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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Vintage Black Friday: Give Back Week and Black As an Accent Color

I'm so glad that Vintage Black Friday has returned. This is the 2nd installment of the monthly party to be found the first Friday of each month.

I'm not a decorator by trade, but I've learned a few things over the years about decorating. Having moved to several houses in my adult married life, I've learned that it's important to have furniture and accessories that are "mix and match". I call them "Garanimal Furniture". Going back to finding clothes for my girls as toddlers, there was a brand carried at Sears that was completely interchangeable. Each piece fit nicely with any other item in the line. That has been an idea that I have adapted to decorating. Keeping a few "colors" and accent pieces that are totally interchangeable. I get bored with my surroundings and like to change things up frequently. If I can't move or change out furniture, then I like to seasonally mix up accessories and vignettes.


Print and vintage frame found in the powder room,
but in the Dining room for better natural light.



I keep a color palette of varying hues of khaki, sage green, and gold, with hints of dark red. Gold or brass is my accent metal, and I also use black in healthy doses as an accent. Some of these items you've seen before, but today I'm using them to show how accent colors can unify and bring continuity to a home. I love white and neutrals and having white woodwork, I am bringing in more white painted furniture, but I also love color. I guess I would say I lean toward English and French Country. Vintage and antique pieces add to the foundation.


Lampshades and a clock on the Living Room mantel.






Decorative painted French box on my black writing desk


Old rustic church pew


Hat boxes in the Entry on a French gilt table.




Kitchen print with black frame


And a variety of black tole trays on the kitchen counter



A tiny print in the powder room


And a new black distressed clock
 that is usually found in the family room



These are just a few of the black accessories
 I have used in my home to help bring it all together.

Please run over to The French Cupboard
and check the McLinky to see the other
Vintage Black Friday participants.


If you haven't yet entered my


please click and leave a comment
on the post from March 1.



Thank you for all the sweet and funny Birthday Wishes!
Each one warmed my heart,
 and so many made me laugh.

And thank you to all those
who posted about my Give Back
and joined as a follower.
I'll be over for a visit soon!

Have a wonderful Weekend!
Debra

31 comments:

  1. Debra~~

    You have so many pieces perfect for this event. I love your old European 'look' and they way everything mixes. The painting of the little girl with the lamb is beautiful. I have the same print but in a smaller gold frame. I know nothing about it or the artist. If you do, I'd love to hear from you!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  2. Hi Debra,
    Your home is very lovely! Love the pew and your black pieces. How's the new space going at the antique store?
    Warmly,
    Deb :)

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  3. It's all so lovely and you've given me some wonderful ideas!

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  4. Oh I so love all of your pieces. YOur accessories and decorations are just wonderful. I love the ornate frame and your mantel is stunning. I so agree about keeping furniture mix and match. I am living with a plaid sofa far longer that I wish to that was a huge mistake made several years ago. The next one will be a really neutral color that will go with anything I have. Great post. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Hi Debra. I never tire of seeing all your beauties. You've also become quite the photographer. Thanks for letting us peek.

    Hugs...Tracy :)

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  6. LOVE the black church bench and the white table the hat boxes are on. Lezlee

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  7. Debra, you are so right, every home needs a little Black to ground it. I love Black...it makes a grand statement, and makes all the other colors pop. xo Lidy

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  8. Beautiful Post ~ I so remember Sears & the Garanimals.... was so easy for the little ones to get dressed~ Love the Chippy Table with the Vintage Hat Boxes ~
    Have a Wonderful Weekend

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  9. WOW...beautiful pieces!!
    Blessings, andrea

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  10. Love them all, but that old church pew is my favorite! I keep hoping I'll stumble across one someday to put in my entryway!

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  11. Thank you for sharing such beautifully photographed treasures...especially the black pew! Love it!

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  12. Man!!! that is some great stuff you got goin' on there! Garanimals ~ too funny (brings back such memories...and not all good)
    Thanks and have a great weekend.

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  13. Good morning Debra~

    You don't need to be a decorator "by trade" ... dear you are a "natural born" decorator! I'm always thrilled when you share your tips and tricks, thanks! .... lovely frame ... and I'm drooling over that bench ...

    It's been a great week ... hasn't it ?! Big hugs and squeezes to you ...

    xo
    Jill

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  14. Not a decorator, could have fooled me! I love the mantle, the layered mirrors behind the clock... BUT WHEN I GOT To that black pew, I almost passed out right here on my laptop:) LOVE IT! Love all of you pretties, but that is my favorite. I have a thing for benches, stools and small tables. Have a blessed day dear Debra! Hugs from Georgia!

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  15. Love your post as I also collect different pieces in Black, not many of us do.
    Blessings,
    cindykay

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  16. I was following, but now I know your last name. That painting is gorgeous, as is the sheep pict & french box. I just love black mixed w/ green. I'm thinking of doing my office in those colors (and I'm already buying stuff for it, even though I don't have a space for it right now! LOL), but was wondering if you have to dust black furniture more. Hmmmm...Love how the beams in the ceiling are reflected in the mirrors. I miss having a grand fireplace and instead have a tv cave. UGH. A woman surely didn't invent those things!

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  17. Love everything, but I can see that the consensus is how wonderful that black church pew is -- I was drawn to that immediately with all the lovely pillows.which is what struck me the most. Love it! I think decorating is in your blood. My style is all over the place and any color goes! Blessings, Tammy

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  18. Hi Debra! Love all your black items especially The Shepardess. I have often thought of buying her too.

    I'm working on adding black to my dining room. This was the suggestion of my blogging friends and I'm liking it!

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  19. HI Debra! Oh, what lovely blackness you're showing! Your home is so beautiful.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  20. Hi Debra, I'm brand new to this new blog party and am really enjoying it. You wrote a great post today and have wonderful examples to go with it. Thanks for sharing your tips and ideas.
    Gretchen

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  21. It all works so well together...very pretty accents!
    Rene'

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  22. Oh my... I love your black bench, Happy VBF and have a great weekend.

    Smiles,
    Sheila

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  23. I made all those homemade cookies & you didn't even see them. What a shame, they were delicious. Thanks for coming in & I loved seeing you. Your blog is wonderful & I'm so proud of what you've done in such a short time. You go girl!!!!! Jan

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  24. Of course I love your furnishing and good decorating ideas, but I especially love your livingroom ceiling, that I can see in the mirrors reflection. I Love high ceilings. Everything looks professionally put together.

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  25. Hi Debra,
    I love all your wonderful vintage black. Especially the First frame and the sheep frame.
    Have a good weekend.
    The Swedish Room

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  26. Debra, your home is lovely! I too love the mantle and how you decorated it!

    Though I am a bright color and lot of it person, I love a touch of black in every room. It somehow seems to anchor it all.

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  27. I enjoyed your post for VBF. I would love to see more of your black trays. Thanks for stopping by Applejack Lane.

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  28. I am loving all of the vintage black ~ my favorite is the first frame and Shepherdess photo ~ bet you can guess why.. can't you? you are always a delight to visit whether is person or on your blog! Love you!

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  29. Aw your home is lovely! So many beautiful things to enjoy. What a blessing! This made me miss my home in town the way I decorated it but God has been good to me letting me enjoy this ole country house.
    Love
    Maggie

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  30. Hi Debra, You have very beautiful vintage black things in your house! The French box is just amazing and I also love the clock and the sheep print!
    Have a wonderful Sunday!
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  31. I love everything. SO very pretty. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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