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

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Removing the closet door  and adding curtains,

gave a feminine feel and more closet space.

( the door opened in)

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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

Do You Know JESUS?

http://proverbs31.org/do-you-know-jesus/#sthash.6l2jRn80.bm06iCNj.dpbs

Need Church? .~.~.~. Listen to Sunday CHURCH with Pastor CHARLES PRICE of the Living Truth Ministries click here: http://www.livingtruthus.com/# ..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..

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:

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!!