I go through stages in decorating and working on projects. Sometimes I’m a worker bee and it’s all about getting as much done as I possibly can. Sometimes I’m burnt out and need to step away from the the projects for a while. Sometimes I get restless and just want to make changes. Sometimes I’m a sponge, ready to soak in any inspiration that comes my way. The past few days, I’ve been feeling spongy. And when I feel that way, I start to hit the magazine rack at the grocery store and pull out decorating books in my library. As much as I love Pinterest, nothing quite beats flipping through glossy pages.
One of my favorite books is Great Country French Style that I got for Christmas a few years ago.
I haven’t looked at it for a long time, but as I was flipping through it, I can see how much books like that have influenced my style. I even see my paint colors like Mustard Seed Yellow…
…and Lucketts Green.
I find it very inspiring as I’m working on my own house and a lookbook for my milk paint line.
I haven’t been out shopping in a while, so yesterday, my husband and dad took the kids to a park and let my mom and I hit some stores and grab some lunch. I could’ve filled our whole trailer with great pieces I found, but I’m not getting ready for a show, so I don’t want to start building up a stash just yet. I did want to pick up a few pieces to use for the lookbook, though. This 1800’s jelly cupboard stood out to me. I love the shape and it’ll be a great “subject” for a tutorial on painting with milk paint over an oil based finish.
It really is a beautiful piece with beveled panels on the sides and back and hand cut joints.
I also fell in love with this bed…
I’ve been keeping an eye out for one with a high headboard and curved footboard that I can paint for my guest room. Years ago, I spotted a hand painted antique bed in a magazine and have wanted to reproduce it at some point. This bed is pretty perfect for that. One problem, though, I can’t find the picture of the darn bed!! I think I may have thrown out the magazine clipping on accident. So, if you know the bed I’m talking about, try to help me out. It was blue with very German-looking painting on it in mostly yellows, creams and soft reds. The bedspread was a vintage white candlewick spread and I remember the woman in the article mentioning that she scored the bed at an antique market before it opened. Anyway, I’m going to scour my books to see if I can find it again, but let me know if it rings a bell.
I also found a typewriter. I thought it was black when I bought it, but I got it outside and saw it was maroon! Oh well, it’s still a really pretty one…maybe even more so.
And I found this fantastic ironstone platter. Look at that edge! It was only $15, so I snapped that up fast.
Talking about plates. Many people have asked how I hang mine on the walls. I use the wire hangers some, but I also use the sticky-back velcro strips. They work really well and I’ve only ever had one plate fall.
When I got home, I had a present on my doorstep from Traer…
So funny that now when people see cows, they think of me! I love the artwork on this can and may have to use it as inspiration for a sign. The “handsomest shelf packaging produced” line cracks me up.
Lastly, I ordered a rug from Joss & Main, thinking it was just a cream wool rug, but when I got it, I saw it was a Flokati rug. They are beautiful, but it was not what I wanted. So, this afternoon, one of my local blog readers bought it from me. She got a discounted rug and I got money to get what I really want. Once I figure out what that is…
I also found a buyer for my dining room table! I’m going to use the one from the basement for now until I find one I like better.
And so, the Mustard Seed Household continues to be grand central station for furniture, antiques and home decor.
34 Responses
can’t wait to see what you do with the bed! i almost bought a similar one last week but the footboard needed more work than i had the energy for at the moment! 🙂
if you ever want to come set up a guest space at sweet clover we would love to have you! just sayin’!
Oh how I would love to go shopping with you. You always come home with some great finds. I really like the cabinet. The typewriter may not be black but it sure is pretty. I can’t wait to see what you do with the bed.
Sounds just like me! I am constantly swapping out my furniture for new projects! 🙂 I can see how the rug might not have been the “right one” but still beautiful! And love the curved bed! Nicole
Country French colors –hmmm?? I’ve ALWAYS thought that about the milk paint colors. Goes to show how things in life can appear to be one way but change so easily in a different time and space. I mean this in terms of the physical as well as emotional AND spiritually. 🙂
I agree! Nothing beats flipping through those glossy page at the grocery store! I second what Cassie….Sweet Clover would love to have you!
I can’t wait to see what you do with the bed. What an awesome find!
Oh how I hope to find an old typewriter for my 16 year old daughter before Christmas!! She is such a great kid and absolutely loves literature and reads all the time!!! I have not seen such a cool color. Score on that one!! Thank you for such a great blog. This is one of my high lights of each day!!! Love the new profile pic also 🙂
Hi Marian:
Here’s another kind of plate hanger that I think you’ll like – it’s a combination of the command style and the traditional hook kind.
http://www.dischangers.com/
Love the blog!
Oh I use those, too! Never ever had a plate fall…and no annoying (and sometimes damaging!) little metal ends on the fronts of the plates. I was going to suggest these…but now I don’t have to. Great product. 🙂
Going for a walk in my neighborhood one day, lo and behold a neighbor was throwing the identical bed to yours in the garbage. He called me over and asked if I wanted it Of course I said yes. Did not cost me a penny. Woot Woot.. I am anxious to see what you do with yours, so I can get a good idea for mine.
Can’t wait to see how you decorate the bed. Loved the antique finds.
What great finds! I was wondering…. when you talk about using milk paint over an oil based finish… how do you tell if the existing finish on a piece is oil-based?
I have a few old small cupboard style pieces that have some sort of old paint on them, but don’t know what it is. I’m hoping to use milk paint to give them a facelift.
Well, I just know paint well enough to know the look of oil, but, and this isn’t going to help much, there is a way to test it. I think you rub the finish with a solvent or something…
I am always amazed at the things you find. I know PA is a great place for antiques, but they must find YOU! I just don’t live in one of those places. Maybe that’s why my house is bare? Your finds are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
The bathroom looks amazing. Reminds me of a historical hotel in Galveston, Texas I once stayed at. I have several bowls hanging with the dischangers and I love them.
The typewriter is beautiful and maroon is this families favorite color….we call it Aggie maroon…..Gig Em’
Hi Mindy and Marian,Hobby Lobby carries the plate hangers in the framing department.I’ve never had any problem with them.
Hi Marian,
Can’t wait to see what you do with the jelly cupboard and bed! Odd question but I wondered what month the Cottage Style Magazine is? I love the bedding on the cover!
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Marian
First of all you look great in your new photo on the sidebar. I haven’t been on your site for few days I saw the new photo only today very cute!
Very good finds love the bed!!!
Carolina
A lot going on at your house and love reading about it! I also love flipping through my old stash of magazines when I need some relaxing inspiration. I know what you mean about Pinterest, it’s fun, but to me it’s much more relaxing flipping through pages…and a warm drink at my side.
Have a great week!
~Siggie
So excited to see the Cottage Style magazine at the top of your post! I’d been reading your blog for a while when we started restoring an old beach cottage named The Coral Cottage at Tybee Island. (It is the first cottage featured in the magazine!) You and the folks at The Lettered Cottage inspired me to start blogging about it. If you’re curious to see more about what we did, it is in the archives of my little blog at http://www.veryveryvicky.com. We are working on another cottage now–bought it for a dollar and moved it to another lot to save it from demolition!
Love your finds! I was wondering how to tell the difference between a jelly cabinet and a commode. I have a similar cabinet to your white one and always thought it probably held a wash basin and pitcher. Mine is stained wood and I would like to try the milk paint but cant pick a color! I like them all. Carolyn
I just looked back at my picture and I can see that it’s hard to tell the size of the piece. The cupboard comes up to my chest, so it’s pretty tall.
I’m not an expert when it comes to that sort of thing, but I am pretty I am pretty sure that washstands are lower…like table height, so you could use the wash basin and look into a mirror. Jelly cupboards are taller and usually have a cabinet with a couple of drawers on top.
I would suggest these plate hangers too! They are the bomb!
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/collections/display/frames?productId=10010750
You are selling the table you just got from a family member. I thought that was one you had wanted forever?
I have been looking at starting a collection of ironstone ( u have inspired me!) I go out antiquing or junking ( thrift store shopping
Marian–that’s a GREAT bed! Just thinkin’…– and because I did it to an old French Style headboard– : after painting, you can totally pad up and toile those panels! It looks great, and if you slipcover a chair or chair cushions in the room in the same fabric it is impressive!
LOVE your new photo.
HUG!
k
I totally love the way you change your dinning tables and other furniture! I have the history of your tables on my computer so I can look at the transformation form time to time. You are so talented, love your blog.
Hi Marian!
Would the bed you are talking about happen to be a twin size bed? I pull all pics of pages I love before getting rid of the magazine (probably fifteen years worth). Your description rang a bell and I found what I thought sounded like the same room. It’s a twin bed, maybe painted black with blue on top then painted with flowers, white bedspread, yellow dust ruffle, yellow walls. There are framed pics on back of door. It is from Bedroom and Bath Spring 2000. The article is entitled The Right Vintage. If I was clever enough to figure out how, I would send the pic to you. I could send it snail mail. No longer want. (It was sure fun looking at beautiful pics I have saved). Sara, Ohio
Marian–I have an antique bedroom set with the curved footboard and a beautiful headboard and matching dresser…..LOVE the footboard…..I have it in my storage unit — if i remember correctly it has the year it was made stenciled on the back–pertty cool…have a great story about it rom the owner……message me if you are interested in pictures..we could figure out a road trip if you are interested….I am going to be one of your new retailers here in Peoria Il.!! you can message me on my facebook page–midwest cottage and finds–those come right to my i phone….hope this will help end your search…
chris
never mind! i misread your post…now i can follow your lead on painting this once the picture turns up!!
chris
Haha…the lady with the antique bed was probably Rhoda shopping at Scotts in Atlanta! No doubt your bed info will appear shortly from a reader! Gotta love the networking…how did we survive without it?
I use dischangers to hang plates. No problems so far.
Marian, I love your painted pieces but when I saw the 1850’s jelly cupboard, I cringed. It is a true antique and probably made of cherry or walnut. Returned to a natural finish, it would sell in an antique shop for well over $1000. I urge you to investigate the wood and strip it down. You might be very pleasantly surprised! Paint away… you are a true artist… but not on a gorgeous antique piece!