Storage Dreams

Hello there,

Have you discovered Pinterest?  Seriously, if you haven't you must not be on the Internet very much or have your head in the sand because Pinterest is such a wonderful place to find all kinds
of amazing ideas for all sorts of things. 
Recipes, Decorating, DIY, Fashion, Inspiration, etc.

One day while perusing Pinterest I saw this picture:

I knew somehow, someday I would be able to replicate this gorgeous storage space.  Since we have purchased our townhouse, (yeah) we now can do whatever we like and that means that we can get started immediately!!!

There is a space that acts as a mudroom as you go out to the garage.  Really, its not used to its potential at all.  Currently there is one pathetic wire shelf that allows you to hang coats and store a few boxes above...but the wall space is completely wasted. 

That space is where we plan to build this storage wall....but take a look again...this isn't just any storage spot.

It is a custom made dream of old suitcases, boxes and crates...metal lunchboxes and tool kits.  I LOVE it.

So, keeping with my mantra this year of "use what you already have before you buy something", I started looking through my house to see what we had at hand...and here are a few of those items.

I love this old trunk..look at the details!!!

We happen to have about 5 old trunks, but I think I will only be able to use two of them in the space.

Cal said he can put castors on the bottom of them so they will slide out with ease.  He is amazing...

Comfy quilts and other snuggly items will fit in the trunks perfectly.

I am on the hunt for hard back suitcases...(hint hint) to any of my friends who may be reading this...I don't care really what color they are as I learned from one of my friends, Mrs. "N" that they can be painted.  As long as they are hard back I can use them...so far I haven't found any...but the hunt is part of the fun...

Are you wondering what I plan to put in those boxes and cases?  Well, winter hats and mitts, tapes, CD's, craft supplies, small tools, etc.  My idea is to use small shipping tags and other little trinkets to use to label each box and crate so I know what's in them.  What is the point of having organized storage if you have to look through them all to find what you need?!

I will post updates as it gets built...obviously it will be a work in progress as I find more items to use as storage.

Thanks for stopping by..

Shell

Mustaches & Men

I have always had a fascination for old pictures.  Most likely it started way back when I was around 13 years old.  My Mom lived in Gloversville, NY and one summer when I went to visit her she took me antiquing; and I bought my very first tin-type picture.  I fell in love with the colors of the picture, caramels, creams, and browns...they made the photo seem so deep.  The people in the photo seemed to look back at me with the intention to tell me their story...and since I didn't know what it was, I would imagine one up.  I would lean those pictures up against books on my shelves and use them in years to come as little decorations.  Sadly over time and many moves they were all lost....

Since I love Vintage items so much, I decided to incorporate them into my home style and even though it seems a bit odd to focus on a half bathroom, it still needs decorated, so I came up with the Mustaches & Men theme.  Here are a few images to explain...

Plans are to get 9 picture frames, paint them all black, keep a bit of the urban edge going, then put photos of men with wonderful facial hair, elaborate mutton chops, mustaches, etc.  I've been collecting old bottles and shaving items to add whimsical touches as well.  I am on the look out for just the right shelves and some other items, that is part of the fun of decorating isn't it?

It's amazing how you can look back to when you were just a young girl and see how something so random can influence you many years later.  Vintage decorating has been with me for a long time.

Hope you have a wonderul day...

Shell

Coming together...

Don't you love it when things start to "come together"?   You look around your house at the blank walls, the windows that need curtains, the spaces that need just the right touch....you've spent hours perusing magazines and blogs and library books for ideas that will inspire you.....spent countless amounts of time shopping at yard sales, thrift shops, antique shops and favorite little stores looking for those special items that you know will convey your style....

It seems like it takes forever, you want everything to look "just so" and you want it NOW!!!

Then one day you look around and exhale a little as you realize your house is starting to look like a home...not just any home...but YOUR HOME....and it's so nice....really it is.

Sure, you see things that need fine tuning, I mean those windows still have no curtains, and the living room needs some TLC and personalization and you'd like to add this and that here and there...and you've still not found a decent garbage can... but all in all, you can kinda sit back and enjoy how things are finally coming together....

And maybe, just maybe you can relax for just enough time to enjoy a little treat for all your hard work!



Creative bug bite

Hello,

Have you ever had a moment or two where your brain just amazes you and gives you some really neat ideas?

Well, this past weekend I was lucky enough to shop at Anthropologie; which is one of my all times besties...anyway, they had these napkins that looked like they had coffee cup stains on them.  Not for everyone, I know...

I have a linen table cloth that is getting kinda stained up from an adorable husband, and I really don't want to toss it just because of those little splatter marks, I like what I like...you know?  So, the creative bug bite has swollen my crafty side and this is what I am thinking...

I think you get the picture.

All I need is a couple items....I can find some at Michael's, craft book stores, and at home.

I can't wait!!!!

Promise to post a picture when it's done!!!

See ya!

Shelly

VINTAGE RINGS

Hello there friends,  

I was gifted a good deal of vintage jewelry that belonged to my Grandmother, my Great Aunt and my Aunt Angie...and I love it.  I am guessing you might love it too, so I will share some pictures
 here on this blog for us to enjoy together.

I am not too sure about the age of this ring, but I am 
guessing 1970's???  What do you think?  

This is a very "comfortable" ring to wear, and because of the variety of colors it goes with a lot of outfits!!

See ya next time....

Shelly

Some BODY to Love....

I have always wanted a dress makers form...and when I saw this beauty at Pier One Imports last year I put off my urge to spend  my hard earned money when I saw the price they were asking.

But....the other day, temptation got the best of me and I had to bring her home with me.

Look at the beautiful details...

How could I resist???

Shelly

A fresh take...

The snow has quit falling, the sun is back in town, so I planted some flowers to grace the front porch.  Of course, I can't just put them in any thing...its got to be vintage.  Hubby found me an old watering can, which I love and which I hope no-one steals from the porch...and a nephew-in-law gave me the old crate.  I think they make a lovely display.

I will share some more pictures later....

Have a good weekend!

I've got a crush on you....

Hello,

I am sharing some pictures of items that inspire my decorating tastes....I model my own home after these items, I hunt for these items, I find these items, and I adopt these items into our home where we love and cherish them.

Ok, ok, that may be taking it a bit far...but really and truly I do have a crush on the following:

Worn out leather chair...

Slouchy lazy couch......

Cafe chair....

Front Entry Table and goodies...

Oh, I guess this isn't really a vintage item, but it is a "must have" when you are shopping, don't ya think?

Till Next Time..........

"SHOE" ME YOUR VINTAGE STYLE.....

Hello again,

If anyone is reading this, it'd be nice to let me know.  For some reason I have not been able to find my blog on the internet even though the settings allow for anyone to follow.  
I will just have to spend some time working out the kinks...

Anyway, I wanted to share one of my favorite vintage finds.  We were told it was an old shoe store advertisement.  It is mounted on a big board covered in a dark green painted burlap fabric.

I just love the colors, and that big ol' water stain on the front of the shoe.

The salesman wanted $75.00 for it and I asked if he would take $50.00.  He agreed and now it is the first thing you see as you enter our house.

I "shoe" hope you have a wonderful day.

Shelly

GOING VINTAGE CAN BE GROOVY....

I've been on the hunt for a couch for over four years now.  Knew I wanted something unique, not into the cookie cutter matching sets you find in the department stores. 


 My first choice would be something from  The Pottery Barn... 
a fat over-stuffed sectional; but really, seriously, just can't afford their prices.

Yesterday I was looking at classifieds and came across this couch that had a gorgeous shape, but very ugly fabric....see what I mean?

I saw way past it's looks...a diamond in the rough just waiting to be polished into a gem.

We got it for $100.00!!!

Hubby and I set it up in our living room last night and I draped neutral colored quilts over it to make it more presentable until we can take it to be reupholstered.

Sometimes when you see a Vintage piece you have to look past it's PAST....and see it transformed into what you want it to be in the present.  I could have passed up a great couch at a great deal just because of a first impression.  Imagine it in a month or two when its been reupholstered......a Groovy Vintage Find.