Inspiration Vintage Lifestyle Magazine Fall Issue

lifestyle

Inspiration Vintage

issue no.2

Fall 2013

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp

in the fall." •

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Inspiration Vintage Magazine • Fall 2013 •To order this issue or previous issues go to:• www.inspirationvintagelifestyle.com No. 04

It always surprises me how quickly one season fades into another.

Although it's officially fall with the start of September and back-to-school for the kids, here in Southern California the days and nights are still quite warm.

Yet even with these warm temperatures, it never deters me from the excitement I feel when I see all of the fall decorations arrive in stores or when my favorite magazines premiere their fall issues.

For me, fall decorating is like no other. It provides me the chance to layer my home with rich tones, warm textures and incredible elements from nature.

I love creating a comfortable home for family and friends to gather in and enjoy.

For our family, fall is also the perfect time for delicious comfort food.

Mouth-watering slow cooked meals such as Braised Lamb with White Beans & rich-sweet deserts like Rustic Apple Tarts, which are just some of the delectable recipes you'll find in this issue, always put me in the fall mood.

With this, our second issue, I didn’t want to create a typical fall/Halloween issue.

Instead, I wanted the magazine to convey and inspire a warm and textural feel, a feeling of coziness and beauty, something always reminiscent to me of the fall season.

So whether you’re looking for delicious fall recipes or inspiration for decorating your own home, you’re sure to find it here in our second issue of Inspiration Vintage Magazine.

Thanks for reading & Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes

I

A letter from theEditor-

Inspiration Vintage Magazine • Issue No.2 •

{Contributors}

Jennifer Rae Beck

Leslie Grow

Courtney Browning

Owner: Chalk Farm Home www.chalkfarmhome.com www.etsy.com/shop/ ChalkFarmHome

Food & Still Life Photographer www.lesliegrow.com

Antiques Dealer & Blogger www.honeycombcreativeco. blogspot.com

Cat Bude

Kate Keesee

Victoria Hayden

Writer, Photographer & Shop Owner www.sundaybrocantes. blogspot.com

Inspirational Blogger & DIY Designer www.salvagedior.com

Designer & Artist www.victoriahayden designs.com

Glenda Steel

Owner: Grace & Ivy Artist & Blogger www.graceandivy. wordpress.com www.etsy.com/shop/ graceandivy

Blogger www.thepapermulberry. blogspot.com

Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Creative Designer Inspiration Vintage Magazine is a quarterly publication available digitally and print. â—† Inspiration Vintage Lifestyle Magazine and Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes cannot be held liable for any errors in this publication.

No part of Inspiration Vintage Magazine can be copied or sold without Editors written permission.

For questions regarding advertising, upcoming subscriptions, or general information, contact: inspirationvintagemagazine@live.com

Inspiration Vintage Magazine • Fall 2013

Ivy Newport

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Contents

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No. 12 In Search of Home A Writer, photographer, and business owner from the United States begins a new life in France & finally finds a place to call home.

No. 22 A Naturally Made Home A Nature lover shows how she uses elements from the outdoors to decorate her beautiful and textural home.

No. 30 Apples, Quintessentially Fall Leslie Grow,a food & still life photographer creates 3 different delicious apple recipes for fall.

No. 42 Rustic Pumpkin Chocolaty Nut Cookies A deliciously decadent cookie recipe that will have you craving fall all year long.

No. 48 The Perfect Marriage: Creativity & Delicious Food A vintage shop owner and her chef husband cook up stunning home design and delicious food.

No. 58 Warm & Textural Vignettes for the Fall One woman shows her love for capturing the essence of fall through beautiful & creative vignettes.

Stay Connected Facebook: www.facebook.com/InspirationVintageMagazine

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IVlifestyle

No. 74 A Passion for Vintage Ephemera An artist and romantic displays her passion for decorating with vintage books & ephemera.

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Tips on how to create a vintage whimsical fall dining room.

Page No. 80

Linen cabinet goodies including fresh striped linen towels, vintage clothespins, & bars of French soap.

Page No. 31

Rustic Apple Tart Page No. 30

Inspiration Vintage Magazine • Fall 2013

No. 67 Love Where You Live Newlywed & antiques dealer Courtney Browning shows that no matter where you live you can create a warm and inviting home.

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Contents

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No. 80 A Vintage Whimsical Fall Artist and designer Victoria Hayden, gives us a glance into her colorful and whimsical dining room and provides tips on how to create your own whimsical holiday gathering.

No. 92 The Paper Mulberry English blogger and former menswear designer Gelnda Steel, transitions from and early 15th century farmhouse to a brand new contemporary home in Lincolnshire England.

Non-traditional vignettes for the fall.

Page No. 58

Back cover photo by: Lucy Ancheta-Akins www.craftberrybush.com

On the Cover: "Withered Beauty" Photograph By Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes www.melindareyeslifestyle. com/wp

Page No.3: Photograph By Silvia Mulazzani www.myshabbysoul.blogspot. com

A herd of beautiful French cows gather for breakfast in Normandy, France.

Page No. 12

Inspiration Vintage Magazine Issue 2 â—† Fall 2013 No. 11

In Search of Home •

Rabbit Hill

Normandy, France photos & words by Cat Bude

No. 12

W

hen we passed our third year living in France since relocating from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, I didn’t notice the anniversary date. It was on June 17th, and three years after packing up our then two children, three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and three cats and saying a tearful goodbye to friends and a beloved rustic country farm house on Bainbridge Island WA---for the first time since beginning our new ‘vie en France’, the date went by… unnoticed.

That says a lot. That says that after a good amount of adjustment, a heavy dose of struggle, and a whole lot of home-sickness and an even bigger portion of adventure….That our family was finally at a place where we felt at home…. All of us.

Home at last…at Rabbit Hill.

Our home, Rabbit Hill, called so after an early evening drive to the farm while house-hunting to see it in early evening light revealed that the property was over-run (or over-hopped) with wild rabbits. Charming? Absolutely! What is sweeter than a 17th century Normandy farm house up on a hill surrounded by cow pastures and inhabited by little (and some quite large) wild furry long eared residents? Completely charming. Right up until the point that you are planning your garden and then, well, not so much.

But still, Rabbit Hill was a far better name for our new home as the other option would have been cow-hill. The fields that surround the house are rented to a local lady-farmer who grazes her 10 sweet lady-cows and one very affectionate and robust bull (on occasion). This rental arrangement categorizes the majority of the land to be grazed farm land—thus reducing the otherwise outrageous property tax, so you often find this very situation in Europe when a house sits on a large piece of land.

So our bovine neighbors who we affectionately call ‘the ladies of Rabbit Hill’ graze about 3-10 feet from many of the windows of our house. From the start we chose to embrace the closeness to all of the farm-ness that the cows provide. They appeared about a month after we moved in—and we decided to name them all. Truthfully, I knew nothing about cows—so this new found proximity to them was pretty interesting and as it turned out they are sweet and intelligent creatures with very distinct ‘personalities’. The ladies are; Bonnie, Charlotte, Maisy, Sweetie, Sparkle, Daisy, Maude, Betty, Camille and Margot and the bull was of course---Ferdinand.

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“From the start we chose to embrace the closeness to all of the farm-ness that the cows provide.�

Clockwise from left: A collection of antique wooden bread boards.

Cat’s dreamy light-filled kitchen where she and her family are greeted most mornings by their bovine friends.

Colorful veggies from the Rabbit Hill garden.

No. 15

The house was built in 1640. In the 90’s it was renovated and updated but most all of the architectural charm and authenticity remains; the low doorways, the tiles, the carved wood banisters that lead up to the third story beamed attic. There are few level surfaces and the stairs give the sensation that as you are climbing up, you feel more like you are going down.

Now at the four month mark of living at Rabbit Hill, there is already the sense that we have always lived here. The house suits us. Finally a house similar in age to the brocante and flea market finds that I bring home weekly and the period antiques that we have collected over the years. My passion in particular is for rustic French kitchen items; well-worn spoons, classic white French porcelain, jars and glassware, bake ware and sturdy linen ‘torchons’, old rolling pins and of course wicker—which you find in every corner of the house.

Admittedly, there are times when the never ending lists of projects tend to overwhelm us, but there is time for it all and until then we are enjoying every day of seeing our style and the way that we live in the house evolve.

Projects down the road are also not limited to the interior of the house. We are slowly putting in garden spaces, despite and in cooperation with the rabbits (and cows—who by the way will try munching on anything at least once!) There is the large barn that is partially cleaned out for storage, but the rest is still filled with remnants of its past farm life such as rusty tools and discarded materials. There is a huge room that we dream of making into an enclosed dining space, maybe for large candelabra lit harvest dinners in the fall. And next spring I hope to add a few egg laying chicken residents to one of the empty stalls made into a chicken shelter.

But in the midst of to-do, must-do lists, punch lists and dream-to lists, there is today. There is this HOME, which is already absolutely perfect for us… a house on a hill, surrounded by fields of rabbits and the best part of it all---it is often filled with family and friends—and that is truly what home is all about. • About the Author: Originally from the Boston area, Cat is a writer, photographer and vintage seller living in the Northwest Coast of France with her French husband and three children. Her on-line shop, blog and information about her French vintage shopping tours from Paris to Normandy can be found on www.SundayBrocantes.com.

No. 17

Rabbit Hill • • • • •

La vie est un rĂŞve -

No. 19

The Vintage Bricoleur

presents: A Vintage Harvest at Maple Rock Gardens Saturday October 26th, 2013 9am-3pm Admission $10 -Tour the beautiful Maple Rock Gardens in Newcastle California and discover antiques, primitive, vintage, garden, jewelry, furniture, repurposed & vintage inspired finds from talented artists, designers and collectors. ✴Food, live music and a great time. ✴Take a tour of the farm and garden railroad.

Rain or shine.

Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.highhand.com $10.00/person For more information contact:

bricoleurs@wavecable.com ◆ 916)-261-9079 ◆ www.facebook.com/thevintagebricoleur

The Naturally Made Home

Photos & Words by Kate Keesee

No. 22

Natural elements provide the foundation for this warm & textural home.

"Sometimes layers of dried flowers or even a simple twig is all a table will need for a finishing touch of warmth."

If

anyone were to ask me what my home says about me, simple and pure elements of nature immediately comes to mind.

My home is based upon a neutral palette that flows effortlessly; as I use my favorite elements of nature to add warmth and coziness.

As the fall season approaches, this is the time of year, with all of its glory that I truly welcome with open arms.

Gifts from the sea, a fallen branch in the park, whatever speaks to my heart are what come home with me.

I pick, I gather, I bundle...These elements of our earth speak to my soul.

I cannot think of walking into a room without gazing at one of my treasured finds.

Dried tree branches and weathered twigs adorn my tables as well as grace different areas of my home with their endless beauty.

I take walks whenever possible to search for pieces that will show their lovely pale-muted colors within.

I love adding other dĂŠcor elements with the same appeal as my cherished nature finds, such as urns and other items. These pieces join together seamlessly to create interesting and textural displays throughout my home.

Sometimes layers of dried flowers or even a simple twig is all a table will need for a finishing touch of warmth.

Each season our earth brings forth something for me to reclaim, creating timeless beauty within my home. •

No. 25

"I pick, I gather, I bundle...

These elements of our earth speak to my soul. " No. 26

Neutral colors abound in Kate's wonderfully textural home. Grey walls act as a backdrop for her fabulous re-designed curbside finds.

Kate and her husband Robert fill their home with treasures that others have simply tossed away.

Yet Kate, seeing the glory within, takes each piece and re-designs it based on functionality and beauty.

Her husband Robert implements her designs and brings them to life uncovering it’s true and natural splendor.

They are truly a remarkable team! -

CHALKfarm

Chalk Farm Home offers beautiful & authentic vintage goods directly from France.

Shop Chalk Farm Home today. www.etsy.com/shop/ChalkFarmHome www.chalkfarmhome.com

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Fall Delights

Delicious Deserts & comfort food just perfect for cozy fall dining.

• Rustic Apple Tart

• Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies

• Oatmeal Stuffed Apple Cider Baked Apples

• Rustic Pumpkin Cookies

• Ian's Provencal Braised Lamb & White Beans

Apples, Quintessentially Fall Food & still life photographer Leslie Grow shares three tantalizing apple recipes to herald in the fall.

No. 30

Photography, styling & recipes by Leslie Grow

Apples are the quintessential fall fruit that brings

classic fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg together.

They are naturally sweet, slightly tart, and perfectly crisp. We're taking the classic apple pie and reinventing it three different ways. From rustic tarts to cider baked apples and flaky hand pies (topped with homemade salted caramel sauce), these desserts will bring warmth into your home and make the changing of the seasons a delicious celebration!

No. 31

No. 32

Rustic Apple Tart Yields: 4 individual tarts

Caramelized Apple Filling:

3 tbsp. unsalted butter 3 baking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices (pink lady, granny smith, fuji) ½ cup sugar 1 t. cornstarch ¼ t. ground cinnamon ¼ t. allspice ¼ t. ground nutmeg ¼ t. salt 1½ t. vanilla extract

To make filling:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter.

Add the apple slices, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Mix until apples are evenly coated.

Cook about 16 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove skillet from heat and stir in vanilla.

Set aside.

To make tart dough:

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the chilled butter using a stand mixer, a food processor, or a pastry blender until the butter is evenly distributed but still in large, visible pieces.

Add the ice water all at once to the flour and butter.

Mix the dough just until it begins to come together.

Shape it into two disks, wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Assembly:

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Flatten each portion into small disks about 6-7 inches in diameter, does not need to be precise. Transfer dough to baking sheet.

Fill each portion with 1/3 cup of apple filling, leaving at least an inch of dough on the outside edge. Fold dough towards the center of the tart to create a rustic crust (the dough will not cover the tart completely). Chill for 10 minutes. Before baking, brush the top and edges of the tart with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake tart for about 45 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies No. 35

Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies Yields 16-18 triangles

Salted Caramel Sauce: (see next page for recipe) 1 cup, approximately Apple Filling: 1 cup lemon juice (prevents apples from browning) 3 apples, peeled, ¼ in thick (pink lady, granny smith, fuji) 3 T butter 1/3 cup raw sugar (castor, unrefined, large granule sugar) ¼ t. ground cinnamon ¼ t. ground allspice 1/8 t. freshly grated nutmeg To make the apple filling: In a large mixing bowl, add lemon juice.

Core, peel, and thinly slice the whole apples. Dredge all the apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning and to add flavor. Set the prepared apples aside.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté apples until crisp-tender, no more than 3 - 4 minutes.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples in the mixing bowl, stirring gently to cover all the apples.

Set aside to cool.

Crust: 18 sheets frozen phyllo pastry, thawed ½ cup unsalted butter, melted {approximately} 1/3 cup granulated sugar {approximately} To make the crust: Preheat the oven 375°F. Lay (1) one sheet of phyllo on your work surface and using a pastry brush, brush with butter then sprinkle with sugar and follow with (2) two more sheets {cover the remaining with a damp cloth}. Slice into thirds lengthwise creating 3 long strips.

How to assemble: Place 3-4 slices of apple at one end of the phyllo strip, drizzle caramel sauce over apples, and fold into a triangle as you would a flag. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Makes 16-18 triangles.

Salted Caramel Sauce Yields 2 Cups

2 cups granulated sugar
 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces
 1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature 1½ t. sea salt To make the salted caramel: Heat the sugar over medium high-heat in the bottom of a heavy 2-3 quart saucepan. When the sugar starts to melt, start whisking the sugar. When the sugar is melted, stop whisking. You can swirl the pan to move the sugar around.

Continue cooking the sugar until it reaches a deep amber color.

As soon as the sugar reaches the dark amber color, carefully add the butter.

Whisk until butter is melted.

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream.

Whisk until cream is incorporated and caramel is smooth.

Whisk in sea salt.

Let the caramel sauce cool for about 10 minutes in the pan.

Pour the caramel into a large jar and cool to room temperature.

Oatmeal Stuffed Apple Cider Baked Apples

No. 39

No. 40

Oatmeal Stuffed Apple Cider Baked Apples Adapted from What Katie Ate; Martha Stewart Yields: 5 large servings or 10 small servings

Topping: 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar 1 ½ cup old-fashioned oats ¾ cup all purpose flour ¼ t. ground cinnamon ¼ t. ground allspice ¼ t. nutmeg ¼ t. salt ½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces To make the topping: Combine brown sugar, oats, flour, and salt in large bowl; toss to blend.

Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture comes together in moist clumps.

Cover; chill while preparing apples.

Apples: 3 T. butter 3 cups apple cider 4-6 firm baking apples cut in half (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith) ¾ t. ground cinnamon 2 T. brown sugar 1 pinch salt ½ cup golden raisins

To make apples: Heat the oven to 375°F. In a large cast iron skillet, melt butter.

Pour the cider into a small skillet and bring it to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat until the liquid reduces by slightly less than half. It should be vaguely syrupy, but it will not be too thick.

While the cider is reducing, cut apples in half. Use a melon baller to dig out the apple core, leaving about 1/3-inch of the apple intact at the bottom. Place the apple halves, skin side down in a cast iron skillet.

Sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar on top of apples. Spoon the apple cider onto the apple cavities, allowing it to overflow into the baking dish. Bake the apples for 15-20 minutes. Baste the apples occasionally in the cider syrup, adding more cider if liquid starts to run dry.

Add heaping spoonfuls of oatmeal topping to apple cavities, and spread remaining topping into apple cider. Sprinkle golden raisins on top. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until topping is golden and crispy.

No. 41

Rustic Pumpkin Chocolaty Nut Cookies

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Chewy and rich and oh-so-decadent, these delicious cookies will make you wish for fall every month of the year.

Photos by Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes & recipe adapted from Sara Foster

For every season of the year, there are always

certain traditional recipes that are special to each and every family. Some recipes may have been passed down from generation to generation, and others may be new traditions.

For our family, there is one special treat that we make every year at the start of fall, a cookie, not just any type of cookie mind you, but a wonderfully delicious, chewy & rich, rustic pumpkin chocolaty-nutty cookie.

About 8 years ago, I was fortunate to stumble upon this recipe in a magazine that featured an excerpt from Sara Foster's book, Fresh Every Day: More Great Recipes from Foster's Market.

Over the years I have adapted it, changing some of the ingredients to suit my family’s individual tastes.

This cookie is truly perfection, and something that my family and friends look forward to all year long. • No. 43

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups organic unbleached white flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup english toffee bits 12 tbsp. smart balance light butter 1 cup organic cane sugar 2/3 cup organic brown sugar 1 large organic egg 2/3 canned organic pumpkin 1 cup rolled oats 1 1/2 cups dark or milk chocolate chunks or white chocolate morsels • 1 cup slightly chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts

No. 44

{Yields: approximately 2 dozen cookies} ◆ Add the flour & baking soda to a large bowl.

Sift together using your hands or a metal sifter to blend the 2 ingredients evenly. ◆ Mix the toffee bits into the flour mixture and set aside. ◆ In another large bowl, blend together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar, using an electric mixer at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until creamy. ◆ Add the pumpkin and egg to the wet mixture and mix well. ◆ Combine the pumpkin and flour mixture together and stir well. ◆ Add your oats, chocolate chunks, & nuts and stir until the mixture is well blended. ◆ Cover the cookie mixture and place in refrigerator for at least an hour or more. ◆ Pre-heat oven to 350 0 ◆ Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and drop the dough onto the cookie sheet using a large spoon. Make sure and evenly space the cookies out at least a couple of inches apart to prevent them from sticking together. ◆ Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown. ◆ Cool for a few minutes and then transfer them to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.

No. 45

"This cookie is truly perfection, and something that my family and friends look forward to all year long." â?§

toffee bits chopped nuts butter baking soda

pumpkin

egg chocolate morsels flour rolled oats sugar

No. 47

The perfect Marriage: Creativity & Delicious Food Jennifer Rae Beck & her husband, Chef Ian Owen-Ward, show that life can be pure reverie when you mix a passion for French-style decorating and panache for creating delicious & beautiful meals.

Photos and Words by Jennifer Rae Beck Recipe by Ian Owen-Ward

Clockwise from top left: A glass of wine is ready to welcome guests before dinner; a vintage French plate holds Ian's delicious couscous with pine nuts; and Jennifer shows her talent for setting a picturesque table with her beloved French finds.

No. 49

W

hen Jennifer Rae Beck and her husband Ian Owen-Ward moved from the east coast to Southern California two years ago, cooking and the outdoors were on both their minds. Jennifer, the owner of Chalk Farm Home, daydreamed about French inspired outdoor decor, while Ian, a trained chef from London pictured tranquil family dinners in the picturesque garden.

What transpired has been a wonderful marriage of the minds. While Ian is in the kitchen preparing, Jennifer lays the table with vintage French finds from her travels abroad, inspired by the details of the meal.

"Ian is the creator of Chalk Farm Eats," jokes Jennifer. "I love to decorate, but Ian's cooking and our family gatherings really create the heart of this home."

The flower filled garden serves as the backdrop for Ian's seasonal cooking. Late summer, and the early cool evenings of fall inspired his latest French inspired recipe of slow cooked lamb and white beans.

"It's a traditional Provencal dish, often enjoyed by families on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's easy to prepare and serves plenty of guests."

A fine French tradition, indeed. •

No. 52

For the lamb: 4 1/2 lb. boneless leg of lamb (Or 7lb with bone) 1 bottle of Pinot Noir wine Freshly ground pepper Kosher salt Vegetable oil 1 teaspoon Cumin Two teaspoons fresh Rosemary 2 cloves of garlic One large Onion, sliced

Ian's Provencal Braised Lamb & White Beans

For the beans: 8 ounces Great Northern beans, soaked overnight in the refrigerator 1 large onion, sliced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 4 ounces chopped pancetta 1 clove of garlic 2 tablespoons good olive oil 6 cups of good chicken stock freshly ground pepper kosher salt 1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley Drain the beans and add the olive oil to a large saucepan. Add the onion, garlic and pancetta.

Cook until slightly brown, around 3-5 minutes and then add the chicken stock and thyme.

Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Next, add the beans and cover with 1/2 inch of chicken stock.

Place a lid on the top and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.

Cook the beans until tender and crushable with a back of a spoon about 1.25 -1.5 hours.

Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Heat a large casserole pot until the pan is hot. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add sliced onions and cook over low to medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they just start to brown. Remove from heat.

Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper. Over medium heat, sear the lamb for around 8-10 minutes. Ensure all sides of the lamb are slightly browned. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside. continued on page no. 55

Braised Lamb & White Beans

Couscous with Pine Nuts

Add one cup of red wine to the pot. Deglaze the pan by scraping all cooked bits off of the bottom which will add to the flavor tremendously. Add cumin, Rosemary, garlic, onions and lamb back into the pot.

1 box couscous 1/3 cup fresh cilantro 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves 1/3 cup fresh flat leaf parsley 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1/2 cup pine nuts 1 lemon

•

Add enough red wine until it almost covers the lamb, and reheat until the pot starts to bubble gently.

Place the pot into the oven and turn down the heat to 275.

Cook the lamb for two hours and then turn the lamb over once.

Cook another 60 minutes. Using a knife and fork, check to see how tender the meat is.

The meat should just be beginning to fall apart. If it is, remove from the oven and let it cool.

•

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toast the pine nuts in a small roasting pan until light brown.

Set aside.

Follow the directions for the couscous. Pour cooked couscous into a large serving bowl.

Add the fresh herbs, onion, pine nuts and lemon to taste.

Toss gently, and serve. •

If it is still firm, place it back in the oven until tender, approximately 30 more minutes.

The lamb should not be cooked more than 4 hours.

Once the lamb is done, remove 2-3 cups of the cooking liquid from the pot and pour into a sauté pan.

Cook the liquid over medium heat until the mixture is reduced by half, around 5-8 minutes.

Place the liquid aside for the lamb.

Pour the beans onto a large serving dish, then place the lamb on top. Add half the cooking stock from the sauté pan onto the lamb, leaving the extra to be passed around the table.

Sprinkle with flat leaf parsley.

Add salt and pepper to taste. •

No. 55

French Larkspur •

At French Larkspur, our goal is to bring you beautiful and inspiring items for your home and yourself. Our style is in keeping with a love of French and Nordic designs...painted surfaces, aged patinas, attention to details, and garden accents. We only carry items that we ourselves absolutely love!

In an effort to help preserve nature, recycled & eco-friendly materials and practices are used whenever possible.

Find Us: •www.frenchlarkspur.com •www.frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com •www.facebook.com/frenchlarkspur

Oh lovely , lovely Autumn...

Oh how your glory sings to me-

Warm & Textural FallVignettes -

Photos & Words by Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes

No. 59

I love adding bold pops of color to my fall decor with accessories like these pillows made from 80 year old Batik indigo fabric

A concrete pot filled with a bouquet of fresh white mums

Creating vignettes gives me a chance to let my creativity shine.

Tiny hummingbird nests displayed in an antique alabaster footed bowl

Antique drafter's glasses rest upon an antique diary

I love the texture of old rusty & darkened galvanized pieces like this vintage French coal scuttle and Hungarian bucket with handles. They make interesting containers to hold dried flowers or even a collection of mini pumpkins for the fall.

No. 61

Sweet

and glorious autumn… definitely my most beloved season of the year.

For me, fall has always been a time of nesting, preparing for the longer and cooler months ahead. A time to create a warm and cozy atmosphere, a place where family and friends gather together to celebrate life and love.

When I decorate for fall, I tend to stay on the neutral side of things.

Using warm colors such as chocolate browns, creams and touches of indigo; wonderful textures in the way of vintage baskets, thick and nubby grain sack pillows, and dried flowers tucked into old French enamel pitchers allows me to be creative and add interest to the space around me.

I love incorporating my everyday vintage accessories in the mix as well, designing beautiful and interesting vignettes around the house, with each vignette telling a story of the season and creating a warm and inviting home.

Even though most of my fall décor are things re-purposed and pulled from one room to another, there are a few things that I purchase every season to add to the mix. Fresh white pumpkins piled high in baskets and vintage dough bowls, spicy-fall scented candles scattered throughout and fresh seasonal flowers such as Mums and Dahlia’s.

Using the treasures that I have on-hand and adding just a few small lovely details helps me to create a simple yet beautiful autumn home and lends me more time with the things that are truly important at this time of the year, family and friends.•

No. 62

No. 63

Use what you have on hand.

Vintage French seedling pots, antique books & dried Dahlias grace my dresser for fall.

Dried Dahlias make for the perfect fall vignette-

Above: Antique iron keys add a bit of interest to this tabletop display.

No. 65

Bayside Vintage Bayside Vintage is a little online

shop where you will discover beautiful rustic home wares and French brocante. We only stock authentic vintage pieces, and each is carefully selected for its timeless appeal and quality. With a focus on French provincial, farmhouse-style home wares, and a selection of vintage French linens, we're sure you will find something to suit your home and budget.

Visit our online store and blog, and subscribe to receive news of our sales and offers throughout the year. We ship worldwide, too! •

Website: www.baysidevintage.com.au For enquiries, please e-mail us at: alison@baysidevintage.com.au

Love

Live

Where you

Antiques dealer and newlywed Courtney Browning has a true eye for finding & displaying beautiful vintage pieces throughout her home. She shows that even with a limited budget, you can create a delightfully textured and inviting living space, no matter where you call home. •

Photos and Words by Courtney Browning

{Vintage Finds} Courtney adds pops of color to her otherwise neutral home by using fresh flowers and vintage accessories such as old books & aqua-hued glass jars.

No. 68

{In the Kitchen} Beige textured walls act as a backdrop for Courtney's white ironstone collection.

An old street sign adds a touch of whimsy behind the dining area.

No. 69

I

am a firm believer in making the place you live into everything you want it to be.

I believe a home brings peace at the end of a hard day, shelter from a storm, and beauty to daily living. That's why I didn't let the fact that my husband and I are newlyweds, living in a less-than-1,000square-foot apartment; stop me from making our little place into a home we love.

Essentially we have four smallish rooms, a bathroom and a hallway, but over the last few years my husband and I have turned our apartment into a place that’s warm, cozy and a home that we will treasure forever. And with a little creativity and elbow grease, I think anyone can do the same, just about anywhere.

When we got married, our budget was, of course, a bit limited. But I knew the look I wanted - cottage meets clean lines with a dash of sophistication. A little vintage, a little elegance, and a lot of white. I scoured every big box store for the least expensive anchor pieces I could find. I got our coffee table online during a huge sale for less than $200.

I slip covered our thrift store couch and chair in white twill from Target. Our bed is a simple metal frame that was much less pricey than more ornate versions. Next, I spent just about every weekend at antique malls, thrift stores and flea markets looking for pieces to add texture, dimension, and interest to our tiny abode.

Happily, this also led to a new business as an antiques dealer. What I didn't sell I added, layer by layer, to walls, shelves and tables in our home. Discarded doors and windows became pieces of art, old books were pedestals for chippy ironstone or architectural pieces, and rustic urns filled with craft store moss became lovely accents.

"If you want a beautiful space create it!

Be fearless!

Try something new!"

People are amazed when they see photos of our home only to hear how small it really is.

They're also surprised when they learn that we are newlyweds with hand-me-down and inexpensive furniture, and that we only rent the space we live in. But I say it proves that you truly can create a beautiful home anywhere.

I think many of us spend time looking at perfect photos in magazines and online, or dreaming of a different house, when maybe the best thing to do is look at the space we have with fresh eyes.

Sure, a house may be small, or oddly configured, or have dated appliances - that's most of us!

But I think the best thing you can do to truly make it your home, is to add your own style and personal touches to every surface.

Your unique style breathes life and beauty into a home in a way that even the finest decorator could not. If you want a beautiful space - create it! Be fearless! Try something new! Because sometimes, the journey of making a house into a home is just as much fun as the finished product! •

No. 72

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A passion for Vintage Books &Ephemera

Photos, text, & styling by Ivette Newport

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No. 74

There’s just something about vintage books that have always held a special place

in my heart. My home is filled with them, on all sorts of topics, but since I began collecting vintage items, I have discovered a new found passion for antique books, as well as beautifully aged paper ephemera.

It is truly a delight to unearth an old book, lost and forgotten in the corner of an antique store. I have a weakness for the ones with gorgeous typography or patterned covers. They look amazing displayed around your home. Tie a stack together with ribbon or twine and you have an instant vintage accessory.

Keep an eye out for a sweet old book the next time you are out treasure hunting!

Recently, along with wonderfully aged books, I have begun to squirrel away bundles of old love letters, French postcards, vintage perfume labels, and ancient encyclopedia pages. The tattered corners, burnished pages and delicate papers from another era make my heart sing.

Antique French perfume and soap labels are absolutely stunning and I have started a small collection. Their lovely old lettering and illustrations are charming and so very feminine. Attach them to an old (or new) bottle or tin for a quick Parisian makeover. Display these pretty containers in your bathroom, on your vanity or anywhere in the house for a dash of French flair. If you’re unable to find vintage labels on your treasure hunts, you can always find reproduction and original antique French labels on Ebay and Etsy.

French postcards are another treasure that I adore. I love using a vintage brass photo tree as a unique way to display some of my favorites! It amazes me that these lovely old postcards have survived over time and were all sent from France to dear friends and relatives relaying messages of excitement and adventure. continued on no. 79

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Above: A collection of vintage postcards from France, perches atop a vintage brass photo tree.

Antique French perfume & soap labels~

"Their lovely old lettering & illustrations are charming and so very feminine."

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A stack of creamy aged postcards make a delightful statement when paired with beautiful old lace.

There’s nothing like a vintage book with its ornate decorative design.

No. 78

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Other treasures that I adore are bundles of old letters. Wrapped in lace, they make a charming statement around the home and are such a beautiful sight! Flowing script in sepia-toned inks, vintage postmarks and stamps and sheets of aged paper - so romantic! I love wondering about the people and stories behind these messages.

So, if you are a lover of history and vintage treasures, I encourage you to start your own collection of pretty antique books and paper ephemera. Enjoy these amazing treasures and discover lovely ways to display them in your home. •

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Clockwise from left: An old rusty tin gets a new life with a beautiful vintage French perfume label, new & vintage labels scattered on a table make for a beautiful collage, & a collection of vintage French postcards are displayed on an old brass photo tree.

A Vintage Whimsical Fall Artist & Designer Victoria Hayden shares her tips for creating a whimsical fall dining room using vintage accessories and bold pops of color.

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photos, text, & styling by Victoria Hayden

No. 80

tip no. 1

• I created a fall inspired banner to hang across my buffet.

All you need to make this simple and pretty banner‌faded worn pages of a book, twine, scissors, a brown sepia inkpad, some leaf cookie cutters for a template, a hole punch and a pencil. Trace the cookie cutter on the pages, cut them out, then lightly press each leaf onto the inkpad to help give a stained vintage look, hole punch by the stem, thread the twine through, knotting behind each leaf and hang!

tip no. 2

• I love to use vintage tins, scales, pitchers and cake stands as props in my food buffets.

They serve two purposes, it creates the vintage look I want and is useful for holding things like silverware, napkins, food and flower’s.

A great way to keep your presentation interesting and inspiring is to havevarying heights of props throughout your display as well.

A

s the hot August days of summer come to an end, we welcome the cooler autumn days of September.

Fall is upon us with its wonderful and magical transition.

Out come the sweaters and boots from the storage, with anticipation of the cold arriving. The aroma of pumpkin scented candles and fresh baked goodies fill the air.

Seeing the leaves go from their summer green as they change into their vibrant red, orange and yellow colors… inspires me to start making changes in my home.

I always look forward to this time of the year, it’s a time when we gather more indoors and spend time with our family and friends laughing, eating and celebrating!

With all the Holidays ahead, my thoughts start turning to party planning. The thing I love most about planning a party, it combines all the things I love…decorating, cooking, and entertaining!

tip no. 3

• Take a forgotten and unused piece of furniture and give it a fresh new look by adding a “pop” of color to it.

Paint is an inexpensive and easy way to transform something!

Being that we just bought our home over a year and a half ago, we have been making many changes here... adding details and character that newer homes today can lack. My dining room has been one of the rooms we have been working on. There are still a few things here and there that need to be finished, but this year I am definitely looking forward to using it for all the upcoming Holiday gatherings. So, I thought what better way than to start this fall decorating off with a whimsical and fun way to display all the yummy desserts that I will be making this season. It was fun to do something a little different than the traditional and ordinary fall decorating; I wanted to add a little whimsy! Sharing my vision on a “Vintage Whimsical Fall”, with helpful tips and decorating ideas in creating your own inspiring setting.

No. 83

tip no. 4 • Attention to the little details can make all the difference.

Just by adding some ribbon on pitchers, cake stands and silverware, it can tie the whole look together!

tip no. 5 • A simple way of using color to help set the mood in any room or your displays, is by using fresh flowers, produce and natural elements that are in season.

tip no. 6 • The dining room doesn’t have to be the room used only on special occasions and known as the “formal” room. Adding something unexpected can create a fun and more relaxed feel for everyone to gather in.

A gallery wall is a unique way to add some whimsy. Whether using a collection of artwork from your favorite Artist or your treasured family photos, it will be the perfect focal point of the room.

No. 85

tip no. 7 • Decorating with large or small Chalkboards, is a great way to add vintage charm to your home!

Make a bold statement with some fun and graphic chalkboard art.

Incorporate chalkboards into your displays by making pretty labels.

Using heavy cardstock, some chalkboard spray paint and fun shapes is an easy way to do just that.

No. 86

"I always look forward to this time of the year, it’s a time when we gather more indoors and spend time with our family and friends laughing, eating and celebrating! "

French Vintage Shopping Tours~ From Paris to

with •

Sunday Brocantes ◆French Vintage Shopping Tours

Normandy Sunday Brocantes

About the Tours: Participants will enjoy fully escorted shopping and touring from Paris through Normandy with days and evenings filled with extraordinary, off the beaten-path sources of vintage and antiques, from small town brocantes and ‘secret’ warehouses full of treasures and experience wonderful regional food and culture while staying in exceptional accommodations.

After exploring the world renowned Paris Flea Market, fully escorted and assisted, the trip continues to charming Normandy villages and stunning seaside resort towns. While shopping at small brocantes and exquisite antique shops, purchases are collected and prepared for delivery back home after the trip concludes.

When not shopping, guests partake in local culture at farm markets, stylish bistro’s and fabulous restaurants for wine and tasting menus.

No. 88

Sunday Brocantes ◆French Vintage Shopping Tours

2014 Group Dates: July 24th - July 30th & September 18th - 24th

Throughout the season we offer summer and fall customized/themed shopping tours for organized groups of 4-6 travelers. Group tours are six days and they are all-inclusive aside from airfare to and from France.

(Food, lodging, transportation during tour days is included).

This price is based on mid-level accommodations, lunch and dinners, and traveling by ‘luxury‘ van as a group. Prices are based on double occupancy, however single occupancy rooms are available at an additional nightly charge.

To-the-Trade and INDIVIDUAL Tours: Tailored specifically towards tastes and budgets, individual tours are for those wishing to shop at their own pace and for those in the trade; tour guests are fully escorted to extraordinary locations and sources for all styles, periods and types of vintage and French antiques while staying in exceptional accommodations.

Prices for individual and custom tours are determined based on the number of shopping days, dates of travel on our tours, number of people and types of accommodations desired.

Per Day, Weekend, and Week-long rates are available. •

For more info or to book your upcoming French Vintage Shopping Tour with Sunday Brocantes, Contact: Cat@SundayBrocantes.com

Sunday Brocantes ad

The Paper Mulberry

Glenda Steel from The Paper Mulberry shows how her style transitioned from an early 15th century farmhouse to a new contemporary country home in Lincolnshire England.

No. 92

Having moved from a period house dating

from the early 1500's to a brand new contemporary country house, we brought with us many vintage pieces that seem to work well in our new contemporary country home..

Although we do plan to change a few items of furniture (I have my heart set on a deep buttoned high headboard bed from The White Company!) we are happy to combine our vintage collection with our new contemporary purchases.

Somehow the new setting has made me look at the objects in a new light. Our favorite brocante finds (such as the old wooden trunks, baskets, French day bed and photographs to name a few) look so different set against the crisp white walls of our new home.

The white space lends itself to a gallery feel which is something we hope to maximize.

It also means that we don't have to miss out on the brocante hunting trips I so enjoy!!! There is one particular fair that has over 3,000 stands filled with brocante from all over the globe!

It's there that I can indulge my love of all things chalky, rustic, rural and linen with a little Belgian and French thrown into the mix!

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500 year-old farmhouse

No. 94

new contemporary country home

No. 95

Our new country house is built of the local pale limestone, and very much has the feel of a barn conversion with oak beams and natural slate flooring. Two of the bedrooms have double height ceilings into the eaves and the entrance hall is a triple height into a vaulted roof. For my Husband and me it was the mix of traditional natural materials combined with the 'all mod cons' design that drew us to this house. The house is set in a small yet pretty rural village in the hilly part of Lincolnshire England. -

About The Paper Mulberry -

I started my blog, The Paper Mulberry, to share online finds and resources for interior inspiration. Over the 14 years of restoring our previous home (our 500 year old farmhouse - the progress is featured on the blog), I amassed quite a lot of information/ material that I thought may be useful to others who desired a place for decorating ideas.

I personally have found so much inspiration for our own home and garden through the wonderful blogs and Pinterest boards.

I hope The Paper Mulberry will be a place to go to for inspiration, information and shopping for the home and garden. www.thepapermulberry.blogspot.com No. 96

The Vintage Bricoleur ---

We are a husband & wife team who love to repurpose, fix, and design.

We love all things vintage!

The Vintage Bricoleur carries a variety of vintage furnishings and accessories as well as the full line of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

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The Vintage Bricoleur 3750 Taylor Road Loomis, Ca. 95650 Inside the High Hand fruit sheds.

(916)261-9079 bricoleurs@wavecable.com

Hours: Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10 -5 & Sundays 10 -4

Thank you for reading InspirationVintage Magazine!!