Thursday, January 22, 2009

Atelier de Poterie

Bonjour mes ami's!
I wanted to share with you the photographs in
my mind, as they materialize, for the
Louisville Visual Arts Association's, DinnerWorks.

My thought was, dinner in a potter's studio.
This is with the larger pieces moved in.

Remember the set of six, Louis XV chairs from
my earlier post? Back from the upholsterer with
their cotton, denim fabric. A fabulous job he
did!

Here is my carpet, "aubusson de atelier".
A canvas dropcloth with my paint splattering
technique.
As time goes by, you will come to know that
I am a dropcloth fanatic. They make wonderful
drapes, all edges are finished and you can buy
them cheaper than the fabric.
My wonderful husband made me a table from
antique French paneled doors. He had a piece
of glass cut, to top it off.
We used an old French scrolly iron base for
the support.
The biggest challenge of the space is the ceiling,
(my 5th wall). The ceilings are about 30ft. high
at the Louisville Water Tower. A historical
building, so we can't hang anything from the
walls or anchor to the floor. Since we could use
the tops of the door jams, I decided to hang my
French bookcase ladder horizontally. Extra
storage space always comes in handy at the
Atelier.
I HAD to use my little Beaux-Arts box full of
charcoal sticks, so I just attached it to a
candlestick. I also wanted to use clear glass
for the coffee and wine. I can't wait to see
tuxedo clad men drinking wine from a
French jam jar!

I had this wonderful old French drying rack,
so I put a few greenware plates there,
waiting, for their first firing.
Since I only had six Louis XV chairs,
the two end chairs are tall ladderbacks,
draped in dropcloths, tied with jute.
Victoire wanted to come along and
meet everyone, so I gave her a
prominent spot. She said it feels
good, visiting your birthplace.
Now you know why I was melting wax on
demi-johns. It wasn't just for relaxation.
The bookcases are filled with the potter's
essentials and more pieces of unfinished
works. The local Painter's Spot gave me
some large bisque platters.

An overhead shot. The little burlap bags
are filled with modeling clay for the
dinner guests.
I have one day left, today, to finish up.
Few more details I need to do.
There are 15 spaces total and when everyone
is finished, I'll share more photos
with you.
I hope you like it and if you would like
to have dinner at European Antique Market's
"Atelier de Poterie",
get your tickets here.
Now, I have to get going, have a wonderful
weekend and
Bisou!

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

All is very very beautiful !!!
Bisous from....Provence

Ada och Emil said...

OH MY GOOD!! This place is like a dream...so lovely atmosphere :)

Miss Kris said...

Hi Shawn!

Wow and triple wow. What a great space. I love how the chairs look finished, Très Magnifique! My favourite is the brooms dipped in paint to look like large paint brushes.

Lovely, ~Miss Kris~

Kathleen Ellis said...

Awesome! What fabulous details you have concocted! What a marvelous opportunity for you!
Enjoy!
;-D

Love Your Homes said...

Divine as always, great upholstery work......would love to get some tickets...but it's a long way and I am hooked up with work.

Bisou
Ingela

Blue Muse said...

You're killing me this week, Shawn! This is brilliant! So artsy-romantic - not to mention beautiful! I love tables of old doors, and yours is gorgeous, the scrolls are a very nice touch! Your chairs came out beautifully, and I love that you use drop cloth for rugs and curtains. The gorgeous sea colored demi-johns are waxed to perfection, and the modeling clay favors is a fabulous idea!! I'm going back and look at this all again ... and again... I wish I could come to dinner!
xo Isa

Unknown said...

Hi Shawn, this is very inspirational and charming. It's like setting up a specific stage. Great idea for changing the dining room from time o time.
Greetings, Petra

PS. did you leave the wooden frames of the chairs unfinished or is there an invisible surface treatment in place i.e. something like a transparent varnish?

Anonymous said...

So beautiful and creative!! I love the potter's studio idea and how you've made it all so lovely!!

lorhen82 said...

I love the concept of dinner in a potter's studio! I also love the table made from the French paneled doors. It looks like a place I would like to have dinner! ~Lori

SameAsTheOldBoss said...

Just recently found you and am oh so inspired by you. I view your website every morning with a cup of tea, and soak in the music, pictures and your words........sometimes.......... at night I view you with a glass of wine and fade into the time and place. I have never been to France, but always wanted to go. Your website takes me there. Thank you for sharing your soul with me........Good luck with your dinner. I too, would so much enjoy watching men clad in tuxedos drink wine from a french jam jar. ..... Enjoy.....PS Your shop is divine.

Lola Enchanted said...

Just gorgous!

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

How beautiful - I love what you've done!

Marie said...

You're creativity never seize to amaze...tres, tres, tres jolie salle a manger!
-marie from mariesmarche

Maison Douce said...

Wow, is all I can say!! Everything looks wonderful!! Thank you so much for the inspiring pictures...
Isabel

Mélanie said...

I love all your ideas. Can't wait to see your last pictures and also the others

Anonymous said...

Just fabulous Shawn...wish I could come!!!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Out of a dream my dear.....stunning!!!

savvycityfarmer said...

this set looks like my life ...the TOOL BOX and ladder front and center...

you've captured my heart AGAIN.


you might like my latest project that costs only pennies.

Tea Time With Melody said...

Oh my gosh what a fantastic idea with the ladder. You have great imagination, your work is beautiful.

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

What a wonderfully clever setting. I'll be back to check out your blog.

Judy

Kenza said...

Hello Shaw! It's Wonderful!
And now in french... Voici pour vous l'adresse du site d'un antiquaire chez qui j'ai fait des pour rénover ma maison. Il travaille avec les U.S.A.
http://www.legens.com/
Bonne journée et Bisous de Kenza

Anonymous said...

i love your pics, love your blog and love your home! It's amazing!

time worn interiors said...

I would love to have dinner there! The chairs are fab! Idea in your head came out great!
Theresa

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

wonderful!

Corinne. said...

I don't speake english very well!
Sorry!!
just beautiful!!
Amitié
corinne

Anonymous said...

fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Your work is a feast for the eyes -and the soul!

Joy

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

You are unbelievable.. What you have created is like out of a award winning movie setting... hello these pictures need to be in a book.. where is your book.. a big fat coffee table book...That's what I have to say. xoxoxo Laura

Anonymous said...

What gifts you have! My goodness, I keep thinking about these pictures and not only your vision but your ability to execute your vision. WOW. (And thanks to you, I bought some dropcloths and fashioned some drapes! Thank you for inspiring me :)

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Mom (CityFarmer) showed my that brick kitchen ceiling on Saturday - It's Monday morning - I still have not recovered! LOVE IT!

Di Overton said...

If only I weren't so far away. This all looks so fabulous.
I have started - at last - to post pics of my finished cottage extension if you want to take a look.

Eva Agnes said...

What you show here is so enchanting and lovely.
I certainly would love to have dinner at that table. But since living far away in Sweden it is impossible.
Will have to imagine though.
Hope you don't mind that I have linked to you?!
Hugs Eva Agnes

Millie said...

Breathtakingly beautiful dear Shawn - I think guests will be fighting to gain a place at this stunning setting. I especially love the table - please let your husband know what a super job he's done - bravo to you both!
Millie ^_^

Heidi said...

I just found your blogg and Im in love !!!!

Greetings from Finland
Heidi
<3

Velvet and Linen said...

Fantastic, Shawn. What a beautiful environment you have created!
I love the idea of using a drop cloth for a floor covering. It works perfectly, and no one will be able to tell if you spill anything!
I could live in your beautiful store.

xo
Brooke

vicki archer said...

How clever what you have created there Shawn, really very beautiful. xv

THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT said...

Lovely, just lovely as always!!!

Brook

Decor To Adore said...

What a special treat!

Mary said...

Stunning!!! I am stunned........you have made me want to live there!! Everything is just amazing.

Hope you are OK in the terrible ice storm. Wishing you power and warmth. Take care.

Mary - ACROSS THE POND

Kathy said...

Oh my this is incredible, everything, the door/table is perfect. :)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

You are a genius Shawn! What an incredible setting! I know all went perfectly for you at your event. The table your husband made is absolutely the most gorgeous table I've seen!! And the chairs turned out so good, the upholstery looks perfect. My husband & I dabble in reupholstering and know what goes into it. It's a real craft.
The modeling clay for the guests to play with was too adorable. I hope they made some interesting things!

Au revoir! Sherry

Anonymous said...

Yes very true this place looks like heaven.


Sydney Plumber

Jena Williams, Not So Shabby Interiors said...

ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING............

Anonymous said...

Your blog is beautiful ! I love it
I will come again !
Have a nice day
Tania Grange de charme

Kathy said...

Ahhhhh.....bliss. Pure. Bliss.!

xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Very nice shop you have there! Looks like it's right out of the magazine cote sud!

Porchlight Interiors said...

Stunning room! Love the door/table with glass top and the upholstered chairs with studded edging is simply gorgeous! Tracey xx

gabrielazeanadal@hotmail.com said...

I love this blog so much!!! Great post! Sooo creative!

Visual Vamp said...

I just love, Love, LOVE this!
Your creative process is fabulous!!!
The drop cloth "rug" is genius!
In fact the concept of a black tie dinner in a potter's studio is genius!
Wish I was there to play with you!
xo xo
PS The Bruxelles post is so beautiful! I clipped a few inspiration images for my file.
xo

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

How I would love to shop at your store. Thanks for all the eye candy.

by.hårenberg said...

Bonjour and what a lovely blog you have! Everything is so beau! And the atmosphere is, i can´t find words... the atmosphere is lovely! I will soon come back and look what more lovely things you will show!
Au revoir// la petite perle!

Anonymous said...

BELLISSIMO = Wonderfull
a dreaming atmosphere.......

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Wonderful Idea. How creative. Thank you my dear you now have the wheels turning in my head. What a lovely idea to dine among the things you love best. I have always seperated hobby & craft from
the rest of the house, but why? I am now asking myself. Thank you for sharing.
~Ahrisha~

Suzanne MacCrone Rogers • Italian Girl in Georgia™ said...

Hi Shawn!

It's been too long since my last visit and I wish I could attend that lovely dinner party. The table and ambience is a breath of country French air!

Beautiful.

Ciao bella,

Suzanne

Red River Interiors,LLC said...

this space is so very creative and visually provocative... love it!
beautifully executed... Fay

Olga Granda-Scott said...

I just LOVE the way you did this set up. The ladder, the linens, the little charming objects here and there. You have so much talent. Thank you for letting us enjoy it!

D.E. said...

Oh so lovely. Always a delight to look at your blog.

Anonymous said...

Bravo, Tres belle decoration...
On a l'impression de se retrouver dans un manoir du XVIIIº Siecle.
Felicitations