Creating a Life- A Photo Tour of 2014

Happy first day of a new year, friends! 

California Family Vintage

I can't tell you how strange it feels to share so little over here the past couple of weeks! I'm struggling with that a bit.

We've been in California for just over a week now. The drive here had it's moments, for sure, but those were soon forgotten once we made it to our destination.

It has been a busy few days. We had a family gathering over the weekend and I was so happy to visit with some of my cousins I hadn't seen in almost five years. Priceless!

The last couple of days I've had some fun poking through some of the cool vintage stuff that is found in abundance at my parents' house : ) I thought I'd show you just a few of the treasures I've come across. 

 I can't remember a time when this antique guitar wasn't on display in my parents' home. My dad is a musician, and my mom's grandmother gave it to him, probably around the time I was born. He says it's at least 100 years old!

 My grandfather made this little wooden stool (probably in the early 1930's) when he was a school boy.

 I love these vintage photos of my grandparents holding their kitties in the rose garden!

 My mom is quite the collector, and one of the things she collects is glass hen dishes. I told my 16 year old to make it her mission to count them all up this week! She also has a small collection of Jadeite, so this piece spans both collections. 

  
I couldn't believe this find! The Dominoes set we grew up with, found in the back of the linen closet-ha!

 

 Some cool old picnic baskets that were probably my grandmother's.

  
This was probably the most surprising discovery of the last couple of days. Not the toolbox itself, but finding out where it came from. The toolbox has been in my dad's garage for EVER. When I saw it the other day, I asked if I could empty it, and use it for some photos. He said "sure", and told me that my sister made this in high school metal shop. No way! I had no idea.

I'll share some of my mom's cool collections in the coming days, and we'll be at the beach soon, too. Probably not soon enough for my kids  : )

*A little side note for Carol at Art and Sand-I've been in your hometown 3 times this week. Yesterday my teenager and I hit the IKEA store and In-n-Out Burger, a favorite of ours you can't get in Colorado : )

This is where my 16 year old and I are sleeping during our visit with my parents, and my two youngest are sleeping in my childhood bedroom. On our first day here it was fun to tell them about what the room was like when their mommy was their age. 

My mom generously consented for me to re-style their fireplace area for a few photos today, and I'll be sharing that with you soon! 

Thanks for coming by today, friends! I haven't had a whole lot of computer time, and it has been hard not to be reading much of my favorite blogs, either. But I think I'll be back in the swing of things before long : )

Blessings-

        Jeanette 

Sharing over at:

Knick of Time Tuesday 

The Scoop at the Farmhouse Porch 

The Penny and the Pearl-New Items in the Shop!

Happy Saturday, all!
 
I just wanted to let you know I have some new listings over at The Penny and the Pearl shop today!

Yes, I'm parting with one of my favorite flea market style books. I have so many books, and it's time to let some go.

I've added a couple of handmade hanging cards. 

 

 Some pretty lace on a vintage furniture spindle.

  

A vintage beach chair towel rack for your kitchen or bath.

 Some iron birds for you to use on your own project!

Some coastal cottage decor, and more!

Pop over and have a visit when you have a minute!

Have a good weekend, friends-

Jeanette 

Old, New, Borrowed and Blue {Spring Dining Room}

An interesting thing is happening as I look at Pinterest and other blogs. I'm noticing a definite theme emerging in the rooms I'm most attracted to.  
I do enjoy many different design styles and color combinations from very pale to very colorful. But the combination I seem to be most drawn to (regardless of style) usually involves these elements:  

Whites and neutrals paired with warm wood tones or some black. A hint of something green and fresh looking (a live or faux plant, faux boxwood, moss, etc). Add an interesting mix of vintage and new and a little pop of happy color and you have my ideal combination. 

I really didn't plan that combination when I was sprucing up the dining area for Spring. But as I worked on the space, there it was! I guess it's just "me". 

Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

I can't begin to tell you how this describes my life, but we'll just stick with the application to my space for now....

 

Some blue...

You can see a little of how this old window used to look over here. 
Over Valentine's Day it was a rustic white with old sheet music love songs behind the glass.
I decided to paint this side of it a pretty Spring blue. The other side of it is still the natural wood color that I prefer for Fall and Winter.

Some new...

 I picked up these darling Pottery Barn white cups recently and I love the way they look with the old ironstone pitchers against the blue window!

 My sweet little cast iron chick is beginning to get some rust spots, but it only makes me like her more.

Some old...

 This was my grandmother's silverware caddy, and the basket has a little story as well.












I always love the look of putting together something new with pieces that have a history. 

About ten years ago I was at a church rummage sale. There was a sweet old man sitting on the lawn with his items for sale. I immediately approached him about the basket and he told me that he and his wife used it for picnics for many years until she passed away! Well, how could I not take it? (I think he let me have it for about $2.00).

I have used it for many different things (including the occasional picnic) but now it mostly gets used to hold table linens and just look cute. It's sweet to think of how it has someone's happy memories attached to it. 

I don't have many gold frames in my house, but I love the way this aged frame suits the print of a sheep farm next to a lake. I bought this at a local antique shop some years ago because it reminds me so much of a lovely real sheep farm close to our home. It is even next to a lake. Who knows, maybe it is actually a picture of that farm!

Old and blue...love that.

You can see what the chippy blue board was in a different life over here


It's funny how the camera can make a space look more expansive. I've mentioned before that my kitchen/dining area/living room is one open space, and it is not a large space at all. 


In fact, the refrigerator is just to the left of the white dresser.

The little chest of drawers used to look like this. I hope it's not too upsetting that I painted it! I only paid $12.00 for it and it's not in good shape. I kept it the original finish for a long time, but finally decided to go ahead and paint it last year.

Someday I might decide to work on some of it's structural issues, but for now I think it's perfectly cute and very handy for storing the kids' art supplies, games etc.

Another yard sale vintage picnic hamper that has served so many useful purposes over the years.

Okay, now tell the truth. How many of you are mentally writing "N" words and embellishments all around the initial? I keep doing that!

{An "I'm a dork" side note on the chalkboard with the large initial: The chalkboard is old and we really use it despite the surface being very rough and worn. A couple of months ago I found the large wooden "N" (my initial) at the thrift store for .20cents. I brought it home (duh) added the little wood overlay I already had and painted it white. Kinda cute for .20cents, right? While puttering around trying to decide what to do with it one day, I thought, "Hey, I wonder what it would look like on the blackboard?!" Bad idea. I put a few pieces of scotch tape on the back of it to just stick it temporarily so I could get a look at it. When I went to remove it, it tore off the blackboard surface! Ugh! Lots of kicking myself...
So there the "N" stays until I get motivated to re-surface the chalkboard. }  

And there's my little pop of happy color! A bright pink Geranium my daughter gave me, in my grandmother's red-trimmed enamelware "chamber pot" {I think it was only used for plants and such. If anyone in my family knows otherwise, please keep it to yourself :) }

I guess the "borrowed" part of the equation is the history that comes along with many of the things I love. There are stories of loves and lifetimes long ago represented here. The history and the memories are just on loan, and I will gratefully tend them. 

Thank you so much for stopping by! I do so appreciate you taking the time to visit me and my dining room : ) 
I'm loving all the beautiful Spring inspiration everyone is sharing!

Blessings-
    Jeanette 


Sharing over at:

Power of Pinterest at Debbiedoo's 
and Fox Hollow Cottage
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors
Creative Bloggers Party at Homemaker on a Dime
The 6 Days of Springsperation Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Pretty Things at twelveOeight 
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House 
Budget Decorating at Creative Cain Cabin
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
The Scoop! (formerly Cowgirl Up) 
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House 
Welcome Home Wednesday at Vintage on a Dime
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 
Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed 
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable 
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours 
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home 
Be Inspired at Common Ground