Dick Tracy, meet Audrey Hepburn...

Who can resist the lull and lure of things Français? Not I, not I...

I try in vain to identify my personal "style." I am drawn to old tools, adore vintage typewriters, seem to be addicted to iron garden finials and lust after shoes that could possibly create lifetime ligament damage. If I needed to categorize the design aesthetic of my home, I would have to say it as an unlikely pairing of 1940s private eye and French cottage chic. Leather club chairs cozy up to white gauze drapes, the iron and wood bookcase is home to the adorably petite bunny statuette and a pharmacy desk lamp illuminates the zebra-striped princess chair. (I do have to give the hubs points for picking out such a great took-you-ten-years-but-you-finally-finished graduation gift.)

Due to this dichotomy in my nature, I didn't insist on matching bedside tables when giving the master bedroom an overhaul. (Frankly, I figured I had already pushed my luck by refusing to compromise on the orange poppy emblazoned comforter.)

Within minutes of hitting a local antique district, I found the perfect table with delicate cabriole legs and a cottage white finish. "What do you mean you found something already? I just went to park the car!" was my astounded husband's response. Hey, I'm talented, what can I say?

 

Found @ Vandel Antiques

 

The back corner of our yard was not immune to my Francophone attention. We assume the previous homeowners had made some ill attempt at a flower bed that merely left a mass of river stone pebbles and weeds. (More about those river stones in a future post - I just love recycling yard materials for bigger and better uses.) My "Honey, I have an idea" light had gone off and I thought it to be the ideal spot to create a lovely enclosed patio with a bistro flair.

Hubs making his cameo

Many tool rentals, a pallet of flagstones, and copious amounts of Advil later, we had the beginnings of our intimate Parisian patio. My long-homeless bee stepping stone finally found a permanent place as the focal point amongst the flagstones. We planted creeping thyme between the pavers to add interest and contrasting color. The bistro-styled chairs were a divine find at World Market.



 

This post is linked to

 See my post as well as many more lovely patio and porch projects at Funky Junk Interiors.

Also, you can check my Etsy store out for some garden bistro accents.

Given our talk of things red, '40s and fabulous (ok, the fabulous part was implied, but still...) these gorgeous, retro heels are pair of my favorites. Matched with a pencil skirt and a cardie, just call me Audrey!

Seychelles Asterisk

Au revoir!