So, I’m going through some of my husband’s childhood photos and come across this little gem.  “Touch the lion boys, really…it’s OK!” Wow.  SO framing this – supersized.
Category: Just for fun
I See a Red Door……
….and I want it painted black…..
It was only a matter of time… I had to have a black room. I’ve seen so many beautiful ones in the past year and I wanted to play too. The dining room was one of the few rooms we hadn’t painted before moving in, so it’s been on the list for awhile. Feeling a bit worn out with the process of getting the siding out to bid, I decided to focus on a small, instant gratification project. Hello, French Bulldog Black from Martha Stewart’s Valspar line.
BTW, this is how we renovate. (That’s how the mailbox got done towards the end of the kitchen remodel.) When faced with a big project that is very involved with tons of planning and details, we get impatient and need to feel like we are moving forward…so we go completely off task for a weekend with a “play” project. I guess we could call it the attention deficit approach to remodeling, but neither of us have ever been diagnosed…..yet.
I worry that keeping the chair rail white will make it feel too traditional, especially because I have this big traditional buffet (that I want to go away!) I hate the temporary lampshades, and I don’t have a place for the cookbooks yet, but all in good time…I will have it worked out. This is just a start.
For those who like these kind of details: The photo over the buffet is by Jon Armstrong at Blurbomat. Deer “trophy” from Cardboard Safari. White MCM glasses are a recent score from my fave antique store in Chicago. Fawns are (2) Roselane and (1) Northern Pottery…all 3 found on e-bay. Dining room table is a Pottery Barn Shelton just scored half price a few months ago. Chairs are PB’s Marais knock-off, BUT I got them a few years ago at the Pottery Barn Outlet for $60 each. All in all, an extremely inexpensive makeover.
We’ve had our fix, and now it’s back to research, negotiations, no shows, fuzzy math….
Identity Crisis
I found this little gem at the flea market a few weeks back and in trying to research it, came up with very little. I was quite surprised..it’s not exactly high end, so I figured it was mass produced…but haven’t found a peep online or in my books. Manufacturer Jonken in Maspeth, New York.   US Patent # 2852221. The leg was supposedly patented in September 1958 by someone named Steiner.   The class is 248/188. That’s about all I could find.
The underside of the top is MDF and the glossy top is plastic or resin with a faux Mother of Pearl look. Oh well. It may remain a mystery, but my $15 bargain is very happy in its new home.
Keep ’em Guessing
Need a fun, unpretentious Valentine’s Day gift? Talk about a bargain, Fred Flare’s ring yes, no, maybe is pretty cute, not to mention and big and chunky to give it the mod vibe.
I love the idea of the groovy OrienTales box filled with something personal from Unica. Designed for Alessi, this whole line is fun and affordable. Check out the egg cups on their site.
Year of the Ox
Monday, January 26th is the Lunar New Year and for those, like myself, who relish joining in the celebration, finding your party supplies or other such items can be tough if you like a “less is more” modern style. Being a bit crafty, I do like simple things that can be made to my taste such as the plum blossoms that I found on Kaboose this year, but with my own modifications. I used real branches instead of chenille stems.  Group 2 or 3 of these in a nice vessel with some moss around the bases will look festive yet minimal. Gong Hei Fat Choi!
Avian Obsession
So, those who know me know I got thing for birds – at a distance – I’m not a crazy bird lady who keeps flocks in cages, but I love watching them outdoors and having them as a motif in my home. Birds are not just for the holidays, but all year round! For example: The felt birds would be great in a grouping over a crib! Here is small sampling of some cool birds out there…some new, some have been around awhile, but IMHO I deem to be classic – and affordable.
