More Parlor Details.........

Wow!! I can't believe that I've been gone for almost a month!!

Vacation in Eureka Springs was wonderful. We also stopped at a few unique and historic towns on the way home. Then, I needed to concentrate on our annual church bazaar and creating items for that. Those will have to be detailed in other posts as I want to get back to the parlor and our give away! Continue with those comments as all will be counted as one entry each for the prize.

We are focusing on Victorian details in decorating. Always present is the glass covered floral arrangement. This most often contained a bird or some type of stuffed animal (yuck). I've chosen instead a beautiful porcelain pitcher from Germany and an antique crochet doily.




One of my favorite collections is lace collars from the 1800s. I have about 50 in my collection now and have chosen to showcase a few in this antique Apothecary jar. I change them often with ones that are stored away and take them out at least once a week to just look at the tatting and beautiful handwork on them. Humbles me a great deal...


Another of my collections is pin cushion dolls. This one was acquired at a flea market for $6.00. They did not know what they had as I would have paid ten times that for this beauty. The silk on her skirt is a bit tattered, but I love her just that way and could not change her a bit. Just look at that lace! I do have many busts without the skirts (pincushions) and intent to duplicate this one using one of those.

The Vics loved their clocks. As clocks were always hand crafted and very expensive, the more afluent Victorians displayed them as a collection showing off their personal status in the community. I don't love them that much, but every once in a while, I will run across one that tickles my fancy. This is one of those. I found this at an estate sale that was mostly made up of boxes to sort through. Another of those that were done by the "unknowing and uncaring" grandchildren. They had no thought of keeping anything of their grandparents as they were now sucessfull attornys themselves. With little regard to the treasures that they posessed, I asked how much for the little clock. They said $2.00 and snickered under their breath as to what a fool I was to buy it for even that. So sad. After a little cleaning, this is what surfaced.


This is another of my not-so-perfect finds. This little pitcher was purchased at a garage sale and was only 50 cents because it has a small chip out of the rim on the back side. I love the softness and color of the roses and no one even knows there is a tiny chip in it. It goes perfectly on the mantle in here with some ivy in it.


Hubby and I love to travel to historic towns and other places of interest. This is my spoon rack with souviniers from each of the places we have visited over the past six years. I'm having to double up so need to find another rack soon as we are off to Cape May next year. I can't wait!!


This little Eastlake chair was purchased, as is, at a local auction for (don't hit me) $7.50. Now, the upholstry is not original, of course. It's not even period, but I plan to recover this little cutie sometime this winter. The color is OK for now and it serves very well as a desk chair. So sorry that the gorgeous carving on the headstead does not show very well in this photo.


I found this lovely tassel to adorn the back of the chair. Victorians LOVED tassels and used them everywhere! This one has beautiful beading on it and I think I got it at TJ Maxx.


I finally got the portrait to put in the empty frame. Alas, it did not fit very well as the painted part was not quite wide enough. With a little imagination, I painted the sides of the canvas black and hand dyed a piece of beaded lace to cover the the black which make it wide enough for my stretcher. I like it even better!

I've shown all of these details to impress upon one and all that you don't have to spend a fortune in order to create a warm, inviting, interesting, romantic room. Just use your imagination and display what you love. Add a little whimsy. You will never tire of it and will always feel right at HOME.

Click on any photo for an enlargement. Please do not copy without my permission. I'll gladly give it for a good reason.

Stay tuned. Next time I'm featuring a post called "What's under there?" and I'll also reveal the treasures for the giveaway.

Don't forget to comment..........