Recently I have been trying to simplify and de-clutter, particularly in my tiny studio/guest room (which formerly was my daughter Jordana's room). Previously, the space was very lively and colourful - but overcrowded. The early 19th-century wine-tasting table from Bourgogne serves as a work surface for art and photography. The baskets beneath the table contain a netbook, books and photo files.
On the wine-tasting table are two 19th-century glass items: a pharmacy measure and cloche covering an orchid in a porcelain pot. Also pictured: a Laura Ashley glass lamp; a handmade journal, a gift from Karen Cole; an oil on panel painting by Taos, N.M. artist Greg Moon; a Pottery Barn retro telephone; a John Derian decoupaged tray, bought at The Paris Market in Savannah, Ga. and my Sony DSLR-A900.
The oeil de boeuf window with leaded glass (one of two) is originally from a chateau in Bourgogne. I hope that someday they will serve as windows in a house. The framed heliogravures are Lehnert & Landrock images of early 20th-century Egypt. Two Moroccan vintage sequinned wedding blankets purchased from Maryam Montague are on the bed, as well as an "eye" pillow by Julochka in Denmark.
I put one blue wooden chest of art supplies inside a closet; other supplies and photo equipment are in this chest of drawers from Agape Deco. The iron arched window frame is from a French chateau. The painting - which reminds me of a Spanish flamenco dancer - is by Vanessa Valencia. The pottery pitcher is by a Santa Fe artist and the numbered books are by Noel Solomon.
The art dolls sitting on an old wooden box are handmade by Christine Alvarado and the framed photograph is by Madelyn Mulvaney. The antique iron book press is from Scotland.
But lest you think my job is done, that's just one room; the rest of apartment also needs de-cluttering. I have put some furniture in the cave (wine cellar) and am selling a few antique pieces. As any Parisian apartment dweller can attest, finding enough space to breathe is a never-ending quest!
P.S. Karen Kingston's book Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui will make you want to clean out closets, clear shelves and ruthlessly toss things out to create space.
OH these photos are to die for!
Posted by: ...love Maegan | 27 July 2009 at 19:52
This rooms feels so calming in part because it isn't cluttered but also because of the lighting and colors you chose for it. Wonderful art and photography~the wedding blankets are most impressive!
Thanks for showing the dolls on display:)
Posted by: Du Buh Du Designs | 07 July 2009 at 00:17
WOW. These are beautiful images.
Love your taste Tara
Posted by: elsa | 23 June 2009 at 17:24
Wonderful job on the decluttering Tara...the room is GORGEOUS.
I agree with everything everyone said.
Your talent for putting things together is brilliant...come do my house. (Bring some of your bat cave treasures, I'll take them off your hands!)
Posted by: Gillian | 21 June 2009 at 16:12
OK, Tara, that does it -- I am absolutely going to HIRE YOU (whether you like it or not) to help me decorate our new apartment when we sell our house and move later this year. Where did you get that blue lamp, I LOVE it!
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 19 June 2009 at 07:38
just LOVE the antiques!!!
Posted by: simon | 19 June 2009 at 01:59
I adore every single item in this room. I could move right in!!! Oh that desk! And I am crazy for anything John Derian! Oh, it is a beautiful rooooooom! That desk and that drawer piece, swwwwwwoooooon!! xoxoxoxo
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 18 June 2009 at 22:45
What an absolutely lovely room ... it makes me salivate:) Small spaces, small world - I inherited a table very much like your wine-tasting table, even to the blue paint, and I have the wall version of the PB retro phone ... so fun to see this and glad your technical problems are being resolved ...
P.S. Did I ever tell you I love this banner of yours? I do.
Posted by: Barbara | 18 June 2009 at 20:10
I like the rooms, they are full of wonderful little stuff that make them look really intersting to see.
Posted by: Antique Cabinets | 18 June 2009 at 18:14
I am floored, it is a stunning little room. You have managed in a small space, with these items, to tell a beautiful tale of who lives and loves here. Great job!
Posted by: Yoli | 18 June 2009 at 17:53
Hi Tara~
I love this room. I really do love everything about it! (even those number books on the shelf!) The colors and charm you have created capture me as if I am right there. That is my favorite color so that could be why I am so in love. What amazing pieces you have.
Thank you for sharing!!!
xoxo Noel
Posted by: Noel | 18 June 2009 at 17:14
your color sense is exquisite Tara ~ it made me feel so
honored to see my photo perched up there:)
i love your art and the dolls ~ i am such a fan of
Christine's dolls (I have two myself)
vanessa is pure magic as well...everytime i come away from her
blog i think of making homemade icecream with angel dust sprinkled
on it:)
and that desk!!
i covet that desk:)
Posted by: maddie | 18 June 2009 at 16:11
De-cluttering is a never ending battle with me. You've done a great job. I love the lamp.
Posted by: Carla | 18 June 2009 at 02:18
Can we call this the christina room? ; ) Oh honey, I might sleep for a week in that beautiful room. Everything is so beautiful and seemingly chosen with such love. I do believe that once you have a wedding blanket like that, life must shine a bit brighter. Ahhh...bliss.
That's what's up!
xo
Posted by: Christina | 18 June 2009 at 02:13
oh..i know what you mean..I love your little guest room..the Moroccan wedding blankets are really to die for!
Happy de-cluttering Tara!
:-)
Posted by: my castle in spain | 18 June 2009 at 00:34
Thank you, Helen! Yes, the orchid is real. It seems to thrive under the cloche. It is hard deciding what to keep and what to put away; I solve this problem by switching things around, so I don't get tired of looking at them. :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 June 2009 at 23:33
It looks great. love your choice of all these little objects. very inspiring room
Posted by: Mélanie Aussandon | 17 June 2009 at 23:30
Tara .. .
It's looking quite pristine and thoughtfully edited.
Well done!
Jjjjj
Posted by: judith | 17 June 2009 at 22:30
The room looks great! It give me much inspiration to get going and do the same. Is that a real orchid under the glass cloche? I have a living orchid this color and size in my kitchen at the moment--a Mother's Day gift.
Wonderful objects you have chosen to display. I know it must be so hard to decide what goes and stays. It seems quite restful and any guest would be happy there.
Now...to purge!
Posted by: Helen | 17 June 2009 at 22:10
Oh wow it looks amazing. I can't believe it's the same room.
Posted by: Di Overton | 17 June 2009 at 20:34
What a gorgeous little room. I love those dolls.
Posted by: Katherine | 17 June 2009 at 19:44
i love seeing my "breakthrough" pillow together with one of maryam's wonderful quilts. you are beyond words amazing! thank you!!!
Posted by: julochka | 17 June 2009 at 18:23
De-cluttering is a good thing, but difficult to do. We acquire so many treasures over a life time. Parting can be so hard. I love your room, especially the beautiful wedding blankets. I remember you writing about them and thinking they were so beautiful. I had never seen anything like it before.
Posted by: marilyn | 17 June 2009 at 18:02
Oh my, do I feel grand being a part of what stays in YOUR "de-clutter". To be in the company of so many beautiful things and so many wonderful people, is truly an honor. Thank you for the heads up.
Hope you are well, dear Tara. I have taken a bit of a break from blogging. I shall return.........soon.
xo Karen
Posted by: Karen Cole | 17 June 2009 at 17:47