Friday, April 15, 2011

Creating a Relaxed French Farmhouse Feel, The Talented Ruby Wand, and a Winner


Hello!
I hope you are all having a great week!
Thank you Melaine!
Also I want to thank all of you for participating in the giveaway and for all of your sweet comments you left over there.
Melaine picked a winner this morning.....
The winner is the author of the blog Fete et Fleur
Congratulations!

Today I wanted to share a few pictures I recently took of a french fruit basket....
I spend a lot of time taking product pictures for my shop...
I hope you don't mind if I share product pictures with you from time to time.

I love to try and give my house a relaxed french farmhouse feel.....
When I took these pictures of this french fruit basket, that was the feeling I was trying to capture in my photographs...
Here is what I did to try and create a relaxed french farmhouse feel.....


I first started out by adding a jar filled with lilacs to the basket, that ended up not looking quite right.

Since my lilacs are in bloom, you will see a lot of lilacs in my product pictures (sorry)


 I ended up just laying the flowers in the basket....



I added my J Crew sun hat  to one side of the chair...
I love using this hat throughout my house as a prop...


I added my Chic French Linen Tote to the other side of the chair,
I think the white tote helps break up all the wood that is in the picture.



I threw in my favorite lavender pillows that my sister made for me....


I like how the material looks against the wood and next to the lilacs.


I love creating displays on my bistro chairs.
Bistro chairs also make great night stands and or end tables.


That is how I tried to create a relaxed french farmhouse feel for a product picture....


On a completely different note....
I wanted to introduce you to the talented Ruby Wand.
Ruby recently special ordered a french ticking duvet and a set of french ticking euro-shams from us.
My sister Liz designed and sewed the duvet for Ruby.
I actually didn't get to see the duvet in person, since my sister lives in Atlanta, GA.  
Ruby just sent me pictures of the duvet over the weekend....
I could hardly wait to share these pictures of her bedroom and the duvet with all of you.
I love Ruby's style.... I think she is very talented.


I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of Ruby's bedroom....


Ruby used to live in a 1900's white cottage. 
They had to move due to her husband's work and currently rent a condo.


I just love what Ruby has done to this condo.


Ruby's husband Russ, made the night stand and the bookcase.


I love how Ruby used this mantle for a headboard and then added an antique bench to the foot of the bed.


I also love how Ruby mixed so many white linens with her gray and white french ticking duvet.
(The bottom side of the duvet is made from an antique french monogrammed linen sheet.
My sister designed the duvet so that Ruby could also use the linen sheet as the top side if she wished to do so.  Liz used antique buttons made from sea shells to close the duvet.)



I love Ruby's bedroom!
Thank you Ruby for allowing me to share these pictures of your bedroom on my blog.
I hope you will start a blog someday soon! 

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Take Care,
Maria



78 comments:

Home and Lifestyle said...

Wonderful pictures....from the flowers and the bedroom!

Have a nice weekend! Warm regards, Ingrid

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

Gorgeous! Love those beautiful lilacs and the photos, and also loved seeing Ruby's bedroom.

I really struggle with the little vignettes like those, so it's really nice to see some examples and hear your process, too.

Thanks!

Best,

~Angela~

Belichek said...

Such air and beautiful photos with lilac)))

http://syllovesshabby.blogspot.com said...

Dear Maria, I love all your pictures and you don't need to say sorry for showing this perfect lilacs in them, I have never enough of lilacs!

have a great weekend

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

Your photographs and styling are divine!!!!

Le Cose di Eva said...

I love everything!
Eva

angie said...

hello maria, its decoration is beautiful! greetings

M-Anne said...

I love lilacs but I do not have it in my new garden, I think I'll plant one a fall, it makes such pretty pictures :-)

Deborah said...

Beautiful duvet and shams Maria..your sister is talented!
Love the look of your chair and basket and lilacs...mmmm
the fragrance..I never tire of them.And Rubys bedroomis gorgeous..shes got style!

Deborah xo

Blondie's Journal said...

Thank you for the step by step in how you created this pretty arrangement. It has so many natural elements and textures, just perfect.

I love the duvet, what a great idea to use a sheet for the reverse side. The bedroom is just beautiful, too!

XO,
Jane

Mariaelena said...

so lovely....thanks for sharing and I never tire of seeing any of your beautiful work...I recently grabbed a big round fruit basket from the farm market where I shop for $1...It doesn't have handles, but it is big and round and I thought it could be something beautiful!!!...happy Friday, Mariaelena

The enchanted home said...

Well let me say you succeeded! So beautifully done..has such a romantic, nostaligic and elegant feel to the home...well done!!

siga said...

I almost want to cry... So beautiful! Everything! And I am totally in love with Ruby's Headboard :)

Lori said...

I have some wonderful new bistro chairs, I just got from IKEA. I don't want to paint the wood, but boy do I now want to paint the metal. Dry brush maybe? Sand a little? Love it.

Ruffles n Raspberries said...

Don't ever apoligize for using lilacs too much! LOVE em :) Great photos, your little bistro chair is so cute.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your product pictures with us. Love how you achieved the look. Love Ruby's styling too.

x

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

All of your photos are so dreamy, love the basket vingette on the bistro chair.
I also love Ruby's bedroom. Your sister did a great job on the lovely linens.

hugs
Sissie

Becca Bertotti said...

Beautiful vignette !! And, Ruby's bedroom is awesome ... love the duvet. *Becca*

PattyO said...

Thanks for sharing! Your pictures are beautiful. Our home still has the original paint...a minty green that I'm itching to paint white!! I often browse through a salvage shop where I live that have pieces like Ruby's bed frame! Love it!

Sherry Hicks said...

I love all of your photos, and I lovwe to look at your products as well. I agree that their needs to be a mixture of hard and soft surfaces to balance out! The room you featured is beautiful and your sister does amazing work!
Sherry

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

How beautiful is Ruby's bedroom and how talented Liz is. I love Ruby's bedroom especially the duvet, the headboard and the bench at the foot. You are amongst very talented people including yourself. Your pictures with the basket and lilacs is incredible. ~~Sherry~~

Vanessa Greenway said...

Maria, the pictures are beautiful, you really capture a lovely view. I just absolutely adore those lavender sachets. The fabric is simply adorable!

traci said...

you are so lucky to have your lilacs already. mine have some big buds, but nothing yet. i will be on the lookout for bistro chairs this flea market season. love yours.

ruby's bedroom is gorgeous. and all those books. i just want to snuggle in for the night and read.

karen - Simply Inspired said...

lovely lilacs... thank you for sharing!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

First of all...I can never get too much of lilacs...can't wait till mine bloom! Love the curved wooden handle on your French fruit basket.
Ruby's bedroom is indeed beautiful...and I adore your sister's handiwork...the duvet with the linen sheet on the reverse is gorgeous!
Have a great weekend! :)

eleaka said...

I love your duvet yo made for my sister Ruby. So talented.

Ruby (sis) I love your bedroom and how you set up the duvet with all the different whites underneath. You are so talented. Personally your living area is my favorite place in your home. Maybe Marias readers can convince you to start your own blog :)

Love you shop Maria. Its like a little piece of eye cany everyday.

eleaka said...

Sorry for the typo errors :) I was typing way too fast.

Unknown said...

I love your old french fruit basket! And you're right, Ruby's bedroom is fantastic!!! I'm in love with her headboard, simply wonderful!
Have a nice week end!
Hugs!
Mara

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Maria ~
I just love everything about
your beautiful picture ~
The lilacs are beautiful so
it is awesome to take advantage of their short bloom time in photographs :)
Ruby's bedroom is gorgeous too ~ wow!! I love what your sister made and I love her bed ~ Sooooo gorgeous!!

xoxo
Lori

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Everything you do, Maria, is simply beautiful! LOVE that French garden chair!!! Ruby's bedroom is wonderful - her new duvet cover is perfect for it!

A Shabby Moment in Time said...

Omigosh...that bistro chair display is sooo perfect! And I love how it all looks so effortless. Totally charming from start to finish. Thanks for sharing your "magic" with us.
Blessings and Hugs,
Karen

Unknown said...

It was nice to see your little photo staging process, Maria. I ADORE your bistro chair displays...and the chairs! I recently used a little wooden folding bistro chair as a nightstand next to my bed. I love it but am crossing my fingers that I bump into a weathered metal & wood chair...preferably French. ;) Ruby's bedroom is so pretty. The gray & white ticking is one of my favorite French fabrics and it looks absolutely gorgeous as a duvet. Your sister does beautiful work. I love how she closed off the ends with the seashells. Always an inspiring little visit here!

designchic said...

I adore the vignette you created - effortlessly chic. Ruby's duvet covert looks wonderful - love her headboard!! Happy Friday ~

Melissa said...

Gorgeous photos, Maria! Thanks for sharing a bit more of the design process. Personally, I know my own style and I purchase/reuse items that reflect that style, but my weakness is definitely the design process: putting those items together and displaying them as a whole...I'd love to see more posts like this!!!
Thanks,
Melissa

Tricia said...

Thanks for sharing your photo staging techniques Maria- you are truly talented in that area!! Ruby's bedroom is lovely.
Happy Friday~
T

High Street Cottage said...

I agree with you Maria, I hope Ruby starts a blog one day. Does your Sister have a blog, or shop? Her work is amazing. Onto the basket, it's so charming, and the flowers laid inside look so much more casual and natural as if you've been gathering. Thank you for not only the decorating tips, but inspiration. xx tami

Anne Lorys said...

You created a beautiful vignettes with those lilacs and your hat, Maria!

Your sister is so talented!
Love Ruby's bedroom, she has some really lovely pieces there.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Anne

Margherita Calati ph said...

this style is incredible, i love it!!

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

I ABSOLUTELY love everything about your blog and home!! I'm your newest follower! Thanks, have a great weekend!! :)

Jeanne Oliver said...

Gorgeous new product photos and so jealous that you have lilacs...my very favorite flower!! I bet your home smells amazing right now.

whimages said...

You are fueling my passion for a bistro chair! It's okay, I still love you! ;-) I love Ruby's room, so fabulous...and in a condo, that lady has STYLE!

I may have to go over to the neighbors and "borrow" some of her lilacs since I have none. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria,
gorgeous photos, and I absolutely love lilacs, so no chance of me getting tired of seeing them! :)I adore the duvet your sister made, it's absolutely fabulous!! She is super talented!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Congrats to the lucky winner!;)
I LOVE your relaxed farmhouse displays Maria~I always love seeing how you display your new products~And I adore the duvet and shams your sister made~Have a wonderful day!! Hugs,Rachel

French Farmhouse 425

~I received my new lavender pillow yesterday~Thanks again!~

Cindy said...

What amazing, beautiful photos! I love the heavenly lilacs in the basket. You are such an artist the way you set up your scenes and balance the color the texture and the composition. It's a delight to look at them. And,... Ruby's room is lovely... so calming and homey. The headboard and linens are fabulous!

Cindy

Robynne's Nest said...

Gorgeous photos Maria, must dig out my very similar date basket...it has paperwork in it at the moment. Also I loved the shots of your home in Fifi's book...it is definitely one of the standout homes in the whole book. It's a lovely read, one of my favourite books. I'm now having a prairie moment and have decided to hunt out some Laura Ingalls Wilder...I haven't read those books since I was 10 years old! Might have to re-visit my youth!! Robx

ben+alex said...

all of these pictures are gorgeous.
i love whites. love them. i want my house to look like each of these pictures someday.

just found your blog and love it.
new follower:)

xo
ben-and-alex.blogspot.com

Fete et Fleur said...

I just left a message for Melanie, and had to tell you how thrilled I am to have won her Giveaway. Thank you for providing the lovely goodies. I can't wait to use your sister's amazing bag! Your home has been an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your heart and home with us

Blessings!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

LOVE the lilacs- don't apologize:) LOVE the bedroom- gives me hope for mine! Thanks for all the inspiration!! Can you give me some ideas on where to find these fabulous things- like the mantel headboard, etc.?
Ginger gsnap1979@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i almost fell off my chair when i saw that headboad all chippy and glorious!!!!

All That Jazz said...

It's a beautiful duvet, I love the flexibility of it being "reversible"!! ;-) Your sister is so talented. Does she have a blog? Does she make/sew for a living?
I always love your photos Maria, I am so jealous of your Canon! You have such amazing lighting to shoot it, too. The only I would have changed and this is coming from my cowgirl heart is I would have put in a cowboy hat instead of a beach hat, hee hee! ;-)
Have a fabulous weekend!!
~michelle~

Unknown said...

The basket is beautiful. I want one!!
The bedroom is lovely, shabby-chic! Love the cats too.

dottimae said...

I love the bed with the mantal!! the photos are beautiful!

Angela said...

I love ALL of your cool bistro chairs - they are fantastic! I think the picture of the linens on the chair is my favorite of your posts but honestly all of your photos are always stunning. Have a great weekend!

Allison said...

Congratulations to the winner! Maria, your photos of the French fruit basket and lilacs are gorgeous! So so beautiful. You are very talented. Ruby's bedroom is lovely and so is that duvet and the pillows your sister made. Ruby has done a wonderful job creating such a relaxing and cozy space. Love that bench she has at the foot of her bed. Have a nice weekend!

Anonymous said...

awesome!

Brian said...

You not only have a good taste in interior design but you're also good in photography. It's nice to came across blogs like this. Seeing pictures like this tells us how beautiful life is.

"Vacuum Cleaners | canister vacuum"

Tania McCartney said...

Gorgeous. Loving the basket.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Maria...you definitely achieved the relaxed farmhouse look ~ your photos are beautiful!

Congrats to the winner and thanks for sharing those wonderful bedroom photos!

Unknown said...

love the basket! and the lilacs are beautiful! the bedding is too! hope you are well! i found some pretty metal folding chairs and i thought of you! enjoy your weekend! susan

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. Love the lilacs. You might want to remove the tag from the inside of your hat you use in the props it's a little distracting. Sorry! Love it all though.

Vintage Home said...

Beautiful chair flowers & accessories...so pretty...
Rubys home is wonderful!....Just shows we can do a lot anywhere!
Thanks for sharing! & your photography is stunning.

Charlotte said...

oh, comme j'aime ce délicieux bouquet au chapeau... Dans mon jardin aussi le lilas est en fleur, mais tout blanc.

Arabella said...

thank you for sharing your thought process of the photos - lilacs in a basket are classic and beautiful! Ruby's bedroom is super cute- love the headboard with the new duvet :O)

Coastal California said...

oh silly girl, we love your pictures!
And never too many with lilacs, they are only here for days....and worth every bit of waiting! Love the style, and your lighting is always just so perfect. I know what you mean about tweaking & trying to make a picture display just what you want.

duvet is indeed lovely & dreamy.

xoxo
Ada in Coastal Cali

Essay_writer said...

this is awesome

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

How wonderful Nancy of Fete et Fleur won the giveaway. There's not a nicer lady around. Way to go, Nancy!

Anonymous said...

Your pictures are gorgeous, the duvet is pretty and that room is beautiful! drooling...

Lara said...

I just love your photos, Maria!
And keep your shop stock photos
coming!! I can't get anough. :)
Your lilacs & the basket are
beautiful.. love the whole combonation!
:) Lara

Jes/Vita villa vila said...

Lovely pics! I really enjoy visiting your blog!

Jes, Sweden

Amy Chalmers said...

maria, I loved this post of you telling how you came to compose this photo. so sweet, i love how it looks. lilacs are a fav of mine too. Ruby's bedding looks great. Loved the serenity of it.

Atelier de Campagne said...

I need to plant some lilacs. Their fragrance and simple beauty inspire. I have a white variety but it doesn't seem to well in my area. I need to learn more about them. Thank you Maria for sharing these beautiful images.

Trinidad

Elyse said...

hi maria!

gorgeous post. i looooove the scent of lilacs. i planted a small plant last year and am looking forward to it blooming so much! (then i won't need to be the neighborhood lilac prowler ...)

ruby's room and the bedding your sister made is stunning!

i would love for you to visit my guest post over at annette tatum's blog. i think you'll like it very much!
http://blog.annettetatum.com/blog/2011/04/19/guest-blog-welcome-elyse-major-from-tinkered-treasures/

xo
elyse

under spanish moss said...

What beautiful photos!!!Thanks for sharing your tips.
Have a great week!
Angela

SizzleandZoom said...

You take beautiful photographs inspiring me. I love the bench at the end of Ruby's bed.

Melanie @ Tip Toe Thirty said...

Great product pictures!!!
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the headboard on Ruby's bed!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Great fun with the Bistro chair...
Good snaps...
Ruby's room, deliciously inviting and chic!
Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Between You and Me said...

breathtaking room that Ruby has...thanks for showing us pics of it.

MagentoThemes said...

This is really look like farm house.. These decorations are amazing.. that flowers,bedroom and book stall are very beautiful..I'm also trying in my home..I like your creative work. thanks for this great blog...