I wanted to show our stairway area. The wall leading up the stairs is hand painted with a crosshatch design and Fleur d' Les. It looks a bit like wallpaper, but it's all hand painted. I can't take credit for it though as it was here when we moved in. It was just part of what made me love the house. Whoever painted it had incredible patience...and a love of geometry I think.
Here is a close up of the Fleur d' Les. Each Fleur d' Les has gold leafing on it. Not sure if you can tell very well by the picture.
I also wanted show the opposite view from the stairs.
The paint in the living room is a pale grey. The picture on the wall is one of my grandma and two of her sisters. My grandma is the baby on the right - sitting up the highest. Her name was Mildred.
Pictured below is the mirror that hangs at the bottom of the stairs. Reflected is the chest of drawers, which sits next to the stairs. I wish you could see the mirror itself better. It's an antique and is black with gold leafing around it. The glass is mottled, which I love. I used a ribbon to hang it on the wall.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Oh my! So, so pretty. Who has patience to paint that? Amazing.
My favorite picture is the last one...I love the reflected image in that gorgeous mirror.
Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Meredith | July 28, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I spy ....some Nancy Drew books on the table in the living room!! I think maybe I will start collecting some of them for my guest room, then I can sneak away and read them again. Happy weekend.
Janet
Posted by: janet | July 28, 2007 at 02:31 PM
As always, I love the pictures of your home. My grandma's name was Mildred, too. I'd love to have a wonderful picture of her similar to yours. The painting on the stair wall is incredible. I would never have the patience - or the talent - to do that.
Posted by: Adrienne | July 28, 2007 at 05:55 PM
Wonderful pictures, I love the picture of your Grandmother... the frame and matting are just perfect, it has inspired me to do something like that in my home with a picture of my Grandmother. Thank you! :)
Posted by: Dawn | July 28, 2007 at 07:43 PM
Love the pictures! The painted wall is amazing. And I too love the old mirror. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Penny
Posted by: Penny | July 28, 2007 at 08:55 PM
What a beautiful staircase! Not only do I love the painting, but the curved banister is gorgeous as well!
Posted by: Kim | July 28, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Allison, I LOVE your shutters at the window!! And, the curtains too! Wish I had the sort of house where you could have shutters, but our windows aren't really the right sort!! I'm also going to 'steal' your idea of using pretty ribbon to hang pictures or mirrors-it looks great!
Do you know, each time I see the picture of your hand-painted walls, I marvel at the patience and skill of the person who created it!! Wouldn't it be funny if they read your blog and posted a reply, saying how long it took them!!!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend over there-'see' you soon, love your friend Sophie xx
Posted by: Sophiehoneysuckle | July 29, 2007 at 04:25 AM
Beautiful staircase and I love that grey.
Posted by: carolyn | July 29, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Just found your blog and have been enjoying reading back through the archives! What a beautiful house you have!!!
Posted by: Victoria | July 29, 2007 at 12:48 PM
I love that stairway. It looks really great. Thanks for sharing that and your pretty living room.
Blessings
Posted by: Linda Gagnon | July 29, 2007 at 02:44 PM
The wall is beautiful. I can only imagine how difficult it had to have been to get the lines so exact. Your grandmother's picture is so nicely framed~gives it a real place of honor. And I adore your Scotty bookend!
Posted by: Lallee | July 29, 2007 at 07:20 PM
Gorgeous wall painting -- no wonder you fell in love with the house! I cannot imagine the skill, time and patience that some dear soul took to get all of those lines correct.
Just love your home -- and your style. Your house is lucky to find someone like you -- with the soul to make it into a home!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage who visits here often! But rarely posts ..... must work on that stage!
Posted by: Jan | July 29, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Wow! ~ that's absolutely beautiful! I have always loved fleur de lis & how wonderful that all that beautiful artwork was already there waiting for you! You have a beautiful home & a lovely blog! Love those backyard pictures!
Have a great week!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | July 29, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Oh my gosh.....love that wall, sisterfriend. I can't imagine being able to do something like that - very special!
xoxo,
martha
Posted by: Martha | July 30, 2007 at 06:31 AM
Hi, Allie, I just love your house..everytime you share new pics, it's a treat! I was trying to figure out if your house is new or old, it's hard to tell. Looks like it might be older because of the wonderful details I see, but you can't always tell. I just love that handpainted stairway, it really adds some nice touches to your foyer area.
Rhoda
Posted by: Rhoda | July 30, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Allison,
You have a truly beautiful home. I wonder if a deocorative painter did the stairs - I know I could never do it! I've often thought of hiring a decorative painter for areas of our home but I'm so fickle and constantly changing I don't want someone to go through the work (nor do I want to go through the $!) only to want to change it within a year. I do love the classic timelessness of the fleur de lis.
Karla
Posted by: Karla | July 30, 2007 at 10:36 AM
The wall is beautiful, Allison! I think it's so nice that you have a picture of your grandma and her sister's. I really love your curtains, too!
Posted by: HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs - Kim | July 30, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Love your grey walls! I have loved grey since I bought my first house in 1991 but never had a chance to paint a room that color until I painted my studio recently.
Posted by: Jen | July 31, 2007 at 08:53 AM
You're killing me! I can't believe your house came with that beautiful painting! It is absolutely beautiful. Maybe I could tackle that project ... some day.
Posted by: Heather J | August 01, 2007 at 08:09 AM
Hi Allie - have been travelling so much and just now getting caught up with everyone! Wow that is beautiful painting on your staircase - really enhances your already lovely home. Glad you are doing well - guess this means the new job is working out for you - I'm so glad!
Keep in touch - Mary.
Posted by: Mary | August 01, 2007 at 04:24 PM
As always, your home is gorgeous.
Love it all...
Hugs,
Sue
Posted by: Sue | August 08, 2007 at 10:08 PM