French Country Style

So many of you have seen my ad in French Country Style Magazine,

a beautiful new lifestyle & decor publication from fabulous FiFi O'Neill...

I am happy to welcome you to my blog and share my French country style offerings with you!

The phrase 'French Revolution' has more than one meaning... 

With the recent popularity of the Oscar-winning film 'Les Miserables',

interest in French history, style, and culture is at an all-time high.

Both fashion and home decor trends reflect the influence of Parisian style.

While we may not be able to swing a trip to the City of Lights,

it is certainly possible to bring touches of Paris and the rural French countryside to our homes!

The color combination of black and white in the vignette above is a neutral scheme  

that works anywhere to reflect a lighter approach to decorating with French style.

It also serves as a perfect foil for the red, white and blue TriColor flag of France.

This classic look brings to mind a pied a'terre tucked away on a back street of Paris,

overlooking a patisserie and le tour Eiffel in the hazy distance...

This is a fresh interpretation of Classic French Style.

Eiffel Tower Black White Tissue Box Cover

Eiffel Tower French Flag Tissue Box Cover

Paris Tisue Box Cover

France Plaque

The bucolic charm of the French Countryside is captured in the vignette below,

combining warm wood tones with natural subjects in the art and accessories.

From the painting to the needlepoint pillow,

the flora and fauna of rural France is depicted with timeless charm.

The combination creates the illusion of being ensconced on a Provencal farm, 

surrounded by fields of aromatic lavender whilst sipping le grande cru wines.

This is classic, elegant French Country Style.

Combining two-dimensional art (such as my platter with a rabbit print)

with three-dimensional art (the two vintage bunny figurines)

brings interest and detail to home decor vignettes.

My beautiful products will fill your rooms with le style Francaise,
whether your own choices reflect French Classic or Country moods!

Sheep Canvas

Rabbit Roses Platter

French Rooster Canvas

Rooster Pencil Holder



Please visit my website for more beautiful items that reflect French Country Style...

robinkingdesigns.com

English Country Equestrian Style

Though it has been around for hundreds of years, English Country Equestrian Style 

was brought into the mainstream of the home and fashion design world 

by the talented American designer Ralph Lauren.

His new vision of how the look could fit with the American lifestyle

opened our eyes to a 'new' way to decorate - and a love affair with horses was born.

With origins emanating from the landed gentry of the English countryside, 

this rich and elegant style traditionally features the use of deep colors,

substantial furnishings in dark woods, and leather upholstery.

Today, because of Mr. Lauren's vision,

English Country Equestrian Style is interpreted in many fresh, new ways... 

the use of lighter colors, more modern lighting, and soft fabric textures

breathe new life into this venerable decor style.

While I have never owned a horse myself, this decor style is one I have always loved!

Creating a vignette of Equestrian items is simple...

The addition of an antique horse statue compliments the wall arrangement of plaque and plates,

along with one of my floral tissue box covers, a stack of books, and a pewter tray.

(This could be a personal riding award - or an antique shop find.)

Small items added to the vignette, like these elegant tassels and new wall hooks,

give the effect of the design evolving over time...

In order to perpetuate that 'old world' feel and fit the equestrian theme,

a new western-style wall hook is painted black and accented with gold paint.

Simple 'fixes' like this often make all the difference to an item's appearance.

A lighter, brighter interpretation is shown here...

the 'Horsewoman' plaque and companion pencil holder join with other accessories on a desk.

 Dog-themed items are a 'natural companion' to equestrian style, 

and of course a silver trophy cup holding flowers is a perfect detail.

You needn't live on an estate or 'ride to hounds' to enjoy this classic decor style -

a few simple touches of equestrian artwork can transport your humble home 

to the English Countryside

__________________________________________________

I am pleased to offer you

the 'Horsewoman' plaque in the English Country Equestrian style, 

as well as four coordinating plate designs of riders on leaping horses...



To order the Horsewoman Plaque please click here



Coordinating Leaping Horses and Riders Plates are available here

 To purchase the  complete set of the 'Horsewoman' plaque and four plates,

please click here .

To see all the items,

please visit my online shop

www.robinkingdesigns.com

Beautiful Things for Spring Decorating

A sweet bunny figure is the perfect 'mate' for my Rabbit platter displayed in an easel. Add in a cachepot of wheat grass or fresh flowers, and this vignette nearly shouts Spring is Here!

I recently attended a decorating seminar at a local retailer. They were talking about how it's 'out of style' to put plates on the wall and have a lot of figurines in your home. My first thought was “It's a good thing they did not come to my house!”

Really, though, who's to say what is 'in' or 'out' when it comes to decorating our own homes?
We are! The rooms we live in should tell our own life story, reflect our own tastes and interests, and be more about us than any arbitrary trends or 'rules' of decorating.

 

I personally think plates on the wall are a perfect way to display them, instead of having them stacked and hidden away in a cupboard. (Especially if they are very old or very beautiful!) It's also very easy to change them out for different seasons with a wall or easel display. Whether you hang them individually in a row, in a free-form cluster, or use a multiple plate display rack, plates are miniature works of art that can add wonderful detail to your rooms.

As you can see above, pairing this rabbit plate with a collection of majolica cabbage leaf plates & bowls is a charming combination for Spring. You can also use a large plate like this one as a charger in a Spring dinner table setting - just place a clear glass plate on top, so that the beautiful artwork shows through.

How do you use plates in your home decor?

Share your ideas in the comments below and on my Facebook Page!

 

Black Rabbit with Floral Wooden Tray

The design is a black rabbit surrounded by a floral border.

The wood tray is painted black with green and gold accents, and the entire front of the tray features my signature crackle finish.

Sizes available: 7.5 and 9 inch diameter

To Purchase this item, click HERE

Artwork, product, and images copyright Robin King Designs; All Rights Reserved. 

Beautiful Things {in Brown}

 The vintage images I collect and work with inspire me, and so do the words of wise and creative people. A friend and mentor, Bob Brown, shared a thought with me that has always served to define my artistic style:

"The secret to good design is knowing when to stop"

When I am creating each product, I always remember that guideline. And as I combine elements to create a vignette in my studio to photograph, or in my home to enjoy, I let that principle guide me, as well.

Combining Beautiful Things to create an interesting arrangement is attainable... if you keep it simple. A mix of large and small items in various materials and shapes will draw the eye, and make for a pleasing tabletop or mantel display.

Using a color theme is a perfect way to coordinate elements. In the vignette above, the unifying color is the warm, comforting tones of Brown in every element. Many of the images I use for products have similar sepia tones, making it easy to choose several items to combine together in a display.

Imagine this arrangement of Beautiful Things in your room on a cold winter day...

 Woman in Brown Dress Canvas Art

Round Wood Toile Tray

Brown Roses Tissue Box Cover

Brown Silhouette Pencil Holder

Many of my products have several uses.

This pencil holder would also make a perfect container for flowers - simply

 insert a small glass vase into it to hold them.

I would add fresh ivory roses to this soft vignette!