February 03, 2011

It Had-Another Life



"click on photos to enlarge details"
Hand painted and aged with a feel of history to it, signed by myself Dore Callaway 2/2011 Stripped down in the raw, painting than with a soulful brush.

As an artist with a French gypsy brocante style I will paint on almost anything. My favorite works of art seem to create themselves on objects when an item loses its usefulness, it can than be admired for its decorative piece. I love when a piece has acquired age, making it a perfect broncante piece "not quite valued, not quite junk." I invite a piece of brocante into my hands ones that are less than perfect, showing a history of its travels, it than stops it journey once it reaches me. With a paint brush in my bite, and one in my hand I begin my work, remembering to never paint for someone else, but for myself giving it a lightness of touch.


Imagining this piece in a French Boulangerie (BAKERY SHOP) while fashioning decadent creations. Could you see this antique foot board restyled from a beautiful full size bed, and now romancing a life given back to it as a featured piece over a counter of service where beautiful cupcakes, French cheesecakes, macaroons, beautifully displayed truffles, and wedding cakes are created. A fine BAKERY SHOP where only the finest touch your taste buds, Oh my, I have talked myself into it, I think I will open my own bakery, only the best for everyone who enters. They will be greeted with a style that's fashioned with love in mind for all things romantic.


The art of French living fulfills so many different roles in an understated and elegant way, adding pieces to a space that is also an integral important part of the home. The soul and spirit of this antique foot board gives a home its individuality knowing it was first made with another function in its design. Manteling a piece like this over a white fireplace adds artful drama to the staging of French farmhouse in euro chic cottage style, while endulging "Les Details" of your own homes style.


An unlikely cast off foot board turned into a French entry wall panel ready to hang... "Adding style and grace that carries your heart." yours in my etsy!!

93 comments:

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Oh my gosh that is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I just adore it !!!
Thank you for showing us you beautiful
talent ~

xoxo
Lori

Seawashed said...

You are doing it! Beautiful, beautiful. I think you will do really well selling pieces like this...furniture art.

I dream sometimes of owning a bakery. With my B.A degree in Foods & Nutrition and my baking/cooking experience...I bake homemade organic scones, muffins, coffee cakes, crepes, breads, cakes, pies regularly for my family. I think I would name it Bella Bleu Bakery and decorate it in white and sea blue vintage decor.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

OMG, what a gorgeous piece of art. And, to think you created it from a headboard!

hugs
Sissie

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Dore...

Ohhh my goodness...it's magnificent, my friend! I really do love how you can take an old, worn, but well loved item and breathe life back into it! Your antique footboard is certainly proof! What a gifted and talented artist you are, Dore! I just adore your style and sooo wished that you lived closer to me. I would have your paint your fabulous little french garlands and sweet birds...all over my house! Seriously!!! Thank you for sharing this fabulous piece with us...and your creative talents, dear friend! It is always such a treat to come calling at your place!!!

Warmest winter wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Sanctuary Home said...

Bea-u-tiful!!! Great job! You're very talented.
Susan : )
http://sanctuaryhomebysusancooke.blogspot.com/

Victoria said...

That is so beautiful Dore! I was thinking about you today because I was feathering my nest and set my halltree up with a bird theme! I might be bugging you shortly for a birdie sign to hang above it when I have the funds:)

Drawn to The Sea said...

It was waiting for you, Dore'. It had to be.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Oh Dore - this is so beautiful & i love it on your dresser the way you have it displayed - seems as though the two were meant to be found by you! You are amazingly talented & i just love everything you do. Hugs

Vintage Gal said...

Oh my Gosh~! this is breathtaking ~ Just gorgeous. Wow ~ amazing talent ;-)

Cath said...

Dore,
Your words describing the bakery remind me of the Chocolate shop in the movie "Chocolate." the part I enjoyed most was indeed the shop and your work of art would do a bakery proud.
Just beautiful.

French is such a romantic language to me, and I'm so excited my niece is in a French program in CA.

Linecas have said...

I am in loss for words. You works is so fantastic. I am in ave each time I see some of your work. This really is a masterpiece.
Beutiful and wonderful are lesser words than your work.
Hugs!:)
Line-Cathrin

awal.ny said...

Dore how beautiful, you have such a relaxing way of painting.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Dore,
this is just beautiful!!Stunning.Love your new header too!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Marie

fleurcottage said...

it's gaw-ge-ous!

Tamra said...

Beautiful work as always Dore girl!

Oh, and how I LOVE your new header!!!

High Street Cottage said...

Dore, I don't know how you to it, but you do it so well. The detail in your paintings are wonderful, and the colors you use, everything is so wonderful, and charming. xoxo tami

Vintage Culler said...

Pure loveliness...so dreamy.

Cindy Adkins said...

WOW!!! PURE GORGEOUSNESS, DORE!!! You are amazing!!!
XO

Wally B said...

You have such a delicate touch. This is pure magic

Heaven's Walk said...

Dore - you are one gifted artist. I am constantly in awe of your work. It's always so peaceful and calming to look at, and what better way to repurpose a vintage item and give it new life? :) ♥

xoxo laurie

Anji Johnston said...

Dore - I really am lost for words. Absolute beauty.

Simple Home said...

It's beautiful Dore, and your wonderful style shines through ♥
Blessings,
Marcia

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Miss Dore~That would look amazing over my bed Ugh! I really am loving it.I am not sure how you can part with it.
Your blog header looks awesome, are you happy with it? I think it's perfect.
I am off to the coast tomorrow to look at another beach home for sale.Wish me luck! ~Cheers Kim

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Just to let you know that I am soooo in Love with my new header for my blog done by you my sweet friend, that I can't get over it! I keep going to my blog just to take another look at it.
I am going to do a post as well about it soon, just thinking first.~Cheers Kim

Myszka said...

Absolutely amazing!!!

toves sammensurium said...

tell me something....did you do this??? I am amazed,impressed,inspired, - and almost out of fords:)
I am going straight over to your etsy shop...this was fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a true magician:))))
Tove,NOrway:)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

The before and after photos are so striking and tell it all dearest, they show and tell of your immense talent to transform an old "BANAL" piece into the beautiful and SINGING piece that we see here...I wish I could commission you to make me something! I am a good artist, but to know the technique of paint is another story...BRAVO...BIEN FAIT! BISES MA BELLE, Anita

La Brocanteuse said...

Gorgeous Dore!, I admire that you can see the end result before you have started...thank you for sharing and have a lovely weekend. xoxo Colette ~ Afrique du Sud

joanna said...

Like the sparrow you so lovely paint -- this wonderful piece has been lovely restored renewed and refreshed, singing the promise of spring.

warm wishes for a lovely week end,
joanny

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Oh Dore this just took my breath away!

Thanks for sharing!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Oh...love your new header too!

Phyllis said...

Just stunning!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Dore, This piece is gorgeous!! I love it on the dresser.
Hugs,
Sherry

Valley Art Project said...

This piece is just stunning! Wow!

LaPouyette said...

Brilliant job, Dore, well done!

Bon weekend and greetings from Périgord
Karin

Cindy said...

Spoken like a true artist! It's beautiful!

Cindy

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Oh goodness Dore!!! What an incredible piece! I adore it- so inspired and frenchy and beautiful!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Dore! I can picture it now... the bakery... pure heaven... sigh...
Thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork with us!
Have a lovely weekend, dear friend!
xoxo,
Jo :)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonsoir ma chère et precieuse amie! Oh Doré, I would love to have you as my neighbor to just simply see your lovely smile and chat and paint together! What a lovely, lovely comment you left me. I am so tired, but it is the weekend tomorrow, and more fun to be had finishing up the last details of our new addition. There is still a way to go, but tonight we decided to go with linen Roman shades for the windows. My husband does not like drapes that pool to the floor, but I do. I did want however, linen curtains, so I think the Roman shades will do just fine! I can capture elegance in other ways....tomorrow, I will begin to paint our coffee table gray and then give it a thick top coat of white with the gray undertones....I CAN'T WAIT!

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INSPIRATION and bon samedi! BISES, Anita

Debra@CommonGround said...

Another wonderful art creation, Dore. I love your thinking as you find the base, then add your magic. I'm in love!!
So glad you shared this loveliness with all of us.
xoxo,
Debra

LENE said...

What a beautiful work you do - I love it, that is absolutely gorgeous!
Wish you a lovely weekend
xx
Lene

Ticking and Toile said...

Dore,
You never cease to amaze!! That is just gorgeous!!!! You are just so talented. I love love love the little birdies. :)

xo,
Shellagh

About Southern Belle said...

Just Beautiful Dore'

Pamela said...

Stunning ! My mother has the identical bed and boy it would look so dreamy painted this way!!
Pamela :)

time worn interiors said...

Lovely! Your work is amazing!
Theresa
aka:tot

mikapoka said...

bonjour Doré, je suis vraiment heureuse d'avoir vu
ton blog:your works look stunning!
have a good weekend, ciao.
Elisabetta

Burlap Luxe said...

Elisabetta,
Merci de votre visite, et faire un voyage à mon endroit tranquille où je veux inspirer les âmes.

Merci d'avoir pris le temps de me laisser un message, ajoutant la beauté de ma journée.

Visitez dès
xx
Dore

Anne said...

Exquisite, Dore! I'm going to give you a little shout out about it on my blog.

Okie Chic said...

Dore thank you so much for the nice comments that you left me!! I love everything about your blog the writing and especially the eye candy. All your paintings are fab I love how soft and worn they all look. You truly have a gift.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What a fabulous piece. I love it. The dresser below is wonderful, too.

michelle said...

Dore it is just stunning!! Like I said before, you amaze me in so many ways with not only your talent in painting and design but also the way you breath life into something that has long forgotten how to live. And I would love to sit in your bakery on a beautiful Spring day enjoying so many treats and wonderful conversation.

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

Dore,
Completely stunning. What a talent you have!
Beth

V I N T A G E O L O G I E said...

Gorgeous Dore! ... would look beautiful anywhere it is displayed!!

xo
Jill

Deborah said...

Dore this is so gorgeous! Love how you've transformed this piece into something so breath-taking!
I saw it featured over at Annes ..just lovely!

Deborah xo

Claudia said...

Just beautiful!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Absolutely divine!

I wanted to come by and say hello since you are linked up to Porch Club Monday...

Hugs,
Stephanie ♥

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

Hello dear! I know I sound like a broken record, but seriously, there is no end to the magic you pull out of your hat! If I have missed any posts of your home, I must root around and find them because I can only imagine the beautiful world you have created! I just saw Tangled and if you see it, you remind me of the princess and how she paints her magic on everything :) XO

audur skula said...

Hello Dore...
So beautiful things you create with your paint brushes !
I'm a decorative painter, living and working in Iceland,
and I'm also changing things with my brushes.
Love your blog and everything hand painted ;)
auskula

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

You are sooooo talented. I wish you lived near. We would be collaborating on a lot of projects.

Free Art Printables said...

This turned out amazing!

Unknown said...

I can't believe I hadn't look at this post until now. JUST AMAZING!

WOW, just WOW!

Cori

bikim said...

from boring to GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love it and your blog too!
Rosa

Carol said...

Dore, You are so talented and do beautiful work. God has blessed you with a wonderful talent. Love your Blog.
Carol
freshlinenscottonandlace.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Dore,
This piece is exceptionally beautiful!! You have such a gift for painting, I would die to have a piece this amazing.
You truly out did yourself my friend!
Have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Dore,
I just came over to see how my sweet friend is doing today!!! I love your blog header!!! I have a new one too and just posted my new jewelry on my blog...I'm excited! Let me tell you, your work is ASTOUNDING!!!!
Love,
Cindy

La Petite Gallery said...

You are so talented and I love this post.
Happy Valentine's Day

yvonne
drop over sometime.

MaroDe said...

How beautiful! I love your blog, thank you for sharing yourself and your talent!

Romeo said...

Happy Valentine's Day to mew Dore! I am so happy mew haven't forgotten me :) That warms my whiskers and the very cockles of my heart - thank mew. Sending you whisker smoochies and purrs....

Romeo

La Brocanteuse said...

Dear Dore, thank you very much for stopping by my blog, loving it and always tell me so!..I appreciate it very much and have to say that your blog is so very inspiring and much loved!What you do with those paintbrushes of your's... awesome!
happy valentine's to you...xoxo Colette ~Afrique du Sud

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

BONJOUR MA CHÈRE!!!! Oh Doré, I am so glad that you got and are ENJOYING my drawing on the Valentine! AND YOUR VISIT, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am SO behind in answering comments because we spent ALL WEEKEND moving and hauling, painting AGAIN and rearranging. Our house is getting more organized, but it was a real mess. THANK YOU AGAIN for your wonderful friendship, and I hope to share more pictures soon of the developments. It is getting more texture now, but we still need the electrician to hang the crystal chandelier. SO MUCH FUN, BUT SO MUCH WORK!!!

BON ST. VALENTIN!! Anita

mon blog des petits riens said...

c'est superbe ! un relookage magnifique pour ce morceau de meuble ! quel talent !
j'aime énormément votre blog
bonne journée
Nabou

saltbox
treasures
said...

This piece is gorgeous!!! Love your painting.
It looks so perfect and romantic. It also looks great on your buffet.
Happy Valentine's Day!
~ Julie

Burlap Luxe said...

Nabou, my friend so nice to meet up with you.
See you soon when we visit your place in France.

Je vous remercie pour vos aimables paroles, si parfaite de vous rendre visite et partager mes inspirant des œuvres d'art. Moi aussi, profiter de mes visites sur votre blog.

Avoir une belle journée d'inspiration.
xx
Dore

Terrell said...

I just adore this piece, as always Dore! I can totally picture it in a bakery! Way to go on re-creating this masterpiece! Pure talent, for sure! ;)
Happiest hugs to you!!
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

Vintage Home said...

.....stunning.....you have a great talent!

Seawashed said...

thank you sweetheart. I am watching my postbox. ox

Unknown said...

I can't get this piece out of my mind. It is absolutely BREATHTAKING in every way.

It's just SO BURLAP LUXE. How I wish I could paint like you! What a talent you have.

Cori

Christmas-etc... said...

The detailing is superb! The birds, the leaves... I just love it! It is like a wonderful dream!
Ann

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

You are remarkably talented. I LOVE what you did to transform this piece... It is "Magnificent"!!! I LOVE the subtle addition of the birds, "One of my VERY FAVORITE subjects"... I am going to be checking out your ETSY store... If you'd like I would LOVE to have you peek into "My Land of Blog too".
Have a wonderful Valentine's Week,
Donna

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

you have the best touches....always made with your love & style. xo Laura

vignette design said...

I cannot believe how talented you are. Absolutely gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Oh. my. heavens. Can I send you my hutch? You have such vision, Dore. Love your style. Thanks for sharing with air your Laundry Friday.

Hugs,
Jami

Jenni said...

I think I have surely died and gone to heaven. This is so unbelievably gorgeous! I am so inspired, and think you have just given me an idea for a little dilemma I have! :) If it works out, I will be sure to link to you!

And by the way, I would give anything~ ANYTHING~ to paint birds like you do! I like to draw them, but painting them just seems so daunting! I am afraid to try, because I am sure it will not go well! :) I can guarantee they would not look like yours!

And thank you so much for your sweet comment and advice to the question about the vanity. I love the idea of aging the mirror, and think I am going to go with this! And I do know what you mean about chalkboards...But my new love is galvanized metal~ or anything metal, so I am right with you on what you said in your comment! We think alike! :)

I hope you are doing well, my friend, AND that you have a beautiful weekend!

Blessings to you~
Jenni

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

GRAY IS THE WAY!!!! Oh Doré my sweet friend, merci beaucoup pour tes mots de tendresse, pour ton encouragement et aussi l'amour de GRIS!!! Isn't gray a fabulous canvas upon which to create a peaceful environment? And because the natural STONE colors go so well with it, we can create an organic feeling with elegance in our homes. Thank you for coming and always being so uplifting. You are such a special friend and I send you many hugs of gratitude for your loyalty. MILLE BISES! Anita

Burlap Luxe said...

Anita...

Oh si gris, et une belle âme vous avez mon ami Anita. Merci pour votre soutien à tout ce que je peindre en gris et blanc.

Ce que nous pourrions créer la peinture ainsi que dans nos salles de gris, quel étonnement nous créer!

Gardez inspirant gris, ce n'est pas là pendant longtemps.

xoxo
Dore

Sea Angels said...

Can't stop looking at your beautiful art work...so inspiring and so delicate sensitive and beautiful,
Lynn xxx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma precieuse amie Doré,

Ahhh..comme j'adore l'air de chez toi; le gris, le blanc de ton décor et les couleurs vives et chaleureuses de ton ESPRIT!!! Moi et mon mari nous nous amusons de notre décoration. On a déjà peint les deux nouvelles pièces et aujourd'hui, la salle à manger va se transformer en BLANC au détails gris!!!! Quel plaisir de travailler ensemble et dévoiler la beauté de notre maison. Merci pour tes conseils mais surtout, ton modèle d'excellence et amitié!!! GROSSES BISES MA CHÈRE!!! Anita

re:Inspire said...

Oh Dore!
I have missed visiting you...sorry I have been behind on catching up with everyone! I just love this piece! I would love to open up a bakery some day! This piece would would make the perfect back drop! You are amazing!
Lisa

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Dore,
If you get a chance, dear one, hop over to my blog and see your magnificent vintage magnet!!! THANK YOU so much for being such a sweetheart...you are one in a million!!!
XO

Reyes ♥El telar de mi abuela♥ said...

guauuuuuuuuuuuuuu....BARVO, BRAVO!!!!!
Saludos desde Tenerife.

Anonymous said...

Nice

Marie Söderberg said...

omg..sooo beautiful :)

foreverdecorating said...

I so want this piece but alas it is too far out of my reach. I will admire it from afar and enjoy the beauty of it. You should be proud.