SO, WHAT ABOUT THE NAME 'ANTIQUEAHOLICS" FOR MY BLOG?

 While there are many well stocked antique shops and websites, nothing compares with the excitement of going to flea markets, antique shows and shops that are filled to the brim with everything you can imagine and more.  I recently discovered a shop that felt like stepping into a home from the show, "The Hoarders".   I loved the challenge - being careful with every step I took not to knock anything over, but trying to spot those beautiful pieces hidden amongst all the stuff.  It felt a little bit like the "Where's Waldo" books I shared with the kids.   This shop had everything from a stuffed peacock to a suit of armour.  Amongst the various collectibles, I spotted this fabulous copper lantern with it's beautiful patina and original stained glass.  I loved the crown shaped top and its overall form.  While one of the glass panels had a break, its part of its history.

I brought it home, removed the bulb socket, and displayed it on my fireplace mantel with a candle.  The gold and cream tones in the stained glass cast a beautiful glow with the burning candle.

Last Saturday, I attended a local flea market.   While I don't spend a lot of time looking at vintage clothing, I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted this stunning belt.  The seller had purchased the belt in Paris in the 1970's.  He claimed it was French and from the 1920's, but I'm not sure if its quite that old.  I was struck by the workmanship, the beautiful design and contrast of the carved celluloid beads and the dark brown wood beads.  The brass plate on the back side of the belt is signed "AK" with a flower impression to the right of the initials.  If anyone is familiar with this signature or has any information to help me research this piece, I would greatly appreciate your help.

So, what about the name "Antiqueaholics" for my blog?  Do these finds satisfy my addiction, or do they just drive me to want to go back out on the hunt knowing that there are so many more fabulous treasures out there just waiting to be discovered?  

I COULDN'T RESIST THIS FABULOUS TURKISH OTTOMAN CHILD'S VEST

About 13 years ago, I came across this very beautiful 19th century Turkish Ottoman child's vest at an antique fair in England.  It was amongst a pile of fabrics and it immediately caught my eye.  It was one of those moments when you think "I HAVE TO HAVE IT!" The bodice is black velvet with a silk lining.  Gold shimmering glass beads are applied to the beautiful  metallic braiding which is embroidered on the edges.   What I loved more than anything about this piece was the gold coins.  These small gold coins would make a chiming sound as the child wearing it would walk.

A few months later, I spotted another Turkish Ottoman child's vest.  It was so exquisite, I just couldn't resist.   Like the other, this vest was also in very good condition considering its age of 125+ years.  The bodice is a cream colored wool felt with a gold silk lining.  The vest has gold thread embroidery in a beautiful pattern along with gold tassels  finished with a turquoise bead.

These two vests sat in my closet for six years because I didn't know how to display them.  There was no perfect solution as the front and back of the vests are equally beautiful.  I decided to bring them to a great frame shop in town, and I worked with the framer to select the matting & frame.  The vests are hand stitched  to a silk matt and box framed with a simple thin gold frame.  (While the color of the matting appears different in these two photos, it is the same and more like the color of the background of the white vest.) We used museum glass because of its clarity and anti-reflective properties.  While I can no longer view the beautiful back sides of these vests, I  enjoy seeing them every day as they are displayed on the walls in our entrance and living room.

I recently came across another exquisite vest recently for sale online.  While it was not in the same fine condition as the others, I will get it restored.  The metallic thread is just beautiful against the black wool felt and I love the design.  I don't know what I will do with this one, but would love to have another way to display it.  Does anyone have any ideas?  

BATHTUB SURROUND PANELED WITH CORIAN

 Have you ever seen the walls surrounding a bathtub paneled with corian?   I never had until we purchased are old home nine years ago.  The previous owner was meticulous about every detail when adding on or renovating the original home.  While all of the other bathrooms in the house have marble walls, this corian paneling is my favorite.

 They really did a nice job trimming out this space for shampoo bottles, etc.

This is just one example of the attention to detail that the previous owners had addressed.  We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase an old home where the owners were passionate about quality and good taste.

MY DREAM KITCHEN

I visited a blog today by Joan at For The Love of a House and she posted images of her new kitchen and breakfast area she recently completed in her farmhouse in New Hampshire.   It is the MOST fabulous kitchen that I have seen recently.   In the breakfast room, she has a beautiful brick fireplace, a round pedestal table with white slip covered chairs and a chandelier to die for.

The kitchen has everything I want - a lot of light, white cabinets, a bead board ceiling without can lights, and a very clean, homey look.  I also noticed that she has two small lamps on her counters for extra lighting.  About two months ago, I purchased a small lamp for my kitchen counters and love the the way this light warms up the room.  

Joan moved from Dallas to New Hampshire and purchased an old farmhouse that she has been renovating.   Check out Joan's blog at www.fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com to see all of the pictures of her kitchen & breakfast room .  Her blog is amazing - I know you will enjoy it.

MASTER BEDROOM INSPIRATION

We have been planning a move to Houston for about five years now, and one of the first things I am going to do in our next house is to decorate the master bedroom.  You see, about 25 years ago when my taste was much different than it is now, I purchased a mahogany four poster bed that I have to vault to get into as it is so high.   I don't know what I was thinking when I purchased that bed, but I have certainly paid the price for that poor decision.  

Unfortunately, my husband has this attitude that when you buy furniture, clothing, decorating items, or just about anything, you should keep it and live with it forever.   I usually arrange to make my Salvation Army donations when he is out of town or else he starts opening the boxes, removes the items I thought were out of my house for good and insists we keep them.  Does anyone else have a husband like this? 

While I am able to sneak out some of the smaller items in the house, this mahogany monster is a real challenge for me.  

For now, I am putting a file together of bedrooms for my inspiration.  Here is a bedroom that Phoebe Howard designed for an Atlanta Showhouse.  

 I really love this brass etagere (below) with its clean simple lines.

FABULOUS FIND - 100% COTTON FLEECE THROW

These beautifully colored blankets are too good not to share! I have a variety of throws in our home that are made of alpaca, cashmere and wool, and when it comes to keeping warm during the freezing Michigan winter, polar fleece was my choice until now. Recently, I purchased several of these beautiful 100% cotton fleece throws from the Garnet Hill catalog.

 The colors are so rich and true to the color in these photos.  I have purchased several to keep for our home and have given some away as gifts. The best part is that these throws are on sale for only $30 (50% off the full price of $60), and will be on sale until Monday, January 11th.

If you have never shopped Garnet Hill online or through the catalog, give it a try.  They have beautiful bedding and towels in addition to womens and childrens clothes.  www.garnethill.com