Sitting pretty...


I love embroidery.  Especially when it is applied to furniture.   So when I came to Nicola Mascall's table at the Kensington show, I could not resist buying this beautiful chair (made by David Booth) with 'Rose Garland' embroidery on the seat.

It looks so pretty in the Salon of my first Canal House!





My second purchase from Nicola Mascall was an embroidered cushion with a lovely plump red cat on it.  I actually bought it with the intention of giving it as a thank you to Elly, as she let me ride with her to the show in Rheda, Germany (a nearly 8 hour round trip!).

But when I got to Elly's house and looked at one of her beautiful dolls houses, I immediately spotted something I recognized...the very same pillow.  Oh well, I could have guessed...Elly loves cats and is a very accomplished needleworker.

I will have to think of something else for Elly.  The pillow is now finding a spot in my own dolls house.     It looks rather nice in the study where it matches nicely with the tiger rug I bought earlier this year.



I'll tell you more about the tiger rug in another post.  I am trying to get some full sized painting done outside, but the rain is forcing me to take breaks.   It has cleared again, so I'm going back out there! 
I make it sound like I am braving terrible conditions, but come on, it's supposed to be summer and it's 13 degrees...!

Comments

  1. Your home becomes more and more beautiful. For me it is a reference model. I look at it very often. I'm intrigued by your tiger fur, so unusual there! Where I live we would have quite a bit 'of rain. The soil in my orchard seems to African territory.

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    1. Thank you Blanche! The tiger rug is fun, I'll take some pictures of it next week if I have time.
      Well I suppose we shouldn't complaint too much about the weather as it is a lot worse in other places.

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  2. It is winter here and 22 degrees :-) I know, I know, it isn't fair!

    Love the chair and the cat cushion of course, glad you found a place in your own home for it!

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    1. NO IT IS NOT FAIR!!!!!! ;-))) 22 degrees for us IS summer :-) Oh well, next week should be better. I'm back inside as it started to drizzle again, no good for painting. But I did manage to paint one side of the shed.

      It's funny with the cat cushion, because I didn't buy it for myself, I'm having a bit of difficulty finding the right spot for it. For now, it rests on the floor in the study where it is looking pretty.

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  3. Forgot to say, I really love the teapot, makes me think of some of the pieces we saw in the Rijksmuseum.

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    1. Yes we did see some nice pieces there! I read on their Facebook page the garden is now finished and open to the public. Time for another visit soon I think! :-))

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    2. Yes, I saw that too, well, hopefully next year, the garden looks beautiful! You can scout it out in the meantime ;-)

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  4. The embroideries are wonderful, especially the chair.

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    1. Yes the pattern and colours on the chair are wonderful, I agree!

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  5. That chair is beautiful, I love the grain in the wood. The roses would have sold it to me at first sight. It is a gorgeous pattern with such pretty colors.

    At least you know you can choose the perfect gift for Elly. I am sure what ever else you find for her will delight her. ;-)

    I look forward to hearing more about the tiger rug.

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    1. Thank you Catherine! Nice to read you noticed the grain in the wood. I love the stripy effect on the back splat. I took a few photos a few days ago and the reflecting light didn't show it at all, so I changed the scene a bit and took new photos.

      I find giving gifts (unless they are flowers or plants) really difficult. Well not giving the gift, but choosing them, as I hate just buying something so that I have something to give. But I suppose a lot of people are like that.


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  6. I love the work of Nicola Mascall: you knew how to interpret it beautifully :-)
    Lovely hugs,
    Flora

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    1. I do too, and I'm so glad she did the embroidery or else it would not be finished for another few years I think ;-)

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  7. De stoel en kussen zijn prachtig Josje...net als dat schattige theepotje. Fijn dat je het kussen zelf kon houden :)

    Groeten Xandra

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    1. Dank je Xandra. Ja, een onverwacht cadeautje aan mezelf ;-)

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  8. I really like how it's turned out, when I look at it I want to shrink myself down so I can live there

    Hug
    Marisa

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    1. Ahh, thank you Maria! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could shrink ourselves down once in a while?! Just look out for cats as they would probably like us as a snack then ;-)

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  9. Me gustan mucho las compras. La silla es especialmente bonita.

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  10. So pretty! I also like your realistic fire.:-)

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    1. Thank you! The fire is a bit of plastic packaging material painted with glass paint and then coal (from the model train shop)sprinkled on top of the wet paint. It works well!

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  11. Hello Josje! What I like about the chair embroidery is the muted ground color that the garland of roses is sewn into. It gives the upholstery an air of gentle usage and loving preservation. It is not loud or 'Look at Me', in any way and yet when you see it, it is hard to look anywhere else. It entirely compliments the other beauties around it like the blue and white plate, the magnificent painting and the sidetable with the adorable teapot and flower arrangement. You have made a very harmonious and charming tableau.

    elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth. Your description of embroidery is perfect!

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  12. Hi Josje! De stoel is geweldig mooi werk, zowel het de verfijnde nerf van het hout als de geborduurde zitting! Jammer, dat Elly het kussentje al had, maar nu heb je er zelf wél eentje bij :D! Ben benieuwd naar het verhaal van de dooie tijger ;)!
    Schilder ze! Alhoewel het weer werkt niet echt mee op dit moment!
    Groetjes, Ilona

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    1. Dank je Ilona! Nee, het schilderen moest tussen de buien door, maar gisteren regende het echt te hard om iets te kunnen doen. Vandaag moet het wel lukken denk ik!

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  13. I can understand your heart stroke, Josje, this chair and the cushion are just gorgeous ♥ (some roses and cats, what more beautiful at home? ^^)! Hugs from Paris, Léa

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  14. A lovely atmosphere. It match perfectly with everything in the room. You are such an inspiration

    The cat looks so good on the top of the fend :)

    Hug Janne

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    1. Hi Janne! Well you have seen them all in real life. London was so much fun!

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  15. A beautiful chair in a beautiful house! Love the teapot and the blue and white dish too. It's just as cold here too and it's raining constantly. Summer seems to be waiting in the wings...

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    1. The weather should improve this weekend Idske. In fact, I can see the sun right now so time for me to head outdoors! Now if only the temperature would go up just a bit....

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  16. Hello Josje,
    Wonderful purchases! I love the embroidery! It is just beautiful and so well done.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  17. That chair is gorgeous, and the colors look like it was made specifically for your Salon! It looks like the background of the seat is a perfect match to your paneling. What a find!
    -Eliza

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    1. The background colour of the seat is a bit more blue than the paneling, but it is in the same 'family' of colours, so matches very well.

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  18. The chair is soo beautiful, and I love the little teapot---

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  19. Magnifique chaise, elle est en harmonie avec les jolis éléments de votre salon ! Le coussin chat est trop mignon.
    Bonne journée ! rosethé-Minima

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    1. Merci Rosethé! Et un bon week-end à toi!

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  20. Heel mooi weer, Josje! Ik bedoel "weer" als in again, niet als in weather...
    zelf heb ik met driedubbele loupebril en aangevuld met een 3+ leesbril, twee kussentjes van Nicola gemaakt: waaronder de dikke rode kat!
    groetjes van Margot

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    1. Nee het weer is niet zo mooi ;-) Maar dat komt vast nog.
      Ik heb ook een borduursel waar ik aan werk (heel soms) op ongeveer dezelfde manier als jij beschrijft. Ik vind het knap dat jij zo twee werkstukken af hebt gekregen, mij wil dat niet erg lukken. Zelfs met bril en loupe zie ik nog slecht welk gaatje ik moet hebben. Ik vind het niet echt ontspannen werken ;-)
      Leuk is die dikke kat hè?

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  21. That chair is certainly an elegant addition to your house --and so is the pillow! Hope you get some nice weather for your painting project.

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    1. Thank you John! It looks like it will be fairly sunny today (although still cold), so I should get myself in gear!

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  22. The chair is elegant. I really like the pillow with a cat.
    Greetings, Faby

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  23. Dear Josje,

    Thank you that I can heat myself at your fireplace. ;-) It's autumn instead of summer.
    What a wonderful chair. I love the embroidery an the wood.

    Greetings Dorien

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    1. Haha! Yes, I thought a picture of a warm fire would be appropiate at this time. Good thing we can laugh about it ;-)

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  24. OOOOH, what a Gorgeous chair!!! And the embroidery is Perfect for it!! I just love the lines of Queen Anne chairs.... they are so simple and graceful... and comfortable! And your cat cushion is Purr-fect! I look forward to hearing more about the Tiger.... As usual, all your selections are Beautiful and Beautifully made!

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    1. The chair was one of those purchases I didn't have to think about at all. And the nice thing is that even though I have it in this room now, it looks good in almost all rooms!

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  25. Bad bad weather! We are seeing up to 30 degrees with a lot of humidity, but I can't say I am complaining:) Of course I would have prefered to be at the beach, but we can't have everything we wish can we :) The chair is of course beautiful, but your canal house is so very very wonderful, anything you put looks great in it! It looks like you can film a historical romance in it :)

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    1. The weather has improved here over the weekend, it has gotten a bit warmer thankfully. Not to 30 degrees, but to be honest I am glad of that! I don't envy your humidity and heat ;-)
      How fun it would be to film a little romances in our houses! I do think it would be difficult to cast actors though ;-)

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  26. Exquisite purchases! They are so beautiful in your room.
    Geneviève

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  27. Hi Josje! What a beautiful chair and lovely embroidery. You have a great taste! Mini hugs, Natalia

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    1. Thank you Natalia, nice to hear from an embroidery expert like you!

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  28. All the things look loverly Josje ! The chair works wonderfully with your interior and I am happy that the cat has got a home. So sad if you would have had to send him to a shelter...:-)

    Cheers,
    Elly

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    1. Ah I could never send such a cute cat to a shelter! Especially since this one does not give me a rash... But I have changed where he lives since I took these photos, he is now in the kitchen of my new Canal House where he looks perfect! All's well that ends well ;-)

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  29. A fantastic embroidery ,combined with romantic scene .Like always you gave everything the perfect setting !!!

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    1. Thank you Jeannette. It is nice to find beautiful pieces which fit so nicely into my rooms.

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  30. The chair is perfect! I love the pillow, too. The canal house has come a long way. I would love to have a house just like it!

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    1. Ah yes Jean, I wouldn't mind a house just like this one either, although I would sure miss my garden, and, if I'm not mistaken, I think you would too ;-)!

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  31. Just perfect as usual i must say! Fantastic work, the chair is FAB! Thank you for sharing.Best regards from a very sunny and hot Lisbon!

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    1. Thank you Diogo. I was trying to find your blog again to add to the list in my side bar, but can't find it through clicking on your name.
      I hope you're not too hot down there!

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    2. Found it! Did a search on Google and found you via Facebook. I can't believe I am still your only follower! That needs to change! ;-)

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  32. Yes, this is sitting pretty indeed. Beutiful embroidery.

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    1. Isn't it? I am so glad I was able to buy this!

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  33. Hi honey
    Thanks for your lovely message, and for thinking of me.
    I'm very well thanks, a lot has been happening - all very good - Scott and I are back together and sorted our differences, I'm starting work on a new mini project, and I'm talking with a magazine about a running series of articles.
    Sorry for not commenting much lately, what with all the stuff going on, and not being online at home ( or at least, in my other place when we broke up) I've only been able to read Posts, but not comment! Anyway, now I have my ipad (I don't know what I did without it!!) I can leave comments all over the place...
    Thanks again.
    You're friend
    Simon x

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    1. Oh that is such good news! I am so glad everything turned out well for you and Scott! The magazine articles sound exciting, but I think you'll tell us all about that on your blog in due time?
      Don't worry about not commenting, time is precious and we don't want to be sitting at our computer all of the time (at least I don't!). Yes an Ipad is so easy to use! I don't have one yet, I'm trying to be sensible and keep using my laptop until that gives up the ghost...
      Good to hear from you Simon and glad you're doing well!

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