Pumpkins + Blue and White = Perfect Fall Decor

I took this image, among others, of the Fall touches I was adding around my home to share with @auctionninja

I was so honored that they invited me to write an article about my love of blue and white and how I like to add touches of seasonal decor to my existing collections. 

The link to the article is here.

They also created a fun Instagram Reel that you can watch here.

They have a great blog full of informational posts about all types of vintage, how to source it and the how to be sure you are getting great vintage for your home. Be sure to follow along on their IG and website.

 

Thrifting for Your Home is the Ultimate Recycling

Thrifting home decor is the ultimate recycling or, at least, that is how I feel about it. 

We celebrate Earth Day this week and focus on greener, cleaner practices and think about sustainability, fair trade, repurposing, reusing and recycling. Hopefully there are things we all do that go far beyond this single day to positively impact our planet. But it's always a good time to reevaluate our practices and plan to do more in our efforts to preserve and conserve.

I think thrifting and shopping vintage definitely qualifies as a sound, sustainable practice. Items are kept out of landfills and impulse purchases of trendy items are hopefully reduced. It is educating to see vintage and antique items that have been around a long time and were well used but are still be viable, desired even. 

One of the things that I feel checks all the sustainability boxes is thrifted bamboo furniture.

 It's a lesson in, and of, itself:

"Eco-friendly, strong and stunning, bamboo is ideal for creating sustainable furniture. Bamboo grows rapidly, requires no chemicals to thrive, offers maximum strength and durability and shines in its warm, rich tones. Bamboo creates eco-friendly furniture of the finest magnitude."  via

I don't think you could find a better argument than above for bamboo furniture's many earth friendly qualities but when you add in thrifting that piece of furniture then you add in another positive layer.

Vintage bamboo items are proof that not only is bamboo easily and responsibly replenished but it lasts and has style and appeal that spans the decades. If you think it is 'trendy' right now then, yes, it is popular with lots of people in lots of styles but bamboo furniture is a classic. Cultivating and building with bamboo can be traced back 7,000 years. There are examples of many styles of bamboo furniture in many different cultures. 

I love when I find an amazing vintage or secondhand bamboo piece for my home. I love its qualities, warmth, and texture. 

I truly believe every room could use a touch (or more) of fabulous, sustainable, thrifted bamboo!

My motto is #nobambooleftbehind when I go thrifting :)

All images are from my home - inside and out. 

There are many items that can be thrifted and repurposed or put to good use in our homes. What's your favorite? You know mine, bamboo furniture!

"Monkey See, Monkey Do" Has A Fancy Name!

 Singerie is basically the "fancy" name for "monkey see, monkey do!"

Singerie is a French word for “Monkey Trick” and is the name given to arts depicting monkeys aping human behavior. The Singerie was popular as far back as Ancient Egypt, and, in medieval times, scribes frequently drew monkeys in the margins of manuscripts to mimic man and his foibles. Flemish engraver Pieter van der Borcht introduced the Singerie around 1575 in a series of prints and this encouraged other Flemish artists to begin depicting monkeys dressed in human attire. By the 18th century, Singeries found their way to France where they became extremely popular.You can read more about the history of Singerie here.

Monkeys aren't for everyone but I definitely enjoy a touch of Singerie in my home. I campaigned long and hard as a pre-teen to be given a pet monkey for Christmas. It was a hard 'NO!' so I compensated for a while with a stuffed toy monkey named Magnolia and now I've moved on to some thrifted Chinoiserie monkeys.

I love the soft colors of my "bookish" monkey but I have a couple of blue and white Chinoiserie monkeys too. 

This guy is the "heavy lifter" (he was my first Singerie find!) and has ended up holding a variety of things over the years - sponges by the sink, Christmas ornaments, mini pumpkins and more. 

He does some of his best work hanging out on the bar cart and offering up citrus fruits!

My other blue and white Chinoiserie monkey is a vase. He hung out in the kitchen over the Christmas holidays.

When I redid my downstairs Powder Room for the Spring 2020 One Room Challenge I gave a not so charming lamp a makeover and now the monkeys on the lamp look rather dapper. Be sure to go see the lamps' before picture on that post - it's amazing what white spray paint can do.

I'm always on the look out for Singerie pieces when I'm thrifting.

What about you? Any monkey business at your house?