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 thinkĀ 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.

The French Laundry

Fresh, white and clean sheets with lavender scent in the vintage French Laundry Basekt

Fresh, white and clean sheets with lavender scent in the vintage French Laundry Basket

I stumbled upon some french laundry baskets this Memorial Day weekend at an antique warehouse in Forney, Texas.Ā  I have wanted one for a long, long time but hadn’t found one at the right price.Ā  As luck would have it, DeRidder Antiques was having a Spring Cleaning sale and they were very reasonably priced…so I bought three.

Few simple things bring as much pleasure as line dried bed linens washed in home made lavender laundry detergent.Ā  The smell and feel of crisp, white linens pulled taught on a freshly made bed that beckon a heavenly rest.

My laundry closet is like my house; not fancy or well appointed…but simple, straightforward and quaint.Ā  No apologies…it just is what it is.

The perfect place for home made lavender laundry detergent.

Simple Washing Powder

16 cups baking soda

12 cups borax

8Ā  cups grated castile or glycerin soap flakes*

3 tablespoons lavender,Ā  lemon or grapefruit essential oil

Combine baking soda, borax andĀ  soap flakes. Add essential oil and mix with a wire whisk. Use 1ā„8 cup perĀ  load.

 

The basic items needed: Borax, Baking Soday, Soap Flakes and Essential Oil.

The basic items needed: Borax, Baking Soday, Soap Flakes and Essential Oil.

Soap flakes just look clean, don't they?

Soap flakes just look clean, don’t they?

 

A vintage enamel bowl is put to good use to mix Borax, Baking Soda, Soap Flakes and Lavender essential oil.

A vintage enamel bowl is put to good use to mix Borax, Baking Soda, Soap Flakes and Lavender essential oil.

Vintage containers hold linen water, Borax and cleaning supplies

Vintage containers hold linen water, Borax and cleaning supplies

 

Vintage Mason Jars filled with old wood and wire clothes pins with a sweet home made label

Vintage Mason Jars filled with old wood and wire clothes pins with a sweet home made label

 

Using office supply oak tags and alphabet stamps for laundry room labeling

Using office supply oak tags and alphabet stamps for laundry room labeling

 

Home Made Lavender Laundry Detergent.

Home Made Lavender Laundry Detergent.

Freshly dried and folded linens in the French Laundry Basket.

Freshly dried and folded linens in the French Laundry Basket.

 

 

Homekeeping and Organization with Vintage Wireware

Vintage Wire Basket holding dish towels.

Vintage Wireware.Ā  Just as functional today as it was many years ago.Ā  But considered much more lovely by those of us who appreciate their considerable charm.Ā  Usefulness and beauty.Ā  You really can’t ask for anything more.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Remember to click on pictures twice to bigify!

 

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