Because Christmas is here again…

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

All my decorating is done.  I started earlier than normal this year and now that I am done, it mostly means I can coast for the rest of the year and devote my weekends to baking.  Indeed.

Here are a few snippets of the inside of the house.  You may notice there aren’t a lot of long shots.  It’s mostly because I am holding back on wide shots so when the feature in Country Living comes out, you won’t already be bored with it. 😉

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

A simple fresh green wreath flanked by antique mercury glass beaded garland.  The bed is simply dressed with vintage linens and ruby red washed velvet pillows and a quilted velvet blanket at the end of the bed in a subdued neutral color.  It all makes for a cozy place to be.

A simple fresh green wreath flanked by antique mercury glass beaded garland. The bed is simply dressed with vintage linens and ruby red washed velvet pillows and a quilted velvet blanket at the end of the bed in a subdued neutral color. It all makes for a cozy place to be.

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An old sap bucket is a terrific alternative to more expensive vessels to house a holiday arrangement.

An old sap bucket is a terrific alternative to more expensive vessels to house a holiday arrangement.

A papier mache Santa boot that I painted then adorned with German Glitter Glass and a holiday embellishment, topped off with a fresh sprig of greens.

A papier mache Santa boot that I painted then adorned with German Glitter Glass and a holiday embellishment, topped off with a fresh sprig of greens.

A stair landing arrangement.

A stair landing arrangement.

Trying to tuck in a little Christmas in each room, both great and small.

Trying to tuck in a little Christmas in each room, both great and small.

A simple Home Goods pom pom wreath hung with sweet cotton red and white striped ribbon.

A simple Home Goods pom pom wreath hung with sweet cotton red and white striped ribbon.

Who says wreaths are only for doors?

Who says wreaths are only for doors?

Another Sulphur Springs, Texas find. This lovely blue antique cupboard is a great way to store and display my vintage textile collection and ironstone pitcher collection.

Another Sulphur Springs, Texas find. This lovely blue antique cupboard is a great way to store and display my vintage textile collection and ironstone pitcher collection.

My antique chandelier with a crown of fresh Christmas greens.

My antique chandelier with a crown of fresh Christmas greens.

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An old print befitting of such attention.

An old print befitting of such attention.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Etched footed bowls found on walmart.com

Etched footed bowls found on walmart.com

Simple fresh greens, footed mercury glass bowls and my vintage, hand blown ornaments.

Simple fresh greens, footed mercury glass bowls and my vintage, hand blown ornaments.

The use of NOEL is apropos of the French farmhouse window above the kitchen sink.

The use of NOEL is apropos of the French farmhouse window above the kitchen sink.

Beautiful old silver footed bowl I found I an antique shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Beautiful old silver footed bowl I found in an antique shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

 

Finishes, Finishes.

 

We are in the final stretch.  The frenzy to the finish.  Twelve days from today, the moving truck will show up so I can (finally) go home.

In truth, the house is a bit of a war zone right now.  A lot going on, many trades working at once.

Here are a few pictures that show the walls being painted and the ceiling ships lap left exactly as it was when it was put up some 80 years ago.

To the finish line…

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

Old rim locks for the interior doors.

Old rim locks for the interior doors.

Hallway painted with an old window side light turned into a transom to allow natural light into the hallway.

Hallway painted with an old window side light turned into a transom to allow natural light into the hallway.

The front bedroom.

The front bedroom.

Front bedroom with an antique piece that I have permanently affixed to the wall that will work as a closet and storage.

Front bedroom with an antique piece that I have permanently affixed to the wall that will work as a closet and storage.

The original plank ceiling.  Sealed with a simple finish that brings out the natural luster in this old pine that was probably 100 years old when it was installed.

The original plank ceiling. Sealed with a simple finish that brings out the natural luster in this old pine that was probably 100 years old when it was installed.

It was quite the hunting trip to find old four panel farm house doors for the house.  Certainly no easy task.

It was quite the hunting trip to find old four panel farm house doors for the house. Certainly no easy task.

Not Everything Has to Make a Statement

I have been working on the details.  But I find myself resisting the otherwise natural urge to make a statement at every turn, starting with the lighting.  Strangely, I want the lighting to feel more organic.  Lighting that is functional, of course but really looks like it is of the cottage as it would have been 80 years ago.

There is one exception, of course:

Found and restored, this is a family piece that have a place of honor in this old home.

Found and restored, this is a family piece that will have a place of honor in this old home.

The one statement fixture in the house will be a chandelier (pictured above) that has been at every house my family has lived in as long as I can remember.  I asked my mother if I could have it for the renovation, giving it a place of honor in the house.  It will be hung over the lovely nine foot, antique, French bistro table in the front room.   It will be one of the first things you see when you walk in the house and I can’t wait to hang it.

My Uncle Jack found this chandelier many, many, many moons ago.  He recently told me the story on Facebook, of how he found and restored it:

“OMG , do I remember it ? I’m so glad you are using it . You will appreciate the history of how it was saved from the dumpster . A friend at work told me of an elderly aunt ( 86 ) that had died and the family had scavenged everything they wanted from her ten room home . He offered to humor my reputation as a junk collector and take me to see if there was anything I wanted . Yes …I’ll take that old player grand piano, the 1500s leather bound prayer book , and lots more . Now , I was eyeing that chandelier in the dining room but there were lots of prisms missing . In the entry was another smaller one in the same condition . I took both down , counted the prisms ,and was still a few short to complete this one . Rooting through boxes , drawers , and such ,I found prisms from the basement to the attic . Just enough ! I took them all off , soaked the 100 years of grime in bleach water , and scrubbed each one . It has survived many years with your Mom , now you can enjoy it for many more . I’m so happy for you.”

So thanks to Uncle Jack and his dogged determination and mom for letting me hang it in the house, I have a wonderful statement piece to hang in what will be a lovely home.

Here are some pictures of the chandelier and other fixtures that I will be using throughout the house.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Ceiling fixture with simple silk shade.

Ceiling fixture with simple silk shade.

Adjustable arm wall sconce in antique brass finish.

Adjustable arm wall sconce in antique brass finish.

Clear shade with antique brass fixture.

Clear shade with antique brass fixture.

 

An vintage gooseneck lamp with a Victorian crystal bead bulb cover with an accordion closure.  These bulb covers with the accordion closure are very hard to find, but I found two.

An vintage gooseneck lamp with a Victorian crystal bead bulb cover with an accordion closure. These bulb covers with the accordion closure are very hard to find, but I found two.

They don't make things like this anymore.  The bulb cover has great weight to it because the beads are glass.  The accordion closure is what makes the pair I found a rare and unique find.

They don’t make things like this anymore. The bulb cover has great weight to it because the beads are glass. The accordion closure is what makes the pair I found a rare and unique find.

Simple pendant lamps for the kitchen.  Exposed twisted cord, antique brass finish and a beautiful Sheffield milk glass shade.  Just lovely.

Simple pendant lamps for the kitchen. Exposed twisted cord, antique brass finish and a beautiful Sheffield milk glass shade. Just lovely.

A House for the Ages…

Short blog article this week. Great milestone to report.  The house has passed the preliminary inspections, insulation has been added and now we on the path to adding the plank walls (where needed) and trim work.  This is where it is going to get fun.

Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

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Former Garage, now a bedroom.

Former Garage, now a bedroom.

Stair way.

Stair way.

Fireplace

Fireplace

Kitchen

Kitchen

Master bedroom.

Master bedroom.

Master Bedroom Ceiling

Master Bedroom Ceiling

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The Prettiness of Ugly


-- Download The Prettiness of Ugly as PDF --


We are at a bit of a standstill with the renovation until we get our permits approved.  So when I went by the house this weekend, I didn’t expect much would be different.  And I was right.  But what little had changed was choice indeed.

The six or seven layers on the kitchen floor were pulled up and to reveal original hard wood floors.  They don’t look especially great right  now, but everyone loves a Cinderella story and these little ugly ducklings have a shot at becoming pretty.  What a sweet surprise!

My contractor believes we can salvage the floors in the kitchen.  All the floors will be refinished in a honey pine tone.  They will be a nice, warm contrast to the exposed ships lap on the walls which will be painted white as part of the renovation.

 

The top half of the picture shows the newly revealed kitchen floors, the bottom have of the pic are the floors that were already exposed.

The top half of the picture shows the newly revealed kitchen floors, the bottom half of the pic are the floors that were already exposed which are in serious need of refinishing.

Here is a general sense of the feel I am going for:

A simple palette: white walls with pine flooring.  This will make the house a canvas for my antique pieces.

A simple palette: white walls with pine flooring. This will make the house a canvas for my antique pieces.

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 Haus

 

The Christmas Porch

Pictures from Christmas past at the little white cottage.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

A Chippy Christmas Urn.

A Vintage Watering Can dressed up for Christmas

Fresh Christmas Arrangement

Pepperberries and Fresh Christmas Greens

Home Made German Glass Glitter Santa Boot with dried Hydrangeas

The Attic Faux Fireplace

The Attic Bedroom.

Winter Quilts.

Ironstone Bowls full of Christmas.

The Sitting Room.

The Guest Room at Christmas

The Christmas Headboard.

 

We Remember.

Flags 'n Flowers.

Lunch Sack Luminaries

I think that old houses are meant to be decorated for the holidays.  These luminaries are a project that can change with the seasons.

Lunch Sack Vintage Patriotic Luminaries, with a little patience, are easier than you would think.  I created these in MS Power Point.  The key is to create a custom page size ( to mirror the size of a lunch sack) in the advance options button in the printing box.  You will also want to adjust the type of paper setting (set it for thicker paper) and probably, depending on your printer, use the manual feed tray.  The patience part comes from figuring out which way to load the lunch sack…each printer loads differently so experiment until you get it right.

A little trial and error for image placement and some vintage Victorian clip art and it is a great way to pay homage to the men and women who have fallen.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.

Always,

Cindy

We Remember.

Beautiful Vintage Victorian Images.

For the Fallen.

Patriotic Finials.