Hunting and Gathering -- Find of the Month #4

Welcome back to my new feature, Hunting and Gathering - Find of the Month 

where I share a new treasure recently found.

Today I'm sharing an unusual find -- a beautiful little enamel candle holder.

Purchased at one of my favorite antique malls, Sweet William, in Colorado Springs,

this unusual candle holder is eight inches high with a saucer at the base to catch melting wax. 

There's also a glass slit in the stem of the candle holder; 

I'm assuming it's so you can see how much of the candle remains.

I love the faded gray painting of a vine
overlaid on the worn white enamel. 

The candle holder certainly adds an elegant feeling to the dining table.
I'm sure this candle holder has supported years and years of candles,
as evidenced by the wear and chips in the black rim of the saucer.

I know I'll get a lot of use out of it. 

I had some fun with my camera with this photo.
When I blew out the candle's flame, the smoke swirled up in the room,
resembling a ghostly presence.

How cool is that?

If you know anything else about this piece,
I'd love to hear from you as I can't find anything online about it.

Whether I learn that it's a rare find or a modern reproduction,
I just love it.
Isn't that what counts?

Thanks for stopping by.

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thank you!!

Stand by Me

It's been driving me crazy trying to find the perfect spot for this 

little red three-tiered stand that I purchased at least twenty years ago.

I'm not really sure what it was used for but I like to imagine it holding

beautiful wine decanters, sparkling glasses and fancy hors d'oevures

in a penthouse, of course.

I also admit I bought it because it was red!
And I admired the Bakelite handles and chrome trim. 

Moving it here. Trying it there. 

I think it's been in every room in my house. 

Now I'm pleased to report I finally found its forever home.

It has settled in next to my red leather chair and ottoman in my office. 

With a small lamp on the top shelf, it's a perfect quiet spot for reading. 

I untied the sheers on the tall windows to soften the light. 

And recently my lovely neighbor gave me this chippy column.

(We both grabbed a column when a house was being demoed.
Now I have a matching pair!)

I love accessorizing the table with some vintage finds like this metal lotion holder. 

The bottles are triangular-shaped so all three fit together perfectly. 

This vintage compact beautifully complements the lotion holder. 

I can still smell traces of the powder inside

reminding me of my mother. 

In the middle row are old black and white family photos in art deco frames.

And the bottom shelf holds inspirational books and a vintage silver alarm clock. 

Ahh, it's good to be home. 

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.

Just subscribe, it's free, in the upper right column of this page.

You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.

Thanks so much!

***

Escape to a French Garden

Like many parts of the country, we are finally getting some warm, dry weather.

Lilac bushes are blooming, flowers are popping,

 and we've brought the patio cushions outside to relax.

Please take a moment from your busy day and escape to my French garden. 

I'm drawn to this little corner of my garden

where I can dream and plan my next step in the garden. 

This salvaged brick path winds through the garden,

beckoning me to enter "Cafe Bleu." 

Come on in and join me.

Cafe Bleu is open.

We all crave a bit of solitude, don't you think?

Even though we live in a densely populated area of Denver,

this garden feels like I'm in Provence, a private place to read or watch the birds at the feeder. 

 I found this metal pitcher at a garage sale for a dollar!

Originally dark green, I spray painted it white and added some cheery yellow flowers. 

The French tablecloth pulls the yellow and blue pallet together. 

I found these blue seat cushions at WalMart. 

They are a perfect match to the blue in the tablecloth.

My eyes are drawn to the basket of my vintage blue bicycle

overflowing with artificial flowers. 

(I don't think I can kill these ones!)

Roxy enjoys exploring the Cafe Bleu garden too.

A' bientot (see you soon) and keep on dreamin'.

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thanks so much!

***

Why it's OK to Fake It

Hello Friends!
Today, let's talk about "faking it."
Yes, it's OK to "fake it!"
Hey, I'm talking about indoor plants.

Don't be afraid to use dried or artificial plants in your home.

Today, artificial plants look real and 

some dried flowers are even prettier dead than they were alive,
especially a bunch of roses.

Don't have a green thumb?
Faux greenery can go anywhere -- dark rooms, can't remember to water, have allergies?
No worries.

During the occasional spring snowstorm when I can't play in the garden,
I find pleasure in my indoor plants.

Yes, most of them are dried or artificial,
but they sure do last a long time like these delicate white larkspur. 

I like to use mostly white flowers throughout the house for a consistent look.
Plop them into an ironstone vessel for a farmhouse feel.
And they're no-maintenance!

You can dry your own plants by tying them in a bunch and hanging them upside down until dry
or hit the hobby stores for a variety of artificial flowers and stems. 

I think dried flowers add a bit of romantic intrigue to your decor.

Maybe it's remembering who gave them to you or perhaps where you purchased them 

that evokes lovely memories.

Dried roses or hydrangeas seem especially evocative.

So remember, sometimes, it's OK to fake it!

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thanks so much!

***

Looking for Some Colorful Inspiration?

Welcome back to my blog. 

Today we're visiting Holland to see the bulbs in bloom.

OK, maybe not Holland but that's what it seemed like.

Actually it's right here in Denver, Colorado.

We're going to the Denver Botanic Gardens to see more than 14,000 bulbs in bloom

winding through 24 acres of this urban oasis.

Ready for some colorful inspiration?

How about these tulips that just go on forever?

I love the reflection in this pond.

Pink and purple is one of my favorite color combinations.

So vibrant!

While the bulbs are breathtaking, there are other blooming plants to admire as well.

Brunnera is one of the plants that blooms in the shade. 

Be still my heart.

Graceful sculptures are sprinkled throughout the gardens

including this beauty in the bamboo garden.

And, if you just want amazing landscaping, visit the Japanese garden.

The gardens are open in the summer from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

at 1007 York Street in Denver. 

Every month is a different experience.

For a different look of the gardens, you may click on the link below.

An Urban Oasis Waiting for You

***