Hi! My name is Angela, and I refuse to let my 50's ranch home keep me from cottage style!
Color Challenge: White
I was just reading Andrea W at Big Creek Cottage, and she said that Maureen at Penchants, Ponderings & Posies was having a Winter White List Giveaway, where everyone is sharing photos from their home of their favorite whites.
The photo at the top is a stoneware creamer that I found at (shocker) a thrift store for a buck. I love it. I also have a couple of full-sized pitchers. There's something about the line and curve of a pitcher (small or large) that I just cannot get enough of. I have glass ones for pink lemonade, white stoneware ones for flowers, and both just for admiring.
White wicker chair
This white wicker rocking chair (recent thrift store find) is in the living room for now. The lace pillow sham I found the same day. Wicker is one of the few things I never get tired of. I do tend to rotate pieces in and out, but I always have at least something in wicker.
Battenberg euro shams
You've all seen my bed, with the plates above. This is a close-up of the euro shams. They're not vintage, they just look it because they've been used every day for eight years! Eight! I usually get tired of things quickly. But for some reason, not these. I love them.
Lace edging
Here's a close-up of the lace edging. I admit that normally it doesn't look so nice; I ironed it just for you. I also have a Battenberg shower curtain that I have had since 1993. I haven't had a spot for it since about '95 but I still love it. I'm thinking maybe turning it into a duvet cover.
Whitewashed bird house
with clay bird
This bird house (one of many) is also from a thrift store. I have a standing rule to buy any birdcages or bird houses I find when thrifting. I love birds, too. I had an eccentric neighbor once in a little 1920's-era 8-plex who kept doves. She would set their cage outside on nice days. I would open my front door and read while listening to the cooing doves. It was (still is) the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.
Painted, distressed shelf
This is a little shelf for the bathroom. I love painted, distressed finished. I never get tired of them. The week I turned 18 I got my first apartment with some girls I found on the junior college notice board. (My parents were not thrilled.) One of the girls was refinishing an old dressing table. She was only halfway done, the paint all cracked and peeled, the wood underneath impregnated with white paint. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. She was going to refinish it with a wood stain. I thought she was nuts. If I could figure out how to reproduce that look; the look of having been painted 40 times and then someone got worn out halfway through a refinishing job? I would do that to everything I own. Really.
Distressed wood applique
from jelly cupboard
And of course, you've all seen my jelly cupboard. This is a close-up. I haven't had it all that long, only a few years, but I adore it. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it, especially because of these wooden appliques (what's the "technical name," I wonder?). I just love them. LOVE.
So, my list ended up being things that my love for never wanes. I have to be honest, I'm so fickle with furnishings, colors and accessories, I didn't even realize I had such undying passions. But here's a list to prove otherwise!
What about you? What are you absolute most favorite things that you just love, year in and year out? And do you know the secret to making a piece of new furniture look like a half-done refinishing job? Seriously. I want to know.
I enjoyed this color challenge so much, I decided to start holding my own. The first one was the Cottage Magpie Color Challenge, February 2008: Pink.
Comments (19)
Okay, OKAY already! Ive got your number tonite(and today) I have followed your instructions, first I went over and told Kim how much I adored you, then I went over to Mos and entered the white contest, what else, rub your tootsies, too??? I hope your having a lovely evening, Miss Magpie, as I am going to bed to dream up a little exciting business for my blog- not sure what It will be, but youve got me going. Such a good writer and photographer, Angela, I will talk to you tomorrow!!!
Lots a blog love your way--
Lisa
coastal nest
IM GONNA WIN THOSE BIRDS!!!
Posted by Lisa | January 5, 2008 10:38 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 22:38
Hi Angela, beautiful post! Love white on white. All your photos are beautiful, the litle clay bird and the linen and wicker, irresistable! And the wooden appliques, gorgeous! Year in year out anmd across all seasons, we love our armchairs, it's just the fabric and style of chair that we never tire of. Thanks for sharing all these links too. We shall be off to investigate! Have a wonderful day, we think it's your Sunday?!
Jenn and Jacqui
Posted by Jenn and Jacqui | January 5, 2008 10:47 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 22:47
Hi Angela!
I am so glad you took the time to leave me a comment, and showed me the way into your beautiful world!! I really love you last post, about living White, one of my favourite colour at the moment. Beautiful pictures!
I wish you a great year too!
Aina x
Posted by Aina | January 6, 2008 3:00 AM
Posted on January 6, 2008 03:00
Gorgeous photos. You have such an artistic eye. I love love love your distressed shelf. I too love that look and want to know how to achieve it!
Posted by Emily | January 6, 2008 5:12 AM
Posted on January 6, 2008 05:12
WOW- what pretty stuff you have!! Love that wicker chair!!!
Posted by Euphoria | January 6, 2008 9:19 AM
Posted on January 6, 2008 09:19
HI Angela!
I just finished reading your entire blog and WOW are you an inspiration!! We also have just moved into a new home and have out former residence on the market. Our new home is a 50's ranch as well with lots of potential. I am tackling the dining room and wondered if you were satisfied with your chandelier purchase from www.spectrumhome3.com? I would love to see a photo of the one you selected. I was a little nervous about their no cash back policy and have been hemming and hawing about making the purchase for the last few weeks.
Thanks and keep up the good work!!
Roxy :)
Posted by Roxy | January 6, 2008 9:33 AM
Posted on January 6, 2008 09:33
Hi, Angela, glad you got in on Maureen's winter white post. She & I have been friends for several years now & she is just getting her blog off the ground. You will love what she has to share, I'm sure. Mo is very creative & has a great eye for photography too.
Love all your pics! Each & every one. Very inspirational for winter white.
xo,
Rhoda
Posted by Rhoda | January 6, 2008 12:36 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 12:36
I love your beautiful white things. Especially the wicker rocker. I love white wicker! Now, if I could only convince my husband to love it too . . . I might be able to have it somewhere in my house! Sigh. The things you will do without because of love.
Posted by Julie Fink | January 6, 2008 1:04 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 13:04
Well, there you go again with your thrift store finds!!! You asked me where I live---I live near Myrtle Beach , SC---I am thinking if I go over there (the beach)there might be better thrift stores than in my little town that is located next to it!! My daughter lives in NC in the Raleigh/Durham area and has much more success. I'll have to check where you live--I always forget these things when blogging!!Your winter whites are so pretty. Love the shams!! How do you keep them looking so white??? The Pitcher is gorgeous and I love,love, love the rocker. I love wicker and I have a wicker love seat type of thing in my bay window area that I use constantly--because it is in the baywindow area it feels like a porch--I read, do computer stuff, have coffee , tea, etc---just hang out there surrounded by the light!! ;-)
Posted by nannykim | January 6, 2008 4:04 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 16:04
Hi Angela,
Love all of your white! You seem to find wonderful items in your thrift stores! I want to come shopping with you!
Penny
Posted by Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | January 6, 2008 6:25 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 18:25
love this posting!! i love white and have white ironware displayed in by kitchen against a 1940's green color painted wall. so clean and earthy at the same time. i also have battenburg lace things, which require ironing to look their best. i save that lace and other cutwork from old pieces and make edges for my linen closet. i cannot tie my linens in bows, because i just cannot keep on top of that as well as everything else, but the edging is an attempt to use the best of a tired piece. love your pix and ideas!!
Posted by jkj | January 6, 2008 7:17 PM
Posted on January 6, 2008 19:17
What beautfiul eye candy!!! Thanks for the wonderful post.
Posted by Cheryl | January 7, 2008 12:58 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 00:58
Hello! Just found you via Today's Creative Blog so I stopped in to say hello! Wonderful blog you have here, and is it true you live in Oregon? Or did I make that up. I'm in Portland.
Ok, off to check out all of your beautiful posts!
Nice to meet you and congrats on your creative blog award!
Melissa
Posted by melissa @ the inspired room | January 7, 2008 8:16 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 08:16
What a delightful and lovely post! I´ll be back and hope it´s ok to link from my post.
Very nice to meet you/ Annie in Sweden
Posted by Annalunda | January 7, 2008 11:06 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 11:06
Humm - I will have to take a few pictures because I love winter white and have it splashed all over with my French Country decor.
Posted by Julie Size | January 7, 2008 12:43 PM
Posted on January 7, 2008 12:43
Just gorgeous!!!! Love all of these white treasures!
xo,
Kim
Posted by Daisy Cottage | January 7, 2008 1:16 PM
Posted on January 7, 2008 13:16
You always find the best thrift store finds! I am jealous.
Jen R
Posted by Jen Rizzo | January 7, 2008 5:52 PM
Posted on January 7, 2008 17:52
Your collection of white is divine. I can't believe the creamer jug was found at a thrift shop, what a bargain! And I love all that linen,I have a personal collection similar to that.Loving your blog :)
Adla at www.vintagedelights.blogspot.com
Posted by Adla | January 9, 2008 5:35 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 05:35
Your whites are lovely. (Doesn't that sound like a 1950's advertisement for laundry soap? I can just see two apron-clad ladies talking over the back fence while the laundry billows in the breeze.) I digress. Your white things are truly lovely. Although I didn't get in on the winter white list, I took a few photos of my own whites and linked back to your site.
Posted by Lorrie | January 11, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on January 11, 2008 10:55