party trick

 

What a clever idea: Tassels on tablecloth corners keeps the cloth in place--and looks nice, too! Cotton/flax tablecloth and tassel from blackballoon. 

wicker, rattan & bamboo

In the right setting and style, I love antique furniture that combines wicker, rattan, and bamboo, particularly those pieces that give off that old-time hotel or beach lodge feel. I had a white wicker desk and chair in my room growing up. I'm sure Mom loved it when I broke off little pieces on the back of the chair--either trying to change the design or just not being able to resist testing the strength of the fibers. Naughty. 

Above, top to bottom: 

~1930s-era wicker and bamboo "steamship" chair with a reclining back and extending footrest from Lennegan & Marantz. 

~ c. 1880 Brighton Pavilion bamboo and rattan armchair with "splat back" design from Yale R. Burge Antiques, Inc.

~Set of restored 1930s- or 1940s-era Heywood Wakefield wicker chairs from Liza Sherman.

~Mid-century French rattan and bamboo chaise from Bittersweet Interiors.

~Rattan and cane child's chair with wind-up music box ("when the child sits, the music begins"!); France, 1920s. Davis & Taft.

~19th-century bamboo and rattan French bistro set, G4 Decor.

There are many more great finds like this at 1stdibs. And, if you're ever in the West Palm area, be sure to check out Bamboo & Rattan (a vintage Florida furniture superstore!).

antique calling cards

Hello! I'm back from a great trip to the beautiful and relaxing Sapelo Island. It was a week of reading on the porch, watching shrimp boats, taking wild rides on the golf cart through the woods to get to the private (meaning no one else was there!) beach, and eating delicious Gullah food. Pictures and details to come. In the meantime, have a look at these beautiful old calling cards (c. 1860-1890, Jim Linderman collection; source) I've recently come across. Being in a slowed-down state last week reminded me of the importance of unplugging (I say as I type on my laptop) and connecting in person. I love the idea of paying someone a visit and leaving my little card behind. You can barely make out the names on these cards but it's fun to imagine the faces and personalities once associated with them.

have a great week

We're off to Sapelo Island for the week! I'll be back soon to tell you all about our adventures on this remote (and hopefully very relaxing) island (photo: South lawn at the Reynolds Mansion, Sapelo Island). 

bathroom of the week: period tile

This bath is from a restored c. 1894 home, but the colors of the mosaic floor, wall tile, and paint have sort of a 1930s or 1960s feel (Photo: Bo Sullivan for Old House Online).

ball jars

Here's an interesting graphic showing the history of Ball jar logos (click graphic for a larger view). I think the first one--c. 1885--is my favorite. 

cottage before and after

~kitchen after~

~kitchen before~

~living room after~

~living room before~

Don't you just love a good makeover? The owners of this 1930s 900-square-foot Santa Monica cottage took six months for essential renovations, tackling the rest of the to-do list as they were able to over the next several years. I love that they raised the roof (literally!) to open things up instead going with the suggested tear-down route. See much more of this beautiful restoration at Sunset (photos: Lisa Romerein; homeowners: Julie Hart and Monet LeMon).

~Details~

Kitchen paint: Decorator's White in eggshell (semi-gloss trim) from Benjamin Moore

Kitchen tile: 3x6 White K101 from Daltile

hoppy holidays

Wishing you a happy (hoppy) holiday! "Sir Hopsalot" handmade wool bunny from Forestblue Factory.

{Bonus yummy link: Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe here}

edible art

Isn't that a sweet porcelain nest? Look again--it's made of royal icing and filled with toasted coconut! Find the recipe and details at my favorite baking blog, Sprinkle Bakes.

the wagon garden

What a great idea from BHG: Keep veggies and flowers moving with the sun--and away from rabbits and deer in the evenings--in a little blue wagon (little red wagons work, too...this one got a fun coat of paint!). They call it a "movable feast" because you can enjoy lettuces and greens longer if you're able to move them to shady spots when the sun is especially intense.


BHG tip: If planting directly in the wagon, drill holes in the bottom for proper drainage. 

bathroom(s) of the week

Here are two crisp, classic bath remodels from Atlanta's Revival Construction. Top photo: The hobnail glass vase as a makeup brush holder is a nice touch and the casement window between the two sinks is wonderful. Bottom photo: The look of the French door with a gathered curtain panel is repeated with the cabinet above and between the sinks. I'm also noticing the drawers between the sinks--I would love to be able to quickly "sweep" all my counter clutter into a drawer! Photos: Revival Construction.

antique linens

As the lucky recipient of vintage and antique family linens, I'm starting to think about how to repurpose some of the pieces. I'm inspired by the pillowcases (above) made from heirloom linens by OldYarns. Notice the pea pod in the photo--echoing the embroidered peas design on the middle case. Below: Also by OldYarns, vintage French cotton towels and striped tea towels become pillowcases (photos: Kristina of OldYarns).