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
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
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
|
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
And so the room cried;
"Please can you cover me in
Laura Ashley"?
The furniture agreed...
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!!
the walls painted with an undercoat so the wall paper would stick
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 .
..~..~..~..~..~
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.
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
Do You Know JESUS?
 |
| 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.
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
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
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
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~
and
Watch:
..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..
READ:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ashley
BOOKS to Read:
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:
 |
| Home is where the HEART is!! |
