Disclosure: This post is a part of an ongoing collaboration with my friend and business owner, Maria of Dreamy Whites. Over the years, I have promoted Dreamy Whites as a paying customer in addition to promotions in exchange for products. All opinions, as always, are honest and my own.
Any time I’m scooting furniture around in the studio, Jeff laughs and says, “Well, I’m sure you can figure out how to fit one more piece in there.” My studio isn’t small, but it’s not big either and I ask it to be a lot of things. I’ve learned that I need a ton of storage, lots of work surfaces, good task and room lighting, thoughtful solutions to things like drying wet paintings, and chairs/stools for several different activities. I had a desk chair for my desk, a stool for the drafting table, an architect’s drafting chair for my easel, a French side chair for my painting/drawing desk, and I wanted to bring in a small comfy chair for reading or for my “guests” who visit me in the studio. I think the guests who sit in it most, though, are the kitties, who like to be near me when I’m working.
A great solution was this French barrel-back, chair from Dreamy Whites Lifestyle, slipcovered in linen.
Believe it or not, this chair was small enough to come via FedEx in a large box, surrounded by peanuts! I was a little concerned for the carrier’s back as he waddled up to my door with this comically huge package, but it was much lighter than expected. This chair is the perfect combination of being petite and also comfortable. When I lived in an older home with smaller rooms, I came to appreciate furniture that took up a small footprint but was still functional.
This chair is the perfect size and shape to tuck into the corner of my studio in front of a door to the deck that I never use. I like how it adds a little softness to that corner, too.
And, it is a beautiful chair. Maria has thoughtfully had them upholstered in French linen and slipcovered as well, so the slipcover can be washed or the chair can be used without it. Since the kitties like to sleep in that chair (and it’s in a room where paint is frequently used and on my hands), I’ve opted to keep the slipcover on. I also love the curvy legs and little casters. Those details speak to the quality of these old pieces.
Maria regularly carries this style of chair (I don’t know how she sources them all), so similar ones are available in her online shop HERE and her store in Amador City, CA.
As she has for years, Maria also carries French, Belgium, and Dutch antiques like ironstone, baskets, paintings, and more. Some recent additions to her shop are Iris Hantverk brushes, lavender candles made by her sister, and linen textiles. Her decorating and shop have always been the stuff that dreams are made of, but she has done a marvelous job of curating products to supplement her antique finds.
I just love these Iris Hantverk brushes! I bought several last year from a local Scandinavian store and they are some of my favorite brushes for cleaning, cooking (basting), and self-care.
Here are some other things I use in my home from Dreamy Whites…
Escargot pots – I use them for paint, naturally.
Belgian bulb crate – they are available HERE.
German cake stand – there are some Dutch ironstone cake stands available HERE.
And, it’s hard to have a favorite thing out of all of the beautiful pieces I own from her shop, but I am smitten with this antique ceramic weighted ink well. You can see how it works in THIS POST.
Aside from all of the beauty Maria curates, my favorite thing about her is how genuine she is, not just in the unwavering authenticity of her style, but as a person. She just is who she is and conducts her business and social media in a way that true to herself. She doesn’t fall into doing what’s trendy, popular, or gimmicks that might garner more likes or engagement. Her work is so stunning and she just lets it speak for itself. She just does what she does and she does it so well, in my opinion.
I had the chance to meet her and her daughters years ago at an event in California. That’s Maria in the middle and me on the far right.
As a side note, that’s Cathe Holden, designer and crafting guru, on the far left, and Kate of Centsational Girl/Centsational Style right next to me. It was such a fun trip and I’m glad I had the chance to spend the time getting to know the woman behind all of those beautiful, dreamy images.
For those who are interested in shopping the Dreamy Whites Atelier online store, I have a coupon code for you! Use “Missmustardseed15” to get 15% off of your order. (The Belgian linens are excluded from the code, but it’s good on everything else!)
If you just want some beautiful styling inspiration, follow @DreamyWhitesLifestyle on Instagram HERE.
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