On the homefront



Entry way display with white pumpkins and orange leaves



Don't know about you, but I often need a bit of a push to get out the seasonal decorations for my own home.  All my time and energy seem to go to getting the shop in shape.  However, Monday I am having my mending club group (we don't really mend except for hearts and lives and friendships) for a light dinner and fun evening. Most of these girls are really into decorating and quite a few of them were at The Pink Cupboard including master decorator Sandy B, owner of that fantastic store. So started getting the house ready for the gathering. I'm in conflict, because I have decided to simplify, but I really want everything to look nice, since part of what we do is try to make everyone feel loved and special.

  

White ironstone soup tureen on natural linen

runner with collection of tarnished silver napkin rings

and real dried bittersweet (saved for as many

years as possible)

I really try to incorporate the seasonal touches amidst accessories I aleady have.  I like the way the white pumpkins in the entryway tie into the white ironstone in the dining room and how the orange touches and the aqua pedestal in the front hall complement the colors in the living room.

Check us out in a couple of days.  I'll be posting the back/gathering room with its campfire/cookout theme in full regallia.

Hint:  Love the Superdollar Store.  Can't believe what you can find there.

 

Table in front hall with orange, spice scented candle

and more bittersweet



Falling in Love with Fall

We found this pair of coated wire mesh chairs and thought they would look as good inside as outside, so if they haven't sold by the time we close up the deck, we'll move them into the shop and include them in our "white Christmas" display, even though they are off white. In the meantime, they are surrounded by cat tails and mums and add a nice feel to our fall patio.  We look forward to your helping us celebrate one of our favorite seasons.

And speaking of inside the shop, we like it cozy and love how little lamps add to that feeling.  Pictured is a vintage Ainsley tole lamp that is in like new condition.  It's one of our favorites.

And finally we introduce "friendly Fred", an integral part of our outside lamp post display.  He needed a flannel shirt, and husband John volunteered one of his, but fussy Renie wanted something with a bit more punch, so went scouting for one, found it, and Fred seems pleased with the choice.  His smiling face will greet you as you approach Just A Second.  He is the focal point of a display which includes a hay bale, garden flag, an old bushel basket and some pumpkins.

Setting the Store for Fall

To Greet You when You Arrive at Just A Second

It's mid 80's outside, the AC is on inside, but we have already set the stage for Fall.  And I was always one of those who hated it when stores rushed the seasons.  

In my own defense, I have noticed that it's a bit darker when we get up for our morning walks, and the sun has a different slant to it, and I'm ready to change to a different look in the house.  Are you?

We have some hand crafted pottery pieces, wool yarn balls hand wound by Tina, primitive accents, tarnished silver and pewter in addition to painted furniture and light fixtures for your decorating desires. We also have candlesticks and tea light holders so you are ready to warm your space with a soft glow as the days get shorter.

Going green in more ways than one.

Antiques and Seconds are wonderful because they are all recycled.  
Here are a few of our "green" goodies, 
some not that old but all waiting to be put to good reuse.

Great green wrought iron wine rack

Some of our "greens" gathered on and about the bench

Green wire magazine rack

                                    

Vintage green metal shoe rack

Green wicker basket embellished with silk rose wreath

trendsetter???

I just read Living Spaces in Friday's Register Star..BTW it's getting smaller and smaller....now down to one page,but anyway, it's talking about the return of pastels. How do you like that? My last two posts were all about pastels.

So many blessings

Once when our youngest was still in school and taking a bagged lunch to school every day, I was at the store rather late in the evening getting the makings for her lunch. I ran into a neighbor and was complaining a bit about how many years I had been bagging lunches, and then I stopped myself and reminded myself and her that I should be grateful because I was so blessed. She smiled and said, "Too many blessings."

In that light, the blessings have been plentiful this month with 4th of July visitors from Baltimore, and then a trip to Baltimore for our newest grand daughter's baptism.

The next week we had Pittsburgh daughter, her husband, and her little Andrew, followed by youngest daughter Faith and her boyfriend David visiting from North Carolina, and then Illinois children, Annie, Brian, and Christina and families joining us so they could visit with their siblings from far away places, and the grand finale was a trip into Chicago in the 95º heat for an unfortunate and typical Cub game. (they lost).

It has been a full and wonderful time with all the blessings present in the same month. The house seemed very empty when we arrived home last night.

I say all this to explain and apologize for my frequent absence from the shop. We are working at Keeping First Things First.

But we are back into our normal routine now, and I have finally put up the display based on the coaster colors, and I will be open our normal days and hours for the foreseeable future. So, stop in. It may be in the 90's outside but inside it is cool as can be. Enjoy.

Coasters and Husband and Colors

So...came upon these coasters on one of my "goodie hunts" and loved the colors. I'd seen these many times in silverplate, but never in the aluminum that matches the tones of 50's aluminum glasses. So now the challenge is...how do I design a store display based on a little item such as these coasters. Mentioned it to husband John, and he responded, "yuck, I hate pastels." And as much as I want to just to put his reaction out of my mind, I know that very often he is right. (Know how difficult it is to get those words out of my mouth!) And so I go to bed thinking about what I can do to jazz up that display. The answer came to me — punch it up with black accents such as my black and chrome mid-century table. And I'll intersperse John's "Blockheads" cartoons, since it was his remark that forced me to rethink the display. I'll share a photo of the finished project and would love to see your comments — pro and con.