Miss Scarlett!

As any of my clients will attest to, I LOVE window treatments!  When I first learned I would be moving to the Atlanta area and reinventing and building my business in a new place, I feared I would only be doing "Scarlett O'Hara" draperies!  I couldn't get that picture out of my head of the old Carol Burnett skit with her coming down the grand staircase wearing a brass drapery rod on her shoulders and green velvet panels hanging upon her with large gold tassels tied at the waist.  Classic...

"I saw it in the winda and I just couldn't resist it!"

Fast forward five years... I actually have nothing against velvet draperies, as a matter of fact, sometimes they are the perfect fit!  These days most clients prefer a more simple or lighter look. Stationary panels made out of linens or blends, cottons, textures, raw silks, and of course a bit of pattern is always welcome.  Remember, I survived being a designer in the 80's and 90's so I did my share of swags and cascades, antique satins, ceiling to floor operable draperies, and embroidered sheers.  Those days are thankfully gone along with the accompanying hair dos of the day.

Drapery hardware has also become less fussy through the years.  Today I prefer using simple metal/iron rods, often black in color, but other finishes are used when complimenting existing fixtures.  Wood rods are also an option, but again much simpler finials are being used rather than the very large, ornate and carved selections of the past couple of decades.

Be it classic and traditional, contemporary or transitional, the look of stationary panels softens the windows and in my opinion completes the entire look and feel of the space.  I simply do not feel a room is complete without them.

Happy Easter!

I absolutely love holidays as you are quickly learning.  It gives me an excuse to design a new tablescape and share another memory with my family, and now with all who follow my blog.  But seriously, Easter means so much more to me, and at this time it is my hope that we stop and reflect the true meaning of the day.

Jesus paid the price for all our sins.  When we repent and believe in Him, we can change, and a better life begins. Easter stands for a second chance for us to choose to put things right; if we repent, and really believe, our record is polished clean.  Easter signals new beginnings; new growth, life, friendship, peace and giving.  The spirit of Easter is all about hope, love and joyful living.  If I could share my wish, it would be for all of us to live our lives as if everyday were Easter.

Now that my children are grown, I no longer make them Easter baskets, much to their dismay I am sure.  Now I have grandchildren to continue one of my silly little Easter traditions.  I started with my first child purely by accident including pretty girlie panties in her Easter basket.  I believe it simply was a trick for the beginning of potty training, but the tradition began that year.  The girls always looked forward to it, and although the boys thought it was kind of weird as they obviously preferred the peeps, they speak of it fondly today. Memories...

This years' Easter table was triggered by my discovery of the discounted lettuce plates almost three months ago.  I always buy 12 of everything whenever possible.  I had to go to three different stores to find my total, but I love them.  This sparked the entire look.  The dinner plates and bowls were also found at clearance with an additional 50% off! Orange napkins from a Thanksgiving years ago were folded to mimic bunny ears.  The placemats are actually from last year, but they fit the bill.  With a bit of imagination, I found the accent pieces here and there, used extra clay pots to house the fresh lettuce, and voila!  When one of my daughter's first saw it, she exclaimed, "Beatrix Potter!"  Not my intent, but I'll take it.

Rejoice in the spirit of Easter!

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

Traditions...

As you will soon learn, I feel very strongly about creating memories.  More specifically, traditions.  This can come in many forms which I will share in future blogs.  I suppose I am a real "softy" at heart, although many people/clients seem to think I am so strong.  Beyond that positive, energetic business persona that I believe always comes across, lies such a home body who lives for the simple things in life.

One particular passion of mine will probably not come as a surprise.  I love table settings!  Yep,  something that entwines Design, Food and Family. Dishes, stemware, linens, centerpieces, flatware, flowers, candles, accessories, place cards, oh my!!!  Obviously I create special tablescapes for various holidays and seasons, but I strive to have my dining table look beautiful on a daily basis.  It can simply be beautiful placemats with compatible napkins tied in a knot and a casual center piece. Sticks from my yard in large clear vessels are setting the mood currently.  Whenever I am in any discount home store,  I leave no stone unturned in the clearance sections in hopes of unearthing interesting placements and napkins.  They certainly do not have to match, as a matter of fact they rarely do. I obviously can order any type of fabric, but I get such a thrill when I am in a discount fabric store and find just the right amount of yardage in the clearance bin to make that perfect tablecloth!

Easter is fast approaching, and I have been planning my Easter table for two months!  I am so excited about this years' design!  I found clearance/discontinued plates and bowls with an additional 50% off! Very discounted accent plates were found driving to three different stores to get the amount I needed.  They will fit the theme perfectly.  With my vast collection of linens, I am combining some that were used in very different looks.  It's all about re-inventing and having fun. I know that my family thinks I am a bit obsessed about this, but I believe if asked, they would say that they love what I create and look forward to what else can come out of this crazy brain of mine.  Most importantly I hope I am creating memories.  Traditions.  My two grown daughters are showing signs of inheriting this passion and it gives me great joy to see their unique creations.  After all, sitting around that dining table as a family enjoying a meal is one of the greatest blessings, and looking at a beautiful tablescape just makes it that much better! ;-)

These are photos of my last two Easter tablescapes. This years' will be posted on Easter!

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

Why Mess With Perfection?

In honor of the first episode tonight of the final season of one of my all time favorite TV shows "Mad Men," I write this blog in hopes of keeping the classic dishes, (food, not women) of the 1960's alive.  Rick and I were watching a recorded episode of "Top Chef Masters" featuring two actors from the show (married) who were guests.  The theme of the episode is what prompted this post and what initiated my rant.  They shared that they are always asked to host and/or attend 1960's themed dinner parties, and they find the food of that time to be so boring.  WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Classics like, Coq au Vin, Orange Duck, Beef Wellington, Veal Oscar, Steak Diane, etc....OMG!  The challenge was to take these classics and others, and reinvent them. Or as they say today, "deconstruct." Oh brother.... Why? Do we honestly need to see Veal cut into a diamond, the hollandaise sauce made into foam, and the asparagus shaped into some kind of flower standing on end?  I say NOT!  I certainly know that there are ways to individualize a dish, but today's chefs are going to the extreme.

Many of you know that I am the daughter of a "REAL" French Chef. (I have a feeling he is up in heaven helping me write this.)  I have never professed to be a chef, but I do believe that having been raised in the french restaurant business, I learned a thing or two.  I am simply a good cook.  I still love the classics that my Dad made, and I obviously have enjoyed experimenting with many different types of cuisine, but why mess with perfection?  Although I am an Interior Designer by Trade, I am passionate about cooking for family, friends, and now sharing all things related to HOME, one of course being food.  Via this blog, Pinterest, and my business Facebook Page, I will continue to post pictures of food from my kitchen, hopefully soon including recipes.

So tonight I'm making Chicken Curry.  Always a family winner.  It was one of my Dad's favorites......

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

FIRST BLOG!!!

Finally... After years of talking about it, years of people telling me to do it, I am starting my blog, "At Home With Veronique."

As I begin to compose my thoughts, I wonder what my readers will find interesting about me, my work, my life... After all, there are millions of bloggers out there today.  Why on earth do I feel I have something different to offer?  In all honesty, I feel I have a lot to share.  I am blessed to have a loving husband, a beautiful family and home.  I have had my share of professional successes, and yet I know in my heart there is so much more I have yet to accomplish.  I hope through this blog to share my expertise and experiences, inspire, educate, and most importantly, always include laughter.

A little bit about myself... (abbreviated version) Ha ha ha...

I was raised in the French Restaurant business, the daughter of a French Chef.  We all worked in the business.  Father, Mother, and my two brothers.  My family is from Belgium and my entire extended family still resides there.  I am quite certain that my experiences both working in our restaurants, and having the opportunity to spend summers in Europe, made me into the woman I am today.  I always knew I did not want to make a career of the restaurant business... It's a very tough life, but I am eternally grateful for all the life lessons it afforded me.  I believe I knew early on that being an Interior Designer was in my future.  I can remember a specific situation when we were visiting my Grandparents in Belgium.  I believe I was about 8 or 9.  This particular day a group of my cousins, probably a dozen or so, were going on an adventure!  A day in the Ardennes, the forest, gallivanting in the countryside, probably a dip in the river.  My Grandmother made a huge picnic lunch for all of us.  At the last minute, I declined to join them as I knew my Grandmother was going to be wallpapering the dining room!  I wanted to stay and help her.  A sign?  I think so.... My cousins thought I was crazy, but I learned so much that day!  We of course had to make dinner for that crazy bunch upon their return, another wonderful part of that special day.  So yeah, I was a bit different, but I am who I am.

Fast forward... I have been an Interior Designer for over 30 years now.  I still love my work and continue to have such fulfillment from helping my clients with their homes and making their dreams come true.  I have always preferred doing residential design, opposed to commercial, as I love the personal relationships that come with it.  Another passion... FOOD!  I absolutely love to cook and entertain.  I suppose my favorites will always be the classics I learned from my Dad, but I love pretty much all types of cuisine and am certainly open to try anything new.  I am often told I am such a great chef, and I always correct the person and say that my Dad was a Chef, I am a really good cook.

So through this blog I hope to share with you my love of HOME.  All that is included within... Design, food, and family. Hang on everyone, we are going to have some fun!!!

Thank you for visiting!

Veronique