My Birthday Tablescape

My Blue and Brown Tablescape!

  This past week was my big birthday.  I refused to plan and decorate an over the hill birthday party.  I think life is just beginning!  They say that 50 is the new 30.  I think that is hysterical.  I'll take 50.  I have worked for years, 50 years to be exact, to become the person I am.  The person I want to be.  The person I am finally OK being alone with when necessary. 

For the party the table was set up as a buffet.  However, the color scheme was inspired by my beautiful dishes.  My dishes are contemporary with a beautiful paisley print. 

  I love mixing old and new and was very excited to find the blue glass at one of the resale stores I visit. 

I am still in the process of collecting vintage glassware.  My goal is to have a collection of wine and water glasses from several different patterns. 

The collection of blue bowls and glasses were used for nuts and dips on the buffet table.

I found the flowers at World Market.  They were a nice addition of texture to the tablescape.

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!!!

Today my Dad is celebrating his 70th Birthday. His nickname is Bulldog...not exactly sure how that came about, but it suits him like a glove.   My Dad knows what makes life worth living. 

He loves His wife of 50 years! He loves His 4 Daughters, their husbands and children! He loves His Big Extended Family! He loves Good Food! He loves A Beautiful Yard! 
  My Dad loves Life!

He is just a loveable ole bulldog...if you knew him you would agree!

Here are a few pictures of his beautiful yard last summer.

Enjoy!

guest room re-do

My sister was coming for a visit.  She finally arranged to have time off from both jobs for the same weekend.  I wanted her visit with us to be very relaxing.  I decided to start with a little re-do on the guest bedroom. 

Here is a picture from Christmas...

The bedspread is a megan joneschenille I picked up in Canton, Texas at Market Days!

The linen sheet is hand embroidered flea market find...

I added the vintage thread spools with various shades of blue threads and a rustic iron tree with sweet little birds and of course a birdhouse church...

A few vintage touches...assorted collection of vintage door knobs and a cute purse I found at Salvation Army.  I filled it with several of my scarves and a few extras. 

an encouraging message...

topped off with a pretty bow! 

I am linking with Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

a desk for a vanity

We recently moved into our new home.  Our dream Home!  Of course there are couple of things that didn't turn out exactly as we had planned.  but that's life, right?

I had requested that my vanity area in the master bath have a knee hole so I could sit down while getting ready in the mornings. 


I also requested a spa tub sans jets.  Just a really deep soaker tub.  This proved to be a bit of a challenge due to the placement of the bathroom fixtures and the window.  In the process I sacrificed my knee hole for the tub.

However, my husband, the planner, decided that there would be room for me to have a makeup table or antique vanity.  This was a great idea until I actually began searching for this special piece of furniture.  I have 39" of actual wall space, 42" if the piece overlaps the door trim. 

Antique vanities are a hot commodity these days and the smaller ones are virtually non existent.  On top of that I really wanted an art deco piece. 


I haven't had much luck finding anything that would work until this week.  I stopped by a local Church re-sale shop looking for quirky item for a retail space I am trying to fill up.  On the way out the door, something caught my eye, a little black  writing desk and chair. 

The tag on the piece said Mission Style, but I am not buying it.  The lines aren't straight enough for true mission style furniture.  I think the lines lean a little more to the deco period.  Also, it appears to have honest paint.  The desk does not have a manufacturers name or any identifying markings.  It is in pretty fair shape with the exception of one of the chair legs is a little wobbly. 

I brought it home, wiped off the dust and cobwebs and set her up with a few of my favorite finds. 

The fabric covering the seat cushion will have to go very soon!  However, upon further investigation it looks like the original seat covering may still be in place.  The red trim you see is actually the original seat cushion, notice the vintage nail heads.  Wouldn't it be great if the red covering is in good shape? 

I am linking with
Miss Mustard Seed for Furniture Feature Friday
The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday

Spring...patiently waiting for you...

Linking with Wordless Wednesday

architectural upcycling

I love doors! 

"Each one is a window into the soul of its beloved owner." Eliz, a blogging buddy

A few weeks back I was out junkin' around at a local shoppe.

 

The proprietor carries a hodge-podge of things.  At first glance you think she is reseller of other peoples discarded treasures. 

Then you walk into the main shoppe area and she is displaying boutique items.  I was a little disappointed until I wondered out to the barn and found where she was keeping the good stuff. 

I am in the market for a great door for its architectural depth and character. 

  I love everything about doors; their size and shape, painted or stained, glass insert or solid wood, glass, brass or iron handles and the hinges rusted or pristine. 

 I love a great door!

 Sometimes a great door is in the eye of the beholder. 

Here is my great door find from my junkin' escapade. 

I am still looking for that great door but I am so excited to have this little piece of a what I think could have been a great door at one time.

The search for the great door continues...



I am linking to

 Shabby Nest, Frugal Friday

Romantic Home, Show and Tell Friday







inherited treasure and a pottery barn inspiration

As I have mentioned before, one my favorite days of the year is when the Pottery Barn catalog arrives in the mail.  Page after page is filled with inspirational ideas!  The newest catalog is no exception!  The designers have hit the mark. 

I love the mix of heavy architectural pieces mixed with linen and cotton blended cafe pillows.  The framed embroidered floral pieces help to soften the feel of the dark heavy furniture.  I also like the casual layered placement of the wall hangings. 

The Kent Bookcases patterned after the bookcases that once held legal volumes in law offices was almost the first thing to catch my attention.  My husband and I recently inherited his grandmothers bookcases.  They are circa 1900, Globe-Wernicke Barrister Lawyer Bookcases.  We are thrilled to have them in our new home.  We have decided to set them up in the man cave.  I am hoping to fill them with family heirloom pictures and a few vintage cameras.  Here are a few pics of our new family treasure.

Five Tier Cabinet Complete with Top and Base

Original Label 

Metal Tag Serial Numbers

The new PB catalog has the feel of the blogs I have been following.  I wonder if they follow Miss Mustard Seed, Red Door Antiques, Cabin and Cottage.  I am thinking they must!
Thanks to Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Metamorphosis Monday.  I really enjoy visiting so many wonderful blogs.  You Inspire Me!

junque la rue treasures...spring is in the air

Wednesday, we were experiencing rolling blackouts due to the extreme cold temperatures and downed power plants. 

I decided to run a few errands instead of trying to work in between power outages. 

I headed south away from the rolling blackouts and the traffic jams created by the lack of said power.

  After stopping in at the bank to get change for the bookstore I dropped off my prescription at the pharmacy. 

Instead of waiting around I headed over to the local antique store which turned out to be the best use of my time. 

Upon entering the store I was greeted by a very sweet lady who quickly explained the were having their January sale. 

Each dealer had their sale posted in the booth, everything was on sale! 

  These are a few of the items that called me by name; a colorful vintage tablecloth, a cloth salt sack, a stack of wonderfully old books, a beautiful hand painted teacup and saucer and a sweet bundle of embroidered napkins. 

As I began to unpack my new found treasures they found their way to my makeshift desk where I sometimes sit and write. 

Things began to take shape!

The vintage tablecloth adds a bright splash of color to my otherwise muted pallet. 

I love books! 

 I am on a mission to collect books that may otherwise end up with their covers ripped off and bundled together with a string. 

It was the color of the bindings that originally grabbed my attention. 

 The tattered bindings and aged pages scream character. 

 There is a 1901 copy of "Up from Slavery" by Booker T. Washington and a 1951 copy of "Grand Alliance" by Winston Churchill as well as a 1934 copy of "The Lives and Times of Archy and Mehitabel" by Don Marquis. 

The tea cup is exceptional! 

As teacups go.

It is hand painted and made in the USA. 

The flowers are beautiful and make me think of spring. 

Which I am looking forward to. 

The handle on the cup resembles a twig and a leaf. 

The basket weave detail on the edge of the saucer makes me think of flowers gathered in a spring field. 

The little bundle of napkins are a continuation of the floral theme that I was drawn to on this particular scavenging adventure. 

Which by the way I was unaware of until I unpacked my treasures today and laid them all out. 

A special thank you to Wendy over at Shabby Nest for hosting Frugal Friday!