This is part two of the photos of my apartment. Please go to "Elizabeth's Apartment" first, then read this one.
Thank you!
These photos are of my apartment, above my store. I painted and designed all the furniture. My friend, Sherrie Whitehead, drew the trees and faux finished the walls. I chose a very soothing color palette as I wanted peace and calm in my surroundings - my life is anything but! :-)
Enjoy the photos!
Elizabeth
33 comments:
Love your photos. Great apartment!
I just turned my computer on.... I am having my cup of coffee and you just made my day... your rooms are AMAZING, I need to find another word to describe your talent, they look FANTASTIC!!!!! Love them. You are one of a kind. You definatelly pour your heart and soul in your work and it shows!!!!
I just adore everything! You are so very talented. I particularly love your walls, may I ask how they were painted. This is exactly what I want to do for my living room. You are so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing, hope to see more, you know, like the kitchen, bathroom. ((wink)).
Teresa
Beautiful! Thanks for the peek. Also, I really enjoyed your Valentine article! Lots of inspiring ideas.
my favorte designs and pattern for a "look"--I vote this one--it's calm ,gently worn and a nice oasis
from the outside world.
Thank you for the lovely comments. I do pour all that I have into what I love to do. I am happy to share my love with you all.
Elizabeth
What a treat!! Your pictures are beautiful!
I have already read through all of my February magazines (oops!) and I needed more pictures! You came to the rescue and made my day!
Your writing, design and photographic styles would make the best book! Perhaps someday you'll consider writing one. In the meantime, thank you so much for this glimpse of your beautiful home!
Elizabeth, as usual, your style ROCKS!!
Like Teresa asks too, will you please share about how your walls were painted? Not to be too demanding - "but the exact brand and colors used". I have repainted my living / dining area like 10 times trying to achieve this exact look. Ever since I found your blog I have been waiting for this and the wait was well worth it. You are amazing and THANKS SOOOOO much for opening up your home and sharing with us. Blessings to you Elizabeth!!!
Hello! First, thank you all for such lovely comments - I don't ever take them for granted - nor do I ever tire of them either! :-)
As for the walls....well, as much as I wish I could give you a "color" I can't only because there are about 4 colors on the walls, and they are mixed by hand. And it is applied on top of a plaster finish. Some of what you see was done with a brush, some with a rag, and all with a combination of 4-5 colors and mixed in with water! But if you are an experienced faux finisher you can experiment by using light slate blue/gray. And use a darker tan, light brown, and cream. The darker tan is about as dark as store bought chocolate milk. But, it was watered down. You will only need a quart of each...my entire room was done with about only a total of 2 quarts...why? Because water was added to the colors, it goes on thin, and then "squished" together on the walls. I use flat finish - although almost ALL my artists friends use an egg shell finish. Flat finish is much harder to work with - but I like the look so much that I just deal with it. Egg shell is much easier to slide the paint around on the wall. Start very light (not as in color, but as in a light touch) and just add layers until you get what you want. I promise you, it took me about 2 weeks to get the right color combo and my friend, Sherrie, who did the art work and the murals, did sample after sample on my wall and kept adjusting it until I found the right color combo. I faux finished the kitchen walls, the "blue bedroom", master bedroom walls, and bathroom walls. Again, flat finish, all hand applied with those cheap chip brushes (the throw away kind). Now again, almost evry artist I know uses a rag or something other than a brush. The brush is the hardest way to do it - so why do I use it? Well, I am totally self-taught. I tried it all: sponges, rags, roller, whatever....but I always go back to the brush. I just like the results and I am willing to do the labor to get it. One more thing. Once you got your combo down and your technique down, here is a hint: Start in a corner - any corner (I usually start in upper corner) and work your way out - but here is the important part. Lets say you have just painted your corner and worked your way out with one dip of the brush. When you dip your brush in for the second time and are ready to put the brush to the wall - do NOT place the brush at the area that your first strokes stopped. Place the brush a few inches away and work your way out in all directions, to include working it back to the first strokes to "connect them." Why? This will help avoid those "lines" that will show up after while on the wall in the places where the two strokes meet. By starting a few inches away and sweep it up to meet the prior strokes, you are "feathering" the strokes together rather than applying a heavy hand in an area that already has paint on it. Well, I hope this lengthy answer wasn't too confusing or discouraging. Just practice - you will get it.
Thanks again for taking time to view my home,
Elizabeth
Can we TALK?
But for now I'm speechless.
I think these other comments are absolutely spot on... and like Chiara you brightend my day immensely! These images are an inspiration for the kind of homes and private spaces we all wish to create. I've only just discovered this blog, but will avidly keep up to date, from the other side of the world [Sydney, Australia]
What a treat to get an email from around the world - I feel so honored. Thank you for writing - it is emails and comments like the ones here that make MY day!
Thank you,
Elizabeth
WOW... I am speechless, and THAT is saying something!
Simply devine Elizabeth, your sweet and beautiful place! You've got me inspired!
Simply beautiful. I wish with all my heart that you had a shop near my home!
Oh how I love this blog... this shop and apartment could have been mine so similar is our taste and style, except that the gypsy in me always adds a dash of more colour
Would definitely be a frequent visitor
Chamara
Elizabeth, I found a link to your blog on Brocante Home's website and may I say~ WOW! Your apartment is SO gorgeous and I was shocked to find out that you lived in the U.S. I thought for sure you lived in Paris!! I am so happy to peek in at your blog~ as a fellow peeping Tom of course!
Visiting with a calling card from Brocante Home Chronicles. Your apartment is so lovely - at first glance, I thought it was French! Do you ever come to Paris to shop for your store or your home (I live in Paris)? You have really great style - and if I'm ever again in St. Louis, I'll make a point of visiting your shop!
Wow!! How can one say that even more so??!! what an amazing apartment and shop I would give anything just to be able to come and stand there and take it all in!!! I know it would and will be breathtaking!!! I am so thrilled I found your blog!! have already passed it on to friends too!!! now wishing you were here in Ohio!!! at least can get the virtual tour!!! thanks for making my day!!! Hugs Linda
one word for these pictures ...BEAUTIFUL....
Hi Elizabeth, LOVE your apartment. Great style! I sell vintage French decor and would love to see to your shop some time. Fantastic!
Hi Elizabeth, LOVE your apartment. Thanks for sharing the great photos. Would love to see your shop. I also sell French decor and your presentation is inspiring! Thanks!
what a beautiful place you have! it must really be so calming living in a nice place like yours. Congratulations!
Your apartment is beautiful, warm, restful, classy, ROMANTIC... and I am thankful every time I experience it that I was able to be a part of the creative process. Working with you was a joy. Being your friend even better.
stumbled on your blog this afternoon and LOVED your home!! You must feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by such beauty everyday - and to know that you and your friends made it yourselves!! :)
Way to go!
Looking forward to visiting often...
Joy
You inspired me to update
http://stuffintheburbs.blogspot.com
with a small home tour of my old farmhouse.
Thanks and I hope we visit soon.
I have always loved your website and this is the first time I have seen your blog - found it mentioned on Blissguild. Your apartment is so gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing pictures of your home. It's so inspiring! I will be back for sure!
I covet.
If I could get away with doing that to my house, I would ina heartbeat. That is evactly my style. So elegant but it looks like anyone could come in and prop their feet up.
Sue
Elizabeth I am so glad I found you on Chris Brown's blog...your apartment is just lovely and so inspiring. So refreshing and honest is your style...I am very inspired. And next state over! I must visit your shop someday.
I just found you today and it is strange. Many of the things you have said are my feelings, a lot of my style much like yours, even like hair style--could we have been seperated at birth?
I love your home and I would never say I want mine to look like yours (copy cat style) but, we have the same taste and ideas and mine does look alot like yours. Mine is always changing. My friends laugh and say they are afraid to stay away to long because they love the ever changing looks of my home. Small details change as I find things that I love.
I will keep returning to reap inspiration from you and enjoy seeing the evolution of your surroundings, life and business.
Your place is beautiful , you are a great talent.*
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Jennifer Ramos
MadeByGirl.com
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