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!

the little things

 As I was looking through my bedroom pictures from the previous post, I realized it's the little details that are the things that speak to my heart. 

Junking and collecting have always been things that make me so happy. Although I have not been out and about since February of 2020, I find it fun to look through some of my little treasures and reminisce about the

"good ole days".

My various collections don't have any rhyme nor reason. Things just speak to my heart. The cohesion comes from a monochromatic color scheme since the mix of items are all so eclectic.

Some things are still out from my Christmas decorations. I love them so much that they might just stay out until next Christmas!

When looking at my bedroom, it really is the "little things" that make my heart sing. It's not just the visual beauty that speaks to my heart but it is in the memories that they evoke. Before moving to Florida, my momma was by my side throughout all of my junking adventures. So as I look at these little cuties, I revisit wonderful fun times with my mum!

What are some of your favorite things to collect?

I hope you have someone special that shares your adventures with you!

Happy junkin!

 

a shining light

 Since my last post, I have been thinking a lot about family and some of my favorite times together.

My mom and I could pick up seashells every day and never tire.

My dad is a selfless soul that could take or leave shelling, but he is at his happiest just at the sight of his family doing something that brings them joy.

So my mom and I would collect as many treasures as we could find and my dad would haul them all to the house.

Once the shells were all cleaned, I thought it would be nice to do something with them that my dad could enjoy and help me with. Before I moved to Florida, my dad and I would spend most weekends in his garage creating, fixing, painting or refinishing things for my shop.

So a daddy-daughter seashell project was on my radar.

The vintage shell lamp...

I always have a "to-do" stash of projects in my garage or in storage. I thought a lamp might be a great project for us to tackle.

I had an old rusty outdoor post light with a fabulous aged brass sea green patina.

First, my dad removed the original wiring and replaced it with wiring suitable for an indoor lamp. Equipped with a plug and toggle switch. 

The original fixture would have been atop a solid post, so as it stood now, it was top heavy. So I rummaged through my vintage wood stash and found a weathered wooded block and a grey-blue board. Both have a driftwood look perfect for this project.

I replaced the candlelight arms with new sleeves and placed seashells inside the glass hurricane shade. 

I must say the finished product is spectacular!

The best part is that I was able to combine both my mom and dad in a project that will always make me think of them.

she sells seashells

 August has always reminded me of summer vacations. It was the month my family would take a beach get-away before school started.

Now that I live at the beach, it seems funny that August still makes me think of walking the beach and picking up seashells.

This year has been such a challenge for so many different reasons. Mainly, I miss that my mom and dad have not been able to come for visits due to Covid.

So this August is different. But I can think of my wonderful family every time I pass a seashell in my house or garden.

During this pandemic, if you are separated from family, I hope you have reminders of fun adventures around your home.

As much as I miss picking up seashells with my mom, I'm just happy that my entire family has stayed safe and healthy.

Everyday is a blessing.