Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Enchanting Winter Nest


Welcome to a Winter Wonderland...
...the enchanting, magical home of my fun loving friend Paula!
I spent a whirlwind 24 hours with Paula...
...catching up on each others lives, Christmas shopping and visiting our friends in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley.


Each year I am astonished at the amazing way Paula
 decorates her home for the holidays.

Always paying attention to the tiniest detail...
... at Christmas time, Paula is at her best...

She creates magical vignettes with her beautiful antiques and the fabulous imaginative and one of a kind creations of some very talented artist friends.


This incredible angel was made by Cathy of 

It is perfect for Paula's home with its antique bird cage
 under the full skirt of the vintage doll jacket.


We were antiquing together when she found this old iron crib
 which she has since made over into a settee. 
She just bought the brown ticking
 and intends to have the cushion tufted.
It is very comfortable to sit on!

 We sat here early this morning sipping our cups of coffee
 before we had to say our goodbyes
 as she went off to work and I left for the trip home.
:(  I hate goodbyes!


We were chatting about our fun day yesterday...
...which would have been even more fun if our good friend Evi had been able to come. Unfortunately Evi's back was acting up and she had to stay home. We missed her!

Paula is an avid collector of Evi's fabulous dolls, Santas and rabbits.
  This sweet Snow Girl on the mantle has a bell shaped hat.


Santa in an old Victorian shoe!


Paula created this charming vignette set upon an old wooden architectural piece borrowed from our sweet friend Carole.
Good luck getting that back Carole!


If you are new to 52 Flea then you might not be familiar with
 Paula's style of decorating...
...light and airy, inspired by nature and her beautiful gardens outside.



Touches of silver shimmer and sparkle in the morning sun
 and evening candlelight...





Paula trimmed this little tree with beautiful creamy ribbon
 that she hand stamped with birds and leaves.
She bought the ribbon in Carole's enchanting Christmas shop...
which has an outstanding selection of beautiful and unique ribbons
 along with so many decorative things and unique gifts!


 A tiny vintage stocking hangs, while a white bird perches
 on one of a pair of wonderful antique sconces.


Paula found the metal sconces along with this fabulous 3 tier "cake" side table at the recent closeout sale of her friend John's shop.





This is an antique wire hoop which Paula has transformed into the base for another charming Christmas tree.



Another of Evi's fantastical creations sits on the wicker hamper.



This is one of two wire skirt hoops that Paula bought
 from Ginny at Waterside Antiques.
 I think these wire circles are stunning pieces of graphic art
 when displayed on the wall like this.
 An original Nicole Sayre doll is displayed in front of this one.


A glittered crown from Carole's shop at Maynard Greenhouse sits atop this candle stand next to one of  Evi's magical Santas.


When I climbed into this cozy and welcoming bed last night
 with this darling Lori Ann Corelis bunny...
the fairy lights were twinkling on the Christmas tree
 set up in the corner of the room.

I slept soundly...
...while visions of sugar-plums danced in my head.

:)

Check back tomorrow as 
I have lots more to share including Carole's Christmas shop at Maynard Greenhouse, Deanna's shop Gather in Ivoryton,
 Taken for Granite in Stony Creek and
Dina Varano, Frock, The Red Pepper and C & G...all in Chester.

Whew!
  What a fun day Christmas shopping!

Hope you are having a great weekend too!

60 comments:

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

Beautiful post! And I luv the red&white bedspread. Have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS..........Julian

Vicki Boster said...

Unbelievable - I am absolutely blown away by these beautiful photos. (where does she get her energy?!!) So truely amazing - how talented your friend is. I wish I had half that much creative talent! Thank you so much for sharing!

Did I say beautiful~~~

Vicki

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a beautiful, creative home...I just love her trees and the petite wreath on the door is perfect...

north pal said...

so festive,and interestingly beautiful! thanx for them laura. Bestest,Denise

Sarah said...

Enchanting is the perfect description! Thank you for sharing all these photos of your friend's home. Talented indeed!
Happy Holidays! ~ Sarah

Blessed Serendipity said...

Paula's home is enchanting. Does she have a blog? Thank you for sharing pictures of her wonderful decorating.

-Danielle

Donna said...

Wow, oh wow! I was literally ooohing and aaaahing over all of the lovely photos! Your friend Paula is just amazing, so many pretty things, she and her gorgeous home should be in a magazine! I think my favorite was that pretty wreath. Love it!!

The French Bear said...

Wow, how enchanting and so pretty!!!
Paula's home is a magical, wintery, lovely place to be for Christmas, how beautiful it all looks...I am so awed by it all!!! What an inspiring visit it must have been!
Poor Evi, she worked too hard! Oh my, I hope she will be alright!
Can't wait to see what and where you got up to!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Sandy said...

The decorating is amazing... so whimsical, white with twigs... birds and dishes.... I love everything about this blog... Please come and visit me... Merry Christmas xoso Sandy

LizlovesVintage said...

Laura,
Simply beautiful..
I have the same iron crib in green. I have a old mattress on it for now, but am curious about the tufting.Thanks for sharing your travels. Hugs, Liz

Sveta said...

Laura, hello! Thanks for your wonderful blog! Christmas happy to you!! With love from Russia, Sveta

mary pernula said...

Thanks for the post. I love Carole and Evie, would love to know your friend Paula, all of you would be a dream come to meet someday. HUGS MARY

Unknown said...

Happy Holidays Laura. Visiting your friend Paula looks like a dream vacation. She has such an eye for decorating. All the perfect touches with the simplest things. I love all the creations that she's either purchased or received from her talented friends. And those hoops, can you imagine having to tote those things around especially back then with no air conditioning? Whew!

Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos.
Merry Christmas My Friend....Tracy :)

Boxwood Cottage said...

*Thud*


Did you hear that?
Well that was me falling down from my chair in shock of beauty overload!

Geez Laura what an utterly charming, enchanting, delightful, magical and beautiful post!
I so have to share it with my mom this afternoon she's going to love it just as much as I do, I know that.

Please tell your friend Paula that I'm head over heels in love with her home and her unique style!
Thank you so so much dear Laura for sharing her wonderfully inspiring Christmas home here with us, it totally makes my Sunday!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
xoxo~ Carola

Boxwood Cottage said...

Sending healing thoughts to Evi!

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Laura,
What a wonderful time you all must have had. Paula's house is like an Aladdin's cave of the most enchanting things. .....especiaalyy those iron wall sconces. If she is ever throwing those out, can you get her to throw them my ay ? !! haha.....and to sleep in that bed must have made you feel like a child a Christmas again......so magical.You all have such special friendships which no amount of money can buy. I love the way that you all make each other such personal presents. Wasn't Carole's beautiful ?
I am really looking forward to seeing more of your photographs and can't wait to see Carole's shop. XXXX

Anne Lorys said...

Oh my goodness Laura, what a beautiful post!
From Paula's home to your gorgeous photos, it's all just simply divine.

And hey, thanks for grabbing my giveaway button, sweet gal! :-)

XOXO,
Anne

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~**~WOW what a beautiful and enchanted home!! LOVE it!~*~Hugs, Rachel~*~*~*

*French Farmhouse 425*

Tina said...

Everything is so beautiful - love all the decorations.
Thank you so much for sharing.

Pilgrim at Kerjacob said...

What a delight !
I'm sitting here in my old house in France, everywhere covered in snow.
Going through your photographs is just magic and I just want to jump into the photographs and the houses.

Andi's English Attic said...

A fun Sunday morning looking at this post. Thank you. xx

loveandlilac said...

Just gorgeous. What amazing creativity your friend has.

savvycityfarmer said...

kinda feeling like I need to start all over .... rats!!


it's gorgeous .... I'm without words

Anonymous said...

It's all so gorgeous, Laura!
Wishing you a merry,
~ Zuzu

gail said...

Laura, I am completely blown away! This house is absolutely amazing-I can't even say what is my favorite thing about it. Thank you so very much for sharing this, and I can't wait to go back up that way again!
Just beautiful!
gail

time worn interiors said...

Sounds like you guys had a great time! Your friends house is absolutely magical! Was her house in a magazine a few years ago! Looks like I've seen it in print! Have a Merry Christmas!
Theresa
aka:tot

17-17 said...

Gorgeous creations! I love them all, so cute too... Magda

Ange said...

Have I told you how much I've missed you and what an inspiration you are??? What a fabulous post to come back to. Laura I have sooo much (positive) to tell you. Looking forward to catching up and I'll be posting again as soon as I've finished unpacking and putting up the Christmas decorations which are sorely missing from our little farm house.
Much love, merriment and wonder to you and yours this Christmas.

Wooo hooooo it's nice to be back online :)
Love

Carole said...

I'm gasping for air!!! between your photos and Paula's exceptional talents it's magazine worthy. I hope you get to show more of Paula's. I don't think I can wait until Christmas Eve to see more.
Thank you so much for your friendship ....it's truly my Christmas present!

Love,
Carole

Zita said...

Could Paula's home be more enchanting and beautiful?!! Absolutely adore it, Laura. It must be so wonderful to spend time with Paula and take in the fabulousness of her amazing home. Sounds like you are having a great weekend.

Lululiz said...

Once inside that absolutely beautiful home, I would never want to leave again. Your friend Paula really does have a wonderful touch, her home is truly exquisite. And your gorgeous photographs sure do it justice.

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Absolutely beautiful...
So warm and inviting. Did you dream of sugarplums while sleeping in that dreamy bed?
Susan

Polly said...

Wow! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

erin's art and gardens said...

oh my goodness gracious...i feel all tingly inside!!! i love, love, LOVE her home and style soooooo much!! i can not wait to see more!! wowza.

FRAMBOISINE said...

Absolument MAGNIFIQUE !
De très jolies créations dans un monde plein de douceur ...
Très belles fêtes de fin d'année !

Sandi said...

Oh my I am speechless! These photos are gorgeous. What an amazing talent to decorate like that! Beautiful.
Blessings~

Andy's Attic said...

Such a charming home. It is so full of unusual things. I especially like the silver tree with birds, acorns, and nests. So glad you had such a fun time together. Friends are so precious!
Annette

Karena said...

Laura so much to take in ! She has an amazing gift off creativity!

Joyeaux Noel!

I have a new giveaway from My Sparrow, do come and enter!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

manon 21 said...

Un bien beau weekend ,je t'envie d'avoir dormi dans ce lit,vive l'amitié!
Moi j'ai rangé tous mes trésors,merci Laura.

Manon

Georgia Gibbons said...

great pics...can't wait to see the next couple of posts...love your blog. Merry Christmas.

Alicia @eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh everything looks so beautiful! I really thought that the bird made out of burlap was really unique.I may try my hand at making one of those.

fialka012 said...

krásné....

Elyse said...

beautiful images and great ideas! thank you for sharing.

warmest wishes for a cozy, happy and healthy holiday from my cottage to yours ~

xo
elyse

sandra said...

Oh my gosh, this sweet house is so fun and full of nature!!!! I love everything and I bet you slept like you were in HEAVEN in that cozy bed...can't wait for more!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What a beautiful way to start my week, thank you for sharing!

All those shops are under 2 hours from me, don't know what I am waiting for!!

Rose Garden Romantic said...

It's a white winter wonderland!!! So beautiful!!!
Michelle

Maria Wheeler, Simply Cool Stuff said...

Who needs presents with this loveliness! I especially love the silver tree with the birds of happiness. And, that bed would do it for a long winters rest as well. Have a very happy = creative - holiday. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

They are all so lovely! I think my favorite is the little tree decorated with birds.

Heaven's Walk said...

Oh Laura - Paula's home is like something out of a charming fairytale! So sweet and unique and cozy and cute! I just adore her crib/daybed. I could spend all day there curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.... :)

Merry Christmas to you!

xoxo laurie

Lori Ann Corelis said...

Oh My . . . Each photo is beautiful!! Paula has an amazing eye as do you!!
thank you for posting the photo of my rabbit on the bed . . . I hope you had sweet dreams together!

Lori Ann

Recycled Rita said...

Oh my goodness! What a beautiful home! I have not been to visit your blog in quite awhile and am loving all your recent posts! I wish I lived in Conn. so I could go visit those wonderful stores! Merry Christmas! karen....

Anonymous said...

love love love this post and I so want to sleep in that beautiful bed I would have such a restful sleep Im sure
Merry christmas
The Sugar Gardener

Bohemian said...

What a beautiful Home and that antique crib settee is to die-for!

May 2011 be all that you Hope and envision it to be... Dawn... The Bohemian

Rebecca said...

WOW Laura that was simply amazing... loved it all! How fun for you girls to be able to shop and have such a great time together.
I hope you are digging out and you haven't been buried with all the snow the east has been getting.
Wishing you love and blessings for this New Year
Rebecca

street wear said...

Your collection of photographs are very beautiful and totally different from the other blog. Little tree decorated with birds are my favourite.

football picks said...

Everything is beautifully displayed and wonderfully wrapped each and every gifts. You shared such a wonderful and best photographs of house.

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL!! Where can I get a wreath like the one on the door? I LOVE IT!!!
Blessings~
Sandi@WaysideTreasures

Lana Manis said...

Oh my! When can I move in? ;)
Paula's home is perfectly lovely! Thank you for sharing all of these photos with us.

jacklynn4 said...

Does paula do any home tours? She NEEDS to open a shop!!!

Junkchiccottage said...

Laura,
I wanted to contact you and let you know that I had Cathy from Cheswick Company make me an angel like your friend Paula has in the above pictures. I fell in love with hers and wanted one so my hubby surprised me with one for an early Christmas gift. Please visit my blog to see my beautiful angel. Thank you for this posting it lead me to a beautiful angel!!
www.junkchiccottage.blogspot.com
Kris