Time Out

We are taking a break here at Dunhaven Place.  If you see something here that you are interested in, please feel free to email us at dunhavenplace@att.net.  However, the photo albums here and on our Facebook page have not been updated for quite some time do to broken bones, broken camera, seasonal flu, the holidays and time spent promoting my Jane Austen-era romantic comedies.  We hope to get back to listing lovely items for sale here on the website soon.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Telling Stories is What I Love to DO

 

Whether it's rearranging things in my home . . .

 
. . . or creating something new out of found objects . . .

 A Timeless Romance Anthology:  Winter Collection contains my novella It Happened Twelfth Night


. . . or writing down the tales my characters whisper in my ear . . .

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind, a regency-era romantic comedy

 . . . it's all about the stories I want to tell.  I LOVE to tell stories!

Miss Delacourt Has Her Day, sequel to Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind

 

click on the titles for purchase info

There Are Witches in the Air!

It has been a busy summer complete with a broken hand and a cast, a broken camera (I'm using the iphone these days so no judging!) closing down our store-front and promoting my novels (and new short story in a Christmas anthology of historical romance--the clean kind--click HERE for my Amazon page with all of my books currently available--it's so nice to have my novels, all Jane Austen era Regency romances, finally out as cheap ebooks!) and I haven't had a chance to do one of my emails.  But I am back with some tips on holiday decor because Halloween is so much fun!

For those of us who love roses, the color pink, and pink roses, fall decor, with all of it's oranges and reds can be a bit of a dilemma.  However, I have found that they can live side by side quite nicely.

It's especially effective if you go the "friendly" route with Halloween decor.  Skeletons and goblets of blood aren't quite as adaptable to the country floral look.  If you love your year round decor too much to make way for Halloween, there are a few quick and easy things you can add without cramping your style.

This inexpensive hat came from the craft store and instantly takes this garden statue from "summer" to "haunted". 

Another hat on this stack of pumpkins creates a mood--remove the hat and you have a lovely Thanksgiving display come November first.

Often all it takes is a string of lights to make an ordinary autumn night seem like a celebration.
(Naturally I do more.)

If you get creative and use what you have around the house, holiday decorating is less expensive and less of an overwhelming chore--and saves on storage, as well.  To me, few things scream Halloween like tarnished silver (a little dust doesn't hurt, either). 

I also love to place candles in or around all kinds of silverplate--the reflection adds an eerie glow.  Another trick is to group together items you already own by color.  Orange, black and white is the Halloweeniest color combination of all and you might be surprised at how festive ordinary items look when huddled together in bunches.

My everyday lanterns in black take on a new look with ribbons from my craft drawer--the more crinkly and used the better.  Scrapbooking tags finish off the look (maybe I'll actually use them in another craft project by this time next year).

October marks the beginning of long, dark evenings and plenty of festive light is what turns your home into a holiday.  If real candles make you nervous, inexpensive battery operated ones (try Costco or dollar stores) are a solid second choice.  You can't tell the difference when used inside a pumpkin.

A candle brings out the sparkle in this "Good Witch" by Bethany Lowe Designs.

Lights are double the delight when given a place where they can shine.  They look wonderful against windows and mirrors where the light can be reflected around the room.  Whether you go simple or easy or lay it on thick, these tips will bring a festive glow to your home this Halloween. 

It's All About Vintage

We love "vintage" at Dunhaven Place and do our best to surround ourselves with lots of lovelies from the past, whether they be genuinely old or just made to look like it (we don't consider that cheating-- just smart).  Whether it's the pillows on the sofa, the dishes on our table, the movies we watch or the books we read, we love The Past.

That's why it was perfectly natural to write a book about uber-romantic Regency England.  Some people think of it as the Jane Austen era, others think of it as the Sharpe's Rifles era; either way, it is a wonderfully unique era from the past.  We are extremely excited to announce that Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind . . .

. . . and its sequel, Miss Delacourt Has Her Day, are finally available in both paperback and ebook forms via Montlake Romance.  (The original hardbacks are still available, as well.)  If interested, just click on the titles of the books but once at the Amazon site, be sure to click on the edition you want--hardback, paperback or ebook. 

Meanwhile, we are working hard at re-organizing our site, closing down our brick and mortar store, doing inventory and getting pertinent information listed to facilitate online shopping.  Most of the items for sale on our site can be mailed, though shipping charges will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis.  Payment can be made via Paypal or credit card--or cash upon delivery if you are local (California sales tax will be added).  This beautiful clock above can be found for sale under the "Misc Treasures" photo album on our Facebook page (as well as on our blog) . . 

. . . and this Prussian chocolate pot set can be found in the "pottery and glass" photo album.  As we run around trying to get the kids ready to return to school and repaint the walls at 4691 Clayton Road in Concord, we appreciate your patience during our transition period to straight online sales.

Meanwhile, we do have a few items numbered, described and priced online.  (If you see something you like without a price, just ask!) You can also find a few of our items for sale on Craigslist.org (just search Dunhaven Place) and we will soon have links to our eBay auctions, as well. 

Thanks so much for all of your support!

~Heidi
www.dunhavenplace.com
dunhavenplace@att.net
925-602-HOME (4663)
Please "like" us on Facebook!

Enjoying Summer's Bounty at Dunhaven Place

August has been short but sweet and full of moments we have spent relaxing with our children and enjoying summer's bounty.  It has been good to take life at a slower pace to take in the colors, the textures and the scent of roses on the breeze.  Six years of planting, arranging and creating in our current home has resulted in vistas I love to revel in again and again.

The backyard at twlight . . .

The canopy of foliage over the outdoor bed . .  .

An outdoor room with a view . . .

The view . . . .

One of my favorite couples . . .

Bringing the indoors out is an old but favorite trick.

You can find these sweet blue bowls for sale in our Glass and Pottery photo album.

And, our tip of the week . . .

If you want to make your treasures stand out, consider painting the background of your cupboard or cabinet a pale version of your favorite color.  This look was created by removing the cabinet doors, backing the shelves with painted beaded board and enhancing the look with deep trim at the top.  Vintage linens with lace edging are a beautiful stand in for contact paper/shelf liner. 

Have a great week and feel free to call or email us with any questions or requests!

Thanks!

Heidi
www.dunhavenplace.blogspot.com
www.dunhavenplace.com
www.heidiashworth.com
Like us on Facebook!
925 602-4663
dunhavenplace@att.net

This Week's Store Hours at Dunhaven Place

For those who might have missed it, this week is the last week our store front will be open.  Our Moving On Sale--50% off most everything and 75% off holiday--continues through Saturday at 6 PM.  Our hours this week are Weds 10-4, Thurs 10-5 and 10-6 Friday and Saturday. 

We have had a fabulous experience with Dunhaven Place! The best part was getting to meet so many wonderful people!  We love our customers!  We look forward to continued interaction through our website, FB page, blog and emails.  We hope to continue bringing you beautiful and unique items for your Shabby Chic/Country English/Country French home decor as well as inspiring ideas for how to make the most of what you already have.

For those who are not aware, I am a published novelist through Avalon Books.  Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind and Miss Delacourt Has Her Day are Jane Austen-era romantic comedies/Traditional Regency Romances.  A while back my publisher was bought out by Amazon Publishing and my books will be coming out as paperbacks and ebooks in the very near future! 

This is one of the reasons we have chosen to close our store front---I intend to put more time into my writing.  I will also have a short story, a holiday Regency Romance, as part of a historical romance anthology coming out October 15th as an ebook.  (Now I just have to finish writing it!)

Please note that we have some new furniture items including this vintage shield back chair.  The seat is covered with a remnant from a Victorian era drapery--very special!  We will continue to list our items on Craigslist so be sure to use the search term "Dunhaven Place" when looking for our items!

We hope to see you in the store this week--and in the meatime, enjoy your summer!  Thanks so much for your patronage!

~Heidi

The Hodge-Podge Sale at Dunhaven Place

Announcing the Hodge-Podge sale at Dunhaven Place!  As we are closing our store front by the end of the month, we have pulled out most of the items from various storage locations and brought them into the store.  Everything in the store is 50% off and holiday items are 75% off of the original ticketed price!  The late 1800's Victorian side by side drop leaf desk is adorable and at 50% off is only $200!!  It has tons of scrolly detail and storage!  View details on Craigslist by searching "Dunhaven Place".

There are two exceptions to the sale--the beautiful buffet and shelf unit (the price of which has been lowered to $1200) and the round pedestal table and chairs.  Be sure to come in and check out all the sale items including 75% off of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day and 4th of July!  New furniture items have been added as well. 

See you soon!

Thanks!

Heidi