DISQUS

Katherine · 1 month ago

I like the first banner the best! :)

deborah · 1 month ago

I love the polka dots with the floral background. I also enjoyed how you use to change the banner image to correspond with the season.

Shelley · 1 month ago

I love banners 1 and 2.

They tugged at my heart with nostalgia. I love #1 especially because it reminds me of finding Brocante Home for the first time.

Deanna Piercy · 1 month ago

Polka dots! :)

maisonstgermaincom · 1 month ago

I loved the cherry red polka dots and the third banner. Polka dots are happy! But you are so creative with your blog that anything you design will be fabulous. I still do not understand how to do mine so I still have a generic header. Love reading your blog and missed it when you were absent.
~Debra The Capers of the Vintage Vixens

Rhonda · 1 month ago

I like this current style you are using
but I always like polka dots - they just make me smile

Sasha · 1 month ago

Hi,
I'm with most people here it seems - I found the old site/layout much more user friendly. I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to website navigation I know, but I have felt a bit out in the cold with this new one, with the salon AND housekeepers circle seperate etc - I must confess, I haven't joined in much since it changed as it feels a bit too complicated to do so, and I haven't ever got my head around the whole thing!

I also don't understand why everything seems to be for sale in dollars - even the Christmas Planner etc on Etsy, e-bay treasure, books etc. I understand you have lots of members/readers in the states and around the world, but I guess that also makes it feel less 'homespun' to me personally, here in the UK - less accessible to me? Unless it's my settings and I can change that???

I'm also having trouble contacting you Alison. Please do tell me if I am doing something wrong on my computer - I do rather feel like I'm knocking on the door and no-one can hear me, or I'm just missing something, do you know what I mean?

PS: I bought the Xmas countdown on Etsy, but don't know what to do next..... should I get an e-mail for a download??

I really like the first picture too - but not sure how I feel about there being a man in it - I know that sounds silly! I think it's really the vintage feel to it and the colours that most draws the eye.

I hope I haven't sounded too negative?! I will always be a fan!

BrocanteHome · 1 month ago

Hello Sasha, thank you for your comments: you know how much I appreciate them.

Ok point by point...

I initially put everything seperate here so that the circle and the salon were distinguashable from everything else hanging around the sidebars but even I admit to forgetting that they are there occasionally! That said I'm not sure what to do about it because they are seperate sites and I worry if things look a bit mental in the sidebars. (It's just about the only thing I get bit anal about and definitely need treatment for!). I think there is definitely a case for concentrating on what I'm good at and stopping trying to be all things to all people which is both confusing and exhausting for me and alienating to my readers, so I'm on it and will look to simplify soon...

As for the dollar thing this is simply about reducing my own workload! With a 96% American audience it is just easier to have the price in dollars so that I am not (as I was when it was in pounds) inundated with conversion questions. As far as Ebay and Amazon goes, this was a business decision based on the success of the US programs over the Uk ones and though I would really like to feature the UK equivalents I just don't have the time. I do hope that makes sense?

As for contacting me... oooh hell's I'm so utterly rubbish with email! I forget to look at it and things linger and I'm a simply rubbish correspondant and I can't even begin to apologise enough! I get sillly amounts of email these days because there is so much content on here and the former site and I'm doing my best to keep up! So no, it's not you, it's me: I hear ya, and occasionally kind of answer in my head and consider the matter done with and I am soooooo sorry if I have missed something important....

As far as the christmas Countdown goes, I have you on the list (I've just checked!) and the next email is automatically scheduled for Wednesday.

And finally, yep I'm with you about the man thing! And I don't know why either.

Love you Sasha and really hope my general bonkersness isn't too off-putting!x

Sasha · 1 month ago

Oh, far from it Alison - your 'general bonkersness' as you put it is most endearing, and what assures me I am not alone in the world!

Crikey, I feel awful now, but do appreciate the fullness of your reply - I really, really was getting to thinking I must be pressing something wrong, or not logging in somewhere properly! Please don't give any of it a moments more thought, so long as I know now....

And congratulations on the huge USA readership too! I had no idea, so of course dollars make sense.

I shall patiently await the first of my Christmas Countdown - I simply can't wait, such is my excitement about anything remotely Christmassy. My daughter and I are listening to vaguely Christmassy music (Ella Fitzgerald sings Xmas - fab - if you'd like to know....) and compiling our Christmas 'Wish Lists' as I type!!! Now, THAT"S general bonkersness!

Love you too!!! xxx

florenceandmary · 1 month ago

I much preferred your previous layout to this one but then as you'll see on my blog I love the bright colours!

I'm with some of the other commenters, I love a mix of all the above banners.... I like the picture on no 1 but the backgrounds of 2 and 3 and especially love "life, love..." on the 3 banner.

Hmmmm does that help at all?!!!

Victoria xx

BrocanteHome · 1 month ago

Victoria was it only the design you preferred or the actual layout itself (ie:where the boxes and blogposts are on the page)?

Rumour has it (according to my Mum!)that this layout is more difficult to navigate...

florenceandmary · 1 month ago

I was more referring to the design than layout... I can't really remember the old layout but haven't had any problems navigating this one although I think because of the lighter tones things can maybe tend to blend in?

Victoria x

BrocanteHome · 1 month ago

Thanks for that Victoria, I really appreciate it.x

Anonymous · 1 month ago

I also love the first one with the man in it.....Hugsss from Cookie

Ouissi · 1 month ago

I like the first and third...maybe a combination of the two?? I miss the polka dots and the "Life, love and vintage housekeeping" bit but love the picture in the first one!!

I know, I just confuse things!!

Oxx

. · 1 month ago

I think this look is nice. About the banner, I prefer nº1, the first in the post, with the men in it.
Alfazema

Susan Boyle · 1 month ago

I love the striped banner. I think it's beautiful. I don't think it looks anything like a rug.

sallyhackney · 1 month ago

I like the one that looks like Mom chasing the boy with cupcakes. Don't know why...just makes me smile.

BrocanteHome · 1 month ago

Thanks Sally, I like that image too, mostly because it is a slightly more accurate reflection of my life!

Keri Tate · 1 month ago

Loved the polka dots - always made me happy when I logged on.

Bertie Meadows · 1 month ago

Oh Alison I'm afraid to say I miss the polka dots.
Bertie x

BrocanteHome · 1 month ago

Goodness, it looks like its unanimous!

Traci · 1 month ago

I think the design you've got now is lovely. But if your heart prefers the polka dots, then I say polka dot it up! I really love the 3rd banner, for the record. And, to be blunt, I really don't like the first. Happy redesigning!

Victoria · 1 month ago

I like the first and second banners the best although I am not fond of the background on either of those.
Victoria

Samantha · 1 month ago

Hi,
I'm new to your blog...just a few weeks. I like it just as it is, but if you feel that it should be changed to more accurately reflect you, you should do it. Personally I like banners #3 and #1. I really love what #3 says, but I like the vintage kitcheny picture in #1. Either with or without the man...looks like he's having fun cooking, cleaning or whatever he's doing, so it's hard to find too much fault with him. :) Since you said image #2 is more reflective of your life is there any way to use that one and add the saying from #3?
I'm sure that whatever you choose will be lovely.
Thanks for giving us all a say!

Persephone · 1 month ago

I love the third banner. Truthfully, though, it seems so many people read blogs through a feed reader that the design hardly matters sometimes, but I do like to go to your blog and peruse the archives and I miss the polka-dots.

sbgirl · 1 month ago

I loved the polka dots!! But put me down for 1 or 3 for the above banners if you are going to change them.

I love reading the archives and find myself having to go through a series of steps to get to the original postings, so this new format is a bit "busy" for me. I don't like to spend hours on the computer, but if I want to read your site, I have to settle in for awhile because there is just so much to look at! Honestly, I could spend an entire afternoon or evening just perusing things! And I do find it difficult to find a particular post I'm looking for that I'd read months back, and don't know how to find it short of re-reading everything!

That said, be of good cheer, because I love it here and will continue to check in. But I always feel that I'm missing something because there are so many links!

Lorraine · 1 month ago

Hmm, I like polka dots and the saying 'life, love and vintage housekeeping".

sherih · 1 month ago

I, too , love the polka dots!!! Number three is my favorite, and number 1 comes in second....just wanted to say I love love love your blog and miss it when you don't have time! Totally understand the busy mom thing!!! Thanks for all you do....

Sheri

Kate · 1 month ago

Much as I do like the Ikea rug concept, girl under the tree is pretty groovy.

Kate · 1 month ago

Much as I do like the Ikea rug, the girl under the tree is pretty groovy.

Kim · 1 month ago

I liked the lay-out and design of the old site on Type-Pad much better, yet I do understand that Blogger has easier to use content lay-out. I don't see why you couldn't use some of your older banners if you created them or paid someone to create them for you. It's really up to you-everyone will still love you no matter what you do-dearie.

marina · 1 month ago

I like the first banner best too. I find the red content on the others a touch garish and cheap (sorry), it also represents (for me) the essence of what I find best about your blog: honesty, nostalgia, comfort - a safe haven in a crazy world where I can pop in any time and escape! I also happen to love the present heading and find the newer website offers more impact for less clicks.
Best wishes

Miriam · 1 month ago

I have to say I love the first banner- it's a bit more general and could encompass vintage housekeeping as a whole, not just baking or being glamorous!! I like what you have now - it's very tasteful and pretty - but maybe a bit restrained!!

simone · 1 month ago

Alison, I have followed you since you were with typepad and through all the various banners. I think I like the current banner the best but liked all the banners at their given time. Don't go back but keep moving forward! You are a progressive girl Alison and I am sure your fans will approve of whatever you do. I keep coming back no matter what the banner or format. x

Patsy · 1 month ago

I miss the bright colors.I think they suited you better

Wendy · 1 month ago

I like 2 and 3...I just miss,miss,miss those polka dots!!! I thought I was the only one(: I also preferred the other layout...But either way,you're just wonderful,Allison.

BTW, I miss the polka dots on my toolbar,too(hint,hint)

mamazee · 1 month ago

i vote for the polka dots with the pretty lady - i like the font you used, too.. love your blog!

Gena · 1 month ago

I like the polka dots and the banner with the woman,boy and cakes,I too like the bright colours,if the sun is shining I sometimes struggle to see some of the more subtle colours on the site,like the fields at the top of the page,I know shouldnt sit in the sun!lol! xx

Bramblepatchwork · 1 month ago

I like the first banner best,never was so keen on the present one.What a shame that there are not more UK subscribers,cannot understand why !!!!

Tracelaine · 1 month ago

The first time I checked you out on typepad I was hooked. The lovely flowery backgrounds with your big polka dots and illustrations of vintage ladies made me lay in bed thinking about coming back for more. I really liked the older banner versions before you hired out the typead banner, although it was very beautiful, too, but that was the end of the old big polka dots, and the newer small dots came. When you made the move to blogspot I wasn't too hot on the tapestry pattern banner, and I continued to jump back to typepad for a comfortable hug even though you weren't there anymore. Eventually, I was especially sad to see the two sites mirror each other and typepad lost that old charm. Your typepad seemed like an enchanted world to explore all pumped up with puttery treats and just FULL OF YOU, and blogspot seems more basic. This stuff all takes time to create, and I understand your reasons for wanting it less complicated, but I am not turned off by busy-ness. I will be happy with whatever you lay out because it reflects your heart's desires and it's all a product of your inspired mind at the moment... Anyway, as you elude to, it will all likely change again in the future. I like Polka dots, the cursive fonts in 1,3&4, the lovely brunette lady in the vintage kitchen in 1, the gorgeous girl under the tree in 3, the flowered background of 2&3, "The Brocante Home Chronicles", "Life, Love & Vinatge Housekeeping"

Mrs. Cozy Home · 1 month ago

Love the polka dots with the floral background -- and love the mom and the son with cakes!

June · 1 month ago

I mean no offense, but I have to be honest, once you switched over to the new format I lost interest in Broncante Home. I found it extremely confusing and too busy. It no longer contained that homey feeling I looked forward to whenever I visited. I, too, miss the bright beautiful colors. As for the banners, I favor numbers 1 and 3.