Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Past Inspiration on the Journey to New Changes with White!

For most of us, we can probably agree that interior design has really changed over the years in styles and color. I know my styles have really evolved over time. But looking back over my college days and studies, one thing remains the same, perspective, scale and good design. I like to think of my own decorating starting with CREATIVITY around COLLECTIONS, COMFORT and CALMNESS, all coming together for a pleasing space that is unique. A space that reflects our personality, travels, collections and how we live with the treasures we love and cherish.

My personal favorites revolve around Romantic French Country and Villa Cottage Garden with Shabby to Chic throughout. This year I have added lots of white or cottage cream and love it. I have lots of windows in my cottage, but the position of those windows do not bring in the light I would like throughout the day. Adding the white to my furniture and accents has brightened and brought a fresh lightness to my rooms. I actually started adding white in 2000 when my mother passed away and I redesigned her room she had in my home. All the furniture was painted white and I loved it. From there I have been adding white ever since. Although I still love color in the accents, the white has given me new inspiration and a fresh direction. Accents have become lighter and more neutral too
Here are a few favorite design books I love and take lots of inspiration from.
"French Country at Home" ~by Kathy Passero.

This book is just full of inspiration on every page. It reveals in great detail the colors that make up French Design, textures, styles and collectibles. Elements from floor to ceilings that make up a style that is comfortable and very homey.

Two more favorites are Cottage Style and Garden Style written by Mary Wynn Ryan. These books also bring great inspiration for collectibles using vintage and color for indoors and out.
These publications have really influenced my redecorating over the years and I always see something new every time I turn the pages and dream.



And lastly, I have to share 3 more inspiring favorites I read all the time and dream away with new ideas.





Whether it be inside or out, and outside I have made lots of changes too, anywhere can be a space to decorate. The following pics are a journey through my cottage sharing display vignettes using collectibles, vintage treasures, and hand paintings. While these vignettes have changed and evolved over time since I added the cottage cream, I still find inspiration from these past photos. My guy and I love to surround our home with vintage books, vintage glassware, handmade treasures and always music. In the next weeks I will share the cottage cream changes with new pics and new inspiration that I have worked on this year.
I love to display my treasures in a way to inspire me everyday. Where does your inspiration come from?




















Along the way, I learned something about myself too. I can't live without lace. I love it, and use it everywhere among my treasures. Vintage lace made by my grandmother is among my cherished favorites.







For me, the decorating journey continues, and more then likely, it does for you too. It has been fun to share my inspirations before the changes I have yet to share with you in my cottage home, garden and studio.
I hope all your decorating dreams, come true!
Blessings, Celestina Marie

18 comments:

lilybets said...

..the cottage style i my favorite,I love it!Also romantic cards are in my heart !

Betty said...

Lovely post and can't wait to see more. I never did much decorating in the past. Now I am doing it all the time. Taking one room at a time. I get my inspirations by reading blogs like yours. I have added colors to my home that I never would have in the past and loving it.

I also love lace and damask.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I get ideas from the blogs I visit...like yours! But I will make a little wish list of some of the books you've mentioned. I sure love sitting down with books and dreaming! Enjoy your week! You're still in my thoughts and prayers, my friend!

BG said...

Celeste you always brighten my day with your delightful posts of pretties and I think you may be an inspiration to many of us would be decorators ... you certainly are to me!

Thank you for sharing your books, I will look out for them on Amazon.
Hugs,
Sandi

Tanza said...

Hi Sweet friend,
Loved all your books you have shared !! Such inspiration ... I LOVE thumbing through decorative books .. Sometimes, not reading, just looking and taking in such beautiful pictures .. feeds the soul, and I LOVE to get inspiration .. soo many wonderful ideas !!
Hope you are feeling better, and each day a little less heavy on your heart !! You are such a doll .. Love visiting you ..
Have a happy week ~TeA~xo

Createology said...

Your decorating style is a vision in dreamy romantic lacilicious bliss. I would be green if I allowed envy. I adore your vignettes. Thank you for sharing your vision...

1CardCreator said...

What a feast for the eyes, all of the sweet soft colors Celestina! Sounds like you are seeing a little sunshine through the clouds now. You are still on my prayer list, take care and let your creativity heal you.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Celestina Marie,

You are a very creative person with lots of ideas that you will carry out till high age. As long as we have wishes and dreams about creating a more perfect nest, we're alive.
Love to you,
Mariette

Ingeborg van Zuiden said...

Hi dear Celestina Marie!

How are you doing dear? And how are you managing everything without your beloved doggie? I so much hope you feel well! Your post is so inspiring again. I love those books and here's another one that can't live without lace lol. This weekend I actually received some gorgeous vintage lace doilies and tablecloths from my cousin and i'll post about it soon. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. So much changed in my life one of a sudden! Anyway, it's good to see you on the creative track again. I so much hope you will find your happiness again. Your studio looks so bright and fresh, so that must help to come lighter through the days! Big special hug to you and take good care of yourself!
Blessings,
Ingeborg

Julie Marie said...

Hello Celeste... I know your styles have changed through the years, but many things remain consistent... your beautiful family heirlooms and your lovely way of displaying everything... all of those books look wonderful... the only one I have is Garden Style, but I love it... also love that you have so many little birdies throughout your home... everything is beautiful!... love to you, xoxo Julie Marie

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Hello Sweetness,
Those books look so interesting.I love looking at a beautiful magazine. Your new look is full of warmth...just like you.
Your post as usual is just gorgeous.You cannot get bored looking at all your treasures.I love the little picture of you and larry. I also liked the ceramic boot with the music paper in it.I used to paint boots for my Mother.In fact I hace a boot to paint that my friend Cheryle bought for me.She thought I might like to paint it...LOL...I'm not up to do that yet. My Mother made her living selling ceramics and I would always help her paint them.
Maybe,I'll get to talk to you soon.
Love you lots,
XXOO Marie

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Beautiful, Celestina!
I too love lace and used a lot of vintage pieces in my newly redone Den. Stop by if you get a chance!

Hugs,
Deb

The Polka Dot Closet said...

My inspiration comes from blogs like yours! I love the cottage shabby style, it just feels comfortable, cozy, and lived in

Carol

The Polka Dot Closet said...

My inspiration comes from blogs like yours! I love the cottage shabby style, it just feels comfortable, cozy, and lived in

Carol

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Hi Celeste!

Your home is so warm & inviting and I just know you make beautiful changes that make it even more so! Decorating is an evolution of ideas and looks we want to create to please our soul and give others a feeling of love as soon as they enter our home. I LOVE decorating and putting a new twist on old things.

Love all the great pics you showed us and I've got to see if I can get my hands on a couple of those books to look at and dream. Love love love Jessica McClintock!

Please stop by when you have a chance and see some of Marie's creations and one of mine. I'm so happy to be sharing Marie's blog with her. Lots of fun for us!

Love to you and Larry!! "Edie"

Anonymous said...

Celeste, I know what you mean about white. Or even off-white. We repainted our maple bedroom furniture in cream about 15 years ago and shabbied it up. I still love it and probably won't ever paint it another color. It's so calming!

Hope you are keeping cool!

Blessings, Diane

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

I find it interesting how colour schemes in our houses has changed so much over the years.
I remember in our family home when I was growing up, in the kitchen we had bold orange and brown wallpaper.
I loved seeing all your books and will look out for some of these.
So neat to be able to get inspiration and ideas from our blog friends. Many thanks for all the wonderful things you share. You are still much in my thoughts and prayers, dear friend.

Hope you are enjoying the weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

romance-of-roses said...

I have enjoyed this post so very much and seeing all of your lovely items inspires me. I too love lace and have a beautiful book of lace that one of my daughters gave me. My mother also passed away in 2000, I miss her so. She was a great inspiration to me. Will look for some of those books you mention. Blessings, Lu

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..