Saturday, November 01, 2008

Marie Antoinette Birthday Soiree and La Boudoir Episode Three~

Welcome to a Birthday celebration for Marie Antoinette!
was kind enough to host a wonderful soiree that you're sure to enjoy. Please visit her so that you may sashay over to the rest of the participants! Please, EAT CAKE and grab a glass of champagne!


If you'll scroll a few posts back (please!), you'll see I've been working on my boudoir. It is quite inspired by Marie Antoinette; along with other vintage eras. We started working on it last year, ripped out a closet to make room for an armoire; and painted the floor, walls, ceiling, and trim. Still much to do in the decor department.



I'll add a few photos here again, so I apologize for those of you who have already viewed them!



This is a vintage bedding set from the 30's. I think Marie would've approved! The head board was a yard sale find for $20. We painted it gold and raised it about 15 inches to look more majestic~

Purse with colonial scene~






Now on to something you haven't seen before! This is a fabulous french foot board. I bought the bed at an auction for $15. Termites and/or moisture have taken their tole on the feet. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? I've been wanting to use it for a cornice for quite some time. I just can't make up my mind about the finish. The grain is so beautiful, but the peice needs a lot of work. Plus, I want to somehow make two smaller copies for the other windows. There are just ugly boards trimming out the windows currently, as all the original trim is long gone. Doing cornices would be easier than putting in all new elaborate trim!
This floral motif is extremely fragile and I'm not sure if I'll be able to save it. If not, I plan to buy an applique to replace it. Click to see detail~ it's a very fine cut vaneer.






Here is the head board that goes with it. Can't decide what to do with it either. I thought about just changing it out with the gold one when I get bored once in a while. But, while viewing the pic just now I had a revolation that might work.... putting a mirror in the oval part and hanging this above my mantle in the parlor. Hmmm. I'll have to do the measurments to see if that would be a possiblity!
termite eaten bed~15 bucks!







This is a lovely print, another auction find. I think it was around $35. I'm on the prowl for the perfect chandelier sconces to flank the sides!



HPIM2437
I plan to use this wallpaper border and gold crown molding. I had ordered 6 more of these velvet drapes and they just came in yesterday~ I haven't had time to mess with them.


The following are a few random boudoir items, with no place to *go* yet!




Cherub detail
july 001




$15 night stand from a flea market. I don't think this little beauty is going to fit in my room. : (

Hey! There's a before pic of my PINK bike, I didn't think I had one! Woohoo!
$15 night stand
A $75 auction buy~ I need to revamp this finish somehow without *changing* it. It's worse than it looks.
Would like to put some sort of sheer glaze to revamp this peice.  Lots of scratches and marks, plus I want to lighten the green a tad.





Ok Antoinette lovers... onto some things that are not boudoir related!






Let's start with SHOES!

(I hope to have another Marie Antoinette inspired shoe hoarding post soon!)

I wish this pair had a french heel~ but I still LOVE em!

Marie Antoinette-ish shoes~ if only they had a french heel!







These are my wedding shoes. They were black brocade and I covered them with the velvet from my dress. The bows are made of corduroy, also from my dress. Horrid pic, it's an old scan. I looked far and wide for louis heeled shoes and could not find them anywhere at the time. I finally found these (in black) at a thrift store. They were too small and I forced them on like an ugly step-sister, let me tell ya!

Interested in Marie Antoinette inspired shoes of your own? Perhaps I could help you! Visit my shop at www.scarlettrosegarden.etsy.com!

wedding shoes

Here's my gown. I designed it and had it made. I wanted victorian, colonial, and civil war influences; I think it turned out quite nice! That house in the background is where the french bed came from. We had a contract on it but our inspector told us it had the worse case of termites he had EVER seen, so we passed!




I designed and had the gown
Full shot with detachable train

I got out my gown recently, as I wanted to embellish it and wear it for a Marie Antoinette look on Halloween. It didn't happen tho~ the gown is just too big for me now and doesn't hang right. I didn't have time for alterations, and we didn't have any "big" plans anyway. So I'll put it off till next year! In the mean time, here are a few detail shots~








I was SO excited when I found that chenille trim that seemed to go so perfectly with the panne velvet and fine wale corduroy. I'm all about texture!



And lastly folks, a few TEASING glimpses of my parlor goodies. This room is not even started yet. We want to do the upstairs bathroom first, and the plumbing runs through the parlor ceiling. Le sigh~
This sucker is huge
This armoire actually came from France. The mirrors unfortunately didn't make it. I do plan to have beveled mirrors cut, but they are mighty $pricey$. Yet, had the piece arrived with mirrors in tact the selling price would've kept me at bay.
Need to get mirrors cut for doors

MVC-009S
I have had people ask me if I'm going to paint this. Um... that would be a NEGATIVE.
Someone asked me if I was going to paint this!  AGH!!  No way!



MVC-013S

I'm sure I could go on and on, but you've got other people and places to see!


I hope to visit Versailles one day.
Happy Birthday dear Marie~




48 comments:

Joy Jones said...

Hi Sweetie! Oooh I enjoyed your lovely post and all things Marie!! Thank you for sharing and participating in the Soiree! ~ xoxo Joy

Unknown said...

Your boudoir is coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing about your beautiful weddings shoes and dress. You made a lovely bride! Your love for all things vintage is so evident in everything that you do! Love the Marie Antoinette heels. I've seen them online and think they are adorable!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Bonjour Nikki!
I had such a wonderful time looking at ALL your wonderful French inspired things! Your bed is fit for a Queen and the footboard for a valance is perfect. When I saw the headboard that goes with it I instantly thought of a mirror! If too pricey perhaps a painted scene.
Thanks for the great tour and your dress & shoes are awesome!!
Hugs, Sherry

Anonymous said...

Great post, Nikki!

You know I've loved that armoire ever since I saw it in the shop with a SOLD tag!! They don't seem to have more of these antiques. I bought the gate, on the back porch fireplace, there. I went looking in the back room, hoping. But no..none.

Betzie said...

Oh my oh my oh my....I adore your bedroom decor and you are doing a fabulous job. You are as obsessed as I am...LOL
Your gown was gorgeous too!!!
I wish you could decorate my hum drum bedroom...inspiring!

Gabriela said...

Hello,

What a wonderful post full of Marie's style! Loved it!

~ Gabriela ~

Decor To Adore said...

I am losing my head over all your beautiful images!

Marie said...

Wow! Your boudoir looks fantastic. What a great post.

Lavinia said...

Beautiful creativity with amazing results. Lovely! The little peter pan tyke is so cute too! Enjoying the party and all the delights therein...

Anonymous said...

I have loved visiting your blog! And thanks for showing us the behind the scenes of how you are doing this. The bedroom, the costume, you are all so lovely.

Jessi Nagy said...

what a gorgeous post.
you look so beautiful.
oxoxo,
jessi

Unknown said...

Nikki! You are the most fabulously creative person I know! That gown is absolutly to die for and you looked incredible in it! I think the footboard would be great as a cornice! Do it!

I have been to Versailles and I'm telling you... you would LOVE it!

~Liz~

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

To say you are drop dead gorgeous is the lest of it.You are.And all your beautiful finds and that bedroom,WOW!!!.Love the shoes of course.What a Magnificent blog.Hugs Marie Antionette

Maija said...

Wow! This was one of the best posts of the day! Your gown is so delicious and all the work in your home and budoir is spectacular!

Stacey said...

What a beautiful post... I love the headboard, the cornice- All simply fabulous! And your wedding dress- Simply stunning!

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely, beautiful post. The headboard is to die for. The gown you designed is outstanding. I am so glad I came across your blog. Please have a wonderful and creative new week.

wanderlustnpixiedust said...

Goodness! I don't know where to begin! Such wonderful things. Your wedding shoes, the blue shoes, that rose colored tapestry underneath the french foot board...beautiful!

Anonymous said...

How lovely! Your blog is so romantic and beautiful!
xoxo
Dollybelle

gail said...

Hi Nikki,,, I have really enjoyed visiting your blog. I have had so much fun party hopping. LOL I love your gown,,, I love,love,love the blue shoes. Just gorgeous. You have fantastic taste! Thanks for stopping by my blog, have a great week,,,gail

Anonymous said...

very nice blog some how i found you looking for things on our sons birth defect esophageal atresia.

Cathy said...

Nikki,

Thank you so much for the sweet comments on my blog. I am so thrilled about my new website. I can't wait to get it up and filled with all sorts of pretties.

Sign up for my newsletter and I will send you a Grand Opening newsletter.

xo Cathy

. said...

Wow lots of great photos. Loved the tour. Thanks for the visit to my blog. Hugs, Denise

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Sweet Nikki,

It has been fun getting caught up on your wonderful blog!!! It always lifts me! Congrates on your on going weight lost..you beautiful you!

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I enjoyed seeing all these pictures!

I think you are probably the only person alive who can't wear her wedding gown, because it is too BIG!!! It's usually because it is too small!! LOL!

Katherine

Glennis said...

Wow, what an incredible project! How nice it will be when it's finished. I think it's a clever idea to use the footboard as a cornice. And oh, my your dress is gorgeous!!

Good luck, and I can't wait to see it develop!

Harbor Hon said...

I do think I am in need of some smelling salts as I have the vapors. You have such a good eye for beautiful items and I'm so glad you share them with us. Loved your wedding dress and you looked like an angel in it. xxoo

Katie said...

Wow! What a lovely blog you have! Thanks for visiting!

PattiV said...

What a gorgeous post! ooohhh la la!!! Please stop by my blog and enter my giveaway
Patti V

Jaede said...

Wow, I'm late and everyone else has said it all. Absolutely fabulous !!!

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

what a stunning blog and post! thanks for visiting me during Marie's party!

Melissa said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I just love those blue shoes. So pretty!

ThisleRose said...

OOO I really like the headboard- thats really unique! Bedroom looks great- and love the halloween costumes!

The Vintage Kitten said...

Hi Nikki, Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Im afraid I run and hide when I see a camera so there are very few pictures of me, besides after seeing you looking so glamorous in all your fab outfits I wouldnt dare show my face LOL! I have lots of pictures stored on my computer that I find while Im trawling the internet on free retro and vintage image sites and the pin ups are painted by well known artists like Gil Elvgren and Al Buell and are freely available. I love your blog, its a feast for the eyes. X

Unknown said...

Hi Nikki! Thanks for visiting my blog! I love your Marie style bedroom! I too wore a Victorian dress and shoes at my wedding:0)

Sandy

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

!!!!!!!!! Beautiful things and great ideas, I love the footboard/cornice!

martha brown said...

what a beautiful boudoir! and lovely shoes! I think that you are right up there with Marie... don't go losing your head though :)

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

You have such pretty and elegant things!! I enjoyed all the photos!
:)
~Becca~

Anonymous said...

Wow. Loved the whole post!

Justine said...

Oh wow Nikki, so many fabulous thing to look at! What kind of wood is that armoire made of? Paint it? Yikes, no way! It's just gorgeous. Oh, and your wedding gown, the shoes, oy, everything so beautiful.

How long have you been into the whole vintage thing anyway? I don't think I've ever asked you that.

Justine :o )

Rue said...

Good morning Nikki :)

With all the beauty in this post my head is just swimming! The idea to use that bed for a cornice is BRILLIANT and I thought the same thing when I saw the other part of it... a mirror :)

The dress, the shoes, the furniture, the accents and the chandelier are all unbelivably beautiful. I can't wait to see what it will all look like when you're finished.

hugs,
rue

Fete et Fleur said...

I am drooling here! What wonderful finds. You have the eye. Congratulations on your weight loss. I'm righ there with you. I'm working on losing 30 lbs.

Nancy

Christie said...

Your wedding dress is beautiful and how talented you are to have designed it too....you are really gorgeous girl....you know that?!
I sure do love that cabinet you found too!
xoxo,
Queenie

Lady Katherine said...

I want to go with you to the garage sales, garage sales ar not like the ones you have.

Saucy said...

You + shoes = perfection... where do you get these beauties? I think you must be Marie Antoinette herself reincarnated.

Heather said...

Okay my mind is on overload! So many incredibly gorgeous things and ideas!! Your room is looking SO amazing! And that armoir......the chandy......Oh! I can't take it!!! How do you get so lucky with these finds!?!!? I am drolling and just pea green with envy!! LOL!!
Heather:)

Amber said...

Nikki, you're giving me a serious case of bedroom envy! I love French inspired furniture--the cabriole legs is always what gets me. We too are looking to make our place a little more... regal? I'll have to book mark this entry and refer to it once in a while! ;) The whole bedroom series is really quite amazing!

(Psst! This is my entry for your blogger-versary!)

GH said...

Hi Nikki,

I visit your blog often because I do love the opulence of the French Revolution and the once lovely Marie Antionette. I enjoy seeing your ideas and would love to see the whole romm when it is finished. I do sell those same shoes and their sister shoe on my site as well as Marie Antionette reproduction monogrammed porcelain goodies for your boudoir if you are interested stop by my place at www.cleopatrasboudoir.crater.com

I look for things that have that glamour and opulence!

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