A Glimpse into my world and some Odds and Ends
It’s been a month since I’ve returned from my trip to New York where I…
This is the living room. Of course those lovely burlap pillows were a gift to my older son but I did find time to display them first. The Peace pillow is a gift from my dear friend Nikki Frank Hamilton. You can visit her at the Make Lemonade Shop to check out her selection or you can custom order your pillows like I did.
The
one to the left is a drawing made by my son and I’ve added a fabric mat to it for a more refined look . The next two were printables that I downloaded from my friend Katrin’s blog, KreativK. She has the cutest printables. And these two in blue were perfect for my son’s wall. And the last one on the top right is also by Katrin; it is a winter village. The rest of the frames hold more of his drawings. They were dollar store frames.But the important thing here is that because they display things that we love they are worth much more than just a dollar. I always encourage my kids to make art and then I get to display it. And it warms my heart to see Katrin’s work on my wall as well.
The problem was that after we moved to Greece, my dad stored it in the basement and had placed things on it. I tried to sand it but instead of sanding all I did was to move the melted paint from one area to another. It was really a hopeless case. I think that in the future this one will need a good strip job. But for the time being I embraced my farmhouse inner self and just went with it. As you can see it is full of chips and nicks. There were a few there, but I added some more with the use of the sander.
I have come to love and appreciate many different styles and there is beauty in the reveal of the raw wood underneath a lifetime of paint. This piece is just like me. A certain age with flaws and wrinkles but there is still much underneath that is of importance. Every wrinkle, scratch, nick and cut has been hard earned!
I no longer see it as unfinished, but instead, as a work in progress! Just like me! 😉
This little fish bowl has been in this house for as long as I can remember. The color of the glass reminds me of the Greek sea.
I have a huge collection of cards. I’d get them in the mail and before I knew it, I had amassed hundreds of them. Well how many cards am I going to send out in this day of e-mail? None! Instead, I chose to display them in one of those collage picture frames that hold 12 photos. Depending on my mood and season I can just change them out. You had originally seen this frame in between my bookcase makeover.
Now you all must tell me, that “stool”… is it really a stool or is it something else?
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Good afternoon Mary, I love how you have framed the beautiful postcards, they make a lovely display.
The bright blue dish is stunning, the blue is so vibrant.
It has been so lovely to glimpse inside your lovely world.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Daphne, this post has made me realize that I don’t have a style. It’s just a collection of things I love really. That blue is amazing!
I enjoyed a glimpse into your world. Love the blue fish — such a beautiful deep blue — just like the sea! And your use of the cards — wonderful. I keep favorite cards, too. Love the idea of framing them and putting them on the wall. Happy Monday!
Who is to say what we should put on our walls or in our frames. I only put things that I love and that touch me. I’m so glad you like the card idea!
Mary your unique style is all over the place and I really love it! My favorite part is the use of cards and printables that gives a very artistic touch!
Katerina my style is having an identity crisis right about now. I seem to love almost everything. The trick is to get all this stuff to live harmoniously in one house.
So many charming pieces, Mary. I especially love the little stool turned shelf! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!
It is lovely to get a glimpse into your home Mary 🙂 it is lovely
What a beautiful home! You’re make overs are wonderful, love them all! Love the card idea in a frame (that frame), I also collect cards and never knew what to do with them ;0).
I loved that frame too Cheryl and think it can stand on it’s own but those cards were just too cute to keep hidden.
Such treasures and displayed with love. I have few things from my family handed down. I really love the idea that you encourage your children to make art so you can frame it. I recently ran across several watercolors by my daughter and want very much to mat them and frame them…she is now a mom, so I held on to them for a very long time.
I beleive the best are it the one that touches your heart Debbie. And there is nothing closer to the heart than family. I know that when your daughter sees her watercolors she will be so grateful that you remembered them and took the time to frame them.
Your life experiences seem to pour out in almost every post Mary, and this one is no different. Brilliant. It takes a special talent to make ordinary things come to life as they are shared through your eyes and heart. Thanks for sharing another wonderful post. The stool is interesting and very low. . your use as a decor piece seems to be much more practical! Take care Mary.
Thank you Laurie. You have given me the highest compliment. I want my blog to be a place where you can come over and put your feet up, feel at home and get to know me thru my adventures and stories.
I love all of your beautiful decorations, Mary. Especially those pillows! You can definitely see all the charm and character each of your pieces adds to the home. It is truly beautiful and unique!
The pillows have moved but each one was chosen with love and thoughfulness. Thank you Celeste.
I would call it a small bench or a step, rather than a stool which, at least to me, is round.
I love that you describe the dresser as a treasure under it’s paint & compare it to yourself – all women get better with age, this is known. Not well known to the younger set, but then we were once youthful fools too.
My instinct with a painted piece is always to strip it to the bare wood & just let that shine. I hated the move to painting every stick of wood… hiding all the grain & character.
I’ve found you & come to visit through the AIM link party; I hope you’ll find time to stop on by the 4Shoes one day & let me know you’ve been.
🙂
I tried my hardest to get that paint off of my dresser but it wouldn’t budge. I think next time I go to New York I might try one of those strippers and see if I can remove the top at least.
Mary your sweet stool is just gorgeous! And all of your precious goodies that you have popped on top! Your card collection has been displayed so beautifully as well! Such a lovely way to keep them.
Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse of your beautiful world with us over at Waste Not Wednesday 🙂
Sam sometimes it is the small humble things that deserve to be displayed.
How lovely to see a little more of the behind the scenes, thanks for sharing Mary. I love how you display precious things that have been handed down or kept for years.
Although we do tend to end up with lots of clutter some things are worth preserving Julie!
Somewhere along the line I missed this post. I’m just now seeing it. I enjoyed seeing a bit of your collections. So what are my favorites? Well, lessee, I love the chest…you know the one you wouldn’t have been caught dead with? Ha! I love it, and all that sanding you did just made it look better. I don’t know about the stool…it looks like a stool. Had a chuckle over your mom’s matching outfits. My mom was the same way…pearls & gloves…course that was the style back then. Whereas she used to say to me…”why don’t you go in the bathroom and style your hair? Mama, I don’t WANT to go style my hair!” Gee whiz, I would rather go climb trees or something. So what does this have to do with your post? Nothing! I’m off on another tangent, but I liked your post & the blue fish ashtray.