Impressive Kitchen Furnishings, Decor Pieces and Accents

Impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents brings us to this feature spotlighting pieces sure to elevate the design and decor of your kitchen.

Santa-letter (1)

Cookies and Santa

After the holiday whirlwind kitchen events of the last few weeks one would think a post about impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents would be a bit redundant.

Turns out, the well-appointed kitchen remains the heart and hub of the home; a central gathering place serving a multitude of purposes.

Back in our flipping days, Maison de Places In The Home was a holiday happening place holiday eat, drink, and be merry.

Christmas-party-appetizers

Photo by Caroline Hernandez

Realtors, designers, and home builders folk love to get together for holiday cocktails with a twist of spirited networking.

At evening’s end the majority of the house basically remained pre-party perfect, however, based on the state of the kitchen it was indeed the happening holiday party place to mix, mingle and holiday jingle.

Marmont-Hill-After-Party-Clean-up (1)

Marmont Hill After Party Clean-Up

Established fact proves the days gone by design philosophy of the kitchen being for strictly utilitarian purposes, small in size, and decoratively unremarkable is best left in the past.

baking-in-vintage-kitchen

Impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces, and accents decidedly factor into today’s kitchen design as much as cabinetry, appliance, lighting, flooring and placement choices do.

dear-Santa-bow

Photo by Joanna Kosinska

Decorating for the holidays reaches far beyond tinsel and trimmings.

What better time than at the gift giving time of year to add impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents on your gifts for the holiday decorista Christmas list.

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Hunt Buffet Desserte

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Hunt Buffet Desserte

17th Century Swiss Baroque Carved Armoire

Antique 17th Century Swiss Baroque Carved Armoire

Topping the impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents Dear Santa list is this vintage stripped bleached French cabinet in all its gorgeous glory.

antique-bleached-oak-display-cabinet-bookcase-French

Antique Bleached Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase from France

Bookcases make super chic choices for kitchen pieces.

Monarch Fine Furniture Regency Style Mahogany Royal Guard Accent Hutch Bookcase

Monarch Fine Furniture Regency Style Mahogany Royal Guard Accent Hutch 

Utilize the beauty of such pieces by displaying a beloved collection of porcelain wares or pieces from your favorite china pattern on the shelves while using the drawers as storage for serving pieces and table linens.

Atlanta 10-Light Black Candle Style Classic/Traditional Chandelier with Crysta Accents

10-Light Black Candle Style Classic/Traditional Chandelier with Crysta Accents

Magnifique!

China Cabinet Rosalind Classic Greige Solid Wood 2 Fretwork Doors

China Cabinet with Fretwork Doors

Display cases, as they are categorized, may be utilized for the intended or as chic options for all things that make a kitchen.

vintage-brass-green-dome-pendant-chandelier

Vintage Brass & Green Dome 3-Light Pendant Chandelier

First rule of impressive is to be unique in placement and presentation.

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Painted Oak Chest of Drawers Commode with Beautifully Aged Distressed Chippy Paint Patina

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Painted Oak Chest of Drawers Commode

Although a piece may not be so unique, how it is put to use can be.

French-Butchers-Block-bleached

French Butcher’s Block

French Kitchen Island

French Kitchen Island

White and Gold 58-inch Wide Marble Top Kitchen Island

White and Gold 58-inch Wide Marble Top Kitchen Island

In keeping with the there’s no place like home for the holidays philosophy, I’m featuring striking pieces influenced in Louisiana French-Spanish-European provenance that catch my eye and my heart.

Early 20th Century French Painted Carved Walnut Eight-Light Chandelier

Early 20th Century French Painted Carved Walnut Eight-Light Chandelier

isamar-bachelors-chest

Isamar Bachelors Chest

92-Piece 20th-Century Baroque Silver-Plated Flatware

92-Piece 20th-Century Baroque Silver-Plated Flatware

Salento 9-Light Vintage Copper Chandelier

Salento 9-Light Vintage Copper Chandelier

Sideboard Walnut French Dove Tail 2-Door

Sideboard Walnut French Dove Tail 2-Door

French Solid Cast Iron French Scrolling Butterfly Coffee Table with Marble Top

French Cast Iron French Scrolling Butterfly Coffee Table with Marble Top

Maxax-5---Light-Unique---Statement-Empire-Chandelier-with-Crystal-Accents

Maxax 5 – Light Unique / Statement Empire Chandelier with Crystal Accents

 

Antique Hand-Carved Hunt Dining Table

Antique Hand-Carved Hunt Dining Table

Three drawer chest of drawers elegantly make the traditionally thought transition from bedroom furniture to kitchen/kitchen dining storage piece.

gorgeous-bow-front-storage-chest

Gorgeous Bow Front Storage Chest

Such is the case when juxtaposition, distinctive craftsmanship, provenance, and regional influences beautifully meet and master the characteristic of a space.

6 Light Chandelier by Minka Metropolitan

6 Light Chandelier by Minka Metropolitan

Kitchen countertop counterparts:

antique-Empire-style-table-lamps

Antique Empire Style Lamps

Detail comes home in this Italian Baroque Revival carved dining table.

Italian Baroque Revival Carved Wood Round Dining Table

Italian Baroque Revival Carved Wood Dining Table

For the flow and the French of it all, may I present these decorative kitchen accents and accessories to accent the look.

The-Gray-Barn-Cornerways-Rustic-Ivory-Fabric-Armchairs-set

The Gray Barn Cornerways Formal High Back Carved Wood Arm Chairs (Set of 2)

The Gray Barn Cornerways Formal High Back Carved Wood Arm Chairs (Set of 2)

Some may opine my needle appears stuck on antiques and vintage accents.

Pair-of-Painted-and-Upholstered-Louis-XVI-Style-Open-Arm-Fauteuils

19th Century Pair of Painted and Upholstered Louis XVI Style Open Arm Fauteuils

Long my preferred go-to choice, I find the charm and character quotient appeals to my desire to incorporate unique pieces in with new traditional promotes conversation and balances the visual points of interest of a space.

Antique Architectural Salvage cast iron fireplace cover

Antique Architectural Salvage Cast Iron Fireplace Cover

Consider bringing planters and architectural salvage pieces into your kitchen decor scheme.

Swan Indoor Outdoor Planter Garden Decor Sculpture

Swan Indoor Outdoor Planter Garden Decor Sculpture

Into each kitchen some stuff must fall, and housing said stuff items such as keys, twist ties, charging blocks, and the general things that find a home in the kitchen need not be an exercise in unsightly.

Vintage AMPHORA Delft Blue Holland hp Tobacco Jar

Vintage AMPHORA Delft Blue Holland hp Tobacco Jar

Lovely outdoor garden decor pieces beautifully house items otherwise meant for the junk drawer in handy dandy fashion.

boy-reading-book-leg-crossed-garden-statue-2

Garden statue in another time, this treasure is presently reborn as a countertop bookend.

Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Wall Rack

Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Wall Rack

18th Century Oak Boiserie Panel 18th Century Oak Boiserie Panel

Door knockers easily make the transition from exterior door ornament to singular focal point cabinet pull or even an excellent choice of wall decor.

door-knocker-cabinet-pulls

open-hand-cabinet-pull

Dark Brown Metal Hand Pull

Turns out the decision to kill a little time before an appointment by dropping by one of my favorite vintage goods haunts was a splendid one indeed.

Kensington Hill Taryn Vintage Style Table Clock

Kensington Hill Taryn Vintage Style Table Clock

AELS Vintage Wall Clock

AELS Vintage Wall Clock

Implementing art into your kitchen decor elevates the overall aesthetic.

Vintage painting original

Vintage Painting Framed Original

Lagniappe is a term used quite often here in Louisiana.

Defined as something given as a bonus or extra gift, lagniappe is present in impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents replete with distinctive detail, prominence, and beauty.

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The Thanksgiving Of It All

It dawned on me that going with my heart this year and decorating according to the current mood is exactly the theme for this year’s Thanksgiving of it all.

Nothing too elaborate or over the top, just simply going with tried and true pieces that speak Thanksgiving to me.

Thanksgiving of it all

Opening the cabinet doors of the section of the kitchen reserved for the good china and holiday appropriate plates proved to be the hardest part of the decorating plan.

Simple elegance is rooted in a cozy and comfortable ambiance.

sideboard-Thanksgiving-piecesTo me it simply isn’t a Thanksgiving table without serving pieces and figurines denoting a pheasant and turkey pattern.

Mama-Papa-Copelands

My great-grandmother, Mama Two, went to great measures to set a lovely Thanksgiving table each year she was with us.

vintage-serving-pieces-Thanksgiving

The Thrifted Table

Mama Two entertained and adorned with grace and what appeared an effortless command of the feast setting.  At least one pheasant and one turkey plate, platter, or figurine always found a planned path to the tabletop.

vintage-flatware-various-patterns

Mismatched 6 Spoons Silverplate Teaspoons

Antique finds gathered over the years such as accent flatware pieces connect the dots to family tablescape traditions.

vintage-knoves-set

Posts of Thanksgiving past prove my tried and true favorites don’t seem to waver.  Color combos and patterns continue to lean neutral to nature with at least one new or new to me addition added for good measure.

Thanksgiving-2022-dining-table-accessories

Woodland Turkey Platter

Better Homes & Gardens Exposed White Clay Stoneware Drink Pitcher

Jadeite Green Glass Cake Stand with Loop Trim 

Antique J. H. W. & Sons Hanley England Serving Bowl

Mazie 20pc. Flatware

Hemlock Trails Cotton Quilted Round Reversible Placemat Set of 6

Ceramic Pumpkin Gravy Boat

In the Forest Owl Mixing, Measuring and All-Purpose Bowls, Set of 3

Linden Street Amber Glow Acorn Wood Serving Tray

plates-tureen-vegetable-bowl

Something as simple as velvet ribbon and decorative feathers becomes a stunning choice of dinner napkin embellishment.

gold-khaki-velvet-ribbon-feathers

Thanksgiving into Christmas 11 inch wreaths for use as chair wreaths or as decorative rings framing candles, serving bowls and/or cake stands.

Thanksgiving-into-Christmas-wreaths

lindsey bowls turkey art (1)

Lindsay Bowles Artist

Treasures found online and in store set a place for the unique and the uncommon.

silver-pewter-pitcher-vintage (1)

Treasure Chest

place-cards1 (1)

Place cards zhuzh up the occasion.

DIY Thanksgiving Pear Place Cards

DIY Thanksgiving Pear Place Cards

Lovely place cards ideas range from fresh fruit au naturel or spray painted in your favorite holiday color.

Fall leaves and a Sharpie create festive place cards.

Jackson-turkey-place-card

Free printables such as this vintage brown turkey with fanned tail lend traditional beauty to the holiday table.

Public-Domain-Turkey-Image

The Graphics Fairy

How gorgeous is this pairing- get it?

roasted-pears

Good Housekeeping – Photography by Mike Garten

Roasted Pears

Ingredients

4 Bosc pears

2 tbsp Maple syrup

1 kosher salt and pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

½ cup walnuts, toasted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Wash and pat dry pears.  Cut each pear in half lengthwise and remove seeds.

Place the pears on the baking dish, with the cut side facing upward.

Fill each pear with toasted walnuts. Drizzle olive oil and maple syrup over pears. Sprinkle with  salt and pepper.

Bake for 30 minutes or until soft.

pumpkin-cake-Susan-Branch (1)

Jadeite continues to have its moment, and the Martha Stewart Highbrook Jadeite Glass Loop Cake Stand is poised to become a timeless remembrance.

Martha Stewart Highbrook Jadeite Glass Loop Cake Stand in Mint

Martha Stewart Highbrook Jadeite Glass Loop Cake Stand in Mint

Well, folks, that’s the Thanksgiving of it all.

Darleen-signature-love

Modern Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse style has transitioned somewhat to include an element of modernization, and this development piques my interest to give voice to personal interpretation.

modern-farmhouse-living-room

Polsky Perlstein Architects ~  Michael Hospelt Photography

Modern farmhouse style builds upon the cornerstones of farmhouse style, finding a nuanced direction toward a curated reinterpretation of the traditional foundation through balance, harmony, layers, and visual engagement.

farmhouse-antiques-Hamptons

Domino

Inspiration is everywhere, especially in thoughts and memories of past shaping present personal interpretation of modern farmhouse style.

dough-bowl-applesArchitectural Digest

On a recent save and purge photo scroll and purge I came across a fall folder packed with pics from a staging session.

Texas-abandoned-farmhouse

Flickr

Abandoned, inhabited, primitive, pristine, and historic- I’ve never met a farmhouse I haven’t loved or at the very least appreciated.

Condition proves irrelevant to the enamored.

Admiring eyes see past the past straight to the innate beauty found in intricate millwork, stately embellishments, and architectural details.

East-lake-hardware

Design Sponge ~ Photo by Maxwell Tielman

pecky-cypress- ceiling-wall

Pecky Cypress

Treasure-troves of design and decorating leave a lasting and inspiring impression.

Texas-farmhouse-1

Texas Farm Bureau ~ Julie Vrazel Tomascik

Throughout my childhood my mother and grandmother would decide on a whim to load up the Lincoln and point the hood emblem west to Texas.

No trip to Texas was complete without an adventure on the way to my great-grandparents house.

Lincoln

Over the Louisiana bayous and down the Texas farm-to-market roads, to great-grandmother’s house we go with a Glen Campbell 8-track in the Philco ever gentle on our minds and nary a seat belt fastened or care in the world.

Cameron

Now Bryan!  Now Cameron!  Now Heidenheimer and Temple!
On, Belton!  On, Killeen!  On, Hewitt and Waco, too!

Ever the curious adventurer, my grandmother could scope out a farmhouse among Texas Bluebonnets like nobody’s business.

She was farmhouse when farmhouse wasn’t cool.

Her antiques radar was fine-tuned to treasures ahead- a skill I’ve proudly inherited.

Protesting proved pointless, learning from an early age to never question the motives of a native Texan whose eyes have seen the glory of a Texas farmhouse, a hole-in-the-wall junk shop, or fields of blooming Bluebonnets.

Texas-bluebonnets-in-field

Undeniable is the obvious correlation between my personal style interpretation of modern farmhouse design and the farmhouses, antiques shops, and the fields of Bluebonnet dreams waltzed across Texas all those years ago.

modern-farmhouse

Dana Wolter Interiors

Putting show to tell, I’ve sourced a collection of images, accessories, and curiosities in the manner of modern farmhouse style.

Ornate-Carving_2C-Champagne-Gold

Ornate Carving Wall Mirror in Champagne Gold

Antique French Louis XIII Barley Twist Oak Table

Antique French Louis XIII Barley Twist Oak Table

Sofa-Hall-Table-with-Acrylic-Legs

Sofa Hall Table with Acrylic Legs

Brushed Gold Ornate Contemporary Square Mirror

Brushed Gold Ornate Contemporary Square Mirror

Antique pieces are well represented in many of the photos as it is what I consider the standard decorating accessory that beautifully complements and stunningly creates visual contrast to define modern farmhouse style.

clear-glass-artistic-weavers-table-lamp

Marinette 33 in. Clear Glass Table Lamp

Better Homes & Gardens Raw Sand Table Lamp with Shade 

Better Homes & Gardens Raw Sand Table Lamp with Shade 

Declan Lamp

Declan Lamp

My Texas House 5" White Distressed Stripe Round Stoneware Vase

My Texas House White Distressed Stripe Round Stoneware Vase

distressed-grey-zentique-vase

Cement Wavy Grey Large Decorative Vase

Stone-like Grey Large Decorative Vase

“The home should be the
the treasure chest of living.”

— Le Corbusier

Blur the hard lines of a design style by stepping away from convention.

modern-farmhouse-breakfast-room-antiques

Elle Decor – Photography by  William Jess Laird

Set-of-2-Elbow-Wooden-Dining-Chairs

Set of 2 Elbow Wooden Dining Chairs

This 1920s painted pine table is farmhouse kitchen ready to work, but I see a stunning foundation piece for the modern farmhouse foyer.

French Needlepoint & Painted Prie Dieu

French Needlepoint Painted Prie Dieu

antique-wood-bench-foyer-maps-wallpaper

Elle Decor – Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson 

Newburyport Harbor and Plum Island Map - 1978 - Nautical Chart Print

Newburyport Harbor and Plum Island Map – 1978 – Nautical Chart Print

Liberty & Co. Oak Settle, England, circa 1900

Liberty & Co. Oak Settle, England, circa 1900

athena-rug (1)

Athena Ivory 6 ft. x 9 ft. Area Rug

abel-round-mirror

Abel Round Mirror

Alfresco Home Delfina Urn Planter

Alfresco Home Delfina Urn Planter

gallery-wall-art

EBTH

Now more than ever I am convinced the nouns of our lives, the people, places and things that leave a lasting impression play a significant role in our personal style choices.

farmhouse-kitchen-beam

Schoolhouse

modern-farmhouse-living-room-1-1

Domino

Christmas arrived on Christmas Eve in the form of a cypress beam complete with a big red bow on it.

beams

When our house was hit by a tornado in spring 2017 the roof over the kitchen took the brunt of the force from tree branches and debris.

Add to that the water leaks and you get a taped and floated seam that is slowly exposing itself for the eyesore to eventually come.

Necessity comes together with attention to detail to welcome home a touch of modern farmhouse style.

Gold Silver Ceramic Jar Distressed Table Lamp Lucas McKearn

Gold Silver Ceramic Jar Distressed Table Bedside Lamp Lucas McKearn

Roma-Table-Lamp (1) (1)

Roma Table Lamps- Set of 2

Forester 26.5 in. Brown Branch Table Lamp with Brown Shade (Set of 2)

Forester 26.5 in. Brown Branch Table Lamp with Brown Shade (Set of 2)

white-barn

The White Sparrow Barn

My Texas House by Orian Indoor Outdoor Lady Bird Natural Gray Area RugMy Texas House by Orian Indoor Outdoor Lady Bird Natural Gray Area Rug

candle-chandelier

Paladino 6-Light Chandelier

Rustic 8-Light Crystal Candle Style Chandelier

Rustic 8-Light Crystal Candle Style Chandelier

farmhouse-chandeliers

Koge Swing Arm Lamp

farmhouse-family-roomFarmhouse Family Room

Crescent-white-gray-dining-chair

Muestera Weathered Grey Dining Chair

Organically Shaped Stoneware Vase with Raised Dot Detail

Organically Shaped Stoneware Vase with Raised Dot Detail

Revival 47 in. Round Gray Concrete and Dark Gray Oak Dining Table

Revival 47 in. Round Gray Concrete and Dark Gray Oak Dining Table

What do you get when you cross modern farmhouse style with European style?

19th Century Belgian Oak Vitrine

19th Century Belgian Oak Vitrine

A marriage of clean lines, stunning character and classic sophistication.

Reclaimed Pine Whitewashed Display Cabinet

Reclaimed Pine Whitewashed Display Cabinet

Benjamin-Dhong-modern-farmhouse-kitchen

Benjamin Dhong Interiors

The tops and shelves of farmhouse and modern farmhouse style sideboards and accent cabinets are made for housing distinctive wares and decorative accessories.

black-hutch

Milk Decoration

Mix and mingle styles with unique finds that place the accent mark on gorgeous.

Tierra Wall Art

Tierra Wall Art

Left Corner Carved wood Cabinet Antique Breton Figurines Salvaged Architectural

Left Corner Carved Cabinet Salvaged Architectural

Moody Trees Framed Wall Canvas Board - Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee

Moody Trees Framed Wall Canvas Board 

Female Portrait Framed Wall Art Canvas

Female Portrait Framed Wall Art Canvas

Distressed-Grey-Wood-Grandfather-Style-Wall-Clock

Distressed Grey Wood Grandfather Style Wall Clock

curtis-windham-architects-portfolio-architecture-interiors-neoclassical-traditional-kitchen

Curtis & Windham Architects

Madison Park Davisina Silver Counter Stool

Madison Park Davisina Silver Counter Stool

Throw the eye a curveball.

Oro Polished Silver Counter Stool

Oro Polished Silver Counter Stool

Let’s continue on with the classic farmhouse to modern farmhouse style accents and accessories that make the gotta have it list.

stephens.design.group.portfolio.interiors

Stephens Design Group

white-flat-front-cabinets-black-soapstone-countertopsDecorPad

farmhouse-lighting

Decorating outside the traditional norms of a design style is an excellent way to further emphasize your personal style and taste preferences.

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Enlightening Articles-Tips-Snippets of Information

Tom Petty knows exactly what he’s talking about when he sings the waiting is the hardest part.  Waiting, especially in a hospital situation, requires a vast amount of patience and a variety of good reading material. I’m what you would call a student of the old school- a scholar of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it studies.  In other words, I decided to read a print magazine instead of pulling up a digital edition on my tablet.  I spied a couple of shelter magazines of house and home interest in the rack – some with current cover dates, and some not so current.  Enlightening articles-tips-snippets of information beneficial to all things house that make a home will always make for a good read, regardless of cover date.  I look at it as an interior design, decorating, home decor accessories, antiques and how to score the best of the best refresher course.

Articles-Tips-Snippets of Information

The first article of interest gave the reader tips for successful flea market, garage and estate sale shopping.  Everyone has their own way of treasure hunting, but there is a proven core strategy.  In the world of antique auctions, flea markets and estate sales, the preview is the time to get your deals and steals game on.  Dave the Builder and I split up; a divide and conquer technique that works for us.

Pop-up_flea-market,_ParisPop-up Flea Market ~ Paris

I keep a notebook and pen in hand for taking notes from everything to lot number to condition to dealer location to asking price to this is my absolute bottom bottom line price offer, bid etc…

Dave takes close up pictures with his cellphone of the pieces he is interested in to further examine for imperfections before bidding begins. The deal can be found in the imperfection only if you can do the repair, refinish or reupholster yourself or hire out for little out of pocket money.

antique-linen-pressGallery Auctions

Auction houses stack items tight and tall in dark spaces and corners to utilize floor space.  A crowded house or stacked to the walls booth translates to scores of salable merchandise.  For this reason we bring his and hers flashlights so we don’t overlook a fracture or fine-line crack.

Brooklyn Flea Market

Brooklyn Flea  Fort Greene  ~  Pinterest

Dealers at flea markets, estate and garage sales begin to discount unsold items later in the sale which can work to a buyer’s advantage.  Larger ticket items can be worth the risk of playing the waiting game.  I’ve scored several pieces for a steal, and missed out on some too.  It’s strictly depends on the item and nerves of “steal”.

It’s basically an in the moment call.

sugar-cream

Now let me share with you another enlightening articles-tips-snippets of information gem stemming from the magazine article my mother read while keeping me company in the hospital waiting room.  Our recent coffee talk conversation went a little something like this:

My mother:  “Sister, what is WTF?”

Me:  “An acronym for Where’s the Food.”

wtf

It took me about three seconds to realize I’d better tell her what WTF really means.  Leaving her in the dark depths of millennial slang, risking her repeating to her beauty shop cohorts and the ladies that lunch loyal what she thinks is simply a hip colloquial term would be irresponsible on my part.  Funny, but irresponsible.

Me: “Mother, WTF is slang for What the F***.”

I was curious why she wanted to know what WTF means, so I did what any respectable curious and/or noisy person does.  I asked.

Me: “Mother, why do you want to know what WTF means?”

My mother:  “When Dave was in the hospital and we were in the waiting room, I was reading in a magazine (she can’t remember the name of the magazine, but she can remember WTF) a story about a woman catching her tweenage daughter texting WTF.  The woman asked her daughter what WTF means.  “With the Family,” replied the fast thinking tween.

Paris, FrancePinterest

Fast forward several months to when the woman, a newbie to Facebook and the speak, slang, and acronyms of social media, posted an update from their family vacation to Paris.  Surprised by the amount of likes her post received, she shared the development with her tween daughter.  The daughter asked the mom what she was posting vis-à-vis the vacation. “In Paris WTF.”

Me:  Well, now you know.

We’re headed back to the hospital next week for more tests, more waiting, more reading.  I think I’ll bring a few of the shelter magazines from my 2017 stack to donate to the cardiac unit waiting room reading material collection.  A good read passes the time, enlightening articles-tips-snippets of information are always appreciated, and a good laugh lightens the mood.  As they say, laughter often is the best medicine.

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Vacation Observations and Treasures Show and Tell

As promised, here is part two of what I did on my summer statecation otherwise titled Vacation Observations and Treasures Show and Tell.

My blogging routine is suffering from a case of the I’m ready for summer to be over and fall to get here slowdown blues.

Taking time to hunt and gather images, ideas and inspiring notes of design and decorating interest for fall and home for the holidays sharing benefits both author and reader.

It’s gonna be good!

Summer whispers into the ear of the normal day-to-day routine let’s blow this gig.

You’ve got places to go, people to see, ideas to develop.

 Summer didn’t have to tell me twice it was time to book a five day statecation to the Shreveport/Bossier City area.  

Antiquing and vintage shopping is a big part of the vacation equation, and traveling by car makes it super easy to load that baby up with finds, treasures and home goods.  

My must shop list includes Dillard’s, Belk, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.  

For good while we’re here measure I threw in a let’s stop by the new Whole Foods Market Shreveport.

Try, try as I may to figure out what the whole Whole Foods hullabaloo is all about, I don’t get it.

Take it away, Josh Baskin.

Perusing the East 70th Street retail and restaurant offerings, I noticed a peppering of construction crews and roll offs.

Curiosity leads inquiring minds to need to know info.

Look what’s coming to Shreveport.

at-home

home-goods

la-madeleineShreveport has hit the all things house that make a home jackpot.

I am decorating and dining happy.

Happy to

infiniti

and beyond!

I do love a good game of wordplay.

architectural-detailsOur Home away from Home- Horseshoe Bossier City

One up way too early for a vacation day coffee call served up one what do you want to do today round table discussion.

Antiquing it is.

Wifi connected us to six shops of interest and roads to follow.

roads-to-follow-reader

Treasures Show and Tell Observation #1

Change is the only constant in today’s antiques marketplace.

When Dave and I were actively “in the biz,” the proprietor of the antique mall we were in required dealer inventory consist of at least 80% antiques with an allowance for 20% vintage collectibles.

An antique by law is an item at least 100 years old.  Vintage collectible refers to an item at least 50 years old.

We advertised as an antiques shop, and the inventory reflected that.

Assuming (you know what they say about assuming) all antique shops adhere to the same truth in advertising rule, when the sign says antiques I brake for antiques.

On the other hand, if a shop’s name has the word or words curiosity, vintage, thrift, trading, collectibles, junque or consignment in it I know what’s in store.

Out of the six antiques shops visited, only three fit the bill.

Two featured vintage finds and curiosities, and one is nothing more but a shadow of its former antique mall glory.

ironstoneTreasures Show and Tell  Observation #2

It dawned on me after viewing booth after booth of painted pieces that I have an issue with the trend that in my opinion has stayed too long at the party.

It’s a disgrace when an item is touted as an authentic painted piece picked and plucked from an old farmhouse, feed, hardware or general store when in truth it is fresh off the chalk paint, font and Pinterest bandwagon.

vintage-butter-dish

Many an unsuspecting and trusting customer gets duped by this practice, and I think it is absolutely shameful.

Buyer beware.

don't-cry-over-spilled-milk

Good advice and odd artwork caught my attention.

Treasures Show and Tell

corbel

Dave the Builder, always clever in his delivery, exclaimed for sale as in fore sale! upon the sighting of this Louis Vuitton golf bag.

Louis-Vuitton-golf-bag

Treasures Show and Tell Observation #3

I’m kicking myself for not buy this St Francis garden statue.

The best time to buy an antique, collectible, vintage treasure or in the case concrete garden statue is when you see it.

concrete-garden-statue

Restaurant china creamers and syrup pitchers are my collecting thing, and when priced under $5 call these sold!

syrup-pitcher

A small print and a steamboat saucer rounded out my big haul.

small-print

Treasures Show and Tell Observation #4

Small finds can make big impacts in the grand decorating and color scheme of things.

blue-white-saucer

Our summer statecation is in the rear view mirror, and I’m already checking rates and availability for a quick late fall getaway.

In the meantime it’s back to work, decorating ideas and the holidays are right around the corner plans.

In blog housekeeping news, I am currently in the middle of attempting to migrate my existing site to a new and improved cPanel hosting platform.

This, my friends, should be good.

Technical blah, blah, blah but necessary to keep things up to speed.

I’m about to lose my mind and my religion over this, but I’m determined to do this.

If I don’t break the site, Places In The Home will be back up running and loading lightening fast next week.

Have a lovely rest of the week.

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A Most Fetching Friday

fetch·ing

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming, prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

I thought I would bring back my A Most Fetching Friday series for the spring and summer season.  Today’s spring and summer fetching Friday kicks off the series with a collection of images drenched in color and seasonal decorating inspiration.

she-shed-garden-decoratingCountry Living

iced-teaSouthern Living

54c1c92c4f6f3_-_ed-peterson-4-xln-xlnELLE DECOR

Friday-will-be-fabulousRedbook

Lucille-BallHarper’s BAZAAR

MoroccoDomaine

Banana_Leaf_Wallpaper_in_Green_and_Pink_design_by_York_Wallcoverings_aa448458-675c-428d-ad2a-0baa567e685a_2048x2048Burke Decor

Venetian-Painted-Armoire1stdibs

Have a wonderful weekend!

enjoy-hydrangea

The Decorating Way, Way Back Decorating With What You Love

Going back several years ago to houses of the past and the decorating way way back decorating with what you love stories they tell.

the-decorating-way-way-back-decorating-with-what-you-love

Dave the Builder and I have always been big on including family mementos in our decor. We strongly believe decorating house and home with items you love makes a house a home.

Jackson-Street-house-2

Photos of our former house(s) never fail to tug at my heartstrings.

first-house

Originally we purchased this house as an investment property, but it made financial and logistical sense (and cents) to just move into the property while we were in all-out renovation mode of our present home.

These photos were taken early 2000 when family and close friends gathered back at our home after my maternal grandmother’s funeral service.

My grandmother, a self-made woman and antiques dealer extraordinaire, taught me the world of antiques. I see her everyday when I glance at the many items given to us by her and proudly displayed throughout our home.

Jackson-fireplace

Decorative accents servings as anchors of the fireplace mantel consisted of two of my most treasured treasures. Placed proudly was a vintage rose bowl- an anniversary gift from Dave the Builder.

Spotted it in a friend’s antiques store, I commented to Dave how I wished I could find one similar to it in our treasure-hunting rounds. As soon as I opened the anniversary gift and saw the rose bowl I knew its new home would be on the fireplace mantel.

Of course, this was before my graceful handling resulted in its chip and crack demise.

the-decorating-way-way-back-decorating-with-what-you-love

On the other end of the mantel was the Hull Magnolia ewer that originally belonged to Dave the Builder’s paternal grandmother.

hull-magnolia-matte-ewer

In Dave’s bachelor days he used the ewer as a doorstop; a doorstop!

Dearest Dave,

This is an exquisite, mint condition piece of American pottery.  Please visit your local home improvement store for all your doorstop needs.

Your forever decorista,
Darleen 

parents-dining-room

Classic American antique pieces fit the period, style, and design of the house.

sw-mint

Color palette choices included Sherwin Williams Mint Condition and Fired Brick.

sw-fired-brick-framed

cousins-fla

Photos cast an altogether different color.

dining-room-fired-brick

Sherwin-Williams Fired Brick carried on to the first color draft of our dining room in our present home.

Proper lighting plays a pivotal role in realizing true color reads.

living-room-JS

Trends of late have ushered us towards painted furniture, neutrals as color, and new traditional modern furnishings.

built-ins-JS

They say you can’t go back, but you can remain true to your personal interior design and decor style without apology or comparison. It’s called decorating with what you love.

Darleen-signature-love

A Most Fetching Friday 10 Crystal Chandeliers

This Fetching Friday 10 crystal chandeliers shines a light on sparkling, brilliant and elegant statement lighting.

fetch·ing

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming, prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

ff-white-pitcherslightinfRaised in Cotton – REstyle Source

ff-Vanderbilt-CrystoramaCrystorama glamorama

ff-chandelier-farm-tablePinterest

fetching Friday 10 EbanistaEbanista- the first name in details.

fetching Friday 10 crystal chandeliers

crystal-chandelier-Ralph-Lauren-HomeRalph Lauren Home

crystal-flea-market-findFlea Market Style featured in Better Homes and Gardens

I hope yours is a most fetching Friday.

Love your style!

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