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!

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.

fairy garden

 Fairy gardens are so special.

And I love them all!

Making a container fairy garden is so simple.

Just start with a clean container with either drainage holes or a thin layer of small rock in the bottom.

Now add a layer of well draining soil.

It's time to add starter plants like fern and ivy.

Place a layer of clean decorative tiny river pebbles and/or moss around the plants.

Once you're pleased with the plantings, place your fairy in her garden.

I like to add very small gifts for the fairies... like acorn tops full of jelly, tiny cups of honey and little notes.

It takes so little for me to escape the real world. I can visit my fairies and be transported to a magical place where there are no worries, no sickness and no suffering.

I hope you have a way to escape too.

I'll see you in wonderland...

summer style

Summer style, for me, has a traditional color scheme:

red, white and blue.

It doesn't have to be intense tones where everything is draped in Americana with stars and stripes.

I have styled many, many homes (including my own home) for numerous magazines. An all white palette is something I seek out when looking for homes to style.

This eat-in kitchen is a perfect example of how the addition of a few simple accessories in subtle tones of red, white and blue can say "Hello Summer!"

This lovely centerpiece is a vintage wooden dough bowl filled with a vase of fresh white hydrangeas, assorted fruit and a few artificial stems of blue forget-me-nots for color.

Although this is a red, white and blue palette, the blue is a soft summery shade of aqua.

This palette can be added throughout the space with natural flowers and fruit, as well as...

...vintage pottery, dishware and glassware.

Adding the classic red, white and blue color scheme to a home is a lovely way to welcome summer into your home. Adapt the hues that speak to you and vintage touches that warm your heart.

Have fun with small touches that can be added to a porch or a room or two that change the mood of a space. Keep it simple or go all out. But try to use what you have. Especially in this window of time when we are quarantined at home.

Stay safe and set the stage for summer!

mercato

I discovered a wonderful shopping adventure. It's called the Venice Mercato...and it is amazing! If you love all things vintage with a coastal vibe, this is the place for you. I am approaching a year of being in my new surroundings and I am still nesting. I would like to share a few treasures I brought home from my shopping extravaganza...

 

 

 

I can't wait to go again!!! If you are ever in he area you should visit. 

CLICK HERE

to visit their Facebook page.

Enjoy...

 

the quest continues

As you know...

I'm on a quest for organization!

I shared my desk redo using industrial elements.

Then I posted my bedroom tips using vintage oddities.

Now it's time to share my crafting clutter.

As usual I refuse to use new containers for my corralling of stuff.

So this desk gets a functional facelift by organizing with my collection of pottery.

 

 

I find a use for every shape and size of vase.

I placed a heavy metal frog in the bottom of this shell vase

which provides enough weight for the vase to become a bookend. 

 

Tall bud vases are perfect for holding fabric measuring tapes.

 

Extra large vases are just the right height for old rulers.

 

Small bowls showcase paint swatches from current projects.

 

The tiniest vases hold business cards and paint brushes.

 

A paint brush suspended across a shallow dish,

creates a wonderful ribbon dispenser.

 

Rectangular planters hold everything from paint palettes to miscellaneous craft supplies.

 

My absolute favorite desktop pottery organizer is this vintage strawberry pot. It is as beautiful as it is functional.

I love it!

 

Voila! An organized crafting station.

My prediction...

it will be a mess by day's end.

 

Creativity is born in clutter and chaos.

Or at least that's what I tell myself!

A messy crafter is a happy crafter...

Thanks as always for taking the time to visit.