March 28, 2018

expressions of easter

March 28, 2018/ Meryl

when i think of Easter decor - of course there are bunnies - i picked this cutie up last year. i do like to have a bowl of chocolates handy.

for me though i've always loved eggs - these are hanging from the top of my highboy dresser and i've had them both quite a long time.

Eggs have traditionally symbolized new life, fertility and rebirth and are inextricably linked to Easter.

these made of paper mache are charming.

my absolute favorites are these delightful metal eggs based on Faberge designs.

The House of Fabergé founded in 1842 in St. Petersburg, Imperial Russia. The firm is famous for designing sumptuous jewel-encrusted Fabergé eggs for the Tsars of Russia; along with other elaborately jeweled creations.

an image of the master Carl Faberge sorting gems.

images from the 1996 Faberge Exhibit i attended at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

i purchased this book after viewing the exhibit.

some other touches from around the chalet.

current mantel decor.

these blue speckled wooden eggs were Rita's - i love the juxtaposition of them in this modern bowl.

this egg was a gift filled with chocolates from my sister.

the sideboard festooned with decor of the season.

cherry blosson from last spring 2.png.jpg

i'm wishing so very much for spring. this image of my cherry blossom is from April 2017.

hoping your world is warm and lovely.

Happy Passover!

Happy Easter!

til next time.

March 21, 2018

bits and bobs

March 21, 2018/ Meryl

this week's post is about the latest bits and bobs around the chalet since my last major excursion to the Black Rose Antique Center in November.

my most recent treasure showed up on my doorstep Monday. i was looking for a small blue and white vase and viola Shannon of Pepper Leigh Eclectic showed me this adorable square container and here it is ... shopping with Shannon is always so easy-peasy!

these were purchased March 2nd at my local consignment shop.

the Picasso book was $6 - granted the cover has seen better days but an art book for less than $10.00 Yes Yes Yes all day long. the inside is in great shape no foxing. the dish (or ashtray) was something i liked a lot and thought about; so of course when it was still there three weeks later - it was definitely coming home with me and the $7 price didn't hurt either!

this sweet little etching was found at a favor haunt Valley Vintage. i am forever drawn to snowy images - there are so very many around the chalet.

i mentioned Pepper Leigh Eclectic above - I stumbled across Shannon's feed on IG a few months ago - it's full of charming decor: brass bits, blue and white ceramics, silver and silver plate - bowls, plates, trophies, vases and bar-ware accessories. you should definitely click on the link and pop over.

since my first purchase - the little brass box made from the cover of a water meter - i've become a bit of a regular. everything in this image is from Pepper Leigh Eclectic.

ever bought something and have it quickly turn into your go-to piece? well this is exactly whats happened with the larger pitcher. it's been filled with blooms ever since it arrived at the chalet! i can't believe i didn't always own it!

i picked these up from that same consignment shop.

the little brass dish is Indian - and in fact i was actually looking for a little something - a third piece to anchor the water meter box and a sweet marble dish on the porch side-table.

that is not usually the case i can assure you. most things that end up in the chalet are just pretty things that have caught my eye or spark a memory.

the covered box is Tiffany. the pattern is called New York Toile. it's perfection.

here's the corner of the porch - you see the trio on the side-table.

odd numbers are always more pleasing to the eye.

check out the clipper ship - this is another piece from Shannon. isn't it fun? it reminds me of oh so many seafood themed restaurants of my youth - likes Pate's on the cape.

this antique blue ceramic Prattware meat jar was lovingly thrifted on my behalf by my sister and niece. i thank them very much. the color and the wild bore hunt scene are enchanting.

for the sake of my husband - there really hasn't been that much purchased...you'll notice there are multiple pieces in some images! haha!

bits and bobs: "an assortment of small items"

are you constantly on the hunt?

are you picking up objects centered around a theme? a color palette? maybe around a hobby... i know many friends on IG are collecting needleworks lately.

tell us what you're shopping for?

til next time.

March 14, 2018

indigo dreams

March 14, 2018/ Meryl

blue: the pure color of a clear sky; the primary color between green and violet in the visible spectrum...

over the last few years i have incorporated more and more of the color blue into the chalet design. there was a starting point and it was this shower curtain. i love stripes - man do i - i have more than a few Boden Breton t-shirts.

i remember working on a piece like this in my high school art class. the pattern the color - it conveys so much in it's simplicity of form.

my childhood bedroom which i originally shared with my older sister was yellow for years; it had - green curtains and pair of kelly green bedspreads with a small white floral pattern; then in my Laura Ashley phase the walls became white - accented with blue and pink patterned bedding and lastly it was this lovely blue. i was looking through albums and i'm bummed there aren't more images of the room i called home for more than half my life.

you can see i had a bit of art and had already started my @saynotoemptywalls obsession - two of these pieces are hanging upstairs in the chalet and the smallest is my treasured pen and ink of Edinburgh mom brought back for me from her trip. oh look at the plants - i miss those wide English Tudor window sills.

these scrumptious Hedgehouse headboard cushions were the catalyst for introducing blue in the master. these pillows are life-changing. i can't tell you how much like royalty they make you feel. the marvelous linen fabric is dreamy and the down feathers extremely heavy and dense - they are amazingly supportive and the tassel ... so fun!!! you need these in your life!

then i started in the livingroom. the couch and carpets give off a taupe vibe, (ok very taupe) but i do love them and i'm not sure what i'd do if i could scrap them - which i can not currently.... a blue couch? maybe... different rugs maybe? in my piece style love you saw a pattern: the designer's spaces i'm loving have an airy quality usually light colored accented with blue. not exactly the same sort of feeling as the chalet. but, that is exactly why i really like them... it's the opposite of the what i live with. i have this mid-century modern all white walls and dark sectional thing floating around in my head for the basement re-do (whenever that happens). this Target striped blanket was a fun addition. it's 100% cotton with fringe. i spy it so often all over IG and in the blogosphere.

this image... the corner of the mantel from last spring. this was when the blue light-bulb really clicked for me - i gathered images from Jane at Home, The Pink Clutch, Sue De Chiara and Pencil and Paper Co. and used their inspiration to pull this together.

i let my blue flag fly on the porch just look at it all!

i love it!

don't you adore the faux fur footstool i picked up recently at Home Goods. it was just what the porch needed a bit of whimsy - and honestly i have been sitting on it working on my puzzle - it's comfy too!

yes, i am an orange enthusiast, but give me navy all day long!

my recent trip to Home Goods yielded all these goodies! the new throw has found a home on the back of the beige velvet chair in the livingroom and for the first time in the kitchen i swapped out my regular orange dishtowels for some blue love. not sure why i waited so long.

my current obsession is this vintage chinese vase. i just started using it for flowers. isn't it great!

sometimes it's not just about what we live with in our homes, but seeing the color around us and finding joy - that's why i titled this piece indigo dreams.

the rose window in the Basilica of the Scared Heart in Newark NJ - stunning.