Silver Sunday Surprise

Today is Silver Sunday and I wanted to share a little silver sumpin'

I found at our Ozarks Craft Fair last weekend.

We've been going for the last 20 years or so,

and it's always such fun.

This darling little silver creamer

transformed itself into a sweet little lamp.

This is on my kitchen counter.

My English tray which depicts Buckingham Palace in the background,

and a few "cocky" friends.

And who doesn't love a stack of English Ironstone?

And the surprise?

Sweet Beth was having a Silver Sunday Give away

of which I was the lucky winner!

A $50 Anthropologie Gift Certificate,

a 1936 Pocket Diary,

AND one of her wonderful necklaces with the dolly and top hat.

(Thank you for saving me one!!) 

These pink ribbons and lace were almost too pretty to unwrap!

Thank You, Dear Beth, Love all the goodies!!

Hope you're having a wonderful Day.

Yard work awaits!

love,

Debra

My little fantasy...

Don't we all have little fantasies? An affinity for a certain place and time and era. A place that would seem to fit who we are and nurture our personal dreams?

I'm really not sure why, but a life in an English cottage has always been a little dream of mine. Cozy, comfortable, with a flower garden and a gate out front. Quiet and peaceful where you can hear the birds sing, and maybe a little brook close to the house that beckoned for a dip of the toes and a grassy spot to open a book.

(image from an old church fan in my collection)

English Cottages and gardens were a popular subject for images, paintings and prints in the early 1900s. They have always spoken to me, so today I wanted to share of few of mine with you.

Can you see me?

I'm waving from the window!

An R. Atkinson Fox print that I found at a flea,

for just a few dollars...

who no one recognized.

Lucky Me!

This is an old needlework piece that I framed.

This is an old paper German calendar,

 but the cottage is what grabbed my attention.

(sorry about the glare)

Love the muted tones in this one,

it's almost a study in sepia.

I can't believe I still haven't seen this movie,

The Holiday.

Probably because my husband's not into

"Chick flicks".

It's going on my to-watch list.

After all, we all deserve a little fantasy.

What's your fantasy place and time?

Today I'm linking early to

Cindy at My Romantic Home

and Laurie at

 Bargain Hunting and Chatting With Laurie

And you have until midnight to enter

The Royal Treatment Give Away.

Let's make it to 500 followers.

That will be something to celebrate!!

Click here

love,

Debra

St. Patrick's Celebration of Green and White Wednesday

On St. Patrick's Day

we all have a little Irish in us.

(and I do have just a little from my Mom's side)

When I saw that there was a St. Patrick's Celebration

I wanted to join in the fun!

So for the Wearin' O the Green Celebration

with Him, Me and Our Three

 And Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen

is having a Blog Crawl...

And also, Kathleen of Faded Charm with

White Wednesday

I thought I'd share some "green" of the china kind,

with a few pieces of my green transferware

in several different patterns.

This is "Kent" by Wedgewood.

I'm putting together a picnic tin

full of some Irish luck and blessings.

Irish Biscuit tin.

Vintage St. Patty's Postcard

This platter is John Maddock and Sons from England

The gravy boat is King's Border from England

This little sugar and creamer, well used but not too old,

is Romantic England, Herefordshire, by Meakin.

And this plate is part of a set of

Romantic England, Haddon Hall by Meakin.

My dining room is moss green,

so I love displaying my collection

of green transferware from England.

And to share some White from Ireland,

I found these images of beautiful Irish Pottery.

These are Belleek.

Hope you all have a good St. Patrick's Day!

Watch out for the Blarney

and don't get pinched!

love,

Debra

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

Celebration Give Back

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