About Darling

My name is Margaux, founder of Darling, Dearly Loved Home & Gift, loving all stylish things home design and decor.

I am excited to share my love for repurposing vintage furniture, found objects, and home accessories! I have always loved giving old "useless" furniture a new repurposed life and giving charm to the unexpected. Darling is a proud retailer of Maison Blanche Vinage Paints and complimentary products and holds workshops to inspire you!
My hand painted vintage  furniture pieces and unique vintage finds are on display and for sale at Maximus Antiques in Old Saybrook, Ct. Please visit and LIKE www.facebook.com/DarlingLlc for information on my current projects and updates. Unique finds sold on etsy and ebay.



EBAY STORE http://stores.ebay.com/A-A-Estate-Sales


I have seen "it all," but each piece is carefully hand selected and only the items that I feel will make a statement in your home are refurnished. Each vintage treasure is restored by myself, while protecting the character of the "time-worn beauties."
We each have our particular style that captures us, mine being particularly anything time-worn, but timeless.



I guess in a few words my style would be described as "vintage elegance" with french influence and touches of femininity. My belief is in the beauty of imperfections, the allure of time-worn objects mixed with the appeal of practical living. Much of the "practical living" belief has been deeply engrained over the past few years raising children. I found myself no longer necessarily enjoying just the fancy high maintenance things, but rather the simpler things that are enjoyed carefree. What's better than enjoying having friends over and not worrying about putting coffee cups down on a beautifully distressed coffee table?

I am doing what I love to do... to create, to be inspired, and to inspire others to confidently create beautiful surroundings. I enjoy finding beauty in the old and worn, particularly anything that looks like it has a rich heritage. I gravitate toward uncluttered spaces, cool tones of whites and grays, touches of glamour mixed with rustic touches, reclaimed architectural finds, aged chandeliers, reclaimed wood, roses & peonies, boxwood gardens, and deliciously comfortable furnishings.
My favorite homes are those that are filled with creativity and individuality.  My mission is to inspire and teach you the product knowledge needed to inspire you to find all of the creative possibilities needed to transform your home, piece by piece.
YOU absolutely can do it ...and …on a realistic budget.

Often with design- using the analogy of a “road map” is helpful. You don’t typically get in your car and ask for directions without knowing your destination! But yet, people often take this approach when it comes to decorating or paint projects.
They just start buying items and making decisions, without a plan and knowing the final design they want. This wastes your time, money, and makes you feel overwhelmed. Again, let me help you! Even the most indecisive customer can be inspired! The design discovery phase should be fun. Don’t dread it, I can make this inspirational, easy and enjoyable. Let me help make your house your HOME!

Workshops:

Sign up for a variety of fun painting workshops through studio using Maison Blanche Vintage Paints. www.MaisonBlnchePaint.com. Our goal is always focused on inspiring our costumers and giving them the courage to paint everything in sight!
See updates under "Events" on www.facebook.com/DarlingLLC and www.DearlyLovedDarling.com for class schedules and free paint demonstrations!
You’ll soon discover that these aren’t just ordinary paint finishes but a foundation of specialized techniques from which you’ll learn to create your signature looks with modern materials and application methods.
There are many workshops that are created to help you learn and achieve your decorating goals.

Design Consultations-

Premium Room, Furniture, or Cabinet Makeover:

Do you want a specific look and want to create it? Do you have a kitchen with cabinets that you would love to transform? Are you a little afraid to paint your grandmothers desk? Do you need someone to bounce basic home design details off of? Do you want to mix specific Maison Blanche vintage paint colors for an exact look. Do you need the confidence to work with advise.

How you can help- bring or email photos of the room you need help with along with any information that may be helpful. I will create a mood board (an inspiration design collage) for us to create a project “road map." If you can provide inspiration pictures that would be most helpful!  This includes pictures of your style, color preferences, etc. If you don't know, that's OK, that is why I am here!

Includes: A complete transformation on your budget. I will recommend Maison Blanche vintage paint colors, waxing techniques, furniture layout options, where to buy accessories, furniture, lighting, etc. I will guide you to creating the room or furniture piece that you love and one that will have everyone “oohing and awing”! I will give you the tools for exact painting techniques, and the “how to's” to execute your project successfully!

Pricing: $50/ 30 minutes or $100/hour

Project Hand Over:

Do you not have enough time and/or patience to complete a project? I will work with you (everything included above) and execute the project for you. This includes shopping for home accessories, painting furniture and cabinets, and rearranging furniture to create a better look. Customization and uniqueness includes high-end artisan finishes. Consider having me add a touch of personalization. We can customize your space with detailing on a cabinet or furniture piece with stencils, free hand paint techniques, and gilding. Once we hone in on what the end product will be, prior to me starting any job, all of my clients receive a painting contract.

Looking For Something unique?

Let me find it for you! I have many resources to make your wishes come true! Priced Upon Request

Customer Testimonial~

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Margaux Condon Antonino for approximately a year now. In this year I have felt like I have known her forever. Margaux has a unique talent for teaching her skills as I can attest to first hand.
She has a quality of excellence and integrity in every thing she does. Margaux is extremely talented. To say she has a flare with decorating is an understatement. As she creates she transforms everything to a more beautiful state.
There is no other like her that can bring out the feminine qualities in the art of decor as she. I am so looking forward to seeing her exceptional elegance in her new shop Darling."

Sincerely yours,

Donna Marie

Out of all the fabulous blogs, I am so glad you found your way to mine! Please share your thoughts, photos, ideas. The photos used on my blog are both inspirations from others and my personal work. Credit will be given to use of images.

Quote above from the fabulous missmustardseed.com