Plum Perfect Friday - Splendid Silver

As promised. more show and tell! I have been fortunate enough to come across some fabulous "silver" finds, along the way, throughout the summer, that I have picked up here and there. The round tray is actually a family heirloom that I have had tucked away, (for what, I don't know) so I finally got it out.

My silverware collection is expanding...so pretty.

I am absolutely in love with this piece! I adore the intricate and ornate floral detail. Check it out:

I almost hated to put something in it, but I scored these vintage buttons at a garage sale and love showing them off, as well!

I didn't have to go far; this silverware was another score from a garage sale in my own neighborhood!

...And I have been able to fill in my spoon collection!

Silver, to me, isn't necessarily always in the pure form. I love the "silverish" lid on the ball jar (and love that blue glass).

The tiny forks and butter knives were an exciting acquisition.

A Goodwill trip landed me with a fabulous large serving bowl! THIS item will be so versatile...

On an excursion with my daughters, I spotted this charming creamer.

The creamer on the right, I think, is such a beautiful design.

Like, I said, silver can come in different forms. I consider these fantastic antique books to be like tarnished silver, in their age and appearance. So-oo COOL!

These pages were published in 1899, and written by Honore De Balzac, who was from France. I am thoroughly enthralled with these books!

Wow.

(The house, Rue Fortunee, Paris, in which Balzac died.)

I adore things with so much history...Hope you have an historical day!

Rusty Rave Monday - Pretty Plates & Tempting Tea Cups

Whew! I've had an extremely busy summer and fall, thus far. Lot's of travel and other things have presented themselves, so it's been quite awhile since my last post. Throughout my jaunts, I have come across a number of, most exceptional and economical, items, that I just have to share! Today I am obviously focusing on some divine dishware.

I love to collect teacups and pretty plates, and found all of these for a steal!

The color and floral design is significant to me.

I prefer china with little or no gold trim,

so I adore this one with the lavender edging...

AND I love pansy's so that was double the noteworthy find!

So fun to mix with other pieces.

A couple of cute saucers to go with some teacups that were missing their other half.

Like I said, I love mixing patterns.

Last of all, three charming dessert plates.

This one is beautifully hand painted.

I'll have some more show and tell on Friday...

Hope you had a sumptuous summer, and are having a fabulous fall!

Rusty Rave Monday - Summer Stand Out's!

I have been otherwise occupied with travel and projects and haven't posted in a while, so here's a little bit of what I've been up to...

I refinished a table that I have been storing in my garage!

I was inspired by this Pottery Barn beauty which is priced at $700.

I found this table about a year ago and picked it up for $25!

It wasn't in too bad of shape, but was in need of some sanding and TLC.

I didn't want to totally mimic the Pottery Barn style, so I sanded down to the wood as much as possible to smooth out the scuffs and scratches.

I decided that I was just a bit crazy, beginning a project like this during July in Arizona! I was up early in the morning to try and beat the heat, but we were still at three-digit temperatures.

So I took it inside to paint!

After I let it cure for a day or two, I had to take it outside again to sand some more.

But I love the way it turned out!

We got out the glaze and did some finishing touches!

Cooool!
I have also taken to using wallpaper remnants to "paper my drawers". It's a fun finishing touch!



From this...

...to this! Then more glazing...

Yay!

While I had the glaze out...

This used to be black, much better now!

I got these candlesticks at a garage sale for $1. They used to be gold--so lovely in white with a little glaze for good measure!

Fun, fun, fun!