A Tea Party for the Birds

What you need:

1. Antique tea cups and saucers (3 of each)
2. Diamond drill bit and electric drill
3. 3 x 6mm threaded steel rods
4. 3 x 6mm Wing nuts and 3 x 6mm standard nuts

Instructions:
Get together some old tea cups and saucers. We purchased a bright coloured mixed set of 3 from our local thrift shop for 50 cents each piece. Sets displayed in odd numbers always look nicer.

Drill holes through the centre of each cup and saucer the size of your steel rod. To drill the holes, place your cup or saucer securely in a vice, wrapped in a tea towel for extra protection. We used a small diamond drill bit to get through the ceramic. It is a very tough material, and it was a slow procedure (about 10 minutes per hole). Go slow and rinse the drill bit with water after every 5 seconds to keep the drill bit cool. There may be other drill bits more suited for this material.

Once drilled, thread a wing nut upside down onto a rod, thread the saucer on top, then the tea cup and then the bolt on top. Tighten the wing nut and bolt so all is secure.

Once finished, you can decide if you want to fill the feeder strictly with birdseed or use the cup for water and the saucer for seeds. Now just sit and wait while your backyard birds sing for their supper. And of course, as with any project, there are as many variations as their are people.

Colour my world: how to choose with so many options

Think about your Message
What type of space are you painting? Is this a calming and relaxing bedroom, a high energy work out space or a comfortable family room? Colour can do a lot to dictate the mood of any space so try to think of colours which work best with the feel you want your room to have. The Mona Lisa wouldn't be as remarkable with neon pink hair so consider your choice carefully or get a love your colour guarantee on your purchase.

Collect then select
It's great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you've developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive. Get ideas but make the final decision after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalized.

Coordinate Decorating Samples
When you go shopping, you'll need to refer to your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples constantly. Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go. If you are using older furniture and pieces for your room, try to have a small scrapbook or photo album that you can bring with close ups of fabrics and accurate colour printing. Also, carry a camera with you so that if you see a shop window disoplay, pretty flower, etc. you can photograph it to inspire your colour choice. No telling where you might see something wonderful.

Really Study the Colors
You'll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a color on a full sample strip of coordinated colors. Even if you're not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colors carefully. Decide if the family of colors is the direction you're headed with your color selection.

Tried and True Formula for Colors
If you're working with a print fabric, you'll probably be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint color from the background of the print. Use the deeper or brighter tones for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces.

Trim it Out
More often than not, you'll select a shade of white or off-white for the moldings, doors, and windows. If you're feeling brave, consider the palest shade of color to coordinate with the walls. For a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright color for trim.

Finishing the job
Consider which paint finish might be best for your project. Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections, but glossier finishes will reflect more light.

When in Doubt
Consider using decorating software or photoshop if you have difficulty picturing the final design. Rely on qualified sales people and always remember to familiarize yourself with their refund/exchange policies.

3 Healthy Summer Blender Drinks to Try for your Summer Party

For these fresh, light and low cal. summer drinks that are an easy breezy treat! All you need is a blender. These are easy and healthy for all your summer party entertaining. 

Watermelon Breeze

3 cups cubed chilled watermelon

1 cup coconut water

squeeze of fresh lime

Ice if needed

Sprig of mint

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Makes two servings.

90 calories per serving.

Melon Mojito

2 cups cubed Honeydew Melon (I like to freeze mine)

1 cup cubed English Cucumber

1 cup coconut water (I freeze this into cubes too!)

12 fresh mint leaves

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Agave or honey squirt

Blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

95 calories per serving.

Vanilla Peach Treat

2 cups sliced fresh peaches

1 cup cubed Asian pear

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1 cup coconut water frozen cubes

Dash of cinnamon

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

160 calories per serving.

Setting the perfect table...and pulling it off!

 If you have ever fallen in love with the elegance of fine dining but feel strangely out of place, try to remember my favourite scene in the movie Titanic, where Jack dresses up as a First Class passenger and pulls off an elegant mystique during the evening. You may not have the unsinkable Molly Brown to dress you up and teach you etiquette, but you can certainly learn how to put on the glitz with some of these helpful hints.

This is a classic and simple place setting for a formal breakfast. Generally these include a cereal or fruit, a plated entree, coffee or tea, and milk, juice or water. This place setting can be added to or simplified depending on what you chose to serve.

This is a formal lunch place setting and a generally good guide to follow for setting places indoors or for a formal outdoor meal. Usually lunch can include a salad or soup as well as an entree and may even feature a light dessert.

 This place setting is for a formal high-tea. It can of course, be simplified but can have up to three dishes, served individually, and  may include: sandwiches, scones, cookies or small cakes. There may also be tea, coffee or water.

 This is a simple or "low-tea" place setting. Rather than serving guests an individual portion, low tea often features a variety of foods served on dessert tiers or from one large cake or platter of foods.This often comes with a sandwich or small lunch and some simple desserts. Usually this may include coffee, tea or water with the meal.

This is a formal dinner/supper place setting. An informal dinner is typically set the same as the lunch place setting with additional dishes for extra courses. When in doubt, Always place large utensils towards the inside of the place setting and dessert forks or spoons to the top of the place setting. Any additional cutlery should be served with the dishes they are used for (bread knife on bread dish, caviar spoon, with caviar dish etc.). 

If you are ever in doubt about how to arrange your table, just remember to "make your bed!" The table is ALWAYS set with the mnemonic B-E-D.... Bread- Entree- Drink!

With any luck, your guests will assume you have always been the pinnacle of grace and perfection at the table.

CHILL OUT this Summer: A Cool Way to Entertain

 Summer heat waves can make anyone feel lethargic and we all need a way to cool off. Try these delicious and healthy solutions to beat the heat this summer. Use fresh fruit, herbs or edible flowers to make popsicles, flavoured ice cubes for drinks or get even more creative.

Fill your favourite blend into popsicle molds for children's treats or garden parties and have everyone talking about your incredible edibles!

 Use fresh citrus or berries in ice cubes to add a zest of colour and taste to your summer punch!

If you are feeling adventurous, use two bowls as an ice mold and fill it with edible herbs and fresh mint to compliment punch or fruit salads!

Try any of the following delicious and healthy combinations or get creative and make your own. Just remember to always make sure you are certain that you are using the correct herbs and flowers and that any fruits and flowers are small enough to freeze in y our molds.

Orange and Mint

Rose petals and Mint

Pansy and Blueberry

Strawberry and Mint

Strawberry, Raspberry and Blueberry

Pansy and Lemon Verbena

Pineapple and Pansy

Orange and Pineapple

Raspberry and Rose petals

Rose Petals and Pomegranate

Rose petals and Orange

Orange and Pomegranate

Strawberry and Rose Petals 

Orange and Pansy

Orange and Blueberry

Lime and Mint 

Blueberry and Rose Petals

Violet Flowers and Blueberry

Pineapple, Orange and Violet Flowers

Strawberry and Pineapple

Mad Men: Vintage 1960's furniture

If you are a fan of the vintage style in the hit series Mad Men, why not recreate it in your home with the 1960's furniture in My Paris Apartment?
Whether you are a Betty, Don, Joan, Pete or Peggy, you can have their signature style.

Vintage nightstands

 Set of 4 vintage chairs

 Vintage lamp

Vintage mini-table

Create a room that you and your friend will be Mad about.

French Grey Bow Front Bedroom Set

This new summer arrival is the French Gray Bow Front bedroom set. It includes a bureau and a chest of draws. This set is perfect to add storage and class to your boudoir.

Check out our website for more details and photos.

 French Grey Chest Of Drawers

 Flower Details

 A Lovely Pair

 Chest of Drawers and Bureau

French Grey Bureau

Bring Nature into your Home

Warm weather is coming and people are looking for new ways to decorate their homes that are inviting, natural and innovative. Here are some creative new ways to bring nature into your home that will have all of your summer guests talking about your flare for design.

 One classic way to bring nature into the home is by the introduction of potted plants. Try not to choose a generic plant, instead choose a plant that shows off your personality: a calming bonzai, graceful orchid or a low-maintenance cactus. Plants act as air purifiers and are often associated with healthier lifestyles.

 Displaying seashells, rocks or anything collected on vacations is a great way to decorate and remember your outings. Be sure that you are not destroying a habitat before collecting and that you clean them thoroughly when you bring home your new natural treasures.

 Introduce natural materials such a wood, dried flowers or stone to create a warm feeling in your home.

 Terrariums and aquariums are easy to make, simple to maintain and a living piece of art. Be sure to care for plants and animals as directed as some plants or fish may require special attention so do your research first!

 Display a framed fossil to accent a room and create a conversation piece. Fossils are elegant and rare and create an interesting look for any room. 

Water fixtures in the home create a relaxing atmosphere. These can be placed in most rooms and often act as humidifiers while bringing in the natural sounds and smells of water. 

Framed botanical prints are great for adding a touch of class to any room. This is a great solution for those with pollen allergies. Framed pressed flowers or botanical drawings add texture and colour to any area.

Zen gardens are a beautiful accent piece that often incorporates two or three natural elements including stones, sand, water or plants. Most people are daunted by the idea of dusting these though they can easily be shaken in a nylon stocking to remove dust or washed in a colander and reassembled  in a different creative way each time.

French Bedroom Set

Drop by the store and visit our new pieces which are perfect for your summer bedroom redecorating!

 French chest of drawers

 French Vanity with fold up mirror

French side tables

Be it ever so humble...

I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.

-Maya Angelou

Whatever place your heart rests, make your house a home. Create a space that speaks to you, shows off your personality and brings comfort to yourself, your family and your guests. A house becomes a home when it becomes a part of who we are, what we have done and where we have been.

Victorian Oak Table

One of the most recognizable Victorian Stories is Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The original story written for Alice Liddell, is filled with powerful Victorian imagery such as English gardens, playing cards, tea parties and croquet.

One of the book's most striking scenes is when Alice shrinks and grows larger after finding food and drink on a little round table. Such tables were common in the Victorian salons of English households.

 My Paris Apartment offers such a lovely little oak table for your very own salon.

 Beautiful Victorian craftsmanship accents the piece from top to bottom.

Place this in the corner of your salon or seat a few chairs around and invite a few friends.

Whether you are looking to have a tea party or play a game of cards or simply wish to create your own little Wonderland, this table is a perfect addition to any salon.

Queen Anne Vanity

 This elegant Queen Anne Vanity table is the newest addition to the shop.

 The Queen Anne Vanity features a lovely curved triple mirror.

 There are two spacious drawers for various personal items and a great step-up work space.

This would make an excellent makeup table and personal space.

Drop by the store or check out the website for other great finds!