eBay Friday 5

1. This vintage tin can would fit my collection perfectly.


2. This is a photo of my mom's egg crate. Now check out the next eBay find...




A similar egg crate...I think they are neat and unusual.







3. This is the best thing I have found on eBay in a long while. I really like this painting. The colors are beautiful. The subject is beautiful. If it is still around after Christmas, I am spending my Christmas money on it.

4. In the same vein, I have been eyeing these Moroccan poufs. These are a good deal.

I like these Incan poufs, too. They would go anywhere in my house.

5. I have always wanted one of these horn chairs. They are kind of a combination of grotesque and fabulous...they are grotabulous (I just created a new word). This one is Victorian. I can see this in the office/computer room.

6. I am sure you have seen the new trend using random portraits of strangers in a grouping. I found some neat portraits that would look great together. Wouldn't they be cool in a powder room, or a game room, or even the dining room hung from floor to ceiling?!?

This is my favorite. She looks like she could use a cocktail.

This one is beautiful.

OMG. Check out the eyebrows on this lady...whoa!

This one grouped in with the other ones - looks like he could be thinking, "What am I doing here?"

How about this poodle on velvet? My neighbors have a pair of Standard Poodles. They are too funny. They look so overdressed.

This black dog is nice. I'll take the whole collection.

7. When I was looking for portraits, I ran across this one of a lady wearing a Squash Blossom necklace. The photo was protected, so I could not copy it, but it inspired me to look for my own necklace. These Native American necklaces are classic. The old ones are very valuable. This one is listed for more that $10,000.00.

An example of a simpler design. This one is probably more wearable.

Oh so pretty.

Guesthouse Tour #1

I had the pleasure of staying at this country guesthouse not long ago and enjoyed it so much that this post is dedicated to the "Barnhouse". The structure was originally a barn and was converted to a guesthouse. There was a breezeway that went through the barn. This space was enclosed and is now the living area of the house.

The ceiling is reclaimed tin from the structure's roof. The walls are covered in reclaimed siding from an old house that was demolished.

These wood walls are original to the barn. The doors leading to the bedroom are also original.

The ladder leads to the old hay loft upstairs that is now a playroom. There is a wooden grid that lifts for access. Kids love this feature. The owner collects Navajo blankets. I love the idea of draping them over the ladder rungs.

The old family piano is covered in family photos.

Vintage cowboy boots make great accessories on a table or on your feet!

A piece of stained glass hangs in the corn crib passage between the living area and the bathroom.

The wood stove makes it warm and cozy in the winter, a nice place to curl up and read.

There is even a kitchenette filled with drinks and snacks for guests to enjoy.
I like that even everyday items are stored in a creative fashion.

More creative storage...

We played dominoes at the old table one night. Check out the trash can behind the table. It is an old mailbox turned on its end!

The bedroom was spacious and quiet. All of the linens are antique.

Another Navajo blanket hangs on the wall above a bench in the bedroom.

Outside stairs access the playroom in the old hay loft. The guesthouse overlooks the owner's surrounding horse farm. Coyotes could be heard early in the morning yapping in the trees beyond the pasture.
The old GULF gas station sign is a classic.

I love this old birdhouse. It looks like the Alamo.

There are three twin beds in the playroom, perfect for young guests.

Vintage dollhouses like this one are very hot right now.

There are all kinds of vintage toys in the playroom as well as a tent and a place for coloring. Again, the ceiling is covered in reclaimed tin.

A gourd high-rise is just outside the BARNHOUSE.

The BARNHOUSE is a perfect guesthouse. I had good times and restful sleep!

House Tour #1

This Texas home was built in 1934 and was one of the first brick homes in the area. It was a very popular design of the times and is still popular among cottage lovers.



The home is filled with antiques. Brass firedogs keep watch on the fireplace in the formal living room. The layering of the painting in front of the mirror adds interest.







The mosaic tile on the fireplace hearth is original to the house. The original owners argued over whether to spend the extra $35.00 to have the mosaic hearth installed. The lady of the house won the argument and the tiles are still in place.


A beautiful birds eye maple desk...


The paper mache boxer stands proudly upon a half pie safe. The boxer was an old advertising display.
The Victorian display cabinet houses a collection of Native American baskets, pottery, and artifacts.
A nice collection of antique iron doorstops. I loooove the Wire Fox Terrier on top.


The library houses collections of Native American baskets, antique books, marbles, and Navajo blankets.
The vest hanging above the sofa is Plains Indian (Sioux). The shutters were salvaged from a house exterior and make great interior window treatments.

The owner collects Meyer pottery. The pottery was sold at various tourist spots in Texas, including the Alamo. It was manufactured in San Antonio and is highly collectible today. Each piece is hand painted depicting typical Texas scenes.
This is a neat way to display antique postcards. The cards are changed according to the season or holiday.
Navajo blankets make a statement whether used as a rug, hanging on the wall, or draped over a railing.

The family room was once an open patio. It was enclosed and a bar area was added for convenience. The curtain is actually a Seminole Indian skirt adapted to hide plumbing under the sink.
I love the rooster and chicken collection as well as the variety of tin cans.
This mini bottle tree was purchased at Round Top. It spins so each bottle can catch the light.
One of the two bedrooms is light and airy. The bed is like sleeping on marshmallows. All of the linens are antique. The second bedroom has a beautiful ruby glass light fixture. Again, the linens are antique.

The kitchen is my favorite room in the home. The wallpaper mimics the original paper that was discovered during renovation under many layers of other papers. The black really sets off the white cabinetryand wainscotting.

The glass fronted cabinets are loaded with dishes and glassware. Shouldn't every dish be beautiful?

The space above the cabinets is used for display. The owner has quite a collection of tin cans.

The Bridgestone PURE BUTTER dish is a classic. Unfortunately, the PURE BUTTER dish is no longer in production.

The little area between the kitchen and the family room is just as pretty as any other space.

The breakfast room opens up to the kitchen. I love the juxtaposition of the Navajo rug and the floral wallpaper.

The built-in china cupboard is original to the home.

The formal dining area opens up to the breakfast room and the formal living room via French doors on either end. Carpet balls in a milk glass punch bowl make an interesting centerpiece.

The corner cupboard is an early Kentucky piece. I love the collection of Native American baskets on top.

The dumb waiter is perfect for liquor and glassware. How many times have you seen a dumb waiter in an antiques store and thought, "Its pretty, but what do I do with it?" ? It can also be used in a bathroom to display perfumes, soaps, and other necessities.The antique sideboard is currently used as a bar but can easily be converted to a buffet.

Notice the needlepoint rug hanging over the door.....love this idea. Thank you for the tour of your beautiful home!