The "Mood Board" keeps me in the mood for a little French chic

The contract is signed, deposit wired and now the purchase of the Clocktower Cottage is all but certain. Now, I am free to redecorate and make it my special place--also a special, memorable rental for the travelers I hope to attract with my new website: www.cozyclocktowercottage.com.

The "mood board" can take many shapes, but or me, it's a way to stay organized, remember my best ideas, and put photos and swatches together to be sure my initial instincts are as "spot on" as I hope.

My first plan is to paint the entire first floor a soft, subtle shade of blue, like Sherwin Williams's shade called "watery" (SW6478), then I will cover the existing couch and loveseat with ready-made slipcovers from Sure-fit in a taupe color. Their matelasse fabric in Linen is rich-feeling and goes with everything. I will choose a few fabrics that include blue, taupe and gold to make throw-pillow covers that will tie elements of the room together. Luisa has volunteered to help with the pillows. I will add a new lighting fixture and the "sejour" will be mostly done. Once I bring the large, gold rug down fom the bedroom, it should all roll together nicely.

The major effort will be lightening up the kitchen, with its stodgy, heavy oak cabinets, formica countertops and medeival lighting and wall decor. The table and chairs echo the heavy feel, more stodgy oak, and will need an update too.

Oof! The cabinets need painting and glazing so they have a shabby-chic feel. I'm looking for white cabinets against the blue walls and I have already purchased an assortment of cabinet "bling" to make everything look fresh and fun. With a total of 14 doors and 7 drawers, this will be a long, tedious project. I hope I am the right woman for the job. Then the table base and legs could be antique white, with a distressed charcoal--nearly black top. I would love to paint the chairs bright red, but the chairs are just too heavy--I may end up ditching them at a vide grenier for a new set of bistro chairs like these, from the Maisons du Monde catalog.

Thinking about all this work is making me tired. I will resume work on the mood board when I have a little more energy. Until then, a bientot!