Etsy: A New Fav.
I had heard of Etsy before, but had never shopped thier site. Before Christmas my mom asked me if I had, and said that she was going to try it. When Christmas day rolled around, we were both delightfully surprised.
She had ordered me this adorable apron and potholder set from an Etsy seller named Annie’s Attic. The set was so cute, the seller had quick shipping, and it came all wrapped up in matching tissue and ribbon, with a hand written thank you on it. We were so impressed not only by the wonderful products, but also by the personable service. We just had to promote Etsy and this particular seller. No more poor service (thank you greatbookdeals at Amazon) and no more torn up packages and broken toys (another Christmas story), this was great on-line shopping.
Take a look at this oh-so-cute apron and potholder!
Thank you Annie’s Attic and Etsy! We will both be return customers!
All Things Can Become New Again
I have talked about this before, but just can’t get enough. Old things becoming new again. I love this idea. I especially love repurposing items when the new purpose is something completely different than its previous use. This has actually become pretty popular lately, so there is a lot of inspiration out there. I thought I would compile some of my favorite repurpose finds. I might even have to start a new project soon!
These ideas are all great. The first picture is water skis made into a chair. I have also seen old surf boards used as shelves. The second is a shopping cart made into a chair. These would be totally cute on a deck or around a camp fire. The next photo is a library card catalog with added legs used as a coffee table. Then there is the side board dresser turned into a bathroom sink vanity. I love this idea. More storage and totally unique. The last is a side table made from suitcases. Great because storage is built right in!
Try thinking of new uses for old objects. Not only will your home be more unique and express your personality and taste, but it is greener for our world to recycle old items. Its a win win!
Name That Chair
I know I have posted pictures of this chair before, but I am still wondering. I saw this lonely little chair on the side of the road just waiting for the garbage man about a month ago (yes, the side of the road). I went straight home and begged Tony to go nab it for me. I mean the poor thing is adorable and in desperate need of saving. So, being the amazing and understanding guy Tony is, he drove his truck over to the house where I spied the chair and scooped it up.
When we got it home, we realized there wasn’t a thing wrong with it. It wasn’t broken, stained, or even scratched. It looked as though some one had owned it since it’s original day and finally used it in a garage or shop, as it was a bit dirty. They must have thought it wasn’t new enough looking to clean up. Well, I have news for these people. This chair is amazing. I scrubbed it with my handy dandy Magic Eraser (amazing also by the way!). And, the thing was soon good as new.
We now have the perfect addition to our pocket office. But, we were still wondering what kind of chair this is exactly. It is unmarked, but looks mid-cenury to me. I am no expert, but was guessing 50’s or 60’s. If any of you out there have seen another one of these, or have any info, please let us know!
Even if we never solve the mystery, we now have this truly cute chair all for our own!
Some New Year’s Inspiration: 100 Things I Love
I recently saw a list some one had made of 100 things they loved. It seemed so inspiring to think about that many things that you enjoy or care about. So, I tried it. I thought that it also helped to take a deeper look at your style and personality. So… here’s my list. I hope it might help inspire you too…
100 Things I Love:
- Black and white photos
- Polaroid cameras
- Roller coasters
- Pepsi
Spiral Staircase by Martin Haesemeyer (Flickr)
- Huge sunglasses
- Antiques
- Old records
- Small collections
- Holey jeans
- Thick sweaters
- Movie nights
- Internet shopping
- Color coordinating items
- Crushed ice
- Photo booths
- Horses
- Beaches
- Lists
- Thunderstorms
- Coconut lotion
- Fireworks
- Shoes
- Moving sidewalks
- Sports
Bathtub and Fireplace by decorology (Flickr)
- Candles
- Typewriters
- Outdoor concerts
- Bonfires
- Wooden boxes
- Old picture frames
- Ferris wheels
Dice by kagedfish (Flickr)
- Ticket stubs
- Crowns
- Silk sheets
- Hot nights
- Lazy days
- The outdoors
- Corndogs
- French manicures
- Treasure hunts
- Auctions
- Handwritten cards
- Miniatures
- Vintage items
- Chocolate
- Street shops
- Motorcycles
- Dinner parties
- Eyeliner
- Sweatpants
- Mud
- Blank paper
- Road trips
- Black and white movie
Candles glowing... by annpar (Flickr)
- High heels
- Lilies
- Secret passageways
- Cubbie holes
- Shiny things
- Clean clothes
- Gum
- Fluffy beds
- Music
- Shiny lipgloss
- Claw foot bathtubs
- Tire swings
- The River
- Moc croc
- Small towns
- Big yards
- Hayrack rides
- Massages
- Inside jokes
- Old books
Sunglasses by sveltkamp (Flickr)
- Dice
- Keys
- Inspiration boards
- Fancy bottles
- Layered pillows
- Free catalogs
- My brother’s art
- DIY projects
- Wild jewelry
- Fireplaces
- Confetti
- Planners
- Mistletoe
- Freshly cut grass
- Harvest time
Polaroid Land Camera 1000 by Fallen Angel / Angel... (Flickr)
- Sunshine
- Fried food
- New Year’s Eve
- Long eyelashes
- Cowboys
- Accents
- Coffee shops
- Sidewalk chalk
- Diamonds
- Spiral staircases
- Clear furniture
- My own house!
Old record player. by MFinChina (Flickr)
New Little Project
I love finding odds and ends to fix up, remodel, or work on that I can then add to our home. These little projetcs are fun for me and keep me busy. This new task is a stool from my grandmother. Its not new, not antique, not anything special really. I almost truned it down. But, she said that it opened up. That caught my interest. Then, she suggested that maybe I could keep some interesting photos in it. BINGO! I snatched it up in a hurry. I love a bit of unexpected, and her idea of putting snapshots in the stool was perfect. I plan to recover the top with some funky material. I’m not sure if I will paint it yet. Then I will add some old, random photos to the inside for company to explore. Cute! Any suggestions on print or paint? Let me know what you think!
So much potential...
Vintage photos tucked away in here would be perfect!
My Favorite Place In The World
Nope, not Hawaii. That ranks very high on my list, but not my top. My favorite place in the world is my grandparents’ house. That’s it. Simple. Ever since I was little they have had the coziest house (even after moving). Not only are they interesting people and amazing story tellers, but they have such a great home that brings back memories of staying there as a kid. They have always been antique collectors, and this is probably why I have an antique obsession. Their basement is packed with antiques, and trinkets, odds and ends, and so many goodies to look at. Now that I am older and have a house of my own, they have been slowly passing along some of my favorite gems to me. We went to their house for Christmas this year, and I ended up coming home with a truck load of goodies. I hope to someday inherit some more of their great furniture, but I also love the littles they send home with me. Here are a few of my favorite finds from my recent trip to my favorite place in the world:
A close up of the doors and some things stashed inside already.
This is an old pin cushion made from a hoof that we used to play with as kids. I know, kinda creepy, but I think it is totally cool!
This is an old lamp that needs some cleaning. It hangs from the ceiling and you put oil in it. The oil drips down the clear threads that run from the top to the bottom. The oil then glows colors when the light bulb is on. I think it looks kind of like early fiber optics. Its very neat, but has been stored and needs TLC. A project! YAY!
This is a Christmas tree made out of my grandma's antique jewelry. What a cool idea! It is framed in a very old frame and there are Christmas lights behind the black velvet. It is really so cute that I might have to leave it our all year!
A Touch Of Color
There doesn’t seem to be much color around here lately. The skies are dreary and snow is blowing accross the roads. Again. Ugh. But, amongst the dullness of these winter days, I have some very pretty flowers to share. A client came into my office today and to thank me for the Christmas gifts our company had for his children, he had brought be a small bouqet of gorgeous flowers. Hope these cheer your day as much as they did mine!
I took them home and added them to a vintage wine bottle. It was all we had that was skinny enough, but I ended up loving it!
Trends? Psh.
It is the end of the year and every one starts rounding up the “best ofs” lists. I have been seeing a lot of lists of trend that people would either like to see more of or never see again. The lists made me ponder. I came to the conclusion that I do not care what is considered “trendy” or “in style”. I like what I like and could care less what others think. Actually, I think that I prefer things that were never in style (both clothing and home decor), because then it can never be considered out of style. Also, if I like something, it is because it speaks to me. It shouldn’t matter what list it is on. I change my mind all the time, but not based upon what other people believe is “cool”. I, personally, never fit into one category anyways, because I mix pieces from all different styles. There should be no rules when it comes to your own tastes and your own home. If you truly love it, go for it.
Whew. With that said, I will step off of my soap box and show you all a visual list of the things that I have loved this year. Not because they are trends or not, but because that was what was speaking to me this year. I hope some one can find this inspirational, but in no way am I saying go out there and copy every picture. (Would that make it a “trend”?) Here goes:
1. The first thing that I have loved this year is collections. They can be utilitarian or completely useless. To me, collections can be like art. Some people think that if objects don’t function, they just sit there taking up space, but I think they can be beautiful. Here is a group of cameras and a small group of stereos.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-framed-vintage-camera-collection-on-the-cheap-072111
Angela and Adam's Mood Change. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/fall-colors-2008-midwest/midwest-25-angela-and-adams-mood-change-066295
Graham and David's Modern Escape. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/2008-fall-colors-southwest/southwest-26-graham-davids-modern-escape-066631
3. This is a little strange for me, but this year I have love all clear, or acrylic, furniture. There are so many great pictures, but here is a gllimpse of one that I am wanting:
This one even contrasts well with the cabin decor. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-modern-cabin-071787
4. No matter what anyone says, I love love love both empty frames and leaning frames. I lean frames as opposed to hanging them all the time. Against a wall, on a desk, on the floor… Just a couple examples:
Damien and Rachel's Chromatic Casa. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/fall-colors-2008-east/east-56-damien-rachels-chromatic-casa-066516?image_id=28726
6. I am loving repurposed decor and furniture. I have always been a fan of old, vintage, or antique items, but it more recently has occured to me how great it can be to repurpose some items into new things in the home. Some of my favrite ideas below:
Mail box used for laundry. Patrick's World of Wonder. http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/121808patrick/001h
This is a vintage sign remade into a sliding door. I'm sorry, but I do not find where the image came from!
7. I am also a fan of decorating in black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I love punches of color, but black and white can make a huge statment and go with so many additional colors. Some great black and white pictures:
I'm not sure where this picture came from, but it is gorgeous!
Quick Trip To The Antique Store
Last night before the ice storm, we took a quick drive to the antique store the next town over. I love this store. All antique stores are fun, but this place is so big that you always see something new. I did find these two little gems:
A coke box with the cubbies still in. I have been wanting to hang one of these up for a trinket shelf.
This is a very old cigar box. I though this would be beautiful to hold little odds and ends.
The cigar box in the TV cubbie.
This was the spot we chose for the coke box. Don't mind those awful curtains! 🙂
The back of the box has a bit of a wierd shape, but this is a close up of the little candies if you can make them out.
Winter Wonderland
Today is another snowy day here in Illinois. Thick sheets of ice have kept me at home again today. The house is cozy and warm, watching Christmas movies, but outside snow continues to fall. The dog and I went out to play in the snow for a bit, before getting back to some work. Here are some quick pictures of our snowy day. For those of you in warm areas, enjoy only having to look at these pictures!
Our snowy back yard.
You can see the snow still falling down.
Make Mine Eclectic 