You guys are the best. I have definitely cut back on posting on my blog, and it's always nice (and surprising) to know that people notice! Thank you for your emails wondering where I am and what the heck is going on! If you want to keep in closer contact, I am much more attentive to my instagram account and you can follow me there ~ @thefrenchtangerine. 

But for now, here are a few updates!

I ordered fabric for my birthday back in July to cover these wing chairs in my office. The fabric showed up in October, and the chairs have finally returned!

But first, a quick story about the fabric. It's called Malabar by Colefax and Fowler, and it may be my all-time favorite fabric. Dan Carithers used it a lot, and I copied. I have it in tan on a barrel back wing chair in my living room.

And I have it in green in my family room on an ottoman. 

I sometimes love fabrics so much, I put them in multiple places. I have this fabric in brown on this bench...

And also in green on this bench! 

So back to the Colefax and Fowler fabric.. Now I have it in aqua on the pair of wing chairs in my office!

I found this gorgeous rug from JD Oriental Rugs ~ I love the colors!

I really wanted to make this room light and colorful and happy. 

My colorful book collections are on full display in this room.

Sometimes I literally buy books because of the color.

The glass heart vase is in my shop! here

I am thinking of adding these gorgeous match strikers to my shop.

This photo is a bit dark, but I want you to see the blue lacquer ceiling... I love it so much! And the wreath is so festive.

I kind of want to paint the desk blue? Or green?

I really wanted to have cool light fixtures come out of the ceiling and shine on the bookshelves, but it was just too much to figure out for this room at this time. 

So it's exciting to get that room... dare I say... finished! (for now)

In other news, I added this tyg to my mantel... It was a favorite find from a recent trip to the Winnetka Antiques Show. I had never heard of a tyg! It is a large English pottery mug with multiple handles dividing the rim into sections allowing for easy passing between several drinkers. The multiple handles were also helpful for passing hot drinks without getting burned. These drinking vessels were very popular during the 16th and 17th centuries. Mine is dated c.1880, however the date reads 1612 on the front of the pot. It is my understanding that the artist, from the 19th century, is known for using the earlier date, representing a tyg from the original time period they were made.

"Tygs are highly collected" the dealer said. And just like that, they are added to my list of collections. I wonder if I will ever see another one?

Balances nicely with the other side...

Love this little display of a collection...

I'm running out of space for anything new in this house.

Which brings me to my next update, the condo in Naples. Oh Lord, this has been an interesting project. What started as a small we'll just carpet and paint project has turned into a major renovation. There's not much to show you at this stage... Hardwood floors are throughout...

The tile in the master shower...

This is actually the master closet which is hilarious because it's huge and we will have swimsuits and not very many clothes, but the space was already there!

This is the guest shower...

This is the tile on the lanai which wraps around the master, the living and dining space, and the guest bedroom. I thought it resembled limestone. At any rate, it is a major improvement from what was there before.

This is the dolomite that will go in the kitchen ~ countertops and backsplash. I had not heard of dolomite when we were building our house 20 years ago. It is harder than marble and softer than granite. I adore it.

Here are some of the fabrics going in the master bedroom...

And the guest bedroom...

Of course, choosing fabrics is my favorite part! Still deciding on living and dining room fabrics, but we've got some time.

Is it a requirement that there be setbacks in every renovation project? In the history of the world, has there ever been a renovation project that has finished on time? We were supposed to be in before Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Now, who knows. 

Anyway, I'm heading down to Naples soon to check things out, and I'll post some updates on instagram for sure.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was 60 degrees in Omaha, and we got all our Christmas decorations up outside. You guys, I'm considering not putting up a tree this year. We have a couple trips planned, and what to do about watering the tree? Maybe it's just an excuse to cut that major stress out of my life. Would it be the end of the world? I can still make it festive. 

The wreaths in the windows help!

 We will have to see what transpires...