Patina White

what lie's BENEATH {a corner of our world}

hey there visitors (2) show&TELL! it's been awhile since i've touched on the topic of our home. i've heard from some of you that you've been missin' those "mini tours" so i thought i'd give a peek @ what lies beneath...some "belowGRADE" livin'...in our BASEMENT.

we didn't start out w/ a finished "lower living" space. we plucked away @ it as our time & budget allowed. so you can imagine it took a few years to get it to where it is today. we even did some "trade-outs" w/ friends as in the original construction process of the house. it's amazing what a snowmobile will get you! 

ok. who else is confused by the term FAMILY*room vs. LIVING*room? i have always wondered exactly what defines them. so i guess i will call this area the "sittin'SPACE" {below} as that's really what sums it up. yep...we are a FAMILY...and we do lots of LIVING. but i think mostly we just hangOUT here. 

 

 

i'll backtrack to review how the backDROP for this area began. rather than do my usually white ceilings + dark floors....i flipped it. with a dark stain on the pine shiplap ceiling and my "flooring" choice was to simply paint the concrete w/ a white porch paint. so it was cozy but not too cavelike. 

you might notice how (1) wall {above} appears to be exposed studs. well...it was built to look that way. because i wanted a "cottage" feel & what better texture than to erect a ship-lapped back stud frame wall. i know our carpenter friend thought i was off my rocker to build essentially what most folks would cover up! i painted it a bit brighter shade of white vs. the sheetrock walls then got a softer shade of linen white. just enough variance for definition. 

a splash of color can be found in the old cupboard sporting my favorite shade of turquoise-ish. it was the perfect landing spot for our tv. then some contrast comes from a couple wood  "sculptures" on the floor. those industrial influenced "sculptures" are actually a pulley (a southDAKOTA find) + wood foundry mold (a local flea find). additional rusty charm is provided by the vintage sign. it's always a GOODyear, isn't it!?

 

 

industrial touches mixed w/ primitive undertones along w/ soft slipcovers & fancy chandis are a reflection of my eclectic style. our coffee table was a galvanized chickINCUBATOR that i added large castIRON casters too. {see it below}

 

 

on it rests a vintagePORTABLE typewriter w/ a retired B*I*N*G*O card. 

 

a gathering of various objects can be found on a wire bookSHELF reminiscent of swimLOCKER baskets. the grouping is topped w/ a pair of vintage shutters that sport an interesting cutOUT. i was told they hailed from a barber shop. i often wonder about how much fact plays into the stories i am told on a piece. but it provides for a good conversation so who am i to challenge it?  

a close look {below} will show that “DECORATIVE” books (i say this as i don’t read ‘em but pick up old novels based on color rather than content) mingle w/ balls of twine and ticking fabric storage bins house more books + magazines. 

 

 

you can see more details up close in the collage {below the breakDOWN}

***a very old...and VERY large blackSMITH bellows provides a ledge for a collected letter sentiment.

  ***though it once resided on our porch...i decided the mini windmill was a quirky & unexpected addition to this space. 

 ***a mixture of pillows provide additional textures. vintage ticking & burlaps does the job. 

 

 

this view {below} looks the opposite direction from the slipCOVERED sofa. you’ll note the above mentioned bellows again. next to it hangs a vintage world map i simply tacked up & decided needed a reflective quality. mirrors always open & brighten up spaces. a plus when you are talking the likes of a basement. but i didn’t want to cover up the map with the real estate that larger mirrors would demand. so my solution was to use my collected handMIRRORS that were displaced until this need arose. (sometimes it’s to my advantage to be the “collector” i am!}

 

 

here's a closer glimpse @ the world in "reflection"...

 

 

a final little corner i will show again is the landing spot for a misMASH of items. what you see {below} is my handful of prizeRIBBONS that hang on a former workHORSE time-card holder. are you IN or OUT?

 

 

so that about covers our “belowGRADE” sitting space. glad you popped by & hope you enjoyed taggin’ along as i cover some of the corners of a cozy little space we like to “hunker” in. it sure makes me HAPPY you stopped by! 

 

 

may you enjoy your days til yet we chat again!

my*way on the entry*way...

hello there friends of show&TELL! going to touch on the most basic of areas in a home. the lowely entryway. when we built our house {8} years ago...i had a mental list of things that we lacked in our past residences. and a place for coats was a big consideration. because when you live in minnesota...and there's a jacket (or 2 or 3) for all seasons + other reasons (harleys anyone?)...then you can understand why i felt it necessary for not only a place for coats...but a place for HIS & HER coats. 

so i worked w/ our neighbor who moonlighted as a cupboard carpenter. he took my drawings + vision and made them happen. so now hubby & i had matching closets connected with a secret storage bench. 

 

 

and speaking of storage...i wanted a dropping spot for shoes that we could grab &GO quickly + easily....so i dreamt up a little nook @ the bottom of each closet to house a few old SWIMlocker baskets that would do the trick! you can see the storage spots {below}.

 

i've shown our entry on my blog here. but was reinspired when i found a GREAT old framed photo thrifting this past weekend. i wasn't sure what i was going to do w/ it til i spotted a cupboard door hung by a chain i was gifted from a dear friend. the door was just the blank "canvas" i needed w/ the perfect size "lip" to hold my "new" old photograph. {see them hanging out below}

 

 

another workhorse amenity i love. the galvanized boot tray i lined with river rocks. it's a perfect spot for snowy...wet & dirty shoes to sit until the next call of duty. the rocks camouflage any evidence left behind.

 

 

as this is the entryWAY post...it would make sense to show you the entryDOOR. i opted for a wood door in a craftsman period style. our home is a mix of styles so it fits right in my "eclectic" surroundings.

 

 

above the {above} door...is a sign {seen below...lost yet?} that was a gift from my dad + stepmom.  it's rusty, weathered surface w/ the word EXIT seemed fitting in this spot. it's a special piece that has a prominent spot.

 

 

i'm a stickler for details. and hardware is something i thoughtfully considered...doing a great deal of research for the right "touches". as such...went old school w/ a crystal front door knob that provides some sparkle to the somewhat neutral zone. it's like some jewelry finishing off the outfit.

and the coat cabinet hinges were not overlooked either. i found basic pieces @ a big box home improvement store that initially were bright brass. with some patina'ing i was able to make them look darkened w/ age...rather than my treatments. i also made sure to do slot head screws where i could. vs their recent cousins...phillips screws that are of a more contemporary nature. see the nitty gritty {below}.

 

 

a small ticking mattress plus canvas pillow w/ a fern print soften the surroundings & can be found on the storage bench...

 

 

another sign of the times...the "1 mile thru CITY" sign was a flea market find. i'm sure there's a story here...but i was drawn in by the combination of the zinc metal...wood frame & sheer jauntiness of it's primitively painted nature. 

 

 

i'll shed some light on the topic today. well...more like my antique store found deco era light will do that for me. i found it needing some new wiring to which i did {again...sucker for period details} in cloth covered twisted wire you'll see if you take a close look {below}

 

 

and to think this simple B&W photo {below} got my gears turning on showing ya all MY*way on the ENTRY*way. not to be overshadowed...the collection of little sandSHOVELS - rusted from years of play - plus a WELCOME greeting give some spunk to the window ledge.

 

 

hope you've been inspired! and, in borrowing a comment from my facebook page when i highlighted the EXIT sign, old man winter...who's wearing out his welcome....can EXIT anytime! there's spring things to do and oh...did i mention a flea to get ready for! if you're planning a memorial day visit call ahead and we'll let you know if you need the snow shoes! thanks for swinging by a {CORNERof*myWORLD}! 

happily yours...

  

thru the {LENS} of fleaMARKETstyle ...part#2

why hello! thanks for taking the time to peek today! time to share the balance of the fleaMARKETstyle photo shoot that took place in our home last year. incase you missed part#1 you can see that post by clicking {HERE}.

so picking up where i left off...here's a glimpse into our master bedroom. {below}

 

our "headboard" is a piece of architectural salvage w/ the best pattern & weathered {patinaWHITE} finish. i had this piece W A Y before our home was built. one of those "save it for a special occasion" numbers i loved but couldn't place @ the time. and when the time came to figure out a backdrop to our bed with the tricky low sloping ceilings...i recalled that fabulous piece of whatever*it*was tucked in storage. 

we have mis-matching HIS&HER bedside tables. my "nightstand" is an old folding bistro table from france. a collage of various shapes and sizes of mirrors provides some moments of "reflection". the bench was a local flea find. it is the perfect "put your socks on in the morning spot". and a basket tucked beneath is ready w/ extra blankets for chilly minnesota winters.

bedding breakdown. it's a mix of all things old w/ the exception of the duvet. the crochet spread on the end is a treasure i adore. i found it at the bottom of a very dusty box in a forgotten corner of an antique mall. took some washing that led to some patching {thanks ma} to bring it back to glory. and the folded paisley feather "quilt" is one of a handful of eiderdowns from europe i was glad to get years ago before cost & overseas shipping got too high.

 

 

then the pages roll into my {MAKE} room {seen above}. it's my space in our basement where i create my jewelry. the lower level of our house is a complete flip of the usual white ceilings and dark floors. i painted the concrete floors white not only to brighten but because it was thrifty. and the ceilings down here are stained dark brown to provide a cozy feeling.

thought this would be a good opportunity with this room to add a little splash of color to the walls that you won't find elsewhere in our home. i took a vintage BALL canning jar into a home improvement store to find the closest match i could find. i'm thrilled with how it turned out. this "ball jar blue" is cheerful and bright despite being in the depths of downstairs. 

my work table needed to be stout and sturdy. so i designed one...then enlisting the help of a dear friend who is a work-working master. he incorporated the pipe legs i brought him and made it exactly to my specs to fit the room. and it now takes the brut force of the blow of my hammers i use in forging my baubles. 

the cabinet in the very background houses a plethora of storage containers varying from cigar boxes to bottles of ever shape and size. there was alot of sweet talkin' to convince hubby and brother-in-law to get that girl in there. and with only inches to spare to the ceiling it's a perfect fit!

an old floral chandi that hails from italy and an industrial jointed table lamp provide task lighting @ it's finest. the ease of being able to put a bright glow onto my work zones is crucial when the sun's soft glow isn't present.

then there's the peek into my {MAKE} room closet {below}

 

 

though it may seem ultra organized...that is ALWAYS a work in progress. and one day spent rummaging around and "making" can change the scenery drastically. but i do love now having a spot to contain yet again the many vessels and boxes that house my treasure trove.

incase you were wondering...the shelving...got those @ menards. they were simple, inexpensive pine bookcases that i whitewashed. and i could set the shelves wherever it made sense for what was to be place on them.

 

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you'll also see above a tiny glimpse into our laundry room on this same page. here again...i dabbled in a color for the wall. {wish i could provide a reference for those of you lovin' the shade. but what i started with and my mad scientist experiment of mixing and remixing to get the hue leaves me no reference}. 

anywho...i am a fan of industrial looks mixed with rustic elements. which is why i picked a secondhand piece of burlap {i washed to rumple her up} for the folding table's "skirt". a commercial spray faucet was meant to tackle the stains that come with a "junk" passionate family. you're bound to get dirty in mine and hubby's line of work. and that sign. i know...cool, right? which is PRECISELY why i chipped it out a hardened icy snowbank @ a junker buddy's house. it was cold. but i was determined. so glad that was the case as it solved the big open blank wall issue. 

 

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ok. i know...this is L O N G. but i like to go over the extras for you detailed minded folks. so here's a few shots of our office {below}. i think the captions pretty well sum up most of what's going on. the only thing i would note is how much i LOVE the desk. i did the blueprints and had another cabinet making friend build for me. the hinged beadboard door drops down to reveal yet another computer that i use but didn't want to be "seen". and the variety of locker baskets below provide storage for the paper trail that goes along with our lives. 

 

 

then there is the full view of our office {shown below}.

 

 

you can see the continuation of my desk i designed as it extends into the metal topped workspace with a file cabinet end. the metal wrapping was a joint effort. i did the finish work of oxidizing the surface w/ a mixture of acids and vinegars. then i wanted something a bit more industrial looking for the edge. so i hammered nails in it. it's a sturdy surface that i made sure to make as large as possible to accommodate the piles of paper that seem to collect here. 

did you note the "window treatment"? i found this giant old locksmith advertising key online from another junker downsizing her collection. at the time...way before i started the office project...i didn't have a clue to where i would put it. just knew that i was CRAZY for it. key shape. black and white coloring kissed w/ rust. what's NOT to love?? so i tucked in a corner of the office hoping to incorporate it into the surroundings. then it hit me...why not use as a "valance" to help fill in the large window while keeping the view into our country fields still open. so that's exactly what i did using two old rusty springs + chain to suspend it from. 

then if you'll note the HAPPY DAY TO YOU on the cupboard end...that's a time card holder that was a tish to new and shiny for this girl. so i tossed that baby into the fire letting the flames speed up the aging process. now it's the perfect spot for to add old flashcards for fun messages. 

well that covers the inside of our home. then there's a few pages dedicated to the great outdoors. the first one {below} highlights one of most prized "dump" finds. 

 

 

the story goes like this. i was perusing around the metal scrap {sadly, they no longer allow for such delights} when i saw slightly buried what i knew was the framework for a locker basket stand. i dug. and DUG til i got it unearthed from the twisted metal that confined it. only to discover that it wouldn't fit in my car i had @ the time. rookie move. bring a small car to a big dump. so i did the only thing i could think of. i lugged it across the dusty lot. and over a pile of barrier logs into the trees. and tucked it there like a squirrel hiding a nut. {as i type this in hindsight...maybe I am the reason for the cease & desist order on salvaging in the scrap pile.} anywho...i went home. quickly. who knew who was watching, right? didn't want my "nut" to be discovered by another unscrupulous squirrel. and returned w/ pickup relieved to find it was still safely "hiding". 

got my bounty home knowing i wanted it by our front door to catch shoes. but it was "bland" w/ the addition of locker baskets. so i randomly filled some of the other cubbies w/ some aqua ball jars + this-n-thats to give a little visual interest. i'd do it all over again. except i would just bring the truck from the beginning. 

finally ... (i know you're thinking it!) ... here is the last page of our spread. it is a view of our porch. see it thru their lens {below}.

 

 

it's a wonderful retreat that we enjoy. hubby and i will often plop down in the weathered adirondack chairs throwing our feet onto the little milk stools i've enlisted as ottomans. and i've been known on a warm summer day to take a nap between projects on the wicker settee that resides here. a combination of decor that can take a beating with the addition of some lively plants makes this outdoor space a real delightful place to hang out. and...knock on wood...the mosquitoes really leave this area alone for the most part. 

it's pretty quiet as we are the only house in the immediate area. deer...turkey...birds...and small furry critters are about all you see strolling around as you look off in the fields surrounding our home. feeling very lucky as i type this and even more excited about the onset of spring as today finds us barely reaching zero {0} degrees! 

well...there you have it! hope you've enjoy the extended commentary on the article + photos of our home. it was a long one and if you're still reading this i'm impressed! i'm weary just @ the thought of proof-reading to be sure it makes sense. or at the very least catch the occasional spelling error here and there! :)

i am honored you stopped by...and look forward to future "shares" with you all! this "squirrel" is always up to something! and remember...HAPPY DAY TO YOU!

 

thru the {LENS} of fleaMARKETstyle ...part#1

why hello there! some of you may recall that way back when...we were honored & excited to have our home photographed for the WINTER issue of fleaMARKETstyle magazine. we were asked to kindly hold off until mid december to show the interior pictures. well...of course that time has come & gone. it caught me @ a time when things were silly busy like everyone else. 

but now...here in january...i am granted a little extra time & thought you might enjoy a peek @ the pages if you haven't seen it. and if you HAVE...perhaps you will enjoy some extra explanations that the writer could not possibly squeeze in. i have to giggle @ christine hoffman-bourque {word weaver} the day she did the interview w/ me. she told me to expect about 45 minutes for her to ask me questions. well...an hour and 1/2 later...she couldn't get me to stop! she laughed and said "i think we have enough info".

so we will start w/ the basics...here's the cover {below}... 

 

 

and with one flip to the inside and you may recognize a cluster of vintage sign letter S's {below} as seen in our little dining area. see the tiny bit of my created beadboard mirror? i love them so much i have {3} in our home!

 

 

you'll see a view into our living room {seen FAR below}. in lieu of a "fire*box"...i did a collage of vintage papers on the wall. the ottoman was very tatty & needed a cover. so a quick solution was to cover it w/ a large pillow sham. i found one i liked w/ a recycled canvas union jack flag. i tied up the corners w/ heavy jute.

there's more texture found in the seagrass toss pillows and the leather of our club chairs. when the seats were worn out...i found a piece of heavy canvas @ the thrift store for .25! 

also thought i'd mention the "side table" is a former metal croquet stand. complete still w/ it's metal carrying handle and holes for the mallets + balls! it's a bit rusty but still trusty!

 

 

this is a closer peek @ our mantle. showcases my matte white pottery. and the tiny bellows is such a cutie. we have a GIANT version in our basement too. 

 

 

moving on is another view of our living room. where i reference "bessie" our giant cupboard because she's a big & heavy ol' "heifer". the "coffee table" is actually a rusty & retired {of course!} casket roller.

i did most of the staging prior to the photo shoot. and the only item the sweet lisa evidon added to our home {that wasn't ours} was the chunky knit throw. which i ended up buying from her because i was fascinated with those tassels! the leather ball...incase you were wondering...is a flea market found medicine ball. it doesn't get used for strength training anymore...but looks good just hanging out. 

then there's an outside view of our home. plus a peek @ our entryway that has a hook {4} everyone...lucy & the occasional guest too! 

 

 

just some details...details...details...

 

 

then it rolls into our dining space. the light fixture and the slips are from pottery barn & about the only new*stock in this area. i did change out the their slipcover ties with manila rope to give them some personality. we hung the CASH & carry GROCERY sign up before we moved in. that's how excited i was about it! 

 

 

next up is a view into our kitchen {below}. our neighbor, the area dairy*man who moonlighted in woodworking, worked w/ me to create the cabinets. i have a extensive collection of buffalo china + ironstone i wanted to not only be able to use daily...but enjoy seeing them. so glass fronted cabinets it was! 

the base counters are actually reclaimed plank flooring we rescued from storage in the barn of a friend. and then the upper breakfast bar is covered in a slab of dark charcoal tinted concrete. 

a story on the barstools. i found {quite accidentally} the industrial stool on the left first. i loved it's wood seat + weathered painted finish. when i couldn't find a somewhat "matching" mate due to price or availability restrictions...i picked up the other wood top stool {on right} @ a flea for a few dollars. now i am so THRILLED that i didn't end up with (2) of a kind. i love their "same" but "different" aethestic! 

i have a love of old signs. and if you will peek closer you will see i happened on an old road marker number 73 that was from COOK county. seemed appropriate to pop it as the backdrop to our range!

final note for this area...there is a pair of the lights that you see one of suspended above the breakfast bar. i ordered in two socket lights. and added some honey colored twisted cloth covered cord. i looked for a pair of matching milk*glass wavy shades for almost a year while the building was going on. and found them @ different times from different sellers on eBay. they are "topped" (bottomed??) off w/ old time styled edison bulbs. you can find them @ various antique hardware supply stores online. 

oh! bet you'd like to see the picture now...if you're still reading! :)

 

 

are you still out there with me?? i'm still moving thru the pages. so, next up is some random detail shots again {shown below}. a glimpse of our cast iron claw foot tub. our sandy spot in our bath that allows for special messages to share and my "mannis" that stand proud in our bedroom. i wear these jewels often and love to display my baubles when not in use.  

the "floor mirror" was really just an old door w/ mirror insert that i found visiting my family in nebraka. when i was driving home with it in my pickup the temps dipped below zero. my only concern @ the time was that i didn't break the mirror. when i got home after 9 hours of winter drive time...i quickly brought it inside. to discover later upon inspection that the silvering had crackled & started peeling. @ first i was bummed to see it. as time when by...i actually started to enjoy the patina look brought on by yours truly!

 

 

the bottom corner of the above photo doesn't show our bath photo...here is that shot {below}. the lights were actually table lamps that i drilled holes in the bases and then attached to the walls.

the vanity was a sideboard that i found @ a rummage sale. it was truly on it's last leg. our cabinet / milkman friend again helped by butting out the legs i designed to raise it up and then we cut out holes for matching white drop in sinks. and there's the other {2} beadboard mirrors that i mentioned earlier.

our his and her faucets are really inexpensive wall mounted sink faucets reminiscient of what you'd see in a farmhouse kitchen! 

 

 

i think i know how christine must have felt taking notes that day now as i click away here. she probably set the phone down for half of the conversation because...as i recall...she didn't get a word in hardly. which is kind of the same here. i type...and type...AND type...and then there's you...reading...reading...and probably scanning by this point hoping i will be just be "quiet" and just show some more pictures! 

but in my typical form. i like to give descriptions. in lengthy details. as such i will stop for today. and do a part #2 so i can collect my thoughts & hopefully not lose you to my very lengthy musings. please pop back, if you will, to see the rest of the magazine shoot. there's more fun pictures i'd like to share. and you can bet that i will have something to say about them!

hope you've enjoyed this start to the tour of our home via the wonderful fleaMARKETstyle magazine. i'm looking forward to picking up where i left off...until then...

happy day to YOU!

 

ps- my GRATEFUL {PRIZE} bracelet giveaway is still going on...please peek @ the last post for more details on how to "enter"! 

be our {GUEST}

alrighty show & tell friends! with the {PRIZE} contest complete...what's a girl to blog about? well...how's 'bout {a corner of my world segment}? see that little CATEGORIES title to the left of your screen? and under that do you note the A CORNER OF MY WORLD title? well...if you're wondering what our home sweet home looks like beyond what you saw in the fleaMARKETstyle spread...that's a really good place to start! 

because it's been quite awhile time since i've touched on that topic....figure it's a good time to do so! my spare bedroom was not one of the areas highlighted in FMS...and since i've changed it oh so slightly since that last time i gave you a peek @ the room...here we go! won't you be our guest??

anchoring this tiny space is a local auction find...an iron bed {below} that time has kissed with the best patina a girl could ever DREAM about. 

 

 

i switched out the bedding for a more soothing neutral palette...removing the soft pinks that were here before. a european grain sac makes it fit into my "rustic cottage" criteria...softened by some ruffles + calm shades of white. found the SLEEPYTOWN flashcard and it made me smile the thought of this being a former learning tool! figured this was as good as spot as any for it.

i'll jump next into some details {below} that can be found throughout this space. read on for an explanation {likely more than you need} of what's shown.

 

 

the small...and smaller chairs you'll see upon entering and are casually stacked atop each other. didn't think i could find a cuter chair than the child's bentwood version. until i came across the doll size specimen that i couldn't have painted a better shade myself! it's right @ home in this space! 

then you'll see a close up of my very vintage wool rug. again...these colors are neutral but provide the visual warmth needed on a home that is mostly comprised of dark wood floors. actually i've had it since our first home where i layered it over our wall to wall sisal in our living room. did so because hubby was not impressed w/ the somewhat rough sisal's "not soft between the toes" feel. sometimes you gotta sacrifice the comfort for the aesthetic! ask this of the girl who often endures high heels to run errands. RUN & ERRANDS. that right there should learn me better!

moving on...lastly shown above is an example of my favorite spin on simple throw pillows. adding some unexpected sparkle in form of vintage buttons, pins and earrings! you'll note just that on this pillow that started as a basic white form that i then wrapped with an old tea towel. another little thrifty trick i do to make a stock item my own.

when i put together the lamp shown on the sidetable below...i was TICKLED with how it turned out. read on for more about it...

 

 

the base is an old turned spindle. that i was lucky enough to find set-up as a lamp. but there was no shade. and so it sat. unseen for ages under our stairs til i had an idea for a lampshade using items i already had in my possession. being the "collector" i am....had a few potato baskets lying around. 

the wire work "frame" not only was the perfect scale for my lamp base...but lent itself to weaving old book pages thru it. and the dangling handle is a whimsical reminder of what it once was!

wanna see it closer? well wish no more! here it is {below}

 

on the topic of shedding some light. have to show a favorite piece of framed "art". an italian beaded sconce i've had for AGES is showcased by the chippy goodness of an ornate picture frame {below}.

 

 

have i lost you in the all details? well i hope not! because there are some more coming up! starting with the visual {below}

 

 

pretty simple stuff here above. a close up of my treasured not really blue and not quite green trike. i bet there's a color name for that. but i'd hate to disappoint my english teacher who once described my writings as "WORDY". now where on earth did he get an idea like that?? oops. moving on. 

a simple stack of complementary books gives some height in the table-scape. again...a little tip. old cloth books are one of the quickest...and least expensive ways to decorate. hardly a saturday goes by that i don't make a stop and grab one..two or ten! did i mention i can't recall the last time i read a book!? 

lastly in these DETAILS...yet again another embellishment added to a stock pillow. a  branch-like pin makes for a pretty accent. 

i will {FINALLY} wind things down today w/ a picture of a chair that was a mere $6 from a flea market buddy. and after i stripped the terribly unattractive blue velor from it...i unearthed the charming cotton print you see {below}.

 

 

so there you have it! for those of you who can go on no more...i sure appreciate you taking the time to check in! and for those of you interested in posts of past on a {corner of my world}...there's a whole category over yonder waiting to be explored.  go forth & conquer! be MY guest!

have yourself a GREAT day!

dear john...

hello hello show & tell! i am writing a dear john letter today...because i have put away my tool box, paint brushes + cleaning supplies and am happy to report that my "master disaster" is finally finished! that disaster was the vanity in our master bathroom that turned into a much bigger project than i had dreamed it would be. 

right about now you'd think i would show you the finished project. but there's a reason i'm holding out. and though i can't say why or what...just know that you all will get to enjoy the fruits of my labor...guess i can't even share a when with you either! remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder. ok...i've said too much already. moving on...

i would like to share with you a view of our toilet though! or some would say "john"..."biffy"..."commode"...you get the picture. i know...i know. show you my toilet?! really...is that the best you can give us, beth? well...i'd like to think the porcelain "throne" can be quite decorative.  the addition of a partial piece of a windmill tail + metal alliums {below} really made this "work zone" industrial fabulous!

 

 

next...i am highlighting another bathroom necessity! yep. toilet paper. there's something you won't see on every decorating blog or magazine. infact i am willing to bet there is little homage paid to this staple! well in my corner of the world if you've got to see it...it better be eye pleasing. i continued on with the industrial flavor w/ an expandable pipe apparatus for lack of a better term. and when i discovered that giant tissue rolls stack perfectly inside it's walls....i was ready to squeeze the charmin!  i think even mr. whipple would be impressed!

 

 

i'm pretty sure you could add a little vessel of fresh flowers to any ordinary object and make a statement! which is what i happended to do here {below} with a ball jar and assortment of happy blooms! and before i forget...the metal "cage" around the rock filled glass vase is really a former rodent trap. yes...you can officially say i have lost my mind @ this point. but it's really quite cool! {and clean thanks to a good power washing!}

 

oh what the heck...since i'm on a roll..how about a repeat of all the above features with the main floor powder room the area of focus?  well then...if you're still with me...here we go again! this time a gathering of dark oil paintings takes stage. a bit more "girly" if you will...than upstairs.

 

and in an effort to do mr. whipple proud with my very public display of t.p. ...this time i have piled up rolls in a locker basket. {below} there has never once been a scuffle in our household about replacing the roll of toilet paper! now landing back where it belongs...that's another story...

 

not to deviate from today's "format"...i put some cheerful stems in a glass vintage cottage cheese jar {below}. i bet the milkman didn't see that one coming!

 

 

well i guess that brings me to the end of this dear john letter. since usually they are intended to bid someone farwell that is exactly what i will do! but i will not be "gone" for long! just until the next time the moment is right. or there is a roll of toilet paper worth mentioning!

make it a great day everyone!

office ree-doo re-vealed!

happy monday everyone! ok...i know it's late in the day but it's still monday! and i said i would reveal my office redo so here we go! are you ready? i am! because i am talking a project that has been put on the back burner for many moons. so it's with great excitement i present my office with a "shady" past...and a now bright looking future!

come on in!

have a seat if you like!

there's a big {smile}on my face right now...

..brought forth by all the little details that have finally come together...

i am sitting in this very spot right here {below} clicking away on my keyboard...

and i've got my week figured out. or @ least the highlights {below}!

as seen from my perch {below}...i kept the "window treatment" simple. i felt it was "key" to not block the view.

a grouping of loved ones {below} keep me company...

and incase i feel the urge to procrastinate on my filing...{which i am doing by the way}...i can always scribble on my "slate" canvas {below}

i set my standards high...

or should i say the STANDARD brand stamp holder is now high on my custom created cubby unit {below}. you might remember the re-purposed window now hard @ work!

open sesame. my second computer {AND printer} i can't let go of has a hidden home now!

last year 'bout this time i showed you this cabinet {below}.

where i painted the orange interior and started the process of sorting + organizing that still continues today. and tomorrow. and so on...

incase you missed it...here's the belly of the beast {below}

and another collage of this-n-that {below}. the crowning glory of the room would have to be the globe light encased in chicken wire. just right for my little hen house! thanks rejuvenation hardware!

2 days. 2 cans of "fast acting stripper" {they lied} + 2 bags of steel wool later and i FINALLY got the black, yellow & drab olive paint off my steel rolling cart. with the added element of vintage yardsticks & office implements....it rolls out from it's hiding spot under my desk to lend a hand when i need a bit more work surface! a real labor...now love!

have you picked up on my fondness for vintage office supplies? old staplers, wire bins, paper punches...the list goes on...love 'em all! not to mention the many metal containers {like this one below}!

is that the phone i hear??

good thing this space is right around the corner from our bedroom. 'cause i have been working on this reveal post since the early hours of the day! i may very well crawl on over there for a nap!

with that being said...i hope this was all worth your time! now i will let the retired time card holder & old school flashcards finish out this post! 

got some feedback? would love to hear it! becuse your comments make my day! according to my DON'T FORGET list on my corkboard...i have plans of blogging later in the week. now i best be on my way to figuring out exactly what that might be! thanks so much show & tell friends for sharing this special space with me!

honey...where do you want the cabbage?

hey everyone! i have to chuckle @ the post title. because i can still hear the innocent inquiry my hubby directed at me a few weeks ago. an outing to the greenhouse yielded some fabulous foliage to do a little fall decorating with. the name of said specimens...kale...but i must say they do bear a strong resemblance to cabbage!

besides that little snafu...i absolutely love that my other half knows exactly what i mean when i say i am cold & need my eiderdown...he faithfully will fetch it from the closet. or that we can pass a cool old farmhouse w/ period details to which he exclaims "look @ the corbels on that place"! and of course when i say i want an apple...thus begins a city wide search for honeycrisp, jazz or my new favorite sweet tango...cause no ordinary red apple will do!  

that being said...those "cabbage" worked their way into my harvest decorating recently. so i thought i would share a little "corner of my world". harvest style! here is our window box {below} that i transitioned from summer flowers to fall delights...

and my fall touches here and there wouldn't be complete without a cluster of corn stalks highlighting an urn of off-beat colored pumpkins. {below}

now is the time to be a baby. baby boo that is! i love these little white wonders...they are sitting atop little clay pots in an old tool tray {below}.

more of the cabbage..um kale...line the steps of our porch {below}. with a fun little {pump}kin #1 sign tucked in the gathering.

our harvest home {below}...the colors are already amazing in our neck of the woods. autumn is such a beautiful time of year up north here in minnesota!

a sampling of the colorful maple leaves {below} i plucked out of our backyard....

i love the flesh hue of this pumpkin {below}...accented with the bumpy texture of the white gourds. the 75 sign is actually an old auction paddle. might come in handy if anyone thinks of being naughty around here.

this guy is just haning out amongst colorful vines...

another pumpkin full of texture rests on a rusty urn {below}...it evokes the feeling of being @ the circus as it looks like it's covered in peanuts! now all i need is some popcorn! and maybe my very own elephant!

so there you have it! the beautiful weather we have seen recently has been such a pleasure to work & play in. with that note of work i best be scooting back to it! because i will soon be transitioning the harvest home to the holiday home with the onset of my annual studio event! 

i hope i have inspired your day with a taste of our minnesota fall @ it's finest!

happy harvest to you!

 

junk in bloom

greetings show & tell friends! have you ever noticed that you can take a rusty + crusty piece of "junk" & mingle in a little flower power w/ fabulous results? well around my gardens i did just that and thought i would show ya today! 

not nearly @ it's weight capacity...this old scale {below} turned podium provides a bit of texture to the showy pink petunias.

you best have your current tetanus shot {i sure as heck do} if you are going to be poking around my flower box. or should i say you could be the one who is poked? a gathering of rusty pitchfork tines {below} plus an iron relic add a little visual interest to the petal display hanging on our homefront.

i will be sharing a little combo w/ the folks @ shady hollow this weekend. i love the pairing of the wire basket w/ an old clay pot nestled in {below}...ready for your instant gratification already planted + accented w/ an appropriate FLEURS tag!

you can be the queen of bloomin' everything if you pick up one of these lovelies that i just snapped up from the UPS man...i can hardly stand it when a shipment of baubles arrives...dropping everything in it's tracks to snoop. so glad i did because i know you are gonna love these {below}.

the summer is in full swing and you will be in "hog heaven" @ some of the goodies i have created this week to fill in the "holes" generated last weekend @ the flea. me? i am in "hog heaven" on the homefront w/ my concrete hog feeder w/ abundant purple accents. oink oink...

and since we are on the topic of animals...there is never a shortage of "flower frogs" @ patinaWHITE. their beauty and function are like no other this time of the year. i'm lovin' the new wire cage version {aqua of course!} shown here {below} w/ a simple spattering of branches. 

so dig out some treasures...head to your local greenhouse and whip up some of your very own junk in bloom. or...stop by shady hollow this sunday and see me. i am always happy to fix ya up! thanks for peeking today!

hope you have a wonderful weekend...

porch perfect

hey everyone! i've been moving things around and "nesting" on our porch lately. can't let the finches have totally run of the house! thought i would show you a bit of what we love about our country home. (minus the mosquitoes!) 

maybe some citronella tea-lights would be in order per my last remark! this little wire caddy already had tiny pots lining it. so i added old glass insulators and tiny candles to provide a "glowing" accent!

 

porch perfect - long view {below}

 

& a short one featuring my favorite pair of aqua/white rockers. *sigh* love 'em...

 

i fancy this plant {below}. & of course the rusty pedal car...that goes without saying! (and yes...it is different than the one i showed a few posts ago @ the hollow...now you know why i had to part with that one!)

 

naps are good. and i like to take them on the settee {below} with my old faded red ticking. nothing like a cap-nap with the birds signing around you. even the scolding i get from the mama finch sounds wonderful!

snuggle into my vintage grain sack with original period stencil.

 

a castoff rescued from the dump {below}. that locker unit was the highlight of my day! worth the hike thru the muck to get it!

 

he's been hanging out for a LONG time {below}...

 

the fascination with powdery white antlers continues...mixed with starfish and aqua floats {below}.

 

a chair with an old burlap grainsack "runner" {below}. it's all about texture!

 

a little bit of whimsy...

 

and another "light"hearted touch...old tonka tires turned candle-holders.

 

paying homage to my nebraska rummage sale find...the victorian plantstand stately showcases my little windmill...tonka tire candle-holders + other nilly willy accents {below}.

lovely little iron implements gather below brilliant green/eggplant leaves.

 

now i'd like to think i am the queen of the house...but this little gal {below} stands near our entry. and she seems to have the bigger tiara of the two of us! i am perfectly happy residing as reigning princess for the time being. for now she is the queen of everything!

 

thank you so much for popping by my porch today! i think it is just the perfect place to hang out! birds, mosquitoes plus queenies alike!

make it a great day!