Tuesday, July 29, 2014

The Room Cried "Cover Me in Laura Ashley"!!



Finally after a good timely search...
the perfect wallpaper arrived...
Laura Ashley to be sure....

...to help convert the guest room 
(that the previous residents had left)




to something that the house itself
would approve of!

It took 3 coats of  white paint to 
cover the navy blue ceiling. 
The wall color was not so bad, but it was quite shiny
and there were holes to be plastered
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Favorite design books
of the Laura Ashley Co. from the 1980's
were a perfect choice for inspiration 
...to become perhaps a  bit like this....
(from the pages of a 
From the pages of 
"Laura Ashley"
by Martin Wood

                                ..or
Laura Ashley design book)
inspiration 


        
more inspiration 
from: Laura Ashley Complete Guide 
to Home Decorating
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And so the room cried;
"Please can you cover me in 
Laura Ashley"?
The furniture agreed...

                                                 


and the collections too..

The books offered to help...
                                               


..and the Dresses and Skirts applauded


For Laura Ashley is 
a most honorable
admirable 
Legacy of 
Design and Lifestyle


                            ..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..


Removing the closet door  and adding curtains,
gave a feminine feel and more closet space.
( the door opened in)
..~..~..

Years ago at a thrift store all clumped on one fat hanger
was a Laura Ashley bedspread, skirt, shams  
with matched sheets and pillow cases

 for a whopping (are you ready)? $3.99!!!
And then the other day I found a L.A.vase for .99 cents!!

 

                                 and so all the furniture was moved to the middle ...

the walls painted with an undercoat so the wall paper would stick


Cutting, measuring and pasting
                                          
And I can't believe I did it all by myself....
(except the ceiling Hubby Bear did that)

And so finished, at the top of the stairs...
it is ready and done! 
Come step in!









Looking for vintage Laura Ashley paper was a challenge
so when the opportunity came for just shy of four walls
I decided to settle for three walls and paint 
one wall a pink that matched nice with the paper .
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Laura Ashley and her husband (Sir) Bernard build their
entire empire from scratch and together contributed 
a timeless stamp of style and fashion that changed the direction 
of the late 60's and early 70's clear through 80's and 90's.


Starting in a small apartment Laura a young mother wanted 
to make a quilt inspired by historical pieces she had viewed 
at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the 1950's.
After searching for materials and prints, of historical 
resemblance, she was unable to find any. 
She turned to the Library, 
and found some books on how to print her own fabrics. 
Bernard readily took on making a screen printer. 
Soon they were producing items for sale
such as tea towels and women's scarves from their
apartment kitchen. 

  





Although Bernard was the chief business entrepreneur
and mechanics inventor, it was Laura that was the
 inspiration, moral compass and nucleolus of the company.


Always looking for inspiration from the past,
here are some examples of early prints.

Below:
Laura's own hand;

From a small factory in London to a large factory in her birth place Wales
they manged to employ many local Welsh and put their mark world wide!
She was known for her concerns and care for their employees, 
which in turn made for the great loyalty of the workers, 
who were willing to even take pay cuts and work longer hours 
when times were slim.
Laura always had a knack for taking any place and making it into a 
a stylish and comfy wholesome home.
 She milked goats, kept chickens, often bare footed, 
grew vegetables and shared with friends and 
co-workers alike. 
She was deeply Christian and believed that in her fashions,
(during the mini skirt 60's/70's and free love era)
 that the "prairie and Victorian" styled long covered 
feminine and lace was much more giving to the imagination.
 And it caught on too! People lined up outside the store and around the corner
 for the truck to arrive at the store for her all 
natural cotton, linen and wool blends
of clothing lines self designed and printed with their own mixed dyes.
Some early examples (1970's) from my personal collection
All cotton and LOTS of material!

Laura also loved history and the integrity of it's past.
Desiring to preserve buildings and antiques she 
was respected and was soon commissioned to 
help restore Jane Austen's home,
 the London House and more.
Also a Victorian home located at
Colonial Williamsburg in the United States.

Laura died too soon only days after she had turned sixty
while visiting her new granddaughter at her daughter's home
and celebrating her own birthday, 
from a accidental fall down a flight of stairs.

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Beloved, I wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper
and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth.
                                     3 John 1:2
the BUTT'RY and BOOK'RY: High Tea for 2 Birthdays:
Do You Know JESUS?
Need Church?
.~.~.~.
Listen to Sunday CHURCH
with Pastor CHARLES PRICE
of the Living Truth Ministries
click here:
http://www.livingtruthus.com/#
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Laura Ashley
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

                                                                                                                                      Proverbs 31:10-31


"I don't like ephemeral things, I like things that last forever." -                                                                       Laura Ashley


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THIS IS A VIDEO below:
If you click on this site
                                                          ▶ Laura Ashley - Video Dailymotion


you can watch a Wonderful interview
with Laura:
Laura Ashley


 If the link doesn't work PASTE this address: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjc8u3_laura-ashley_lifestyle

www.dailymotion.com
Laura (Laura Mountney) Ashley (7th September 1925 - 17th September 1985) was a Welsh designer. She became a household name on the strength of her work as a designer and manufacturer of a range of colourful fabrics for clothes and home furnishings. 
 If the link doesn't work PAST this address
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and
Watch:




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READ:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ashley

BOOKS to Read:

Product DetailsProduct Details



Product DetailsProduct DetailsProduct Details


Laura Ashley
 September 7/1925 –  September 17/1985



Ma Ma Mousiekin is so excited with her potential
new home that will be built for her by hand!
 She plans to use the wall paper remnants for one of the rooms. 



 What's in your closet?
Do you still own vintage 
Laura Ashley clothing
and wear them?
(I do, Hubby loves them)
I'd love to hear about  if you do!

Ashley Maggie May 
is growing too fast
(and now you know where she got her name)

Joining:
Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth



Home is where the HEART is!!

19 comments:

  1. Ha! First to comment! I love what you did with that room. Your house is like a beautiful museum. I can not wait for our visit! I am so blessed to be able to visit and see it all in person! Love you a ton, Beth

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  2. Dear Linnie,

    Wow, you've outdone yourself, my friend! You did a perfect job with the wallpaper; Anne Shirley would feel right at home. Now I have even MORE books to add to my list! I only have one Laura Ashley dress, and it's a little girl's one. I shall have to keep searching.

    Love,

    Marqueta

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  3. Good afternoon dear LINNIE! You made your dream come true, FINALLY! Isn't this a great feeling to see the stages take shape and move in all the details? Even the Mousekin family will benefit from the beautiful scrapes of wall paper! YAY!

    Everything looks bright and happy and enjoy your cozy home. I never knew the story of Laura Ashley, and I'm sadden to hear of how she died....bless you and enjoy every moment. I have a friend who looks smashing in Laura Ashely and her entire home is done in this décor. LOVE IT! Anita

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  4. Dear Linnie...

    You did a marvelous job! I have to say that I have been a fan of Laura Ashley for quite some time. Her dresses inspire me now more than ever. And her philosophy is exactly what I believe also...since I have worked from home, I always longed to return home to my family. So glad that God saw fit to grant me this desire of my heart.

    Thank you for sharing Linnie...

    blessings to you and yours,

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow what a gorgeous home!! your redo looks amazing. So very pretty. I have no Laura Ashley I bet that would be nice to have some vintage dresses. Enjoy your new room! Love Heather

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  6. Dear Linnie,

    Love your beautiful home and what you did to the bedroom.
    I too love Laura Ashley and have two summer dresses, and our two light fittings in the lounge are from there.
    Thanks for sharing the lovely post
    and enjoy the week
    hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely room,you did a great job.

    I have a number of modern Laura Ashley skirts and dresses which I really love but they a bright and bold and very different to the vintage Laura Ashley. The clothing are usually very well cut and tailored and sadly expensive (in Australia anyway). Liberty's of London have a wonderful collection of Laura Ashley fabrics but per yard it's pricy .

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  8. Hello!
    I have to admit, you have educated me here. Of course I have heard of her, but I'm afraid I never paid that much attention. But I've seen your beautiful room, and those clothes! I love it all! I will look for some of her books now.
    Beautiful post my friend!
    ~Debra

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  9. Can I come and be a guest at your house? Your guest room is beautiful! I am even more impressed that you did the wallpapering all by yourself.

    Thank you for the Laura Ashley links. The videos were wonderful. I might do a blog post and link back to yours so others can watch the videos and read all about her on your blog.

    Blessings!

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  10. Thank you so much for correcting me, in no way would I have wanted to miss this post. What a beautiful job you have done in this room....just fabulous my friend. You are very talented! I see your sweet mouse family is getting their own home as well.....how fun. I have known of Laura Ashley for a long time and remember the style from the seventies, but never knew her history so, thanks very much for sharing. My one lone piece of Laura Ashleys is a vintage scarf. It's quite thin and worn, but still very sweet, pretty and soft. Blessings to you and yours my sweet friend Linnie

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  11. How pretty you made this room. I used to love Laura Ashley and was sad to see the stores close here. I loved seeing the transformation that you did!

    xo Mary Jo

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  12. Your guest room turned out wonderful!! What a deal on the LA bedding.

    Thank you for sharing all the info here. I look forward to watching videos.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  13. Good morning Linnie!!!!!

    SO GOOD to see you this morning and I am so happy you are reading The Waiting! Isn't it true that you get so attached to the people? THere is a reference to Lake Calhoun where Minka did live with her husband and children for a time, and I live near there! I became very attached to her and do you know that just about a month ago, she passed away at 102? God blessed her for a good number of years to be with her "baby girl."

    Enjoy the read! Anita

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  14. Just wanted to drop by and thank you for following along over at my blog Silver Linings. What a lovely room! Reminds me of Anne of Green Gables. =) I love Laura Ashley and have some vintage LA bed sheets that I adore.
    Blessings, Valerie

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  15. This is the first time I read and watched a video about Laura Ashley. I see her name everywhere but it's different when you actually learn about the lady behind this fabulous design. You did a good job in that spare room. I am in search of a good wallpaper myself for our spare room. Thank for sharing this very informative post.
    Enjoy your weekend. I am your new follower too.

    Blessings,
    Aida

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  16. Hi Linne, I really enjoyed this post :) Your room is lovely and I also appreciated the little bit of history about Laura Ashley. I had no idea she was a Christian! I had always been drawn her to prints... when my daughter was younger, I had several dresses made by her company that were so pretty and feminine... Thank you for linking up with the Art of Home-Making Mondays! I do hope you join us again this week :)

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  17. Linnie dearest!!!!!!!

    Thank you so much for coming to dance on the empty ballroom floor with me. But one day, we shall in HIS palace! Can you even begin to imagine? I shall try all the days of my life, and rejoice. MUCH LOVE! Anita

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  18. This is one post I have to read more than once,or I'm at least going to write some of the books and resources down.I've been a fan of Hers for many Years.I was not fortunate enough to afford Her clothing for My four daughters nor at that time Her bedding,but I was even at that time a fan none the less.Your room and all that goes with it are wonderful.Several years ago I found a pretty and cloud soft quilted throw in pink print at Marshells.I cherished it and used it until it was totally empty. thank You for this nice post-I enjoyed-Denise

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  19. A Really beautiful,feminine and romantic room with that paper and the coordinating fabrics! I dearly love the paper on the stairway, is that Laura Ashley too? It almost looks like William Morris. I have about 8 Laura dresses. The sizes in Britain are way different than ours and where I would normally wear a 6 to 8 in American sizes, it is more like 10 and 12 in LAURA SIZES. I learned that the hard way when I tried to squeeze into a British size 8... ouch! How interesting to learn more about the lady who created such marvelous patterns and designs, I had no idea! Thank Linnie, for another interesting and learn-ed post.

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