*The Brambleberry Cottage*

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 3 - Pretty in Pink

We all know how popular this color is during the month of February,

but individual tastes determine whether it prevails in a home's décor all year long.

As I survey the cottage, I'm hard pressed to find much pink anywhere! My Yankee, being the man's man that he is, believes pink should be reserved for...little girls, flowers, and bubblegum.

Over the years, any cravings I've had for pink have been satisfied vicariously through my antiques and collectibles businesses.

I find something I really like, bring it home, display it for as long as the Yankee can tolerate it, and then–when he can stand it no more–I sell it.

For example…

When I bought this creamer and sugar pair, I thought I would be adding them to my personal collection.

I liked the way they looked perched atop my vintage pink cake stand–when entertaining friends over coffee.

And isn't this antique porcelain basket, with delicate pink roses, adorable?

Well…the stay here at the cottage for each of them was short lived!

This early 1900s lithograph–with its lovely Victorian lady and luscious pink roses–was totally captivating. Even the ravages of time had not detracted from her beauty.

But, I'm sorry to say…she has taken up

residence with someone else!

I did manage to keep these vintage dishcloths for awhile. Their cottagey-pink cuteness made me smile, each time I used them.

I had this Bavarian creamer and beautiful vintage plate for some time.

I thought of them as sweet, feminine additions to my china cabinet. I liked the way they introduced little splashes of color to
my white ironstone pieces.

They have since gone the way of eBay!

Remember this cute shabby table from my front porch? Gone!

But on the bright side…now I have a reason to redecorate my porch when the weather gets a little warmer! ; )

I do still have this pretty pink dish–with its romantic rococo scene. I like the way it teasingly peeks out of this vintage ironstone gravy boat displayed in my cabinet.

And I did get away with using a good deal of pink in my outdoor Valentine's tablescape. Remember seeing that serene setting here?

So, I suppose, until my beautiful cottage flowers start blooming in the spring, that pretty much sums up "pink" at the Brambleberry Cottage.

I can't wait for spring!

Then, I'll be able to sway gently in my hammock, admiring the gorgeous pink blossoms of my ornamental flowering cherry tree and dream of the delicate pink blooms of the impatiens I will once again plant.

Because, other than my flower garden,

there's only one place where the Yankee and I can always agree on pink…

on our precious granddaughter, Lana. She's always "pretty in pink"!

Now it's your turn to share your pink pretties–for decorating, crafting, collecting, gardening–or just something pink that warms your heart!

"Pretty in Pink" is a perfect post for Beverly's Pink Saturday Party at How Sweet the Sound. Let's go visit. Shall we?

When I was in Marshalls snapping up all those pictures

for the post here, this lovely bejeweled notepad caught my eye. I thought it would be terrific for Pretty in Pink day, as an addition to the giveaway this week.

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your

Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this

week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. http://tinandsparkle.blogspot.com/
2. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/lot-of-blessings-to-share.html
3. Tammy

4. Tammy
5. Jenn Raley
6. Marilyn

7. suzyq-atthefarmhouse
8. Meghan
9. http://donna-sugarspicesouthernlife.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 2 - On Angels' Wings

Cherubs, angels, putti, and Cupid have all become familiar iconic figures of this particular holiday. But…they have also become quite popular in everyday decorating as well.

When my children were young, I decorated for most holidays. As they got older, the primary Valentine adornments of our home were the ones they had created over the years. In their teens, they lost interest in such things, so I reserved seasonal embellishments for main holidays only.

Though I do not decorate for Valentine's Day, I do use cherubs and angels around the cottage–both inside and out–to add a bit of quaint charm to my décor.

I've had this sweet little Lefton's China piece for a number of years. I found it on one of my many thrifting jaunts and fell in love with the simple elegance of it.

The playful cherubs encircled by flowers and curlicues are delightfully sweet–yet sophisticated enough to suit my tastes.

And, the fleur-de-lis-like applied handles are the crowning touch!

This piece has had many resting spots in my home over the years and many varied uses as well. It has held dried roses, live plants, potpourri, and even candles.

With all its versatility, it will continue to be a part of my décor for many years to come.

I found this wonderful cherub at an antique show some time ago and felt that he would be the perfect compliment to the vintage girandole you see behind him. The cherub and the girandole echoed

the original ornamental hardware of this vintage Drexel piece.

When we found the nightstand

it was in less than ideal condition, so I asked the Yankee to paint it pink for me.

Alas, the pink was a bit more than he could handle, so I ended up selling it and the cherub in my eBay store.

When I found the vintage statue, pictured below, at an outdoor flea market, it was a most unpleasant shade of gold. I loved the cherub's pose and delicate features and could just envision the many wonderful items that could be displayed in the urn at the top.

So…I purchased it–knowing paint could cure all its ills.

If you've been following along, you know that I am forever challenged to blend the Yankee's rustic décor preferences with my more refined, feminine tastes. With that in mind, rather than use soft pastels with this sweet cherub, I used more earthy tones and even brought a rusty urn filled with antique doorknobs into the mix to combine our styles.

But, as I would pass by that vignette–atop the bedroom bureau–day after day, I imagined all the feminine elements I secretly wanted to bring into play. So, I did a bit of rearranging! What do you think?

Did you happen to notice the cherub pair in the background of the
photo above? It was the main section of a lamp when I discovered it.

I loved that portion of the piece–even the color–but chose to set aside the other lamp components for future projects. When I took it apart, it looked unfinished. The vintage lamp finial–which the Yankee had on hand–was just what I needed to complete the look.

That one little decorative lamp piece has been displayed in a number of different vignettes around the cottage.

Like here...

and here...

and there.

Whenever I decide to change the look of my home, I usually just move things around...

or take them apart and use them in a new way. ; )

This sweet-faced angel lives year-round in my flower garden. When she tires of her location, there is always another alluring setting just awaiting her arrival!

And finally…
there's this little guy.

I'm usually drawn to statuary displaying sweet, innocent expressions. But, the mischievous grin on this one's face made me smile. He reminds me that we shouldn't take life too seriously!

The treasure to be added today, to this week's giveaway, is this sweet little vintage cherub dish–discovered at an estate sale. It would look so romantic filled with heart soaps, rose petals or whatever

strikes your fancy!