Ugly Ducklings and Beautiful Things

I'd seen these poor stools in the op shop a few times but had decided that, even at $1 each, they were beyond redemption. Then I started to take a bit more notice and, ignoring the hideous vinyl cover stapled to the top, I realised that the metal legs had a nice shape. So I prised back the vinyl on one of them, and saw red leather. I paid my $2 and liberated them:

I see one of my missions in life as rescuing such ugly ducklings and trying to make them beautiful, not always successfully. In this case it was easy. The red leather is gorgeous and just required a bit of stitching:

This little cupboard was also $1. I loved the wheels, handle and shabby cream paint, but hated the chipboard which had been roughly screwed on top:

A clean and a bit of black paint and it looks a lot better, don't you think?

Now I have somewhere to store my glasses:

These lovely jars, on the other hand, didn't require any work. They are beautiful in their simplicity. Three of them have labels under glass, which is very exciting, and they all have their stoppers. I was quite amazed to see apothecary jars at an op shop. I have always wanted some but was not prepared to pay exhorbitant prices. At $13 each, these were a bargain:

As was this grey and white striped jug which, along with two identical but larger ones, was only $4:

P.S. Thank you to everyone who supported my previous two posts. It was not my intention to cause worry for the wrong people, but I inadvertently did. So, after careful consideration I have deleted the posts.

I'm Loving...

Some recent op shop finds, such as my disco ball decoration:

Tea glass tea-light holder and 'Provencal' saucer::

Two green and white plates, vase and white bowl:

Two resources for my trip: 'Paris Chic and Trendy' which was recommended by sfgirlbybay (Thanks, Victoria, it's a great read):

And 'Moroccan Interiors', given to me by my lovely sister and Op-shopping partner, Kate (who I'll miss terribly):

A Boatshed Aesthetic

Just thought I'd share these images which, to me, capture the essence of a relaxed, seaside atmosphere without compromising on style. There are so many aspects which I love, I don't know where to start. In the images of the first house, on Water Island, east of New York City, I love the mosquito net, white cane furniture, flowers, shells, cushions, interior lining boards, exposed beams, wall-mounted china and mattress ticking cushions:






More of the same in this one on Sag Harbour, Long Island:

Then, the stressed walls, iron furniture and Louis-style chair in this gorgeous house in Cadaques, Costa Brava, Spain:



I think the common elements are the use of natural materials, the restraint in the use of 'seaside' elements, and the faded, slightly shabby patina of all three residences. All images courtesy of Seaside Interiors by Taschen.

Reinterpretation of a Table

When I walked into the second-hand furniture shop a couple of weeks ago, this cane table called out to me to be rescued. As most people who've dropped into my blog are aware, I love reinterpreting furniture, but even I was appalled by the brown paint and the fact that the top had been covered with dirty old linoleum (who does that?)

So, two coats of paint later, here it is and I'm absolutely in love. Decorated with some other recent op shop finds such as a shell and some Johnson and Meakin china, along with some flowers from the garden, it's difficult to recognise that poor, sad old table.

Still Life

These exquisite rooms are from the March 08 edition of Harper's Bazaar (Australia). They are of fashionista Belinda Seper's home in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. I love the black-and-white painted floor, the wall colours, cushions and above all, the way the furniture in each room is 'composed', as it were, as if in a painting. The overall effect is eclectic and elegant.

Thanks to my lovely son, Tom for his scanning expertise.

Eye Candy

These are some lovely images of a house in U. K. Country Living from August 2007. I love the china, the colours, the mismatched furniture, and the way the owner doesn't let the house become too flowery or chintzy. He balances florals with metal beds, tables and chairs, as well as a stone floor, in order to restrain and refine the look. As part of this restraint, he has also mixed in some mid-century pieces.

Grandma Chic Deconstructed

Now, if I understand it, vintage laminex benchtops, silver spoons and bone-handled knives,

Etched glasses and vintage plates,

Mismatched cups and saucers,

A floral curtain across a cupboard,

A patchwork quilt,

A vintage tablecloth made into a cushion,

A chair cushion made out of vintage fabric,

Mismatched florals on the cushions and sofa,

A floral teacup and saucer, and a rolled up pink and white crocheted rug,

should all add up to one chic grandma.

The Library

This post is for all my all librarian friends (you know who you are) and arose out of two seemingly disparate events which occurred on the same day earlier this week - seeing the film 'Atonement' and researching a trip to Thailand. The film's library scene, top image, prompted me to muse on how much I love libraries. Lo and behold, later that day, I found a resort on the internet at Koh Samui, Thailand, called The Library, which has sculptures of reading figures dotted around the grounds, and a restaurant called The Page (second two images). I do think a ladder should be an essential ingredient in a library, so the next two images, from Domicilium Decoratus and Elle Decoration January 2008 edition, illustrate this perfectly. Below this is possibly my favourite library image from my most favourite house in the world - Janet de Botton's house in Provence, from Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens People. The bottom image, also from January Elle Decoration, combines two of my favourite things - books and plates on shelves.