Monogramming Vintage Napkins
Monograms have been around for ages and are considered to be the oldest form of identification in the world. Historically, rules of monogramming include a single last name initial or 3 letter monogram that includes the larger last name initial in the middle, flanked by a smaller first and middle initial.
How to Remove a White Heat Ring from a Wood Table
This is, without a doubt, my new favorite party trick.
I found this gorgeous table recently and it needed a little pick me up. One of the rehab treatments was removing this white heat ring from the wood.
Adding Dorothy Draper Touches to Your Home
I keep thinking about how I would describe Dorothy Draper. And the best description I have is that she was the OG of Style. A designer, a socialite, a mother, a wife and a female business owner... Dorothy Draper was a trailblazer. She pushed the limits of decor with her bright colors and big patterns. She pushed the limits of social expectations by opening what many consider the first interior design studio.
Introduction to Collecting Milk Glass
Milk Glass. You've heard the term but do you really know what it is? Today we are going to briefly explore what it is and how to determine if it is older or a reproduction piece.
The Lure of the Dining Room Library
I spend WAY too much time thinking about my future house. (correction, my future homes). If I am in a new neighborhood, I fantasize about what the inside of the homes look like based off the exterior and start picking finishes that would match this house. Try as I might, I can't turn it off.
When we finally buy a home and move out of our rental, the one part of the house I pray I can make work is a dining room library. I really have my heart set on this.
We have already discussed the House of Harvie's mad love for some books.
The idea of sitting down at a large table with candlelight and friends...being surrounded by books. It makes my heart flutter.
Bookshelves are Personal
My husband loves books...like LOVES books. And I am about to sound like I don't...but I do. One day I would love nothing more than to have a room full of built-in bookshelves and have them covered from floor to ceiling with stacks of books. A home library is the height of charming to me.
So when we moved from the Snuggery (our Capitol Hill rental) into our new rental there were some big design decisions that had to be made about what the hell to do with the 1000 boxes of books in our storage unit.
The Best 5 Things to Buy at a Thrift Store
There are some really off-the-wall things I have found and brought home from thrifting. I can't help it. When I find old vintage decorative birds, I have to purchase and put them aside...you never know when I may want to hot glue one to a wreath or add one to a Christmas tree.
My husband doesn’t even bat an eye anymore when I come in with these random items.
While I love the random items, there are 5 things I will never leave behind when I am thrifting:
How to Style a Picture Ledge with Vintage Art
This wall in my living room, ya'll. It changes more than I do outfits. I am constantly rearranging depending on my latest art finds. (Did you see my Instagram post yesterday? It has already changed from this picture taken 2 weeks ago).
As I have mentioned before, we live in a rental. Much to my frustration, my landlord will not let me paint and don't even get me started on how horrible that carpet is. Adding fun and bright art is such an easy way for me to take this drab room up a notch.
How to Tell the Difference between Glass and Crystal
I used to get so tripped up trying to figure this out. (Don't get me wrong, I still run across things that make me have to second guess myself). But here are a few tips to help you know the difference between crystal and glass.
Adding Vintage Touches to a Nursery
My son, Grayson, has the best room in the whole house. It is bright and has the perfect mix of all the vintage touches I love to incorporate into my designs. It is full of texture and layers. It is important to me he grows up around lots of bold color. I think it immediately can lift a bad mood. I kind of laugh at the idea he may look back at this room and think "Oh, that was so mom."
Let's start with the obvious. That wall. Isn't it just the happiest thing you ever seen? I couldn't afford half of the prints I really wanted so I just got some canvas and free styled some prints that inspired me. The red print all the way on the left was from Etsy. Using the black frames really unifies the wall with the different colors and styles. I also love mixing in canvas and prints.
Creating a Modern Buffet with Vintage Platters
Today I wanted to share my favorite tips for creating a super easy modern buffet table using beautiful vintage platters. Entertaining with vintage platters is my happy place. Mixing and matching and showing off beautiful old items in a modern setting is exactly what I love to do.
For me, it is all about layers and height. It adds such a level of visual interest and helps everyone see the food better (or what I really care about...it shows off the vintage serving pieces better). Here is a step by step guide to building this buffet.
How to tell the Difference between a Handmade and Machine Made Rug
You are out at a flea market and you glance over and see it. It is perfect. It has that one hard to find color you have been lusting after. You go over and they quote you a price that you aren't so sure about. Is it fair? Is it overpriced?
One of the best ways to tell if you are getting a good price on a rug is to know if it is handmade or machine made. Obviously, if the rug is handmade, the value (and price) is more because of the skill, time and talent.
There are four types of rugs…
What is Elegant Glass?
Elegant glass is a relatively new term coined to the glass of this period that had to be touched by human hands. But, it does get a little complicated. Sometimes companies used the same molds as their “regular ole” depression glass and then manipulated it. Because of this, it is helpful to know some of the manufacturers and pattern names of the popular Elegant Glass of the time!
Introduction to Depression Glass and Patterns
Can you even imagining opening up your box of Cheerios or whatever and finding a piece of shinny colored glass in there? That might actually be enough to get my lazy ass out of bed in the morning.
Who is Charles Eames?
I remember the first time I ever saw the famous Eames Lounge chair. It reminded me of something my grandfather would have had. Something he would have curled up in at night to read the paper and have a drink. It was beautiful and filled me with the comfort of familiarity.
Tour of Capitol Hill Vintage Filled Rental
Y'all, I have a vintage feast for your eyes! This amooooozing Capitol Hill rental vintage utopia belongs to one of my best friends, Blair. And my girl does not mess around when it comes to showing her love of vintage art and mid century treasures. She is my most favorite partner in crime for all of my thrifting and flea market missions and you are about to see why.
What is a Caviar Spoon?
Caviar (sturgeon eggs) is a such a delicacy it requires its own spoon. The spoon is usually small (about 6 inches or smaller) and has an oval or shallow bowl to serve the caviar. But, you will also find some spoons larger and more ornate.
However, the material of the spoons is what is most important. Grabbing your silver teaspoon to serve caviar is considered a real faux-paus. Instead, caviar spoons are made of materials that won't taint the delicate taste of this luxury.
Who is Milo Baughman?
Born in Kansas, this modern furniture designer moved with his family at an early age to Long Beach, California. It is there that he grew up and eventually found himself in the Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he returned home and studied architectural design at The California Institute of the Arts.
Baughman designed for many different companies but he is most known for his long term partnership with Thayer Coggin Inc in High Point, NC. This association began in 1953 and lasted until his death in 2003.
A (Vintage) Brass Menagerie
One of the most common things I find at flea markets are brass mid-century animals. These beauties were all the rage in the 1960s and still very popular today. They are the perfect touch to warm up a mantel, to add some depth to your bookshelves or to add visual interest or height to a side table. I absolutely love them and find them so useful in decorating.
The Most Popular Silver Patterns
I love how personal a silver pattern is to someone. Especially when it has been passed down in generations throughout a family. There is nothing I love more than watching folks take pride in their heirlooms.
There are a TON of different silver patterns. With the help of both Southern Living and Replacements.com, below is a comprehensive list of the most popular patterns.