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11 February, 2011

Blue and White Are Back...or...Pierre Deux, Monet and...Me?

006 OK…I stood it as long as I could! I tried doing neutrals and actually have not had my favorite colors on my mantel since September. But now…it’s time for a change! Yes, my blue and white are back!

004 And at the center of it all..this great wreath topiary that I found in a consignment shop for $7.00! I love the shabby white container! I placed it on a couple of vintage books that came from Goodwill to give it a little more presence.

1432 When I found it, it was looking a little Christmasy…with a red bow and berries…so with the help of our co-host Baby Kitty, I removed all evidence of that and added an oh-so-frenchy Provençal fabric bow!

005 I also added two double happiness jars from my growing collection and topped them off with identical plates (what else?) from the Spode Blue Room Collection called Caramanian.

007 Flanking the topiary, a pair of candlesticks…also GW finds at $2.72 for the pair. What a bargain…and they match the plates in my header! 

008 The trio of white plates on the fireplace has been there for a while. I think they help to dress things up. And here’s the final look! What do you think? I have been having so much fun with my mantel since I added the mirror! It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities!

pierredeuxspring But I have to say…I am not the only fan of blue and white! Have you seen the new Pierre Deux online catalog for Spring? Does that caption say it all? There’s a nod to the chippy look plus lots and lots of the more traditional Provençal style that I love! Check it out! It takes a moment to load, but it is so worth it!

IMG_0563 However, it’s not a new color combination. In fact, it’s an old one! Take a look at the fabulous blue and white pots at the entrance of the home of my old friend…impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny, France! Come on in!

monetstable-smallDon’t you love his  yellow dining room…so warm and welcoming! And look at the tablescape...a fabulous collection of classic blue and white plates!  This photo and many more, plus recipes written in Monet’s own hand can be found in one of my favorite books…Monet's Table : The Cooking Journals of Claude Monetby Claire Jones. Monet believed that a successful meal was dependant upon a beautiful dinner service and even designed a personal set of china!

kitchen But my absolute favorite…the wonderful mismatched tiles in his blue and white kitchen! Now this is real French country decor! You can explore more of his home in Monet's House: An Impressionist Interiorby Heide Michels. And look...there's even a pot filler!

monet and me2 And finally, just in case you don’t believe we are old friends, here we are at the water lily garden during one of my visits. lol Don’t I  look young for my age? So I must say that, as much as I have enjoyed doing a little experimentation with neutrals, I feel like I have come home, surrounded by my favorite color combination.  After all, if Monet chose those colors for his house, Pierre Deux and I must be on to something! lol
(Antique photo look achieved using combine, clone stamp and antique photo features of Photoscape.)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my mantel!  Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Linda at A la Carte for Junkin' Finds on Fridays
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!

78 comments:

  1. Your mantle is beautiful! So fresh and springy!! I too am a lover of blue and white. Years ago my mother gave me her set of Blue Danube china. Everytime I use it I think of her and how she pulled it into service for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. It's so elegant. A few years a go I found a set of blue glass salad plates, lemonade pitcher and glasses which I added to the set. Thanks for sharing!

    xoxo
    Jenny

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  2. Love your new look. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the front of the home you posted. GORGEOUS!!!
    And that dining-room....I would never leave. Love the picture of you and Monet. I bet that is framed somewhere in your home. :) Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

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  3. Love your mantel Debbie, it's so you. I can't believe the bargains you find at your GW. Ours pretty much stinks. Anytime they get anything even remotely nice, they put it in their weekly auction, and the price escalates to ridiculous amounts. Loved the mini tour of Monet's home, that kitchen is to die for. And LOVE the picture of you with Monet, what a fun thing to do! Kat

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  4. I think the blue and white suit you to a tee, Debbie. Love the wreath topiary, but even more I love that blue and yellow table topper. Baby Kitty is gorgeous!

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  5. Hi Deb... I always love your blue and white decor... but that mis-matched blue and white tile wall is absolutely divine!!!

    hugs. Dixie

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  6. Oh Debbie, your blue and white is so perfect for you and your mantel is gorgeous. I love the tours you always take us on also. So informative and interesting. Hope your day is a super one. Hugs, Marty

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  7. I love it! I've always been a fan of blue and white. If these boys of mine ever completely move out :) their end of the house is going to be blue and white.

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  8. Beautiful Debbie! No one does blue and white quite like you.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. Debbie, your blue and white is beautiful, And for the record It's what you like Not what everyone else is doing... I just painted the guest room Blue and it's going to be blue and white.. Still not done...LOL... Have a great day

    Pattie

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  10. How true - Blue and white is always right!
    Your mantle is beautiful, 'nuff said :o)

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  11. You and Baby Kitty do such a great job of changing things to make them better! Love the look of the mantel and yes the blue and white is you! Those are some gorgeous blue and white pics you shared and you look great with your good friend Monet! Thanks for joining JFF this week. hugs, Linda

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  12. Your blue and white is so classic! Your mantel looks lovely and I love your new topiary!

    Thanks for sharing the pictures from Pierre Deux. I was in one of their shops when we visited Charleston and my knees went weak! Gorgeous pictures!

    XO,
    Jane

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  13. Deb, what a lovely way to wake up this morning, coffee and your mantel and Monet!!! I love all your blue and white and so glad to see it back!!!I think what ever you do , you do it well but this is so YOU!!! Love the happiness jars, I think I need one of those. I actually thought your topiary was real and was trying to figure out what kind of vine it was until I read it was faux!!! You took me to a destination that is one of my dream vacations, Thank you for the trip, it was delightful, Love you,Kathysue

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  14. Debbie,
    I am so with you on this post! Wonderful blue and white!! I love blue and white and I will be pulling mine out again real soon. Possibly for a British High Tea in honor of the royal wedding (over at Decor to Adore). If I get it in gear and create that post! LOL But, you are so right it is a timeless and classic combo that always wins. Just gorgeous is your mantel. I want to thank you so very much for coming to my party! Now, I will have to go check out Pierre Deux.:)
    Sherry

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  15. I love the blue and white....that room in the Pierre Duex catalog is so serene and calming and classy. I have always been drawn to blue and yellow combos. My very first dishes (melamine) in 1971 were all a combinations of solid navy and bright yellow.
    Makes me want to change my decor now!

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  16. your room has me drooling.
    i love all things french country. i mix it all. red, blue, and yellow.

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  17. Hi Debbie, I love looking at the all neutral rooms and I had gone that route previously myself. I found I needed color in our house. You know what a fan I am of French Country so of course I love your home. The mantel looks wonderful and very Pierre Deux.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  18. Love the blue & white. I have my mom's Lochs of Scotland china, had never thought of putting it on the mantle, will have to try a few pieces! And I love your blue & white living room. I, too, have tried the neutrals, but when I see your photos I realize where my heart is. :)

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  19. I love the blue and white and your pieces are gorgeous! The front of that house is so beautiful and the picture of you and your friend Claude is the best! Love it! ;)

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  20. Debbie,
    Much like you, my dear, I've tried a few new trends. . .but I always come back to the desires of my heart! Similar to putting on your favorite pair of jeans or old slippers. The fit is "just right"! How great to find a bargain that matches an exsisting favorite plate. . .lucky lady! Gorgeous mantel. . .and I agree, Baby Kitty has marvelous taste. .. in decor! Thanks for your sweet visit On Crooked Creek. Stop by again, soon. .. I'll do the same!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  21. I love every decor you show but have to say, the blue and whites are my favorites! Just beautiful!
    and Claude's kitchen, too cool! Love it!

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  22. Debbie, Of course I love your blue and white with those warm yellow walls.... but what I really love is your photo with your "friend" Monet. Wow, I'm impressed! :)

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  23. Looks great Debbie! That topiary was a score! And so much better with the Christmas decor removed. You can't go wrong with blue and white. It's a classic! I'm really loving that pink and green at Giverny too!*winks* Vanna

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  24. Debbie, your neutrals were lovely, but I agree that the blue and white makes the heart sing. It's fun that you can switch things up and enjoy various looks through the year. You are so clever and talented that you can do that!
    I have the book. It's one of my favorites. I hope to return to Giverny again. It's been many years since I was last there. So many things on my list for the next adventure.
    Thanks for sharing the beauty! ~ Sarah

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  25. Blue and white have always been one of my personal favorites! Im in!

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  26. Debbie, blue and white is my favorite decorating scheme--I can never pass up a magazine with that combo on the cover, especially if there is a little pink or yellow tossed in! I can't do the total neutral look-I need color. Your pictures and your decor are wonderful! Linda

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  27. Ypur blue and white makes me happy to look at it! Can only imagine how you feel today! Fabulous mantle with some great new thrifty finds. Gorgeous!!

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  28. Love, love your blue and white. Gorgeous!!!!!

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  29. Love your mantel decor, Debbie. I always like blue and white. It is so classic and never goes out of style. You look so cute! Baby N is standing but he is so lazy to walk. But he stands a lot without holding on to anything....Christine

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  30. You and Monet make a fabulous couple! Love your blue and whites. Blue does seem to be making an stunning comeback -- how could it not? I believe that I read once that blue is by far the most favored color...so how can you go wrong?

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  31. love the blue and white the yellow dining room chairs look grand as well

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  32. Wow, I had no idea you and Claude were so close! I was on line with Alan Alda at the supermarket and the guy who is always on Ina Garten is my neighbor, but that no way stands up to frolicking with Monet!

    I love your blue and white. It looks beautiful!

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  33. I am so glad to see some color, I get so tired of all white, white,white,white. Thanks, maybe you'll get others in the mood. Richard at www.myoldhistorichouse.blogspot.com

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  34. Love your mantel... blue and white is so classic, you can't go wrong with it.
    Thanks for sharing Monet's kitchen. Wow, those tiles are gorgeous!

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  35. La cuisine de Claude Monet m'inspire beaucoup! Merci!

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  36. Oh how beautiful! I love your collection of blue and white and the mantel is gorgeous! Thanks for linking up (I fixed it). :)

    Have a great week, Debbie!

    Take care.
    Roeshel

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  37. Debbie, you were so sweet to leave words of comfort on the passing of my dear puppy. Thank you, that meant a lot.
    And..........YES...Blue and White RULES!

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  38. You are too, too funny. You never told me about you and Monet. You devil you! ;-)

    Love, love your mantel. Sometimes we fight who we are, only to realize that its when we stick with what we love is when we are happiest. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. :)

    Love u, Barb

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  39. Debbie-You made me laugh. If I were picking a boyfriend, Monet would make it to my top 3 list :) You make a stunning couple! In my opinion, the blue and white should be permanent! You have given me so many book ideas...so much to explore; so little time! Thanks-have a happy Valentine's Day.

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  40. Did they ever leave? :)
    Your metamorphosis is absolutely fabulous. I so hope that you enjoy every bit of it.

    Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!

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  41. Blue and white are always right at my house too! You don't know how much you just made my day with this post! :-) I have those same exact plates AND candlesticks! I just can't ever seem to get enough of that color combo and it makes me want to do a happy dance every time I see it. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! It provided me not only with inspiration but also reassurance that what I love is still "in". :-)
    Vanessa

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  42. You DO have a lot of blue and white. I have a small collection, too, and used it for years. Then, I got a little burned out on it..swayed over to the Pottery Barn look for awhile and have enjoyed it. HOWEVER, your beautiful mantel is putting thoughts into my head that I might want to try a blue and white on MY mantel. I've never had a blue and white theme on the mantel..gotta try it now, tho. :))
    Curious...do your white plates along the front of the mantel get hot when you make a fire....or do you simply remove them?

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  43. Oh how I love Blue and White and your mantle made me drool. This was a fun and interesting post. I loved the picture from Pierre Deux and will be checking that out. Your "old friend" Monets house is beautiful. Thanks for sharing those pictures too.

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  44. Hi Debbie.

    I was thinking of you and your little mice when I saw a large white cup with a figurine in the center of the base. So cute. I was doing the shoppes on my own as I know you do sometimes too. All the way to Vancouver, B.C. you crossed my mind. Wanted to stop and say hi. We had so much fun with our crazy glasses and vintage hats.

    I live far away but wanted you to know I have forgotten your cheery smiling face.
    Happy Valentines Day.

    Love Julie

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  45. Oh... crazy fingers..

    Of course I meant I have NOT forgotten that cheery face.

    Silly old woman I am becoming.

    J.

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  46. Blue and white are my favorites too only mainly with Blue Willow. I had a great time reading your post. It was beautiful as is your blog.

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  47. Blue and white is my absolute favorite-my living room and dining room are filled with blue toile fabrics and blue and white italian spode china. Love your mantle too-I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit-Claire

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  48. Love your blue and white collection so timeless and beautiful. Like how you hung plates on mantle. cute kitties

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  49. Very "you" Deb and I enjoyed the catalog. i love to go in the stores, but am always pretty intimidated by the prices and the staff :)

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  50. YES, the blue and white is back! I loved what you had, it was very elegant. But I SO love blue and white! I've never been to this site, and I'm gonna go check it out now!
    Brenda

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  51. Blue and white is an unbeatable combo - placed in front of yellow it becomes fabulous.

    If I only have one life to live, I don't want to live it in gray and beige. Gimme some purty color!

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  52. Gorgeous...I have a little blue and white throughout my home! Love your topiary! ♥

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  53. Such a great post! Love your blue and whites...just right!

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  54. Debbie, I love all the blue and white added back. Yes, sometimes we try something new and it just doesn't quite feel right and we must put back what we like. Thanks for joining the party.

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  55. I have never stopped loving blue and white. My first dishes as a child were blue willow china. I have loved blue and white ever since! One must just follow her heart!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  56. Debbie, it looks beautiful! You know I love blue and white, and you have displayed it to perfection. LUV that ribbon you used on your topiary (and you know I Luv the deals you get at your GW!). Also enjoyed seeing your Quimper in the background. So much inspiration here - from your home and from books and magazines. I'm so glad you will be linking this to Favorite Things. (You look great with Monet!) laurie

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  57. I love the blue and white, Debbie! Oh and I spotted some copper in this post, as well.

    I also love the photo of you and Claude.;-)

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  58. I love your blue and white. Your decorating is "Tres Beau"

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  59. Hi Debbie
    Your mantel looks lovely ~ and I'm with you, I need color!! Thanks for bringing back memories of our visit to Monet's home. Wonderful, magical place!
    Blessings
    Sue

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  60. I'm soory you had such a long spell of neutrals. Blue and white really is much better. Colors is much better.

    http://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2011/01/hutch-of-blue-and-white-china.html

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  61. Debbie,
    What an awesome wreath...love the look of it and really love that PRICE!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  62. What a gorgeous display. Is Happiness jar an official term? I am not familiar with that.

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  63. Love it, Debbie! Can't wait to see the addition of "les petits chiens"! I know that will be yet another great look! You just can't beat the classic colors of blue and white, can you! Linda

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  64. On second viewing, that kitchen with the blue and white tile OHHH! Just beautiful! I still love your mantel too!! Thanks for linking up!
    Sherry

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  65. Great post! I love blue and white. So timeless.

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  66. Hi Debbie,
    Your mantel is gorgeous! I too love blue and white but I haven't decorated with blue since my boys moved out. I use more reds and pinks now but blue is still timeless in my opinion! Fabulous photos! Have a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  67. Your mantel looks great! A room after my own heart! I have always loved blue and white and until two years ago, have always decorated my homes with it with a little bit of yellow here and there and maybe a splash of red. Although I really like the colors I began decorating with a couple of years ago, I am still drawn to blue and white. The other night I was talking to my mother and told her I was going to use the blue and white in my master bedroom which I am currently remodeling. She told me she was surprised I lasted as long as I have without it!

    The tile and stove in the kitchen is to die for! Gorgeous!

    ~ Tracy

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  68. Looks like you and Claude really hit it off!! Love the blue and white mantle. and yes, kitties are such a help when it comes to decorating! So glad you linked up to VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  69. Hi Debbie...

    My friend, I have always loved your Provencal blues and whites...they are divine! Although, I must admit that I really enjoyed your beautiful white mantel as well! I think that these beautiful blues are your "signature", Debbie! I remember when I first met you on RMS...it was all of your beautiful blues that drew me in!

    Ohhh my...loved getting to see the other photos as well! Ahhh...the french country kitchen...simply divine! I could do some serious cooking there! Hehe! Thanks for sharing your new mantel design...it was such a treat! By the way...I love your new wreath topiary!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  70. I am happy to always stop and see what you are up to, I agree, blue and white, always right! Love the mantle and those other pics were terrific, old friends eh?LOL!

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  71. I saw your blog name on another blog and rushed right over, I KNEW I'd have to follow immediately. SO this fellow plate addict is now your newest follower!! Your mantle and your lovelies are breathtakingly GORGEOUS!!! LOVE!!! Okay, so now I'm going to pour myself another cup of coffee and peruse some more of your beautiful blog!!!! Happy Saturday!!

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  72. Hi Debbie~ I absolutely love your blue and white! Whenever I see it, soooo pretty! I keep trying some of the neutral looks too- they are so beautiful but I miss my color!!! :) Your mantle looks lovely with your new wreath find too- thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  73. I'm visiting from the Charm of Home, and I adore your blue and white mantel and dishes~no more neutrals, go with what you love and makes you happy!

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  74. The mantle is just beautiful. I've never used much blue in our home decor, but I'm in love with the blue & white with a touch of yellow. Oh, my, it's amazing.
    CAS

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  75. Love the colors! It's refreshing to see color popping out especially since spring is almost here! Your mantle is beautiful.

    Oh by the way, you keep good company. Love the picture with you and your good friend Claude!

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  76. No wonder Monet had such inspiration for his paintings... what a divine environment to reside in daily!

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  77. I am so glad to hear that "blue and white is always right" because I have been collecting it for 28 years! I now combine it with browns and rusts for a different look. It is ME! Love your pretty mantle. I have 3 of those double happiness jars from about 27 years ago:):) XO, Pinky

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie