~candid spaces~

A series of photographs showing home interiors and gardens as I found them. No effort was made in styling.

(Photo- Martha B.)

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~candid spaces~

My Teenage Son

My son Curtis is finishing up his freshman year in high school this week. Yikes! He embraces growing up and being a teenager. Yet my feelings are mixed. I have to use so much more tact in almost everything I say or do with him. Gone are the days when he obeyed with little debate. Now…now I wrestle against the arguments of a young Perry Mason! Schoolwork, chores, clothing, bedtime and movies that were manageable five years ago are all on the table for negotiation. At the end of the day I fall into bed exhausted. But my heart swells with joy at the person he’s becoming. Maybe I should get a car bumper sticker that says…Proud Mother Of A Teen? :)

(Photo of Curtis at 10 months- Andy H. Styling- Martha B.)

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~candid spaces~

Decorating@Nibs- Fireplace Mantels

I thought it would be a fun challenge to do a collection of posts on decorating. Not whole room renovations mind you, but rather smaller, more manageable projects. First up will be a bunch of ideas for decorating fireplace mantels. So…check back as I’ll be posting a new mantel arrangement each week. I hope these will provide lots of inspiration.

Fireplace Mantel Idea #11- Inside/Outside

I loved the idea of using this colorful floral fabric as a whimsical backdrop for some garden related items.

1. Fabric from Calico Corners

2. Old watering cans (similar at Terrain)

3. Rabbit photograph by Walter Schels from his book ‘Animal Portraits‘

4. Vintage picnic basket

5. Garden bench

A peek at next week’s mantel!

(Styling & photos- Martha B.)

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Decorating@Nibs- Series

Ebay- Old Photo Albums

I came across this 1930′s album page and found myself smiling at the amount of tape used to hold the photos in place. I’d frame it just as it is.

This album is strictly for the dogs! For the dog show lover anyway. Great photos from 1940′s & 1950′s.

A page from an album of photobooth prints is definitely worth displaying. I wish the seller had more.

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“…All great things had small beginnings…”

Vintage postage stamp from Czechosvakia

The Maine Event

Looking back at Summer 2004- Vogue offers fashion advice to readers vacationing in the state of Maine. Long seersucker dress from Ralph Lauren (left) and green leaf printed dress by Oscar de la Renta (right).

Looking back at Summer 2004- Pedal pushing in J.Crew green polo,  Andrew Gn blue floral embroidered skirt and Jamin Puech sandals.

Looking back at Summer 2004-  Paul Smith striped shirt covers a bikini top by Tommy Hilfiger. Tennis sweater & classic khakis both from A.P.C. Nothing beats a pair of Birkenstock sandals (left). Hooded windbreaker at Bottega Veneta worn with a David Szeto lobster printed tee, Guess capri jeans and Tod’s blue/white loafers (right).

Looking forward to Summer 2011- Vogue revisits Maine…not that I’m complaining! The perfect cable knit sweater by Brunello Cucinelli. Braving the elements in coveralls & hat from meltontackle.com.

Looking forward to Summer 2011- Waiting for the boat to arrive in a striped sleeveless dress by Prada and rubber Hunter boots.

Looking forward to Summer 2011- Coastal classics…model has a canvas parka from meltontackle.com, wool sweater by Dries Van Noten, stripe skirt at Moschino, NYC. Platform tie up shoes at Tabitha Simmons.

(Photos by Steven Meisel for Vogue, 2004. Craig McDean for Vogue, 2011)

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Fashion Details-

Shirred Grecian style dress by Opening Ceremony

Rain ballet flats at J.Crew

Hair has miniature paper roses (mix of white & cream) from Crafta

Earrings- Unknown

(Portrait photo- Elliot & Erick Jimenez via Fashion Gone Rogue)

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IDEA- Painted Wainscot & Door

Beginning at chair rail height, a wainscot or dado is the lower part of an interior wall that is decorated with wood or paint. What caught my eye with this picture is that the owner painted the wainscot a contrasting color and included the door!

(Photo- Jan Baldwin for ‘Perfect English Cottage‘)

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Book- ‘Perfect English Cottage’

Downsizing

Reuse- Egg Crate

Ceramic egg crate is reused as a holder for my earrings & brooches.

(Photo- Martha B.)

Decorating@Nibs- Fireplace Mantels

I thought it would be a fun challenge to do a collection of posts on decorating. Not whole room renovations mind you, but rather smaller, more manageable projects. First up will be a bunch of ideas for decorating fireplace mantels. So…check back as I’ll be posting a new mantel arrangement each week. I hope these will provide lots of inspiration.

Fireplace Mantel Idea #10- Christmas Portrait

Instead of the usual portrait over the mantel I decided to hang one below it. To balance the strong oil painting I needed an equally strong wall covering. This stylized leaf print in raspberry red and white is perfect. Now for the mantel shelf. I added a playful touch using a garden bust/planter to mimic the painted matron right down to her lace collar…although mine is just a paper doily.

As for Christmas decorating- I filled the bust’s head cavity with a profusion of pine greens, holly, ivy & grocery store carnations.  Two glass ornaments are displayed on gold candle holders. I whipped up the simple garland using dot stickers and string.

1. Wall covering is fabric left over from our anniversary party. Available at Calico Corners.

2. Antique portrait (borrowed from Margot…her husband’s great-great grandmother!)

3. Similar garden lady planter

4. Anthropologie Christmas ornaments (box of 12, assorted colors)

5. Candle holders were wedding gifts

6. Vintage mirror

7. Note card with quote ‘dance, love, sing, live‘

8. You can find these stickers at most school supply stores.

A peek at next week’s mantel!

(Styling & photos- Martha B.)

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Decorating@Nibs-Series