A Taste of France

As much as we love CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan, there's a new girl in town that has grabbed our attention. The Annie Sloan Fabric Collection® can be summed up in one word: stunning. Anyone who has been in the store has seen the Toile de Jouy line in Charcoal Pastorale. The beautiful pictures of country scenes are drawn in a charcoal graphite color on off-white pure cotton.

As it is double width toile, it can be used on walls, curtains, or light upholstery. We have displayed it in the shop over our cast iron bed. If you've been in the shop lately, you will surely have noticed this lovely addition to our decor!

If you need even more inspiration, you'll love our newest addition to our book collection, Romantic French Homes. Lanie Goodman profiles 14 homes that all exemplify romantic French style, from classic country chateaus to chic, modern Parisian flats.

We think Rann Woodward's latest artwork would add a touch of romance to any room it calls home! These serene hydrangeas make us want to take a moment, relax, and step outside to see the gorgeous flowers blooming all around us this spring.

Finally, we have a little project of our own to share with you. This cute accent chair came to us in pretty rough shape. The upholstery was in great shape, though, and we loved the color and character it brought to the rest of the piece. Instead of replacing or painting it, we kept the upholstery and played off the gold color by layering CHALK PAINT® by Annie Sloan in Arles and Cream. We love how it turned out and are happy we're finally able to show her off!

Pure Sanctuary Trunk Show

We are so very excited to announce our Pure Sanctuary Trunk Show! It starts this Thursday, May 9th, and runs through Saturday, May 11th. We will be receiving a SURPRISE box full of cash and carry items! Of course, we can still custom order as well. If you're not familiar with Pure Sanctuary, now is the time to become acquainted.

Their charms and pendants, which are all hand cast in their Los Angelas studio, create an especially fun, unique look when layered together. 

We especially love this one. Not only is it beautiful...

but it also hides a lovely little surprise! This piece would be a perfect gift for a new or soon-to-be bride. It would also make a great anniversary present!

This pendant is stunning as well! We love the script and detailed edge, but our favorite part has to be the little bee on top. The thought that goes into each of Pure Sanctuary's pieces make them truly special.

Don't forget to stop by the shop this Thursday through Saturday to find a Pure Sanctuary piece that will "inspire memories" to last you a lifetime!

Handmade Beauty: Candles

We have a bit of a love affair with candles. There are so many to choose from, it's difficult not to collect a few (dozen) here and there. These particular candles are hand poured right here in Middle Tennessee and wrapped with pages from small, vintage French dictionaries. Local product wrapped in vintage French paper? We're sold!

If you want romance, drama, and an ethereal beauty all in one package, you'll fall head over heels for these candles by Wicked. Los Angelas based owners Mark and Samantha first created them for their own wedding, after they failed to find candles that matched their vision. They continue to hand dip each candle, so no two are alike. We still haven't stopped swooning over these unique handcrafted masterpieces.

If you're style is more literary than romantic, Wicked has you covered still. Their Negative Space collection is "inspired by provocative authors of the past and their tumultuous environments at the time of their existence."  The fragrances are reminiscent of each author's surroundings, while the images on the front represent the authors' psyches. The images illuminate when the candles are lit, creating an other-worldly ambiance that reflects the works of featured authors Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson, among others. We love the thought and soul of this Wicked product; who knew candles could be such a conversation piece?

Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More

We were pleasantly surprised to have received one of our most anticipated products a few weeks early! Annie Sloan's latest book, Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More, is a masterpiece of design and creativity.

(Photo Credit for Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More: Christopher Drake) 

It includes 40 new projects, almost all of them created originally for Annie's country home in France. Our favorite has to be this French Napoleonic bed, which adds what Annie calls an "outrageous pomposity" to this otherwise subdued and neutral room.

Each of the projects includes step-by-step instructions to recreate the looks presented in the book. We love the mixture of Antibes Green, dark wax, and gilded accents on the bed. It's absolutely gorgeous!

Some of the techniques she uses are new to even the most ardent Annie Sloan aficionados. Did you know, for instance, that you can use CHALK PAINT® to dye fabric?!

Annie has dyed monogrammed linen fabric and used it for upholstery, bed linens, and curtains. The fabric below has been dyed Aubusson Blue and Scandanavian Pink; the book includes instructions on not only how to dye fabric but how to vary the intensity of the final colors.  

One of the best aspects of Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More is the collection of various styles Annie showcases. Not only does she use CHALK PAINT® to create pieces inspired by classical French style, but adds Boho Chic, Modern Contemporary, and Country styles to the mix. 

This painted panel wall is a beautiful example of Swedish style, along with the textured pine staircase that Annie washed with Old White and Paris Grey. 

Those who have taken our advanced workshops will recognize the technique on this stenciled wall. For one of the walls in her home, Annie used four colors and one damask stencil to create a bold, layered design. The step-by-step instructions explain how to apply the paint with varying degrees of pressure and how adding a wash of Old White on top can develop a more subtle, worn look. 

These are just a few of our favorite projects from Annie's new book; it also includes an entire section on understanding and combining colors from her CHALK PAINT® line. We would love for you to come in and see for yourself why Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More is the perfect introduction to transforming your home!

Easter Whimsies

Easter is arriving early this year, but we're more than ready! The shop is full of Easter whimsies, including this adorable basket. The carrots are formed from paper mache, while the over-sized eggs have been covered with varying patterns of frayed fabric.

The same fabric covers this lovely little bunny. The neutral linen, French script, and lace accent makes this a beautiful addition to elegant, vintage Easter decor. Simply beautiful!

We also love this bunny, painted in watercolors by the wonderfully talented Wendy Day. Her vibrant art adds such happiness to the shop, we know it would do the same when nestled among other pieces in a loving home!

We wish you all a lovely Easter and hope to see you soon! 

Artwork & Aprons

We are so happy spring has finally arrived! After a somewhat long, dreary winter, we are ready to welcome the beautiful weather and abundance of lovely flowers that bloom here in Middle Tennessee. If you're stuck inside, you can always invite spring indoors. The mixture of colors in this piece by Rita (Rann) Woodward makes us swoon; its bright and cheerful energy will enliven any space that needs a little freshening up!

If you're looking for something a bit smaller, Kellie Montana's miniatures are the cutest addition to a home we've ever seen. While we love the flowers she's painted, the cow and donkey are just too adorable for words. Mini Montanas make a perfect gift for those who appreciate a bit of whimsy!

Like Rita and Kellie's work, Emily Little's latest creations emanate the vibrant colors of spring. The combination of yellow, blue, and white remind us of clear blue skies and fields of daisies or daffodils. The heart design and patterned background, however, make it a piece we'd gladly display year-round!   

Ellie Gladden is an artist in her own right, though she uses a medium other than paint to create her masterpieces; she transforms menswear into these charming aprons. The collared, button-up shirts become decidedly feminine when front pockets are added and the fabric is trimmed to fit less masculine shapes! We use Ellie's aprons all the time in our workshops, as her creations are both cute and comfortable!

Accents for Maison & Moi

This whimsical pillow is adorned with a sweet message that speaks to all of us here at C'est Moi:

The Art of Possibility

Art is about rearranging us,
creating surprising juxtapositions,
emotional openings,
startling presences,
flight paths to the eternal...
into the bright realm of possibility.

The mixture of earth tones, stitching, and burlap trim makes it more than a backdrop for poetry, though. It's an absolutely beautiful accent piece that we would love to take home with us!

It would look perfect next to these burlap flowers. Accented with tiny brown buttons, they come together to create a romantic yet understated floral arrangement ideal for those who enjoy simple, classic designs. Not having to water them is just an added bonus!

For those looking to update accent pieces rather than buy new ones, there's nothing easier or more dramatic than new furniture hardware. These over-sized crystal knobs are stunning, and anyone who comes in the shop and sees them in person has a hard time resisting them! Their clear color and design makes them neutral enough for any style, while their size and brilliance makes a dramatic statement. 

These, on the other hand, are just as beautiful but are certainly not neutral. They are decidedly vintage, adding an antique charm to what could be an otherwise neutral piece. Perfect for anyone going for a classic shabby chic look!