Good morning bloggy friends!
it's time for the long awaited interview
with Christina Strutt
Founder, Cabbages and Roses
to celebrate her brand new book coming out
this month
"At Home With Country"
and to go along with this fun
interview.....
we have a giveaway!
there are
4 ways to enter....
follow
comment
blog about
grab a button (top right on page)
be sure to leave a separate comment
for each!
The winner will be selected randomly
on Wednesday morning April 14th!
so on to my interview....
{part I today & part II tomorrow!}
but before the interview I have to say....
Christina is so charming & adorable!
She was just as kind as can be & a real joy to
work with!
Ticking & Toile: The Cabbages & Roses style is so charming and certainly lends itself to a cottage in the English countryside; but so many of us are living in suburban type cookie-cutter houses...that rather lack charm...what advice could you give us to bring the C & R style and charm into our homes?
Christina: I have to say I love American cookie cutter houses~ They are so much mor charming than English suburbia! I would immediately fill the house with Cabbages & Roses fabrics and where possible wallpaper ....which we are...as I write... designing, and will hopefully be available soon. Generous and beautifully made curtains always make a huge difference to a room. Colour~and being brave with it~ but using coordinating tones is always a good start. I have always said that if you fill your home with things you love, it will always work. I don't believe in judging what is good taste or bad taste but I do judge lack of taste in a safe beige/plain curtain/matching plain beige sofa kind of way.
In our latest book we show how Cabbages & Roses fits into all situations, a city apartment, a tent in the countryside, a modern boat on the river...the C & R style is so gentle and adaptable it really does fit in anywhere!
T & T: In redecorating a home ~ where is the 1st place you would start? And what changes would you recommend that can be made immediately to have the largest impact?
Christina: I would always start with the curtain fabric and then work your way around your house~ the fabric pattern will dictate the colours you should use~ i.e. paint colours, wallpaper, sofa covers, cushions, etc...The curtains will be the biggest expense so it is the best place to start.
T & T: What advice would you give to women who love the C & R style but are married to men who would rather have their trophy elk head mounted on the wall? (I loved her answer!!)
Christina: ooh, I would love a trophy elk head mounted on the wall!! (did you hear that girls??) In fact, we have deer antlers mounted on the wall over the fireplace in our Chelsea shop! (shown below)
Christina: (cont) My advice to the elk wives is to very quietly and with minimum of fuss, transform your room in an afternoon when the husband is out hunting elk! Make sure everything is ready to be hung, covered, re-arranged etc, before he comes home. The excitement of the hunt and his tales of bravery in pursuit will distract him so I bet your bottom dollar that he won't notice a thing! If he does notice then he will be a sensitive soul and will probably be very grateful and delighted that you didn't ask him to move furniture!
T & T: Wood floors are so beautiful, and painted floors are just gorgeous and seem to be very popular in the UK...so many of us love that look but wonder how to achieve it...have you found painted wood floors to be as practical to live with as they are beautiful? And what type of paint have you used and/ or could you recommend?
Christina: There are proprietory floor paints that wear well, but if a little wear and tear do occur I think it adds character and many people spend hours trying to achieve a worn in look. So let it happen naturally. Painted floors are easy to keep clean and easy to repaint.
T & T: Speaking of paint, what is your favorite paint color for walls and why?
Christina: We are lucky enough to have Farrow and Ball paints available over here~ though I am sure you can obtain them in the USA. They have a beautiful selection, some based on original Georgian colors. They have an earthy, chalky quality. My favourites at the moment are french greay, old white, and strong white. These colours go particularly well with our fabrics and are interesting without being overpowering and gentle without being beige.
T & T: Where would you recommend our readers find furniture for their homes? Do you purchase strictly antique / vintage pieces or do you prefer some new pieces?
Christina: I always prefer antique and vintage pieces not only because I believe in recycling and that there is enough to go round without having to produce more and more 'stuff' but also because things with age have more character and are more often than not unique. In England we have many antique fairs and car boot sales and I expect you have them over there too. Also junk shops are a very good source of furniture- but you need patience and a good eye. Often there are heavy, dark piecs of furniture which can be transformed with a coat of paint.
Christina: The most important thing is to fill it with people and things you love. The more of both the merrier. Also food and flowers in the summer, roaring log fires in the winter.
There you go.....that's part I of my conversation
with Christina Strutt, founder of Cabbages & Roses!
I certainly could not have predicted her answers!
I especially love what she said about the
antlers!! Boy was I ever surprised with
the pictures she sent of her Chelsea shop w/
the antlers!! :)
....tomorrow I will post part II of my interview,
which includes Christina's housekeeping routine, where she looks for inspiration, and on following your life's passion!
Have a fabulous day friends
&
be sure to enter to win!
xoxo,
Shellagh
{all photos are from the Cabbages and Roses website, with the exception of photo # 3 which by Edina van der Wyck, and from the book
"At home with Country" Christina Strutt, CICI books $29.95 http://www.cicobooks.com/
224 comments:
1 – 200 of 224 Newer› Newest»Awesome interview - thanks so much for sharing!
This post and this interview are amazing! Thansk so much!
Federica
xoxo
I love Cabbages and Roses and have been hearing a lot about this book. I can't wait to sit down with a nice cup of tea and drool over the pictures!
~Sam
I'm already a follower
x
...and just posted a link on my sidebar
x
I'm a follower! Love your blog! I'll post about the giveaway and I will grab your button as well!
Shellah, great interview and post. I really enjoyed it. Honestly, I had never heard of C&R until you blogged about the company. I'm sure I'll be heading to the book store soon to find the book!
Blessings,
Susie
I grabbeb your button!
What a great interview !! Shellagh..there is allready a button on my blog..........count me in please..........and now ?? i will win !! hahahahhah!! hugs from me my dear !! Ria
Follower here.
Any suggestions for what to do when you wake up to rooms rearranged back the way they were?
A great interview, and I just love all the pictures! Thank you!!!
Erin
http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com
I'm a follower :)
Erin
http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com
I added your gorgeous giveaway on my sidebar!
What a great interview Shellagh! I'm so excited about your giveaway too, would LOVE to have her new book.
I am already a follower.
I will put your giveaway in the side bar of my blog asap!!
So beautiful!!! What a lovely giveaway! And thank you for all your sweet comments on my blog as well.:) I SO enjoy reading yours!
This book looks like a keeper. Thanks for the interview and the beautiful photographs. Gets my creative juices flowing, for sure . . .
I am a happy follower of your blog.
Rita,
You are so funny! :) No, I don't have any advice on what to do if you wake up & it's all back the way it was!! lol! Let me send that one to Christina! She may have just the right answer ;-)
Shellagh
I'm in love - every page - every idea - I've clicked and scrolled and it's up to lady luck now....Jennifer jennsthreegraces
i'm excited for her book...such beautiful photos!
kathi
OMG!!! I am getting the book, I will order it right away, I have always been a fan of her fabric. Add me to your give away, I have already added your button to my blog. Thanks for the chance, XO MARY
I'm already a follower!
I would so love to see this book in person. The pictures online look delicious!
What a great interview!! I loved what she said about filling your house with things and people you love, that is so important!! I can't wait for tomorrow and thanks for the giveaway!
Hi S!
Already following, of course!
And grabbed your button...
What a fabulous giveaway and interview! Wonderful!
How fun and such pretty pic's oh and I'm also a follower!! I will be back tomorrow for part 2 (:
Hugs~Kelly
Lovely photos! and great advice too....smiles.
I am already a follower and I love your style!!!!
Brava bravissima, Monica
..and of course I would like to partecipate to your lovely giveaway..., thanks and love, Monica
Thanks for sharing such a lovely interview-I am already a follower-can't wait for the book!
Oh Shellagh how THRILLING...ANOTHER Cabbages & Roses / Christina Strutt book for me to treasure....!
THANK YOU for the TERRIFIC interview & YUMMY pics....I can't wait to read the next instalment....!
Hope you're having a GREAT week...!!!
Cheers from Australia,
Tamarah :o)
PS: If I was lucky enough to win I would be happy to pay for shipping....!!!
Oh, couldn't you just be so happy living in a house filled with Cabbages and Roses stuff! And the book? I want it, I NEED it! Just the thing to change my 'winter' style into "spring'!
Of course I'm a follower! Isn't everyone who loves to look at beautiful pictures?
I put your button on my sidebar. Hope that counts as another entry! I really, really NEED this book!
I l.o.v.e. Christina's style...I have all her books...and read them and find inspiration in them almost daily. I already have her new book on my Amazon list...so looking forward to checking it out. Great interview Shellagh!
Oh...and I'm a follower too...cuz your blog rocks!
I just love her style and her fabrics! I have two of her books...crafting vintage style and decorating vintage style and I love them!!
SO I need this book too!! :)
Blessings~
I also have been a follower for quite a while. Love your blog!!
I loved reading her interview too. I have posted your button on my blog as well. Thanks so much!!
Loved the interview and the book looks yummy.I dont have any of her books I should win this hahah.;)
Im a follower as well!
What a wonderful interview and photos. That's so great how she answered the question about the deer head....she's seems like lots of fun!
Her ideas are great too. I'm looking forward to the second part.
hugs
Sissie
Wow! How cool is this, you doing this interview! It was great to read, and of course the photos. Would love to win her book!
Oh, I have followed you for awhile, baby!
I was not familiar with her. But I am in love with her style of decorating! Putting this one on my list right now!
Brenda
I'll have to head over to B&N to grab this book, her style really does resonate with me!
Lovely giveaway!
Anne
And yes I'm a longtime follower. AND you're on my blog roll, too. That's extra credit. ;-)
Anne
AND I just blogged about it! :-)
Anne
Loved the interview....Great questions and wonderful answers..I have always loved C&R and have a bedroom decorated in them...with stripes and checks...I don't have a blog but I check yours everyday...Please enter me in this giveaway...vera
www.veralauterbach@ebby.com
Can't wait to get ahold of this book, Love the English Cottage Style!
I'm a follower!
I'll be posting your button on my sidebar!
Thanks, Shellagh!
Loving the intefview and all the wonderful pictures. I love this style :)
Dearest Shellagh, i am a follower, so please enter me in the give away. What a great interview, I am looking forward to part II, Hugs, Cindy S
I don't know how to add your button to my blog, I tried and it just did not work. I will try again. Hugs, Cindy S
Great interview and I love the pictures. The book is right up my alley and I would be so happy to own it. Please enter me.
I am already a follower.
Your button is on my sidebar! Thanks for this greatr giveaway!
I'm a huge fan of C&R also! Maybe I'll get lucky and win this awesome book to get ideas for my very humble farmhouse in Virginia.....
Oh boy what a wonderful post and keeping my fingers crossed for the giveaway.
I am a follower.
Thanks for the tip. I tried the changing back but not the idea for catching the switch in action.
Shellagh,
Great job with the interview. You may want to reconsider the book deal & go with the Today show! Good job! I left you a message of wimpy worship over your bedroom reveal. Don't know if you saw it, I think there were only 500 comments! Lisa
Hi Shellagh-
What an interesting interview. I love her style/your style.
Laura
White Spray Paint
Hi Again-
I am a follower-
Laura
One more time-
I am posting this in my sidebar right now-
I love your blog...I'm already a follower, count me in.
Here I am again, I put your button on my sidebar.
Awesome Interview! Beth
I am a happy follower!
Beth
I have your button on my blog! Beth
I have the giveaway button on my sidebar,too!
Beth
Shellagh I am in C & R heaven!! You know that they are my favourite so I would very much love the chance to enter the giveaway, thank you! What a FUN interview with Christina, I loved every word. I can't wait for part 2! So excited for you that you got the chance to interview her and to review her new book!! So excited for you!!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend as always ~ Tina x
What a GORGEOUS book Shellagh!!!! I would SO love to own a copy ~ and thank you for the preview and interview! (ps, your blog is just beautiful too!) hugs and love, Dawn
I'm now a follower too!!! xxoo
I posted about your giveaway too Shellagh!! xxoo
What a wonderful giveaway! How not to partecipate? :-) (And another blog to put in my faves... another thing to celebrate!!)
What a great interview!!! and I'm already a follower
i love your blog! i enjoyed the interview and ill be back for part 2! congratulations on your book. its beautiful :)
blessings,
aimee
Wonderful interview . . .can't wait for the book!
i am now a follower! love your style.
blessings,
aimee
What an amazing style!
I follow your blog!
I added the link to your give away on my sidebar!
Well I'm already following your blog cause I lurve it..
alicia
And I already have your button on my blog so I can do an easy pop over and visit...
alicia
And now I am going to mention the giveaway on my little bloggy too!
alicia
Fabulous interview and such a great giveaway.
The photos are tres belle.
Bon weekend,
Leeann
My favorite part of the interview is "The most important thing is to fill it (home) with people and things you love. The more of both the merrier. Also food and flowers in the summer, roaring log fires in the winter" ohh how that sums up my feelings. Love this book. Please enter me in your giveaway. deb
I 'grabbed' the button and now proudly display on my blog linenslaceandlattes@blogspot.com. That counts as #2 for me! Thanks,
deb
Posted about your giveaway and linked back to your blog so that counts as 3 for me!
Thanks a latte
deb @ linens lace and lattes
Terrific interview. And great photos, too! I would LOVE to be the lucky winner.
Oh, and I'm already a loyal follower! ;o)
Added your fantastic giveaway to my sidebar.
I'm proud to have added your button to the sidebar of my blog. Now, here's keeping my fingers crossed . . . :o)
I am already a follower
and I already had your button on my sidebar page
and commenting here to thank you for the chance and for sharing the beautiful inspiring images and interview!
Way back when I had a 1700 pound elk hide on my living room wall ... believe it or not, it was really striking. The "rack" was in the TV room -- not so much. Thank you for this giveaway opportunity!
SuZeQ
Oh how i LOVE this blog! I'm definitely a follower!
Your book looks amazing! I hope I win!!!
xo
jeanne
I just found your blog from another one...love it all! I'm a new follower.
I also added your button to my sidebar with the link!
The interview and the images are so great!
Thank you for this opportunity!
Mara
and I'm already a follower!
Mara
Am a follower.
Sandi
Please enter my name in the giveaway. Would love this gift.
Thanks
Sandi
I love all those gorgeous decorating pictures! Lots of inspiration there! I would be delighted if you entered me in your giveaway. Thank you!
I would love to win that book!
And if I can't win the book, I would love to spend a leisurely afternoon lounging on that cozy sofa.
I'm a new follower!
I'm already a follower!
I loved this article! The photos are absolutely gorgeous. I want to just sink into that sofa with a cup of tea and a good book!
Love it all!
I'm adding your button to my blog right now!
Come by mine too...I'm having my first giveaway...a $100 gift certificate to my shop: English Transferware! I'd love for you to enter.
Have a great weekend,
Nancy
WOW! What a great post. Thanks for all that great inspiration. I'll be that book is going to be fabulous!
Oh and I'm following now!
Congratulations on your interview - I love Christina's style.
xo
Claudia
Oh, and I already am a follower!
xo
Claudia
Thank you for sharing this interview with such a talented and creative woman - loved the interview and loved the luscious photos. Please enter me into the giveaway - now I am off to add links. Hugs - Julie
The button has been added to my blog - www.gardenology.blogspot.com - xo Julie
I also became a follower of your beautiful blog!
I am totally in love with your post. Those
light and airy prints and the gingham and Buffalo checks are my style.
Really enjoyed your post. Drop over sometime.
yvonne
Gorgeous pics! I love Cabbages and Roses!!
Wonderful interview...wonderful photos! Can't wait to see the book!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!
I love Farrow and Ball colors as well, they have so much depth and vintage authenticity. Her style is timelessly french and I would die to have that campaign bed you showed. Yum!
Her book looks simply amazing.
xoxo,
Lisa & Alfie
And I know I said "timelessly french" and meant English. But now that I think of it, it would translate just as well. Lovely.
Lisa
Wonderful interview! The images you posted are gorgeous...I love her style...everything about it speaks to me!
Congrats again on all of your well deserved success!
Enjoy!
Cathy
Grabbed your button for my sidebar!
I really enjoyed the interview. The preview of the book is fantastic. Love the look and the black and white pictures really inspired me.
I am a follower already.
Thanks
I love those two chiars in the first couple of pictures. Everything is just gorgeous...I may have to buy that book! I'd love to win the giveaway.
I'm a follower...
...and your button is on my side bar.
Oh, I love all the beautiful fabric and the photos! Please enter my name in your giveaway--much thanks, Jann
I've added your button to my sidebar!
I am now a follower--I'm so very happy that I found your lovely blog!!!!
Hello Shellagh,
I have been following you from the start of me blogging this is how I found Kim.
I had to come by to take it all in again, I love the interview and the photos on your blog taken from the book is leaving me breathless, I now need a double lung transplant and possibly a heart transplant after I have a heart attack.
see you soon,
Oh did I mention I am sorry for drooling all over the pages :)
Dore
see you soon,
Oh did I mention I am sorry for drooling all over the pages :)
Dore
I am sorry for drooling all over the pages :)
Dore
I am crushing over this book!!!
Dore
Wow, I just found this site. I thought I was the only person left in this world that loved cabbage roses... I'm so happy to see there are others out there willing to stand up to the monochrome look and say "a little bit of this and a little bit of that makes a house a home!"
I just ADORE!! the chairs....
There soooooo! me!
Dore
I'm subscribing to your site so I can see more of your ideas!
Enjoyed the interview so much..so glad I found my way here..
hugs
Brenda
Okay, how did I miss this post the first time around??? Man, I am loosing it! Congrats on your first interview! You did a fabulous job! And love those elk horns! Now I need to run out and buy some of her fabrics!!!
Kate
And grabbing your button, I will replace the the last giveaway you had with the new one! I am so far behind...
Kate
Loved the interview and looking forward to the rest of it..would love to win the book...
Have a Blessed day...
Sweet Blessings...
Tonja
I am a follower of your sweet blog...
Sweet Blessings...
Tonja
all of those rooms and images are just scrumptious!!!
move in ready!!
Loved the interesting interview! I will be back for the second part.
Am now a follower of your blog.
Beautiful pics.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy C
I have added your giveaway button to my sidebar and you can find it here...
http://woodshomestead.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Sweet Blessings...
Tonja
This book looks fabulous! the pictures are just beautiful!
I just became a follower!!
Just posted on my blog about your giveaway!
Added your giveaway button to my sidebar on my blog. www.robinbirdsnest.blogspot.com
I just found your blog via Dawn at the Feathered Nest. I really enjoyed the interview and am in love with the photos from the book. I am glad for the chance to win a C&B book.
Would love to win this book....Beautiful photography...I wish I had a home that looked like that!! Thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway!! Hugs, Chris
I am already a follower...love your blog.
I grabbed your button for my sidebar too!!
Love the interview and your blog.
I am already a follower and love to read your blog.
Wonderful post, and great giveaway.
Please enter my name.
blessings
barbara jean
And, I am a follower!!
blessings again
barbara jean
The interview was great and the pictures were beautiful. The fabrics are lovely and I know I would love the book.
I will try to post the button on the sidebar of my blog. I am new to all of this but having great fun.
Loved the interview, and oh, those pictures!!! Thanks for sharing!
Sandi
sugarbushfarm219@yahoo.com
What a generous giveaway! The book looks lovely and how nice that you had this interview!
~Nancy
I came by way of fiona and twig and now I am a follower!
~Nancy
I'm a follower!
And I LOVE Cabbages and Roses!
Wow.That´s the first thing that comes to my mind.You see just by coincidence I found your blog...saw a link on Federicas blog and here I am.A toile loving and of course also Cabbages and Roses loving girl all the way from Norway:COunt me in as a follower!!!! I love your blog already!!!!
And since I sure would like to get that book in my house...I have to try this way first but probably will end up buying it *lol*
I grabbed your button !!!!!!!!!! Shared it with the world to enjoy!!!!!!
Tove :)
And even more from me....I am putting a post about your blog on my own blog...it´s a pure joy to share wonderful phtos like this!!!!!
What a wonderful interview............LOVED every picture.
Please enter me in the giveaway too!
Warm blessings,
Spencer
What a wonderful giveaway. I am such a fan of Christina's. I love the simplicity of all she does. Thanks so much for sharing her on your beautiful blog. Hugs, Patricia
Hi Shellagh,
This is my first visit to your blog, and I'm in love!!!
I have posted pics from C&B in my blog - amazing, gorgeous style - so this interview is a delight to read. I love the questions you've asked, and the answers are fabulous!
I'd love to be included in your giveaway! This will count as my "comment", and I'll be back in a sec!
I'm really looking forward to spending time scrolling through all your posts - I'm so happy to meet you!!!
Zuzu
OK, I'm back to leave another comment. I've joined as a "Follower", and I've also added your blog to my blogroll - I am looking forward to the 2nd half of your interview. It's fabulous!!!
Thanks, and I hope you have a beauty-filled weekend!
Zuzu
I just discovered your blog while visiting another. Love it and this interview is priceless. I love her work and want that new book. Ticking and toile, cabbages and roses; what could be better?
Amazingly gorgeous book! I love this interview and would love a copy of this book too.
Stacey
I've also posted this giveaway in my sidebar. xx
I have this amazing book sitting on my wish list ever since I read Christina's interviews in Romantic Homes and Cottage&Bungalows!!!
Pattie ;)
great interview i really should try out baking soda and vinegar! i would love to have a chance to win your giveaway. i'm already a follower and have added a link in my sidebar.
Shellagh,
just found you through Cosmo Carla...what a gorgeous blog you have! I'll be going back and reading posts I missed, such wonderful pictures!
Shellagh, I just happened onto your site from a bit of blog hopping. I'm so happy I did. I so enjoyed the interview and thrilled to know about the new book. Thanks! And thank you for entering me in the give away.
Me again to say that I've added myself as a new follower. Love toile and ticking together. Great name for a blog!
Beautiful gorgeous site.
following.
Thank you for sharing this interview with us, and I very much hope to win the book!!!
Hugs from me my dear, Annamaria
I grabbeb your button!
I'm following your nice blog, and i love C & R so much!!!!!
Kiss Annamaria
I am now a new follower of your wonderful blog.
I would love to be entered into your giveaway.
Thanks so much,
Tam
HeLLo, I am NeW at this BlOg thInG..I am sO ImPreSSeD wiTh youR paGe...THe giVeAwaY iS JusT a BoNus...
AnYwaY, JuSt LeaRninG aS I Go..
BleSSinGs to You and YouRs,
SuSaN
Hi Shellagh always admire images of Cabbage and Roses , the materials are beautifully faded just the kind that I would love to have in my home here in Italy. Hope to be lucky with the great giveaway but if not I will carry on viewing your blog. Nice to have found you . Ciao ALISON
This post is fantastic.....I added your giveaway on my sidebar, I follow you!!Thanks and hugs!!!
I grabbed your button!!!
Beautiful interview. Thanks. Daniela.
Post a Comment