Patina White

a corner of my world {how does my garden grow?}

here we are again!  another wednesday has arrived which means I am still touring along "corners of my world" in a blogland journey of a little place we love to call home. and just how does my garden grow? very well I am proud to say! this former self proclaimed "black thumb" is thrilled with my ever-changing "work in progress" flower gardens!  I have to admit I let mother nature do much of the work though!  bring on the poppy invasion and mysteriously growing vines that I will show you...so onward we stroll!

here is an overall glimpse of my flower bed {below} that lines our home as you meander up the sidewalk...

and more views closer up...do you see a theme here!  make a wish!  there's plenty of stars in and around our home!

 

oh, and by the way...you'll note one of my "invasions" in the bottom left of the photo {above}.  what started out as one lonely poppy plant is now a field of friends!  I call the original reproductively inclined plant the "mother ship"!  I don't mind a bit!  infact I prefer a less manicured and more natural look!

and here we have a silly little grouping of my "billy" and vintage goat cart!  I have had the cart for years and just this spring discovered this "billy" at my junkyard art fellow.  this was a no brainer!  now that's putting the cart before the "goat"!  

and moving right along just some lovely fleurs for your viewing pleasure...

there's no hole in my bucket dear liza! I infact use all of my vintage watering cans {below} collected over the years!  love love love the euro styles & their long graceful necks!  just leave it to those european folks!

remember the mention of mysterious vines in the beginning of this post?  well, I guess if you "build it" they will come.  or in this case pile a bunch of old gates against your house for lack of a better spot & voila! creeping vines appear from nowhere {below} adding a punch of green and visual sparkle!  I couldn't be more glad to see surprise visitors!  also worth a big mention is my lucy girl!  she is an only "child" and provides us with unconditional faithful friendship!

and to end our fleurish tour today is an update on a former post..."a little birdie told me". carefully watering my plant "nursery" I discovered four fuzzy heads resting inside!  it seems the pretty little blue eggs are now on their way to becoming fledgings! {below}

adorable!  and with that I am off!  incase you are planning a fourth of july rendezvous in my neck of the woods...patinaWHITE will be open this friday, saturday & sunday for your holiday shopping pleasure! thanks for joining my tour & have a very happy day!

a corner of my world {come & sit a spell}

hop on the bus!  it's wednesday which means I would love to share with you a "corner of my world"! and with that...welcome to our porch!  a perfect summertime place to hang out and enjoy mother nature at her finest!  

this locker unit {below} was a cast off rescue!  I drug it out of a heap of metal in ankle deep mud!  there was no way I was leaving without it!  send in the search & rescue if you like...I am a determined girl when I want to be! (if you ask my hubby I think he may say stubborn!)

and here we have a close up of my concrete sweetie {below}...bedeckled in a vintage tiara...a gem fit for this "queen"! the aqua pistols are part of the collection of garden junkyard art available at patinaWHITE! sorry folks...this little number is staying with me for now!

isn't it funny how things we love just "go" together even though they have no business mingling?  here is a delightful gathering of bleached old antlers...faded seashells and vintage fish net floats.  I am a firm believer in no rights or wrongs in decorating...just surround yourself with things you love + make you smile & amazingly they usually look fabulous!

a glance here {below} of the porch...

and again here {below} don't you just want to snuggle up and read a book or perhaps take a nap?! surrounded by vintage grain sacs, ticking & comfy blankets...I really can't think of anywhere I would rather be on a sunny day~

most folks don't want any rust on their cars...on this little guy though, it is just terrific!  in the passenger seat rests one of many plants you will find around our home!  beep beep...hold on & let's go cruisin'!

i am a HUGE fan of vintage cast iron urns.  you just don't see them available like you used to though! when I come across one I need to pick myself off the ground since I have likely passed out from the excitement!  and I do believe that is exactly what I did five years ago when I happened on this marvel at a flea market in southern minn.  pretty hard to negotiate with the dealer when you have a smile on my face like I did...they know they have ya at that point...your excitement has just given them the upper hand. 

and here again {below} is that heart stopping cast iron!  this was a find in florida...at the oronoco flea market many moons ago.  once apon a time I made a number of trips to florida to this market and found over the top wares!  this treasure was coming back with me no matter what...even if it meant buying it a seat on the airplane!  luckily it shipped home in one piece and now proudly showcases some beautiful blooms!

and to round out the tour today I thought I would end with this pair of vintage rockers {above}!  the colors couldn't have been more perfect and I love that it is a true worn paint but still very functional!  but don't ask about the trip home with one of them deciding to make the leap of faith out of the back of my truck...that's another story.  so titled "things you DON'T want to happen on junking journeys"  

if you're in my neighborhood won't you "come & sit a spell"?  have a great day!

a corner of my world {stairway to heaven}

hello friends!  it is that time again...time to hop on the tour bus that is meandering thru yet another "corner of my world"...a little place we love to call home.  the tour started at the heart of our home...continued to always kiss me goodnight... which brings us to today...stairway to heaven...or perhaps I should say a "heavenly stairway"!

just what makes a stairway "heavenly"?  well, won't you join me in finding out just that!?  

these boots were made for walk'n.  here we have here my beloved "old gringo" cowgirl boots.  I have oodles and oodles of boots but these three pair are hands down my favs!  old gringos are soft, supple and just of amazing quality!  not to mention a bit sassy!  giddy up cowgirl and let's go...

heading up the stairs is a little square window looking out to our front door.  much of the millwork in our home was vintage stock purchased from a small town lumberyard in nebraska. hunkered on the ledge is a gathering of rusty tractor implements turned candleholders...oh, yes, and a little jingle bell wreath I created!

here {below} we have a detail shot of the corner rosette.  I was lucky to score a set of (4) vintage curtain pin-backs in my trusty star icon. this seemed like a fitting place to showcase them.   love love love 'em...and the green accent makes me adore them even more!  

trekking up the stairs (you don't need a stair master after a few trips up and down these puppies!) there are two landings.  one houses a local auction score...a luggage scale!  oh my...blackish brown...a weathered dial and rusty hints here and there...this "stout" girl stands proud with a couple old, what-else, suitcases on her.  

and a bit closer {below}..how can't you love this "face"?

and as we reach the top of the "heavenly stairway" you will look back and see a, grand in size & appearance, italian chandelier.  like most chandis in our home it is embellished with a set of vintage beaded bulb covers.  we just had a dimmer installed on it and it makes for a cozy nightlight!  the LARGE old school map was spied by my hubby at an antique mall!  sometimes he surprises me with his keen eye for decorating! (though he would never admit to that)! the map fits perfect on the huge wall area and narrow ledge!  the colors were spot on too! good job hon!

and finally at the top of the stairs you will be greeted by a make shift display.  as our home is always a "work in progress"...or, as i like to say {W.I.P}...I have a vision for this spot.  but for now a weathered wood frame leans against the wall encasing a collage I created on a large canvas with vintage what nots. and I should mention I am a sucker for small chairs.  especially handy when you need a step stool in a pinch. just make sure it's a sturdy one! :)  

and there you have it!  you have climbed right to the top with me!  now I know that a staircase may not seem like a big deal...but there are whimsies in every corner and what good tour guide doesn't cover all the angles?  I hope you will join me each and every wednesday to visit another "corner of my world"! thanks for plugging along with me!  happy day to you!  beth

a corner of my world {always kiss me goodnight}

why hello all!  it is wednesday which means we are continuing the tour bus journey of a "corner of my world". in-case you missed the first stop on the tour...you can see it here to catch up!  so, hold on tight & enjoy!  today's stop is going to be our master bedroom...or shall we say {always kiss me goodnight}! 

these reclaimed doors lead into our "boudoir".  the sign...well let's just say I thought it was kind of silly!   

you will notice that most of the rooms of our home are a neutral palette of linen white with a brighter white trim.  far from sterile, it provides a grand canvas to which I warm up with textures in worn woods, faded blankets, ghostly aged mirrors & rusty metal accents. 

I created our headboard with a salvage "chippy white" architectural trim.  it seemed appropriate to fit into the patinaWHITE theme!   beds to me are an opportunity to pile on cozy linens.  just don't ask how long it takes each morning & night to make and unmake it!  at the foot of the bed is my all time favorite old european feather filled eiderdown.  it is a double size and so warm!  a must for minnesota winters and brisk summer eves! 

a close up below of the eiderdown...it's colors & paisley pattern are so dreamy. the throw under it adds layers of texture!

flanking the bed are mismatched his & her nightstands.  similar in composition but uniquely different they provide a quirky way to add a bit of whimsy to the room. 

{his}

and {hers}

 

this is my crown jewel of the ball!  my vintage italian beaded chandelier was an eBay find many moons ago.  I have adored it since day one and never tire of staring at it's glorious, clear {but not always clean} prisms!  I know I have a lot of "favorites" but if there was a fire & I was able - I would yank this girl right off the ceiling and run!  :)

and here we have my collection (yes, another) chippy, charming and oh so cute chalkware pups!  just call me old macdonald...this "farm" family rests high ontop of a cupboard!  EIEIO...

who doesn't love a good mani?  mannequin that is!  this gal holds a collection of necklaces that I throw on a moments notice.  her wings were a treasured find at the most fabulous silver bella.  a must see event if you find yourself in my home state of nebraska during the month of november! the wood mirror is yet another nebraska find...I hauled it home in a near blizzard hoping not to add seven years of bad luck!

and a bit closer to see some prized jewels...

and so ends the tour for yet another wednesday!  they come quick so I hope you will swing in next week for yet another jaunt thru a "corner of my world"!  have a wonderful day & always kiss your loved ones goodnight!  beth

a corner of my world {the heart of home}

why hello everyone!  I am trying a new segment called "a corner of my world" in which I will take you on a mini blog-land tour bus of a little place we like to call home.  beginning today {wed} and following wednesdays I will showcase a section of our house for you all to see & enjoy!  I have been asked on multiple occasions to do a home tour...so won't you please hop on the bus and join me for a little jaunt of the heart of our home...the kitchen & dining areas!

a friend of our's built the cabinets to my specs.  I do believe he retired shortly after that project! :)  I wouldn't change a thing...except maybe finishing the touch ups that are waiting patiently to be completed {4} years later.  that darn to do list!
 

here is a close-up of the lights above our breakfast bar...they are from rejuvenation hardware -  I added the twisted cloth covered cord and then I patiently scoured eBay for months {from two different sellers no less!} to get the vintage milk glass shades.  we finished them off with reproduction edison bulbs!  they are beyond words...they cast an amazing glow at night...well worth the time it took!

!
collections collections everywhere!  above the stove is housed my most beloved ironstone!  it is not only there for looks but I also grab pieces to put to good use!  all about beauty and function!

our kitchen window {below} overlooks our backyard...I have a couple birdfeeders within sight & I'm always thrilled to see new birds stop by!  last year I had a woodpecker pass thru that was the size of a small airplane! 

it is hard to see in the pic but the sill is lined with my vast {yes, another collection} of frosty apothecary bottles.  the counters are actually salvaged from a home and were the hardwood FLOORS!  I think they turned out splendid after many of moon of belt sanding + coats upon coats of sealer!  I paired them with the breakfast bar done in concrete as shown {2 above}!  a nice contrast of industrial modern with country farmhouse if I do say so myself! 

our house is not big in scale by any means.  infact, I designed it to be quaint.  adjacent to the kichen is our dining area {below}.  though bill & I seldom "dine" here {tv trays anyone?} it is always a favorite gathering area when friends & family come to visit! 

had to include this recent shot of the white lilacs.  I wish they last longer once cut...a springtime fav!  the marble "dish" they rest in is actually all hand carved!  someone worked a labor of love here to make this little {I mean BIG} honey! 

shown here {below} is the command station of our house.  it is a nice place to drop all things such as...keys, change, bills (if those would be considered "nice" to have!) and other nilly willys that come with daily living!  love the phone, no?  too bad it isn't quite to working status yet!  again...the to do list goes on and on....this one being the "honey" do list!  where is that honey of mine?

well all...that is the end of the first outing on the heart of home fun bus!  thanks for riding along!  remember...wednesday is tour day and I look forward to "seeing" you again!  happy day!  beth