Candellarbras and Chalkboards

Five branch candelabra with punch cups, glass beads and prisms

           Candelabras are always popular especially with the holidays approaching. The warm glow of candles makes your home so cozy and inviting. Years ago I started altering candelabras by adding bone china teacups. The flicker of the candle shows through the teacup. That idea progressed and now I mostly use vintage punch cups atop various branched candelabras. A friend told me she uses different color votive candles in hers and I have adopted that look. What you get is a cheerful accent piece whether the candles are glowing or not. 

     Chalkboards come in all sizes from tabletop to very large suitable to hang solo as the star of a wall. They make great menu boards and a very large gold framed chalkboard can become the center of attention in the fancies dining room. 

     In our home I have a large white chalkboard on an easel in the foyer to greet our guests.  You can customise the message to suit your guests or the occasion.  I also have chalkboards hanging in each bathroom of our home.

     This stared years ago when my husband gave our daughter a cat-shaped chalkboard. I  hung it in her bathroom for her to doodle on.  That was twenty years ago and to this day that cat hangs in her bathroom. She has her own place now but the two of us exchange messages on that board every time she comes home.

     Recently her boyfriend visited our home for several weeks. On the day she left, I had come home from taking her to the airport. There on the board was a heart with her name printed in it. Was this a little message left behind by her boyfriend? You never know the power of a chalkboard!

Shabby, Cottage, Distressed by any other name



shabby chic look on Lexington Avenue
New York

       One friend has been telling me the white shabby look has been dead for the past five years. OK, we know a store or two that specialized in this look has closed but the demand for white furniture is still alive today. The quality of my painting has gone up and I use the sand paper less, but it is still white shabby, cottage, or distressed furniture. The look has become a classic and has a timeless charm.
     This window was spotted on Lex in Manhattan. Yes, it looks strangely familiar.





shabby chic look
Mary Lisa

Here's a little look at Mary Lisa's white furniture. Small accent pieces mix in with many styles of home decor. It looks great with antiques in dark wood hues and blends nicely with a more traditional American look.  Of course, it is made for rooms painted in pastels and the more ruffles the better.

Rose Bowl Flea Market

You will find everything here.  Some booths are very casual....items displayed on the ground or still in the boxes but others are like stepping into a shop in La Jolla. The prices just may be more reasonable at the fancy booth!

Vintage Flatware

Now is a great time to shop for extra forks and spoons for holiday entertaining. It's fun mixing pattern on your table scape. Victorian era tableware has a piece for just about any purpose. My most recent fun find was a set of caviar forks. Just what I was looking for to use at our next YaYa meeting!
     A note on flatware...I am often asked, "Is this sterling?" Usually, the answer is, "No." Sterling is very expensive and the best way to get it is inheritance! My sterling pattern was chosen for me when I was born and I was given pieces over the years. Thank goodness, I do like it. I also have my mother's sterling  which is to die for. My parents were married in 1933 and received their pierced servers, spoons, fish forks and marrow spoons as wedding gifts.
      Most of us who purchase our own flatware may consider silver plate for the "good stuff." It is usually available in a fancier pattern than stainless steel which is perfect for everyday.  Silver plate is a layer of silver which has been applied over another metal. Some silver plate is worth as much as sterling but many pieces are affordable. Don't think you are buying second best when you chose plate.

Table scape with the notorious #1 thru #4 plates!

Here's an idea of what you can do with chalk boards.  I have used this 11 X 14 inch gold framed chalkboard for a menu in a dining room.  It is combined with two small oil paintings. It's a formal look combined with a very simple inexpensive decor.  Check out the table scape. Every thing was purchased at discount stores except the vintage flatware. Note to myself on the salad plates: If you buy plates with the numbers one to four painted on them, remember when you use them you are rating your dinner guest! Someone is going to be #1 and someone will be #4. Two and three don't matter but think a long time on those other two numbers!