Archives for November 2014

A Country Christmas


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Tin Lanterns with the twinkly of real candle light.

Tin Lanterns with the twinkle of real candle light.

For the first time in twelve years, I won’t be decorating my little cottage for Christmas.  So I thought I would dream a little bit and bring you Christmas style from others.  These have a strong Scandinavian influence which is no accident…it’s my favorite Christmas style; simple and restrained.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

A simple tree in an old galvanized bucket.  My favorite kind of tree stand.

A simple tree in an old galvanized bucket. My favorite kind of tree stand.

The beauty of the red barn with bright white trim just sings Christmas.

The beauty of the red barn with bright white trim just sings Christmas.

White table with a smattering of red for the Holidays.

White table with a smattering of red for the Holidays.

Save for some candles, a plain tree that looks just lovely.

Save for some candles, a plain tree that looks just lovely.

Lovely tree sculptures seem simple and are pretty as well.

Lovely tree sculptures seem simple and are pretty as well.

Classic Swedish grey with high contrast red for a stunning display.

Classic Swedish grey with high contrast red for a stunning display.

A few berries in  a bucket and simple garland swag across the window.

A few berries in a bucket and simple garland swag across the window.

Unfussy, barely there Christmas style looks effortless.

Unfussy, barely there Christmas style looks effortless.

A simple make-do heart wreath from garland.

A simple make-do heart wreath from garland.

Simple. Simple. Simple.

Simple. Simple. Simple.

Traditional candle chandelier.

Traditional candle chandelier.

Country stairs simply adorned that say "Welcome."

Country stairs simply adorned that say “Welcome.”

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.

The WordPress Deviation

Folks,

A quick update.  My website has been experiencing some technical difficulties.  I will resume posting once they are resolved.  Loads to post about.  It should be fixed within the next week or so.  Thank you for your patience. 🙂

Always,

Cindy