A LITTLE LATE, BUT IT WAS GREAT!

The V&A doesn't serve regular "cafeteria" food, so it stands to reason that the trays the food is served on are far from standard as well. Love the refined floral in lieu of boring beige or something even worse!

I know that this blog has not seen many updates for a long time, but I've been so busy with work, marriage, travel, decorating our home, setting up my studio and life that I am just now getting a bit caught up. I took so many photos during my trip to London last Fall and so wanted to share my visit to The Victoria and Albert museum, even though it's a bit late in coming.

I hadn't been back to the V&A since 1989, but enjoyed it even more on my return visit.

The best museum food that I've ever tasted, hands down. I usually consider "good museum food" an oxymoron.

Both the exterior and interior architecture are quite impressive, with Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's beloved Consort, as the central figure and icon of this place and so many others around London.

You could spend days examining all of the art, artifacts, textiles and antiquities here.

These snapshots feature just a few highlights of what my husband and I saw.

The mammoth skylights are key to the openness and light here, in spite of the fact that the edifice hails from the Victorian era when "heavy" and "dark" were the norms of the period's architectural vernacular.

This piece was especially impressive because it was constructed entirely of glazed terracotta and so beautiful.

I hope they used some heavy-duty sinkers to hoist that massive carved architectural relic up on the wall!

This pagoda and the Oriental pieces were especially fascinating.

This handpainted wallpaper dates from around 1790-1800

After lunch and several hours of perusing the art and historic treasures, we took a late afternoon stroll over to Hyde Park. I love this place and relished the space, light and people watching. Lots of darling little British charges with rosy cheeks tucked in their prams for a ride in the fresh air.

The V&A is certainly a "can't miss" if you are visiting London. You won't be sorry that you took a precious slice of time to see the world's finest museum of decorative arts!

FROM PUNXSUTAWNEY PSEUDO PROVINCIAL TO PALM BEACH PREP

I recently refurbished this Craigslist rescue piece for our dining area. My sharp-eyed, internet sleuth Mom scoped it out for me as she was doing one of her scroll-bys on Craigslist.

It was no small job -I won't lie to you- but with some hard work and my homemade chalk paint,

I was able to take a hideous pseudo china cabinet with cheap, slick wood finish (but a great bargain $$$ wise and with nice bones) and make it into something that is actually an asset to our decor. I was aiming at eclectic vintage Palm-Beachy. I was happy with the color (Pantone "Beach Glass") that I mixed into my chalk paint recipe (courtesy of Pinterest) and then I did a bit of a watered-down white rub over it once it was painted. I finished the piece with hand waxing for long-lasting protection and durability. I started the painting process when Mr. Annechovie was out of town, so when he returned and saw the color, I could tell he was a bit - shall we say- "jarred" initially (read: his eyebrows went up a little). It did look a bit like a bold Jamaican fisherman's shack at first. I am thankful that I am married to a man who trusts my eye and gives me ample latitude in my creativity and artistic pursuits, especially those extending to our home. Once he saw the finished product and the toned-down finish, he was very pleased and continues to tell me how much he now loves it. As you can imagine, being married to me is not for a taupe-loving colorphobe who prizes mild, mainstream and generic interiors. A guy's got to have guts and an open mind to marry an artist.

We keep coral, sea fans and shells, along with some beach finds we've found on our travels that hold special meaning to me and my husband.

the "before" - like an 80's version of what I call "Rooms to Go Generic Mock French" or GMF

Moral of the story? Keep your eye out for pieces that may have good construction and bones, yet lack appeal because of cosmetic defects or beauty deficits......you never know - your vision, TLC and some elbow grease could turn an unloved ugly duckling into a cherished beauty!

ANNECHOVIE AND HGTV

I want to say thanks to HGTV and Rae McConville for featuring my new ginger jar decal in the March 2014 issue of HGTV Magazine. It was great partnering with them on this creative project idea. The decal is versatile and can be used on many surfaces, not just a vase. It's available with or without the ebony wooden base here

NEW ANNECHOVIE CHANEL PILLOWS

FIND THEM ALL HERE

WONDERFUL WALLFLOWER

I just love camellias and thought how beautiful these were against a painted brick house found here

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 Grand Central Station, NYC

I know this is a little late, folks. Let's face it, I've been a little pre-occupied lately with so many projects, traveling and life changes that my blog has suffered. Then I am reminded that blogging is NOT my life and this blog is supposed to reflect my life and so, sometimes living life gets in the way of staying current and you know what? That's alright. Thanks to all of you who still check in to read, comment and see the latest.

My New Year's Eve was spent in NYC meeting my husband who was returning from a trip to Japan. We had a great time walking around (even when snowflakes started falling), doing a little shopping and dining at a cozy Indian restaurant. This allowed us to dodge the crowds, stay warm and avoid the insanity.

 

 

The Pylones store in the terminal is so fun

 

Sea fans at Bergdorf Goodman

 

So glad I got a glimpse of the beautiful lingering Christmas décor at Bergdorf's

 

 

I had some time to admire the beautiful painted ceiling in Grand Central Station as we ducked in to warm up in the chilly temperatures.

 

Lots of new stuff happening in 2014 here at Annechovie and I look forward to sharing it with you all.

Hoping and praying that 2014 will be a wonderful year for you all - filled with enduring peace, joy and love.

 

 



MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks to all of you for your readership and support. I have been a little MIA for the past few months as I have worked on a big illustration project that I am very excited about. I will be posting more frequently in 2014 and get back into the swing of things.

 

I want to wish you all a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of blessings and true joy.

I have so much to be thankful for this year, many happy changes in my life, new opportunities and challenges. Most of all I am thankful that God sent His Son as a humble, helpless baby to bring light into this dark world, healing to our hearts and hope for us all as our Saviour and best friend throughout our lives and beyond.

Here is one of my most favorite pieces of music that tells it all!

Love, Anne

LONDON PART 2 - FORTNUM & MASON

How cliche' and yet not complaining because the ambiance is worth every chilled drop.....

London in the rain on the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

Hello Everyone! I have emerged from my work cave to post again. I've missed blogging regularly, but have had some neat opportunities that have translated into much work lately. So, while very thankful, I am at the same time a bit behind and meant to share these photos of our trip to London sooner.

Well, better late than ever, I guess. We had a wonderful time and one of the highlights was hitting up the famed Fortnum & Mason, which prides itself on its long-standing royal warrant.  All departments and floors were great, but the basement full of groceries, many unique to England, was my favorite. Looking for "Kentish Cobnuts"? they have 'em! (above)

This stuff fascinates me.

 Talk about eye candy. They have presentation mastered.

A little something for everyone......surf, turf or.......

fowl

Feel dizzy yet? It's called "out-of-focus". I wasn't sure how the management felt about Americans snapping photos, so I didn't have much time to make sure everything was clear. 

We had a delightful lunch in the Parlor. Attention to detail and British charm won the day. The staff at the store has politeness and civility mastered. They give British propriety a good name.

The counter at the Parlor @ Fortnum & Mason

The tabletops feature beautiful illustrations of auriculas and scroll-y details.

Loved the retro chairs with pale chartreuse upholstery and the huge sash windows overlooking Regent Street.

My husband ordered a milkshake and it came on this silver tray.

I had the Welsh Rarebit with tomato marmalade. It was delicious and perfect for a mid-day repast on a cold day in London.

Loved this charming ornament in the Christmas department.

It seems that the British are quite liberal in their use of the term "proper". We kept seeing it on labels, including these potato chips.

I did see some very proper and gorgeous tea pots and accoutrements. 

My favorite thing in the store was this intricately detailed boat model with aqua trimmed upholstery. 

Very cool. I'd need to sell a few more paintings before I could justify shelling out major $$$ for it, though.

Tea lover that I am, I came away with a trademark tin of house Assam. 

The F & W signature color is a very pretty one. I am a sucker for great packaging. (ignore tacky plastic seal - function over form - gotta keep it fresh for a while)

It's impossible to catalogue all the good things I saw here. I can only say that I strongly suggest you make it a priority to visit if you haven't yet been. There's something so refreshing and comforting about a truly old-fashioned department store with multiple floors, restaurants, professional staff and truly unique items. These places remind me of my childhood and are sadly a dead and dying breed in the U.S.

I hope that you enjoy your Monday and that your week gets off to a great start.

More soon!