miss kris studio

I'm jumping for...

2009-10-09T16:43:00.003-05:00

(image courtesy of Renata Kaveh Photography)

Yippee... Weekend at Last!

May everyone have a BEAUTIFUL Weekend!

Xox's

~Miss Kris~

Touches of BLEU...for YOU

2009-10-07T12:24:00.010-05:00

Bonjour!

I have been rather busy still, trying to finish things outside here before we turn to very cold weather. Which does seem to be right around the corner:( Today I decided to share with you some new paintings I finished last month. Both are done in lovely shades of bleus, greens, black and my favourite ~ real touches of gold. Oooo...when the light hits them...they shine!

Le Ballet

L'horloge

These painting are available in my Etsy store HERE. They both measure 16 x 16 inches and are done on gallery wrapped canvas with the sides painted. Both of these painting were my renditions of some images I may have found on your Blog.

May everyone have a BEAUTIFUL Day!!!

Xox's

~Miss Kris~

~The Process, Part 1~

2009-09-26T09:29:00.012-05:00

This is sometimes how my painting process starts. This process began with a lovely image, via Beautiful Things to Share Blog and I was instantly at my sketchbook. This beautiful image brought me right to Paris and I began to think about a lovely Paris apartment in the Left Bank perhaps on Rue de Seine. Where lovely cafes are on every corner and Paul's is just down the street. Oooo...I can almost smell the patisseries! Where I can go to the local florist and get bundles of fresh flowers for every room.

(image courtesy of OldPlank.com)

This is the second image for my inspiration for my Paris apartment foyer. I had this lovely set of antique doors in my file which are for sale at Old Plank for only $14,500. Aren't they MARVELOUS?

Of course, I had to somehow put Francois Boucher's BEAUTIFUL art in my foyer. Right?

Plus adding my little cat would be cute. (This isn't her although I love this little kitty, mine is a Himalayan so in the final rendering she will be there).

My final rendering! Voila! I placed my little kitty trying to get a beautiful yellow butterfly. Yes, I would have butterflies in my apartment. I also placed a few packages ready to be shipped out and some mail resting on my parquet floors.

Close-ups

Again the final rendering, 15X11". I hope you enjoyed my process in which "an image" sparked a painting.

May everyone have a delightful weekend!

Au revoir

~Miss Kris~

New Exhibit at Versailles

2009-09-19T16:33:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone ~ Versailles has opened up once again to another contemporary art event this fall.

Last year's event was with Jeff Koon and this fall, Xavier Veilhan is installing several new sculptures around the grounds. This contemporary event last thru December 13th.

This sculpture is called "The Large Carriage". I Love IT!!! I love the contrast of the purple sharp angled lines against the Beautiful Chateau.

Hmmm...perhaps I should check airline prices???

Xox's

~Miss Kris~

Some pretties for you ALL!!!

2009-09-15T21:18:00.013-05:00

Hi Everyone, Today I am LOVING this image. So inspirational!!!

When I first found this image I took out my sketch pad and went crazy...hours went by! I was Dreaming of a little French Marie Antoinette Playroom! Oooo...this playroom would of course have a pretty soft DREAMY carousel in it and beautiful animals dressed up for the princess. A pretty Marie Antoinette walking down a stone path and maybe a LOVELY chateau in the background or perhaps La Hameau? I think I would even paint a garden...Oooo the flowers I could paint! The colours!

Well...I'll let my mind wonder in this Delight later.

Somewhere in my Marie Antoinette Playroom I would have to have some of this Pretty writing...perhaps somewhere on the carousel. I just LOVE this writing, reminds me of Love Letters. Also, I will need some flying butterflies with sprinkling twinkles coming off their wings. Little touches of magic!

This image makes my mouth water! Yum!

How about some macaroons for you all?

If I could invite you ALL to my make-believe playroom, I of course would pour you each a flute! (or 2) :)

May you Pretties have a BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

Xox's
~Miss Kris~

Twinkles in the sky...tonight

2009-08-12T14:42:00.005-05:00

(image courtesy of lilidebretagne flickr)

Hello...Yes, please do come in!

I have lots of treasures to seek out.

Old and used robin's egg books

Very pretty painted pieces.

Quilted covers

Vintage Mirrors

Beautiful Art

Pretty chandeliers.

Tiny touches are throughout here.

Today I am loving everything in soft bleus, greens, ivories, and touches of gold. Wouldn't you like to stay here?

Tonight I will be up top, outside, enchanted by the meteor shower. Look out to Cassiopeia constellation in the northeast sky (looks like a "W") and perhaps you'll be able to see lots of twinkles.
Xox's
~Miss Kris~

~A Very Special Thank You~

2009-08-04T18:49:00.006-05:00

Hi everyone! I am posting one of the cutest things I received in the mail. I entered in a contest over at Draffin Bear by Carolyn Green for her birthday giveaway and I was one of the lucky winners. Yeah!!! I have been OOBER busy lately and never saw this cute little package waiting for me until now.

I gently began to open it up and to my surprise....

The most precious little duckling was waiting for me. I can NOT thank you enough Carolyn for I do not know how I was soooooo lucky to get this cute Duckling. I love ducks...this is just so SPECIAL!!! It looks so real, the feather on her side just remarkable. She also has such a pretty little hat on with little beautiful flowers on it's brim. Thank YOU so much again...homemade things are the most treasured gifts.

Carolyn from Draffin Bear is from New Zealand, she has such a beautiful blog and is highly talented, she creates teddy bears also. She loves everything beautiful, old and new. Carolyn travels extensively and I think she has such an interesting life, I highly recommend everyone to take a special trip over to her site to see what she has been up to lately.

A BIG THANK YOU CAROLYN & BIG HUGS!!!

~Miss Kris~

~A little weekend Bliss~

2009-07-17T15:36:00.005-05:00

Good Evening my Friends!

Thank you for all your lovely letters wondering what's happened too me. You are all so very thoughtful! Each and everyone has made me feel very blessed to have such wonderful blogger friends!!! Merci!

Well the short story is...been busy with work, my family and a holiday thrown in. Once I get caught up with life I will put a stop to my tip toeing through blogland and start leaving comments on all your beautiful blogs. I hope you all have been enjoying your summer so far. I see some have been so lucky to get across the pond to the most beautiful place...Paris! Lucky you Kelly!

I am glad the weekend is here so I can rest, hopefully in a lovely dress like this! I wish everyone a beautiful weekend and I'll be back soon to fill you in with more TOP SECRET details!!!

Until then...Au revoir!

Xox's

~Miss Kris~

~Mas De Baraquet~

2009-06-04T21:43:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! I've taken a bit of a break lately...life happens! So I got to thinking about blogging and remembering where it all started. Well let's see... late last year I was sitting at my desk searching for an interior designer Ginny Magher from Atlanta. Well at the time I never really knew where she was from, just that I was "In Love" with her home in Provence. I first saw it in a Veranda issue in 1999. Yup 1999, and I immediately bought a back issue because it was my favourite issue ever and I knew I was going to flip through the issue over and over and damage it eventually. I never did ruin the issue, but my back-up is kept tucked away in my lovely bookshelves in my study (today I can't find my back-up:(). So back to my story about blogging. I typed in Ginny's name and this beautiful Blog popped up "Villa Anna". I was in such a trance with each of her post and started to leave a comment on how thankful I was to see Ginny's home in Atlanta. Oooo...it was such a DREAM! So lovely! Each image better than the last! Click HERE if you want to see Ginny Magher's Atlanta Home.

About a month went by...and in that time I seemed to have click onto each of her fellow bloggers. Each Blog just so beautiful in their own right! I found Blogworld so much fun. Such a neat and fun world! Who knew that I would find people like me fellow"Francophile". BLISS!!!

Since late last year I placed Ginny's Provence home on my "MUST POST" list. I am going to share with you this lovely home. I hope you think it is as dreamy and beautiful as I do! Enjoy!

These first few images are of the farm house in it's ruin state before Bruno LaFourcade Architect Team did it's magic! Bruno LaFourcade is known in this region of France to take Old Dilapidated Estate Houses and renovating them to these most impressive Estates. I made a link to his site, I would make a special trip there!

At first glance of this place I think I would have past by...never thinking of these raw bones and what COULD BE! This is no doubt where Ginny's eyes looked over and saw the potential what this place would become. Not only is Ginny Magher a talented Interior Designer but a visionary!!!

Here is the delightful home finished. All these images were taken from three periodicals, Veranda June 1999, Homes & Gardens August 2004 and Southern Living July 2005.

These two images are of similar pictures of the grand staircase. This one you can actually see the impressive ceiling beams. So breathtaking. I love all the pink flowers...as if they were taken right off the grounds which I will show you later.

Quite possibly my favourite kitchen EVER! I love all the terracotta tiled floor and the blue and white ceramic tile back splash. Looks as if it was always there. So lovely! And if anyone knows where I might possibly find this goose on the island I would love to know!!! I love geese!!! It almost looks like a Pomeranie Goose which is my favourite goose.

What a lovely sitting area. Again I just love all the colours in this space. All the walls in the home were kept in a matte gray and old white except for the occasional splash of ochre.

Besides the BEAUTIFUL outside, I love this room! Oooo...all the scrumptious colours are Wondrous!!!

Can you image sitting in this room enjoy a meal with friends and family with this VIEW??? I can!

It's all in the little touches. A lot of Ginny's items were purchased on buying trips to Arles, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Aix-en-Provence, Paris and beyond!

I love the mix of Bold Blacks and Whites mixed with touches of Bleu! Very Pretty!

I could soak here for awhile.

She also has plenty of guest space, for visitors are always here.

As everyone might already know...my favourite colour is lavender. Which I have none in my home. I do have lots of red...I think if this bench is ever of need of a new home...I'm HERE!!!

Look at this little detail in the railing... Le Coq no less!

Ladies! I calling all you over to enjoy this lovely room for some tea. And patisseries!!!

If it is after 5pm I will be serving wine!!! Hehe

Another before image of the grounds. The next image is of the after. Enough said!!!

The following images are of the grounds all the Landscape design is by Dominique LaFourcade...so very talented!

This is the lovely Ginny Magher. She says "I am quite sure that in a previous life I was Madame de Pompadour's assistant. To me, 18th-century French taste and elegance has never been bettered." So beautifully said Ginny. I am so delighted that she has opened her home to be displayed for us all! So are you all "In Love" with Dreamy home as I am?
Thanks for stopping by today! May everyone have a Lovely weekend!
Au Revoir
xoxo
~Miss Kris~

"I'm feeling a bit Country today!"

2009-05-28T23:58:00.003-05:00

(Images courtesy of Country Living)

Hi Everyone! Today I'm feeling a little Country! Oooo...how I would love to take a little Holiday and visit this LOVELY!!! Don't you find this home DREAMY!

I'll be back next week to show you one of my all-time favourite homes in Provence! Until then may everyone have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

~Blissful Weekend Thoughts~

2009-05-21T23:20:00.000-05:00

(if this is your image please let me know...not sure where I found it)

Hi Everyone! Ahhhh...The Weekend is here at last! I just simply love LOVE this image. This BEAUTIFUL chandelier just glistening off the tranquil silent water. Lovely!

It's Memorial Day on Monday, which is a day in the United States which commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.

Please take time to remember... and I hope everyone has a nice extended weekend!

XOXO

~Miss Kris~

~La Belle au Bois Dormant~

2009-05-18T23:12:00.011-05:00

Once upon a time in a faraway enchanting land lived La Belle au Bois Dormant!

These lovely images tells a dreamy story of a Lovely Sleeping Beauty...Waiting for her Prince!

If you scroll back to my first image...You will find a piece of art which has been in our family for MANY generations! The story goes like this...My great, great Grandma passed away and my family didn't know where she had placed her will. As a last resort they went to see a Fortune teller. The Fortune teller told them "The Will" is behind the Rhine. No one understood what was the meaning to this. They all went home and returned to My great, great Grandma's home the next day and looked around again. There it was...The Rhine River resting in it's frame just waiting to be turned over. At last the will was found! Taped onto the back of this picture.

So that is the story about the cork painting from Germany which was passed down for many generations. I just loved listening to my Grandma tell me this story as I stood on one of her antique chairs staring at it for hours. I made her story last for hours and made it into my own little fairytale.

Does anyone have any lovely pieces that has been passed from one generation to the next?

Until next time, may everyone have a LOVELY DAY!

~Miss Kris~

~Un weekend au bord de la mer~

2009-05-14T21:00:00.003-05:00

(image courtesy of YvetteInufio)

Hi Everyone! Shall we go away for the WEEKEND?

(image courtesy of snippet and ink)
Perhaps, by the SEA...
(image courtesy of myfavoriteandmybest blog)
Look at these little STARS I found...for each of you

(image courtesy of snippet and ink)
Oooo...off in the distance I see a beautiful WHITE big top!

(image courtesy of flickr)
Shall we take a ride on the

BIG FERRIS WHEEL?

(image courtesy of flickr)
Shall we rest a bit under one of these?

(image courtesy of such pretty things)
Time to head back to our hotel rooms...

(image courtesy of Women via HouseofTurquoise)

(image courtesy of Such Pretty Things)
I think I'll put on one of these!!! Let's get all dressed up and head back to the beach!
(image courtesy of SouthwoldBeachHuts)

(image courtesy of flickr)
Come on everyone...It's Time for the SWINGS...

(image unknown)
So divine and free!

(image courtesy of flickr)
My little toes dipped into the sea.

(image courtesy of et Moi...HERE... taken at Glencoe Beach,yes it's true we have beautiful shores here in Chicago)

Some lovely art to remind me of my BEAUTIFUL day by the shore!
I hope you enjoyed your day by the SEA...?
~Miss Kris~

{BLACK & whites}

2009-05-12T18:39:00.010-05:00

Morning everyone! These are some of my favourite Black and Whites on this Wordless Wednesday! I hope you enjoy!

(image courtesy of lilidebretagne)
(image courtesy of snippet and ink)

(image courtesy of snippet and ink)
(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

(image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

(image courtesy of Interior Divine Blog)

(image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)
(image courtesy of jasperware pallasantiques)

(Image courtesy of Cote de Texas)

(image courtesy of snippet and ink)

(image courtesy of Brides)

(image courtesy of Sarah Kaye photography)

(image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

(shop Fanciful Here)

I have to admit I LOVE colour! AND....I do LOVE all these Dreamy Black & Whites!!!

Don't you love all these Pretty images?

May Everyone have a Beautiful WEDNESDAY!!!

Au Revoir!

XOXO

~Miss Kris~

~Pretty Pinks for YOU~

2009-05-07T20:00:00.006-05:00

(image courtesy of Sarah Keyes Photography)

These are some of my dreamy PINK images! Enjoy!

Ooooh...put first...did he leave me a love note?

(image courtesy of Country Living ~ British)

(image courtesy of Flickr)

(image courtesy of oldplank.com)

Aubusson settee, just so beautiful.

(this item is SOLD although I have a few others for sale HERE)

My little watercolour painting ~Le cherubin deux~

This was one of my favourites to paint. This cherub is holding a love letter.

(images courtesy of oldplank.com)

The most LOVELY painted Petite Antique French Lady's Desk.

(champagne decorations nov/dec 08 and the next 3images)

(Charles Faudree ~ image courtesy of Cote de Texas)

This last image is sooo breathtaking, so feminine, I AM in love!

I love all these DREAMY and soft pinks images. Do you love soft pinks in your home?

May everyone have a beautiful WEEKEND!

Happy Mother's Day to all you BEAUTIFUL MOMS and those special Mommies to be...wink...wink...dear Kelli!

See you next week!

~Miss Kris~

Ahhhh...Soooothing Greens!

2009-05-05T18:30:00.001-05:00

(Image courtesy of lilidebretagne)

(Image courtesy of flickr)

(image courtesy of Moi...soft faux with tiny swirls and my accessories)

(image courtesy of snippetandink.blog)

So pretty...a waiting veil.

(old post office Geneva IL)

(image courtesy of lilidebretagne)

l'amour vert de chérubin ~ Green Cherub Love, a lovely cherub holding a rolled up love letter. My latest painting on canvas done with acrylics with little touches of gold and layers of washed paint to age to a soft patina. Available HERE at my Etsy store!

Close-up of little love cherub

(these doorknobs available at my Etsy store Here)

Vintage door knob found at a local market taken from a home before it was torn down. I fell in love with the chippy green paint. I could not resist placing these crystal hardware knobs I found to complete these pieces. Great little accessories or I would love to hang in a Laundry room. A little knob to place a jacket on.

One of my favourite treasures given to me by my Grandparents. These were my Great Grandma's ~ Depression glass. Depression glass was given out from banks during the depression when you opened an account.

I love this Green!

(image courtesy of lilidebretagne)
These were some of my favourite green images. All delicious & dreamy in their own way! What are some of yours?

Enjoy your day!
~Miss Kris~

~Today, I am Dreaming~

2009-05-04T08:45:00.006-05:00

(all images courtesy of Veranda Sept 2007 Issue)

Hi Everyone! This is a lovely home Provencal Farmhouse in California. What a dream home...this couple was able to crate aged wooden beams, limestone fireplaces, weathered stone and custom doors and windows. If you can't live in Provence...have Provence come to you!

Lovely Lavender is a must!

A sweet corner...So beautifully done! I am loving the parquet floors!

Imported limestone fireplace. I love the details of this door.

I LOVE everything about this kitchen. Take a close-look at the island. Oooo....the mixture of glass and crome...so simple and elegant!

How would you like to spend the day here? I have wine and cheese awaiting.

I know this photo has been floating in BLOGLAND...simple one of the best bathrooms!!!

I love vanities make a girl feel so feminine. Love all the little details of this space. ...for example the simple changes in the floors.

An outdoor living space is always a must and this one is so Pretty!

Even Better!

My favourite outdoor space! Don't you love this Pretty Provencal farmhouse?

Have a wonderful Spring day!

~Miss Kris~

~Princess Wall Hangings~

2009-04-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! This is my latest hand-painted wall hanging inspired by the Marie Antoinette with my whimsical interpretation of Versailles. Marie Antoinettes favourite colour was bleu which is captured in the Chateau, flowers and the small little details throughout. This wall hanging is simply titled ~Il etait une fois, bleu~ (Once upon a time...)

This is available for a limited time at my Etsy store HERE.

close up of the little princess and her carriage.

detail of the castle and a part of the white swags where I will personally add your little princess' name...

This wall hanging is approx 2X3 feet comes with a hand-painted finial and double sided satin ribbon. Comes ready for you to hang. This wall hanging will finish off your little princess room.

If Bleu isn't your Princess' colour I have painted a smaller version of my original Il etait une fois wall hanging with all the details as the larger version. Size is approx 2X3 feet, has lovely touches of pinks, ivories and golds.

The pretty pink swags is were I will personalize it for you with your Princess' name.

detail of horse and carriage.

castle detail...

This wall hanging also comes with pink, ivory antiqued gold finials and double sided satin ribbon. This wall hanging is also available at my Etsy store HERE.

I really hope you enjoyed my latest wall hangings and have a beautiful day!!!

~Miss Kris~

Le Cirque and surprising Fifi!

2009-04-16T00:00:00.003-05:00

(images are available here at my Etsy store)

Hi Everyone!!! I just arrived VIRTUALLY via train from Paris and I am walking my way over to Versailles to present this Special Circus mural to a LOVELY family's tiny tots.

A big party surrounds my trip to Versailles and I will be over at Fifi's to do my surprise post today! Come join me...

Don't forget to put on your BEST FROCKS!

~Miss Kris~

~Wordless Wednesday~

2009-04-15T00:00:00.003-05:00

(images courtesy of 28 à Aix-L'Hotel)

Hi Everyone! After running around yesterday with Fifi from Fifi Flowers I am quite exhausted and a stay at this LOVELY HOTEL is a nice place to relax for the day. The HOTEL-28 à Aix is situated in Aix-en-Provence in the Mazarin area and their site says it is two steps away from Cours Mirabeau, La Place des Quatre Dauphins and the Granet Museum. I found this lovely hotel via Departures Magazine earlier this year and was mystified by their courtyard images.

After seeing their website I saw an image of the boutique which reminded me of the Beauty Salon, Anna (from Villa Anna) that her and her daughter had a Mommy Daughter day last year.

Such a BEAUTY...can you image staying in one of these bedrooms?

Have a BEAUTIFUL Day!!!

~Miss Kris~

Bonjour Everyone! I am virtually here in Provence & guest blogging for Fifi!!!

2009-04-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Fshhhh...I am here!!! "VIRTUALLY" in Lovely France! I have been here for the last week. I was so busy running around to different galleries, taking in all the beautiful cafes and finalizing a "TOP SECRET" rendezvous. Although I had ONE major glitch!!! Computer problems! Need I say anymore. NO? Ok! So I hope everyone has been patient and waiting with anticipation to see what I have been up to. I am heading via Train to Provence to see my friend Fifi. I am her GUEST BLOGGER today. Click HERE to see what Fifi and I are up to...

This is just a little sneak peak... Today I will not be shameless and showcase my work...hmmmm or am I shameless? hehe ...My work is available HERE.

Sneak peak at Fifi's work...her beautiful paintings are available HERE. Sometimes I wonder how Fifi does it. Her work is AMAZING!!! I LOVE them ALL!

What are you still doing over here...Today's post is over at Fifi's site. Click HERE...We are going to get into some trouble today. I'll see you Thhhhhere!

But before you leave...Wednesday, I will be visiting a BEAUTIFUL hotel along the coast and Thursday I will be up in Versailles with Fifi and friends presenting a little playful mural. I can't wait to see everyone there...

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

~Au Revoir~

2009-04-02T22:24:00.004-05:00

Seriously! Last night it only took 3 1/2 HOURS to upload these 3 images. Seriously? Normally I would never EVER go off on this little tirade, but seriously!!! On another GOOD note, I am so glad to say I am leaving VIRTUALLY tomorrow morning for Paris! Yeah. I have a few things to do next week. The first is I am off to a chateau on the hunt for a missing item. Hmmmm...any guesses???

(Flickr)
I will be driving through Paris and the countryside in on of these Cuties!!!

(Image unknown)
I might have a stop at a very prestigious family (NO NAMES) to present a "Virtual" mural for some tiny tots beautiful playroom. I wonder where that will be? Any guesses?

I hope to see everyone back here NEXT WEEK for some fun and something NEW. Until then, EVERYONE have a lovely weekend!!!

Au Revoir!
~Miss Kris~

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Colourful Palette

2009-04-01T13:29:00.007-05:00

(images courtesy of Country Living ~ British)
I am loving this artist's Studio! So dreamy and colourful. Do you LOVE this Palette?

I'll see you back here Friday. I will be leaving virtually for France over the weekend. I have some VERY important sleuthing to do. HINT HINT HINT!!! Also, I will be making a stop to present a beautiful Mural for a home in France. I will give you more details this Friday!

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

Bleu Wonders

2009-03-30T00:00:00.003-05:00

(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

Hi Everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Yesterday we got 3 inches of snow after enjoying a wonderful first week of Spring. It was a very heavy snow, around 1 p.m. the sun came out and started to melt it away. Not entirely but enough to melt of the sidewalks and driveways. It really was a lovely day! I started to think about Spring cleaning and freshening everything up and the colour Bleu popped into my head. It is so soothing and fresh. Here are some pretty images of BLEU.

(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

I am loving this white slipcover chair with a pretty bleu pillow...so comfy with the fire burning, after all it still is in the 30's here. Burrr....

(Image coutersy of Victoria Magazine)
Pretty flowers...I can't wait for the earth to start blooming these little flowers.

(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)
A very soothing bleu wall...
(Image courtesy of British Home & Garden)
Another soft bleu wall by a lovely tub with lots of pretty lacy linens. I love this!!!
(Image courtesy of British Home & Garden)
Close-up of the pretty lacy window treatments.

(Image courtesy of British Home & Garden)
Ooooo...this pretty feminine white and bleu wallpaper is LOVELY!!!

(Image courtesy of British Home and Garden)

This may just be my favourite bedroom ever! I love the softness and the light bleu walls and to wake up with the sun shining is Heavenly to me!

~L oie de Pomeranie ~

My little bleu watercolour of a Pomeranian Goose-Nest-Gold Coins. Available hereI often wish I had a white kitchen, this is why I painted this lovely.

I also LOVE little ducks and geese!

~Silver Appleyard Canard~

This is perhaps the companion to the Goose Watercolour it is of a Silver Appleyard Duck. I would love to see these framed in a very thin white frame with white matting. One day! It's also available here.

Of Course! I could not leave out a lovely Provence home with its pretty Bleu shutters. This is where I want to be!!! Are you loving Dreamy and Sweet bleus?

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

~Part Deux of English Mural~

2009-03-26T08:15:00.001-05:00

Good Morning Everyone! These are the last pictures of the English Murals I just finished. This view is of the English Garden Mural I finished last weekend and of the corner of "Winston's" Doggie home of Buckingham Palace (by the steps). I love it! A little home fit for royalty.

A better view of Winston's Palace.

Close-up of the gates and details.

Oooops....we just caught Winston looking out of his palace.

A lamp detail with foliage and roping to keep everyone one away from the KING - Winston. Because he is a very popular King. And oooh sooo CUTE!!!

(sorry photo is so dark)

This is a chalkboard I painted on the other side of the English Pub Bar. You'll get a better close-up of Winston as a Butler. He is CUTE!!! All dressed up.

Chalkboard close-up...

Winston!

Winston again. So much fun. I really enjoyed painted all these murals. I hope you enjoy them all. See his cute little BONE~tie? hehe

I wish everyone a GREAT WEEKEND! See you back here Monday.

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

English Garden Mural

2009-03-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

(quick rendering)

This mural started with an empty canvas or "blank" wall. The desire was to add interest in a dead space in a lower level. The ideas were an English Garden with a fountain, so back to the studio I went and quickly sketched some ideas out. This rendering was the plan. A window looking out into a garden with a lovely fountain, some flowers, trees, a few butterflies and a birdie in a tree.

(click photo to see larger)

This is the finished mural of the English Garden.

close-up of the trim detail.
close-up of the iron work with gold accents.

close-up of the topiary.

(click picture to see larger)

This is the close-up of a corner detail. Pretty flowers, if you look closely you might be able to see the ladybugs on some leaves and a dragonfly wonder about over the pond. This was a delight to paint & incredibly peaceful. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Also, I plan to show another mural at the end of this week of an adorable doggie's (Winston) new home at Buckingham Palace. A home fit for Royalty!!! Hehe

I hope everyone has a GREAT MONDAY!!!

~Miss Kris~

Les Printemps

2009-03-20T00:00:00.005-05:00

(images courtesy of British Homes and Garden)

It's officially....SPRINGTIME!!! Yeah! Come join in my Pergola.

My table is set up with lots of Goodies!

Fresh flowers from my garden. Can you smell the lilacs?

Croquet anyone?

A resting stop for all those tired little feet under my Willow tree. ahhh...sigh....

Or enjoy my little chippy bleu bench, with lots of cushions and some slippers.

It's about dusk and I found these lovely tea lights. My blossom tree is dripping with bleu ribbon with lots of these on them. Awww....What a BEAUTIFUL DAY!!! Thank you to everyone for joining me on our first Spring weekend!

ENJOY!!!

Au revoir!
~Miss Kris~

Something very Special

2009-03-19T00:00:00.009-05:00

I received something very special in the mail today! Something wrapped in bubble wrap.
hmmm...I wonder what it could be?

Perhaps something that is Black & White...

To my surprise and quick delivery, a pretty envelope and something beautifully gift wrapped.

Look at this wrapping, just so pretty with a sheer bow and silver leaves.

Oooooooo.... Noel from Fanciful hand-made this lovely book. She combined a vintage book with recycled material, and hand painted a modern number on front and side. With the most lovely label on back. I LOVE IT!!! Noel, thank you, THANK YOU, you are amazing and drooling with sooooo much talent!!!. I am going to treasure this forever. Also, Thank you for the lucky number 7,

what a delightful surprise.

Here is her sweet card with one of her signature designs. Inside, she wrote a beautiful note.

Très belle!

Her art is just BEAUTIFUL!!!

and her photography leaves me drooling for more...

Here is my beautiful Black & White number 7 book in it's new home. I can't thank you enough Noel. To check out her blog click here Fanciful

or go to her Etsy site here

Also, the pretty aqua and duck egg ribbon you see is attached to a little card with joli,-e typed on one side and is translated on the back side {{pretty}}. Noel's attention to detail is impeccable!!!

May everyone have a wonderful day!!!

~Miss Kris~

~Soft DREAMY neutrals~

2009-03-18T00:00:00.002-05:00

Today.... I am dreaming of soft DREAMY neutrals. I would love to make myself home with a good book. Any suggestions!

I love this bathroom!!! Perfection!

Lovely chandelier!

fresh hydrangeas in soft neutrals.

soooooo Soft, I just want to touch.

Beautiful Monogram headboard in linen with scrumptious embroidery linens~I could dive right in!!!

close-up of embroidery~I'm in love!

What are some of your favourite neutrals?

Au revoir!

~Miss Kris~

Gently worn treasures...

2009-03-16T14:27:00.005-05:00

(image courtesy of House & Garden~British)
I love how this Louis XV chair is simply left as found. So dramatic and lovely!!!

(image courtesy of House & Garden~British)

Perfectly neutral tones...so dreamy and plenty to look at!

(image courtesy of House & Garden~British)
Little worn table! I love it!

(image courtesy of Veranda)

A Beautiful tufted sofa left as is. So pretty!

(image courtesy of House & Garden~British)
Or how about an "AS IS" ottoman?

(image courtesy of House & Garden~British)

A room full of gently loved antiques. Don't you just love this?

Au Revoir!

~Miss Kris~

Evening Bliss

2009-03-13T00:00:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone! Come join me this evening for a lovely dinner by candlelight out in my prairie {he he}. I can hear the crickets singing.... and the frogs cloaking.... There is a slight fog off in the distance so don't forget your sweaters. Will you join me?

May everyone enjoy your weekend!!!

~Miss Kris~

Vanity Affair

2009-03-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

(image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

I'm having an affair, with lovely vanities! They are so pretty and sweet!

(Image courtesy Coming Soon)

(Image Courtesy of Country British)

(Image courtesy of The English Home)

(Image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

(Image courtesy of The English Home & the next two)

I would fill my vanity with lots of danity pretties! Do you like vanities?

Au revoir!

~Miss Kris~

Soft* Dainty* Linen

2009-03-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

Linen...is sooo Pretty!

Comes in so many beautiful shades!

Double layered linen.

Pretty ruffle. Check out the lovely floor...Wide planks...I love this!

So pretty and dainty!

Scalloped!

(All Images courtesy from Victoria Magazine)
I love linen and all the wonderful things you can do with it in your home. What are some of your favourite linen items?

May you all have a beautiful day!

~Miss Kris~

~A pretty weekend~

2009-03-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

(image courtesy of Victoria Magazine)

I love this Pretty and Sweet image! Do you like this picture?

May everyone have a lovely weekend!

~Miss Kris~

{Pretty painted armoire}

2009-03-04T00:00:00.003-06:00

I love this space because of all the delicious layers. From the wallpaper with pretty roses, the soft window treatments and the smaller rose print shade, to the chippy dresser and the beautiful mirrored armoire with the layer of birds and cherry blossoms and a simple fabric chaise with a needlepoint pillow. I love this pretty room!!!
This armoire is my favourite piece! Does anyone know what this effect is called. I have never seen anything like this before. I wonder if this is painted on glass backwards and a mirror placed under, hmmm???

Au revoir

~Miss Kris~

une récompense ~ an award, plus kitchen cabinets!

2009-03-02T00:00:00.005-06:00

une récompense ~ an award

Gina from Purdy Wallcovering who is just sooo sweet, sent me this
Love Ya Award
Thank you so much Gina, I'm blushing over here!!!
Gina has a beautiful blog filled with so many inspiring interiors and is a specialist in wallpaper. Go figure! You dream it and she has it!

To check out her beautiful blog click here

http://purdywallcovering.blogspot.com/

"These blogs are exceedingly charming.

These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.

They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more bloggers who must choose eight more bloggers and include this cleverly written text in the body of their award."

The eight lovely bloggers I choose to award are:

French Essence

Fifi Flowers
Country French Antiques

Arendezvous with style

I know Anna is taking a break but it was truly Anna's beautiful blog that encouraged me to take this leap into Blogland. Thank you Anna! :) I wish you much joy and happiness!!!

Last week I told you I was going to show you the before and afters of the kitchen I was working on. There was a BIG OOPS!!! I accidentally deleted the before pictures.

I did though another kitchen a few years back with very similar before cabinets and here they are.

The before in honey oak.

The afters!

more afters!

These are from the kitchen I finished two weeks ago. I love this kitchen!

Close-up of the finish.

These are the steps that went into refinishing the cabinets:

sand cabinets-both sides

wash clean-both sides

spray two coats of primer-both sides

in between coats some light sanding

spray two coats of paint-both sides

again light sanding in between coats

glazing /antiquing ~all by hand~

water based sealant both sides

~Install~

Fshhh...Sorry... I'm tired thinking about this. Hard work but truly worth it.

This kitchen gets a lovely make-over.

I had to show this other image of this cute and charming kitchen. I love the green striped wall paper, the limed french kitchen chairs, the glass iron table, the sweet baker's rack and look at the darling chandelier. With oranges and lemons on it. So sweet!!!

It might be fun to add some black diagonal painted squares on the floor. Maybe! So those are my before and afters, what do you think?

Au Revoir

~Miss Kris~

Weekend at Last...

2009-02-27T05:00:00.003-06:00

ahhh.........Weekend at last! May you all have a nice and relaxing weekend.

~Miss Kris~

Soft Shimmery Pinks...

2009-02-23T05:00:00.002-06:00

Ahhh...This bed is heavenly! So fluffy and soft, almost seems up in the clouds.

Look at the delicate headboard. And the dainty white linens. So breathtaking!!!

So pretty and simple. Besides the vanity sink, I love this faucet. A closer-look at this faucet. Beautiful!:)

This is bowl is so soft and creamy looking.

(images courtesy of Country Homes & Interiors)

Getting ready for some dinner.

I love this pretty home, so soft and feminine! I'll take one of these. Do you love this home as much as I do?

~Miss Kris~

Happy Weekend!

2009-02-20T05:00:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone! This has been a busy last few weeks for me, I have been refinishing some kitchen cabinets, to be exact over 30 individual pieces. They are painted in a really pretty soft white with some antiquing done on top. I'll be sure to post the before and after next week.

So this weekend I decided I am going to have a little R & R. I have scheduled an appointment for another deep tissue massage tomorrow afternoon. I know this seems to be a regular event, at least once a month. But, after a massage and a weekend filled with lots of R& R, I recover quite nicely. Like for instance tomorrow night I rented Nights in Rodanthe. I really can't wait, it looks like such a cute film.

It is time to put on some pretty slippers and enjoy the weekend!

~Miss Kris~

Fuchsia, aqua & a little monkey business!

2009-02-18T06:00:00.002-06:00

(designer guild)
These are some fuchsia and aqua pretties! Fun & Whimsical. What do you think?

(Degas)

(vintage weave)
I'll take a few of these candle votives. Would be lovely going up a winding staircase all lite up. Also I highly recommend checking out Vintage Weave. Their store is filled with lots of goodies.

(designer guild)

(vintage weave)

A toast to you!

(vintage weave)

I love fleur di lis, but I really love this chippy blue door

(Monkey Business)

I watched Monkey Business last week once I finished these next two watercolours.
I'm not sure if anyone is a Cary Grant fan, growing up, my Dad got me hooked. My favourite Grant movie is Father Goose with Leslie Caron. What's yours?

(painted by moi, available at my ETSY store)

My monkey business watercolour

(painted by moi again, available at my ETSY store)

May everyone have a GREAT day!

~Miss Kris~

Dreamy Interior~

2009-02-16T05:00:00.003-06:00

(all images courtesy from Country Homes & Interiors-British)

Knock knock, please come in and take a look at this Dreamy & Sweet home. Filled with lots of clean whites and pretty blue accents. So Pretty!!!

I love this home!!! Do you like this house?

~Miss Kris~

Miss Emily

2009-02-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone! I'm Kris' Miss Emily. I know, I'm really, really cute! Krissie was scared this week because I got a little sick, I had to go the vet and get some tests. I was filled with fluids because I needed to wait to eat until all the test came back, which was five hours later, that is five hours without food or water. Yikes!!! What is a girl to do? But, I'M OK! Yeah!!! I can eat and get treats again. Krissie says I'm a really good girl and she LOVES me soooo much. Sometime Krissie says I'm a little Frenchie but I'm a British Bull true and true. My real first name is Lady because I'm so gracious in my movements. Smile, blush... Everyone calls me Emily except Krissie's niece, my cousin, she calls me Emburlee. It's really cute! Plus she is my size, we are best pals.

I wish everyone a great weekend and take your owners out for a walk, you know spring is right around the corner and the daffodils are trying to come up in the front yard. Krissie laughs, because next week we may get snow. See you back here next week.

~Miss Emily~

Coup de coeur

2009-02-10T13:00:00.000-06:00

(image by François Boucher)

I'm "LOVE STRUCK" with this romantic beautiful room. Can you imagine being commissioned to paint these lovelies for someone. How proud François Boucher must have been after painting these most amazing paintings! Romantic indeed! Some day I would love to paint a panel this large and this intricate...I'm talking months of painting. I would want to hire a woodcraft man to add more intricate details. Oooo...sounds like fun to me.

Another lovely by Boucher titled Birth of Venus.

les genies des art - translation is the art genies. Oh, Ilove it!!! Look at all the little genies at work. Makes me wonder if there is a little truth behind this. I often wonder how great masterpieces were done and now we know. haha.

My first mural, at a showroom down is St Louis I was a buyer for. After going to market (High Point) you come back fully inspired with so many ideas. My favourite showrooms to visit, wait, the anticipation, Lexington. Go figure. They once had a display which was a Swedish collection and literally had snow falling from the ceiling. All the furniture was in lovely soft shades of whites, creams and grays. Ooo...It was amazing. So I came back to the store and went at it. These walls were my first attempt at a faux finish. The base coat was a lovely shade of blush, after it was fully dried I went on top with bubble wrap dipped in a creamy glaze and also back into the original colour in a twirly dab here and there. Yep, that's right, bubble wrap. After this was all dry, the top coat was done in a watered down golden yellow brown (ugly colour) dipped with a feather duster and I softly feathered the walls. It added just the right amount of a golden sheen to the walls. It turned out so pretty and was in St Louis Bridal magazine that month. Smile blush... plus I had so many people asking me to come out and do the same to their homes. It was very exciting time for me.

This is the close-up of the urn and flowers I painted. After it was finished I sanded which gave it more of a fresco effect. ( The flowers and urn I used to paint this was in another vignette, I loved it and placed them on the armoire for the visual painting.)

My little cherub, inspired by this romantic time of year. Titled ~ le chérubin l'un. This little watercolour has splashes of acrylics and tiny touches of gold. This little painting is ready to be framed and a little reminder of romance.

Le chérubin deux ~ this is the second cherub I painted and yes, both are for sale in my Etsy store. Let me know your thoughts on my little cherubs and what has you "Love Struck" or Coup de coeur.

I also saw today that Fifi, from Fifi flowers was enjoying the day with a little snow, in California! I feel so lucky today in Chicago to actually have a winter warm up with 60 degrees. I know, next week we will be back in the twenties but I do know spring is right around the corner and with that thought my design book has been filling up very quickly and I hope to have some new designs to share soon.

I can't wait to hear your "coup de coeur" stories.

~Miss Kris~

More Lavender Lovelies...

2009-02-06T17:00:00.000-06:00

(image courtesy of Victoria)

Stone old walls are lovingly holding up this wonderfully scented wisteria. This is a lavender loverly!!!
Or in another part of the garden, little lavender and purple flowers carpeting the ground below a stone statue.

(image courtesy of Veranda)
Or flowers in beautiful terracotta and stone pots lining the breezeway. These lavender pretties are quite lovely up against the yellow stucco home.

(image courtesy of Veranda)
Or a simple lavender pillow on the gray linen wrapped chairs on the Veranda. Again the lavender and grays mixed together. I love it!

(image courtesy of Victoria)

I love this garden pond with the wisteria reflecting off the water.

(image courtesy of Veranda)

Oooo...Love this bench detail

(image courtesy of Veranda)
Or my new chateau with the lavender flowers flanking the grounds and moat. lol. A girl can dream. Some how I need to get a lavender room. So the question is... a spare bedroom or in a garden? What do you think?
I would love to hear you input,

~Miss Kris~

Lavendar Loves

2009-02-05T19:08:00.006-06:00

(photo courtesy of Veranda)

Hi Everyone~ As you know I love lavender and the many lovely possibilities it brings to a home. Perhaps in a little spare bedroom. This image I love! The linen lavender chair with the pretty ruffles. The chippy daybed looks so pretty in soft pima cottons with more linen lavender pillows. The striped window treatments framing the beautiful outdoors.

(photo courtesy of Veranda)
A close-up of the pretty ruffled chair with the linen pillow. Looks so comfy and inviting to enjoy a book or a morning cup of tea.

(photo courtesy of Country Homes & Interiors-British)

These lovely blankets I love. The mix of gray and lavender is so effortless here.

Lavender toile!

(photo courtesy of Country Homes & Interiors -British)
Or perhaps I could enjoy cooking on this lavender stove.

Or maybe just through in some purple towels. Although I still love my white linens.

(photo courtesy of Veranda)
This bedroom with the small little touches of lavender are beautiful. I wonder if the stylist added these little touches for the punch of color. I love it! The lavender ribbons on the pictures flanking the fireplace and the ribbons tying up the magazines. I also like the soft butter yellows in the window treatment, the roses and the straw hat. Very Pretty!!!

(photo courtesy of Southern Accents)
This might be the winner for me. A wood crown with check lavender fabric matching the bed. I even love the chippy green stools at the foot of this bed. Fit for a princess or a guest. I have another idea for my lavender space for my next post. Think outside the box...or house. Does anyone have a lavender space? Or lavender love? Let me know...

Until then, au revoir

~Miss Kris~

~Plein Air Workshop in France~

2009-01-26T06:00:00.002-06:00

The winter blahs and it's only January still, let's see, I have until May before it's actually warm here and I can't stop thinking of taking a lovely plein air painting class in southern France, near Provence and the city of Valence where the Moulin de Perrot, a several centuries old mill awaits me. Really, how would you like to spend a week here?

I can almost feel the warmth on my face. Oops...back to reality.

You can take different classes with famous painters and enter a beautiful and secret world of masters and learn techniques and philosophies of painting. I often take classes just because, although I always learn something. It may be as simple as a new brush I have never used, a new colour, sometimes I think I only like this one pink and then I'm introduced to a new pink, it's magical!!!

Another example from one of the instructors here. Look at all the colours used, ahhh...beautiful!!!

(all images from MD Perrot Workshop)

And lastly...I really wish I were here right now! I love painting outside with my easel, a little chair, my oils, linen, a visor and some sunscreen on. The heat on my face, the warm smells of the earth. The brush against my skin when a warm breeze goes by. The numerous sounds of all the bugs and the birds chirping from the trees. As if they are singing just for me. And when I'm all done with my painting and take it out a week later, it's amazing that I can still remember all that.

Oh...how I wish I could experience that with everyone! And a glass of wine.

Au revoir

~Miss Kris~

~My Yellow Room's Inspirations~

2009-01-21T21:55:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone! This is my spare bedroom filled with goodies from my grandma's home. Original this furniture was fitted in a larger room which was painted a light shade of a pretty bleu. In my home it's in a yellow room with bleu accents. My Grandma had two twin beds and in this room I took the two headboards with the rails and made them into a day bed. Over the bed is a canopy with some sheer lacey window treatments attached, I painted a mural on that wall and am in the process to repaint something new, the wall is being sanded this week and once it's finished I'll show you the finished bed. I have some Shabby Chic linens from Target I bought a few years ago in a pretty bleu flower pattern and some bolster pillows in a bleu ticking from Ikea. I love that store.

So this is the dresser with my Grandma's beautiful lamp on it, which I love, sorta a Marie Antoinette country feel to it. My Grandma loved France. So perhaps that is where I got the bug from.

Close-up of the lamp.

I love the detail in it, they are very delicate, so I must always be very careful when I dust.

The other side of the dresser, with the Marie Antoinette country girl with a basket and some spring flowers. I am ready for spring and all the beautiful flowers and smells that it brings.

Close-up of the pretty girl.

This is the image of my little watercolour/acrylic painting framed in a lightweight white washed pine frame. Just finished it today, worked on it all last night. After a few goes at it. Another words the first two I tore up and placed them in my oops pile. I just couldn't put my brushes down. This is my version of Versailles ~ Pavillon dans le Parc. I'm going to place in my Etsy store.

So I'm thinking of a little pretty for Valentines Day ~ Roses, maybe. What do you think?

May everyone have a Great Weekend!!!:)
~Miss Kris~

Bleu ~New~ Lovilies

2009-01-19T13:23:00.004-06:00

Hi Everyone! I just started working on some new paintings, inspired by France. They are a mix of watercolour with some little touches of acrylics. I love the look of bleu and cream with touches of gold. All measuring approx 10X12 inches. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these new paintings. I am in the starting phases on developing a few more. Different backgrounds, perhaps more baroque, not quite sure just lots of sketches in my new sketchbook. French Greys I am loving today. We will see what direction I take today.

Oh...I am also thinking of listing them on Etsy...Perhaps at weeks end. What do think?

~Miss Kris~

Sweet garden nursery mural

2009-01-18T12:00:00.001-06:00

(quick rendering of window wall)

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their day. Most murals start with a story and this one starts with the mommy's love of Boston, MA. In Boston they have a Public Garden and in the Garden they have some bronze statues that were inspired by a beloved children's book "Make Way For Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey.
This is a very cute story how Mrs. Mallard (mommy duck) makes way every spring toward the park and pond in Boston with her ducklings. I never heard of this book or story here in Chicago but it is an adorable book with great illustrations I really think all children will love it.

(photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com)
Here are the bronze statues that are in the Public Boston Garden for everyone to enjoy. They are so cute!

So this is my palette before painting the little ducklings and the momma. Yes, I use paper plates, which require no clean-up. I've learned my way through cleaning palettes everyday and then going to plastic and then finally going to paper plates. I am really thankful for the paper plate.

Here are the little ducklings under the window sill. I love this a lot, probably because I love ducks. And geese. Something about their little tush. The way they waddle, So cute!!! Ducks always bring a smile to my face and a little giggle.

Close-up

In one corner I painted a cherry blossom tree with pretty flowers below. I added a few ladybugs, bumble bees and butterflies. Little ones love bugs.

Close-up of flower detail.

(this isn't the final image, swan boat not finished, plus you might notice I was not finished adding the shadows by the bridge, just in case you decide to click image to view up-close)
This is the picture I painted over the changing table. Another picture of Boston's Public Garden. In the water is a swan boat, which are owned and operated by the same family for years. They hold I think about 20 people and they take them out in the lake and enjoy the park from the water. What a nice day for those people in the boats.

In this room I also painted a Boston Street Lamp with more flowers flanking the other side of the window. And over the crib is Chicago Botanical Garden image of the fountain, some swans and trees. If anyone is familiar with Chicago Botanical Gardens it is a view of the crescent with pink tulips. I also painted over the chest of drawers The Chicago Bean with some buildings behind along with a few air balloons. Finishing the room is a painted sky with a few birds. Really a pretty room for a little girl. I hope to get more pictures of this room and once I do I'll post them. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this room.

May everyone have a wonderful day!

au revoir! ~Miss Kris~

I'm in love with Provence

2009-01-14T13:09:00.000-06:00

Last weekend between running around, getting together with my family for saying final farewells to my Aunt. I was sorta cleaning up my office and ran across this magazine. I must have bought it in September or October last year and I do not remember reading it. So it was a little surprise for me. One of the homes they showcased was a home in Provence.

Oh...I must say it is a beautiful home! Drool drool...

The family's origins are from Canada and they discovered Mougins on an annual French holiday. After wandering the streets in Mougin she wandered into a local French antique furniture shop French Country Living. She struck up a conversation with the shop owner and her desire to live in this town. And found a home onto the beautiful hillside. She also contracted the shop owners to transform their new home into the French country style she admired in the shop.

Some of things I love about this lovely home is the beautiful clay tiles on the floors and all the creamy soft shades on the walls. This chippy table I wonder if they found it in the shop??? I do love it. :o)

Especially those ripe strawberries on the table...mmm

Look at the wonderful ceiling~to die for!

The one thing I noticed that all the pictures, I assume are from the first floor, has no floor board trims. The wall to the floor is never broken up. I do like that. Sometimes I notice the trimwork before anything else or that the trim makes the most impact on so many homes. Neither way is right or wrong it just makes me think.

I love everything in this picture. So natural looking. Sisal rug to the soft ceiling beams. The soft simple print on the chairs and maybe my favorite is the punch of color in the lovely pink flowers. So pretty!

I am sure Ness will love this room with all those linens. Maybe a final touch of one of her pillows would be a finishing touch this pretty room needs?

(all images courtesy of British Country Homes & Interiors October 2008)

And finally this lovely view~enough said!

Au revoir!

~Miss Kris~

A lovely FIND

2009-01-13T08:56:00.003-06:00

Hi~ Here in Chicago we were under blizzard watch last night and nothing happened. Well...something did happen we got about 1 to 2 inches of snow. A sprinkling after all the snow we have had this season. So I stayed in and made a wonderful discovery. I found this beautiful blog Heart in Provence. I spent hours looking & reading every post.

Her blog opens a little window of her life in beautiful Provence. Each image is better than the last. I REALLY enjoyed my blizzard in front of my monitor last night.

I love the blouse and vest...all the layers are scrumptious...beautiful details in lovely shades of creams.
(images courtesy of Heart in Provence)
I think she started her blog in French~Un Coeur en Provence and added one in English. Oh I am ever so grateful!;) Here is the link to see her beautiful blog Heart in Provence.

May everyone have a great day!!!
~Miss Kris~

A little R&R and a bit of France!

2009-01-10T20:44:00.007-06:00

I am in need of a day of Rest & Relaxation so today I am combining a trip to the day spa and an evening of some french love. Morning appointment is at 10 a.m. for a 50 minute deep-tissue massage. Should I book a few extra appointments for you? I'm in dire need of a massage after all those ceilings I have been painting.
After my massage I am off to get a pedicure. No manicures for this girl, my fingernails are super short because my hands are always full of paint. Sacrifices I make ;o) kidding, I love painting, worth all my short nails!!! I'll go ahead a book a few more appointments for you here also.

After my spa appointment I am off to pick up some new magazines at my local book store and a little lunch. These magazines I do not get a subscription for so it is a little treat to myself.

After lunch I am off to a restaurant near here to pick up some carry out for my dinner this evening. When I am in Paris I love staying at a lovely hotel in Saint Germain Des Pres called Hotel De Buci. A hop away from the hotel is brasserie with one of my now favorite foods ~ Mussels.

This is one of the interiors views of the room I stayed in last time in Paris. Small and very quaint. Notice all the fleur de lys?

I love mussels in a cream sauce and I am lucky I have a restaurant near by that always has them in. So that is what I am going to pick-up for dinner tonight.mmmm.....

I also picked up a French film "Dare me to love you" staring the lovely Marion Cotillard (from a Good Year) I saw this film years ago & I am up for some laughs tonight. It is a silly quirky film about two childhood friends who play truth or dare as children and are up to this silliness as adults.

Although it goes a bit out of control. Maybe a little dark ~ I am up for that tonight.

***spoiler alert*** Ok, so I won't spoil the ending, except to say you will not forget it. Ahh what love does to us.

Along with my movie I bought a bottle of framboise. This Rasberry Framboise was introduced to me by my best friend and I highly recommend it. It runs anywhere between $7-$9 a bottle & comes in a few more flavors, labeled a beer (with a cork), with low alcohol content, very bubbly, sweet and a little tart. Fizzes in your mouth, it is absolutely wonderful;)!!!

And to finish off my evening I just bought (OK, a few weeks ago I bought this book but was trying to save it for my french evening) a book called "My French Life" by Vicki Archer. Ms Archer is one lucky woman! I am truly loving every page. Thank you Vicki for writing a lovely book on your life. It is remarkable and I HIGHLY recommend it. Perhaps I may be lucky enough one day to take a wonderful chance like her and her family and embark on a life in beautiful Provence. Just unbelievably remarkable!!! Plus the photos are as amazing as her story. Très magnifique! . Oh...AND she also has a beautiful blog French Essence . I wouldn't wait to check it out!

What would your day of R&R be like? Or perhaps, could you recommend a foreign film I might add to my must watch list.

Au revoir everyone!

~Miss Kris~

~Goodbye~

2009-01-09T11:40:00.005-06:00

Aunt Sue you were an amazing person who was greatly loved by so many. You left too soon and my heart breaks for you Uncle and to all my cousins. I have never seen a man love his wife as much as you did. I hope knowing she is in a better place gives you peace.

I love you Aunt Sue and thank you for all your kind words you have given me throughout my life. A simple letter when I was away for school and those special words of advise you gave me last summer I will have with me forever.

I now have another angel watching over me. I love you & will miss you. your niece

~Merry Christmas to All~

2008-12-25T13:17:00.009-06:00

( antique German Manger ~ family heirloom)

I wish everyone a joyous Christmas from my heart to yours & may all your Christmas dreams come true this holiday season. I am off to my family's home to enjoy Turkey dinner and lots of (spiked) apple cider. mmm....

This is one of my favourite family heirlooms. From my Mom's side of the family a manger brought back here from Germany. This has always taken center stage for me, before all the Christmas trees. As a child I always wanted to set up where Mary and Jesus would be placed in the manger and the three wise men caring gifts. I loved unwrapping them all from their tissue paper and bringing them to life & adding the final touches, sprinkling the hay.

A little side note~I would like to apologize for the lack of post this month. This is my busy, busy season and between running here and there, plus loosing hours due to sooooo much snow haven't had any time to post. I will be back up and running right after the new year. I have been working on finishing the final touches to my La marque croit le Château (pretend chateau) floor plan, so until then, may everyone enjoy the holiday they may be celebrating this time of year.

Merry Christmas too All!

Warm hugs ~Miss Kris~

Orange LOVE

2008-12-14T17:55:00.010-06:00

I do love the color ORANGE!!! Maybe it is because my Grandparents would send me oranges and grapefruit from Florida, to here in Chicago during our cold winters. Or maybe it reminds me of getting off the plane at the Tampa Bay Airport in the springtime and smelling the orange blossoms. Simply put orange reminds me of my Grandparents and always brings BIG SMILE to my face. These are some of my favorite orange images...

I love the orange tones of this french home.

(image courtesy of Art & Decoration)

This image is so lovely to me. The ironwork is to die for!!! Plus this orange terracotta pot is pretty with the warmness that plays off the outside orange stucco.

(image courtesy of Art & Decoration)
Another Pretty image of ORANGE!!!

(image courtesy of Veranda)
Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and in this orangie blush color playing off the pretty pillow is stunning!!!

(image courtesy of coming soon)

Nothing like a ride on an orange VESPA... Although I wouldn't know, but I would love to find out. It is just too cute!

(image courtesy of Veranda)
These lovely orange fabrics I would never think would play off the natural linen, It works!!! the warmth from the orange cools a bit from the linen. I really like that! I love the little window opening outward.

(image courtesy of Southern Accents)

Orangie, blushy full silk taffeta window treatments. Enough said!

(image courtesy of Art & Decoration)

The orange glow off a candle.

(image courtesy of Veranda)

This may be one of my all time favorite bedrooms. I love the softness in the peachy striped soft walls, with the taffeta window treatments and the burl wood sleigh bed. I love the small touches of the brown on the throw and the velvet covering on the stool. It is not one thing I love but the whole picture. And I love the gilt gold chandelier. Breathtaking!!!

These little watercolors I picked up in Montmartre the last time in Paris.

They are about 5X7 and are not matted or framed yet.

This is the last of the pretty little watercolors. When I look at them it reminds me of my time in Paris. sigh......
I have a quick question...I would love to get them framed, although I am clueless what to do. Should I keep the matting and frames white or should I make them more colorful? Or should I just simply tack them up with old tacks for a different look? I would love to hear your input.

I love the pop of orange in the nectarines & on a cold blustery day in Chicago I would love to be by a warm sea.

I simply love, love, LOVE this pretty lacey table cloth.

I would love to take a break and enjoy a lovely book here at this chippy white bench against the orange glow off the sunset.

Au revoir ~ Miss Kris~

a little princess room & my first give-a-way winner!

2008-11-24T18:31:00.008-06:00

And the winner is ~ Janie for my first give-a-way. Yeah! The elves are singing and lighting firecrackers. Boom, boom, kaboom! Soooo much excitement in the air! Congratulations Ms Janie!!!:o)

I gave Janie options for the give-a-way. She choose a acrylic rendering of her nursery. I painted her nursery a few years ago & her twins are grown and ready to have their own room and this is going to be a keepsake for her to treasure for years.

Each of the twins beds had a canopy, for the little girl a pretty pink castle and the little boy had a little brown & white dog on his. This room was so much fun to add special touches with my brushes. Congratulations again Janie and I'll get out to you a quick sketch for approval before painting your keepsake.

This last week I have been a tad busy with the start of this little princess room. I am having a lovely time ,excluding my neck %!*#ouch!!!). To tell you a little bit about this little princess, she loves pinks, lavender & blue ~which her mom says today it's her favorite color. In her room she wants a pretty princess, lots of glitter and sparkles.

This above image is of the princess' carriage, if you look through the window you will see the princess castle. I still have LOTS to do, the walls are going to have white stripes with little pink flowers. The coffered ceiling is painted a beautiful shade of lavender which I will paint soft clouds and put lots of magical stars and on top of the stars will be small touches of glow-in-the-dark paint. I am going to paint a canopy over the bed with a crown with lots of rhinestones and more glitter with some zebra pull backs & some more SPARKLES. I have a princess to paint next to her dresser, a chandelier, family dog on black iron pedestal and lastly a picture of ballerina slippers under the chandelier. I am sure I am missing something.

A close-up of the lantern on the carriage. I think I should add more dripping wax on the bottom. hmmm and maybe more glitter. More magical I think is better for this princess. She loves helping me with the glitter and the crystals.

Close-up of the castle scene. Tell me your thoughts on this room and also if I'm forgetting anything that a princess should have. Well I am off to take a long hot shower and an evening of rest before tomorrow.

Au revoir! ~Miss Kris~

~Sweet Dreams~

2008-11-14T14:25:00.007-06:00

(courtesy of Home and Garden)

It is time to dream of pretty embroidered linens, soft floral prints, sumptuous satins and delicate laces. I love everything about this bedroom. Look at the lovely picture frame over the headboard and the painted harlequin pattern floor. I also think the canopy panels are done in a natural silk taffeta. Love Taffeta, I think I could have taffeta window treatments in every room of my home!!!

(courtesy of Home and Garden)

This lovely bedroom is covered in layers of beautiful floral pink prints. The walls seem to be painted in soft pinky peach and washed in white which seems to give it a beautiful cloudy effect.

(courtesy of Home and Garden)
Ohhhh, i love the carving and the caning of this bed all painted in white. In this volatile market we might just be able to find something close in style at a consignment shop. And with a fresh coat of white paint and some vintage quilts this might actually be achievable

I love English gardens. And this beauty takes me right there. I could definitely achieve sweet dreams here.

This room is so sweet. I love all the quilting, from the bed skirts to the bedding and the pretty soft grey blue one resting upon the white iron frame. My favorite is the pretty white lacey top sheet. This is one item I can never do without ~ white sheets. Also white towels ~ Love them!

A darling bed for a little girl. I love the baskets under the bed to place all those little lost toys for the night.

This room is so pretty and soft. For me though I need just a bit more color or umph... Maybe just a tad lighter on the walls could do it for me or perhaps a white wash strip. What do you think?

I could definitely make this my spare bedroom. I love the pops of pink, just enough umph (color).

I do love canopies, having one as a tot, I always felt safe. Do you notice the wood beams on the left side of the picture? I can almost in vision a wood burning fireplace in the corner. What a lovely!

Wow! This room is all about different textures done in whites and pinks. My favorite is the large pink check on the headboard/foot board and chair. What room is your favorite?

I hope everyone has sweet dreams this weekend!

~Miss Kris~

Holiday GIVE AWAY! yup, that's right!

2008-11-11T09:15:00.009-06:00

North Pole

(18x24" canvas with wooden dowel and ribbons)

This is my 2008 Christmas Collection, all are hand-painted, sprinkled with lots of Love & drizzling with lots sparkles. My north pole hand-painted wall hanging was actually introduced last year & I decided to include it in this years collection. It is still my favourite.

Candy Faerie Land

(18x24" canvas with wooden dowel and ribbons)

This is my new hand-painted wall hanging, 3 little candy cane faeries, crystallized Christmas ornaments with special words like "Wish", "believe" & "twinkle" on them. Lots of sugar candies laying around in the crisp, fresh snow. Finished off in candy coated swirls. Sugar Kisses.

Red nosed reindeer

(12x17" hand-carved wood)

This little cute reindeer is surround by berries with holly and pretty white snow flakes. With a tiny touch of gold. And you can pick your own saying or perhaps a little ones name from Nana with 2008 included.

Cutie Snow Angel

(12x17" hand carved wood)

A cute snow angel with lots of snow flakes and a tiny touch of gold. You can also specify another saying instead of Happy Holidays.

Sugar Faerie

(12x17" hand carved wood)

This sugar faeries is holding a little box and is surrounded by lots of candy. Candy canes and sugar drops...mmmmm

I would love to hear what you think of my new Christmas items. I'm planning a give away from my Christmas Collection this week. All the names of those of you who comment on my items will be placed in the hat for the drawing. The drawing will close Sunday (11/17) by 11pm central time.

~Miss Kris~

A Pink Pretty

2008-11-10T22:03:00.003-06:00

This is a Pink Pretty my Mom made and I wanted to share with everyone. My mom is a wonderful needle pointer. She spends her retired days stitching all sorts of pretties. This is one of my favorites and she won 1st prize!

My passion for painting and designing has come from her. She has a wonderful eye for color and as a tot I loved going to the stiching store to help pick out threads. I can't wait for her to get her Christmas tree up so I can share all her needle point stockings with you. They are small and sweet & come in all sorts of colours and are very eceltic.

I'd love to hear what passions you have that were helped upon the way from your parents or grandparents.

May you have a great day!

~Miss Kris~

Fairy Princess Dreams part deux

2008-11-07T17:56:00.003-06:00

These are more images from the Fairy Princess Room ~ actually the Princess Bathroom. Way up, up in the clouds, lives lots of faeries. This magical faerie town is drizzling with crystals, sequins & lots of glitter. All the stars are finished off in a crystal and glow-in-the-dark paint. A darling bathroom fit only for a princess.

Princess Zebra Flower Clock~It's a real clock

more towers with lots of windows & a trees.

This wonderful family enjoyed the summer in Venice and they all made masks & this princess had the most colourful mask, hmmm, I wonder if this room inspired her, nope! It was the princess who inspired me. I love little ones imaginations. They have such wonderful ideas. Thank you Princess Maggie!!! Well, that completes this mural tour & I hope you enjoyed this lovely princess room?

May everyone have a GREAT WEEKEND!

~Miss Kris~

Fairy Princess Dreams

2008-11-05T15:32:00.005-06:00

Today I finally had the chance to go back & take more pictures of this mural I finished awhile ago.

This room was completely inspired by a four year old wonderful imagination. She told me everything she wanted in her room. A few princesses, lots of animals, from elephants, rhino, hippo, zebra, giraffe, red panda (Lincoln Park Zoo has one) and so many more. Castles, rainbows and also a lovely white swan. Since this little princess loved animals I made them come to life completely dressed for the occasion, dressed in lots of jewels! In the end this room was drizzling in lots of crystals, sequin and lots of glitter. What a lucky little princess...

And more pictures!

Bunk bed topped with a beautiful tiara corona with pretty feathers, beads & more crystals.

When painting trees, on the darker leaves I suggest painting a top coat of light green glitter paint, this gives a really special effect. Makes a magical space for any princess!

May everyone have a great Princess day!

~Miss Kris~

Red,White & Blue

2008-11-04T07:00:00.005-06:00

Don't forget to vote, Americans!

The world is watching and soon we will have a new president elect for The United States of America. It is going to be a very exciting day!

~Miss Kris~

COCO ALERT

2008-11-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone! I apologize if I am behind but, "Have you heard yet?" that Audrey Tautou is playing Coco Chanel in an upcoming movie expected to be out sometime next year (2009) titled Coco before Chanel. It is still in it's pre-production stage. I can not wait to see it!!! I am saying it again I can not wait to see it!

My reason why I can not wait to see the Audrey Tautou movie is, I fell in love with another version of Coco Chanel's life on The Lifetime Channel staring Shirley MacLaine as the older Coco and an actress I never heard of until now ~ the lovely Barbora Bobulova as the younger Coco. It was a WONDERFUL movie!!! So romantic and the scenes were so beautiful. I never knew too much about Coco Chanel but she had a beautiful story to tell besides just about her clothing/products etc. If you have seen the Lifetime Movie version let me know your thoughts on it.

***Spoiler Alert*** Don't read this paragraph if you have not yet seen the Lifetime movie. Coco and Etienne Balsan were so wonderful together! In that, the Lifetime version I saw. I want to believe that they would have ended up together. Someday. If it wasn't for his untimely death. sigh sigh...

Please let me know if anyone has heard anymore about the Audrey Tautou movie ~ Coco before Chanel or if you have any comments about the Lifetime Movie about Coco Chanel

~Miss Kris~

Bastide de Charme

2008-11-01T11:45:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone! I am sharing with you one of my all time favorite images of a home from the Bouches du Rhone area in southern France. This magazine (Maison Francaise Juin 99) has traveled with me from my time in St Louis Missouri & even sorta inspired my first mural in the furniture store I was a buyer for. I'll share that mural with you in a later post.

If my foyer had similar architecture I would love for it to look exactly like this. Not one single change. I love the iron chandelier. The tiled floor. OMG the iron railing! And I love LOVE LOVE the walls. Such lovely shades of soft greens & robin's egg blue mixed in with beautiful simple touches of gold. And the sky ceiling~so soft. I would never leave my foyer.

Plus, I would love to paint this! It would be a few days of heaven for me!

~Sorry about the images~

The soft green & robin's egg blue walls is being carried into the parlor with the beautiful gold touches again. I'm not into the bright color so much but this is stunning to my eyes. I love the double french door in a celedon wash. It just feels like HEAVEN!

The garden grounds. The statues just beautiful! The rustic iron door knocker is so charming against the lovely shade of the French Blue Door.

So lovely! I can almost feel the sunset against my face. OK, I'm just dreaming for a bit.
I love the cute lanterns reflecting off the beautiful patina of the stone terrace and the water. Lovely!

So that is it. Thank you for taking this journey with me! Let me know your thoughts of this place?

Have a great day Everyone!

~Miss Kris~

Happy Spooky Halloween

2008-10-28T21:37:00.013-05:00

Happy Halloween everyone!

The witches wand ~ spider web pillow

(click picture to see all the little details)

Trick or Treat

My"Little Witches Kitchen" hand-painted wall hanging is full of spells & potions for sale daily after Midnight. What spells could some pixie dust or some snake oil brew up tonight? I also added a few crystals and a touch of glow-in-the-dark paint to scare all the goblins away. hehe

I recently found this picture of myself from my Grandpa's aka "Grumpy's" home. I was a very scarrrry witch. I look as if my cheeks were already stuffed full of goodies! lol

My sweet mom made my Halloween outfits, such good memories. I wonder what ever happened to that hat?

Also, notice my hat~it's the same one from my "Little Witches Kitchen" Banner

Every good witch needs a pair of very special shoes sprinkled with lots of "good faerie dust". Hand-made by moi. They were a challenge to make and not sure how they will stand up to this weekends events.

I wish everyone a very Spookalicious weekend.

I hope you will bring home lots of Goodies!
Au revoir!

~Miss Scare Dee Pants~

~ Un beau lapin ~

2008-10-26T14:28:00.004-05:00

Hi~I hope everyone had a great weekend!

This is my latest design, Un beau lapin ~ The colours are a beautiful robin's egg bleu, mixed with some golds and then a crisp white, commissioned as a custom hand-painted wall-hanging. The ideas were started by some ribbon in robin's egg bleu & some natural linen fabric. A bunny was a must along with a robin's egg nest. So the drawing was started.

The quick sketch

(to see enlarged ~ click picture)

This is the finished product.

I sooo loved painting this. Some of the added elements were ribbon weaved in and out of the canvas topped with a satin bow. The cute little bunny is finished of with a pom-pom in white yarn fluffed up for his cottontail. Trimmed on the bottom with a ruffled linen and for easy hanging topped off with a natural rope & a wooden heart to hang from.

The saying is in french and says "Once upon a time a lived a beautiful bunny..."

This is a close-up of the bunny. I was also commissioned to paint a few more items for them and will have them posted in a later post. ***Hint Hint Hint***may be a little piggy, ducky or a calf/cow, so I have a quick question. If you were to only choose two animals to go with the beau bunny, what would your top two be???

PIGGY?

DUCKY?

or a CALF/COW?

Au revoir

~Miss Kris~

awww...These are just the cutest tiny treasures

2008-10-22T22:05:00.004-05:00

These little lovelies were hung in my dear Grandma's home right in her foyer. Every time I walked by I had to stop and say "hi" to each of them. I made up cute little stories about them. I never knew a "True" story existed about them. So here it goes...

They are called The Wee Musicians

The Wee Musicians were painted by the noted artist, Lowell, who was inspired by the following tale:

(size - 4 1/2" x 4")

One of the most celebrated stories surrounding the court of King Arthur of the Round Table is that of the Wee Musicians. Their appearance, legend has it, always brings good fortune.

The most renowned instance in recent history occurred during the childhood of the present Duke of Salisbury. The family fortunes of the ancient house had reached their lowest ebb. Suddenly, the Wee Musicians appeared and revealed themselves to the Royal Child, pointing their instruments to the ancient tower of Salisbury Castle. Learning of this the boy's father had the tower thoroughly searched and was rewarded by the discovery of priceless concealed treasure.

Down through the ages, to this very day, it is said, where ever they appear the Wee Musicians always bring happiness and prosperity.

So that is the cute story about the Wee Musicians which was kept a secret until I got them from her. I feel like it is a sweet little treasure from her. By the way... the little girl playing the piano is my favorite. Which is a shocker because I was actually fired from my piano teacher for not practicing...go figure...I wonder if that had do with the fact I was always doodling & drawing. Hmmm.

Well, I hope seeing these cute Wee Musicians will bring everyone happiness and prosperity.

Au revoir!

~Miss Kris~

RÉNOVATION~Love

2008-10-21T18:11:00.009-05:00