Thinking About "Ordinary"

 

It is Epiphany Sunday. I usually post* a picture of my big, vintage camel from an old store display but since Epiphany Sunday is sometimes called Three Kings Day I decided to share three thrifted wisemen. Whichever name you use for the day, Epiphany (officially yesterday) historically and by tradition, marks the end of the Christmas season. It is followed by what is known as ”ordinary time” in the church calendar. I’ve been thinking about the term ordinary a lot recently- really since late last fall. There have been so many posts recently on social media about New Years Resolutions and “word of the year” and grids of letters where the first four words you see are “your words” for the year. All good and positive things if you wish to participate but I have not done any of the above. My goal for 2024, after much thought about this, is to appreciate, enjoy, celebrate “ordinary” this year. We are bombarded by so many external stressors (the economy, politics, war, illness and more) that I just want to be glad, to be thankful when I get to do the ordinary. I know that could be different for each person but I want to find daily joy in some basic, ordinary, every day type of thing in each day - even if difficult things try to overshadow it. When did “ordinary” become a negative thing? I’m not going on the trip of a lifetime, doing major home renovations or anything over the top (that I know of!) to share on social media this year. But I am going to celebrate my every day ordinary because somewhere there is someone who would like to have “ordinary” happening in their lives and it isn’t. I hope you’ll join me in welcoming and celebrating “ordinary” this year.

*I originally posted these thoughts on Instagram but decided that I also wanted it to mark the beginning of the new year on the blog. 

Get It Together!!

I think that thinking about getting organized is one of the most popular "to-do" tasks at the beginning of the year. You can order all kinds of organization items online but a lot of my favorites are items I've thrifted or found in vintage shops and have repurposed for organization. Often this is a much more interesting and economical way to get storage and organization pieces. Sometimes you have to be patient, thrift, and slowly find all the pieces you need but I think it is worth it. 

One of my favorite pieces in my house is this vintage bamboo china cabinet that I have used for over 10 years as the linen closet in my closet-less primary bathroom. Sometimes you have to use your imagination. 

The bamboo china cabinet is filled with vintage wicker suitcases that I thrifted over time. The suitcases store all kinds of bathroom necessities that are not necessarily attractive. They can be found in every size imaginable and are inexpensive. They also stack beautifully so you can get a lot of storage space using them. They add warmth and texture, plus a touch of the unexpected, to the bathroom.

I'm not kidding when I say I hide everything you need in a bathroom in vintage wicker and bamboo suitcases.

The primary bath isn't the only place I use stacked, vintage wicker baskets and trunks. Almost every shelf unit in my home has at least one wicker or bamboo storage piece. 

The bamboo trunk in my entry way holds our candle stash.

And the small bamboo boxes, on the coffee table below, hold all of our remotes, chargers and other little items that seem to accumulate in the room where we watch TV.

More bamboo lidded baskets storing all kinds of little things all around the house. 

I went on my first thrift store visit of the year today and there were two  bamboo/wicker suitcases there! It's easier than you think to find creative storage. 

Happy Organizing!

Just Peachy!

 Peaches are at their peak in the Deep South and we can't get enough!

They are such a beautiful fruit and our whole kitchen smells "peachy" because we bought a ton from Mercier's Orchard in North Georgia. We went to preview a wedding venue with friends - they've asked me to style and coordinate their wedding which is going to be so much fun and so special. The venue was beautiful and not far from the best fruit orchard in North Georgia. Serendipity!

Peaches are a tender fruit so they have to be eaten quickly or you have to do "something" with them. 

The first thing I did was use some slices to garnish sparkling rose. It only takes seconds to add a special little touch to things and it makes all the difference. 

Our absolute favorite way to use peaches is to first grill them. If you haven't been eating grilled peaches on everything and anything you are missing out. It gives them the best taste and texture. 

Simply split your peaches and remove the pit. I use our electric grill on medium heat. I give the grill a light spray of avocado oil and then place the peach skin side down on the grill. Grill for about 6 minutes and then flip the peach and grill for 4-6 more minutes. 

They are delicious on summer salads - we used mixed greens or baby spinach, burrata (just pinch off bite size pieces), toasted pecans and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. You can add grilled chicken for a heartier salad. All those fresh tastes together - so delicious. 

We really like using our grilled peaches Caprese style. Instead of tomatoes with mozzarella we use our grilled peaches. Snip some fresh basil from the herb garden and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

And grilled peaches make the best summery dessert. 

Just place your grilled peach half in a small bowl, add a dip of creamy vanilla ice cream, a sprig of mint and drizzle with your favorite local honey. So simple but so delicious!

We have so many peaches that we are trying something new! I cut my peaches in half, removed the pits and put them in freezer baggies. Later on when we want grilled peaches with our dinner or some ice cream I'm going to pull them out, thaw them and grill them right up! I think it will work perfectly.

A touch of peachy summer after the growing season is over!

Chinoiserie Carpet Balls

Carpet Balls are pretty much just what they sound like - they were originally used for playing a bowling type game inside on carpet. The game originated in Scotland (according to most sources) in the 19th century.

 The game is played much like Bocci, Boules or British Lawn Bowling - just inside on carpet. The porcelain balls were originally painted with plaid, stripe or small flower designs in greens and reds. 

I'm not sure when the chinoiserie designs began appearing on them but all colors and designs of carpet balls have become very popular collectors items.

 They can range in price from a few dollars at a thrift store to hundreds for very old celadon glazed ones. 

I have found all of mine in thrift stores for just a few dollars each. 

I don't see them often but I grab them when I do. 

Be sure to check local vintage shops, eBay and Etsy as well.

 Check online auction/estate sale spots like Auction Ninja. 

I've seen them at estate sales in person and online.

If  you haven't had any luck thrifting some or finding any vintage ones 

new chinoiserie carpet balls are readily available as a decor accent. 

I'll link some below. 

A reasonably priced set of 6 on Amazon.

These are slightly larger 4" carpet balls and come in a set of 3 from Amazon.

Palm Sunday

A few palm fronds in a thrifted champagne bucket.

 I had polished the large one but the smaller one was still tarnished.

 It seemed like a metaphor for Palm Sunday. 

 

Feeling Green (Color Theory)

I have always been intrigued by the psychology of colors. Especially their impact on how they make us feel when they are used in our environment. I had quite a few college classes dealing with this - both when psychology was my minor, in art classes when I changed my major to textile design and then in a marketing/advertising focused class or two when I was a journalism major. Perhaps I should have taken a class on committing to a major. No need, my dad handled it by letting me know it was time to wrap things up as my life as a college student was coming to an end. Or at least the parental funding was!!

It all worked out but I still think about color psychology often, especially at the beginning of the year when paint companies and designers make their color trend forecasts or when I'm about to start a project at my home. So, I thought that perhaps this intrigues you as well and maybe we'd all like to know more about why we are drawn to certain colors. 

I could have gone in ROY G BIV or rainbow order but I keep seeing the statement "Green is having a moment this year" or people stating that they are really drawn to green lately. So I'm starting with green. I love green, I use it a lot and I think green as a color is great but an even better addition to a room is a green living element - plant, flowers, branches. 

Green is the color of nature. It is considered calming - it is actually shown to slow human metabolism and the result is a calming effect. Many feel that green reduces stress. So now that we know it's calming, reduces stress and connects us with the outside is it any wonder that we are seeing green everywhere right now?? If ever we needed these three benefits from a color it is NOW!

Over the past few months, four major paint brands announced that some type of green would be its color of the year for 2022. Behr went with a light sea-glass green called Breezeway; PPG Paints chose a neutral gray-green called Olive Sprig; Benjamin Moore picked a soft sage green called October Mist; and Glidden chose a creamy plant-inspired green called Guacamole. It’s no coincidence that the names and descriptions of all these shades hint at something natural or organic. According to environmental psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD, principal at Design With Science, this influx of green likely stems from our deep-rooted connection to nature and its supportive qualities. via wellandgood.com

These are some "green scenes" from my own home. I use a lot of green - painted and live. I almost think of green as a neutral in many of my spaces. 

Do you use green in your home? Are you thinking that it might be time to add some green to your spaces. Do you like plants? 

I love plants and I have a theory about having them in our homes. I hear people say that they don't have live plants in their rooms because they don't have a green thumb and they die. Well, when you buy a $10.00 floral bouquet at the grocery store you have zero expectations of it lasting more than a week. Even if you don't have much of a green thumb a $15 plant is going to last a month or two at least. And some of them might surprise you and do better than you think. I have a pretty green thumb but I do lose plants from time to time. And some do better than expected. They add so much to your space - take the risk!

This $8.00 Jasmine from Trader Joe's has doubled in size in 2 weeks and is about to burst into blooms. I just make sure it is not completely dried out and has good light. It has surprised me!

And the topiaries (first picture) on my green bamboo table on the porch? I call them "faux-piaries" because they are all fake - pretty good looking ones and they add a nice touch of green to a room. 

Here is a favorite green from Sherwin Wiliams: Talipot Palm . It's about to show up on a small project at my house.

And our porch floor is Lounge Green. I get asked all the time!

Not sure about the power of green paint. Look at this before and after!

Go green! That's my advice :)

January!! How Did That Happen??

 My previous post was titled "December!! How Did That Happen?" and before I could post another thing we are 10 days in to a new year. How DID that happen??

I don't have any resolutions to post. I don't have a word of the year. I am starting to think a little bit about a project or two but really, honestly, there isn't much going on around here. You are probably thinking "then why is she even putting a blog post up right now?" I've had that same thought ;)

We have been admiring Cooper's ability to ease very, very slowly in to the new year!

He is basically a professional!

I haven't been much more energetic either.

It's cold in the South (20's at night and we aren't very tough when it comes to the 20's!!) 

I'm channeling Cooper and being lazy and wearing thick wool socks. Mollie and I are hooked on these socks from Target!! They are the only thing keeping my perpetually cold feet happy right now. 

Another thing I wanted to share is the link for one of my zebra rugs. I have been answering the "where do you find your zebra rugs?" question on my Instagram pretty often lately.

The zebra rug in the Library (foreground) is one of my all time most amazing thrifting finds. The whole story is here. It is an Ethan Allen wool rug that is amazing quality and huge.

The zebra rug in my entry way is an Amazon find and available at a great price. 

I have it in the gray colorway but I've always been tempted to buy it in the black and white version as well! For those of you thinking I have two many zebra rugs - you may be right!!

In addition to  snoozing with Coop and answering DM's about zebra rugs I have been doing a deep dive into this Instagram account. Lots of inspiration!

And I've been trying to figure out how to make and where to put a chandelier like this one. Once I saw this image I was hooked. They are in a boutique hotel in Orlando - all the info I have. I'm thinking sticks and coral-y red paint would be a good starting point. Where, oh, where could I hang one??

That's truly all I've got for now. Hoping for more motivation soon. 

And warm sunny weather!! That motivates me :)

Chatting "Vintage" with Stacy from @capitolvintagecharm

 I had the great privilege (and a ton of fun, too) of being the guest of a fantastic, informational and upbeat "program" on Instagram. 

I love Stacy's collected, layered look.

Stacy Harvie who can be found @capitolvintagecharm on IG hosts IGTV segments she calls "Charm" Schools. She's so clever! They are full of lots of interesting information about our favorite topic - vintage items. 

She interviews fellow vintage collectors, dealers and enthusiasts and we chatted about bamboo and rattan furniture. You can find our segment here. 

Stacy's feed and her "Charm" Schools are an unending source of great information , beautiful vintage finds, and more. She has a great logo too.

 (I think I need to up my "brand" game and create something really "me" to use!)

Stacy lives in Washington DC so we have that in common. I spent my school years in the District and vicinity. She's a Southerner - She's from Louisiana and I'm from Charleston, SC. We both love family heirlooms, thrifting and really any venue for vintage shopping, and, of course, bamboo and rattan furniture! It is amazing that this IG app has helped so many of us find friends! 

Stacy's lovely bedroom full of pattern color and vintage goodies.

I just wanted to share a little about Stacy because we all need fun distractions these days and Stacy's IGTV's are worth the watch! (I think better than a lot of what's on "real" TV. I actually have watched a ton of great IGTV "shows" over the last year and have learned and/or been inspired by so many great feeds!) ) Do you have any favorites?? 

PS. Stacy has a Chairish Shop and an Etsy Shop!