A step back into time…

Just a few days till Halloween and I wanted to share with you one build I’ve been preoccupied with since spring.  I hoped to create the rolling hills of a French countryside wine region similar to Provence using Apple Fall’s rural farmhouse (rare) from the The Arcade March 2015 round.  Nestled in the hillside, the stucco two-story building with creeping ivy, clay tile roof, worn exterior shutters and double barn door has a vintage aged working farm atmosphere. Step outside to be greeted by vineyards, zig-zag rose-bush lined cobblestone path and a secret retreat garden shed. The converted garage barrel room has some of the best views of the lake and hillside.  Come join me on my journey, a step back into time.

The interior of the farmhouse is vintage shabby chic with a distinctive feminine feel with rose print chairs and rugs in the living room.  The first floor has an open layout concept with the dining area near the stairwell and the kitchen on the back wall, with views of the sunflower field out the kitchen window. Enticing baskets of fruit and baked goods are arranged on the pantry unit just in reach from the dining table.  The opening under the stairwell has bushels of fresh picked farm apples.  Although small, the kitchen has everything one needs with a vintage stove, butcher block counter tops, farmhouse sink and country stove.

As we move upstairs we are awash in royal blue and cream.  Two doll houses grace the window facing the rolling hillside, a cozy chair placed next to the dresser with an antique French perfume print which hangs above.  The inviting bed beckons us with a breakfast tray already made, the dressing area has a corresponding armoire with hat boxes placed on top and a rose detailed ladder for easy access.  Hope you enjoy the trip back in time!

Structure: Apple Fall Rural Farmhouse RARE

Trees & Landscaping:

• Studio Skye: Enchanting Forest
• [DDD]: Vineyard Grapes, Rose Bush (Dirt & Potted)
• The Little Branch: Sunflower Field, AppleTree*Dark{With Apples Menu}
• *alirium* tiny forest: Green

Garden Shed:

• {vespertine}: Haru Garden Shed & Spring Garden Tools
• Dreamscapes Art Gallery: *Gardener* Table Blue & *Garden* Wheelbarrow Blue
• PILOT: Water Hose & Garden Supplies
• DIGS: Verona Mosaic Table & Chairs
• A.D.D. Andel!: Bird Bath Ivy
• 36 – 8f8 – primavera in Toscana Clay Pots (past gatcha item)
• La Galleria: Watering Can and Seed Packets
• Sari-Sari: Mrs. Bumpkin’s Garden – Welcome Sign (Rare, past gatcha item)
• [Tia]: Spring Garden Planter

Wine Cellar:

• ROOST: Wine Cellar Set
• Aphrodite Shop: “La Bodega” Argentinian Wine Corner Set
• Decor Junction: Wine Barrel, Wine Bottle Holder & Single Wine Holder/Glasses
• Tarte: Wine Light
• [ht:home]: Barrel Lid Wall Deco
• [ zerkalo ]: Basket

Living Room:

• Apple Fall: Ulysses Butterfly, Book Shelf, Toile Chair (Cream), Butlers’ Tray Table, Tiffany Tea Pot, Daffodils Jug, Lemon Tea, Kingsbury Pendant Lamp, Shauna’s Chair, Dolly Piano, Teacup Pearls, Frame Shelf, Botanical Prints
• *ionic*: My Rugs

Dining Room:

• Apple Fall: L’Olivier, Pottery Dining Table & Chairs, Teacup Rose, Nardyas’ Tulips in Mason Jar
• Poche: Summer Orange Tart
• Tres Blah: Tea Time (TeaPot)
• Erratic / aea – jam&cream

Pantry:

• Ariskea: [ Pot Pourri ] Seperator with ivy
• {what next}: Brixton Bakers Rack
• Apple Fall: Mixing Bowl Set, Lemon Whip Drizzle Cake, Cherry Voulevants
• Dust Bunny: Fresh Fruit Stand (Blueberry Container, Lemons, Peach Pile, Cherry Container)

Kitchen:

• Apple Fall: Plantation Set, Mixing Bowl Set, Copper Pan Set, Patchwork Rug, Willow Plates, Pestle & Mortar, Decorative Artichokes, Neva’s Kitchen Shelf, Rosemary, Grass, Heart (Home Sweet Home), Tea Time Tins
• Floorplan: Vintage Egg Basket, French Plates, Baking Canisters, Recipe Tin, Le Lait Can,  3 Apple Crates
• Junk: Fresh Eggs Sign
• 8f8: Green Grocers (Cherry Jam, Strawberry Basket with Pricing, Cherry Basket with Pricing)
• Cinphul: Lavande
• Tres Blah: Kitchen Basics – Scale (Black)
• Tartessos Arts: Coffee Sack
• Alouette: Basil Plant (Potted)
• Lark: Jar Utensil Holder & Market Bag (Potatoes)
• Dust Bunny: Kettle
• [DDD]: Harvest Bucket (Red, Yellow & Green Apples)

Bedroom:

• Apple Fall: Old Roman Bed, Pearl Chandelier, Dolly Lamp, Pheasant Feathers, Coffee & Muffin, Book Shelf, Neva’s Laundry Basket, Victoria’s Armoire, An Lar Ladder, Neva’s Sideboard, Roses Box (Pink), Gilt Frame (Landscape), Cornish Dolls House, Victoria’s Dollshouse, Gilt Frame (Portrait), Annan Sidetable, Storage Boxes, Hat Box, Toile Chair (Stain), Feuilles Lantern
• Cinphul: Lavande
• Willowinds: Round Cobalt Blue Rug
• ISPACHI: [Florian] Breakfast Tray, ISPACHI [Florian] Chair & ISPACHI [Florian] Dresser [Eggshell]
• Floorplan: Rose de Provence
• {what next}: Nieve Hatboxes

Wine Cellar

Aphrodite Shop and Heart Homes have paired up to bring you a taste of their country, Argentia.  The design duo are participating in The Multicultural Menu Event (June 1-21), a food fair where designers select a menu from 6 different global cuisine; Asian, European, Mediterranean, North American, South American, and South Pacific.  Marina Ramer (Aphrodite Shop) and Jaylin Whitewood (Heart Homes) are offering a number of new releases at the fair and they are located in the South American area (green on map below).

When I first saw Aphrodite Shop/Heart Homes new releases, I was immediately drawn to the “La Bodega” set, wine barrels repurposed into chairs and a coffee table.  Old flashbacks of my childhood flooded in and I became nostalgic. Some of my first remembrances were at wineries in Napa, CA (USA), I recall playing in the vineyards, the harvest crush, the smell of oak barrels, great food, music and laughter.  Distance memories now but they gave me inspiration to create a vineyard and cellar room in SL.

Heart Homes “La Bodega” set includes 2 barrel chair {20 animations & props}, barrel coffee table, animated wine & cheese board, framed wine bottle wall art, and texture change cow hide rug {4 texture options}.  I also used Summer Wine fat pack.  The “Picadita Argentina” wine and cheese board can be purchased separately, all available at the Multicultural event.  Pop over to The Multicultural Menu Event and check out all the goodies!

Taxi to The Multicultural Menu please…

Structure: Apple Fall, Rural Farmhouse (March 2015 Chapter Four Rare prize)

• Roost, Wine Cellar Set
• Heart Homes, “La Bodega” (barrel chairs, barrel coffee table, wine & cheese board, framed wine bottle wall art, & cow hide rug) & Summer Wine fat pack @ The Multicultural Menu
• [ht: home], Barrel Lid Wall Decor
• tarte., Wine Lights
• [ zerkalo ], Basket (Group Gift March 2015)
• Decor Junction, Wine Barrel, Wine Bottle Holder & Single Wine Holder & Glasses
• [DDD], Grape Vineyards

Trending: Boho Chic

A current trend in interior design is Bohemian!  The Boho Chic style is denoted by collected items from world travels, selected finds at yard sales/ flea markets, and your own creative inspiration; largely centered on global aesthetics and imported products.  Patterns, colors, and styles are intermingled to create lounge style spaces.  Furniture is low to the ground with multiple floor pillows in seating areas and walls are covered with hanging tapestries and beaded curtains.  This is the genesis of the great room where function meets style.

For my build, I used several items from the new cycle of The Perfect Ten event (available until 3/15/15, event items are discounted) including Heart & Homes Boho Green Spring Set (rug & chair) and Willowinds Conway Couch, as well as Little Llama Grandma’s Desk prints from The Challenge March round (theme Globetrotter).  I also used Sway’s Phoda Wicker Chair, exclusively at Uber, theme bohemian.   Most of the other items in the space were ‘finds’ in my inventory from past shopping adventures, my sponsor blogger packs, borrowed from friends (Thanks Morgan!), and current Arcade items.  Let your imagination flow and embrace the spirit of the Boho movement.  Happy decorating!

The end of smoky days…

I’ve always loved the feel of supple leather, the grain glides gently over my fingertips revealing its’ story.  I adore large plush, tufted comfy brown leather club chairs.  They envelope you with a warm hug and instantly you are transported to smoke-filled rooms of swanky private men-only social clubs in the dawn of the new era, where exclusive membership was handed down through generations and tycoons of industry were making deals over Brandy and billiards. The bartender had the most coveted position, always in need and always an earshot away from breaking news.  Only rarely today will you find exclusive clubs of yesteryear; business is conducted differently, social drinking and moderate gambling is accepted.  Nowadays the distinctive club room style has merged into everything from steak houses, to office furnishings, to homes.  For a true gentlemans club experience you need a stately bar and Aphrodite Shop/Heart Homes has just released the perfect one, Paddy’s Irish Pub available exclusively at Room69 Event until March 20, 2015.  Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and the tip-off to March Madness!  Paddy’s Irish Pub has 20 animations, 18 props and texture changer for wood, metals, & fabric with optional shamrock decor.  Heart Homes Paddy’s Pub is 23 prims, stools 1 prim each, and ideal for any occasion.

A huge trend in interior design is home bars, or bar alternatives.  Totally understandable with upcoming spring sporting events, summer BBQ parties, home brewers and man caves.  So, I challenge myself to design an interior space in the masculine private social society style highlighting Heart Homes Paddy’s Irish Pub.  I used Scarlet Creative Work Live Loft, an urban industrial warehouse space as my backdrop, I loved the juxtaposition of concrete, brick and metal with the lush leather of Zerkalo The Infamous Set (free gift @ Shiny Shabby Event) and the rich wooden bar.   I created three separate areas, one to play chess, another to enjoy terrace views, and finally the last one tucked in the back corner for private chats, or a game of dominos.  So, if you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party, need a place to chill for the big game, or just love the look as much as I do, pop over to Room69 Event and pick up Heart Homes Paddy’s Irish Pub!

Structure: Scarlet Creative, Work Live Loft

• Heart Homes: Paddy’s Irish Pub (Room69 Event)
• Zerkalo: The Infamous Set (free @ Shiny Shabby Event)
• Trompe Loeil: Astrid Chair Natural, Gyroscope Floor Lamp & Table Lamp, Cobble Hill Pencil Sketch, Ines Wall Fountain & Valiano Bistro Chair Set
• The Loft: New York/Manhattan Prints, Linen Trim Rug Brown, Mara Console Table, Catch All Bowl
• Apple Fall: Banana Plants, Palm Tree, Trellis Circular Rug & Empire Coffee Table
• {theosophy}: Cheriton Side Table & Chess Set
• StoraxTree: Modern Rug 237
• Second Spaces: Domino
• Pilot: Railroad Tie Chandeliers

Table for Two!

Countdown!  T minus 4 days till Cupid’s arrow hits you!  Yes, I know some of you guys are in denial, but this Saturday is Valentine’s Day and today I created a romantic garden gazebo getaway that you can use all year-long with some special sweet touches from Aphrodite Shop/Heart Homes.  The design duo of Marina Ramer (Aphrodite Shop) and Jaylin Whitewood (Heart Homes) have created everything you could wish for this season of love including a special Valentine’s Market sim.  Check it out!  Taxi please…

Marina & Jaylin have also created a special Valentine’s Day experience for you at their Casa de Aromas Restaurant.  This Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 4-7pm SLT, they are hosting a formal dinner event with a 4 course Valentine themed menu, role play entertainment, live singers, chef demos, and Valentine gifts for guests.  This will be the perfect romantic spot for you to take your loved one.  For single or couple tickets and more information, click here. Please note the single ticket experience is designed to chat, meet and greet with other single SL residents and will take place on the Valentines Ferry ship.  Ahoy!

After your unique and one of a kind experience at Casa de Aromas Restaurant, cozy up at home in a romantic garden gazebo that will be your private retreat for many days and nights. Created using Barnesworth Anubis Garden Gazebo (Dec 2014 Collabor88 item) and furnished with Aphrodite Shop/Heart Homes Valentines release is a sweet and simple hideaway that you can design too.  The inside of the gazebo is intimate and inviting with Heart Homes Romantic Piano and Garden Cafe Set {with pillar candles} dominating the space. (Please note that both Heart Homes items are part of the Valentine Gazebo collection, a set that includes 3 private pavilions connected by rose-covered bridges with animations and looks best submerged in water.)  Because it’s Valentine’s Day and I love Marina’s sweet treats I had to display part of the Valentine’s Mega Party Pack {discounted 25%} including the Salad Buffet Table, Dessert Tables #1 & #2 with animated fondue and strawberry jelly cookies, and Valentine Heart Shaped Balloon Arches, Floating Heart Balloons, and Love Signs.  I also added some recent releases from Serenity Styles consisting of the Love Gatcha items for the With Love Fair 2015 (2/6-20/15).  Finally, I incorporated Finishing Touches I Heart You Stacked Planter (discounted) and I Heart You Candle Trio (free subscriber gift) that matches perfectly with the I Heart You Retro Living Room collection I previously blogged.  Some other items used in the gazebo are Alouette Cupid’s Arrow (past group gift), What Next Tivona Tree Lanterns, and Free Bird Love Neon Sign (free subscriber gift).  I hope you enjoyed the romantic garden gazebo and have a wonderful passionate Valentine’s Day!

Taxi to Aphrodite Shop Valentine Market please…