romantic ephemera

 February is the month of romance.

Personally, I think romance should be a part of our lives every day all year long. There is something about love. It should have great importance in our world. Not just any kind of love but romantic love.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I like to look through my collection of vintage Valentines. There is just something about ephemera that fills my heart with joy. The old paper, the script, the use of language and the stunning graphics in radiant yet aged color.

Not only do I love to incorporate these tiny works of art into my decor, but I love to read the letters.

The next thing I know, I find myself hopelessly lost in a daydream in lives lived decades ago.

Several years ago, I styled the guest bedroom of my Sanibel house for a Valentine's Day magazine photo shoot.

Red transferware is another lovely addition for a Valentines vignette.

And I simply can't help myself, seashells are a part of every design and every season.

This certainly inspires me to add a little extra romance into my world. I think tonight is a good night to watch my favorite version of Cinderella (the 2015 film adaptation).

CLICK HERE

to watch the trailer.

Enjoy!

grey: a cool neutral

The previous post featured my grey dining room.

I took so many pictures, I thought I would share a few close-up images of the details. You will see that my collections of vintage things are pretty eclectic. Yet everything does speak to my soul and bring me joy...

I think at first glance you will notice that the variety of things I collect seem to have no rhyme nor reason.... 

...as in the frog sprinkler, antique stoneware and sea shells in the first picture to the flower frog, transferware and delicate feather in the above image.

I find beauty in everyday items like watch parts, old hymnals and antique dishware...

...and keys and aged pewter.

Antique English transferware was made in a variety of patterns, colors and types of dishware.

Even the table runner echos the colors of the walls in the room.

It may seem odd to display the small butter pats upside down, but I simply love the back-stamps of the English Ironstone manufacturer.

I mix in a variety of metals from galvanized metal to silver to pewter.

This simple vignette is comprised of an antique plaster wall sconce, a McCoy vase, sea fan and a vintage hand shovel relief. 

  And I have to include fresh greenery and plants. This gorgeous tropical leaf is in a macrame vase hanger made by my talented mom.

Although the collections do not have a single constant theme, they are all things that speak to my soul: antique transferware and ironstone, vintage gardening collectibles and nautical treasures.

But how does it all work together?

Color.

If you maintain a color palette, mixing and matching collectibles create a cohesive stylized design.

So display the things that speak to your soul. Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy!

gorgeous grey

 Have you noticed the skyrocketing appeal of the color grey in interior design over the past couple of years?

I've been obsessed with shades of grey forever. Since my world is a wash of neutral tones, grey is a lovely companion "color".

A perfect example is my dining room.

I love the mix of natural wood, painted furniture, creamy neutrals and shades of grey.

I also mix together all of the things that speak to my heart like my love of beachy nautical treasures...

and a nod to my love for all things gardening.

A neutral grey palette looks wonderful with metallic silver like this collection of vintage watering cans.

I refinished this cabinet by painting the base in a soft off white distressed finish, I used an old world grey stain on the top and the hardware has an aged nickle patina.

The walls are two shades of grey separated by a white chair rail.

Old pewter, Ironstone and transferware are beautiful together.

Although this is a "formal" dining room, I do love to add timeworn pieces like this old cupboard and chicken coop that give the room a classic farmhouse feel.

Hiding inside this piece is a collection of stoneware, crystal and pewter.

I think the juxtaposition of formal with informal furnishings and accessories creates a lovely stylistic balance.

I hope that if you can take anything away from my design posts is that there really are no rules when it comes to designing your home. Take chances with mixing styles and pieces that speak to you. Take risks with paint. You can very easily repaint a room for a impactful and inexpensive change. Creating a room by starting with a neutral base, allows for the ability to make decorative changes with wonderful and interesting accessories.

Happy decorating!

green goodness

 Green pottery...

collecting these beautiful treasures is a passion!

I like to mix in a few pieces of transferware.

All of the different shades of greens look so wonderful together.

Oddities like flower frogs and color pencils add interest.

The different shapes create a visual texture.

Live plants give the display life.

The antique Hoosier top without the doors is perfect for showcasing my crazy collection.

Elements of old metal garden tools finish off the display.

I have searched yard sales, thrift shops and auctions over the years to constantly add to my growing collection.

It is a nice tie of my love of gardening and my love of vintage pottery. We all have our "thing" we love to collect, but I have my "thingsssss" I love to collect.

flower garden, sort of

With spring in full bloom,

for some lucky folks,

many of us are just itching for an abundance

of fresh flowers from the garden.

 

What if you don't have a garden...

or a green thumb?

Create an indoor garden of sorts.

 

Surround yourself with flowers like...

 

 

vintage millinery flowers

 

 

vintage floral prints

 

 

vintage linens

 

 

vintage floral ephemera

 

 

vintage porcelain

 

 

vintage china

 

vintage ceramics

 

vintage stoneware

 

And no garden,

indoor or outdoor,

would be complete without a

 

beautiful bird's nest

 

 

Flower gardens are a blessing from God.

We have to count our blessings every single day.

 

Especially right now.

 

So if you have a garden,

enjoy it to the fullest.

 

If you don't,

be creative and make one of your own!

 

Stop and smell the roses...