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Saturday, April 16, 2016

Ironstone, Linens & Transferware For Spring





Okay, what season would I ever be without these cottage basics? I only mention spring because it's strongly associated with cleaning up your act, and I iust finished doing a bit of just that!





Sweeping in corners is not exactly my strong suit. But a light case of spring fever sent me clearing and dusting. Thank goodness that's done for the year! Haha!





I am liking things a little more pared down these days, but there is the ever present search for a place for things you aren't using at the moment. Always a challenge in a little house. I do love decorating with things from nature and I keep my nests and twig wreaths year round.




This darling little number is dressing up the twigs for the moment. I don't buy every vintage baby gown I come across, but this beauty was truly exceptional with its flawless and deep hand crochet hem.





Just have a closer look. . . .





That gorgeous lace is as exciting to me as spring blossoms, and will last longer!





It's nice to have a mini changeup in this busy corner. (The set of little cafe fruit bowls are a recent find too.)




This chair seemed to need a little festoon today. And a frothy towel waits with the empty metal basket until it's needed again for who knows what. (Maybe a stack of creamy plates!)






I'm keeping less on this bench for the time being. It seems to be breathing easier already!









A dreamy little guest towel. Just because.





Now, where do I put all this stuff?










It will all make an unusual centerpiece for the time being. I'm thinking white roses in this transferware pitcher. I haven't had those in a long time. . . .





A super sized basket holds a TON of table linen right here. It lives at the corner of the dining table ready for anything.





Just looking at it makes me happy.

















Happy Spring days to you too!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Toodle-oo!

Jacqueline















Tuesday, April 12, 2016

French Ivory & White


The time or the light never seems to be right for putting together a post lately, but I just couldn't wait any longer to show you this wonderful tablecloth that I found from Jeanne d'Arc Living! It's a combination of cut work embroidery and ecru netting.



I'm a little obsessed with French Country Style lately, and always with the look of white and vintage linens. This piece is on the dressy side and could even be used as a curtain or a cover or throw on a bed or other furniture. Since it's brand new, I won't have to be as cautious as I might with an antique textile. It was love at first sight!




I am showing it off here with a mix of my old Wedgwood Queensware teacups and a few other recent finds.














I don't collect much milk glass, but how can you resist a piece like this? A big square cake stand with gorgeous details.





I had no yummy goodies at hand, so a sweet vintage plate (sorry, I don't know the pattern) and a teapot are perched on top for the moment.





The Aubusson pillow on the sofa is a recent find too and picks up the theme of ivory and white.





I had to sneak in a little brown transferware as well of course! In this case, a few dessert plates are held in lieu of sweets in another lovely little milk glass fruit or cake stand. (See the scalloped edge?)





Here are a few closer details.










Another fleamarket needlepoint pillow makes for a cozy seat for tea as well.





Isn't she sweet?




A little tatted vintage lace makes a nice companion.





I really love the way a change of accessories and linens can change the whole tone of a room.





Now all we need is a stop at the French pastry shop!

Ohh la la!

So glad you stopped by for a visit.

 Seems like we wait and wait for spring to come and then suddenly there is so much to do!

I hope you are having a great week!

Happy White Wednesday!

Jacqueline














Thursday, March 31, 2016

New Grain Sacks & Feeling Farmhouse



One of the things that I like about a neutral color scheme is how easily it translates into different styles.  Tweak it one way or another and you can get a whole new feeling for a space.




I recently stopped into a very small shop in a very small town and found a wonderful stack of grain sacks. Now if you live in farm country, that is nothing remarkable, but here in the desert southwest we have to get a little lucky.




I selected four of the best samples, and they washed up so nicely that I may have to go back for some more!




They add a lot to upping the farmhouse feeling around here, and I like that each one is different. I have always enjoyed seeing the luxury of a simple stack of vintage grain sacks and now I can have my own!




Even though I love the graphics and clean lines, I like a more romantic farmhouse style for myself than what you get with a strictly primitive style.




A few curves and softness adds to the appeal.




And nothing beats a beautiful stack of textured linens!




I usually keep the cupboard doors closed in the living room because I like a less busy tone, but I need a few sweet cows that are usually hidden away to add to the ambiance today.




This covered dish never gets enough press on the blog.




Ironstone jugs are a weakness of mine too.




I have been thinking about at a lot of light blue lately, but brown transferware, especially in the lighter patterns and colors, seems to have no season.




Who ever saw a farmhouse without an old dish cupboard?




Finally, this old flowered bowl adds just the right amount of romance to that farmhouse feeling for me.




The aged color, the rose sprays, and all that crazing just capture my imagination and transport me to another time.




I even love the speckled underside, and would display it on that side too.




I love the difference that just a few small changes can make once in awhile!















Are you feeling like changing things up a little lately too?

A little goes a long way for me.

Well, here we are at the end of March, and I know it is going out like a lion for a lot of you.

Wishing you many beautiful days ahead!

Jacqueline