Accessorizing…icing on the cake.

16 Monday Aug 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating

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As a follow up to my post of last week…more thoughts on accessorizing.

The components of an inviting home are many. A house can have “good bones” as they like to say and still not be warm due to an ineffective layout of furniture, proportion / scale of furnishings and/or any number of other factors.

My friend Carla has a talent for not only finding wonderful antique accessories but for displaying them as well.

That said, I do know, for me personally, accessories can make or break my impression of a home. I believe that accessories should be personal and reflect the interests / history of its owners. The accessories are always my favorite part. If items are placed well (grouping small items has a greater impact) they create interest and a beauty that for me makes the room sing. The mementos of ones travels or family pictures make a home seem inviting.

My library features my favorite accessory, dogs!

I realize that this is a topic that has as many opinions as there are homeowners who care enough to ‘feather their nests’. I don’t like accessories that appear to be too matchy-matchy, too plastic (you know, fake age), or are too contrived. I prefer interesting items that look as though there was some story to tell…something with history.

Isn't this a beautiful piece?! Carla is Queen of eBay.

You can always add a little history by collecting vintage or antique items that appeal to you. Collecting is so much fun and the hunt is about 75% of it! Tag or garage sales, thrift stores and some antique stores that host several vendors have a great many things that aren’t expensive. Shop your parents, grandparents and relatives houses for items with a family history and many times they will be so pleased you are interested they will give you the first item for your collection.

Accessorizing can be fun and truly provide the “icing on the cake (home)”.

Details: Accessories or Knick knacks?

11 Wednesday Aug 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating

≈ 6 Comments

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details of a home, home accessorizing

I love accessories, I don’t especially love clutter. I realize that one person’s accessories are another person’s clutter but I don’t think I’d enjoy my home nearly as much without the “stuff” that I treasure.

Sometimes something as practical as an umbrella stand can add the touch that an entry may need. Image via Southern Accents, Carol Glasser home.

I take my lead from a lot of magazine pictures {Veranda, Traditional Home, Southern Accents before it closed}, blog sites {Cote de Texas, French Kissed, The Lettered Cottage} that inspire and friends whose homes I admire.

For me, Charles Faudree of Tulsa is KING of accessories.

Who knew a picnic basket on a sofa table could add charm to an already lovely room? Image via Country Living Magazine.

But…there is always a little self doubt that plays in my mind when I’m arranging my “stuff”…like is my house starting to look like my Grandma’s used to? Loaded with knick knacks?

I love the simplicity of these silver items and only one of the footed pieces has anything on it, so pretty.

I guess we all have to figure out what we love and arrange things and maybe even change them out as seasons come and go to create interest and to avoid “over accessorizing” if there is such a thing, right?

I love using natural items in the grand scheme of accessorizing.

Plates as wall hangings, wow! Image via Country Living Magazine

Framed prints can make an ordinary wall look amazing.

What do you like to accessorize with? Do you like clean lines and minimal fuss, or do you love to display your treasures?

Hanging plates on the wall

23 Wednesday Jun 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating

≈ 4 Comments

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hanging plates in the home, old pottery

I love old pottery, heck, I even love new pottery! There is something so wonderful about transfer ware and the older the better. I have several pieces of red transfer ware plates and have a few of them hung in my kitchen.

My antique plates over the kitchen bay window.

Some of the smaller plates I use in place of coasters on nightstands and occasional tables. They are both decorative as well as functional.

I love the black and white plates nearly covering this wall to the left of the cupboard in this picture.

I have seen some fabulous plate hangings on some of my favorite blog sites. I especially like the English ironstone (and would be happy with pottery that provides the look even if it wasn’t the real deal), but I’m struggling with whether I can use it anywhere in my house besides where I have it now.

Photo via Veranda - Plates on a ledge, very charming.

I realize this is a plate rack but I love the plates.

As you know I have a small cottage (that is the romantic name for it!) and I’ve got most of the walls filled. There is one spot where a framed pictures hangs that I believe plates in its place would work. I’m a little tired of the picture (do you ever get tired of something that is still pretty, you’re just tired of it?). The challenge will be acquiring the plates.

My family room---a set of antique Royal Dalton plates above the French doors to the back yard.

I realize these plates aren't all ironstone, I couldn't find the image I'd seen of the all white/ironstone plates but you get the jest of what I'm after, right?

The picture between the lamps on the sideboard could be replaced with a collection of English ironstone or something like this...

Some of the bloggers I enjoy reading seem to live in areas rich in garages/tag sales and thrift stores. I’ll have to search a little harder to find some English ironstone or a similar facsimile.