Eclectic Etcetera

The 30's

2011-07-20T10:25:00.005-05:00

I found this amazing post this morning on New York Social Diary and I'm just crazy over these photos. The post is absolutely brilliant and confirms for me why I'm a fan. Visit regularly because they update content daily.

I'm not one to idealize everything about the past, but these photos certainly do make me long for a little bit of the past in the here-and-now.

These images inspire me in countless ways: fashion, entertaining, architecture, photography...

How do they inspire you?

custom monogram

2011-07-11T22:06:00.007-05:00

I love stationery. There... I said it. I try to write notes often and I view my personalized stationery as a gift to the recipient. Along with my congratulations, thanks or encouragement, I send the little present that is a pretty card. I feel like it tells the recipient that I care enough to invest in the paper I write that note on... that I care enough about them to invest in their message.

So when I stumbled across Allison R. Banks Designs, I was insanely happy. Allison is an amazingly gifted woman who will interpret your monogram vision, execute it by hand and mail you a cd to use as you see fit. Have it simply printed on business cards, send it Crane's to have a copper engraving dye cut from it, print customized gift stickers... whatever.

Above is the final product she did for me and I couldn't be happier. We communicated via e- mail (naturally, in the wonderful digital age, I've never met Allison) and she took my idea of a combination of both swirly and sharp letters and made it come alive. I felt as if it was fitting for me, because I find that I'm a study in contrasts, so the blending of the shapes is so... me. And that's something that you'll never find in the huge, albeit lovely, selection of monograms from all those huge books from your local stationer.

I've also included some photos from her web site of past work she's done. The custom wedding favors make me wish Mr. EE and I were getting married again and not fourteen years ago! The unique wedding favor boxes would make charming take-aways for weddings or dinners. And how lovely are the customized gift tags? Take your monogram to your local printer and have the image printed on a red business card with white ink and use them for Christmas tags. Render them in pastels and use them for shower gift tags. The possibilities are endless.

So go check out the web site. It's easy to navigate and Allison has so many samples and ideas along with photos. You won't regret it.

"chic stripes"

2011-07-08T09:44:00.002-05:00

I've been loving this post earlier this month by Heather over at Habitually Chic. The top photo is borrowed from the post. Check it out. It echoes the dreamy old school look of the Venezia Pavilion by ZGallerie.

While I'm not sure I would want a whole big room full of stripes, the appeal of the stripy small space is undeniable... which is why I love that Heather focused on bathrooms. I think because the striped pavilion is evocative of wet swimsuits and tiny spaces is the reason why this black and white look works in bathrooms.

shop windows

2011-06-24T23:02:00.006-05:00

In going through some travel photos from the past, I've noticed a trend... I photograph shop windows everywhere I go. I didn't even notice I was doing it.

I think there is something so inspirational about a shop window. It's sort of stirs that child-like yearning for something beautiful seen through the glass. It really does stir something magical in me.

The compositions also inspire me in the realms of entertaining, fashion, design.... really it's limitless where you can apply inspiration. Sometimes austere, shocking, colorful... I find beauty in them all.

Above are a collection of shop windows from trips to London, Paris and New York. I know you can tell which city is which. I love them all.

Lucite!

2011-06-19T16:12:00.004-05:00

I'm on the hunt for a Lucite coffee table and I ran across the one above on the CB2 web site. It's not exactly what I'm dreaming of, but for about $250 plus 10% for shipping, I might be able to make do.

And while there, I decided to search for "Lucite" and see what else cropped up and I found all kinds of great stuff! The console table, easel and tray are all also crave-worthy. In moderation, of course. My more traditionally-styled home could only handle one acrylic piece of furniture, but if you are searching for such a piece, CB2 might be worth a look.

Do you like the idea of integrating an acrylic table into a more traditional room? My den, the room where this coffee table would call home, is on the small side and so I like the idea of a transparent piece of furniture. I also fancy the idea of changing up what's underneath it... stacks and stacks of coffee table and design books, a beat up Louis Vuitton suitcase... my mind goes on forever. But what are your thoughts?

Elizabeth Street Gallery

2011-06-17T16:44:00.004-05:00

Mr. EE and I recently took a little weekend get-away to NYC, sans kiddos. I try to get into the city at least once a year. I never cease to be struck by everything Manhattan has to offer.

To wit, I had heard about the Elizabeth Street Gallery downtown in Nolita and had to make time to go by and visit. And I'm so glad I did. I love running across those little unexpected gems in the city that make you rethink everything. And the Elizabeth Street Gallery is one of those gems. The items in the gallery are amazing, but the real find for me was the outside space. Everything, of course, is for sale, but the space feels like an amazingly curated private garden and as you know the idea of the urban garden is something that greatly intrigues me (see my recent posts on gardens in London and Paris).

The next time you are in Nolita, swing by and take a look for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

Paris' green spaces

2011-06-06T16:08:00.005-05:00

If you caught my blog yesterday, you saw my post on London's green spaces and gardens. On the same trip we also visited Paris. Everyone knows all about the absolutely beautiful public gardens in Paris, but sometimes you don't always notice the private spaces that are right in front of you.

I love how people bring green and flowering plants into urban spaces regardless of size... a window box, boxwoods flanking a door, whatever. It really speaks to the human urge to bring greenery into their lives in any small way.

What is your garden like?

Again, I'm sorry for the date and time stamp on all my photos. It made me sick when I got home and uploaded the pics and saw that there. It was a new camera and I had no idea.

London's green spaces

2011-06-04T12:05:00.004-05:00

Mr. EE and I are working in the yard today in the sweltering Tennessee sun. It reminds me of my fascination with garden spaces on our trip to London and Paris two years ago. Some large and grand, some small window boxes. Either way, I love the idea of an urban garden.

Enjoy.

(Disregard the time/date stamp on the images. I've disabled that feature since, but didn't know it was on at the time.)

your slip is showing

2011-06-02T20:11:00.005-05:00

I've always loved lingerie. Well, my mother always called it "foundation wear". A child of the 70's and 80's, I grew up in a home where my mother would wear peignoir sets nightly. To this day, I've never seen her sleep in cotton or flannel. She owned all manner of slips and girdles. Countless drawers were dedicated to the storage and care of it all, all lined with floral scented paper and filled with sachets.

My first foray into "foundation wear" was probably in about third or fourth grade. Mother took me to the local D.H. Holmes department store in Jackson, Mississippi and told me I needed slips and camisoles for school and was told I had to wear them under my St. Andrews white-Peter-Pan-collar-shirt-and-blue-skirt uniform every day. And I toed the line for a while but by the time I entered seventh grade in 1984, my slips were long gone.

Now that I'm older, however, I find myself looking everywhere for beautiful slips but they are hard to come by. I want soft pink with black lace and coffee colored silk with cream lace. I want a silk and lace cami under a crisp white blouse.

In my search, I've run across Your Slip is Showing. The first three images above are from their line. It's a wonderful site and I'm planning on ordering one of them, but they are a little more "occasion" than I have in mind. It's not that I don't covet a slip trimmed in peacock feathers, but that's more of a slip that's truly meant to be seen. I'm thinking more of something that's not meant to be seen but is. A little naughty.

For that, I think my best options for now are vintage. Vintage Slips has peignoirs, full slips, half slips, tap pants... everything. The last four photos are one their site now. I think we tend to think of the 50's and 60's as this really buttoned down time, but not based on these images. The tap pants? Sweet and sexy... and how about the ice blue full slip? Va va va voom! They are sexy in that Mrs. Robinson kind of way, but I would really like to find a line of new slips that are both modern and retro at the same time. If you have a lead, shoot me a line.

the loveliest towels

2011-05-31T20:53:00.005-05:00

A year or so ago, I invested in a set of gorgeous new towels. I ordered a dozen white Sferra towels and eighteen washcloths, all monogrammed from Neiman Marcus. This blog post makes it sound like I regretted it, and I don't exactly, but I've recently run across more towels that have made me rethink everything.

For years, I've bought antique/vintage cotton towels. Their hand monograms have always been charming to me. And functionally, I actually like them better than traditional towels. The vintage and antique ones pictured above are the sort I pick up when I find them for under $100. They are frequently very large and have elaborate hand monograms.

But the towels from the Trillium Collection are making me rethink everything. Based here in Nashville, I also love that my purchases would support a down-home, local Southerner, Sue Joyce, who started her own business. They are kind to the environment and gorgeous to boot. So if you need new towels, the Sferra ones are fine, but I'm saving up to start a collection of Sue's towels. Won't your overnight guests be impressed when the find a stack of Turkish towels on an antique stool in the guest bath?

finding inspiration... from Sid Mashburn

2011-05-26T08:39:00.004-05:00

To really make your home and entertaining life an extension of yourself, you have got to learn how to find your inspiration from lots of different places. I suppose it doesn't hurt that I'm a visual person. I scarf up images. Images from everywhere... art, photography, shelter mags (natch), fashion and webs sites.

My latest inspiration comes from a fashion web site. Sid Mashburn is a natty menswear store based in Atlanta. It has a very modern yet proper/Southern aesthetic. I've stopped in once while in the ATL to shop for Mr. EE. I wish I could stop in more often. Sadly, when I was there, I didn't have my camera which is strange for me. So I decided to look them up on the wonderful world wide web and there they are! Not nearly enough pics, but I like the ones that are there.

What inspires me about these photos? The hedge out front, the horse head sculpture next to the mannequin and, most especially, that great huge horse painting with the black glossy walls and the sisal rug. How do I integrate this inspiration into my own life? Not sure yet. I just know they are terribly appealing. So I'm saving these images along with jillions of others. One day, when the time is right, I'll know what to do.

(NOTE: please click on the photo of the darling man out front with the hedge and read the store's mission/inspiration/description...it closes with the words "a fresh interpretation of old standards." Exactly what I'm all about! Muse found!)

Go west, young woman! (or east...wherever your wandering heart takes you)

2011-05-25T20:25:00.007-05:00

This post from Melissa over at Well Appointed House totally inspired me. She writes about how important it is to have the right bag and the right accoutrements inside the right bag when you travel the friendly skies. I'm a believer. In fact, I'm planning a little trip with Mr. EE up to the Big Apple soon and this post is right up my alley.

I'm of the "look good while traveling" school as well. Perhaps I can't pull it off as well as Ms. Hurley, but I can try. (The photo of the lovely Liz is courtesy of Melissa at the Well Appointed House. Go see the whole post.)

As for me, the perfect bag is an old school train case. I know, I know... not as practical as a big old Hermes, but the train case is just so romantic. I invested in one from T. Anthony. Mine is all black and isn't canvas, but you can't go wrong with any T. Anthony piece. I'm saving up for some more pieces. I think I want one of the "packing cases" that doesn't roll. Totally impractical, but again... so romantic. Isn't that what skycaps and traveling companions are for?

I also travel with my trusty pashmina wrap but I'd love this Gucci scarf as an upgrade. Either way, you have a nice little blanket if you get chilly and something pretty for your neck once you arrive.

Finally, I always have a little travel clock like this one, also from T. Anthony. Nobody sees it, but does that really matter? Sometimes the most important things are the ones nobody else sees. I feel it makes my trip a little more civilized.

If the subtlety of T. Anthony isn't your speed, though, there's always a personalized Louis Vuitton. Dreamy, right?

And if, as is the case for most of us, you can't afford the whole shebang right now, start with one important piece. The money spent on my T. Anthony train case was well spent. As would one of those hand painted, personalized LV bags. Everyone comments on my train case when I travel. Meanwhile, the suitcase is just a cheap rolly thing from Target. One day I'll upgrade to the packing case. And my pashmina? Well, it is nice... a blend of cashmere and pashmina, but the Gucci one is what I crave. But one day I'll upgrade.

What about you? What are your rules for travel?

Brilliant Bunny!

2011-05-24T13:40:00.003-05:00

I really love Bunny Williams. I'm a southern girl, so I tend to gravitate toward her more tradish aesthetic. I really love her use of color, though, which gives the traditional a more modern twist. She has an amazing eye. I'm trying to channel my inner Bunny by using the photo above as inspiration. It's from her Beeline Home line. I covet the ikat pillows.

That's why I was especially thrilled to see that she has created a line for Caspari. I'm mad for faux bois, so I know I'll be scooping up these little napkins. Yes, you've seen me post about how much I love to present an ironed cocktail napkin to my guests, but these are so charming that I'll be using them quite a bit this summer.

now you see it...

2011-05-23T08:34:00.003-05:00

I remember growing up in Jackson, Mississippi and shopping at the mall. Jackson had a few really nice boutiques, but back then they were all geared toward the older shopper. I wouldn't have dreamed of buying anything at Maison Weiss or Frances Pepper as my mother frequently did. For me, it was all Limited, Gap and some department stores.

I also remember vividly the Clinique girls in their lab coats and clear purses. I now know that the department store mandated employees to carry those bags so they could keep an eye on theft, but they just seemed super chic to me. I wanted one! At age 10 and 11 I vividly remember planning out what I would carry in them since everyone would see the contents.

So when I ran across this post on Sketch 42, I simply had to share it. I think what appeals to me much more than the DIY aspect (I'm not much of a DIY girl actually, but for a Lucite clutch, I'm totally game) is that the blogger thought about what went in it.

It reminded me of this jelly Speedy style bag I just saw - and almost bought - from Furla. BAGPOOR has a great post about it here. It's not as clear as Lucite, but stuff will definitely be visible. What will you carry? Valley of the Dolls/sarong/bikini? New York Times/Paris Match/your passport? Whatever you choose... make it count!

Nashville's Gas Lamp Antique Mall - lighting finds today

2011-05-22T19:24:00.003-05:00

Well, if you follow me, you know I love old things. We Southerners have a deep, bordering on crazed, love of anything with some age on it and I would say the majority of what I buy is vintage or antique.

While at the Gas Lamp Antique Mall in Nashville today I ran across these two lighting finds. I didn't pick up either one...the store was closing and I didn't want to feel rushed, but I think I'm going back first thing tomorrow morning to grab both.

Neither lamp is a slam dunk, but I think it's important to remember that you can modify your purchases. Just because you walk out of the store with the lamp a certain way doesn't mean you have to keep it like that forever.

I think I'm going to change up the shade on both of these. A quick trip to Lumen, my local lamp shop, and the pros there will help me pick just the right one. And a really great shade is a fabulous upgrade to an inexpensive lamp. In this case, the yellow one is $95 and the wooden one is $185. Neither one is going to break the bank and I actually like the cheaper yellow one better. I picture it with a black silk pagoda shade with a gold silk lining. Or maybe a great pleated shade. Either way, the pros at the lamp shop will help me find one with just the right scale. Chic!

shell chandelier - an homage to coastal living

2011-05-15T13:51:00.004-05:00

I grew up in a coastal state, Mississippi. My home town was Jackson, nowhere near the Gulf, but we got tons of fresh, not frozen, seafood.... shrimp, crab meat, oysters, fish. I have all of my grandmother's old recipes for things like crab imperial, shrimp salad and crab maison. I now live in Tennessee, and there are so many good things about my new, now permanent, home but fresh seafood is generally not an option. And I miss it.

It was on a recent visit to the Mississippi Delta that I stayed in the home of an old college girlfriend. She had the chandelier pictured in a hallway above that I ran across on the Debut blog. My friend told me she purchased the fixture at Anthropologie, but I can't find it on their web site any longer. If you were interested, you might be able to call your local store and find one.

The moment I laid eyes on it, however, I knew I had just seen something similar but couldn't put my finger on it until I got back to Tennessee and was going through a back issue of Garden and Gun... and there it was in the Made in the South Awards issue (Dec '10/Jan '11). It's made by Lowcountry Originals, a South Carolina company. Their pieces are all handmade with things like shells, reeds and driftwood. Demand is high, so order yours quickly to get on the list.

Either one would be right at home in my dining room and both are totally dreamy. Sadly, Tennessee is land locked, but for a girl who grew up eating fresh raw oysters and oysters Rockefeller, it's a perfect fit.

Old Fashioned... what a proper name for a southern cocktail

2011-05-14T20:06:00.004-05:00

Our Steeplechase here in Nashville was today and, of course, our friends to the north in Kentucky just had a little horsey gathering of their own last weekend. Thought you might want the recipe for a summery bourbon toddy, the Old Fashioned, if you felt so inclined.

I personally tore this recipe out of Garden and Gun when they printed it in 2009 and have used it many times since. I even purchased the proper wooden muddler because of it.

Remember this when you entertain: don't go overboard with your bar. Along with a few wines, you'll need a vodka, gin, scotch and a bourbon. Buy the best you can. I would rather entertain less frequently and serve my guests the good stuff. I do like the idea of each event having a custom drink, but keep your guests in mind. If it's all women, something fruity and pink will do, but if you have a mixed group, think about an old fashioned or a whiskey sour. I do a whiskey sour quite a bit and everyone loves it. Honestly, who doesn't like citrus and whiskey? It's the base of all good punches, which is a whole other post! I'll post on the whiskey sour and punch later, but here's the one Garden and Gun got from the bartender at 610 Magnolia in Louisville.

the 610 Magnolia Old-Fashioned

1 large and uneven slice of lemon peel
1 rough-cut brown sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6
No more than 1 oz. branch water (or bottled water)
2 large ice cubes
2 oz. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-year bourbon
Small triangle of orange slice for garnish

games people play

2011-05-11T12:44:00.000-05:00

I'm sure my late grandmother and great aunt are pleased, smiling serenely down on me. I've taken up bridge. As a child, they each tried to coax me into the game they adored so much, but back then, I just viewed it as stodgy.

Fast-forward to life in Nashville and at nearly forty years old, I've wised up. And I love bridge! It's not that I never liked game. Quite to the contrary, I've always loved card games. Specifically trick-taking games like bridge. As a child and teenager, my beloved late father would play poker and Bourre (pronounced "boo-ray"... I don't know how to insert and accent ague, so please forgive the French misstep) with me. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, I always saw Papa going off to drink bourbon and play Bourre with his fellow politicos and attorneys and I always wanted to go. Of course, he never took me, but he taught me how to master the Acadian-rooted game and we frequently played with family and friends. In college, I played a lot of spades. Probably too much.

But all those years of shuffling, dealing to your partner, reading his or her face and concealing your own to your opponents were sinking in and the spirit of my grandmother was there for every trick taken. So now I'm a bridge player.

Really, though, I'm resurrecting all games of my youth now that I'm a mother. I have an 11-year-old who is now at the perfect age for really "getting" games and a 6-year-old who tries to play everything we do. All that nostalgia and game playing has compelled me to start updating my game cabinet.

For cards, I'm loving these found at the Williamsburg Collection. All the charm of the antique image, but with the function of a repro. For all that

shuffling you'll be doing.

But if you are a proper Southern belle, you love a monogram, so perhaps you are more into these found at Dabney Lee at Home. I'm nuts about the mod colorways and prints. Very Valley of the Dolls. (Note the great monogrammed Lucite trays and monogrammed Lucite ice buckets from this site as well. Bookmark it.) The color and monogram choices seem endless and would make a perfect hostess gift for a weekend away.

And who didn't play backgammon growing up? I can't tell you how many beach vacations were spent playing backgammon in the 1970's of my youth. Jonathan Adler, the king of the happy and snappy, has reinterpreted the backgammon board in needlepoint. Love. I can't copy the image for you here, but check it out at his web site.

linens - a fresh and modern take on a classic staple

2011-01-01T18:54:00.003-06:00

I know that there are lots of cute paper cocktail napkins out there and, I'll confess, sometimes I buy them. They are easy and you can always have a new design.

On the other hand, there is nothing like having a drink with a friend with a linen napkin in your hand. I happen to like old and traditional things, so a linen napkin isn't a hard sell for me. I've inherited loads and loads of linens that I care for, wash, iron and store carefully. For the modernist, however, this might be more of a stretch. Linen napkins might conjure up a stodgy image. It shouldn't, though. A real cloth napkin tells your guests that they are important enough for you to wash, iron and store real fabric for them.

These napkins found at Gracious Style's site strike a perfect balance: both traditional a modern. They will be one of the workhorses of your linen drawer. You will always offer them with a drink - even if it's non-alcoholic - for cocktails, prior to dinner, with pink lemonade at a baby shower... the list goes on and on.

Order you a set. Your guests will appreciate it.

our Florida vacation - Rosemary Beach

2010-08-21T20:03:00.004-05:00

I've been away for a couple of weeks. We headed down to Rosemary Beach, Florida and then we got home just in time to start school. Back into the routine.

Rosemary Beach is a community located on the Florida panhandle and it's our favorite place to stay. There are footpaths everywhere, so walking is encouraged. The architecture is the West Indies meets New Orleans. Landscaping, with the exception of the open park-like greens, tends to be wild and in keeping with what the Spanish first found when they came to Florida. Rosemary Beach is a true gem and is one of the few architecturally unique communities on the Florida panhandle.

We've stayed at Rosemary at least half a dozen times and I'm still awed. I probably took over 100 photos. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

I had to increase the contrast on the photo above to try to get that Moorish arch to show up. The stucco is so white that it blended into the sky.

My two boys playing on the Western Green before dinner one night. There is direct access to the beach at the end of this football field sized green.

This is the Rosemary Beach town hall. Many weddings are held here.

stripey glassware

2010-07-28T09:42:00.003-05:00

I love the look of this handpainted vintage glassware I found recently in an antique booth (I believe it to be hand painted... the stripes appear to be applied by hand). The plates and saucer champagnes were priced at $5 each. And there were so many!... at least two dozen of the plates.

The ice bucket is such a clever piece and the pitcher is only $28.

I will go back and buy a few of each and style a table for you.

vintage brass hotel signs

2010-07-23T11:11:00.003-05:00

I ran across the collection of brass hotel signs above at an antique mall here in Franklin, Tennessee. I was instantly charmed by them and was taken back to my trip to Paris last summer.

My husband and I stayed at the most delightful place, the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais, in the Marais section of Paris. It's a small hotel with an innkeeper who always seemed to be there. Keys to your room are real working keys on a brass tag. When you leave, you are asked to leave the key at the desk, a throwback to a bygone era.

The photo with the window box was the view out of one of our little windows and the two interior photos were from the lobby. The owners had decorated the hotel with French antiques, vintage pieces and a few reproductions. Despite the (nicely done) reproductions, the space felt special and charming.

Which is why these signs stirred such an emotion in me. The little blue hotel we stayed in didn't have such signs (and they would have been in French regardless), but I bought one just to reinforce the memory anyway.

A Good Cause

2010-07-21T11:07:00.005-05:00

As a Mississippi native, I've been heartsick about the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. There are so many people and places that will be permanently changed because of this disaster.

I recently heard that Vineyard Vines, a favorite of southerners, is doing something to help out. Shep and Ian Murray started Vineyard Vines on Martha's Vineyard back in 1998. Being shore lovers, they treasure and celebrate that lifestyle and feel for their neighbors to the south. They derserve many thanks for stepping up and donating a portion of proceeds of a special tie to the Gulf Coast recovery effort.

useful antiques and vintage finds

2010-07-19T10:20:00.004-05:00

If you follow my blog, you know I'm an old soul in a 30-something's body. And If I can use something old instead of something new, I would rather do it. I love these finds from a local Franklin, Tennessee antiques mall.

The antique baby bonnet below would be the perfect addition to a baby's christening gown. Or, on stands of varying heights, like the one below, 5 or 7 of these would make a lovely centerpiece for a baby shower.

And these vintage yelloware bowls! They are endlessly mix-and-matchable. Use them for cake batter or for serving black eyed peas.

Why use one of those metal tape measures around the house if you can instead use one of the vintage wood expandable ones?

Think of how many pie crusts this vintage rolling pin made look perfect. And the fact that it's a French rolling pin makes it all the better. They are much better to control than the kind with handles you hold on to like ears.

Vintage Princess Phone - in miniature!

2010-07-18T17:12:00.003-05:00

I was born in 1972. There. I said it. I'll turn 38 in a few weeks.

And now that you know that, you'll understand why I went crazy for the darling miniature vintage princess phones I found at an antiques booth recently. I vividly remember the princess phone. I got my own phone line when I was in 5th grade, the first in my grade (I guess today that's akin to the first kid to get a cell phone in their class). And the phone I chose? A pink princess phone. I loved it so much. I think a lot of the allure was just that it was called princess. Some marketing genius realized all the way back then that girls loved the idea of being a princess.

So I stopped dead in my tracks when I ran across this lot. Their little handles lift off and everything! They were about 3 inches across. I know because I always carry a sterling silver tape measure with me. The booth dealer must have had 20 or more of them.

The miniatures were priced at $10 each, but I'm going back tomorrow (hope they are still there!) to buy about a dozen and will see if I can get them for a discount. I think I'll use them as place card holders (maybe I could just lean up a little name card in front?) or simply as place decorations for dinners I occasionally have for girlfriends of my generation who are turning 40. But I can use them again for turning 50, 60... whatever.

Every girl of a certain age I know remembers her first princess phone. I know they'll be a hit!

Antiquing shopping - Franklin, Tennessee

2010-07-17T17:42:00.004-05:00

As you may know, I love to ramble through antique malls here in my home town of Franklin, Tennessee. As a daughter of the south and native of Mississippi, I was reared loving old things and my home is full of them - both inherited and purchased. I'm perfectly happy to peruse thrift stores for the random gem, but this kind of shopping is what I love best.

Below are some pictures from my shopping trip today.

The photo below is a close up of the Old Paris serving dish on the table above. I'm absolutely nuts about Old Paris porcelain and this dealer always has the prettiest things.

Can you stand the candelabra below? All those drippy crystals and the figural base? I'm in love! I imagine it came from the Garden District home of a dowager heiress on her uppers. She might not have her cook and driver any more, but she still has her dignity, for goodness sakes! And she used this candelabra each and every evening. (Remember Grey Gardens... Big Edie and Little Edie answering their phone in accent to pretend as if they still had help? But they still dressed up!)

The vignette below is an outstanding example of why this booth owner is one of my favorites. She knows her aesthetic and she has an outstanding eye. Anyone interested in advice on opening an antique booth would do well to study these photos. This might not be your look, but the drama is undeniable. And isn't that why we are drawn to antiques? I know I am. But I'm an old soul and love old things. Just look at how I waxed poetic above about Big Edie and a New Orleans dowager... the drama appeals to my heart, which is why I buy antiques.

And the portrait was in another booth at the same antique mall and I don't mind that he has seen better days. As you may know, I despise the words "shabby" and "chippy", so don't expect me to use them. I think I would use him without a frame and might hang him somewhere unexpected, like a kitchen. And for only $325 I think I'll have to go back and buy him.

My favorite purchase today was the covered Old Paris sauce stand with underplate on the fourth picture down. It's on the far right of the piece of furniture. The handles were just so lovely that I just had to make the piece my own.

So what do you think? Should I go back for the portrait?

more from Paris

2010-07-15T18:20:00.004-05:00

While perusing some of my fellow bloggers' posts, I ran across this one over at Habitually Chic. The post consists of the most beautiful photos taken at Le Petit Trianon on the grounds of Versailles. She also posted the day before about Bastille Day, as I did below.

So it inspired me to post some more photos from my own trip to Paris last summer. As I walked the streets of the city, I was absolutely obsessed with Parisian architecture. I must have photographed nearly 100 doors. The French do love them a blue door, don't they? But it's not just blue. They paint their doors the most delightful and interesting colors.

And the hardware! I love the photograph of the brass knob at an antique shop that's a figural hand.

I could have photographed 100 more.

Happy Bastille Day!

2010-07-14T18:26:00.011-05:00

Any excuse for a party, right? I know I have lots of French blood in my veins, so I think I'm good.

I'm scanning for you the pages of a Bastille Day party from the brilliant mind of Ms. Martha Stewart. Her Living Magazine has been a source of countless tear sheets for me over the years. Not sure about the year, but it must have been around 2002. I pull these gorgeous photo spreads of food and parties and keep them in a file for future reference. My husband thinks it's a little silly and that I'll never use all the magazine tear sheets I pull, but I do use them almost every time I entertain. And now here I am sharing them with you!

The beautiful platter with boiled fingerling potatoes; blue crab claws; red and golden beets; steamed baby zucchini, pencil asparagus and carrots; teardrop tomatoes and lettuce wedges served with Martha's Le Grand Aioli is absolutely breathtaking. The French are genius and so is Martha's aioli. Her recipe is below.

Martha Stewart's Le Grand Aioli

makes about 1 cup

2 garlic cloves

3 large egg yolks

coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 canola oil

juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons cold water

1. Mince garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add egg yolks, a pinch of salt, and mustard; process to combine. With machine running, slowly pour in about half the canola oil through the feed tube, a few drops at a time. Stop to make sure the sauce is thickening, and scrape sides of the bowl with rubber spatula.

2. Add 4 teaspoons lemon juice. Resume processing; slowly pour in remaining canola oil and the olive oil. Season with salt and remaining lemon juice, and add the water; process 10 seconds more. If serving immediately, transfer to serving bowls. Aioli can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 days.

Note: Raw eggs should not be used in food prepared for pregnant women, babies, young children, the elderly, or anyone else whose health is compromised.

Some say preppy is back - I say it never went away!

2010-07-12T09:03:00.008-05:00

"Wake up, Muffy. We're back."

If you came of age in the 80's, like I did, you remember the Official Preppy Handbook. Everyone pored over Lisa Birnbach's tome that was an homage to all things preppy.

And now, thirty years later, she's come out with a follow-up. True Prep: It's a Whole New World will be released September 7 and I've already pre-ordered mine.

Ever since the unfortunate 90's fashion era, I've noted a gradual resurgence in the lady-like, sweet style I'm so fond of. I never left preppy (well, sadly, I probably deviated some during the aforementioned bleak 90's), but it seems like it took everyone else a while to remember it. It takes me back to a youth of grosgrain ribbon everything and monogrammed reversible Bermuda bags. I might have to order the eyelet one above.

And Tretorns? I probably had at least 6 different colors the summer of 1981. Thankfully, Zappos is selling them, saving them from the ash heap of fashion history.

And thank goodness for my local J. McLaughlin store. I can go in there and get my prep fix any time.

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts

2010-07-11T19:10:00.004-05:00

While out antiquing this weekend, I ran across this delightful book. I paid $8.75 for it and it was a deal at twice the price.

My edition was published in 1949 and features Esky, Esquire magazine's dapper mascot. The book was intended to be a guide for gentlemen who entertain. There are sections titled "canapes", "midnight snacks", "eggs", "rum drinks", "is there a drunk in the house", "card games" and (my favorite) "365 excuses for a party."

I've been reading it all weekend. Here are a few nuggets:

"Oysters and Mushrooms" from Canapes:

"Take a fresh oyster and place in a large mushroom that has been peeled. Dip in olive oil or butter, sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika and a dash of celery salt, then place under a hot grill. Serve on half shell or a piece of thin toast."

"Cold Toddy" from Cocktails:

"In the bottom of an Old-fashioned glass, crush:

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 strip lemon peel, about 1" long

1 teaspoon water

Add 1 or 2 cubes ice. Pour in 1 1/2-2 oz your favorite whisky, give it a quick stir, and there you are. You may add a bit of water or seltzer if you want to last longer."

On "Games, the life-savers of the party":

"But there comes a time in every host's life when conversation is better replaced by GAMES. When your guests know each other so well that they've nothing new to say to each other... when your guests are such complete strangers that they seem in dire need of an organized ice breaker... when your guests, friends or strangers, are of such divergent views and interests that a normal conversation may result in hopeless argument or boredom, propose a game."

and

On the surprise guest:

"Liquor is quicker, but plain old-fashioned hospitality also sets your guests at ease and assures their enjoyment of an evening in your home. Hospitality seems to be composed of two parts sincerity and one part preparedness. In the home of the congenitally good host, one is ever unexpected. An Emergency Shelf in your pantry should always be equipped to provide a little something for drop-in callers to much on. The bar is always ready with something to sip. But, most important of all, the host is always ready to pretend he is delighted to have the company of his guests."

Good advice, even today.

Finally, today's excuse for a party? Well, it's July 11, birthday of John Quincy Adams! I'll have to get out my cocktail shaker and invite some people over!

Monteagle Sunday School Assembly - Monteagle, Tennessee

2010-07-02T07:54:00.004-05:00

I just got back from a little stay at Monteagle Sunday School Assembly (MSSA) in Monteagle, Tennessee. It was absolutely delightful and I captured these photos.

MSSA was established in 1882 as a Chautauqua, a place where visitors gathered in the summer for fellowship and for spiritual and intellectual growth. Originally, the Assembly maintained close ties to Chautauqua Institution at Chautauqua, New York, the first Assembly established. Their goal was to combine the training of Sunday school teachers with a broader program of educational and cultural pursuits.

Today, MSSA is what one might call a resort, but not in any traditional sense. There is one small inn on the grounds, but otherwise visitors must either own a cottage or rent one from an owner. There is no restaurant. Bikes and golf carts are plentiful.

MSSA has remained faithful to its original mission and offers a variety of activities for adults and children during the summer. There are lectures - a Civil War lecturer was there while I was there - art classes, tennis lessons and all kinds of other activities. The lending library is full of wonderful fiction and books on art and history. There is a quite hour after lunch and there are nightly prayers. Night-time activities include visiting with friends on porches, watching movies in the auditorium, playing Bingo and organized kids' games like capture the flag.

It really does take you back to a different time. It's reminiscent of small Southern towns where children ride their bikes everywhere and friends spend hours on the porch visiting.

Carnton Plantation - Franklin, Tennessee

2010-06-27T20:47:00.005-05:00

I just spent the most delightful evening at Carnton Plantation. If you aren't familiar with Carnton, it played a pivotal role during the Battle of Franklin here in Tennessee. The home served as a large Confederate field hospital and there are still bloodstains on some of the floors upstairs. Ultimately, over 1,400 soldiers were buried on several acres adjacent to the house. The cemetery is haunting. If you ever get the chance to visit, you should. Thousands of visitors come every year... even more now that Robert Hicks published his bestselling book The Widow of the South, which is based on the events during the Battle of Franklin.

I'm on the Advisory Board of the home and they have a summer concert series on the lawn, the first of which was tonight. I walked around the home and gardens and took these photos. It's truly breathtaking.

Please note one of my favorite features, the "haint blue" paint on the ceiling of the porch. It's a charming Southern tradition and was historically meant to ward off spirits, or haints.

Old Florida design

2010-06-26T16:41:00.006-05:00

Like many Southerners before me, I dream of having a place in Florida. I imagine a vacation home in the Santa Rosa/30-A area. I'd love to have an old Florida style cottage that looks as if it has had the same decor since the 1940's. Picture a corrugated metal roof, clapboard and huge screened porches.

The room above is from House Beautiful and it looks perfect for my little dream cottage.

You can get the look on a budget. I found a $77 oil painting on eBay that would be a great addition to my design. Find five such vintage marine paintings, all of ships or beaches, and hang them together.

As for the side table, the room above is using a small woven table (which is great since I'd be willing to have a bedroom that's a shoebox in order to get the house), but I would probably use the tree stump side table from West Elm. Kind of like I found an old cypress stump and used it.

Well, I'm back (again)

2010-06-25T07:36:00.005-05:00

I seem to go through phases with my writing. Obviously, my last break lasted nearly a year! Yikes! But I love to write and shop and take/peruse photos, so I'm going to try to get back on track.

I found this charming piece (a sideboard? modified Welsh dresser?) at a local antique mall a while back. It was priced at $400, but the booth was closing and it was available for $200. I very seriously considered the purchase because I wanted to bring it home and save it. I was absolutely aghast that someone would ruin such a sweet piece with the fleur de lis paint. The hardware was all original and the barley twists were just lovely.

I'm not a big fan of painting furniture, as you may know from reading my past blogs. (I would say that the caveat to that would be painting furniture a totally over the top color... think a high shine powder coat of bright red paint on Chinese Chippendale chairs that don't have a great pedigree.) Faux painting or decorative painting generally leaves me let down.

So I let this piece go and I regret it every time I click through these photos. Even if I didn't want to use it, I could have brought it back to life and given it away. I really can't emphasize enough the importance of striking when you see something that speaks to you on a deep level... and also speaks to your checkbook. At $200, this was a bargain, even when you factor in the costs of the materials it would have taken to strip off the paint. If you are decorating on a budget, keep your eyes peeled for the hidden treasures like this one. They might need a little love, but the payoff could be huge.

sweet vintage baby boy's room decorations

2009-07-30T07:30:00.003-05:00

I have two sons and when they were babies, I loved decorating their rooms. Being an old soul, I naturally wanted to use old things. After all, their dressers and side tables were antiques, why shouldn't the decor? But there's not exactly a "vintage nursery decor" store like there are mega baby marts. You have to scour around for your discoveries.

For my youngest, I settled on a theme of dogs. I put antique/vintage books about dogs between bronze Scotty dog bookends on his dresser. I found engravings of dogs for the wall. I even found a vintage dog lamp from the 1940's.

These finds above from a local antique store would have been right up my alley. They are so sweet for a baby boy and mommy who loves old things.

Colefax and Fowler - London, June 2009

2009-07-04T10:02:00.004-05:00

While shopping in London, I ran across the Colefax and Fowler shop on Brook Street. Of course, I had to go in. And what a treat it turned out to be. I've posted some photos from my visit.

I especially love the brass lanterns at bottom. There's a pair, which is hard to come by. And, sadly for me, the price reflects it. The pair is 3,200 pounds (I don't know how to find the "pound" symbol on my mac keyboard). I'm not sure where the dollar is today, but that's a lot of nickels. I dream of having the pair hanging on two ends of a kitchen island.

I also love the big yellow room upstairs. I can't even begin to tell you how dreamy it was.

Paris windows and architecture - June 2009

2009-07-01T07:46:00.003-05:00

Well, my sweet hubby and I have just gotten back from a trip abroad... alone! The kiddos stayed behind with my mother-in-law. It was wonderful. We spend time in London and Paris. And as you can imagine, my camera memory cards are full.

Since I'm an old soul, I found myself almost neurotically fixating on photographing certain things: metal fretwork, stone elements, doors, windows and urban gardens. I've programmed them to run as a slide show screensaver on my mac.

So for your viewing pleasure, I'll post some for you to enjoy.

lighting finds

2009-06-16T08:53:00.003-05:00

I found these two great items in the same booth at a local antique mall. I'm crazy over the vintage 20's student lamp. And the cardboard shade at right? I bought it and will keep it until I find the right vintage floor lamp.

an antiques booth done right

2009-05-19T09:14:00.002-05:00

If you follow me, you know I love to go antique shopping. Good booth dealers, regardless of their style, create vignettes with their wares. Pictured above is probably my favorite dealer's booth. While I probably would not style my whole house this way, I find so much inspiration from her and love her eye. I constantly poach her ideas.

And how about those lamps? They cost $550 and I'm thinking about going back for them. Wouldn't they look amazing with new black silk shades?

painted porcelain

2009-05-17T17:33:00.004-05:00

I ran across these beauties at one booth in one of my favorite antique malls today. I simply adore hand painted porcelain. Old Paris is, of course, a favorite. But I also love anything with sweet florals. It's so southern to me. The nice thing about them is that you can endlessly mix and match Old Paris and floral patterns. As long as the colorways go, use it all together.

Along with the patterns, these are also some of my favorite shapes... an oval serving tray (perfect for finger sandwiches, which I frequently serve to girlfriends to come over for a meeting), a tureen (for a chilled summer soup or without the lid with flowers) and a compote (which is great for sweets - perhaps petit fours - served on the matching plates).

Lovely!!

eBay today - antique plumbing fixtures

2009-04-02T11:10:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to plan a bathroom remodel right now and I definitely want to go with a vintage look. And since I love eBay so much, I thought I would see what they have in the way of fixtures. As it turns out, there's some good stuff there.

A few caveats: having an antique sink shipped will be expensive. Customize a search under antiques: architectural and garden: plumbing within 50 miles of your home town. That way, you'll get an e- mail when something fitting that description pops up. If you bid and win, you can pick it up yourself.

Also be aware that you might not, for instance, get a functioning antique faucet. You might have to pay a plumber to make them functional. That's more money out of pocket. And it's possible they might not work even with money thrown at them. In that case, you probably won't be able to get a return from the seller. I would suspect most items like that are sold "as is." Buyer beware. But check the listing details. You might get your money back.

But if you're willing to take a chance, check out these beauties. The pedestal sink comes with the faucet. And speaking of faucets... I love the aged brass wall mount faucet.

eBay today - Hollywood Regency faux bamboo chairs

2009-03-30T13:38:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess you can see I've been on sabbatical. I didn't plan it. It just happened.

But I'm back and I have these great chairs from eBay. I love that they can go in a variety of spaces. And they are cheap if you live in the Ft. Meyers area and can pick them up.

As for reupholstering them, I like the idea of splurging on custom cushions that might have a contrasting welting. But if you are in a pinch, I think you could do it yourself with a staple gun. When shopping on eBay be sure to ask the seller questions first, though. You don't want to get negative feedback by complaining after the fact when you should have asked in advance.

eBay today - Wedgwood basaltware

2009-01-19T18:37:00.003-06:00

I've stated before that I consider Wedgwood basaltware to be the little black dress of the butler's pantry. It's super tradish, so it has applications in those settings. But I could also imagine it on a more modern table.

Check out the tea pot, cups and saucers and bowl on eBay.

eBay today - unique baby and shower gifts

2009-01-08T09:29:00.004-06:00

If you read my posts regularly, you know that I love old things. I find such joy in giving life to lovely/sweet/beautiful/useful things from our past.

Children's pottery is a wonderful example. When my boys were babies, I had a collection of vintage (and a few vintage-syle repro) plates, bowls and two handled mugs that they ate from regularly. I even had them eat with those little sterling silver spoons and forks.

Yes, I suppose you do take a chance in putting something breakable on the tray of a high chair, but I just saw it as a teachable moment. What better way to gently teach them not to throw? And what did mommies and daddies do before plastic? They taught their children not to throw. Besides, the vintage ironstone bowls pictured above are extremely durable - I bet they've been thrown quite a bit in their day - and are perfect for learning to eat. The heavy bottoms keep the bowls from sliding across the tray.

I know, I know... clean up is a little more trouble with something you don't throw in the dishwasher, but if you aren't feeding multiples, try to take the time. It's not as if an oatmeal bowl will need a lot of heavy scrubbing with steel wool. Handwashing with soap will only be a few seconds more than prewashing for the dishwasher.

Check out the bowl with the puppy, the bowl with the chicks and the 1920's plate on eBay. Each of these, and others like them, make wonderful gifts for an expectant mommy whose style runs toward the vintage and unique.

New Year's Resolutions for antique booth owners

2009-01-07T08:28:00.005-06:00

I antique a lot. (Yes, a noun as a verb. I'm on the bandwagon. Sorry.) Most of the antique shops/stores around here in the greater Nashville area are what's called antique malls. They are large, although not always, spaces broken up into booths. Each booth is rented out by a different dealer and they fill the space with whatever they want. There is a booth rental fee and the store owner pays all the utilities and staffs the register. Most of you are probably familiar with the set-up, but I thought I would explain.

It's a great system IF you have a good eye. I shop a lot, though, and I keep up with the wares in various booths and the turnover and sometimes it's frequent. Booth rentals are generally not that high ($300 - $500 a month around here, depending on the size) and it's a great way for a stay-at-home mom or creative full time accountant to break out and make a little extra money doing what they love. Unfortunately, I sometimes think people think "I can do this" and jump when they shouldn't.

So here is my manifesto of things booth owners should keep in mind:

1. Painting it white: Simply painting something white and replacing the knobs will not enhance furniture's value. If it's cheap, it will only look like cheap painted furniture. Just because something is old, doesn't mean it's quality. I'm sure the booth owner in the first photo was going for "cottage" but that look is so over. If you have a hard time understanding when something is over, just ask yourself this question... are they knocking this off at Target? If the answer is "yes", then don't put it in your booth. I'm not even sure they are selling Rachel Ashwell's "cottage" line at Target any more, so that's more proof that the look is really really over. (Sidebar: I would be more interested in this piece if it was painted a high gloss pink.)

2. Fringe on a lamp shade: I'm totally baffled as to why an antique mall operator would allow a booth owner to sell this in an "antique mall", but go figure. Anyway... if you can buy it at Kirklands, don't put it in a booth.

3. Tapestries: These were machine made in massive quantities. Just because you saw it on Dynasty doesn't make it quality or in style. Stay away. And the quasi-Mediterranean feel is not a plus, it's a minus. Also stay away from anything "Tuscan". Yuck.

4. "Chippy": I wasn't crazy over this trend when it came out, but it's really over. Stop doing it.

5. Hideous oil paintings: These are painted in massive quantities in sweat shops abroad. There is nothing artistic about it. Just because you're selling an oil painting doesn't mean you are selling something valuable.

So in conclusion, an item isn't worth putting in your booth just because it's old or has the perception of value. There was lots of crappy furniture made in the 50's, 40's, 30's and before. At the moment you think "oooh... an oil painting. That's good, right? Maybe I'll buy it and put it in my booth" remember this and don't. Please be discerning and study. Read House Beautiful, Southern Accents, Domino, even Southern Living... anything current. Pay attention. I love the booth owner. It takes dedication and a sense of adventure to do what you do, but I want you to still be around a few months from now. Keep these tips in mind and maybe you will.

eBay today - antique sewing gear and notions

2008-12-31T17:24:00.004-06:00

My mother taught me to sew a little bit when I was younger, but I think I've lost the knack. I think most of us have at some time entertained the idea of buying a sewing machine and making our own duvets and pillows. Some of us have even done it. I haven't. Honestly. But I've come close when I find "like new" machines in the classified ads (it must have been someone who tried and gave up).

Finding these sewing supplies tempts me again. I love the seashell pin cushion. And how about the handpainted antique button? Even with my weak sewing skills, I could sew that onto a sweater that I have that only has one button at the neck, replacing the hideous mass-made one that's there. I'm craziest over the hand chased brass sewing case, though. Wouldn't this be sweet in a purse for those emergency button repairs? (Is that me waxing romantic again? I've never sewn on a button on the fly, but I like to imagine.)

It all makes me understand how all those Victorian women were so nuts over their sewing paraphernalia.

French enamelware kitchen canisters

2008-12-22T09:15:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas! The big day isn't even here yet and I've already bought myself a present. I feel a little guilty, but here's the story. As you know, I love eBay. Truly, if you need it, it's there somewhere. As you also may know, I'm remodeling my kitchen and I'm trying to spruce up my countertop accessories. And when I found these babies, I knew I had to act.

Aren't they dreamy? And since they are in relatively good condition, I plan on using them for their intended purpose. Sucre is sugar, farine is flour, cafe is coffee, pates is pasta, chickoree is chickory and poivre is pepper. I'm not really sure what I'll use chickoree for since I don't keep chickory around (although I do love French Market Coffee). My total cost was about $250 when you factor in shipping from France, but I just couldn't let such a great set get away.

If you are searching eBay for something, remember to keep a few basics in mind. Search under alternate names for your item. In this case search "French enamelware" and "French enamel ware". The seller might not know which way is standard. Factor in misspellings also, perhaps "enamelwear." By searching for misspellings, you might find a gem that others might not be bidding on because they couldn't find it. Also beware that sellers are not necessarily experts and might not name their items correctly. For example, people commonly refer to wall brackets as sconces even though they are not lights at all. It's just a mistake that's crept into the lexicon, but use it to your advantage.

Christmas ornaments - old crystals

2008-12-09T16:02:00.003-06:00

I just ran across these garlands and crystal ornaments at Jamali Home. Aren't they yummy? And then the thought crossed my mind... Christmas decorations would be a great use for all those crystals you find at antique malls and flea markets. (I'm sure that's what the Jamali guys were going for). I'm absolutely certain I'm not the first person to think of this, but I still love the idea.

As many of you know, I have a real fascination with giving old (seemingly useless) things new life. I don't think we need to throw something out just because it doesn't work the way we think it should at first. So pull out that fixture you inherited from your great aunt that's missing half its crystals. Pull of what's left and hang them on your tree.

Or just buy some at a flea market or off of eBay (like this lot), and tell everyone they came from the Charleston estate of your dowager great-aunt who was on her uppers at the end of her life and couldn't afford to fix her fixtures... and these crystals are what's left.

Either way, they will have more character than the "made in Japan splendors" found at the local big box retailer. (reference: Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory... a classic and my favorite Christmas story. Read it.)

maintaining antique linens - fabric mangle

2008-12-08T16:06:00.004-06:00

I can't recall the shelter mag that featured a fabric mangle a few years ago. (House Beautiful perhaps?) A fabric mangle is a big rotary iron that you operate from a sitting position. It lets you run your linens through a big roller that irons out the wrinkles. I instantly loved the idea of being able to maintain my linens myself. My dream is to have a laundry room with two sets of washers and dryers and to have room for one of these beauties.

The magazine article referenced specifically purchasing vintage fabric mangles off of eBay, like the one above, which has a starting bid right now of $175.

Or, you can swing on over to Williams-Sonoma and order a brand new Miele rotary iron. It's pricier at $2,200, but if money was no object I think I would have to indulge.

sterling baby cups as Christmas ornaments - mixed with modern glass

2008-12-05T17:38:00.004-06:00

I think I've blogged before about how much I love Juliska. I discovered them in 2000, I think, and started my collection immediately. Fortunately, in recent years, they have added a line of Christmas ornaments. I've picked up two for my more formal tree.

I also decorate it with all those antique baby cups, rattles and spoons that you never know what to do with. If you want to jumpstart your collection, check out the set of cups and the rattle on eBay. Tie them with a ribbon that works with your color scheme and hang with hooks. I think it's a sweet way to use something that is generally useless in this day and time while still referencing children and the spirit of Christmas.

eBay today - the most beautiful and unique antique brass bed

2008-11-29T11:13:00.003-06:00

I have seen a lot of brass beds, both original and shiny, cheap faux brass reproductions. I'm not a fan of that Little House of the Prarie style generally, but the originals can be nice.

This one on eBay, however, is a total departure from the traditonal brass bed. I think I've blogged before about how I think brass has gotten a bad rap. Too many apartments and tract houses filled with "brass" chandeliers have soured most people on the material, but real antique brass has the most beautiful patina and is of superior quality.

If you are looking for an original antique bed for a guest room or a sweet little girl's room, I would seriously consider this one. Even in this slow economy, it won't last long.

Thanksgiving eve dinner - gumbo and bread pudding

2008-11-26T15:20:00.003-06:00

Every year, my mother-in-law hosts Thanksgiving lunch. She lives here in town, so it's easy for us to all dine together. I have taken to hosting dinner on the eve of Thanksgiving as a gift to her. She is usually hosting out-of-town family and years ago I decided it might be nice to take one thing off of her plate... no need to worry about feeding everyone the night before a big meal.

So I'm getting ready right now and the gumbo is smelling good. Unfortunately, I don't have a recipe for it. My husband has learned from my mother how to make authentic gumbo (I grew up in Mississippi and have Louisiana roots) and he's responsible for putting that together. I'll serve French bread with it and that's a meal. I tend to always fix gumbo. Everyone loves real homemade gumbo and it's a nice departure from all the traditional cranberry/turkey/sweet potato delights we get tomorrow.

For dessert, I'm making pralines and Martha's croissant bread pudding. The bread pudding is a favorite in our house and it's super easy. I highly recommend it.

Finally, I thought I would include a grainy photo of my turkey planter with flowers. I love vintage turkey planters. I found this one on eBay years ago. They are really sweet and remind me of something my grandmother would have had. (I also have my grandmother's collection of Christmas pins... mostly trees and not especially valuable, but it's tender insight into how much she loved holidays and entertaining).

Schoolhouse lighting

2008-11-10T12:52:00.003-06:00

I've fallen in love with Schoolhouse Electric Co.! They make new fixtures from old molds that have been rehabbed. I love it!

I know I've blogged about the antique filament bulbs before and Schoolhouse has them also.

cool organizing

2008-11-08T10:23:00.002-06:00

I'm trying to get organized now that the holidays are upon me and I found these great folders and box over at papersource.com. They kind of have that antique engraving vibe. I think I might just have to order these.

advent calendar

2008-11-06T20:14:00.006-06:00

I've always wanted a great advent calendar, but I've never liked what I found. They always seemed cheap and crass with their tacky ornaments and design.

When I ran across this one in Garnet Hill's catalog, I was thrilled! I love the simplicity of it. It seems a little Swedish. I plan on ordering one for my home, but will probably skip the personalization. I'm not so crazy over the script they offer. I think I'll see what my local monogram shop can do. If not, maybe I'll get out my needle and thread and stitch my surname on myself!

I also like this one, but I'm afraid the colorful mittens will conflict with my Hable stockings on my mantle.

create an antique and unique Christmas tree topper

2008-11-05T14:43:00.003-06:00

I have two Christmas trees in my house. One has all the crazy colorful decorations that my children make and that my husband and I made when we were children... along with other colorful ornaments. The lights are multi colored and blink. It's in my playroom.

I also have another tree in my formal living room. The lights are white and the ornaments are all gold and silver. Each year I hang all the sterling silver baby cups and rattles I own. It's a nice way to use something that would otherwise stay in a box forever. I also decorate with cream silk ribbons from my great-aunt's wedding bouquet and lace flowers from my grandmother. I use antique tablecloths for the skirt.

I've been stumped as to what to put at the top of the tree, however, until inspiration struck. I'm thinking of buying an antique doll and putting her at the top like an angel. I would love to find a long lace dress similar to the one she has on for her to wear. I would also have to figure out a way to fashion wings for her. Maybe I could use old tinsel for a halo?

Even if I don't end up using an old doll, this kind of brainstorming really gets me going. I love to find new ways to bring life to old things. If not, they just stay tucked away forever.

Maybe you have an antique doll of your grandmother's you could use. Decorate with old blocks and toys tucked into the branches. Or just tuck in anything that has meaning and usually stays hidden... baby shoes, black and white photos, your mother's white kid debutante gloves. Make it your own.

eBay today - punch paper mottoes

2008-11-02T17:21:00.003-06:00

I guess it's because I came of age in the 1980's that I tend to initially dislike "homespun" cross stitched framed needlework. It just brings back too many memories of navy/burgundy/tan color schemes and cross stitched geese.

These are the fore bearers to those and they are entirely different. I love the old religious homilies. The Victorians were very pious and they loved needlework, so these combined both of their loves. Despite their age, I could imagine a wall of seven of these beauties in a modern environment, perhaps a loft kitchen, as easily as in a traditional Vermont home.

EBay has several here and here (numbers two and three above) but I have also found a web site that offers patterns for reproductions.

Hooray Domino!

2008-10-25T23:55:00.004-05:00

If you follow me at all (there are about 18 of you out there), then you know how much I love Domino Magazine. Well, today it came in the mailbox. I get excited right away. I resist the temptation to rip into it right there. My husband and oldest son are away on a camping trip, so I know if I wear the heck out of the little one on a long walk, he'll go to sleep early and it will be Domino, a big glass of Coke (my indulgence) and me.

How happy I was to turn to page 44 and find a blog shout out there for Jennifer over at the Peak of Chic. She's had a spot on Domino's web site for design bloggers but this is the first time I've noticed her in print in the mag.

I know I've suggested you check her out before, but click on over there now. She has done so much research into the design greats and has tons of pics. She's also great at responding to feedback. Post a question or interesting comment and she will usually reply down the string.

Most importantly, I also have to say that she has my lowly blog posted as a link to hers and I probably owe half of my traffic to her. She deserves credit for that alone.

The two pics above are from a recent post of hers. Beauty!

call me! - unique letterpress calling cards

2008-10-24T20:37:00.005-05:00

I use calling cards. Not for their original intention, but as gift enclosures. And I now have some that simply have my name, phone number and e- mail (sidebar: if I see another pair of people standing, peering into their iPhones exchanging digits, I think I'll just go over the edge... put your info on a card and hand it over. It looks a lot more pulled together). I kind of think of them as the stay-at-home mom's business card.

I love this one from Mr. Boddington's Studio and this one from Kate Spade's Crane's collection.

huge funky horse a la Nathan from Top Design

2008-10-23T16:55:00.004-05:00

Am I the only one who watches Top Design? I love it! I'm so sorry to see Andrea go, but I totally understand where she's coming from. As a wife and mother, I don't know if I could leave my husband and children for that long. I hope she was inspired by her experience and can integrate her love of design into her life a home.

I was totally in love with Nathan's room this past week! His concept was a bratty girl's bedroom. The big horse reminded me of her once little-girly rocking horse on steroids. And when I ran across this big horse on eBay, I thought someone looking for one might want to have him for their own bratty girl's room! This one is canvas and is not as abstract as Nathan's, unfortunately, but it could fit the bill. I think I would either leave the canvas unpainted or else I would paint it hot pink or some other crazy color. A realistic paint job would seem weird (as if a 7 foot tall horse of plain canvas isn't!).

dramatic wallpaper for small spaces

2008-10-22T10:08:00.005-05:00

I think I've previously expressed my love of wallpaper. I especially fancy it in a closet, dressing room or powder room.

And how about the beautiful closet above featured in Domino Magazine? I clipped this image when it appeared in the magazine and I have it in my design book.

There are several different ways to interpret this look if the gorgeous Farrow and Ball wallpaper isn't for you. The first is a lovely Llewelyn-Bowen wallpaper called Chantilly. I'm also partial to Chrysanthemum by Monsoon.

Either way, I find that the patterns I'm most attracted to for a closet or powder room are the furthest from my "day-to-day" design style. I think it's a chance to throw a little whimsy into your decor without breaking the bank (my powder room and closet are both small!) and without doing anything too kooky in a common space.

eBay today - Victorian wasp or fly catcher

2008-10-22T09:25:00.003-05:00

I heard about these nifty gadgets on a BBC program about antiques and decided to do a little eBay research.

Check it out. A circa 1860 wasp or fly catcher. You would have put a cork in the top and a sugar water mixture in the well and the pests would have flown under and been caught for later disposal. Wouldn't this be great outdoors at a summer croquet soiree? I picture fresh squeezed lemonade and straw boaters.

I'm a born and bred Southerner and I've never heard of these. I love that it's a beautiful mouth blown piece, that it's old and (most importantly) that it has a use still today. I think that's what I love the most about my favorite antiques and vintage pieces... that the best ones can still be used today.

recipe: leek gratin

2008-10-20T19:44:00.002-05:00

I have to give a huge shout out to Laura Neulat over at Laura's Paris Cooking Notebook. Earlier this week, she posted the most wonderful recipe for leek gratin and I decided to give it a try tonight. Hers is photographed above, but mine turned out just like it. And what a success it was! My nine-year-old even asked to take the left-overs in his lunch box tomorrow.

Follow the link and give it a try. It's a snap and is a definite keeper in my recipe box.

knowing when to invest

2008-10-19T19:25:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while I splurge. I mean really splurge. For my last birthday, I was at Saks and bought the Marc Jacobs bag above in navy blue calf leather. Navy is my new black and I just couldn't resist. I've bought nice bags in the past, but none that pricey. For the first day or two, I felt so guilty and even considered returning it (My husband calls that "shopping bulimia". It's not in the DSM, but it should be.) But then something interesting happened. I started getting compliments. Lots of them. From my dry cleaner. From strangers. Everyone commented on that bag. People even asked to touch it.

The sconce above is in the same stratosphere, but well worth it. Quality really does always stand out. You might be hesitant at first and certainly don't do it if you put it on a credit card. Save up. And as you save up, just resist the urge to blow your money on a cheaper fixture/bag/whatever. Cheaper always looks.... well, cheap. You'll be glad in the end.

French match keeping and customized match boxes

2008-10-17T17:53:00.004-05:00

I played with matches a lot as a child. Maybe that's why the match box (or "allumettes" in French) and match strike on eBay appeal to me.

I also love that both are French. I guess they were obsessed with fire also... in order to fire up their clove ciggies. But with as many candles as I have around the house, either one of these would be pressed into service regularly. I hate to light candles with random matches from restaurants.

That's why I've been toying with ordering some customized matches like either of the ones above. They come in endless colors and fonts.

What do you think? Antique and French or new and monogrammed?

kitchen updates

2008-10-16T20:28:00.003-05:00

Well, as I might have mentioned, I'm remodeling my kitchen. (I'll post a few pics when I complete the project.) And purchasing all those fancy KitchenAid appliances and other stuff compelled me to want to polish up some of my other kitchen goods.

I know, I know. The Dualit toaster is a splurge, but I couldn't help it. I've longed for one for so long and it looks so beautiful aside my new appliances.

The French press and the stovetop cappuccino maker were gifts to my sweet husband for his birthday today.

Finally, a swing through Anthropologie led me to my final two purchases. I found big white cups for my morning coffee and juice glasses which are no longer available online.

It looks like I was going for a breakfast-y theme, now that I look at it all. Perhaps that's because I have a breakfast bar in my new kitchen. A little sprucing up has been long overdue for me, though, so I bought things I'll really love for years to come.

eBay today - vintage paper mache Christmas angels

2008-10-13T14:37:00.002-05:00

I love these Italian angel ornaments. I think they are handpainted paper mache. My mother-in-law has given me about four of these beauties and they show up on eBay every now and again. Their wings are made of the most fragile clay-like material. Check out the lot of 8 above. The bid is currently up to $36.99. Unfortunately for me, they will go a lot higher.

eBay today - vintage industrial gifts

2008-10-08T10:28:00.003-05:00

I love the idea of giving a gift with meaning, age and character - and not just some random piece of junk from Target.

The typewriter above would be great for a writer or book lover. I would love the coffee grinder since I'm a coffee nut.

So search around eBay for key words for a loved one's hobbies or professions. Trust me... there is something out there for them.

mixing it up

2008-10-03T15:34:00.002-05:00

My previous post about fabrics inspired me to consider mixing things up a bit. I love the idea of a floral with an animal print. It's a great design idea that I've seen in rooms by Parish-Hadley and others.

Domino has a great pic of such a room. I like that the space isn't stuffy, though. (And how great is the blue welting on the chocolate brown chair?)

And the zebra Kravet fabric on eBay would be perfect for some pillows.

pretty, pretty

2008-10-01T20:21:00.003-05:00

I am such a visual person. I am really really inspired by modern, retro, groovy... many looks.

But, as a Southern woman, the more modern classics are still the end-all and be-all for me. These Manual Canovas fabrics just make me crazy in love. I adore that these fabrics are classic, sweet and preppy (but not too preppy) but still modern and not over-worked.

What do you think?

channeling the shelter mags

2008-09-29T13:20:00.003-05:00

I am such a visual person. Even if something isn't my look, I find inspiration in the beauty.

I love this pic from Domino Magazine. It's not my speed, but there is a lot to learn from the design. There are a lot of neutrals and the punch of the two colorful items - the pillows and the prints - adds a pop of color, but not too much. I also like the "British invasion" theme. Again, not so theme-y to the point of being a room full of geese or fake flowers, but still a subtle theme, nonetheless.

If it's your look, check out the pillows on eBay.

antique booths

2008-09-17T19:54:00.005-05:00

As you know, I'm crazy about shopping at antique malls. I love the idea of all those booths, each filled by different people. I find that you can pretty quickly size up the look of a booth based on a few items. Once you develop your eye, shopping is very efficient.

I adore the Old Paris teapot and the set of handpainted plates above. They are both from the same booth. The last picture is a vignette from that same booth. I love it and it offers me a lot of inspiration. I imagine an aging New Orleans dowager's Garden District home. I think because I share the same eye the booth owner has, I feel at home with her things. When I visit that antique mall, I pretty quickly move past most of the booths and settle in to shop in and find inspiration from ones like the one above.

Develop your eye and find sellers who share your aesthetic. It will help you quickly find what you love and will help you find inspiration for decorating your home.

botanicals

2008-09-12T20:21:00.004-05:00

OK. If you follow my blog, you know how crazy I am over organic design. I love anything that references nature... faux bois, coral, starfish, fur. I love it all.

I have also taken to pressing flowers and flora from my travels. I bought an old, small flower press at a thrift store for $1 a few years ago and am considering upgrading to the beauty above. What a great way to remember your travels!

I am also nuts for Becky Davis Botanicals. I would love to invest in about 9 of these... framed and hung 3 over 3. Does the wall above not make you swoon? The picture is a little small, but I lust for it! And all the ferns!! And lily pads! Maybe I can get the big flower press and make my own!

new furniture

2008-09-10T19:36:00.004-05:00

I'm in the process of finalizing the plans for my kitchen remodel and it's caused me to reexamine my breakfast room furnishings.

I found the pieces above at area antique malls. The first is an English piece, but I'm seriously considering the Jacobean server or the Welsh dresser. And while I'm at it, why don't I update the chairs with the barley twist ones above?

What do you think?

Florence Broadhurst - wallpaper and fabric genius

2008-09-05T15:46:00.003-05:00

I am absolutely in love with Florence Broadhurst wallpapers. The Australian designer's work was very chic and still has appeal despite the fact that there is definitely a 70's vibe to a lot of her work. Her colorways were totally mindblowing and are so fresh. I am considering investing in wallpaper for my closet. It's not a large space, but it has a window and would look great wallpapered. What do you think?

My style definitely tends to run a bit more toward the tradish, but the closet is an area where you can do something different. It's a private space and you can branch out and do something that makes you happy.

more lighting

2008-09-03T16:06:00.004-05:00

I think I'm about to remodel my kitchen, so I've been scouring the Internet for inspiration. Restoration Hardware is a great source for fresh yet traditional basics. I really love these pendant lights and might use a couple of them over my peninsula (I'm keeping the original floor plan, although I would love an island... I just don't think it would work right for my small space).

If the hubby OKs my plan, I'll start posting updates as I progress. Hopefully, he'll be good with my budget and I can start in the next few weeks!

my dream house - lighting

2008-08-31T20:41:00.004-05:00

I am totally nuts for Circalighting.com. If you are building or remodeling or just want to find one new fixture, you should make your way over to Circa's web site.

Personally, I think brass has gotten a bad name. The problem with brass is the cheap builders' grade shiny "brass" lights found in apartment units and tract houses. The antique brass one above is a great choice for gold-toned lovers out there who hate the shiny fixtures.

I am also completely in love with the glass fixture above also. The shape is tradish but the glass makes it modern.

And how amazing is the bead and tassel light? Quite grand! That's for the homeowner who likes a little flourish.

eBay today - Halloween decor

2008-08-29T16:15:00.003-05:00

I'm on a roll! My last post got me thinking about seasonal decorations. And when I took a quick spin through eBay, I'm reminded of why I love the auction giant.

Don't you love the vintage lantern above? I have a few decorations that were my grandmother's that are very similar.

I also personally own one of the die cut skeletons for my front door. It reminds me of my childhood in the 70's!

Finally, I bought a stuffed snake at a yard sale for $10 years ago. I immediately knew what to do with it... Halloween! As it turns out, I had two boys who think it's a cool and creepy decoration. (On that note, I think I've posted about the taxidermy section of eBay. It's pretty freaky what's out there, but lots of it is perfect for Halloween. Imagine the skull above on a stack of coffee table books in your den!)

So with one look, you have kind of a classic cheerful Halloween thing going. With the other, I envision more of a Victorian/creepy look. Or mix the two. Either way, you have really unique seasonal decorations that your guests won't instantly recognize as all coming from Target.

more fall decor

2008-08-28T16:21:00.002-05:00

As I said in my previous post, I'm not generally a big fan of heavy-handed Halloween/fall decorations. I do put out some stuff (I have small children... what do you expect?) but I don't OD on pumpkins. I have some true vintage Halloween jack-o-lanterns that belonged to my grandmother, but the resin pumpkins you see peppering your local big box retailer don't find their way into my home.

These found at Vivre are a great alternative for others out there who feel the way I do. The set of 6 is $195 (ouch!), but I bet you could make your own. The description says that they are gourds that have been spray-painted white. What a great DIY experiment!

I'm back! And with cute napkins!

2008-08-27T08:41:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the encouraging e- mails. I think I had been in a slump and needed a vacay. But I'm back now!

I love these lovely napkins from the Home, James! Collection. The top napkin might be a little beachy for fall, but I'm not one to use napkins with pumpkins on them anyway. It's great to go seasonal, but earth tones are just not really my thing, so for others like me, I say use what you love. If a table runner covered in fall leaves ain't your thing, so be it. The next two place mats would be a great option for me... white with orange band and white with black beads. (sans the coral napkins)

Goodbye... for now?

2008-08-01T22:09:00.002-05:00

Well, as you can see, I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks. To those of you who have written, nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is great. I've just been enjoying the summer at the pool with my boys.

In fact, I'm heading to Florida tomorrow for a week and I'm sure I probably won't blog.

I'm considering signing off of the blog world, though, even once the summer is over. I'm not sure I'm creative enough to keep it going. Stay tuned. You'll see news soon either way.

my dream house - hardware and fittings

2008-07-17T12:37:00.004-05:00

OK. This is the kind of thing I will spend ages fixating on if I ever am able to build my dream house. Nanz makes the most amazing fittings. And they don't overlook the little details like hinges. Hinges! I'm in heaven!

Even if you don't have the money to build a dream house from the ground up, though, don't overlook investing in hardware like the ones pictured above. Perhaps you begin by rehabbing the fittings on your main "public" doors. Save the door to the unfinished attic space until last.

Sarah Ridgley Letterpress

2008-07-12T19:54:00.003-05:00

I ran across the most amazing letterpress coasters from Sarah Ridgley. I've never heard of her, but check out her blog.

I'm so totally into letterpress. They are so delightful and I love the element that depth brings to paper. I think I'll find custom letterperss Christmas cards this year. Perhaps I'll e- mail Sarah and see if she can come up with something. I am a big supporter of working with small business owners. If you find something you like online or on etsy, e- mail the artist and see if they can customize something for you. They will likely love to get more of their work out there and since you deal directly with the artist, an agreement can be easy to strike.

Can you wait to throw a party and personalize coasters, though? They would also make an awesome hostess gift. Just imprint her initials or a clever saying she always uses, and you will definitely stand out from all those bottles of wine!

I'm cheating!

2008-07-08T22:16:00.003-05:00

Whever I get back from vacation, I always cheat on my blog posts and just crib off of someone else's hard work. I love these needlepoint pillows I found on the Domino blog. I have two card needlepoint pillows in my play room (get it? games, toys, cards... card pillows!) and I would love to have more. I am totally nuts for needlepoint. I'm currently looking for one of the needlepoint covered bricks that you find used as doorstops in old Southern homes.

eBay today - vintage tumblers

2008-07-01T21:11:00.003-05:00

I don't know much about these lovely tumblers, but I'll share what I know.

I've been collecting these for a few years. I have all sorts. I mix and match whatever I find at antique malls or on eBay when they are cheap. I have nearly a dozen now, with no more than 3 of any one pattern. It doesn't matter that they don't match. For me, the shape is the unifying factor. The size of these little beauties is roughly standard. Go figure. I find that when I bring home a new find, it's always nearly identical in size and shape even though I'm sure they are all from different makers.

As for which ones are more valuable than others (which is totally a relative term), I could care less about which ones are more collectible than others. (I sometimes hate using the word "collectible"... as in "these Franklin Mint kitties aren't junk! They are collectibles the children will inherit one day"). I really do buy what I like and what I can afford. I find the glasses usually go for around $10 each. I find some on eBay are pricier, but I won't pay that much.

I have a pair of Vaseline glasses similar to the one photographed above, but mine have straight sides, not slanted. While I don't have a black light, I like that I could make them glow if I wanted to.

As for uses, I actually use them several times a day. In the morning, I have OJ in one. In the evening, I have a glass of wine in one... very continental. And at bedtime, my sweet husband brings me an ice cold glass of water in one. I like to have water next to my bed. And yes, I do hand wash them. I can only imagine what my dishwasher would do to them. But there is always a price for beauty, isn't there?

So, really... buy what you love and what you will use. Check the others out on eBay here and here.

epicurious.com

2008-06-30T11:13:00.003-05:00

I don't know if many of you regularly visit epicurious.com, but if you don't, you should find the time. It's a wonderful site for home cooks who aspire for more or who entertain a lot. The site consists of recipes from Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines. It's amazing. You should imagine basically having years worth of both magazines at your fingertips .... for free and with lots of nice features for searching and storing.

My favorite feature is the online recipe box. It lets you save recipes you find to your own personal recipe box. And it must last a long time, because I recently perused mine and I find that I added my first recipes on February 13, 2002. Below, I'm pasting in a recpie I added that day - a favorite of ours, Boursin Stuffed Turkey Burgers.

(The photo above is of another burger - the Open-Faced Lamb Burger with Mint Yogurt Sauce. I have a dear Greek girlfriend whose mother used to use ingredients like these in the authentic food she used to prepare for us. I will try this recipe in honor of Mrs. Hontzas.)

Boursin Stuffed Turker Burgers - Gourmet Magazine, August 1999

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1/2 small red onion

3/4 pound ground turkey

2 tablespoons Boursin cheese (preferably peppered)

4 slices challah or 2 English muffins

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Accompaniments: tomato slices and watercress sprigs

Preparation:

Prepare grill.
Finely chop onion. In a bowl gently combine onion and turkey (do not overmix) and form into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Center 1 tablespoon Boursin on each of 2 patties and top with remaining 2 patties, pressing edges together to seal. Season burgers with salt and pepper and grill on a lightly oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through.
While burgers are grilling, brush bread with oil and toast on grill.
Serve burgers on bread with tomato and watercress.

the inside out

2008-06-26T09:37:00.003-05:00

I have jumped all over this trend. I love the concept of making our outdoor space look like your indoor space. Earlier this summer, I totally redid my back patio at everyone's favorite cheap big box retailer, Target.

I started with the loveseat. Since the throw pillows that came with the love seat were hideous, I tossed them and decided to use five regular pillows in ikat blue and chocolate colorways.

The outdoor furniture I had was black and had belonged to a great aunt. It dated to the 1940's, I think. I spray painted it that brownish-bronze and voila... instant outdoor living room. I'll try to post a photo soon. (I have a new camera, and I haven't yet figured out how to upload the pics. I feel old.) I completed the look with the outdoor lamp and I've instantly added square footage onto my house.

Ultimately, I would have done something similar had I had more money. I don't like complete matched sets of furniture on the patio... just like I don't care for it in my home. When was the last time you opened a shelter mag to see a whole room of bedroom furniture in "The Magnola Collection" (or whatever)? Only in ads. So for all the non-designers out there, take a cue from our more gifted bretheren: don't buy matched sets. Take inspiration from the Cottage Living photo above.

making the shelter mags real

2008-06-21T13:37:00.003-05:00

I love magazines. All kinds. Shelter, fashion, food. I subscribe to at least a dozen and I eat them up when they come. I'm a very visual person.

House Beautiful is one of my top three favorites. I love the photo above and tore it out when it was in the mag. There is a lot in this photo that I can't possibly replicate... not now, anyway. The windows, room scale, quality of the furnishings, etc. That doesn't mean that the rest of us can't find inspiration there, however.

I am very attracted to this color palette. It's very soothing and clean, free of lots of pattern and excessive ornamentation. What pattern is there, is of a scale that appeals to me and tends to be more of the tone-on-tone variety (like the screen). When you run across a photo like this one that appeals to you, figure out how you can convey the gist of the look while working on a budget.

For instance, the vase above pictured on eBay right now is a nice stand-in for the one in the pic. It provides a needed punch of color on that dark table.

eBay today - Blanc de Chine

2008-06-19T18:59:00.002-05:00

My previous post about the white sea urchin lamp made me want to go back to a favorite old search on eBay - blanc de chine. This is a favorite of mine. There are usually lots of Hollywood regency lamps like the pair above, which I love.

I have also had passing ideas of buying a figurine or pair of figurines and turning them into lamps. My main stumbling block is knowing what I'm buying. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on Chinese export porcelain. The bidding at the single figure alone, however, is at $9.99 right now. So I suppose if you get it for a bargain and you love it, who really cares if it's a knockoff and not something from the Tang dynasty. If you don't know, nobody else will either.

Also, try to buy from an eBayer with lots of positive feedback...more than 200 as a place to start. That indicates someone who is a serious seller and someone who's description should be trustworthy (assuming they are not unwittingly misdescribing the item).

Williams-Sonoma Home - another look

2008-06-17T07:45:00.002-05:00

I have been tearing through my latest issue of Elle Decor, and I noticed the glorious sea urchin lamp from Williams-Sonoma Home. Of course, I'm totally into the all white blanc de chine look of it, but I also love the organic thing pulling in from nature. (In case you are new, I still decorate with coral and shells and I love it. I don't care that it's been done over and over again. It's a classic).

After going over to the site, I found some other great stuff I would love to have. I have always liked the Williams-Sonoma Home site well enough, but it seems like I was never wowed.

So, check out the great lacquer trays, pillows and rug.

I'm still here!

2008-06-15T09:35:00.003-05:00

And I'm cheating on my post today. I'm going to link two posts I admire from two of my favorite bloggers. Why try to find something creative and wonderful when they have done it for me already?

Anyway, for my three readers, you might be wondering where I've been the last week and a half. Well, my oldest son went to camp for the first time! I can't believe I have a child old enough to go to "sleep-away" camp! He was gone for 10 days to Alpine Camp for Boys in Mentone, Alabama. During that time, I taught VBS (it wore me out!) and spent my computer time on the Alpine website looking for photos and updates on my boy. You see, they have this great password protected system called Campminder. The program uploads pictures daily and has a diary about what the boys are doing. So basically I spent the last ten days missing him and logging onto the site endlessly to look for him.

Anyway, he's back and so am I. Post more comments when you can. The feedback helps.

So check out these posts from Pigtown Design and The Peak of Chic. The photos are a teaser. You'll have to link the post to find out what they wrote about.

eBay today - coin silver

2008-06-03T08:31:00.003-05:00

I've posted about coin silver before, I know. I'm just such a fan. It's easy to find and can be cheaper than sterling. I have a set of sterling flatware, but I find that when entertaining, I rely on my coin silver strays most often. Besides, I'm young and I don't have a huge dining room, so the kind of entertaining I do is of the buffet variety, no seated dinners. I tend to prepare food that doesn't require a knife and I have a julep cup full of forks, all mismatched. And for dessert, a julep cup full of spoons is ready for serving homemade lemon lotus ice cream, a Southern delicacy. Doesn't that have so much more character?

Coin silver is often embellished with hand chased monograms that just can't be duplicated today. Pick up singles or small sets where you can and mix and match. It will look better as a mismatched set, trust me. It looks like silver several different great- great- grandmothers buried to hide from the Union soldiers. Invent your own story and use your coin silver often.

A note on buying: sets of spoons are fairly easy to come by. Pick up a few sets and singles where you can. Don't ever eat cereal from stainless steel again. Just quickly hand wash your coin silver - don't throw it in the dishwasher. I know, I know... it's it a bit of a pain in the neck, but a little sacrifice is necessary for beauty. Forks and knives are harder to come by and are therefore a little pricier. Be patient but be ready to buy when you find a set you like.

Check out these listings here, here and here.

lovely vintage china

2008-06-01T20:05:00.003-05:00

I love china. I'll admit it. I buy sets of salad plates, tureens, tea sets... whatever strikes my fancy. I mix and match with my Herend gold band china pieces. I love the sweet vintage sets by Spode and Royal Copenhagen above.

Also... I adore the English Edwardian silverplate tea caddy. Not china, but something I'm watching on eBay. You could keep tea bags in it, sugar, whatever. Use what you love.

the Gueridon table

2008-05-31T08:47:00.003-05:00

I love this style of table. Naturally, the French deserve credit for this beauty. Louis XIV populated Versailles with them. They can be at home, however, in much more modern applications.

Additionally, to me, they are a great piece to have around. It's small, so you can always find a home for it. And while you wouldn't want to permanently store one of these beauties outdoors, it could certainly serve outside admirably.

The tabletop is usually circular, but other shapes are out there (see above). I don't think the X- supports are necessary for the table to be a Gueridon, but the style is typical of the most well-known tables. Look for pairs like the ones above. They are also most often created in brass or bronze, but I could imagine a more modern interpretation in brushed nickle. I'm sure Pottery Barn had a knock-off Gueridon a few years ago, but I can't find a photo. It must be off of their web site.

Check them out on eBay here, here and here.

God Bless America - vintage/unique Fourth of July party decorations

2008-05-26T13:33:00.005-05:00

I love America. So much so that I have considered throwing a Fourth of July party for years and I have just never gotten it off the ground. But I think this year I'll try to make it happen. The fact that today is Memorial Day has spurred me to action.

Check out these finds over on eBay.

Wouldn't a collection of lead soldiers like the one above be grand marching up the center of the serving table?

And speaking of the table... not everything needs to be vintage or antique. The table runner above is a modern reproduction. The vibe is that of a vintage tablecloth, though.

Finally, who could have a Fourth of July party without bunting? It's an old-timey classic that never goes out of style.

The point is to search thrift stores, eBay and yard sales for entertaining elements that are vintage or a little unique. That way, you aren't stuck hosting the same red-and-white-checked shindig that everyone else will be hosting.

getting fit in style

2008-05-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to get in shape. Over the past year, I've eliminated almost all processed foods from my family's diet, decided to eat mostly organic and have in general focused on our overall health and well-being.

I thought it only fitting to take my fitness quest to the next logical step and start working out. I work out with a trainer every couple of weeks and I've even started taking Pilates and core conditioning mat classes. There's lots of "pyramiding" with weights and working with the resistance bands. I feel better already. So now I've started shopping for activewear and I've discovered two favorite brands.

The first is Tonic, a Canadian company. I love the magenta top pictured above. I layer a royal blue or light pink sports bra under it (I need the extra support) and just looking great makes we want to show up for class.

My other favorite is good old J. Crew. They have just introduced a yoga line and I'm placing an order this weekend to take advantage of their 20% off sale. (AT JCREW.COM, ENTER "SALESHHH" AT CHECK-OUT TO GET 20% OFF EVERYTHING OVER $175. NOW THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY). I'm going to start with the cami and pant and might add the jacket later if I like what I get.

eBay today - tape measures

2008-05-21T22:42:00.003-05:00

I'm willing to bet there are a lot of you out there that are a lot like me. Our styles might be different, but if you blog, or frequent blogs, then you probably care a lot about all the little details that go into designing a home, event or outfit.

If you are like me, you probably carry a tape measure around with you at all times. I shop all kinds of different places and I need to be able to quickly measure some cool chargers found at a tag sale or find out if an antique store chandelier can fit in a room with ceilings the height of mine.

So I take my trusty little tape measure along. The one I use is a vintage advertising tape measure for a bank in Mississippi. I found it among my great-aunt's personal things. It's OK and has served me well, but I would really love one of the tape measures like the ones found here, here, here and here.

eBay today - antique or vintage fabric

2008-05-20T08:57:00.004-05:00

I love searching eBay for things that will make my home and entertaining stand out. As I've said on numerous occasions, Target is fine for some things, but to really be unique, you must turn to one-of-a-kind items.

The fabrics above are an example. They are all from the same seller and the applications are unlimited. Notice her application as a stair runner for the thick hemp roll on top.

The huge roll of twill linen hemp would make a fabulous slipcover for a sofa - with 18.5 yards, there should be plenty for even the largest sofa.

Finally, the khaki ticking and the mangle cloth would make beautiful large napkins once finished off.

eBay today - organic design

2008-05-19T08:55:00.004-05:00

No, I don't mean eco-friendly, although I do buy all my milk, eggs and fruits and veggies organic and local. (It is worth noting that eBay is really a green alternative for purchasing stuff. There are, of course, carbon emissions associated with shipping, but there is someone out there to buy everything... no need for it to go to a landfill).

When I refer to organic design, I mean my total fixation with decoration that takes its cues from nature. I have a great-grandmother who was a full blooded Native American (Choctaw, we think), so perhaps my natural tilt comes from her.

Take the mink wrap above. I have one almost identical that was inherited from my grandmother. I almost sent it to Goodwill. Mink wraps just aren't my style. One morning this past winter, however, I saw it and threw it over my shoulders while I read the newspaper and inspiration was born! I now have the wrap hanging over the back of the club chair I sit in.

I am totally lusting over the bronze chandelier. It features oak leaves and acorns. Quite grand.

Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a collection of Buccelatti sterling? I love the leaf dishes, decorative fruits... really all of their organic pieces fashioned in sterling.

Finally, I know that decorators have totally done the coral/shell/sea fan thing, but I don't care. I have white and red coral that were inherited from my husband's grandmother and I display it proudly. I would love to frame up a couple of sea fans to add to my organic house.

eBay today - Zuber

2008-05-14T16:57:00.002-05:00

I dream of having a house one day that has a complete Zuber panoramic wallcovering in the dining room. It's a dream that likely won't come true, but dreams are for dreaming, right?

As a close second, I'm considering purchasing single Zuber panels like the ones above. I imagine a wall of them, all framed in different sizes. Check them out here, here and here.