how to start your week...

our first fire of the season in the outdoor fireplace....

all Sunday long...

silverware collection

Arcobaleno Antiques

When I posted this image last week, my friend Charlotta from Space for Inspiration commented that this arrangement of framed silverware is similar to my collection, which I  posted when I first began blogging.

I have a collection of coin silver pieces that I have either bought or have been given as gifts. I had always wanted to display them somehow and when I got these antique frames from my husband's grandmother, I covered sturdy cardboard with low loft batting and topped it with neutral cotton canvas. I took a heavy needle and secured the pieces with clear fishing line, piercing all the layers and knotting it in the back.

My collection in my kitchen. 

I love to see old silverware displayed in any way. Charlotta, thanks for the reminder... 

this gets me excited...!

absolutely beautiful things

I love Anna Spiro's style - white interior walls and white upholstery. I have especially admired how she introduces color; her mix of pillows adds just the right amount of color.

But I have had a terrible time at trying to do the same thing. My living room upholstery is also white canvas and I would love a similar look. I've searched forever for just the right mix of pattern and color in pillows, but have really had no luck. I don't have ready access to large fabric stores without driving a few hours and I am trying to keep from spending too much on pillows that I will likely change out all too often. 

But recently, I found a selection of batik print fabrics that I am so excited about! I tried to get a good mix and I want to also have a mix of different sizes of pillows made. I have so many antique and vintage pieces, I hope this will bring in a fresh feel: 

batik fabrics for my living room pillows

Can't wait to get these going!

in my house...

You might remember from earlier posts here and here that I love the human figure as art.  One night recently as I was cooking supper, I glanced in our dining room and saw the setting sun making some nice patterns on the three toddler dress forms I bought at an antique shop years ago. The toddler shapes were so unusual that I couldn't resist them. After some searching, I found just the right welder to make stands for each of them and they now live in our dining room. One snowy day this past winter, I made the lock and key wraps for their necks.  They're an off-beat touch; just the kind of thing I love.

sometimes a girl can get lucky.....

my guest room with the new zebra rug

My guest room has a whole new look thanks to Lindsay at Everything LEB! I was the lucky winner of her zebra print rug giveaway from RugsUSA.com.

I'm so excited; it's just the thing I needed to layer on top of my seagrass rug. 

I'm a regular visitor over at Lindsay's; check out her awesome style and great giveaways.

Thanks, Linds!