January 03, 2011

Quiet, Calm & Soulfully French


"click photos to enlarge detail"
Artist Dore Callaway (Me)
A gracious European flea market find, these serving trays inspired the French feel and look of a hand painted Fresco panel. There were four trays with beautifully aged brass handles that held the trays on there stand. These handles added a perfect piece of history enabling them to hang artfully. My next step was to give them a new old paint finish to each of them painted to look inherited with lasting romance, while adding centuries-old European character to any euro chic room.


Vintage serving trays that I have painted restyling them with paint like plaster tones of whites and grays, French guilt touches of gold undertones peek through here, and there. The plan for these trays were to turn them into French fresco panels, giving a home a collected and gathered feel rather than one that's forced with design style.


I love when home decor is understated, its not boastful or aw-inspiring its just rich with European flea market finds and oh so peaceful. This serving tray is painted and distressed with water stained techniques, adding to the gracefulness of the floral vines and wild bird perched upon its twig. I don't always' feel you need to use dramatic color's to define your space, I just love creating with color and piece's that don't compete with other elements to much like this fresco art panel painted with heirloom quality.


"Inspiring French flea market style" You will find this piece listed in my peaceful "etsy" SOLD!! To Jill In Canada 1-4-11 One more left to be listed.

47 comments:

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Dore...

Absolutely gorgeous, my friend! Ohhh yes...I love the sweet french look and ambiance of these beautiful trays! Love your painting!!! Thank you for sharing your pretties with us!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Unknown said...

My dear Dore, your trays are divine. You are so talented and create such beauty. I hope you have been well and I pray that you had a lovely Christmas. May your New Year be blessed with much love, laughter and good health. xx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma chere, these are absolutely perfect. Your description and execution of skillful painting has left me speechless. Before I finished reading, I was already thinking of as asking you if you are selling them, and then I see that you are!!!! They are going to be gone so quickly. But I will go and take a peek! YOU ARE GENIUS...and this is why I love French Flea Market....UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE, no competition entre les autres elements....just subtle grace. MAGNIFIQUE!!!! BISES MA BELLE! Anita

erin's art and gardens said...

oh my...these altered trays are just beaautiful and inspiring. love, LOVE.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Bonjour Dore,
your trays are absolutely gorgeous!!
Love that pieceful look.
Have a lovely day,
hugs,
Marie

Amy Chalmers said...

Lovely painting Dore. The trays are so elegant~what creations!

Unknown said...

...you are so very gifted my friend!
I can almost imagaine the little bird flying to rest upon such loveliness!

xo, Rosemary

Donna said...

Wow, this is just stunning! I, too adore the French flea market style, and you have captured it perfectly! The little bird is so sweet, and the trays really do have the look of a timeworn relic. Love!!!

Anji Johnston said...

Oh Dore - breathtaking! You have put so much detail into these. Layer upon layer of understated love. I do hope you will not sell them, they need to adore your beautiful home, adding one more piece of "Dore". Have a blessed New Year.

Terrell said...

Oh it's sooo very inspiring! I love the curves of that tray! Your artwork is always the most beautiful! Great work, sweet lady!! Have a wonderful day!
Hugs to you,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

awal.ny said...

Dore, you do the perfect mix of vintage when you paint. I hope you have a wonderful new year ahead.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love this Dore!! It is absolutely beautiful~ your work is amazing! :)

Marlene said...

Hi Dore! those trays are gorgeous!! and of course your art just took them to a whole new level...just exquisite! I have so missed stopping by and being inspired by your talents..2010 left me with a BIG bang..lots of challanges and changes, but I am looking forward to the New Year with hope and anticipation...xoxo Marlene

Fishtail Cottage said...

love these Dore...especially the birdie, Your talent is beyond amazing! xoxo
~tracie

Cindy said...

Very, very pretty. I love your paintings that include birds.
Hugs, Cindy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Doré,

That is very well preserved and the special handle is a bonus for having great display functionality as well!

Thanks for sharing this with your readers and I hope it soon finds a permanent residence...

Love,

Mariette's Back to Basics

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Dore: How beautiful is that tray? My word! The way you make the pretty whispy leaves and delicate vines, and the darling sparrows, I love them.

Wally B said...

Those trays are exquisite. Such talent and taste.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Tres chic!

mama c said...

I love your style!

Heaven's Walk said...

Dore ~ you paint with love, girl. Truly amazing work..... :)

xoxo laurie

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

Not only do the pieces not compete, there is no competition to what you have to offer! You'd be proud of me, I picked up a paint brush the other day. It's been a long time....used old brushes from college. Love-your-work! XO

michelle said...

Hello Dear! Happy New Year to you! What gorgeous pieces you have created. I love the way you look at the world and just make it beautiful, so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on selling yet another beautiful piece of art, Dore! It's new owner is very lucky to have it in their home. :)
Have a wonderful week, my friend! Keep on inspiring...
xoxo,
Jo :)

sweetpea said...

wow! that is stunning dore.

hugs,

shelley

saltbox
treasures
said...

These are gorgeous! Love what you did to them!
~ Julie

WhiteWhispers2u said...

It's beautiful! I love all your art pieces.Fabulous my Dear~Cheers Kim

Privet and Holly said...

Happy New Year, Dore!
I'm still crawling out
from under the flu, but
wanted to pop over and
get a dose of calm and
beauty....which I did : )
Thank you for the beauty
that you bring to the
blogging world. Your talents
and words truly shine.
Snowy hugs from Minnesota!
xx Suzanne

Anonymous said...

I am delighting in winter white and all it's subtle hues right now. This piece is just gorgeous. It Sold....woohoo. Happy happy New Year. ~

Chrissy said...

Tres magnifique Dore. These are so european, your photos make me feel like I am sitting in France in a hillside chateau. How did you do that wonderful painting technique?

Romeo said...

Psssst Dore.....mewr art is beautiful! I've just posted some of your special art on my blog! Yessirre and VERY proud of my gift too! Keep creating - it's all beautiful. It is afterall created by someone with a kind heart.

Purrs and whisker smoochies,

Romeo

Bohemian said...

What you have done with these trays is magnificent!

Dawn... The Bohemian

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

DORÉ!!! Merci pour ta visite ma chère amie!!! Tu me fais grand plaisir quand tu arrives chez moi! Et tu sais, je voulais acheter ce joli plateau que tu as peint, mais mon mari a dit non....notre travail chez nous nous force d'économiser un petit peu! Peut-être que si tu en peints un autre plus tard!

Quand même, je peux ADMIRER!!!

GROSSES BISES CHÈRIE!!! Anita

Tricia said...

You are so talented Dore. Those trays are so pretty. I love the colors and the worn textures...just perfect ♥

Burlap Luxe said...

Merci cher ami de votre demande d'avoir un morceau de mon art.
à tout moment dans le futur, je vais créer pour vous! et toi, mon ami, vous pouvez créer pour moi.
Vous êtes un véritable ami soulful.
xoxo
Dore

MERCI ANITA!!!!!!!

Musings From A French Cottage said...

This is so beautiful! You did an amazing job creating a fantastic European piece. Perfect!

Happy New Year and God Bless,
Kathleen

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh MA BELLE DORÉ, c'est si gentil de toi de dire tout ça.....tu sais, je voudrais créer quelque chose de féerique et BLANC ET GRIS pour toi!!! Oooooooohhh....maintenant, j'ai des idées!!!! Anita

sweetpea said...

hi dore, thank you for your words of encouragement and for adding me to your sidebar. i am flattered. just watched "eat pray love". fabulous!

hugs,

shelley

Debra@CommonGround said...

So beautiful, Dore, you are such an inspired artist. I love everything that you do. thank you for sharing it with us all and linking up to the party,
xoxo,
Debra

Kate said...

Dore your work is breathtaking!!! So beautiful indeed. I love stopping by and seeing what beauty you have created.

warm regards
Kate

Cielo Azul Jewelry said...

Ahhhhhhh, so lovely. You really have a wonderful eye for such unique one of a kind pieces. SO FRENCH=I LOVE I think you could make 100 of these and they'd be SOLD in 15 minutes. I ADORE you calm work=0)

Have a great day my friend,
xoxo,
Carol

Rebecca said...

You are such a wonderful artist Dore I love your style. Simple yet beautiful
You have such a kind heart, blessings to you in the new year
Rebecca

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, Dore--how gorgeous!! Sending (((hugs))) your way!!!
XO

Unknown said...

I just came across your blog, and your insights into home improvement, DIY projects, and overall design are very interesting. Your article about these antique birdhouses was especially interesting. I really liked your comments on how these bird cages give any room a vintage and antique feel, even if you don't own a bird! I am adding you to my favorites. Since you and your readers have a flair for interior decorating and interest in design, we thought you would especially be interested in our custom window coverings. Heritage Window Coverings is located in Huntington Beach, CA and we have a wide selection of treatments to complement any home’s interior design! Any feedback would be appreciated as well. As a special thanks to you and your readers, I would like to offer a 20% off coupon using this code upon checkout: BLG20.

Anne said...

Dore, you are right, I love this post and these wonderful birdcages! I am going to mention this in a post with a link over to you, and I will keep on checking back to see what other delightful things you show.

shabbyechic.blogspot.it said...

wooow Super!!!!!

Patti said...

So great! I've put a link to your blog on my blog...because I think your style is so beautiful and charming! I've been blessed with inheriting some great dark wood pieces..that I just can't paint...so I looove seeing your beautiful white pieces!