Outside, Inside


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Farm table loaded with treasures.

Farm table loaded with treasures.

Part of my renovation includes editing my furniture and collections. Replacing old pieces with different ones that will fit the space better and not having quite as many antique small wares.

To that end, I had a tag sale. As usual, I tapped my good friend Vince Maggio, merchandiser extraordinaire, on the shoulder to help me sell my goods.

What struck me when he was finished merchandising everything is a) he made them look better on my lawn then they ever did inside my house and b) the outside looked better than the inside.

I think if I pay attention to how he does it, I can learn how to arrange things better in my home, when the renovation is completed.

Bravo, Vince…thank you for your hard work and efforts, it helped make the day a smashing success and everything went gone, gone, gone.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Some great lanterns headed for a good home.

Some great lanterns headed for a good home.

The art of arranging is re-arranging.  When something goes, everything gets refreshed.

The art of arranging is re-arranging. When something goes, everything gets refreshed.

Simply framed; stunning when grouped together.

Simply framed; stunning when grouped together.

Utter Simplicity


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Plant stand, turned upside down shows old wear and tear.

Plant stand, turned upside down shows old wear and tear.

Hello Old Friends,

It has been a while!  I have moved out of my house for the renovation and am firmly ensconced in my new digs, although I am not fully settled in.  More about that in another post.

For now, I am posting something I should have posted this summer but didn’t have the time.  Some of you will remember an upside down plant stand for a vintage ice bucket champagne holder.  I walked by it one day and thought “wash stand with vintage towel” so I grabbed some cotton twill and fashioned a towel holder and used a lovely old mirror and voila.

I hope you find some inspiration in the simple things.

Always,

Cindy

Stunning on it's own, as is.

Stunning on it’s own, as is.

 

An old ironstone pitcher, basin and vintage towel.

An old ironstone pitcher, basin and vintage towel casually slung with a towel bar fashioned out of make do cotton twill.

Using things I had, around the house just as I found them.

Using things I had, around the house just as I found them.

It’s been a while, old friend.

A constant rotation of vintage items make them seem fresh when the context of seasons changes.

A constant rotation of vintage items make them seem fresh when the context of seasons change.

Folks…I have been remiss in posting lately.  Life is very busy right now and now that I have (finally) chosen a contractor for my renovation, the next month will be off the charts busy between closing, packing, storing and finally, a tag sale to get rid of many things I don’t want or won’t have a place for, post renovation.  Then I move into a rental cottage and hopefully, it will be somewhat less stressful once the work starts.

For now, however, I am just trying to keep things easy at home.  Where as this time of year, I would be doing a lot of things to the exterior of the house for the summer and also creating a lot of craft projects, I am purposely foregoing all that to keep life simple.  So it is easy, breezy summer for now.

I have just added a few summer touches to the house.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

I just love vintage alabaster lamps because they easily fit the neutral palette and are still very reasonable priced online and in antique stores.

I just love vintage alabaster lamps because they easily fit the neutral palette and are still very reasonable priced online and in antique stores.

A table with a canvas top was the perfect size for my found vintage, European bulb trays.  A very rustic and rough hewn element against the more refined alabaster lamp and vintage white pedestal pottery.

A table with a canvas top was the perfect size for my found vintage, European bulb trays. A very rustic and rough hewn element against the more refined alabaster lamp and vintage white pedestal pottery.

My design books are never very far away.

My design books are never very far away.

Vintage tin on a shelf

Vintage tin with a bouquet of dried, white berries and pencil starfish with tarnished German Glass Glitter.

Vintage Linens and Ironstone

Vintage Ironstone Pitcher and basin with a vintage, hand embroidered linen runner. Perfection!

Vessels with maritime rope with mercury glass globes

Vessels with maritime rope with mercury glass globes

Transitional Vignettes

 

An old lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle light.

An old lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle light.

Spring can’t get here soon enough.  This weekend, Saturday was a lovely 78 degrees and the next day, Sunday it didn’t get above freezing.  Since hunkering down and staying in was the best option,  I refreshed some of my interior vignettes.  If you look closely, you will see a number of antiques and vintage items that  used for my holiday decorations.  Change the context a bit and it looks more winter-into-spring than Home for the Holidays.

One more thing.  My followers and regulars have probably noticed I haven’t posted a lot of blogs that feature crafting projects, which tend to be my more viewed postings.  It’s because my crafting supplies have been packed away in anticipation of my renovation. Instead you’ll see a lot of features about cooking, antique finds and when my renovation gets started, I’ll copiously document the process and share it with you.

Speaking of which, I am waiting on drawings for the renovations as we speak.  If I had to guess, the renovation will get started late next month or early May.  While I am anxious to get started, it is more important when I finish.  I want the work to be complete for the holidays, so there is time.  Mostly, I want to enjoy the process and not be so anxious about it which is how I feel about most projects.  I’ll keep you posted.

In the mean time, I hope you find some inspiration with the latest pictures from my home.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

 

Textural elements with a tarnished tin vessel and a vintage paper accordion vase cozy

Textural elements with a tarnished tin vessel and a vintage paper accordion vase cozy

a variety of neutral toned items arranged on a shelf.

a variety of neutral toned items arranged on a shelf.

Starfish on a bed of moss that is the color of driftwood.

Starfish on a bed of moss that is the color of driftwood.

An old column base, alabaster lamp and a German glass glitter starfish

An old column base, alabaster lamp and a German glass glitter starfish

Mercury glass globes in an old ironstone bowl with linen slipcovers in the background.

Mercury glass globes on a bed of packing hay in an old ironstone bowl with linen slipcovers in the background.

An old lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle light.

An old lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle light.

Old tin forms in the form of circus clowns in pointy hat that are treasured items passed to me by my mother.

Old tin forms in the form of circus clowns in pointy hat that are treasured items passed to me by my mother.

 

Discovery: Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker

I have become quite keen on a new cooking show on Food Network, Farmhouse Rules.  Basically, anything with the word Farmhouse always catches my attention.  In one episode, they made cocktails using a mason jar cocktail shaker.  I was hooked…I had to have it.  A little mining the internet and voila.  I found the website: http://www.masonshaker.com/

With this new gadget, I am looking forward to experimenting with simple syrups and flavor components to create really great cocktails.

I hope in the  New Year, you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

Savory and refreshing.

Savory and refreshing.

Mason Cocktail Shaker.

Mason Cocktail Shaker.

The Christmas Haus 2013

 

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

I make a promise to myself every year:  I pick a weekend to do my decorating, inside and out and what doesn’t get done on that weekend, doesn’t get done.  This was the first year I kept that promise and it is largely because I kept things simple: fresh greens tucked here and there, a smattering of twinkly lights, my favorite Trapp Holiday candles and a few groupings of my favorite vintage ornaments.  I found it refreshingly stress free…and that really was the point of the plan.  Now I can coast and focus on baking!

When the weather improves, I’ll share photos of the exterior.  For now, here are some vignettes from inside my home.

I hope your find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

The Christmas Mantle

The Christmas Mantle

Samantha's toy Lamb Chop

Samantha’s toy Lamb Chop

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Lovely Samantha

Lovely Samantha

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

The Christmas Kitchen

The Christmas Kitchen

Christmas Centerpiece

Christmas Centerpiece

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

 

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

A well used antique candle snuffer.

A well used antique candle snuffer.

Evergreens in old urns.

Evergreens in old urns.

 

The Christmas Bedroom

Comfy and cozy and all snuggled in on a cold winter's day.

Comfy and cozy and all snuggled in on a cold winter’s day.

I try to put a little Christmas in every room and my master bedroom is no exception.  I also try to make Christmas decorating simple.   That means less stress putting it up and less stress dismantling it when the holiday season is over.

Some fresh greens and a lovely Pottery Barn velvet quilt found online for next to nothing as well as PB’s flax colored solid quilt.  Together, both are very subtle but still give you the feeling of the season.

My dear sweet Annie has fallen in love with the quilt and photo shoot or not, she wasn’t moving.

I’d like to give a nod to Annie’s foster mother, Silvana.  Compassionate souls run deep and carry heavy hearts, sometimes.  I am grateful you went to such great lengths to rescue Annie from the streets and became her caretaker along with the many other dogs you foster.  Annie fills my heart and my soul and I simply couldn’t love her any more than I already do.  Thank you for that, Silvana.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

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Red, flax and with fresh greens in the background. Perfect holiday cheer and coziness.

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Simple mini wreaths hung with a neutral velvet ribbon. White sheets with a flax colored quilt make the perfect pair.

Battery operated candles offer a great flicker from the outside looking in.

Battery operated candles offer a great flicker from the outside looking in.

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Very old antique cabinet with fresh greens. The green against the fresh white reminds me of evergreen trees and fresh snow.

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The lovely faux red berries pick up the color of the red velvet quilt and keep that holiday pop of color near.

The Stars Come Out at Christmas

 

Distressed red is right at home for the holidays.

Distressed red is right at home for the holidays.

Stars are apparently my shape this year for Christmas.  I found some furring strip stars at a local antique shop for my holiday kitchen. (see post here).  I found some wood stars on my trip to the Round Top Antique show (see post here) that I will use to decorate.  Lastly, I found some wood star shaped trays in graduated sizes that I thought would be great for a Christmas project.

My project for this week is a tiered, star shaped tray.  I imagine using it for every day display of seasonal fruits in my  holiday kitchen or holding sweet treats and cookies for entertaining or perhaps holding silverware and napkin roll ups for a Christmas buffet.  At any rate, a number of  uses for the holiday and incredibly easy to make.  It took less than fifteen minutes to make and that included the time needed for the epoxy to cure.

What you need:

medium and large star shaped trays from Joann.com

red, wood candle stick from Joann.com

five vintage glass knobs (optional)

epoxy

 

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

The assembly is pretty straight forward.  I attached the candlestick to the smaller tray first and once the epoxy set, I attached the other end of the candlestick to the bottom, (or larger) tray and the vintage knobs for legs.  I found that weighting everything down with a brick helps created a strong seal with the adhesive.

 

A vintage glass container helps top of the display with cheery candy canes.

A vintage glass container helps top of the display with cheery candy canes.

Sweets are a natural choice to fill the Christmas Star Tiered tray.

Sweets are a natural choice to fill the Christmas Star Tiered tray.

Although optional, the vintage glass knobs are a great way to finish and refine the project.

Although optional, the vintage glass knobs are a great way to finish and refine the project.

This easy project can be used a number of ways while entertaining for Christmas.

This easy project can be used a number of ways while entertaining for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Market Items for a Vintage Home at Christmas

 

Simple Project #3,  I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower.  I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy.  It stays in place via pressure fit.

 

Not all of my inspiration comes from antiques and vintage items.  My eye is always scanning the store aisles to see if something catches my eye.  I have found a few market items that helped me create some vignettes for my holiday home.  I don’t start the lion share of my holiday decorating until this weekend.  But these little groupings are helping me get in the mood, along with a backdrop of the usual Christmas music.

Here are four projects that took less than five minutes to create using market items and some vintage.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #1 – Topiary with ornament embellishment.

A lovely Eugenia topiary from Walmart ($11.98) in an antique urn.

A lovely Eugenia topiary from Walmart ($11.98) in an antique urn.

 

Against the worn surface of the urn, small acorn mercury glass ornaments from Targets ($4 for three).  Simple rustic twine will do for hanging.

Against the worn surface of the urn, small acorn mercury glass ornaments from Targets ($4 for three). Simple rustic twine will do for hanging.

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #2 – Scandinavian Christmas Candles.

Zinc cache pots from Targets Smith and Hawken collection with a scalloped edge design and factory made patina.

Zinc cache pots ($12.99) from Targets Smith and Hawken collection with a scalloped edge design and factory made patina.

For a lower priced alternative zinc pot, click here.

The Scandinavian Christmas table.  Simple and elegant.

The Scandinavian Christmas table. Simple and elegant.

 

After dinner coffee from an antique decanter.

 

Lovely cream antique china and mismatched silverware and napkin rings.  The market item in this photo is an inexpensive kitchen towel used as a napkin from IKEA for .79 cents.

Lovely cream antique china and mismatched silverware and napkin rings. The market item in this photo is an inexpensive kitchen towel used as a napkin from IKEA for .79 cents.

 

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 Easy Christmas Holiday Project #3 – Vintage vase cozy with market item embellishment.

A vintage paper vase cover for a holiday touch with a market item burlap flower embellishment from Michael's ($2.50)

A vintage paper vase cover for a holiday touch with a market item burlap flower embellishment from Michael’s ($2.50)

Simple Project #3,  I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower.  I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy.  It stays in place via pressure fit.

I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower. I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy. It stays in place via pressure fit.

Pretty little table side touch of Christmas with little effort.

Pretty little table side touch of Christmas with little effort.

You can see the age and simple accordion pattern of the vintage vase cozy.

You can see the age and simple accordion pattern of the vintage vase cozy.

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #4 – Hemp Twine Tassel with embellishment.

Simple Project #2. Twine Tassel for antique armoire.  Done simply by wrapping twine over and over around  a piece of cardboard, cut one end and tie off a third of the way down with another piece of twine.  Add an embellishment if you choose. Extra thick twine to make a statement, found at Joann's.

Simple Project #2. Twine Tassel for antique armoire. Done simply by wrapping twine over and over around a piece of cardboard, cut one end and tie off a third of the way down with another piece of twine. Add an embellishment if you choose. Extra thick twine to make a statement, found at Joann’s.

Old houses have many armoires for storage.  Simple white adorned with  wreaths and a hand-made twine tassel with holiday embellishment.

Old houses have many armoires for storage. Simple white adorned with wreaths and a hand-made twine tassel with holiday embellishment.

 

 

Christmas Craft – Faux Vintage Paper and Pipe Cleaner Candlesticks

 

This is the very first one I ever made. Sweet little petite pipe cleaner candle stick.

This is the very first one I ever made. Sweet little petite pipe cleaner candle stick.

 

Oh yes…it’s time (past time, probably) for us bloggers to start sharing Christmas ideas. The first down the pike is a faux vintage candle stick using vintage paper, pipe cleaners and hobby store embellishments.   I came up with these a few years ago when I was looking for a hand made way to decorate my small, table top feather Christmas Tree.  These are actually fairly simple and a great afternoon project that doesn’t require much in way of materials.  Here is what is needed:

  • 2 silver pipe cleaners per candle
  • glue
  • strips of paper approximately 2.5″ by 8″, preferably cut with scalloped scissors on the long edges
  • Christmas themed embellishments

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

 

 

Pipe cleaners, hobby store holiday embellishments, glue or glue dots and strips of vintage paper

Pipe cleaners, hobby store holiday embellishments, glue or glue dots and strips of vintage paper.

 

These looks so pretty in a vintage container

These looks so pretty in a vintage container.

Here is the general progression. You will end up winding the coil up the corkscrew portion of the pipe cleaner. It acts as the bobeche.

 

The vintage paper adds a nice mellow touch.

The vintage paper adds a nice mellow touch.

 

Many different ways to decorate the finished product.

Many different ways to decorate the finished product.

 

Vibrant reds against the greens looks lovely.

Vibrant reds against the greens looks lovely.

 

 

Make each one a little different.  That is the fun part!

Make each one a little different. That is the fun part!

 

A pretty little Christmas poinsettia as a holiday flourish.

A pretty little Christmas poinsettia as a holiday flourish.

 

A tableside vignette that includes holiday blooms in a vintage ironstone pot.

A tableside vignette that includes holiday blooms in a vintage ironstone pot.

Found at Round Top several years ago, each one of the hand blown ornaments is shaped differently.  Kind of like these little pipe cleaner candle sticks!

Found at Round Top several years ago, each one of the hand blown ornaments is shaped differently. Kind of like these little pipe cleaner candle sticks!

Another great use for a vintage candy dish.

Another great use for a vintage candy dish.

Strewn about effortlessly makes decorating easy instead of stressful

Strewn about effortlessly makes decorating easy instead of stressful

Hand blown vintage Christmas ornaments.

Hand blown vintage Christmas ornaments.