Saturday, May 30, 2009

Chintz Fabric, Romance and Elegance

Chintz is a boldly patterned fabric that was originally produced in India. It became very popular in Europe during the 17th and 18yh centuries. Europeans eventually created their own reproduction of chintz to take advantage of the high consumer demand.

Chintz comes in cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. This fabric is notable for it’s shiny, glazed finish on the face of the fabric and flat back side. Chintz is usually printed with a floral design. Roses and peonies are popular flowers used in chintz designs.

Chintz is a very versatile fabric, you can do so much with it. Upholster furniture, make slipcovers, pillows,curtains, tablecloths and the list goes on. I have a stuffed bunny that is partly constructed of chintz fabric.

You may machine wash or dry clean chintz fabric. Machine washing will eventually remove the glazing, however many people prefer chintz without the shine. So if you want to get rid of the shine, wash away!

chintz 1

chintz 061Bunnies By The Bay came to be in 1986 in LaConner, Washington. These two sisters truly create heirlooms. I have a bunny that was given to me around 1987 as a birthday gift from my Mother. My bunny is over 20 years old. Since the late 1980's Bunnies By The Bay has changed their focus to products geared towards the baby's first year. If you would like to visit Bunnies By the Bay and view some of their current products go to http://www.bunniesbythebay.com/

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Simple Country, French and Shabby Chic Style

country decor outdoor dining

For a brief time I will focus on country style.  Country style has simple yet functional and affordable elements.  Country, french country and shabby chic is my preference in style, I work to attain in my home.

Country style today is rather a way of living then an inventory of objects, or a decorative strategy that must be placed in order to attain the look.  Items that work in their surroundings for the convenience of the family or individual using them, is part of what simple country style is about.  Country style is something that develops over time.  Usually you cannot think of everything you would like for a home and find it immediately.  You need time to consider what is essential and where you should put things.  Your home will have charm and a decorative personality that will mirror your personality.  Something that is usually absent in an instantaneous scheme.

Start bringing the color and texture of nature indoors.  An arrangement of flowers from the garden placed in an ironstone pitcher.  Even old canning jars can be used as vessels for your cuttings from the garden.  That is a simple country look!

Next bring the indoors out.  Think of your garden, yard or patio as extensions of your home decor.  Place chairs and a table on the lawn or patio.  Drape a chintz tablecloth over your table and add a pot or basket of flowers.  Position sculptures in flower-beds, old tubs can become planters, hang old birdhouses on fences and trees.  Imagination is the key to creating a personalized outdoor space for you, family and friends to enjoy.

Country style when utilizing fabric is often achieved with a mixture of patterned materials and textures.  Natural linens, cotton, chintz, ginghams and utilitarian fabrics such as striped ticking are made into slip covers, quilts, pillows and curtains.  The list of items that fabric may be used for in decorating and usefulness, is extensive and quite simple.  I will share my insight about decorating with fabrics in the next blog of teatowelcottage.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Apple Valley Dental & Orthodontic’s

My girl’s had their first visit at the Apple Valley Dental & Orthodontic’s Clinic that was just built in Yakima, Washington. There are so many displays of characters that I only took a few photos. I’m sure they will probably get people stopping buy just to look at the place. They even have a round coffee shop attached to their building.

My 15 year old was very excited to go to the new dental clinic. Previously we went to the first Apple Valley Dental Clinic located by Toys R Us, here in Yakima. All in all I think this is good marketing and will attract a lot of new clients for this dental team.