What's New at Tone on Tone?

What's new at Tone on Tone? Or should it be what's old? :) Well, the container that came two weeks ago has FINALLY(!) been unpacked. Now I'm working on tagging, upholstering, setting up shop, and uploading photos to our website. Sorry for the delay. I've been swamped with multiple project deadlines and endless spring garden chores.

Here is a quick look at the shop and preview of a few new pieces. I'll be adding more photos directly to our website in the next couple of weeks. Thanks in advance for checking it out!

 This pair of Swedish painted armchairs is actually from our prior shipment. I had sent them out to the upholsterer, and they just came back with their new greige linen upholstery. I love the downswept arms and pierced fretwork backrest.

 Above: A mix of Belgian, English and French pieces all in different finishes - just the way I like it! Anchoring this vignette is a mid 1800s French fruitwood farm table with a long end drawer (not shown). On top is a pair of 20th century oil and acrylic on paper paintings. The centerpiece is a fabulous antique English copper fish poacher. And the painted footstools, newly upholstered in linen with nailheads, are from Belgium.

 Another look at one of the stools next to a mid 1700s French walnut commode. The rug is 19th century Persian....just a bit worn and tattered.

 Lots of tabletop accessories in this shipment, including these antique English ivory accessories.

 A couple of Swedish Mora clocks.

 A sculptural Swedish bow front chest with three graduated drawers and cabriole feet.

 This French chestnut and oak sideboard with its fabulous long hinges and hardware just arrived. On top is a collection of creamware.

 Below: A French Directoire style fruitwood sideboard with handsome proportions.

 All French here! This type of French mirror is known as a bistro mirror. The flame top carved marble finials and soup tureen are also from France. One of my favorite pieces from the shipment is this striking marble top pastry table with its old white painted iron base.

 An antique English mirror with a frame of acorns and oak leaves.

That's it for the shop tour!

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What else is new? I'm working on a lovely Ca. 1860s home with this stunning conservatory addition. We are repainting the walls, ceiling and trim, and this photo was taken prior to painting.

A peek at my board for the conservatory: many shades of blues, tans, browns and greiges. The pottery bowl is from John Rosselli. So are the Lisa Fine and Michael Smith fabrics. The wall paint color (background) is custom and the trim will be BM's White Dove. 

 While shopping for pieces for the kids rooms, I came across this awesome collection of glass bottles at West Elm. Kinda reminds of a Morandi still life!

 I'll be sharing more photos of this home on Instagram (user name: loithai) and here on the blog. Thanks for following along :)

Our Early Spring Garden

It has been a while since I've posted about our garden.With the arrival of warmer weather, much is going on. Bulbs are blooming, trees are leafing out, and perennials are popping up. We've been busy seeding, planting, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, cleaning up, etc. Spring is indeed a very busy time, even in our small city garden.

I like to start each day with a quick survey and walk to see what's changing outside. Here is a look at early spring in our garden.

 Pure sunshine in the small courtyard! While yellow happens to be one of my favorite colors, I seldom use it inside or out. However, I made an exception here with Tete-a-Tete small yellow daffodils. Tete-a-Tetes are early bloomers, and their bright yellow color is a fabulous way to kick off spring. The little fountain finally got its spring cleaning.

 Tete-a-Tetes hold their blooms upright on sturdy stems.

 They bloom early before the Natchez crape myrtles leaf out.

 Next to the front door is this spring blooming camellia with double white flowers. I'm sorry I forgot the name. Anyone know? It is underplanted with white lilies of the valley dug from my friend Charlet's garden.

 So much to do! We planted pansies in the urns, and relaid the pea gravel walkway. The walkway had become dingy, so we replaced the top 50% of the gravel and sand. We recycled the old gravel and sand to beds that needed better drainage.The below photo was taken right after a shower. Everything looks so green! Here the trees are just starting to leaf out.

 The bronze gate handle even got oiled. It now works much better :)

 A few days later, fresh green foliage on the hornbeam trees.

 The birdbath was taken out of storage, and my garden companions have returned. Hi, there, little friend!

 This time of year, the house is still shading most of the white border garden. But look at the profusion of white flowers on the skip laurel hedge. I chose skip laurels for the white border garden because of their white blooms and dark green foliage--a great backdrop for all the white flowers in this garden.

 We planted white periwinkles under the hornbeam trees two years ago. They seem to be taking off. Last year, they suffered from a fungal attack. Fingers crossed!

 Remember the Clematis Paniculata that covered this tuteur last year? I recently gave this vigorous climber a good haircut as it had grown so much. Under the tuteur I've planted another favorite daffodil of mine: Stainless. I love its clean, pure white flowers.