Carolyn Westbrook: On the Road again!

One minute we are in Canton, the next Colorado. It was a beautiful background and wonderful weather as we junked our way through Colorado. The scenery was beautiful and we saw some wonderful stuff along the way.
The biggest Bass Pro shop that I have ever seen, in Denver. It was amazing with stuffed bears, waterfalls and a fish pond with glass walls.
We even ran across some bagpipers along the way!


Nick got to do some fishing and it was actually chilly in the mountains. Quite a switch from Texas! Here at the base of the mountain, we saw river rafters braving the rapids. A good time was had by all! I did love the mountains, but was happy to get back to Texas, even though it is hot, hot, Hot!
Don't forget the Summer Roundtop Show this weekend at the Big Red Barn!
Hope to see you there!
xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Summer Junk Trip!

I had to take this shot of the heaping pitcher of iced tea, so that y'all would all know that we really are keeping our pinky promise and making delicious summer drinks with yummy fresh mint, straight from the herb garden. The girls (our happy hens) are laying everyday and this morning it was all about the omlette. WE had omlettes at the hotel when we were in Colorado, so now the kids think that this is a wonderful idea. With all of the tomatoes coming in at the same time, we are making huge bowls of fresh salsa, which Nick can eat in one sitting. I think that he could be drinking it. After all, he is 14, and between him and his friends, that seem to congregate here every day for meal time, and those guys can eat. I love having them all around.
Here are some more shots of the famous Canton Texas Flea Market. Lots of stuff and love the stacks of cowboy hats!
Below is a shot out on the grounds and you can see lots of great garden things that I love. We went home with quite a nice haul. It is hot, but if you shop early, nothing can really keep me away from this.
Also, wanted to talk to all of my friends in the NYC area or if you want to come to the NYC area for a book signing. They are wanting to do a signing at the Rizzoli store in NYC, but need to hear from my friends to see who would be able to make it out for the signing. Thinking the 14th of October. If you would be interested in joining myself and Keith Scott Morton to get an autographed copy of the new book, Carolyn Westbrook: The French Inspired Home, then please let me hear from you. If we have enough response, then we will see you there!

xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: At Home and Gone Junkin!

I hope that everyone is keeping their pinky swear promise to enjoy the long, summer days. Yeah, I know it is hot, but hey if you stay in the shade and get a nice breeze or run through the sprinkler or just get sprayed by the water hose, we remember how great those summer days can be. I for one, have been taking full advantage of the iced tea, making heaping pitchers every day, laced with fresh mint and orange slices. I have so many things that I want to tell you and so many things to blog about, that I cannot get it all into one. Yes, yes, I know that it has been a while since I blogged, but I have hit the road lately and left the plantation to go out on some summer road trips, in search of great junk, and I have seen plenty.

First, I was off to Canton Texas and found piles and miles of great stuff.
There was fields of all kinds of great stuff to buy and I could not possibly get all of the pictures on here at once, so you will have to stay posted, as I do it a day at a time. This picture was quite an eclectic mix, but the pelican would be great sitting poolside and the stagecoach would be great for our annual haunted hayride!
The flowering plants were plentiful at Canton and thought this was an incredible shot of the pallets of beautiful snapdragons, moss rose, larkspurs and more. I bought an entire truck full of knock-out roses, moss rose and zinnias for our summer gardens. By the way, give me a shout out if you loved the gardens in the movie," It's Complicated." I absolutely fell in love with the gardens in that movie with the vegetables, the cabbages, tomatoe vines and flowers, were glorious. Nancy Meyers produced that and "Somethings Gotta Give" and she is a genius. I loved the beach house too and found myself watching both of these over and over, just to look at gardens and decor. How about y'all? Speaking of gardens...how about these vintage garden tools that I saw at Canton for $4 each??? I will post more great pics of our summer fun and road trips.
This weekend we will be road tripping down to Roundtop Texas for the Big Red Barn Summer Show that starts SATURDAY the 26th and Sunday the 27th. This is a great group of dealers...the best from Warrenton, Marburger and ROundtop, so if you are in need of the good stuff, and ready to hit the road for a summer getaway, then don't miss it!
We will be set up at the show and have our usual great mix of linens, garden, French and architectural pieces.
P.S. while your there, don't forget to visit the legendary Royers cafe, that is famous for their 40+ kinds of homeade pies with real homeade crust from cherry to tollhouse, you have to try it. Also, don't miss the Sunday lunch with homeade fried chicken dinners. Truly, the best fried chicken, other than my grandmother's recipe, that I have ever eaten.
Plus you get to enjoy the Texas Hill Country and it doesn't get any better than that!
Meet me back here tomorrow, for more of our summer junkin trip!
xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Happy Memorial Day and Happy Summer!

Happy Memorial Day: from the Plantation!
From all of us at Carolyn Westbrook Home, to all of you, we hope that you have a wonderful holiday weekend! Whether you are sleeping late, something that we all rarely do, but hey, now that the kids are out of school, let's all try and do that, shall we. Let's make a pledge right now, that we are going to enjoy this summer. I know, I know, we say that every year, but this year will be different, because we will make it so, right? So, everyone get those pinkies up in the air and pinkie swear: This summer, I pledge to spend lots of time with family and friends. I will actually read a book and not just read a book or two, but finish them. Preferably, while lying in the sun, whether in some exotic location on the beach or next to the kids blow-up swimming pool (that the top ring has deflated on, and we cannot figure out how to use the patch kit or even know where it is) but hey, it still holds water, right! Cheers to that! Here's to being positive, more loving and being appreciative for what we have (we may not have anything but a splash pool, but thank God for that) and to just being fun to be around, you know, like when you were when you were a kid! Here's to getting excited about the little things in life, like a big ol glass of iced tea, Whoo Hoo! Here's to embracing those warm temperatures (It has been no time ago that I was griping about the snow) and lets be thankful of the long daylight hours, and for lightening bugs! I saw some last night as I was walking down the driveway. Your time to start living life to the fullest, STARTS NOW!

Here is to peaceful sun-filled days. Let's vow to rock on the porch or at least sit outside, go fishing or paint a room, to make s'mores with the kids or have a bike ride. Whatever it is, just remember to enjoy and to count your blessings, because we are all blessed to live in a country that we are free to do all of that. Thanks to all of the men and women that have protected us and continue to do so! God Bless the United States of America and all of us that call it home!
P.S. Summer begins NOW! Get our there and enjoy it!


Get out there and garden, girls! It's Summer! Let's get our hands dirty cuz we can always wash them off with the hose.
The girls say hi! as they cluck about this morning! Say hi to Willemena, Babs, Roxie, Cluck, Peck, and Big Fat White Hen, who doesnt like to be photographed!

Here's to the easy, breezy days of Summer! The crickets chirping and the bullfrog chorus is going on every night, just across the road at the "big lake" as Nick likes to call it. There is plenty of fishing to do!

Carolyn Westbrook: The Big Reveal

Could not wait to get back from my makeover trip to be able to share this
reveal. This was a friend who allowed me to do whatever I wanted, just create her
perfect dream house was the order. I spent months collecting all of the pieces necessary
to create a vision. I wanted a Marie Antoinette look, with French landscape prints, antique busts,

These are the before and after photos.
French books, and all of the other fabulous elements that came together to make
this look. The rooms were not large, so it was important to be able to create specific rooms using
a fabulous divider with gorgeous linen curtains. It also needed dramatic touches of color with
the touch of black elements. The room was dark and needed the beauty of lighting. The couch
on the left was an antique pale green couch with lots of tufting and we added pale green silk pillows
that are just to die for. The black shades add to the room and tie in beautifully with the zebra rug.
A skirted ottoman, comfy throws, and aged tarnished silver completed the look. I was thrilled with
the results and thought that you all would be anxious to see.

I will post the bedroom pics next. Let me hear your thoughts.
XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Here it is...The French Inspired Home!!!

Oh my Gosh!!! I was jumping up and down when I opened the envelope and saw this!
Turned out even better than I had hoped. And with that said, just want to send out some
great big hugs and kisses to my photography team, Keith Scott Morton and his assistant, Eric.
Both are not only fabulous people, but just awesome at what they do. We are putting the finishing
touches on the book and also would like to say how great it is to work with such a wonderful
publisher. Thanks to my tireless editor Gillian and to Cindy and David for believing in me.
It is being presold now on Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble. So, now I just need all of
ya'll to please go order one. I cannot wait to see the first copy and will keep you posted on
events.

How about this weather we are having???Gorgeous! Have a wonderful weekend.
XOXO Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Garden Party Sale!

Hi Everyone! Wanted to let you all know that it is time for the annual Garden Party Sale.
This sale takes place in Dallas, Texas at my good friend Portia's. I know that you all have heard me
rave about all of the good stuff that I find and these two friends have incredible stuff. Oh, forgot to
mention that my good friend Gina, Country Garden antiques will be at this event too.
If you all are into the spring cleaning and re-doing like me, then you really need to check this out.
Lots of great stuff esp. the hard to find garden and architectural. Garden urns, statuary, furniture, lots
of really neat odds and ends and bits and pieces...treasures that we all love to find.

Here is the info:
Thursday May 6th- 6-8pm
Friday May 7th 10-3
4224 Allencrest
Dallas, TX. 75244
Questions??? 214-770-3038 Gina


XOXO Carolyn