Lacy Whites at Cabin & Cottage

Nothing shows off the textures of white quite like lace. Sometimes just a touch can make all the difference-- like the bit of lace at the edge of this lamp shade. But a lot of surfaces have a lace-like quality that mimics the real thing. White on white embroidery has that effect. This urn lamp even has lacy handles.
This lacy sheer flocked curtain panel has a tracery pattern that shows off best next to a dark surface or through a sunlit window. And chiffon and lace go together like a pinafore and a little girl! So sweet.
A lacy cloth draped over almost anything brings romantic drama to a space.
The airy flower garland border of this picture frame compliments the lace worn by the Victorian Lady pictured within. Who is she dreaming of?
But lacy cream-ware china has to be my all time favorite. Here it's layered on whitework napkins with a narrow hand crocheted lace trim.
And who thinks of metal as being lacy? But here's the proof. Iron porch trim often has a lacy pattern.
As does this leafy metal chandelier.
Even an ornate ceiling tile has a lacy look.
The French can make anything lacy. Even a wooden clock!
And then of course there there are the numberless types of lace itself.
Hand made and crocheted lace in ecru.
A lace edged shelf adds so much to a space and really dresses up a linen closet.
Here fillet lace and cut work hand towels drape like flowers from a wicker basket.
The ever popular Pineapple pattern doily layered over a fleur de lis runner.
And antique french silk curtain panels! OOOh la la! Can you say "tres chic"?
Finally lace tablecloths. Can one ever have enough? Though a little goes a long way--my preference is to have only touches of lace in a room--I never tire of admiring lace's endless variety and intricate beauty. Different white color tones layered together is especially pleasing to me.

Have a Happy White Wednesday! And thanks again to Kathleen at Faded Charm http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ for hosting my favorite post of the week, and where you can find links to much more white! Au revoir! Thanks for stopping by!

The Colors of Cottage



Springtime at the shop means the door can stand open again to welcome visitors.







It also means that it's time to showcase cottage pastels. Winter seems to be best for elegant and Frenchified all white schemes seen so much in California.



And summer lends itself best to the chippy and rusty whites of Texas. Junk style.





But the mixed florals and pastels belong to Spring and the Pacific Northwest.



There's a lot of overlap of course. And I would really HATE to have to stick to only one style.



But the new season begs for the color of rose gardens.



Flower painted tins, pots, and trays all mixed together if possible.



Time also for layers of chenille with a cheery quilt at the end of the bed just in case.



If ever there is a time to over use pink, this is it! I really could only do that for one season anyway. Here's wishing you all the pastel your springing heart can hold. Thanks for stopping by!

Marcia's House On Stage

Marcia's Santa Barbara home has just been staged for sale. The wet El Nino year (or is it La Nina?) has done something marvelous for the landscaping which can often be more about cutting back than anything else.



The few things Marcia and Richard added often came from thrifting. Something they're old hands at.



These sunny scenes came just before yet another unseasonal rainfall.



The lush garden is typical for Santa Barbara. Gorgeous!







The cheery porch is as much a pleasure to look at as to sit on!



The welcoming front door.




Marcia and Richard are used to living with their beautiful and extensive collection of art and antiques. Most of their fine pieces are family heirlooms. The majority of their things are put in storage to showcase the wonderful architecture of the home. The side benefit is that they already have a head start on the eventual move! These upholstered pieces were simply switched with those in another room of the house.



The re-arrangement of accessories gives a new pleasing aspect to the dining room.



The table stays set with just the beginning requirements of a beautifully laid dinner party (we had that later).



Even the china collection is edited a bit to show it off it better.




Great-grandfathers portrait (really) was switched from living to dining room as if he might join in the dinner conversation! And grandmother's tea set stands ready.



Very little was changed in the breakfast area where Marcia displays her beloved transfer-ware collection. Some of her pieces are souvenirs from a "girl" trip with her daughter to England. (Or France?)





The movable kitchen island was removed and opens up the space to appear much more spacious. I love the creamy cabinetry!



One of Marcia's own works is showcased above the bed.





Marcia and Richard's daughter and son are already away at school. No hardship to pare down this room.



Rachel Ashwell's sheets appear in the loveliest places. This old iron bed turned up in one of their treasure jaunts.




As did this lovely lady. One of many in Richard's collection on temporary reassignment.



This guest room was one area that may have been most dramatically altered. It was their teen-aged son's room. More need saying?

I've always said that I liked my house best the day we got the keys and it still sat completely empty. I've been working hard to get it closer to that these days. Jermaine from French Kissed
http://french-kissed.com/(also Santa Barbara) says that we should stage our homes to dwell instead of staging to sell. In agreement, Marcia thinks she will have her new home staged when she finally gets to move in. Bravo! Ciao! Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Best

I've had my trestle table for thirty-three years now. It was refinished once when the original became rough with constant use due to a move to smaller quarters and a promotion from being merely elegant to the status of every day type stuff. But oak stands up, and a little face lift restored its beauty. It seats fourteen easily, and has done so many times.


But my aging table has become more of a shrine these days. Oh yes, it gets regular workouts when the family tide is in. But it no longer keeps long hours doing homework, all night sewing marathons, holding table service clutter dawn to dusk, and an endless string of holiday projects. It has become, rather, a place hallowed by its history. A sea of calm, a waiting platform, a holding station.

And since Sunday dinners have very long ceased to cater to a restless row of mostly boys in rumpled white shirts fresh from church, the table now seems to beg to stage a few relics on its top on its new days of rest. Maybe a favorite place setting. Or something fresh, cheery, and charming at its center.



As these old planks may hold the center of our home together for some time to come, the top is plainly deserving of more attention, and of wearing a bit of lavish this and that while it takes its leisure between duties. I think I may have to take a little more care, to offer an occasional gesture of praise, and to light a candle or two. To always keep a lovely mantle laid over this altar at the heart of my life.