Addiction to Charming Doors

I know, I know, I need to sign up for

Antique Doors Anonymous!

I guess the first step is to stop making excuses

for such behavior and stop playing the blame game.

But....

since I live in a newer home, 

I'm always looking for ways to add character and charm.

Antique doors that still have their glass panes

are sometimes hard to find.

Notice the wonderful hardware that is still intact as well.

The glass panes on this door are actually hand blown.

Just in case you missed it, did you notice the YUMMY color?

I know I'm going to have to start selling some of my doors....

But in the meantime...

they're adding a bit of charm to my home

that I love!

Blessings,

Mary Alice

Partying at:

No Minimalist Here Open House Thursday

The Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays

Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday

Always on the Hunt

I know we're all the same....everywhere we go

we have one eye on the road and one eye looking out for treasures.

Last weekend we went to a street antique fair

 held each year in a quaint town on our way to my parents.

It's usually pricey and there never seems to be

  much wiggle room on prices.

I guess they'd rather pack it all up and take it home again.

However, I did find a couple of things I'd like to show you.

The vendor selling this metal 6 bottle carrier

was kind enough to meet my price.

What I like about it is that the partitions

are large enough to hold my

French canning jars.

I'm also loving the metal handle.

BTW...

do you see the French white enamel pitcher 

on the little garden table below? LOVE it!!

No, I didn't get this at the antique fair.

This was a little indulgence on my part. 

It just arrived from Cat's etsy shop at Sunday Brocante.

Cat, who lives in france, also has a

delightful blog. Be sure and check it out.

Back to the weekend antique fair....

One other find was

this French bucket...the one in the middle.

I already had the other two buckets, so I figured a 

third one would be perfect.

After all, aren't we supposed to display things 

in odd numbers??

Although these make great waste cans, planters,

magazine holders...you name it...I'm kind of

liking the simplicity of just lining them

up in a row.

Simple but Striking!

Thank you so much for stopping by,

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece Monday

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up!

In the Old Road All Star Block Party

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants What's It Wednesday

Vintage Washtub

I know you all have seen vintage washtubs 

used in a variety of ways. Often I see the double tubs

for sale, but for some reason it's the

single ones that attract my attention.

These tubs are a lot of fun to use in a variety of ways...

like using them as planters in your garden.

There's a certain charm about the metal frame of this tub, don't you think?

This little washtub happens to come with a lid which

makes it even more versatile.

What fun to use it as a little server at an 

outdoor or porch party?

Oh, the endless possibilities...

Or what about using it for a beverage bar?

Great for serving appetizers or desserts.

Have you thought of  filling the inside with ice

and beverages when entertaining? 

Just in time for a Fourth of July party!

I'm sure your creative minds can come up with more

great ideas for this fun vintage washtub.

Blessings,

Mary Alice

Ivy and Elephants What's It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

New House, New Home, New Life All Stars Block Party

The Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home

Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday

Fishtail Cottage Cottage Garden Party

Let Me Count the Reasons...

...why I've loved sharing my home and

 passions through blogging.

As it's going on 6 months since I've started blogging,
I've been overwhelmed by the support
and encouragement I've received
from the blogging community.

You all "get me." You understand why I do what I do.

You, my friends, understand why I like

Propping...

Stacking...

and Layering.

You agree that rust is a good thing...

Our hearts go pitter-patter when we see 

layers of paint showing through...

You understand why a painter's drop cloth is great for upholstery...

(BTW, if you need a fabulous upholsterer, I highly

recommend Syd Figert in Leesburg, VA. She 

reupholstered this settee for me.)

You understand why I hang vintage clock faces on the wall...

and display some in an ironstone compote...or nest...

 A hanging basket for toilet paper on the back

of the door of our tiny powder room makes sense to you...

You don't think it strange to hang the window of an 

old garage door on a long wall in the basement...

You understand wonderful patina and why I have a hard time

passing up a mirror with lots of aging...

Thank you, my friends, for being kindred spirits!

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Party

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up!

Yeah! My Hydrangeas Are Blooming

So excited that my hydrangea bushes are

loaded with blooms ready to be cut and brought inside.

Well....they are almost in full bloom

....enough that I was able to find several to bring inside

to showcase in some of my favorite bottles.

It was also fun to fill the little jars

hanging from my bottle drying rack with cuttings.

Another reason I was anxious for my hydrangeas

to be ready for inside pleasure was this pretty 

little iron planter I found last week.

I really like vintage iron pieces with a little bit of rust.

I knew I could find a spot for it somewhere.

  Our porch and deck were already full...

so why not use it inside during the summer?

It's a perfect fit in the living room mantel opening

and I love the pop of color of the bottles

filled with hydrangeas.

So pretty....I should be able to keep my bottles filled

with these lovelies all summer!

Blessings,

Mary Alice

Linking to:

The Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

A Delightsome Life Home and Garden Thursday

Ruffled Nest Friday Pretties

Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Irresistable Finds

Just a quickie today to show you a couple of recent

finds that I couldn't resist.

I love old berry crates....

especially if they have a bit of a unique personality....

like this one with the heavy wire handle.

Without intentionally trying, I seem to have 

started a collection of scales.

I've never seen one of this style so small.

Is this the cutest thing or what?

It wasn't until I got home, and on closer examination

realized that this is a postal scale!

At the moment I'm displaying these scales

on top of my pie safe along with these bottles under a cloche.

I loved the idea of the bottles and cloche when 

I saw it on Melinda's blog post at Alabaster Rose Designs.

She has such an inspiring style.

So I gathered my bottles I had sprinkled around the house,

brought out my cloche from the closet, and

Voila!

Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiration, my friends!

Mary Alice

Linking to:

Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece Monday

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cozy Home Scenes Your Cozy Home Party

Ivy and Elephants What's It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday