August, 2017 - Petite Haus

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Angelina August 25, 2017 Uncategorized

The Floor Saga, Fall finds, Game of Thrones and more – Five on Friday!

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In this post – last of Summer, hello Fall, House and Garden Updates, and Game of Thrones

This post contains affiliate links

Summer Eating…

We enjoyed some iced lattes in these cute cups…

Husband made this delicious pizza from scratch. It was his best yet! You can get the recipe here. We bake our pizzas on our outdoor grill using this pizza stone.

I Spy… Fall in the Stores!

Yep, Fall is *just* around the corner and even I have pulled out a few of my Fall pieces…

Pottery Barn got in their Halloween and Fall decor.

As did Williams Sonoma. I am a sucker for spatulas – I am going to have to get their vintage Halloween ones!

Also love the vintage melamine plates – for kids and adults!

This was at a local store, they always have fun displays.

Garden Updates

Pumpkin patch is growing… slowly but surely.

I love this zinnia – it comes back every year and is the most beautiful of them all!

The Floor Saga

While building this house of ours, which we thought was going to be done by the end of September, we hit kind of a big hiccup – the floors that we picked out a year ago were not going to make it here on time.

In fact it is a 6 week delay PLUS time to sit in port and customs, so sometimes that can take months…

So last week we frantically drove around town trying to find some new floors that we liked.

We found new floors we liked – in fact, we liked them even better than the original floors.

They have a 4 week delay.

But we like them better, so we shall wait.

It is kind of ironic that we picked our floors out first and then matched colors and surfaces to the floors – only to have to reject the floor in the end! The color of these new floors is very similar to the old floor.

I like that these have an old world feel. I like the warmth that they bring.

Game of Thrones

Spoilers

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Spoilers

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Spoilers

Final warning!

Ok, let’s talk about last week’s episode.

First, I am legit upset about what happened to Viserion the dragon. Like so upset I teared up when it died. I felt just as bad about his death as Ned Stark’s death. I mean, it is just a pet reptile, after all. They are Dany’s children but we watched them grow too, so I feel like that is why I am attached.

But first, I just need to complain – like really, the Night King can suddenly throw an ice spear into the heart of a moving dragon with one hit? There are lots of things in this show that aren’t real, like, um dragons and an army of undead for instance, but this type of thing is unbelievable to me.

And then, the Night King suddenly has giant ass chains that he happens to have and can pull the dragon out of the water *before* it freezes over again to turn him into ice dragon? NAH. Sorry, I just don’t buy it. How did they even get those chains attached? The only way I see this as plausible is that the Night King is somehow Bran and foresaw what was going to happen and had prepared.

And where is Bran? Can’t he just tell everyone what’s going to happen?

And Arya needs to CALM herself down.

And I am digging Dany’s Winter coat, as above in the picture. Can I have one too?
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Angelina August 22, 2017 Swedish and Gustavian

What is Gustavian Style? And why I love it!

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In this post – What is Gustavian Style and why I love it!

Post may contain affiliate links.

Gustavian style is a decorating style named after King Gustav III of Sweden.

King Gustav III had gone to visit the Palace of Versailles, and was naturally impressed and decided to create his own Paris of the North in the 1780s.

King Gustav painting source- wikipedia

Below, a picture of Haga Palace, where the Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria resides and was one of the palaces of King Gustav III.

source: Swedish Royal Court/Håkan Lind

Gustavian is a Swedish twist on French Neoclassicism. It has the same proportions as the French styles, but muted color palettes and different carved woods – birch, beech and pine, all native to the area.

Below is an interior from the Haga Palace – an original Gustav interior!

It is similar to neoclassical Louis XIV French style but a bit pared down in opulence -but obviously still opulent, I mean, look at this library in the Gustavian style. The muted colors sing to me.

Large mirrors were gilded and helped maximize the light in the Winter, while chandeliers had five or seven arms with candleholders. Additionally candles were added to wall sconces.

Below, an interior from Masreliez house, another palace of King Gustav.

Often, the furniture was painted in pale colors to brighten up dark rooms during long Scandinavian Winters.

Upholstery followed suit, and furniture was covered in soft colors. Wouldn’t this room seem so cheerful when it is dark and snowing 6 months a year?

Now, Gustavian Style or Gustavian Provincial came later… 1850s-1920s. It is also called Swedish Country Style. Below is a prime example of Gustavian style. It is softer and the least formal of the styles.

via Franki Durbin

I love Gustavian style! It is one of my favorite decor styles of all time. I love French country style too – and they are extremely similar.

via Master Henrik Antik

If you love Gustavian style, please go check out Tone on Tone – a fabulous blog and antique store run by Loi Thai.

If you have a hard time telling the difference between French and Swedish – I recommend just looking for a Mora clock in the room!

via Swedish interiors

True Gustavian antiques go for thousands of dollars – but you can find cheaper ones that were made in the late 1800s and earlier 1900s that are more reasonable.

via Swedish interiors

Love this style, picture from the Gianettis – you must check out her book Patina Farm!

via Velvet and Linen

I love all of the carved pieces – someday I hope to own a Gustavian settee…

Like Swedish and Gustavian Style? Check out all of my other Gustavian posts here.

I have two Pinterest boards: Swedish Mora Clocks and Gustavian Decor.

A great article about Gustavian decor.

Swedish Interior Design has lots of pretty Swedish antiques.

Shop Gustavian Decor here:

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Angelina August 20, 2017 Switzerland

Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and my favorite Swiss chocolate

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In this post – Visiting Switzerland’s Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen Valley and a review of Läderach chocolate.

I realized I have not done many posts of my trip to Switzerland last year! There has been so much going on with the house build that I forgot to write about our trip!

Above is a photo of Grindelwald, Switzerland. It is located in the Bernese Highlands (Berner Oberland) and it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world!

There are several towns to stay in the Berner Oberland – Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and the auto-free Mürren and Wengen (only accessible by cable car), and the larger city of Interlaken down the hill by Lake Thun.

We chose to stay in Grindelwald because it was accessible by car (we had a car). It is less touristy than Lauterbrunnen as well. It had more dining options and more hotels than both Mürren and Wengen, which are located up on the cliffs.

As you can see, it is beautiful. We had views of the Eiger (the name of the big mountain) from our room!

It was a cute town and this hotel below was gorgeous, but unfortunately booked when we were visiting.

On the other side of the hill in the other valley is Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen is beautiful as well, this is the view below when you enter the valley!

As you can see, everything you dream about when you think of a Swiss village in the Alps!

Waterfalls coming down the cliffs in this town. It is called the valley of 72 waterfalls – I guess in the Spring there are TONS of waterfalls!

It reminded me a lot of Yosemite Valley… except it was populated! This town is definitely full of tons of tourists in the day – it is a stopping point for a lot of tour buses so that they can take the train up to the Jungfraujoch.

Below is Staubbach Falls, here at the end of Summer it is still running!

Lots of gorgeous Swiss chalets…

I loved all of their buildings! Designed to hide from the snow.

Also in Lauterbrunnen Valley are the Trummelbach Falls.

These falls are unique because they are inside the mountain! You take an underground lift to the waterfalls and hike around in caves and pop out at viewpoints here and there to see the falls.

They carry water directly from the glaciers above.

I’ve included another picture (not mine) to show you all the beautify of Lauterbrunnen Valley with more waterfalls flowing!

Now, let’s talk about my FAVORITE chocolatier EVER: Läderach.

(Is it funny I still distinctly remember eating this piece of chocolate – it was a pistachio marzipan covered in dark chocolate and it was heavenly.

This chocolate is unique such that it is made fresh and served in sheets, just like below! You buy it based on weight.

My favorites are: dark chocolate hazelnut which is amazing because they candied the hazelnuts! Blackberry dark chocolate is amazing too (pictured below), and then there was a chocolate orange which was made with fresh orange, and a triple nut as well.

They had cute truffles in various shapes for the Fall, too!

But the cow chocolates were my favorite! Look at them! So cute!!

I bought this Fall themed box of chocolate – and none of them made it back on the plane even! So tasty!

Unfortunately, Läderach does not have any stores located in the USA. But they do ship to the USA (but not in the Summer months – I tried! My husband bought me some for Valentine’s Day this year, how sweet!)

When I was reading on various message boards and books about how to choose which town to stay in when in the Berner Oberland, no one mentioned that Läderach was in Grindelwald… like seriously I would choose to stay in Grindelwald so that I may go pick fresh chocolate every day of my trip!

Every town has a great view so that isn’t a deciding factor. In fact it is hard to take a bad picture in Switzerland because it is so beautiful. The two towns that are pedestrian only are interesting but very small with limited dining options.

I find it fitting that I rambled on about how much I loved this Swiss chocolate – because the Swiss really do love their chocolate! They even had bags for sale of just “snacking” chocolate!

Hope to return some day… maybe next year?

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Angelina August 18, 2017 England

Luxe English Country Style – Friday Favorites

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I have a crush…

on Alice’s country estate.

Not Alice from Alice in Wonderland, but looking at this pictures it does seem like a wonderland!

Alice lives in this fabulous house, Nantclwyd Hall, from the 17th century with a facade from the 1810s. This is house came from her husband’s (Tom) side. It was decorated in the 1950s by John Fowler for his Tom’s parents.

Love the tapestries and chandelier.

I see this fancy palm tree and think, my cat would love that.

Rose fabric above and below is from Colefax and Fowler in Jubilee Rose. Below is her dressing room full of designer clothes!

Below, her dressing table.

Bennison chairs and taxidermy.

Alice and her friend dressed up to go on a proper English ride (or hunt?)

Beautiful gardens, love the bird topiaries! Nothing quite like an English garden!

The walls are painted in Edward Bulmer’s Cuisse de Nymphe Emue

I must say, the only thing I don’t care for is all of the taxidermy, such as this unicorn below.

Antique Persian rug.

Bennison curtains with Colefax and Fowler wallpaper.

And here is the it-girl, Mrs. Alice.

You can follow Alice’s Instagram here.

Below are the sources and links to the full articles – I think you will all enjoy them!

Photos labeled with AD are from Architectural Digest with photography by Simon Upton.

Photos without the AD are from Vogue with photography from Jooney Woodward.

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Angelina August 15, 2017 Beauty and Fashion

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2017

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello all, today let’s take a look at Chanel Haute Couture 2017!

I love looking at the runways of haute couture – really because I love textiles and see these pieces as works of art.

The show’s set was below a replica Eiffel tower!

Even the silhouettes of the dresses are inspired by Le Eiffel.

I love this modern take on a retro shoe!

Pictures via Vogue.

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Angelina August 13, 2017 French Country

My Stylish French Box Review

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

In this post – a review of My Stylish French Box

note – I did not receive compensation for this review. I purchased this.

This Francophile finally broke down and ordered My Stylish French Box.

My Stylish French Box is a quarterly subscription box curated by Sharon Santoni of My French Country Home.

She started the box this year and I was a little hesitant to order it because of its cost – $200 for a subscription box is a bit steep! Especially since you don’t know what you are exactly buying!

Well, I bit the bullet and pressed purchase.

And last week, my box arrived! Oh I was so excited to see what my goodies fresh from France were!

I opened the box and immediately this subtle smell of fig, lavender and olive wafts out of the box!

I felt like I was being transported to France and knew I was going to like whatever was in this box!

Descriptions of each of the items was in the flier.

This box’s theme was Summer in Provence.

Here are all of the goodies inside of the box – a mini French market basket, a linen scarf, a candle, body scrub, Provence salt, soap, a vintage key, a bracelet and a watercolor.

This body scrub is great! I have already used it and love it. It is a nice big size too.

The French soap smells wonderful too – I love to put these soaps in my linen closet so the sheets smell amazing!

I have not yet used this but it is Fleur de Sel with rosemary and thyme. How cute is that little spoon on the side!

I am burning this candle as I type this and it smells so lovely – a pleasant scent of sweet figs! The green behind the candle is actually a green colored scarf – already have worn it!

There is a cute little watercolor included as well.

A vintage key perfect for little vignettes.

I’d say the only thing I don’t care for is this handmade ceramic bracelet – it is just not my style at all.

I have already put my French market basket to use and filled it with dried lavender from the garden.

Overall, I really enjoyed this box!

I am contemplating purchasing it again for the Winter box.

I was pleasantly surprised by all of the goodies and have already used almost all of them and I have only had the box for one week!

You can see contents of previous boxes here and decide if this is right for you or as a gift.