COTE DE TEXAS: A Pamela Pierce Designed House

A Pamela Pierce Designed House

 

 

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Everyone knows that one of my favorite designers is Houstonian Pamela Pierce.  A few years ago, her own house was once a cover story in Veranda and it remains one of my favorites.  This picture above of her own bedrooms is rarely seen on the internet, but I think it is so pretty.  Understated, yet beautiful, it highlights Pierce’s aesthetic:  a love of antiques, a quiet monochromatic look, no easily defined period, and the use of quality in the elements that separates her work from the more average designer.  Her house is such a beauty, although I’ve heard rumors it’s been redone.   Unfortunately for us, Pierce’s work isn’t often seen.   Her clients prefer anonymity and while this is understandable, it’s such a shame that we aren’t able to see everything she designs.   There’s a lot to learn from her and I so respect her choices; I would be forever indebted  if one day she would publish a book filled with all her projects.  Pierce once said that while she admires international star designers such as John Saladino and Axel Vervoordt, she has been most influenced by Houston designer Babs Watkins.  I love that.   Watkins helped start the current “Houston” look and her eye is in a class of its own.   Simply, Watkins is one of the best designers this town has had.   Pamela Pierce certainly is at the top of the list of contenders to that title.

 

 

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A few weeks ago I posted this picture of pool house she designed that is without a doubt one of the prettiest backyard structures I’ve seen.   I’ll use any excuse to post it again and again!  To describe it as a pool house is actually sacrilege.   Veranda calls it a garden pavilion, but I think of it as a folly – defined as: a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece or lend interest to a view, found especially in England in the 18th century.   The pavilion was built around a collection of 18th century stone doors and windows that Pierce found at Chateau Domingue, the premier importer of architectural elements.   Very few designers would have had the vision to create such a structure out of a pile of bricks and stones, but Pierce had no problems at all.   The pavilion is exceptional, a one of a kind structure that stands in testament to her talent.  Notice the beautiful site line from the front of the pavilion out through to the back of the yard.  Gorgeous.

 

 

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Inside the open air pavilion, Pierce used a collection of iron furniture, linen and striped fabrics and antique tables and accessories.   Notice that lantern sitting next to the settee.   And notice the fabric lampshades.   Love!!!

 

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For Chateau Domingue’s Ruth Gay, Pierce designed the living room using Swedish and French antiques with  a checked fabric.

 

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The same room from another view.  The tea table is so wonderful!   Notice the corner cabinet.

 

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For this client, Pierce used antique sofas and chairs upholstered in damasks and linens.   Again, notice the tea table instead of a coffee table.  Antique fireplace is flanked by large putti. 

 

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I love this bathroom with the fireplace in it.   I’ve always wanted one in my dining room and bedroom, but now I am thinking the bathroom is the perfect place for a roaring fire on a cold day.  Love the iron table and notice the Swedish day bed on the right side of the picture.  Instead of sconces, Pierce put lanterns on each side of the sinks. 

 

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Pamela Pierce’s living room.  I am dying to see the house if it truly has been updated!   Can’t imagine messing with this perfection!!!    I’ve always loved the Spanish style desk at the very left of the picture.   Pretty mantlescape with the assortment of candles and roses.

 

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Pierce’s own kitchen with the beautiful steel windows and doors and the great antique lantern.   I love how its styled with the antique gilt candlesticks next to a large tin bucket filled with flowers. 

 

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A rare contemporary house with interiors by Pierce.   Even though this Austin house is modern, she still uses her antique chairs and stools and tables, which look absolutely correct in this space!

 

 

Being a devoted follower of Pam Pierce’s work, I was thrilled when realtor Sharon Ballas of Greenwood King emailed me that she had just listed a house designed by Pierce!  The house has been listed before, but the photographs were so small, I was unable to show it on the blog.   When Sharon informed me that she had the original images, full sized, I screamed – bring them on!!   A few minutes later, image after image from this beautiful house downloaded into my computer.   Nirvana.  The listing goes online later this week, so for all the pertinent information – email Sharon directly at ballas@greenwoodking.com

 

Enjoy!!!!

 

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The large two story house is located in Tanglewood.   White stucco with arched windows throughout – notice the clipped boxed parterre garden. 

 

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The front door opens to an expansive two story entry.   Here, an antique console stands in the center where a typical designer would use a round library time.    The rectangular table is the first clue that Pam Pierce is the designer.   The house was built, then bought by its owners in 2003.  The interiors were designed eight years ago, which amazes me because the house still looks current and fresh.   A decade old design can look dated and out of style, but this interior doesn’t because of the liberal use of classic antiques, which don’t age.  

 

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The view of the foyer, opposite.   Two antique settees are slipped in light blue linen.   Notice the two sets of antique painted blue 18th century doors that open to the hallways.  The soft blue found here in the foyer runs throughout the house, upstairs and down. 

 

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The view from upstairs looking onto the foyer.  Hanging from the ceiling is an Italian styled light fixture.

 

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The living room is bathed in soft blue linens.   I love the printed lampshades on the standing lamps!   Even the trumeau has a soft blue tint to it.   Unfortunately, the curtains were out being cleaned when this picture was taken.   For lampshades similar to these, contact Watkins Culver.

 

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I adore this dining room with its Spanish styled table and velvet covered chairs.  I LOVE the lantern instead of a fancy chandelier!!!   The blues found in the curtains run through the house.   Not sure what this fabric is, but I really like it. 

 

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The kitchen – large and very functional for a big family.  

 

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The breakfast room – my favorite room in the house!   The curtains are a blue silk check – so luscious and full!   Antique leather chairs and armoire.  I love the way the walls are filled with the large collection of herbiers.  Watkins Culver also sells similar herbiers.

 

 

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The master bedroom overlooks the back yard.   Of course I love the darling tufted settee with the double ruffled skirt that is Pam’s trademark.  

 

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Another view.  Beautiful armoire and desk.

 

 

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The entry hall and the bedroom overlook this terrace. 

 

 

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Off the foyer, an antique French table and garden chairs.

 

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The family room has more touches of blue mixed with antiques and slipcovered sofa.   I’m partial to the child sized wicker chair because I have the same one!   The Gray Door carries these.  I love the taller coffee table and the iron table between the two antique Spanish chairs. 

 

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Gorgeous French armoire anchors the room.    Remember – when starting out, try to buy one antique to anchor each room.  You’ll have it the rest of your life!

 

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The upstairs landing is done in white linens with touches of blues.   Notice the cute piano bench!

 

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Upstairs, the children’s media room has comfy furniture.

 

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Too cute – a gray velvet tufted headboard is mixed with lilac and white linens. 

 

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This room has matching French beds upholstered in linen.  Again, there are touches of blue.  Love the shutters and the wall to wall seagrass found throughout the upstairs.

 

 

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Another darling bedroom with gray and white linens. 

 

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And one more cute girl’s room with touches of green mixed with the white.  As you can tell, the homeowners have lots of daughters!

 

 

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And, of course there is a wine tasting room, with slate walls!!!

 

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The view off the kitchen and family room with a collection of faux bois furniture.

 

I hope you enjoyed looking at this house with interiors by Pamela Pierce.  To contact the realtor, email Sharon Ballas at ballas@greenwoodking.com

And to contact the interior designer Pamela Pierce, call 713-961-7540.

 

 

 

COTE DE TEXAS SPONSOR:  J.COVINGTON HOME

 

COTE DE TEXAS SPONSOR:  KAREN SUGARMAN DESIGNS

Be sure to look at the Cote de Texas sponsors listed on the  upper left hand side of the blog.  Today, we are welcoming several new sponsors:  J Covington Home and Karen Sugarman Designs.   For each sponsor, just click on their picture and you will be taken directly to their website.   Thanks for your support!

 

COTE DE TEXAS  SPONSOR:  THE URBAN MARKET

And another Cote de Texas sponsor, The Urban Market, is having their next show on February 12-13, Saturday – Sunday.    NOTE:  There is a new location!!!!   The Urban Market will be held at 3101 Smith Street @ ElginLocated in Mid Town, the new arena is SO much better!  Closer for everyone except those who live near the airport.   Thanks for moving, guys!!!

 

51 comments :

  1. Simply stunning! The pool house (and I agree - what an inadequate word for it!) is perfection - guess l missed it first time round!! Love her simple elegant bedroom and the dining room in the listed house - adore her use of lanterns as well! Lovely work.

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  2. The garden pavilion is just perfection! as all the outdoor spaces you feature.

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  3. I simply love the blue hues in the living room! I love seeing this house and everything was made to perfection!

    Coming to your blog is always a treat to me!

    Have a nice day, Joni!

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    Post of the Day: A Cottage on Shelter Island. www.HomeBunch.com

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  4. Thank you for the introduction to Pam Pierce - her designs are truly beautiful and inspirational!

    Ali

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  5. Thank you Joni - When I opened up your blog this morning (as I do every morning)I was so excited to see a home designed by Pam Pierce, one of my very favorites. Ever since I saw her home in Veranda I have been in awe of her and am always looking for her designs. This was magnificent! Thank you so much - again you are the best!!!

    Janice
    Pemaquid

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  6. PUPPET BARBUDA, landscape design critic, doesn't understand the Ayn Rand, Fountainhead, references at the 'Pool House'.

    A pile of delightfully configured rubble, with well shopped accoutrements, arising from the earth; cold, phallic.

    Another example of beautiful interior design in Vanishing Threshold with an split personality in exterior design.

    PUPPET BARBUDA knows Gertrude Jekyll is in great distress from heaven, "When I design a garden the 1st thing to consider is what to put on the house."

    Jekyll would have surely put a clematis montana on this 'Pool House'. Warmth, lushness, intellect.

    Of course PUPPET BARBUDA is greedier, wanting fragrant blooms. Lazier too, not wanting to clean up deciduous foliage, and would choose Jasmine 'Madison'.

    Garden & Be Well, Tara Dillard
    aka PUPPET BARBUDA

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  7. Joni: Another fabulous post. The images and design are fabulous!

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  8. I, too, absolutely hold Pam Pierce as my favorite designer. Her taste is exquisite and her use of antiques is always perfect. I would never change a thing in her house- perfection. I have reread the Veranda article many times and never tire of it. Thanks so much for this post! (Sure would be great to hear an interview with her on the Skirted Roundtable- hint, hint).

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  9. I have adored and followed her work for many, many years. She is definitely on my top ten list favorite designers.

    fun post Joni!

    joan

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  10. Good morning Joni- I hope you have power and are keeping warm!
    I'm going to have to pull myself together and come back to these pictures later today. Her work is divine and these images make me weak in the knees....I'll be back to study them in detail. ;)
    Hugs~
    T

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  11. I enjoyed this so much. Thanks for the tour. Pam Pierce is one of my favorites too. The Watkins Culver lampshades in the living room are beautiful. Interesting to see granite instead of white marble in the kitchen--I like it.
    Deborah

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  12. Joni,
    Gorgeous, Gorgeous!! The pool pavillion reminds me of the one Bunny Williams created - both are stunning! Oh to wake up to that view instead of snow would be a dream come true!!
    xx-Gina

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  13. Joni what a wonderful tour to take with my first cup of coffee, grand and gorgeous. The structure by the pool is amazing and the grounds are impeccable, Kathysue

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  14. I'm with Kathysue....just woke up, have my cup of coffee and you had me at the first photo. The canopy bed with the sweet bed hangings is just gorgeous. And the pool house, oh my God! I love Pamela Pierce's designs. Wondering if she has a book! Thanks for making my morning! ~Delores

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  15. I love how you have informants who'll pass you tips and shots for your blog.

    The breakfast room was my favorite, too.

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  16. I'm with Mimi an above commenter... sure would be great to hear an interview with Pamela Pierce on the skirted round table...Her taste and use of antiques is always amazing.

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  17. That pool pavilion remains one of my all time favorites along with the entire yard, it truly is amazing. That antique fireplace flanked by the putti, pure heaven, I wish they would fly on over my direction. I love the bits we’ve seen of Pamela Pierce home, what an amazing designer! The home is perfection and you can see Pamela’s signature all over it. Fabulous post as always Joni and one I plan on digesting over and over!

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  18. Such a gorgeous home!!
    Love your beautiful blog. I just did a post on grey cabinets and mentioned your Sally Wheat kitchen post with a link back.
    Here is the post:
    http://myhydrangeahome.blogspot.com/2011/02/grey-cabinet-inspirations.html
    Couldn't find an email address on your profile.

    Have a great day!

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  19. I would live in the outdoor rooms as much as possible. They are amazing.

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  20. Absolutely stunning and so inspirational. The soft hues of blues and lilacs throughout are timeless. What a treat!

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  21. I really feel moved by the outdoor spaces. Very inviting.
    Mary Ann

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  22. I love Pamela Pierce and all of the other Houston designers you've introduced us to (Carol Glasser, Ginger Barber, Jane Moore, Renea Abbott, Eleanor Cummings, ...). If Babs Watkins is the matriarch of Houston style, she must have more publications out there (other than the Galveston beach house and the Blue House with Cummings currently on your blog). Could you do an article on her work alone (with references so we can track down back issues of these magazines)?

    Thank you for considering my request. Also, did you ever finish your Top 10 Designers list? I recall getting down to #3, but cannot find any lower numbers using your search engine. Perhaps Babs is #1 or #2?

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  24. OMG, this it it for me I am in love with this house. I am going out to play the lottery because I could move in and not have to change a thing.
    Also for years now my computer screen saver is that "pool house". It makes me smile every time I turn on my computer.
    If I ever have the opportunity to hire a decorator to do my house it would be a tough choice between Pam Pierce or Joni Webb.

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  25. what a treat! Such a stunning home. I am finally trying to add one antique piece to every room. Lucky for me we have a very small home. ha. Great advice.

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  26. There are just a few published works of babs Watkins. There was a house in river oaks prob about 8 or 10'years ago I think in southern accents. I would have to find it. Watkins owns a store that supplied much of the great antiques that the houston designers used. She was first to import the italian and the painted pieces seen today. Her shop was incredible for it's time and it seems like everyone here followed her lead. Bill gardner was a huge part of it back then. He has his own shop now. Watkins just had a look, an incredible eye, and she was a fabulous editor. Nothing was precious. It was an undecorated look where the antiques were center stage. God, the antiques were gorgeous. When a new shipment came designers would wait in line to see it. Her shop was a first. Today there are other choices to shop but back then, she was the best. Unfortunately she is sick and is no longer working but her daughter runs the shop now, so its still open. Watkins was houstons rose tarlow. As for my list, I have two more names to go and no one from houston is on it! I would
    have filled out the entire list with hommies. Babs, Pam
    carol, Ginger, Eleanor, Cathy, renea, hmmmm two more?????

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  27. I remember seeing that "pool house!" I love it even more now that you've shared the back story. I also loved the landscape oil painting in the dining room and the wicker child's chair in the family room. Another gem of a home!

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  28. Love it~ Not sure if I am also supposed to enter here for the giveaway but I will give it a try. I have never won anything before but there is a first time for everything right. Love the Elizabeth and am hooked on these design blogs. My husband will not thank you but I will. Such inspiration and fabulous insight, thanks!

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  29. My heart started pounding from the title. I love Pamela Pierce's work. I have drooled over the Veranda images more times than I can count. Loved seeing more of her work. I would love it too if she would do a book of her designs. Probably won't happen. That probably just leaves us wanting more.

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  30. A wonderful post Joni....the pavilion house is pure perfection....xv

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  31. I am such a fan of Pam Pierce, too! You're right - she doesn't have lots published so this is a real treat to see such extensive portfolio. Thank you so much for the wonderful eye candy!

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  32. I have just discovered your blog and it is so wonderful. I have moved to Houston recently and am trying to find my "umph" for getting out there in this city. I saw your info. on The Urban Market. I decided I WILL GO. We are in the Sugarland area and I feel suburban depleted. I need to find farmer's markets and antique stores. I will be a devotee. (I've also just discovered the blog world!)
    Houston, here goes!

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  33. I'm so much inlove with the first picture! Stunning bed! Pam Pierce is an incredible designer.

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  34. I LOVE your blog! I truly appreciate the time you take to share your talent. I especially loved the adorable 20 day "re-do" you featured a few weeks ago.

    Have a great day,
    Sweet Tea
    sweettea-ltl.blogspot.com

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  35. Joni
    Can you make it so your whole post doesn't appear? Like, maybe show the first picture or two, then the words read more here...it just takes SOOO long for your page to load. Sometimes I haven't checked in a few days, and if I want to read a prior post, I have to let the current page load, then click older, then wait for all of it to load.
    Sorry to complain, I love you're blog. I'm a regular poster, but won't put my name so you won't hate me.
    xo

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  36. I guess good things take TIME to load. This was a perfect example, the pool pavilion, the Bed that grabs you right from the get go...I love her work.. Very inspiring to me personally and those blue settees with the voluptous gathered skirts....BEEEUTIFUL!Maryanne xo

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  37. Her rooms are absolutely lovely! Thank you for posting these!!

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  38. The "folly" pavilion, her living room, those grey silk curtains...I will spend the week-end scrutinizing again every image. Have a great week-end Joni.

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  39. the exquisite pool house, the rooms, the materials and case goods are fabulous.

    great post.
    xxx

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  40. LOVE Pam Pierce's work! Oh to be married in that gorgeous folly/pool house! J'adore
    -linda,ny

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  41. Ok. I wanna move, give up my rather bohemian life and decor and go so elegant and classic. Love, love, love the loggia, kitchen and top bedroom. All so lovely and inspirational. A favorite!!

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  42. Joni, thanks so much for showing us yet another talented designer's work. It's wonderful. And as to your sponsors, I have bought something from Karen for my MIL who loved it. She's so talented. I will be sure to check out your new ones. They are great resources. I'm having major computer issues (keys are sticking), and I might be offline for a bit. But I will be sure and check the new ones later today.

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  43. So late in reading this, Joni.

    I think I can honestly say that the entry of the Tanglewood house speaks volumes about what the rest of the house will look like.
    It's sort of like; "you had me at hello".
    The doors, the table, the seetees...really beautiful.

    Always such a pleasure to read your posts!

    kelley ; 0 )

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  44. Wow! I'm so very amaze on the furniture you have posted in this site It make me dream to have them all in my house.

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  47. Those are excellent scans, i had trouble telling if you just had that picture uploaded.

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  48. The "folly" was marvelous! Incredibly pretty, and I would love to spend an afternoon relaxing in it!

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  49. Love love love your blog. Ive been a follower sinxe you started. My former blog classic style as you may know is no longer active because of some "error with blogger" :(, anyway.. I started a french shop instead :) here in Stockholm. /Marie

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