An Enchanted Home Story

before and after

An Enchanted Home Story

April 07, 2017

Blue and white balloon valance over farmsink in elegant kitchen by Enchanted Home

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

One of the most enjoyable aspects of blogging is making

online friends, and Tina of The Enchanted Home

is one of my besties as we go way back

to a time I was living in a Nordic French home,

and she was building an enchanted French-inspired

chateau along with a beautiful home decor business.

I can't tell you how fun it was to journey

with Tina as they constructed this magnificent

home, and she blogged about the progress,

sharing glimpses of her creative process and

daily life as the dream blossomed into reality.

The Enchanted Home blog and shop are

cherished by thousands because of the

loveliness at their core:

a friendly hostess with a

heart of gold and a keen eye for style.

I love her.

I would love this blogger if she called

home a cardboard box and decided to

blog solely about pauper-life enchantment.

She's smart, witty, tender, and could pull it off.

But her home happens to be exquisite,

and she welcomes us into it freely,

sharing inspiration beyond it

with fashion, recipes, and

entertaining tips we can trust.

If you know her, then you know blue and white

are totally Tina's jam...but let's pull back the veil!

Let's go deeper with this lovely blogger, oui?

Also.

I have a special treat for those of you who

love a good before/after story.

Yep...some shots of the enchanted home's

under-construction progress which were

shared years ago on Tina's blog.

Onward.

Gorgeous Paris inspired black and white hallway with marble stone floor and orchids by Enchanted Home

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

HL: YOUR 6 ESSENTIAL DESIGN ELEMENTS?

Tina: Blue and white, Something mirrored,
Flowers, Texture, Great lighting (lamps or sconces)
and Books.

(For awesome blue and white options, visit her shop!)

Breathtaking French blue and white kitchen with wood beams white cabinetry by Enchanted Home

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

HL: IF YOU COULD BE ANY PERSON
FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Tina: Whoa, loaded question.
Several come to mind, but I would only want to be them
for one day and then get back to the business
of being me and living a conventional life. :)

Princess Kate in casual fashion with blue and white and wedges

Princess Kate (in blue and white!)

Princess Kate...she is one royal I know
I would connect with, and it would be fun
to live her life for a day and see
if royalty is all its really cracked up to be,
Tory Burch or Aerin Lauder (to get to run their empire
with their global reach just to see what it feels like),
Angela Merkel (would be fascinating to see the world
through her eyes as a woman of immense power).
I could go on but think that's a pretty interesting list for one day:)

(I am not sure I'd like living in Princess Kate's

digs more than Tina's... get ready for

some before and afters of

The Enchanted Home!)

Under construction family room at Enchanted Home

BEFORE

During construction of French chateau kitchen by Enchanted Home

BEFORE - KITCHEN

Under construction French chateau kitchen before shot by Enchanted Home

BEFORE - KITCHEN

DURING

Breathtaking French chateau kitchen limestone floor by Enchanted Home

AFTER

Wow!

Blue and white Enchanted Home French inspired kitchen with farm sink and balloon valance

AFTER

HL: Let's talk FAVORITES...

Tina: colors- blue, green and white
number- 2, 4, and 8...has to be even!
dog breed- Golden Retriever (of course)
food- either sushi or pasta
flower- a toss up between orchids and hydrangeas
season- fall, hands down
water- Poland Spring and Pellegrino for sparkling

Orchids on island in blue and white French inspired Enchanted Home kitchen

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

HL: FAVORITE MUSIC?

Tina:
I actually love a really broad range,
from reggae to classical to some pop
to bossa nova, go figure!

(I'm only slightly disappointed she
did not mention 'Belieber' in her response.)

Elegant huge island in blue and white French inspired Enchanted Home kitchen

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

HL: FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Tina:
Horses (of course after Teddy).

(I love Teddy too!)

Bell jar light fixtures in elegant blue and white Enchanted Home kitchen

The Enchanted Home - Kitchen Tour

HL: FAVORITE DESIGN BOOK?

Tina:
I have many but a few would be:
Point of View by Bunny Williams
The Age of Elegance by Alex Papachristidis
One Man's Folly by Furlow Gatewood
Beautiful by Mark Sikes

Blue and white ginger jars on huge island in French country Enchanted Home kitchen

The Enchanted Home - Kitchen Tour

HL: FAVORITE FABRIC?

Tina:
Way too many but show me a luxurious
striae velvet and I melt!
In the course of 10 seconds, I can come up
with six reasons why I absolutely NEED it.

(Hahahaha. Only designfreaks
like the ones reading this interview
will understand!)

HL: FABRIC WALLPAPER?

Tina:
Love many but a handpainted chinoiserie
mural/wallpaper from Paul Montgomery,
Gracie or DeGournay has impact like no other.

Exquisite French country white kitchen cabinets limestone floor in Enchanted Home French chateau

The Enchanted Home - Kitchen Tour

HL: FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT?

Tina:
Maybe anything from La Prairie, a fabulous line
that works beautifully for my skin.

HL: FAVORITE LUXURY?
Tina:
Time!!! I just need more:)

Breathtaking hall with archway and handpainted wallcovering in Enchanted Home house

The Enchanted Home - Entry

HL: FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT?
Tina:
Provence, no where else quite like it!

HL: FAVORITE MEAL TO COOK?
Tina:
Beef Bourguignon, I channel my
inner Julia Child and make believe I am
in my country home in Avignon,
it feels almost real when I can pipe
in French music and open a bottle of red:)

(Apparently you can take the girl out of Avignon,

but you can't separate Avignon from the girl...

just look at this unbelievably enchanting

transformation of the family room in

Tina's French inspired beautiful home!)

Under construction magnificent family room in Enchanted Home French chateau

BEFORE

Blueprint of architecturally magnificent family room by Enchanted Home

The Enchanted Home - Family Room Blueprints

Breathtaking architecture in Enchanted Home family room with wood beams and paneling

AFTER: The Enchanted Home - Family Room

See what I mean about how fun it was

for Enchanted Home blog friends years ago

as we watched this home come into existence!?!

Magnificent loggia with stone fireplace blue and white decor and archways by Enchanted Home

The Enchanted Home - Loggia with Blue and White

HL: FAVORITE SHOP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION?
Tina: Can I count my own? LOL, seriously I love
going to the D and D building in NYC,
so much inspiration all in one big concrete box!

HL: FAVORITE TRIP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION?
Tina: France hands down...are you seeing a trend here?

Oui. And we likey.

The Enchanted Home - Loggia

HL: And now on to some fun "firsts."

FIRST THING YOU DO IN THE MORNING?
Tina: C O F F E E!!!

HL: FIRST JOB YOU EVER WORKED?
Tina: Summer job at Godfather's Pizza...
I wasn't very good
and needless to say it did not last long,
I decided babysitting was far easier:)

That's it. We must have another interview
which strictly covers the Godfather's Pizza
chapter of your adolescence...I insist!

HL: FIRST TIME YOU BOARDED A PLANE?
Tina: At the ripe old age of 1 from California to Japan!
Talk about a pint sized jetsetter:)

Sophisticated French inspired neutral decor Enchanted Home bedroom in French chateau

The Enchanted Home - Bedroom

HL: FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN
YOU ARRIVE HOME
AFTER A STRESSFUL DAY?
Tina: Change into my cotton pjs and exhale...
favorite part of my day.

I love that!

Luxurious bathtub and French inspired paneling in white Enchanted Home bathroom

The Enchanted Home - Bath

HL: FIRST PLACE YOU WOULD TAKE ME
IF I VISITED YOUR CITY/TOWN?
Tina: Maybe start with Central Park to take in all the
"Newyorkcityness," stoll along Madison Ave and then
go into Soho to a fun, trendy restaurant.

(I am totally game for experiencing a New York moment
or 5 in Central Park with you, Tina...
hang on to your hard hats now, friends,
for a before/after of the enchanting home's exterior.)

Under construction front entrance with limestone architecture at Enchanted Home chateau

DURING

Elegant French limestone entrance to Enchanted Home French chateau

AFTER: The Enchanted Home - Exterior

Under construction Enchanted Home French inspired chateau

DURING

Under construction exterior of French chateau by Enchanted Home

DURING

Breathtaking panoramic of French chateau exterior by Enchanted Home

An Interview With The Enchanted Home

Boom!

Blue and white French inspired kitchen and family room by Enchanted Home

HL: ANY PARTICULAR FIRST
THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT FOR YOU?
Tina: Well besides owning my first ginger jar...lol,
my first apartment...I was 22, newly married
and we bought an apt in NYC, all 880 sq feet
of it...and thought we lived in the Taj Mahal.

I'm seriously impressed that your apartment
was that large (our first house was that size!)
and that you married young like me!
We were children, Tina!

Exquisite elegant wallcovering and sconces in luxurious powder room by Enchanted Home

The Enchanted Home - Powder Room

Tina: And becoming a mom for the first time,
there was no turning back, and it was the
first time I discovered
what unconditional love is.

A powerful first.

Yes.
And that's another important thing we share in
common as mamas of sons only...mamas who
can hardly wait for grandchildren!

Thank you, Tina, for your friendship,
your spirit of generosity, and your
beautiful sentiments.

Elegant long table and chairs on French chateau loggia with archways at Enchanted Home

The Enchanted Home Interview

I am so grateful to my blog sister,Tina,
for making time for us
and for sharing so thoughtfully.

She's gonna shoot me for including this,
but The Enchanted Home is on the short list
of nominees for the
2017 JDR Industry Blogger Awards,
and you can vote for her blog here.

If you want to learn more about this
blogger, read another interview
I did with her here.

Visit The Enchanted Home and the
lovely shop born from it, where you
can journey with Tina and be inspired...
I know I am!

Peace to you right where you are.

Hello Lovely Studio Michel pointe shoes ballet slippers denim

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christmas decorations

6 Tips for an Enchanting Holiday

November 25, 2016

What a treat to share holiday tips

and magic from my friend Tina of

The Enchanted Home,

a beautiful blog and shop where

classic, traditional, and timeless design

reign supremely and where

blue and white are best friends.

(Did your jaw drop when you glimpsed

her elegant Parisian-like entry above?)

Tina puts her heart into the details that make others feel special.

Tina has created a gorgeous home for

her loved ones, and she kindly extends

the enchantment to her readers.

Her sense of joy for house and home is inspiring,

and I suspect the secret to her success as

a designer, influencer, and shop owner is

her blessed gift for hospitality.

We may not have the pleasure of visiting

her enchanting abode in person, but

Tina invests so much heart into each post

and shares so freely her tried and true

recipes and ideas, that she essentially

invites us to enter the gates and to

dine at the table.

And don't we all want to be invited to the table?

6 Tips for an Enchanting Holiday!

Your approach to holiday decor...one fell swoop or gradual?

Tip No. 1

My planning falls into the category of several

"mini stages." I wish I could say I had a master plan

like some and did it all in one day with a formal list

of "to do's" and military-like precision, but my nature

is much more free spirited and pretty spontaneous

with changes often happening at a moments notice.

Somehow, it all comes together.

I normally start after Thanksgiving (in recent years)

and tweak until right before Christmas!

Does your holiday decor evolve from year to year?

Tip No. 2

My approach to decorating changes a bit year to year.

This year it's all about mostly blue and white,

white holiday flowers (amaryllis and paperwhites),

and touches of gold.

Walk me through an ideal evening of holiday entertaining

at The Enchanted Home...

what is engaging my eyes, nose, ears, and tongue?

Tip No. 3

Oh boy, well we do hold an annual Christmas party

for our families so that's always a fun and festive night.

It starts with my waking up early and prepping

all throughout the day...with food, dishes,

flowers, and gifts ever present.

I take what I serve seriously, and my kitchen

island will be full of all kinds of things from

baked goods to cheeses, fruit and specialty items

from a local Italian specialty shop

so I can make one of my big antipasta platters

everyone looks forward to.

There will be dough for cookie baking

and plenty of ingredients for whatever I plan

to be making that night.

You will smell a baked brie in the oven along

with specialty holiday cookies that I make every year.

There will be lots of other good things happening,

a plethora of yummy sights and scents.

And in my kitchen, it's unlimited "taste testing!"

I will be sure to have Christmas music playing

and a beautifully scented candle burning

to add to the holiday magic.

I always set a time "to be done by" and allow myself

an hour or so of total rest, normally that means

a bubble bath around 3 pm and a chance

to rest my feet.

By 5 p.m., the lights come on, the music gets

turned up, and the kitchen becomes holiday

party central...there is a fun buzz in the air,

and it's a sure sign the holidays have arrived!

We usually have one or two trees, but my sister is famous for having nine, how about you...and do you get creative with decorating the Christmas tree?

Tip No. 4

I normally only have one tree.

I used to put a tree in my son's room (per his request)

since he loved colored lights and I only wanted white...

this way he got his wish!

I think one day when I have grand kids,

I will put up a second tree and allow them to

decorate it to their hearts' content.

I think it will be a fun tradition so with every year

they can add on ornaments of their choosing.

But for now it's one big one right in my foyer.

In terms of a special holiday meal,

what would your dream menu include?

Tip No. 5

Call me sentimental, a creature of habit, or plain lazy

but, I do love the traditional turkey dinner we

always have on Christmas day.

It's been that way for so long it would feel

sacrilegious to have anything else.

However if I wanted to change it up

and as long as I am dreaming....

It would have to start with a champagne toast!

Then we would move onto a caviar crostini (yum)

followed by a cold crabmeat cocktail.

For dinner I am thinking something really decadent

like a rich seafood casserole, a petite filet mignon
with a side of grilled asparagus.

For dessert a delicious moist fudgy chocolate

torte cake with cream fraiche and berries

would do just fine with a well prepared cappuccino

(sounds like stretchy pants would be a prerequisite

to indulging in this decadent meal).

Sounds good to me, especially if there are
leftovers for the next day!

The last tip is actually a little holiday treat

I dreamed up for my friend Tina
because she is such a treasure.

Tip No. 6

I re-visited her post from Christmas 2015

and noted she had crafted a brilliant holiday checklist.

I organized that brainstormed list

into a simple graphic

to share with everyone with hopes to

"be a little more organized next year."

Who doesn't need more organizing help?

From Hello Lovely with love, enjoy an

Enchanted Holiday Checklist

via Tina and The Enchanted Home:

With these tips from Tina for an enchanting holiday,

let's ditch chaotic and frazzled for:

Thanks so much for the Enchanting Holiday Tips, Tina!

Thank you, Michele, for allowing me to visit
your lovely blog and spread some holiday cheer...
happy holidays to all!

Peace to you right where you are.