A Family Cupboard Gets a New Life

As a lover of all things "stuff" I have a lot of it. And more now that I've been doing jewelry again. This spring and summer I've had the time to accomplish a few projects that I've had in my mind for awhile. Repainting the dining room and then my office/studio were two biggies. I have a lot of space and I'm not short on furniture, it's just the dilemma of organizing and utilizing what I DO have. So then, as with all things "stuff", the obvious question will always be..."where to put it?"

My mother-in-law unloaded all her material stash from this great pie cupboard several years ago, and sent it home with me. It had been her great grandmother's, and she is now 85. I've always loved it, and knew it's potential,  but she had restained it about twenty years ago. I don't know what it looked like before then, (I've never asked, but I cringed at the re-do). It just never quite did it for me with the blah brown stain. 

(Original pierced tin insets)

See what I mean?
Uh-oh, here's the paint can all ready to go.

You know how someone gives you something,

 but then there's all these stipulations that go with it?

uh....yea.

See, it even comes with an assistant.

presto-chango.

Love the new Behr paint and primer in one!

It's now in my studio holding supplies and other misc. "stuff".

Then I added back my little chippy shelf.

Now I really love it, and it's serving an important place for organizing supplies.

I won't show you what was inside it before,

or that every bit of it is still waiting to be "dealt with"

all over the downstairs guest room.

That's another project...

My favorite day of the week,

White Wednesday!

And the Shabby Chic Cottage

And My Romantic Home

love,

Debra

Rust is my middle name...

Just when I thought I'd give this blog a little rest over the weekend, I happened to hear the word "Rust" floating around.  Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors is having a Saturday Night Special party, and guess what?

today's special theme is...

are you ready...

RUST!

Well hey, I just couldn't sit here as a bystander, because like I said...

rust is my middle name.

(not really)

Anyone that likes vintage garden goodies as much as I do just is bound to have some rust.

These are just a few specimens out on the deck.

I imagine my neighbors,

you know the immaculate high end patio store kind,

all think I'm a little wacky.

Guess they're right.

To me, rust is just like a little spice in your food.

Gives it a little extra flavor.

Love my mint in an old florist basket.

And the rest of the jungle.

I had been dead heading the flowers until yesterday when I saw several little goldfinches feasting on the seeds. They were having a great time and were so stinkin' cute out here having dinner,

 that I'm like... "well hey, Go for it!!"

OK, didn't want to feel left out.

 Go by and say Hi to Donna and all the others

over at Saturday Night Special

and see what they're up to.

Hope you're having a great weekend,

I'm painting an old cabinet for my studio.

Show you next week.

love,

Debra

We're Baaaaaaack...

...For Marty's Cloche Party, that is!

Many of you who've known me for awhile

 know I have a little (?) obsession with sheep.

And you will always find a sheep or lamb, or two,

or three...

 thinking their important...

hiding in plain sight...

under glass.

so please go visit

 The Cloche Party

at A Stroll Thru Life

and visit everyone else's...

little obsessions.

Just click here.

I'm not really obsessed....

shhhhhh.

love,

Debra

Visual Feast

Have you met Jacqueline?

She is many things;

talented shop owner,

photographer,

literary giant,

creative stylist,

I could go on and on....

She owns a wonderful store in Albuquerque, NM.

full of gorgeous cottage wares.

She has delighted me at every post,

From her casual and elegant al fresco settings,

to her beautiful store photos,

to an afternoon with her darling grand daughters...

all dressed in white.

So, go say Hello to

 Jacqueline at Cabin and Cottage

Be delighted and inspired...

feast on the beauty of her images,

and make a wonderful new friend.

love,

Debra

Join me?

Recently I've found some odds and end dishes

 that I've just washed and stacked in a pile. 

Roses, red transferware, plain white...

Some were found for just a few pennies because of broken ones in the set.

I'm not much of a "tablescaper",

and I don't entertain a lot,

but I still wanted to "play" tea party today.

Today was the perfect day to send an invitation for brunch and tea.

This is the lower level patio, usually shaded and quiet.

A place to feed the birds, chipmunks, and squirrels and watch the birdbath activity.

The little vintage iron garden set was just the place to have an impromptu setting.

Not only dishes, but mismatched old silver is part of the setting today.

Collecting bits and pieces this last few years has been something I've really enjoyed.

Hope you don't mind that I didn't follow protocol.

Limited space had me keep it all to the right.

White vintage embroidered tea towels are used as a placemat,

and a cherries luncheon cloth sits atop one of my wicker lunch "hampers".

This was my inspiration,

English ironstone salad plates.

I just cannot resist transferware.

And to make sure we're comfy,

settle back into some pillows with a vintage flair.

Chenille and old linens.

My neighbor had this concrete faux bois planter out for the trash truck.

Hmmm...it curiously ended up in my backyard. (?)

So, have a seat, let's relax, and I'll pour the tea.

I'm linking with

Show off your Cottage Monday

A Stroll Thru Life

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

And Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescape Thursday

and My Romantic Home

for Show and Tell Friday

Hope you're having a wonderful week!
love,
Debra