Sunday Snippets

I love little snippets of homes. I'm always finding a picture of a corner I want to be transported into. I used to do a post every Friday called Friday's Favorite Corner showing little spots in our home and tell about the pieces there so the boys will one day know what all this stuff is that I have lying about. I gave up on it when I think I covered just about every little nook I could find. Well, hardly. But I forgot about that "series" just the same. Here's one of my favorite little nooks in the study. It's a quiet spot where you can sit and daydream. Looks like Abby and Bella have snagged this corner for the day.

Perhaps now I should start a little post on the Financial Times' House & Home section each weekend. It is always full of goodies for the eye to behold. A couple of week's back, the hub pulled this section for me. I have to admit, I have been downright lazy when it comes to reading anything this summer; and so there it sat.

Until this morning when I finally decided to go through my rather large stack of newspapers and even larger stack of magazines and catalogs. Well, I only got as far as the FT. Everything else still sits on the kitchen table waiting for me to go through. I must just be ADD these days as I can't seem to sit and finish any one project at any given time. Geesh.

It's hard to see in this photo, but this is the most delightful shade of deep delphinium blue I have ever seen, perhaps even an ocean blue. Now I'm thinking of using this color in the main bath at Riverside. To not be a "blue" person, I sure am using a lot of blue paint down there! Hmmm? Don't you just love the simplicity of this bath? (To see better photos and read the article, you can go here.)

Here's another shade of bluish purple. Another simplistic room that caught my eye.

I adore this entryway. I've always loved the primitive/folk artsy look. The creams are so soothing for the soul.

And who doesn't love shades of white? Doesn't this balcony look dreamy? Perhaps I could curl up here and read to my heart's desire? That is, if there weren't any bugs to bother me.

All of these snippets can be found in Stafford Clilff's "1,000 Home Ideas." Looks like it's available in the UK, but not yet in the US. Bugger.

Friday's Favorite Corner (Spot)

I had to share with you Mother Earth's new residence in our home. She is smack-dab in the middle of our family room. It is here that she can see all that goes on in the household with a good view of the back yard to make sure all is well outside. I doubt she would be happy without a good view of her splendid land. (She needs to be a little higher, but this is as far as I could reach on a step ladder--grin.)

I found these vintage bird nest prints and had them matted and framed. I love the robin-egg (or Tiffany) blue. I then added some nests on top of each sconce to pull it all together. I love the red, blue and green all mixed together. (Guess that's why I liked the Red & Aqua swap, duh; it just dawned on me!) I've always (since I moved into

my first apartment) had a red accent wall with a teal or sagey green wall elsewhere. (The wall behind my bookshelves are now painted a deep, deep red.) Since this house had a more traditional-style plan, I went with the sagey green walls in the dining room and family room. I have yet to paint the foyer and kitchen. Well, actually, parts of the kitchen are painted a butter cream yellow--definitely a work in progress.

Each year at the TACA Fair, my first stop is at Asia Mathis' booth. She does the most extraordinary clay sculptures. This is the little one I purchased at the spring fair. While MJ was here, I saw this beautifully colored hare that I knew would go somewhere in my house (hehe). Is it not a perfect match? I absolutely adore how Asia writes little words on the houses.

This one was purchased several years ago. It's still my favorite. "Take me and that oak and a house you will see."

This original deco phone was purchased when the hub and I were still dating. We'd always hit all the Art Deco shows in DC. The receiver weighs about four pounds, so it's not one that we use too often. It was refurbished with an easy plug in; but I don't have it plugged in. The ring is unbelievably LOUD! Just like they used to be. It has a beautiful tone, but if you're sitting right next to it, it scares the bajeebies out of you!


This is one of the most precious items that I own. It belonged to my great grandfather, my mother's grandfather Bailey. It is told that after he served in the Civil War, he was "shell shocked." Guess that was the term back then. He made everyone keep this clock covered. "I don't like those two old women looking at me." You can see the carvings on each side at the top. Poor old guy. I lovingly call this piece "grampa," as do the kids. Now, grampa is quite particular about where he sits, when you wind him, how you wind him etc. He worked perfectly in the first house the hub and I rented. When we moved to Falls Church and purchased our first home, grampa became a tad grumpy. Sometimes he worked, sometimes he didn't. When we moved to Leesburg, VA, he became even grumpier. He worked off and on the five years we were there. Now that we're in Tennessee, I think he has worked all of about a week. He's getting grumpier and grumpier as the years go by. I have tried everything--leveling him every which way, etc, but nothing works. Guess he's just tired. That's ok. He can rest for a couple of years. When I was in high school, I had it cleaned up and all the works replaced. Apparently, my mom let my brother Johnny PLAY with it, and he took all the works out! Gee whiz mom. Anyway, the clock maker who refurbished it said it was very old, the giveaway was it was so tall. You can see the gold etched glass only comes part way to the bottom. Isn't that fascinating!

And now, here she is, the Grande Dame Mother Earth. Thank you again Lisa for putting her into Peggy and Ms. Robyn's auction. She is just the most lovely in the land. I am getting so much joy from her, as is my family.

Friday's Favorite Corner

This is one corner of our dining room. It's done in Art Deco mixed with Chinese decor. I told you I mixed and matched!!

The hub and I bought the English armoire while we were courting and on a real Art Deco kick. He got this piece for his apartment. When we were married and we moved into our 19th century Georgetown flat, it only had one tiny closet which we used to hide Spot's (our cat) litter box. This piece was our only other place to hang clothes. When I think back, I guess we weren't clothes hogs then, as we shared it! hmmmm. Anyhow, we picked it up at a bargain price at a Capitol Hill showing of a shipment of antiques that had just arrived from England. It still had both handles (one has broken off since in one of our many moves). I believe the ivory key hole has been broken since we bought it. No biggy in this house. We don't have "fine" antiques anywhere--just well loved ones.

I've used this piece for my table linens since we moved from Georgetown, always having ample closet space for clothes from then on. As you can see, this is one of my weaknesses--grin.

On top is a Chinese bell system. I'm not sure if it's Tibetan or not. I don't even know if it's authentic, I doubt it is. I just liked it and had to have it. Behind it is a vintage piece of Chinese crewel work that I purchased off Ebay when we first moved to Nashville and I was "decorating" in my mind for our new house--to come several years later!! It is a beautiful piece done on silk. I can tell you that I paid more for the framing than I did for the piece itself.

Today, I've been putting my chocolate swap together that Ms*Robyn started. I wanted to wait a bit for it to cool down. I think it has. I hope it has!! I'm still waiting until Monday to get it off because it's supposed to warm up this weekend!! Grrrrrrr.

Friday's Favorite Corner

Mary Jane made it in fine this afternoon. We have been running since she stepped off the plane, poor thing. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory--YUM. I had their "luncheon" size Santa Fe salad which I only at half of. Their portions are huge!! Mom always orders their grilled cheese; and this time, she at the whole thing! I was amazed!! MJ got the seafood salad and said it was delish. We then came home for a bit, ran to downtown Franklin to pick up an item I needed and then off for dinner. After din din we ran over to see what was shakin' at the football game. Not a good night. We played Franklin HS and they won by some blowout! We couldn't find a seat so we only stayed until halftime. Poor guys. Off to a rocky start.


Today's corner is outside our guest room. I have collected several Moravian tiles from Bucks County, PA over the years. (Click here for their catalog of tiles.) Most are cracked from the kids playing with them, but whatchya gonna do? We were building our house in Leesburg, VA at the time, and I had thought I wanted to tile the fireplace in these smaller tiles. I'm glad I didn't because I was able to take them with me when I moved.
Anyway, I'm way too tired to go into details but I wanted to get my FFC in for the day and have been showing MJ how I do the bloggin thing. Of course, my machine is in slow-mo tonight--and I do mean MAJOR slow-mo.

ZZZZZZZ. Night.

Friday's Favorite Corner

Today's corner is going up our back staircase. I have started a collage of photographs, mostly taken and given to me by my brother Jim. I really need to add some more because all of these are quite old, the latest being at least 8 years old! Oy!

These are two of my many sweet nieces. It was taken many years ago as both are almost 12 years old which just baffles me. Samantha (on the right) is one of three daughters from the hub's brother and Madeleine is one of two daughters from my brother. One time, Samantha's family was visiting and Jim threw a BBQ; and we all went over. The girls were so sweet together. Jim captured this photo of Madeleine applying lipstick to Samantha. Is it not one of the sweetest pictures? Jim captured the moment beautifully.

This is another one of Jim's works. We were visiting him one spring at the Capitol where he takes group photographs. This is the kid. Just too cute. I really came to appreciate this photo once we moved away from DC. Funny the things you take for granted when they are in your back yard.

I have to say that this picture of the (pre) teenager has to be one of my all-time favorites. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was Father's Day, again at my brother Jim's house. I was meeting his new girlfriend (later to be wife) for the first time. I was pregnant with the kid at the time. An old school chum of my brother's and mine was there; and I remember him having so much fun with the pre-teenager. Jack (our friend) and Jim were in the back yard with the pre-teenager and came back in just chuckling. They said my son had seen a squirrel and had proceeded to tell them to stay far away from them because they were very dangerous animals. Poor little kid. You know how overly secure you are with your first child. I was always so afraid he would get bitten by one that I told him some terrible story about how dangerous they were! Anyway, look at how cute he was!! My brother Jim had bought him the DKNY (excuse me!) suede jacket and my father always brought him back cowboy boots and hats from his visits to Texas. I don't know where the sunglasses and gun came in. (Of course, he was never allowed to play with guns either--hehe.) Those were the days!

This is the pre-teen, yet again. (The kid is always asking why there are so many more pics of his brother! Isn't it always the way?) Look at the sweet face looking at his Aunt Ann (see previous post on sisters). This is her wedding day. In the background, you can see little Santina (Samantha's older sister) in the high chair. The pre-teen is telling Aunt Ann some tale, I'm sure.

I used this photo for a Christmas card in 1993. I know that only because the kid was only a couple of weeks old here. I had my cousin James come out to our house in Falls Church and shoot a roll so I could make a Christmas card. I remember it was after Julia Roberts had just wed Lyle Lovett (what was she thinking?) and she was married barefoot. I thought I would go barefoot in this picture--which you can't even see--since we were sitting on the floor. I don't know why I was sitting Indian style in a dress--ain't got no couth! The pre-teen is making his usual age-appropriate face, which I thought was so cute, and the kid is looking at his momma. I loved our little cottage-type rambler. The little fireplace was so sweet. I was so proud of our little family that I had to share it with all our friends. That was the only time I ever had a family portrait done and the only time one was sent out. Oh well.

After thinking about how special these pictures are, I really am going to have to get some more photos matted and framed. It's kind of pitiful I don't have more hung.

Friday's Favorite Corner

This is my family room's right-hand corner. I keep a lot of our special gifts over the years for me, the hub and the boys here.


This little spot has little items that my bubba Jim has given me for my birthday and Christmas. He bought me the Tiffany tape measurer (he says Jackie O. had one just like it! hehe) a long time ago for a birthday. He says everyone should have a tape measurer on their person just in case they eye that perfect piece to bring home to make sure it will fit. How decadent! I didn't carry it very long before the baby kid got a hold of it and pulled the metal measurer out of the case. I was never able to get it back in, of course, so here it sits, just looking pretty and decadent! Jim normally finds all kinds of antique cat motif items such as the tiny bracelet, the tiny frame and this lovely little powder compact. Just look at the sweet powder pufff! The larger Dupont lighter was given to the hub from Raphael in France (for no reason at all) and the little lighter was mine when I was a smoker--many many years ago!! The cigar case was given to the hub from Jim's wife, Ellen, for a Christmas present.

Then there are the boys' things. Both Tiffany rattles were given to the boys by my brother Jim. (I told you he was the Tiffany shopper!) The three-ring rattle was given to the teenager when he was born and the dumbbell was given to the kid for his Christening. The silver frame with the boys' pictures is another present from Ellen, my sister-in-law. I don't remember where the frame with our wedding picture came from--ooops. The cut crystal Tiffany box was given to me as an engagement gift from the office where both me and the hub worked. The Tiffany heart was a wedding gift from the PR company in NYC that we used for various campaigns. Inside is the hub's corsage from the wedding--which was maulled and eaten by one of our cats, thus put in a box with a lid!--and a red rose from his 40th birthday cake. The two porcelain Christmas ornaments were the boys' firsts. The rocking horse belongs to the teenager and the round one is the kid's. The little vintage angels were bought at Skeeter Davis' estate sale here in Nashville a couple of years ago. I fell in love with them. She was a big angel freak, like me. In the crystal Tiffany bowl (a wedding present from Jim) are flowers from various funerals of loved ones. The sunflower is from Tony's, who is the kids' Godfather, a rose from my Aunt Mary's (my mom's sister) and a rose from my father's, along with some various rosaries.

On the top shelf are some wreaths I made from some ivy from my father's funeral and a miniature cowboy boot. He was known for his unique boots that he would get each visit back to Texas and, of course, his jaunts over to Mexico. Yes, he was known to bring illegal-hide boots over the border and was caught more than once--ha. He was quite the character--Texan through and through. As they say, "God broke the mold after that one!" I do miss some of those antics. This was his watch. I have no story behind it. I don't know if he bought it or if it was passed on to him by his father. Not a clue.

Oh yea, and the little gold frame under the lamp has some pressed little spring flowers from our first house in Falls Church, VA. I was pregnant with the teenager when I picked these.

Ok boys, now you know where these items are from and a little trivia for you to carry on to your kids, and so on, and so on.