Rest In Peace

Margot

My poor sweet angel walked into the kitchen yesterday morning and keeled over dead from a massive heart attack. She was gone in seconds. She was only 8. No chance to say goodbye or to do anything to help. Exactly like my husband's death five years ago. 

Happy Halloween

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Happy Halloween from Casa Chinoiserie Chic. The house and the pups are all ready. I love my alligator skeletons and mermaid skeletons - Halloween Florida style. 

Living with Dogs

Alex Papachristidis - Teddy

 

My dogs Harper and Margot are my babies. If you live with small dogs, one issue, if they are allowed on furniture (which mine are) is how they get on and off high furniture like beds or sofas without hurting themselves.

Alex Papachristidis' tip for living with a pint-size pup? Give him a leg up by placing stylish step stools around the house. “Small antique and vintage chairs next to beds and sofas help to give your pets access to higher ground while also protecting their backs,” writes Alex. “I often buy Teddy’s miniature furniture from antique stores, pier shows, and auction houses.” (via One Kings Lane)

Palms for Pups

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I decided to upgrade the puppies' bowls and they arrived yesterday. As you can see, they are hand painted with palm fronds. The stainless steel inserts pop out for running through the dishwasher. I love supporting local businesses and I ordered them from Feed Pet Purveyor in Tampa in blue and in pink - free fast shipping and beautifully packaged. Margot seems to approve.

 

Dog Days

Harper

An exciting day in dog world yesterday. In the mad rush to get things out of the old house, the pups' dog beds got left behind by the movers. And I have decided to stop calling him GG which I decided is a bit too cute and harmless sounding. Any ideas for a new moniker are welcome. Their new banana leaf beds arrived yesterday. Check out the hot pink piping. They seem to be happy with them. For small dogs, a Euro size (26" by 26") pillow and sham works great and can be easily laundered as needed. These were from Etsy available here. And I love that she is right here in Florida. I love supporting local businesses.

Margot

The monkeys kept a watchful eye on the pups as they settled in on their new beds.

Vintage blue and white monkeys

Of course, this is where the pups sleep at night.

The master bedroom

House Hunting in Florida - Part 1

Just Chilling

Someone commented recently asking that I do a post on house hunting in Florida. This will be far from scientific, but I would love to share my experiences in looking for two homes over the past year in Sarasota/Venice. I was in the D.C. area for 40 years and I adored it. I never planned on leaving. But life had other plans for me and here I am in Florida. And guess what? I am in love with it.

This is one thing I absolutely adore about Florida. The animals. Last evening, this guy was sitting and chilling just feet from my front door for about an hour. There were sandhill cranes in the back yard, and an alligator swimming lazy laps in the lake behind our house. On any given day I see dozens of egrets, heron, deer, turtles, geckos, armadillos, eagles, cranes, rabbits, frogs, snakes, alligators, the list goes on and on. The other day there was a horse just relaxing in my back yard. We are surrounded by farms. There are roseate spoonbills too - such beautiful birds.

Roseate Spoonbill

And I forgot to mention the wild hogs in our community. Unbelievable.

Wild hogs

If you love wildlife as I do, select a home that is near lakes, a golf course, preserves, or marshes. We have all of these, and there are animals in our yard nonstop. None do any damage really. We use a natural deer repellent on a few plants and if armadillos dig holes anywhere, we stick a fallen prickly palm frond in the hole and they move on to more hospitable surroundings. My new home backs onto beautiful preserves with ancient palms, and the community has lakes, canals, a golf course, and preserves, so I am optimistic I will have lots of wildlife there too. I don't think I can bring all these guys with me - just the puppies. Getting ready for our drive to Venice this past Sunday - they wanted to drive.

Harper and Margot

The Blue and White Laundry Room

Dina Bandman - San Francisco Decorator Showcase

Such a wonderful room - this laundry room has de Gournay wallpaper (in a decorator show house where it is being donated). Love the dog wash station. My two puppies are so tiny that it is more convenient for me to use the laundry sink. BTW, there is nothing keeping me more grounded right now that my two puppy angels Harper and Margot. They are so happy, hanging out with me 24/7 and just enjoying life.

You might have seen this shot above before, but here are more photos to really see all the detailing in this fabulous room with custom cabinetry, navy subway tiles, and so much more.

I think this has motivated me to do some more styling in my own laundry room today.

My pups practicing social distancing.

The Puppy Condo

Redfins - Luxury Puppy Condo in Sarasota

Did I mention to you that Harper and Margot have their own luxury condominium in Sarasota? The Florida house has a double staircase with a wet bar in between on the living room side. On the kitchen side of the staircase is a three section storage closet. We tore out the carpet, installed luxury vinyl dog friendly planks, and created a three room doggy condo that houses their toys, bowls, beds, crate, leashes, etc. etc. It also has a collection of nine dog oil paintings, most from Mario Buatta's collection and even a dog book library. The antique Chinese boxes hold the ashes of my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Mandy and Julia, and my Tibetan Spaniel Isabella who I lost just before moving to Florida. I am happy they are all here with me.

 I think it is great use of the space and I love that all their doggy paraphernalia is not all over the place.

Halloween & Puppies

 Beginning to decorate for Halloween at my house and Harper and Margot chilling at the Hotel Monaco Doggy Yappy Hour.

Christmas Chez Chinoiserie Chic

Margot is all ready for Christmas too.

The Chinoiserie Dog

Our Japanese Chin puppy Margot has her own wardrobe rack with miniature hangers to house her growing wardrobe.

Here she is in one of our favorites - her Ralph Lauren trench raincoat lined with pink and green rep striped tie silk. You can find it here.

She is also so cute in her C. Wonder quilted jacket. It is available in green, hot pink, and navy and can be monogrammed. In the photo of her wardrobe rack at top you can see it in the pink.

Here are some ideas for Margot's Christmas outfit -

This purple cashmere turtleneck with her name embroidered in green -

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Turtleneck

Or this cashmere turtleneck in hot pink with her name embroidered in green -

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Turtleneck

Tory Burch Leather Trimmed Wool Dog Coat

C. Wonder Buffalo Check Jacket

Any favorites?