Française Gris "French Gray"

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I am painting numbers!!

I have become the keeper of treasured finds and sharing the extras. Inspired by these vintage galvanized zinc steal plaques that have taken on a soulfully aged gray patina, I could not leave well enough alone and began painting numbers on them while creating a harmonious mix of found objects recreating old world French.

Inspired to recreate French european house address numbers on the 5" x 5" 1/2 heavy gauged galvanized plaques that found me at just the right inspired moment. They have aged holes in all four corners that couldn't have been more perfect for what they were to become. Using a tinted worn black paint finish made for painting on the surfaces of galvanized metal finishes by (Val-Spar) I then got busy addressing them and became enamored with the outcome!



A perfect added element detailing your favorite meaningful numbers adding charm to the tagging of a French wire basket, or tucked in with your collections displayed in a French farmhouse hutch as well as fixed to the face of a cabinet or door. There is enormous charm in decorating with French house numbers, adding romance and visual european flea market country living.

French Bread anyone! Hanging over my desk that I painted to fit in with all things found and aged is a vintage French bread rack. This irresistible bread rack now hangs over my desk that sits in a quite corner of my kitchen where baking bread and creating is not far from my sight.

A muse to gaze upon, while holding beautiful ideas from within.



Inspiring a French address, they can be found in my peaceful etsy!

Salvage Inspiration & Announcing A Winner!!

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Before I announce the WINNER! of my PLACE OF SHELTER sign GIVEAWAY!...

I would love to share with you my latest inspired piece hand painted artist signed by me! Dore L. Callaway. In my last posting I shared a French drop leaf table, a perfect thrift shop find that I applied a French flea market style paint finish to it. After finishing the transformation from plain to French flea market chic, I was left with two center leafs that expand the table to a much larger size then needed for,or what it may be used for in our flea market designs. What now do I do with the two leafs, I did not plan to paint and add them to the piece, and did not think the added leafs would make or break the charm of the placement or selling of this piece. Putting the 2 leaf's aside for another use and questioning what to do with them was not far from my minds thought.

I was visiting Kate, a beautiful blogger at http://salvagedior.blogspot.com and shop space at Country Roads in Southern California, at that moment I was inspired by her older postings, and a French toile accent throw pillow I came across of hers, it was divine in every way possible, this was a purchase Kate made for her personal home, would you have been inspired by its white, gray, and natural tones I sure was, it is exactly the shades I work with in paints and my personal home designs.

This is Kates divine toile pillow at Salvage Dior that inspired my wood header that can accent any place in your home with French flea market charm. If you have not had the pleasure of visiting her space at Country Roads or her blog do so, it is truly inspiring to take in her rustic charm and salvage success with everything she touches.

Kate is located in #31 at Country Roads located in Orange, Ca. and Urban Barn, Escondido, Ca.

I spend little time planning out what to design or create, I let each piece find me with authentic history, and if a find makes it into my studio of creating lacking enough age I will create it. Standing is the 48" x 9" x 1" vintage French table leaf I painted with an aged effect that became the piece Kates French toile pillow inspired, along side it is a 100 plus year old drawer face with a working key hole lock waiting for the next piece that inspires. I know someone out there will inspire this piece as well, maybe it will be you.
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Can you see a piece like this over my guest room iron bed dressed in all white, gray and creams to match the art work. I will have to do one for myself with the second vintage French table leaf, because this leaf will be added to my peaceful etsy! shop. It may even make it into my shop space, or someone out there who inquires about it.



How about over your euro chic sofa or settee, making it a captivating piece of French flea market brocante inviting its way into your rustic French inspired heart. I love gracing my home with unexpected pieces, adding a find that becomes a muse of what inspires a recycled, and up-cycled cottage home. I love taking a well loved, worn and over used under appreciated piece adding something to the piece worthy of boasting a happy new life, while assuring I have done good by it for another chance at life's given journey.



SOLD!! to the beautiful Kim! Thank you Kim for buying this piece $230.00 from my peaceful shop! please visit Kim's beautiful blog at whitewhispers2u.blogspot.com

Thank you Kate for having the piece that inspired. Please visit her beauty at http://salvagedior.blogspot.com
Now to announce my hand painted SHELTER GiveAway WINNER!
Letting Random.org chose the winner...True Random Number Generator Min:1 Max:164 Result: 6 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
CONGRATULATIONS #6 The Beautiful Rosemary at http://ozmaofodds.blogspot.com Please go visit her beautiful site, and all that she inspires at her place of shelter. Thanking all my dear friends and new followers for joining in, your beautiful comments are treasured.

This vintage plank leaf Rose art, will soon be included in my etsy!

Place Of Shelter & GiveAway!

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A GIVEAWAY for you...
Thanking you all for your love and support, you are the best of friends and you stand out!
In this beautiful journey of artfully blogging with all of you, and the many beautiful comments you have all left me on my perfectly imperfect works of art I thank you from the depths of my soul. I am offering One of my hand painted shelter signs on solid vintage Mahogany signed by me it measures 22" x 5"1/2 x 1" It hangs by an aged foggy gray chain to one winning friend, I wish I could whip one up for each and everyone of you.

That little bird has chosen his shelter. Above it are the stars and the
deep heaven of worlds. Yet he is rocking himself to sleep without
caring for tomorrow's lodging, calmly clinging to his little twig,
and leaving God to think for him.
-Luther

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:4


You may post up to 3 random comments for a chance to win, winner will be announced on 5-27-11
All you need to do to enter is leave up to 3 seperate comments...
(1.) Become a follower if you are not one already, and comment that you follow.
(2.)Post my GiveAway button below on your blog site, and for a 3rd entry...
(3.)Comment me as you always do telling me something about your Place Of Shelter.

"Inspiring a soulful place of shelter"

An Artist Paints Artful Imperfections

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I have a love affair with paint, by now most of you know that. This modest French farmhouse drop leaf table is another thrift shop find, it gave no indication of what lies beyond its dark stained finish, until I refinished it with artful imperfection inspired by European rusticity. I refinished it in a whiter shade of pale, giving it a quiet and calm feel to it, ready to add to any serene setting. This informal table lends itself for many uses in unexpected places, letting this piece tell you where it wants to be.



I added uneven shades of white and soft French gray giving it a patina that you would find on an age-old European flea market find. "This piece is understated. it's not trying to be boastful, just awe-inspiring."


This slightly oversize piece adds subtle drama to any intimate space of calm where functional, and decorative seek harmony with its soulfully given patina and relaxed elegance without being too imposing. What I didn't know is how perfect its use is being a side table to read at, a sofa table, as well as an easy fitted accent piece to any room.

I want to draw attention to the little sweet lavender scented bird pillow leaning up against the framed print. It was gifted to me from my sweet Oregon state friend Kim, along with a few other wonderful goodies, it has added nature to my vignette theme of birds and there places of shelter. Please go say hello to Kim she is a doll to get to know if you don't already know her, thank you dear friend see you soon!! You can visit Kim at... http://whitewhispers2u.blogspot.com
Inspiring artful imperfections in a great thrift shop find.

Crown Him The King...Crowned Cage

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Easter Crown, One-of-a-kind birdcage with crown.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.
~Godfrey Thring, 1874

May be found soon in my peaceful etsy shop along with all my other hand crafted altered art cages.

Inspiring love, and peace.

A Winner!!...A Place Of Shelter

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Announcing the WINNER!! Of the Eco-Natural GiveAway!
"Shelter" altered art created by me (Dore) Listening to what it wanted to be.

While I am excited to announce the "WINNER" of the Eco-Natural Soap GiveAway! I first want to introduce my latest new pieces of art I have created. Inspired by eco-naturals spring GiveAway! for a healthy natural beauty and natural products for our home and with the book release by FIFI O'NEILL "Romantic Prairie Style"... Nature, and places of shelter came to mind, yes Fifi invites us in sharing beautiful homes that shelter with inspired country life. The spirit of a home is expressed with artful surroundings, making our homes a peaceful place of shelter.

Being a visual artist I create with the things that inspire me, always adding a rustic calm with authentically old worn pieces bringing to it a new life. I found this beat up old metal display dish with the appeal much like someone could have been panning for gold with it. The very tarnished dents and abuse to it did not sway me from the surprising tagged price of $6.99 not your typical thrift shop find in this shape, but it was my find, and well worth the buy for what I had in mind for it.



I created a time worn cage with a history to it, lending a place of shelter with recycled pieces of wire and aviary wire mesh. A sweet touch is the altered bird ephemera book art used for a perching swing as a piece of art. Then by adding primer, paint and tattered charm, this relic of a birdcage created with ordinary scraps makes it unforgettable.

That little bird has chosen his shelter. Above it are the stars and the
deep heaven of worlds. Yet he is rocking himself to sleep without
caring for tomorrow's lodging, calmly clinging to his little twig,
and leaving God to think for him.
- Luther





My latest word for my hand painted signs,"SHELTER" they will be included in my peaceful etsy shop! A sign that reminds us of a place of shelter, while soulfully inspiring a place of peace and calm, making it a place to rest our heart apon.

By FIFI O'Neill "Romantic Prairie Style" No velvet ropes in these places of shelter, a beautiful book put together with inspiring homes, the homes featured were meant to inspire every design detail of a life well lived...Romantic Prairie Style.


You may visit eco-natural soap at http://econaturalsoap.com. I also want to thank each and everyone of you for your support and beautiful comments. Eco natural soap feel so blessed that you showed so much excitement over their product GiveAway! featuring their 100% healthy natural line. They would love for you to visit their site and get acquainted with what they have to offer you with beautiful skin renewal and their natural home care products. Visit "econaturalsoap.com" and try their herbal beauty and natural healing products made for a healthier home and a more beautiful you.

Having to calculate a winner is the tough part, although their is only one, (1) winning number picked by the automatic calculator used, I find myself wishing I could make all of you the winners! announcing that you all have the winning entry number for Eco-Naturals GiveAway!


The WINNING number is #46 CONGRATULATIONS! to our beautiful WINNER!!


"Calculated through Random.org"
Please visit Lori's beautiful site at http://katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com

"Inspiring Pure & Good Products For You, And Your Place Of Shelter"