of the green elsewhere, but gives a visual break from the holiday theme.

This cherub is one to behold. Its creator pieced together the column, the figure {formerly a statue}, and a chandelier to create this sculpturesque lamp. For Christmas, all this cherub wanted was a stocking, containing a hand painted egg brought from Salzburg by a dear friend. On the floor are recent treasures from Round Top. They don’t draw attention, but add to this small space by creating a little more of a backdrop for the cherub to shine.

“Madame Winter” is the name I have given her. She came in the form of a Christmas card several years ago, and before I opened it to read, I knew she would be displayed for many Christmases to come. The large frame is backed with a simple fabric and stapled to the frame. The smaller frame hangs from the larger to create a layered effect.

This Santa found a great place to perch on a plant stand… no accessorizing needed. The wall hangings behind him are reproductions of vintage Christmas cards, a few ornaments and some angel wings {as seen in the background of other photos}.

This plant stand rarely holds plants in my home. For this season, simple metallic ornaments give the pots something to hold. The contrast of the shiny globes against the aged terra cotta and metal speaks to the underlying theme in the rest of the house.

I came across these holiday dishes and just loved them. I bought two of the small plates, two large ones and then mixed in dishes I already had to create this look - one that hints at Christmas without being too overt.

 

I find myself using this cake stand and glass dome for all sorts of displays. This grouping was quite simple: it started with the sweet little winter child, the greens were clipped from a tree outside to tie in with the minimal greenery throughout the house, and a few ornaments and jingle bells added the final touch.

 

The placemats are laminated sheet music with romantic titles such as Beloved that are used throughout the year.

Place cards displaying reindeer names such as Dasher and Blitzen add a whimsical touch.

I recently came across this Santa and adopted him immediately. He currently resides among other seasonal décor, including rosemary, and overlooks the affairs of the kitchen. He needs no further introduction other than “my favorite.” He looks like he knows something; like he has a story.

Simple frames outlining the background window give texture to the wall. A framed plaster “Last Supper” above the window is a reminder of the Christ in Christmas, and is appropriately located in the dining room.

 

A letter opener awaits holiday greetings atop an old postal scale. The scale also doubles as a fruit “bowl” when new groceries arrive. Next to the kitchen sink sits an old cheese box with a bottle of soap and dish brushes. Fresh dill sits in a creamer and adds a little green to the space.

A mixture of candles and ornamental trees provide a simple taste of the season and invites the winter white to come inside.

Many years ago, I was at a lovely home where the utensils were kept in jars on the table, instead of in a drawer. That had always been in the back of my mind as something I would love. In moving into my home, I quickly realized there was only one drawer in the whole kitchen- perfect! This was the best excuse {somehow I thought I needed one} to display my silverware on the counter in this manner… because everyone knows you have to have a junk drawer in the kitchen, which of course left no room for these! A few jingle bells dress this up perfectly for the season… little reminders in an unexpected place of that fun Christmas carol.

 

Simple holiday reminders are displayed in the guest bedroom...

Noel - God is with us - ‘tis the reason for the Season!
An old phone alcove holds the manger scene in the hall connecting living spaces to the bedrooms… the perfect transitional place for a small reminder that God truly is with us.
These are battery-operated candles that create a wonderful glow at night in an otherwise dark hallway… a perfect little touch for guests as they pass by to the restroom.

 
 
The baby in that manger is the one who has set me free. He is my King!"

"Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"

Thank you to Allison for the lovely tour of her holiday home and all of the inspiration found there.  And from Romantic Vignettes to you and yours, we wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Vignette of the Moment: October 5th, 2009

Welcome to Tina's 100 year old home filled with charming vignettes just in time for fall...

Her porch is lavishly decorated in rich colors of the season and is warm and inviting for visitors.

And for those of you who enjoy the "spookier" side of fall...we have a special 'Vignette of the Moment' treat just for you. Let's enter Tina's parlour for some Halloween frights and delights...

Tina, of Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press, has created several vignettes in this room {that is also filled with antique character and charm} for us to enjoy. She has a knack for holiday decorating {you may remember her from her Christmas vignette featured last year seen here} and enjoys a white and black theme for Halloween. Tina also includes lots of little touches that make her vignettes spectacular. She was thrilled to share this room with us and here is what she had to say about it,

"I don’t just like the fall, or look forward to the fall - I live for it. I spend the rest of the hot, humid months counting the days until I can laugh at Linus spending the night in the pumpkin patch waiting for you know who. While others are buying beachwear, I’m anxiously waiting for the aisles of my favorite stores to fill with costumes and cheap candy. I was born in October and, no matter how many years pass by, I still feel like a kid whenever the tenth month of the year rolls around. October reminds me of crisp childhood mornings with books under my arm but trick or treating on my mind. I remember riding in a hay filled trailer pulled behind an old Ford pickup in the annual harvest parade. I remember scaring myself at Halloween costume parties. I remember good things - friends and family. For all these reasons and many more, I pulled out all the stops for October, and decorated my 100 year old house for my favorite time of the year. I hope you enjoy a few pictures of my October decorations."

So without further adieu...enter Tina's "spooktacular" Halloween parlour where you will find tricks and treats in every niche and corner...

  

 

 

 
 
 

  

Happy Halloween from Romantic Vignettes!

We hope you all have a safe and happy one!

A little bit about Tina:

"My website is Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press. Which offers paper goods and sundries with a little bit of whimsy. I love to create so many different things. For example in my studio you will find, paper goods, crowns, birthday hats, jewelry creations, holiday items, sewing projects, paper flowers just to name a few.
　
My website is undergoing maintenance at the moment but I have some items available in my Sweet B Papers Etsy shop which you’ll find at tinarie21.etsy.com." You can also enjoy more photos of Tina's holiday decorating in her Flickr photostream.

 

Remember, you can now leave your compliments and comments on our Vignettes, simply by clicking the comments link below! We would love to hear your thoughts...

Vignette of the Moment: July 21st, 2009

A summer vignette from the home of Alice W. This vignette celebrates the season of sun with bits of nature, vintage pieces, and embellished goods inspired by the sea. It is all done in shades reminiscent of the waves crashing ashore...pale grays, blues, aquas, and greens; as well as the sandy beaches we all long for...with glittering golds, taupes, and beiges.

An old washboard is juxtaposed between two antique gold mirrors, propped on a dining room sideboard {a converted vintage dresser painted in the palest shade of gray}.

Alice W.'s 'Ocean Relic' vintage bottles take center stage, while seashells are displayed in tarnished silver trays. An apothecary jar filled with dried lavender, vintage frames and an old floral painting are amongst the other treasures found in this vignette.

Memories of the shore are easily rekindled by bringing pieces of nature indoors in this simple summer vignette. We wish you all a safe and happy remainder of the summer days ahead!

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This will be the last vignette for the season, but your submissions are always welcome. We will be adding all of our archives here over the next several weeks, and hope to spruce up the design and sidebar options to feature our vignettes at their very best. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our vignettes and our new layout, as well as sharing many more romantic vignettes with you in the future.

Vignette of the Moment: May 5th, 2009

 

This moment's charming and whimsical vignette comes from the home of Priscilla of Sweet Remembrance. Here is how Priscilla described her vignette to us:

"I absolutely adore vintage clothes, costumes and whimsy. I have an old hall tree that I have left in its original state, even though I have been tempted to paint it. Since it is a dark wood I always try to hang light, fluffy pastel textures on it to soften it up. At this time, I took a cue from my vintage petticoats and added fluff and ruffles. I hung a vintage prom dress on an old satin hanger and a vintage ballerina tutu complete with vintage slippers next to the petticoats.
I then had to add the whimsy with a rhinestone crown, a ballerina cake topper and glitter in the way of a pink glitter star and silver glitter DREAM sign.
I then hung another DREAM paper banner, a paper crown and my favorite vintage horse show ribbon. This old hall tree has had many looks...
as I have a passion for all things old, I am constantly changing it."

 

 

Priscilla resides in Orange, CA with her husband of 30 years whom she says, "lets me turn our home into a showcase full of my vintage collections. We both love flea markets and traveling to find the treasures I so adore! We have 2 grown sons, Ryan is 28 and engaged to be married next year & Eric who is 24, married and has a sweet baby girl named Maddison whom we absolutely adore."

 

You can visit Priscilla's online shop at Sweet Remembrance and her blog at www.sweetremembrance1.blogspot.com.
 

Vignette of the Moment: December 4th, 2008

 Christmas time is finally here! And so with it comes so many lovely holiday displays in homes all across the world. I am delighted to share with you this inspirational holiday vignette from the home of Tina of Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press. This vignette is filled with warm cottage charm and sparkles of whimsy. Beautiful shades of white are punctuated with pale aquas, silver and gold trimmings, and rustic furnishings. An old winter scene adorns the mantel, along with charming stockings below. A warm and cozy display that is reminiscent of Christmas' past...a true delight for the eyes and the heart...

 

 

Tina adores creating and has so many beautiful holiday creations, that I wanted to share some here. This adorably sweet Scrabble Snowman would add charm to any holiday vignette... 

And these glittery pink Christmas tree tags bring a little romance to the season!

A bit about Tina and her work: "My first passion is my website Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press. I make invitations and other goodies and get to play with paper all day. My website is still under construction, so only the main page can be viewed. For all the other fun things I like to make I have my Etsy Shop called Sweet B Papers. I use this shop to make all the things I love to make, which can be almost anything and can be a problem. Trying to make new things and focus on current orders can be tiring but fun. I love all things vintage and anything that looks vintage." You can also view more of Tina's work in her Flickr photostream. Thanks to Tina for the wonderful inspiration this holiday season! More coming later this month, so be sure to check back!

Vignette of the Moment: November 17th, 2008

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, many of us are preparing our homes for the holiday. For many of us in the "decorating world"...food isn't the only priority! We also care about the ambiance and decor of our home both inside and out. This moment's Vignette comes from the home of Sandi of Wayside Treasures and is a perfect example of a welcoming and warm environment. Sandi's potting shed (featured above) has been decorated with the colors of the season, which is a beautiful contrast to the white, chippy architecture. Sandi shared with me that the salvaged posts were found by her and her husband and were added to the shed, which certainly give it romantic character. Below you can see how Sandi has brought elements of the season throughout her garden. These simple touches are sure to make guests swoon. From the moment our guests arrive, we have the ability to set the tone for the day. Perhaps it's as simple as a pumpkin on the porch, or a more elaborate display...whatever you do to add your personal touch, will surely bring warmth to the hearts of those who pass through your doors...

Be sure to stop by Sandi's Etsy shop for lovely hand made and vintage treasures and stop by her blog to learn more about her.

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

And amongst the hustle and bustle, make sure to stop and reflect on what you are thankful for.

"In everything give thanks..." ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

Vignette of the Moment: September 29, 2008

To welcome the autumnal season, I recently found a beautiful porch vignette that I had to share. It comes from the home of Rebecca Lewis, of Simply Stated Aesthetics, and is sure to get you in the mood for fall!

Rebecca's own words describe this vignette:

"I absolutely love decorating my porch as the seasons change! It not only makes me feel better but I have been told that others enjoy it to and that they look forward to what I come up with for the seasons. This year I gathered items from my home and business. For example the black Feather tree is one that I made for the Autumn and Halloween season myself. I offer them for sale at my shop and I do them in other colors as well ~ Pink, White, Blue etc.
My decorating style is what I would consider eclectic because I like so many things. Right now I find myself being drawn to Early American and primitive items again; I collected this kind of decorations back when I first started collecting. However I do have a fondness for Cottage, Victorian, Shabby Chic, and European styles as well ~ I think that I like what ever has a certain beauty in it. For this seasons decoration I decided to choose items that were from family, friends, and my own hand made pieces ~ people that are important to me. For me Autumn is a time of Welcoming, a renewal of family traditions, and a time to remember why we are so fortunate. By using what I had makes me feel good inside and brings a smile to my face and reminds me of all these things."

 

A little about Rebecca and her family:

"I am what I consider a “Working Stay at home mom”. I worked for 14 years as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Unit of a Local Hospital but I left when I became tired of the stress it placed on me and my desire to be at home raising my children. I also wanted to be more creative.
I own Simply Stated in Campbell, New York. Simply Stated is an antique shop that my mother and I opened 9 years ago. The shop is open by appointment only Tuesday – Saturday 10-4 pm.
For over 5 years we had been selling antiques in local Antique Co-ops and as time went on we dreamed daily about opening our own shop. With our love of the hunt for vintage and antique treasures we had collected so many wonderful items and wanted to be our own bosses. Finally we decided that it was time to take the leap and do what we always wanted to do."

Rebecca also sells through her Etsy shop SimplyAesthetic.etsy.com

To read more about this vignette and get to know Rebecca be sure to visit her blog simplystatedaesthetics.blogspot.com

Vignette of the Moment: December 7th, 2007

Cheryl Bond, from Texas, has such a fantastic flair for romantic decorating. She has a love for all things vintage, and the vignettes that she creates look like something straight out of a magazine. I am so happy to feature this "moment's" vignette, of a teacup and saucer display, in Cheryl's home. I love the unconventional way that she has used vintage suitcases to house such beautiful porcelain. The draped crocheted lace and floral pillow give it a perfect soft and warm touch. My favorite design concepts are those that are bit out of the ordinary and "break the rules," so to speak, and this is a knack Cheryl has a definite talent for.

Vignette of the Moment: November 18th, 2007

I am thrilled to feature this "moment's" vignette from Heather's studio of Pretty Petals Boutique. Heather has such a flare for vintage and shabby decorating...and you can find the BEST products for sale in her online shop. I am a regular visitor! This vignette is from the office space of Heather's studio. You can see some of her lovely collections displayed in the beautiful chippy white cabinet. Crafting and office supplies are gorgeously displayed in glass jars and chinaware. I love Heather's knack for embellishing and beautifying everything she touches...notice the beautiful lampshade! The vintage white linens and painted wood give the space an airy feel, while touches of glamour and elegance abound! Work would never be dull in this romantic space!

You can see more of Heather's studio, as well as her home and artistic creations on Flickr.

Vister her blog at http://prettypetals.typepad.com