eBay Friday

I have decided that I will try to post an eBay treasure list every Friday. I am not going to include links because it is too much trouble and I don't have tiiiiiiiiiime on Friday's to do much on the computer. Just do an eBay search to find these items or something similar.



1. Vintage Toleware flower sculpture - this could go in a modern space or a traditional space.





2. Another vintage Toleware flower sculpture - but this one has a different vibe. I still feel like this one could go either way.

3. I want this set of antique Toleware spice canisters. These would go in my kitchen perfectly.

4. Vintage Toleware sconces - you could put these in a bedroom or dressing area and hang gobs of chunky necklaces on them.

5. Tray tables like this (toleware) one are handy and can go anywhere.

6. Y'all know I love Japanese jewelry boxes. The colors are so vibrant. Some of them, like this one, have little figures that move to the music.

This jewelry box is pretty. I have a few that are this pagoda style. The little geisha turns when the music is playing.

7. Vintage lady head vases look great when grouped together. They are so "Mad Men". A group of them would be pretty as a Mother's Day table centerpiece.

8. This pin-up calendar is a deal. Someone needs to buy this, have each girl framed separately, and cover a black painted wall with them. Wouldn't they be great in a bachelor pad or a powder room?

9. I bought one of these shell encrusted picture frames. They are gorgeous and well made.

10. I still love the Enid Collins box bags. This one is beautiful. "Pavan" is the design. These bags were made famous in the 1960's by LadyBird Johnson. They are still sought after. Why couldn't you use them as part of the decorating scheme?

11. And finally - vintage and antique altar crosses.

That is it for today's eBay report. Happy bidding!

House Tour #2 - Part 1

Since this is a tour of my house, I broke it up in a few parts. Part 1 is the dining room, kitchen, and laundry room. The dining room is an open concept space. It is open to a walkway area, the foyer, and an office/library. I recently found the slipcovers on line at http://www.customcoverings.com/ . They come in a variety of colors.

The antique candlesticks are from Bolivia. The green Tole bowl is just the beginning of my Tole collection.

The table is early American and was one of our first antique purchases. The brass candlesticks are also early American. The red vase is Limoges, a gift from my grandmother.

I also collect Japanese jewelry boxes. Some day I will dedicate a post to these lovely little boxes. This is just a peek. The watercolor is an original by artist - Jorge Fernandini

The kitchen was renovated about 10 years ago. I still love it.

I designed all of the cabinets and had a carpenter make them in his shop. I love the glass fronted cabinet doors. The extra large drawers are wonderful and soooo much better than just having doors on the lower cabinets.

I collect Tole trays. I was obsessed at one time, but am slowly recovering. I papered the backs of the upper cabinets with grass cloth for more texture and depth.

The window seat is one of my favorite things about the kitchen.

Not the best photo, but the bookcase is perfect for cookbooks and, of course, more Tole trays.

I also collect dishes. Some of the sets were inherited, others were purchased. Lately, I have been using them for simple meals.

Looooove my dishes....For years, I had brown and white transferware hanging on my dining room wall, now I actually use it.

I recently found the Emma Bridgewater CHEESE platter on line at http://www.joannehudson.com/ . The PURE BUTTER platters are very difficult to find now.

I keep everything handy on this little elevated tray from Pottery Barn - salt, pepper, sugar, toothpicks, etc.
The laundry room connects to the kitchen so I continued with the Tole trays in this area as well.

My next project is to re-do the window valance and paint in this room. I just have to find the right fabric and color. Another Pottery Barn buy - the giant chalk board.

That's it for now...my real life is calling!

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!