Say I do, to Vintage

Vintage inspired weddings are the greatest trend right now.  When I got married, Mom and I did the best we could with what was available to have our own vintage wedding.  Our garden wedding had shimmer, glamour and vintage all in one.  Because of my constant itch for the next best thing, I would change the scene and keep the location, the people, and well… the groom.  Hence the title to my pinterest board “Keeping the Groom”.

Some of my favorite vintage inspiration comes from the wedding blogs I come across like Found Vintage Rentals, Ruffled, and Green Wedding Shoes. And the wedding dresses these days are so gorgeous. I did, and do love my dress, but my fashion background pushes me to change it up like the post I did earlier on Ruche’s vintage bridal collection.

So, with all that said, what would I end up with if I were doing it all over again?

Close to my original color scheme, but that table is fantastic!

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Or this romantic color scheme that is so edgy and not overplayed at all.

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Then there is bright and whimisical. So many choices…

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

In a greenhouse…

Source: ruffledblog.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Under the stars…

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Kimberly on Pinterest

Or in a barn.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Should the sweets table have vintage trunks and suitcases…

Source: jennycookies.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Or big bushy florals and white cakes galore…

Source: thefoundblog.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

All Chocolate… Somebody stop me!

Source: sweetandsaucyshop.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Ok, last one for desserts is the Frenchie theme with macarons galore.  But seriously for more awesome dessert tables see Melody Brandon at Sweet and Saucy.

Source: sweetandsaucyshop.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Don’t forget to sign in, grab a cocktail, and have a good time.

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

If you would like to see pics from my wedding on facebook, click here. Please, if you would like to be friends on facebook follow me at The Purple Rose instead of personal friend requests. You can also follow me on twitter too!!!

April Showers…

Much needed rain is here, but I’m longing for those warm teasers from March and April. Looks like we’ll be having “April flowers needs May showers” this year. But I digress and share a sunny window to brighten the day.

Source: countryliving.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Swedish Style

A book shipment showed up at The Purple Rose and among the contents of this box, that I don not remember ordering, was a perfect surprise.  The Natural Home  by Hans Blomquist. Can I just say that I am totally, completely and utterly in love. So I went online to do some research on this very talented stylist only to realize that I’ve been pinning his stuff all along.

I mean this is, as the hubs would say “quintessential Kimmy”.  It’s rustic yet refined.  Simple yet eclectic.  And just the right amount of contemporary.  Someday I will have a loft converted from an old factory, and Han’s style with grace the walls and rooms of this merry habitat.

Bench, table, wooden crates, loomstate linen and touches of color

Source: agentbauer.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Bed, chair, windows, bedding and floor

Source: puregreendesign.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

all around fun hanging bed

Source: housecrush.blogspot.ca via Kimberly on Pinterest

different chairs, light, natural

Source: web.me.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Metal storage, green, botanical, curious

Source: web.me.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Letters, clock, dresser

Source: web.me.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Everything

Source: puregreendesign.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Spring Blossoms

I love when the trees are in bloom. The colors are so fresh and happy. Enjoy!

A beautiful image of our nations capital, captured by the talented Melissa Ann Marie

Beautiful climbing  wisteria

Source: arieldearieflowers.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Cherry blossoms

Source: partypatisserie.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

What album wouldn’t be complete without Paris in the springtime

Source: 123rf.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

And lilacs. My favorite, and just starting to  bloom now.

Source: anavitri.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Setting the day

First Pin of the day was this beautiful window with a bloom of wisteria.

Source: pbase.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Thank Your Paris Hotel Boutique

Elsie de Wolfe

A girl after my own heart. “The first lady of interior design”.  She woke america up during the Victorian era by opening the windows and stripping the heavy patterns and dark moods of decor. The first minimalist in decorating but with the elegance of softened French and English inspiration. Elsie was the producer of the chaise lounge and writing desk that we admire today as well as one heck of a party planner.  Her idea was to entertain guests more comfortably and stylishly. Forget Emily Post, Elsie was a trend setter and master of self promotion. Keeping Vogue in the loop of all her soiree’s, woman began to follow her every move, and soon her styles and ideas were sweeping the nation. Thank goodness for innovation and gutsy pioneers like Elsie.

In the ebbs and flows of decor today, we move through trends so quickly that timeless get lost somewhere in the mix.  In our culture of quick fix everything, decorating not excluded, patience for the right piece or look will always be worth the wait.  And even though I succumb to a trend here and there, I will always be a girl of comfort, elegance, and statement. I am all about letting the sunshine in and feeling the room’s I’m in rather than just being in them. Every space has a story, It’s up to us to allow it come alive.

See my source at Canadian Interior Design. A great little bio to read.

Sometimes Less Just Isn’t More

I’ve always been very independent. At times in my life when I’ve felt codependency, I didn’t feel like myself.  And I have always enjoyed my alone time. Sometimes life’s curve balls will send you inside yourself a little too far and those inspiring thoughts that once came so easily, start to get jumbled up.  You realize that view you once experienced at your table for one is feeling a little lonely.

Then you find someone to share that view with and realize life was missing something after all. You can still be independent, but now you have a parachute to catch you from falling. Someone to be your backbone and your rock when the road get’s bumpy. You realize then that life is meant to be shared with someone so special there aren’t words to describe it.

Before you know it, you’ve let more people in. People you’ve been around your entire life. You learn their struggles, their own independence and co-dependencies , their dreams, their fears, their life.  Compassion becomes a tool you never had before and you begin to enjoy yourself and who you’re becoming more each day.

I think I was always afraid to lose anything I became to close too. And while I still enjoy that table for one from time to time, The table for ten is becoming more and more inviting.

Sometimes less just isn’t more.

A Rose is a Rose

It’s been a little while since my last post.  I have been busy getting the store ready for spring.  I rarely show images from the store and I was thinking to myself, self, why would you only share your inspiration and not what you create from that. Silly girl, share it…

So here are a couple of vignette shots of The Purple Rose

My favorite room. A BSC Rachel chair in raya linen with all the perfect accessories!

This is a beautiful Justin Camlin Cooper Bridge Console Table in aqua. I am not sure why I don’t have this on my website yet, but I will update with a link as soon as I do. Anyone interested can email me for pricing. I’ve paired it up with pops of pink accessories and these really cool botanical from Bella Fiore.

This is our new vintage rolling factory cart made by our local friends at New England Country. This exclusive design is made from all recycled barn wood and hardware.

We’ve added the Spartina 449 spring line in Sailor’s Watch and Calibogue  with a mix of coordinating jewelry for the fashionista in you.

Spring greens and Juliska

Love these Aidan Gray industrial Accesories. Magazine holders and big typewriter letters.

Okay, so maybe I snuck this one in from last spring, but I love it. Bella Notte picked us for bed of the month with this vignette so we have bragging rights. And since ink and seaglass are still available then it’s still cuurent.

Dash and Albert rugs are the purrrfect compliment to just about any room. Look for our blog post soon about the new indoor/outdoor rugs. They’ve really outdone themselves with the new patterns and colors.

 So that’s a taste of the store. More will come as well as photos from our trip to Atlanta. LOTS of inspiration from that trip!

Not your Grandma’s Wallpaper

So, you know that stack of magazines you walk by on a daily basis thinking, “uugghh, I really should go through those”.  And your husband wants to just throw them away but you just can’t because what if there was that one bit of inspiration in there that you’ll never see or forget all about because you couldn’t take an hour from your day to double check them.  Today was that day. And thanks to the wonderful world of the web and Pinterest, I was able to find most of them online and pin them accordingly.   Now I don’t have a stack of torn out pages from said magazines to stare at.  Isn’t technology just fab?

I am super excited I didn’t listen to hubby and I think you will be too.  I found this great wallpaper from Louise Body out of England. It appears as though it can be purchased here in the US from Stark Wall Coverings.  Maybe we’ll have to do a wall at The Purple Rose to show it off.

Patchwork/Jade by Louise Body

Orange Rose by Louise Body

Trailing Plant/Silver by Louise Body

Mixed Folk by Louise Body

Buttercup Blue by Louise Body

Old Blue by Louise Body

La Primavera

I celebrate the spring equinox with a favorite Renaissance painting by Botticelli, La Primavera.  A beauty and a wonder that’s hidden messages continue to awe me every time I look at it. Hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Happy Spring!

For my favorite story about the origins of this painting and a Pandora’s box of alternative theories in history, please read “The Poet Prince” by Kathleen McGowan.  However I suggest you start with “The Expected One” which is the first of a series by this author, Poet Prince being the third.

 Happy Reading