My Cousin D's Apartment

I posted my cousin D's apartment a while back on RMS but I thought some of you might like to see it again. My cousin has been my shopping partner in crime for many years, as well as my best customer for all the furniture pieces that I just couldn't use anymore. She has a darling apartment in a turn of the century building. She wanted to show others on RMS that you don't need to be a home owner to make a home. I think she's done a wonderful job of making this apartment cozy and comfortable! What do y'all think?(You can click on any picture to enlarge))

The secretary, large picture, statue of a woman, gold chairs and sconce were purchased from me. They look much better in D's place though *winks*

This is a view into the large closet that my cousin uses for her bedroom. I found the corner display cabinet for her at a local junk shop. The hooked rug used to reside in my guest room. The crystal candelabra and clock on top of the cabinet I found for her on ebay, and the large portrait of a woman was a gift from me. So if you feel a strong Vanna influence here? Ya know why *winks*

These were roses picked from the back of her apartment. Isn't her bust of a girl darling?!!

We found this french bedside table in a local antique shop. There were actually two of them at the store. I purchased one that sits in my master bedroom and she has hers displayed in her living room. Hers is the more ornate of the two, but mine was a better match for my furniture, so it worked out perfectly! We found the french chairs together many years ago.

I know it's wrong to covet *winks* But I sooo love the blue down filled chair to the left. It is so marshmallow cushy and dreamy!

The gold sofy used to live at my house and the french art deco chandelier was an ebay find for $127!! My hubby put it up for her.

A view to the back of the room.

Her "dreamy" bedroom in a closet.

This little pink cabinet also came from my house. My cousin painted it pink and uses it for her pretties. As you can see, I got her addicted to collecting art nouveau boxes too! *winks*

And this is my cousin D's adorable little dachshund Rocha. She wants to thank you for taking this little tour of her Mommy's apartment! Please come back soon! And bring some dog biscuits with ya OK?

Wanna See Something Nou.....veau?

Well if you do? I've got some goodies to share with ya!
It's my collection of turn of the century art nouveau jewelry boxes. As a crazy collector (with limited funds*alas*) I've found that collecting these little beauties can be very satisfying! They're not difficult to find. They're very affordable, and sooo charming!! Won't you join me for a small tour of my cuties?

(You can click to enlarge any picture)

I have the majority of my boxes in this display cabinet in my bedroom but they are also scattered all over my house. I abide by a $25 rule. Can't spend more than that on one. And with very few exceptions (a couple of the larger ones) I haven't.

I found this interesting article for those who might like to learn more about art nouveau jewel boxes http://collectingbuzz.com/articles/jewelrybox.html

I love little metal objects of all kinds. Here sits a borzoi dog , a small cupid, and hiding in the middle with only the top showing is the arc de triomphe.


On the far right is one of my exception boxes (paid a wee bit more...OK I paid a LOT more!!) It's quite a large one with a portrait of Napoleon. But I HAD to have it! *winks*

Aren't the flowers lovely on this one? I often wonder who the lucky receiver of this box might have been? And was it for a special occasion? And what might have been hiding inside? Maybe........

Some beautiful violet crystals like these?...... Naw probably not. Isn't the icy blue silk interior luscious?!!

And check out the little dog paw feet on this one!

But just look at the top!! Isn't it wonderful?!!

And looky at what's on the inside! A garage sale brooch missing many rhinestones but wonderful just the same! And all that pink silk tufting!! Now this is shabby chic at it's finest dontcha think? *winks*

How about those legs?!! And what might we find in this beauty?

Ahhhh it's a victorian necklace lying on a bed of green tufted silk.

This little box tells the story of a noble lady and her family. There are raised reliefs all around the sides showing various family scenes. But I really love the interior of this one!

It has the most darling faded pale pink roses! Isn't it the sweetest little thing?

I imagine many a young lady received her engagement ring in one of these little boxes.

Can't you just see her wonder and surprise at finding something like this waiting inside?

This shot is "outside the box" Lol! and features a little paperweight with a picture of the ponte vecchio in Florence. And do you see the little Limoges box with the eiffel tower? Yep, yet another collection for another day *winks*

Isn't he a perfectly mournful boy? His expression says "get me away from all these girly boxes!!!" Y'all know how much I love busts!

Well that's it for today. Sorry I was so late in adding a new post. I'm having problems with my puter. Hope you liked my little collection. And if you post any collections of your own? Please come get me K? Cause I'd love to see them!! Vanna

Another crown For Moi!!

I found another new crown for my soon to be collection! *winks* Needs to be three or more right? So clearly I NEED to buy one more!! (lest a ways that's what I'm telling my hubby!Lol!) AND.......It's all Chrissys FAULT at http://theapothacaryshop.blogspot.com/ *winks* She has the most enchanting crowns and blog!! I took one look at hers and fell in LOVE!!..Well this blog is titled "Delusions Of Grandeur" Aint it?!! And I'm deep into deluding myself that I ..... A.) I Am royal.....and B.) That I can afford another darn crown!Lol! Plus I needed to show a little Christmas spirit to deserve the honor below *winks*

I was sooo excited to receive this award from Melissa at http://melissasheartandhome.blogspot.com/ If you havent been by to check out her beautiful Christmas decor? You're missing out! So go see!!



And also from my dear friend Lynne at http://lynnesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/ She has a gift store with the most wonderful things! And she's the queen of vignettes! Least I think so! *winks*



Here are the rules for the Christmas award.~~~~~You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award. The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas. You must link back to the person who gave you the award. You must list 5 things that you love about Christmas. If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space! Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you! But, you must pass it on to at least one person in order to keep the Christmas cheer going! Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment.





1) That it's the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. And all that he stands for.





2) That my family gathers together and we all laugh and cry and sing...which brings me to #3!





3) The wonderful food!! Food FOOD!!!!





4)The nip in the air and the feeling of wonderful surprise just around the corner!





5)Listening to Christmas music especially Nat King Cole! Brings back my childhood for me.





I know so many have received this award already, but if you haven't? Please help yourself to this Christmas award!

Thanks y'all for stopping by my little corner of blogdom.....Or should I say "My Royal Blogdom?...Yep still deep into delusion! Lol!

One Room I Will NEVER Post On Rate My Space......Hubbys MANCAVE!!

Pssssst!! Hey everybody! Would you like to follow me into the mysterious inner sanctum of my hubby?.......The MANCAVE? I have to warn you that there will be nudity, taxidermy and danger! (yes I know it's already too late you see a bum shot!) Hence the "NEVER post on RMS! So if you find these things objectionable? Beter not look! Ok that said, this is the one room in our home that hubby got to decorate all by himself (Well the garage too, but since it's stacked to the ceiling with my stuff it doesn't count *winks*) He's at work right now so I thought I'd sneak y'all in for a sneaky peeky *winks* This is the front of the nekkid lady. She's lifesize and was once a lighting fixture(one of many) in a french art deco theatre. She is my hubbys pride and joy.

Haven't you heard that "every room needs a little leopard"? Well in hubbys case that equals...... little leopard! His name is Lawson and he's our literary leopard! He's resting on a marble commode that houses a refrigerator and stereo equipment. Making it possible for hubby to withdraw from the world (aka me!) for days at a time......OK I admit I'm exaggerating......but he has been know to dissapear for hours at a time!

What might a leopard be looking at? What else but GIRLS!!! Of course! ....Silly men!!

This secretary was a craigslist find for $200 and houses hubbys computer. The top drawer opens, folds down and hides the keyboard.

Some of hubbys pretties....Hmmmmmm that doesn't sound very manly does it? Let me try again.....Some of hubbys manly pretties! Lol!!

On the left side of the desk is a set of bookcases found at an auction for $95 for the pair!

I only included this shot to show y'all the corner cabinet. It's from Belgium and it's my favorite piece in the room *winks*

Desktop

One of hubbys smaller nude pieces. This one is dated 1912 and was a giveaway piece from a poultry company! Hmmmmmm what a strange choice but.......

Her leg comes off and becomes a letter opener. Sorry it looks kinda gruesome doesn't it?

This art nouveau clock was a gift from me.

A few art deco girls.

This little bathing beauty is a bronze and rests on a note holder.

Another deco girl about to get her toes wet.

Crazy collecting runs in the family! Huby collects garbage trucks and Batman...Yep he's quirky too!

Cozy reading chair.

Well that's the end of the tour. Lets quietly exit and he'll never know we were here......no tattling! Vanna

My CROWNING Moment.......

Yesterday the hubby took me out to breakfast after church and as we were leaving the restaurant, I spied in one area of the parking lot, a store by the name of "Cake" Well as a girl who wants to have her cake and to eat it too, I just HAD to check it out! So in I went dragging resistant hubby behind me *winks* I sure wish I'd brought my camera with me because this store was dreamy! Anyhoo as I was busy perusing about in the corner of my eye I spotted a golden crown. Now I have been searching for a crown for quite some time. Even my friends were jumping in on the act trying to find one for me (probably to get me to hush up about wanting one every ten minutes!) And this one was just the ticket!! And I didn't even have to sell an arm and a leg to afford it! Just had to twist hubbys arm really HARD! But I'm pretty good at that, heh heh heh! Oh yippee Ki yay it's MINE!! Here is my new crown displayed with one of my little spelter boys for Christmas. I stuck a moss ball in it and Wa-La!! And here is a close up on my little spelter boy. Isn't he a cutie?

As we were driving back into our little town, I spied a sign for an estate sale. Those of you who already know me KNOW I can NOT pass by an estate sale without stopping! (also applies to all garage sales...tag sales...sales of pretty much any kind *winks* You get the picture) Who knows? I might miss a the treasure of a lifetime!! So once again hubby in tow leaving black shoe marks of resistance behind him, I dragged him from room to room of the estate sale. With less than one hour left, I spotted these vintage flower prints from 1943 at $15 each...Well because it was the last day of the sale everything was half price! So the two fab ole prints cost me $15! They're big ones too! I'm pondering where to put them.....Perhaps in my shabby chic bedroom here?

http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/snc/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=d47da89b-0cbc-44bd-b660-ee8a50b75154

As I wandered into the garage of the estate sale house I spotted this birdcage and stand. The birdcage was marked $15 and the stand was $38....Well that's wayyyy to rich for my blood! But the man handling the items for the estate sale told me I could have them both for $15! Well that's more like it!! But me being the cheapo....ahem.... I mean "thrifty gal that I am I asked him if he would consider $12? He said sure! So now I have me a white stand and red birdcage! I'm going to use the stand as a display for a vintage chandy *winks* NO idea what to do with the cage but it sure is a cutie! Does anyone need one? (Ann my friend?) Let me know!

The birdcage is marked "crown"! It seemed to be my theme for the day! Lol! Don't ya love the old mosque style top?

But here was my piece de resistance for the day!! I was chatting with the gals inside running the sale and spotted something sparkley warkley in a box.......Unfortunately it was in the "SOLD" area. I asked if I could carefully take a look anyway (glutton for punishment that I am) The gal told me that if the lady that had placed it on hold didn't show up in 15 minutes she would let me have it if I wanted it........IF I WANTED IT??!!!! Well OF COURSE I WANTED IT!!! It's an antique empire chandelier and the price was only....are you ready?......$25!! OK it needs some work......LOTS of work!! Some of the crystals are cracked and many will need to be restrung. Some of the ribbon details are broken. There are a few missing crystals.....But when I'm done with it, it will be glorious!! I just know it!! Well I'm pretty sure!!.......OK fairly confident...... (Hubby is snorting in the background because he knows HE will have to work on it *winks*) Fingers crossed that it won't be a total mess and waste of money...and sit with the other 6 chandeliers suspended out in the garage!Lol! Please check back with me next week when I will post it in all it's restored glory....such as it is *winks*

It has some cherub faces that aren't very fine...But whatcha expect for $25? *winks*

And lest I forget, this little chandy Christmas ornament was also a Cake find. Isn't it darling? And 25% off! Well thanks for sharing my shopping outing. If y'all post any estate sale/flea market finds will you please give me a holla? I just love seeing others finds and treasures!

Vanna