Funky Finds and Watercolor Magic

 

Wine Gathering bucket from Barreveld 

 

I am crazy over this fabric from Jane Shelton for an accent fabric in the living area . 

 

These pots were purchased from  www.wisteriaantiques.net.  I think they would make great lamp bases and  would complement the the fabric above as well.

I found this amazing pair of oars on Ebay. I think they will look great hanging alongside the  canoe paddles I purchased from Crawford's Antiques. You can find similar ones here:http://stores.ebay.com/countryantiques

When I am working on a project I become totally absorbed in the whole aesthetic of the particular project.  When a friend  from high school Brian Gordy posted one of his beautiful watercolors on facebook I stopped in my tracks.  This image “Looking Back at Alona Bay”  really captivated me. I could imagine a writer using this as this as a basis for a story. I can conjure up all kinds of scenarios about the whereabouts of the  inhabitants of the canoe.  How about you? 

 

The Hauntingly Beautiful “Tomorrow’s Rain” invokes a  similar mystery

As well as “Visitors at Southpoint”

Brian exhibits his watercolors in galleries throughout the United States and many have found homes in private, corporate and museum collections. His series of turtle paintings have become particularly well thought of.  You can find them at  http://turtlepaintings.com/.
Many of Brian’s watercolors are available as originals or as limited edition giclee  prints.  If you would like to purchase any of the above or just enjoy more of Brian’s beautiful work go to  http://gordyframing.com/.  I am sure they would be happy to frame it for you as well.
The tide is beginning to turn at Villa Cantina now .  Nearly everything has been purchased, fabricated and delivered.  Everything will probably be photo ready at once!

Animals and an Animal Print for Inspiration

Villa Cantina has great bones but there are a few things that I am not crazy about. The kitchen cabinetry is not very interesting. She (Villa Cantina) is for the most part a traditional meditteranean, with a few tweaks here and there. Hence in choosing finishes, furniture, art and fabrics...the tweeks (ie cabinets) had to be taken into account when considering the overall design. Perhaps they will get a painted finish at some point but for now the have to be dealt with as they are. We are trying to accomplish a beautiful design on a budget. When I begin a project I start with a source of inspiration. It might be a beautiful antique piece, a rug, a great fabric, or even a finish. For Villa Cantina it was a painting that was a gift from our children, and a memo sample from one of my favorite fabric houses Cowtan & Tout.

Painting purchased at: Wisteria Antiques ( one of my favorite local haunts)

http://www.wisteriaantiques.net/

Cowtan & Tout # F1406-04 Livingstone (Brown)

The Cowtan fabric has to be my splurge fabric on this project, all other fabrics need to have a great look but be economical as well.

Villa Cantinas stronges virtue is the amazing vista off the main balcony. In my next post I will show the importance of bringing the outside in by incorporating the colors of the neighboring landscape.