bijou kaleidoscope

Saturday, 11 July 2009

Addition to pink table

I have found another gorgeous pink table for my pink dining table inspiration :)

Via Australian House and Garden

I haven't written much because life has been busy for me... and simply because I haven't been inspired by much lately. I don't like to write about things that others write because it's the in-thing or because someone else has done it... I like to blog about inspires and moves me.

Lately, the economic crisis has not left us unscathed. To add to that, there so much eye candy out there that it's better I don't surf the eye candy!! :) I mean, I already want a pink dining table, 10 Chippendale Chinese dining chairs, a white and black bureau/secretaire... and loads more!

But I thought I'd practice my photography skills and capture closeups of some of my favourite things in the home...

I love vintage tea tins. But finding ones I really really really liked... is hard! The vintage tea tin one on the right I've had for years. I could not resist the one on the left on eBay recently for a song.

I was so inspired by using them to store flowers... or candles...

Top image from gathering spriggs

I think I should explain about the amount of birds I have in the home. Growing up for me was not easy, I started likening myself to sparrows and taking comfort that God cared for each and every one of this small, insignificant birds. So I've had a printout of a sparrow on the walls of my various bedrooms.

Then I got to know birds on a real intimate, personal level, with my then-boyfriend's family having them as members of the family... eating on the dining table at the same time as the rest of us, demanding bath times in the kitchen sink by running to and fro near the kitchen sink... by sipping ice cream from our spoons (after we finished, of course!)... Until then I never knew they had very distinct personalities. (Still doubtful about the little finches.)

One of the highlights of my honeymoon was a visit to the Jervis Bay reserve, South Coast, NSW. There's a park that's visited by kangaroos and birds. We hadsome of these beauties join our meal of sandwiches... and I was enthralled!

So, I've loved birds way way way way before the recent bird-trend in interior design. I'll also love them way way way past.
So I'm unapologetic for having that many birds art/pictures in my home - it's not a trend!

Oh and I collect greeting cards! And this is one of my favourites... because it shows the love for vintage-shopping and a close relationship with another female friend... also into vintage-shopping. I gave an identical one to my mother-in-law! She's my vintage-shopping friend. :)

Hope you enjoyed a few shots of my home!

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Mummy and daughter picnic

After spending some time in the garden on Friday rearranging, fertilising... (it was a mild winter's day) I decided to do a mummy-daughter picnic...

A newly arranged corner

I wanted to make sure those plants in the planters in this new corner had the best amount of winter sun... and I'd grabbed that side table at Salvos for $6. I don't have a chain to hang that bird seed tray at the bottom yet... but it's frequently filled with water and visited by the neighbour's cat.

I tried to choose things that went with the retro tablecloth... greens, browns, yellows, oranges...
Green glass tumblers, yellow & orange water jug, brown platter, white salad bowls, yellow and white glass vase.
A retro tablecloth, a retro tray, a retro water jug, a vintage vase/cup, my yellow wrought breakfast table...

The oh-so-luxury spread :)

She enjoys the Hannah-only meal of pasta, frozen vege and tuna in a creamy tomato sauce.

HELLO!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Friday, 26 June 2009

Dining table in pink

Our heavy gorgeous dining table from Myers was very dark Martha Stewart-y. I loved it when I bought it off eBay about 4 years ago. Little did I know it was poorly made. The frame of the top was in good wood but the middle was plywood. Through years of use, the wood has warped/grown at different rates so the frame is detaching itself from the middle. I am dying to change it. And I know exactly what I want... getting there, however, is going to be a real challenge in these times, especially when our current dining table isn't collapsing everywhere... yet.

But allow me to dream. :)

I fancy a striking highly lacquered hot pink table. In a pretty grown up pink, almost magenta, much like this gorgeous side-table.

But in this simple, strong shape. And to seat 8-10.

So I went Flickr walkabout for some pink tables. Not many, but what I found really inspired me to go for this when we do need a new table!

Flickr Tony Hanna

Flickr Miss DK

Flickr giac1601

Pink chairs look striking too! :)

Flickr alanakdavis

Flickr ayeupmeduck

Flickr Gabri Le Cabri

But I do want these Chinese Chippendale chairs in (gloss white, please?) to go with my pink table:

These retro ones will do too...

And I'd like the seats upholstered in a happy bright fabric, one of my favourite Manuel Canovas fabric (the shades):

But for now... we deal with this:

I've been eyeing this fuschia block printed table runner (pictured on left) from fab Etsy designer, by HomeSweet. Against my dark wood table, it would be so pretty as placemats arranged like the photo on the right from This Young House.

Update:

I just found this picture bellemaison that totally KNOCKED my socks off. thanks Julie!!

Another one I like that I have to add here (blogged here):

Via Australian House and Garden

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Elegance...

I recently joined the local library and found this small nondescript book written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, A Guide to Elegance. I love it! It's a hoot! :)

"... it would be ideal to have each set of accessories in 2 different versions: one for sport and the other dressy. And in this regard, I cannot restrain myself from expressing the dismay I feel when I see a woman carry an alligator handbag with a dressy ensemble merely because she has paid an enormous sum of money for it. Alligator is strictly for sports or travel, shoes as well as bags, and this respected reptile should be permitted to retire every evening at 5 P.M."

"...aside from a plain or beaded white satin evening purse, I dislike the white handbags that some women cannot resist carrying as soon as there is a ray of sunshine."

"And speaking of the little objects we carry in our handbags... they can be charming, even more so if they match. So decide upon a colour and a material and little by little try to acquire a complete set: wallet, change purse, comb case, key case, eyeglass case, etc. The style of your compact will depend upon the depth of your wallet.... try to have a matching lipstick case... a clean handkerchief every morning... prefer white ones, of very fine linen, embroidered with my initials."

On Accessories

Saturday, 20 June 2009

Vintage Suitcase DIY

Image from Flickr user m.bibelot

I LOVE vintage suitcases. I wish I had space for them and uses for them... but this place has quite a few built-ins... I actually wanted to organise my craft and stationery supplies into suitcases... but I do like to see my craft and stationery on show like a store!! (But behind glass so dust collection is minimised.)

Stowaway Hannah

I guess I wanted to explore what others have done with vintage suitcases and inspire us in our constant need for more storage, more style and more chic-ness in our lives. Of course, we can't do a post on vintage suitcases without addressing the more usual ways like

sewing supplies

Image from Flickr user little pink studio

coffee table

Image from Country Living

keeping off-season clothes

bedclothes

or past years' tax files...

Christmas decorations

Wrapping paper recycle!

Now, a peruse on the Internet and reading around.... I found these great ideas :)

Filing organiser and noticeboard:
Tutorials and information on Design*Sponge

For something less usual, less humdrum Etsy seller VanityCase can turn a vintage suitcase into a vanity cabinet. I bet you can even select your own suitcase.

I do love this one... keep my writing supplies and bits and bobs in a little vintage suitcase via Craftzine

Image from designer emporium

Side tables and ottomans. Simple instructions on DIY Maven on Curbly.

Image from Ready Made Mag

Create a chic pet bed for your pooch or kitty. Of course, this was a huge hit on design and DIY blogland. First appeared in Apartment Therapy and then on Design*Sponge

I love Design Sprout's version for her teeny tiny pooch. Quick and easy for human sleepovers!

What about carrying small pooches around? Via Retro To Go

Turn an aluminium suitcase into a storage area with custom shelves... Install a few MDF shelves with some brackets... and it can be vanity storage, bar storage...

A collection of suitcases make a great table base... Like this foyer in the Oakland's Waterfront Hotel.

Personally, I find these vintage suitcases very useful. Now my one-of-two sits on a dresser in the guest bedroom holding guest toiletries. It has held important documents and vintage purses.

I use a pink metal suitcase that was 75% off at a local organisation store (a bowl was missing) to store Hannah's jigsaw puzzles. It keeps the pieces all in ONE box.

Course, I actually use a vintage vanity case for toiletries etc when I travel.

I did put on my thinking cap... Some other ways to use these cute vintage suitcases or vanity travelling cases:

1. New mother kits! A friend giving birth soon? Want to be in a small way involved? Most new mothers walk around the hospital after the birth looking like wet rags... (I know I looked worse!). Scour eBay or vintage stores for a vintage travelling bag... and fill it with thoughtful, girly, just-mums things... like:

-mints
-chocolates
-calcium tablets
-new hair brush
-some pink hair rollers (while she breastfeeds!)
-facial wipes
-lip balm
-hand cream
-magazines she loves
-a romance novel (all those hormones, you know??)

2. In Australia, if you decide to give birth in a public hospital, even spouses are not allowed to stay past visiting hours. So if you're a new dad, why not outfit a small pretty vintage suitcase with a small laptop, like the Asus eee pc so your wife can diary out her first days as a mother. Pop in her digital camera and the USB cable so she can upload photos.

3. Lunch bag for a friend starting a new job after a long wait. (I'd say children too, but more kids prefer the popular kids shows themed bags...). Get a few colour themed things like:
-Pink Thermos only US$9.99
-Tupperwares with sticks of celery, carrot, fruit
-Candy
-Chips
-Chocolates
-Teabags (Lipton Raspberry)
-Pink chopsticks
-A novel by her favourite author for the lunch hour break
-Some pretty pink serviettes

4. Ya know, a metal one like my pink one could well serve as a great now-you-see-it-now-you-don't spice rack! Just get one deep enough for some straight, small glass bottles... Mount the deeper end on the wall. Fill the glass bottles with your chosen spices and label the lids. Just stack them one on another.... After cooking, close the lid. I do like that idea...

5. If you're messy but want to hide the clutter by your bed and hate the look of your continually messy bedside table, find a stand lamp and place it above a cute vintage suitcase (better yet, get a pair) mounted on vintage feet. Place your precious things inside the suitcase and when you leave for work the next day, close the cover and then you have it all neat and tidy!!!

Image from A Cottage Industry

6. Got a special person coming to visit for a few days? Want to get them a special guestroom welcome? Fill a vintage suitcase with towels, soap, shampoo, small box of tissues, a book by a favourite novelist, chocolates...

I'm toying with the idea of purchasing more suitcases and pile them on as storage for Hannah's different toys sets... and pile them up in the living room... maybe attaching a photo tag of the contents...

What do you do with your vintage suitcase?

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Caravan dreaming

Image from Flickr user stevehoad

Hut. Caravan. Spare room. Hideout. What a great way to signal to family and the world that you just need some time out... Or a place to define "working from home".

I saw the above image on ebay and I started dreaming of course.

It reminded me of the few files I've saved... and a blogpost from blogger friend Casapinka on boler campers.

I'd paint this dream-camper-caravan-hut bright glossy yellow, black glossy window trim, glossy green lime doors.

Or raspberry red exterior and white window trim and glossy black door.

Like this article in a magazine I have long discarded but kept these few pages...

A shepherd's hut two ways...

As a guest-room

A study away from the frenzy of family...

How great is the ability of ours to dream!

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Kate Spade's Yellow Bloomington

I am so madly in love with this:

Kate Spade's "Bloomington" CanvasEddie Sunflower (Yellow)

Not on Kate's website but this is the closest.

Birthday? Christmas? Husband? (Other than the other thing... the art deco bracelet...) hehehe

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Moolah for wallpaper... so...

I'm back, somewhat. I really needed that time away in bed. Asleep, willing away the flu! My energy levels still aren't back to normal yet and I have this croaky sexy voice thing going...

But I did want to share something I managed to do 2 weeks ago.

We can't afford pretty wallpaper and there's never anything exciting on the Australian eBay...

Image from Helen Green

I've seen rooms where smaller pieces of favourite wallpapers have been framed in panels... and they look awesome. This idea has been at the back of my mind for ages...

A few months ago I found this pretty wrapping paper... scoured around for an old frame... and it is now propped in our bathroom (first piece of design-esque item)....

Kinda like this gorgeous piece:

Or this one from Ruthie Sommers:

It's now in the bathroom... I want to hang a second identical one nearby... we'll see.

Saturday, 6 June 2009

Out of action

Been away and then fell really sick... so sorry for the short absence from here... will bounce back soon :)

xoxx
drey

Thursday, 28 May 2009

Liquor and cocktail storage

Candy
Is dandy
But liquor
Is quicker.
-Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971), "Reflections on Ice-Breaking"

My cousin is looking for inspiration for liquor storage for her impressive collection. (Or rather, we were..) So I thought I'd go digging in my files...

As seen in Apartment Therapy.

Tea trolleys

Alex Papachristidis Interiors

As seen in Apartment Therapy.

Ashley Roi Jenkins

Sideboard

Joe Schmelzer

Bureau/secretaire
Placed in your dining area... it could be such a statement. I love how this blends in with the decor as not to appear too garish. It's a gorgeous way to store and display your liquor. The fold down desk is the perfect way to mix your drink.

A bookcase
DIY instructions from Apartment Therapy

What about utilising an antique card catalog specifically to store your precious wine??

As seen in Apartment Therapy.

If you have the large room and a spectacular console, it could be the perfect place to display/store your liquor! Love the presentation in the image below... all neat and symmetrical... totally unattainable for me! (Surfaces are meant for husband and child to store their stuff.)

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

Or a small console/side table:

Robin Bell via coco+kelley

Or if you have plenty of moolah, get a custom designed built-in with a uber cool front... like what Amy Lau did for a client:

Amy Lau Design via Desire to Inspire

Or why not go all out and bring in a BAR!

Robert Couturier via Desire to Inspire

Quite a few options... huh, Sue? :)

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Inspired...

I am so inspired (and moved to some degree of desperation) by this image (no, not the person's ~~bum~~ anatomy)...

I LOVE the combo of white, black and raspberry red. The trend of recent was black, white and yellow... or black, white and kelly green... but this is sharp, feminine, chic, happy and adult :)

I want this for my bedroom. WANT.

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Greentea's Offer on step chests

My sponsor Greentea Design is offering 20% off all step chests!! (Thanks to Kim for the heads up)

I've always wanted one in the kitchen to use as a spice cabinet (I use BOTH Asian and Western spices). So I have things like candlenut powder, candlenut whole, chicken curry powder, meat curry powder, screwtape powder...

Of course, you can also use it to store DVD and CDs...

20% off is a great deal! Grab your own!!

Friday, 22 May 2009

Etsy Spotlight: Janet Hill Studio

I love paintings of rooms; vintage and new. I wrote about Anne Harwell's fantastic prints a while ago (visit her Etsy store here: Annechovie)... but never blogged about another favourite Etsy seller: Janet Hill Studios.

She Liked To Call Them Her Canary Shoes by Janet Hill

I love Janet Hill's work... here's some of my more favourite pieces from her store.

1. Sarah and her Fan, 2.Rosecutter's Cottage, 3. Summer Dresses, 4. Flowering Orange Tree, 5. The Reader Paige Has New Books, 6. Port And French Cheeses, 7. Dressing, 8. The Music Box, 9. Irises
Taken from JanetHillStudio's Etsy Store

Rush to her store to pick up your own Janet Hill!

Labels: art, etsy

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Random shots of beautiful Melbourne Part 1

Yesterday I brought my sister and her friend from Philadelphia for a tour of Melbourne from a semi-insider. I must admit, while travelling with my little girl was trying at times, I fell in love again with Melbourne CBD.

Studying here almost 10 years ago, I would walk the streets of Melbourne almost daily, dealing with loneliness and other things. For those of you who don't know, the Melbourne CBD is contained within a small, walkable grid. So I would walk the grid. Ten years on, and so much has changed... and yet so little.

An historic city of such diverse lifestyles, almost contained in streets. Collins St, the business, high fashion street. Bourke Street, the shopping strip. King Street, the gentleman club strip. Russell Street, Asian grocery and eateries. Little Bourke, Chinatown...

But for today I want to focus on the little arcades Melbourne is famous for... mainly concentrated between Bourke and Collins Sts. If you allow yourself to be dazzled by popular brands along the streetfronts, you might actually miss these almost hidden pathways filled with quaint shoplets and their exquisite seductions.

There's a store only selling thousands upon thousands of Babushkas, aptly named Babushka, in the Royal Arcade. One of its neighbours is Koko Black, a tiny chocolate cafe offering decadent chocolate drinks, sweets and truffles. Block Arcade boasts some gorgeously decorated places as well, like the simple, tiny tiny French Jewel Box, selling only the best antique French jewellery...

or Hopetoun Tea Rooms at the Block, an Alice in the Wonderland type surrounding, with rich Kelly greens hugging the walls and swaths of green fabric hanging from the ceiling.

And then at the epicentre of these arcades are these beautiful high domed centres... you might forget to view the architecture while being dazzled by beautiful wares... like in the Block Arcade.

Ancient mosaic tiles on the walls, the floors of the arcades, high ornate ceilings, super ornate brackets and signs... Contrasted by super modern, super beautiful glassware in the super white, bright store.

I'll stop here for today with the Melbourne GPO (General Post Office) which suffered a fire in 2001. Business relocated next door but because the GPO was a landmark, heritage listed building, it was painstakingly restored and is a swanky upper-market shopping mall.

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

The Story of my Side Table and other tables

Via La La Lovely

Via Jonathan Adler

I love artful arrangements on desks, tables, sideboards, dressers etc. Of course, I have no Anna Spiro-esque, Jonathan Adler-esque or Kelly Wearstler-esque eye (or budget) for it myself and am constantly honing my eye when it comes to arranging things on surfaces that are functional yet pleasing to the eye. (Yes, yes I know it's all styled for the shot... but I'd like to think there is something that remains beautifully arranged after said photographer and stylist leave.)

Nate Berkus in his book Home Rules has a good guide on the Art of Display:
- Three or more like objects create a more purposeful and powerful statement than just one or two.
- Grouping different items by colour can also create a cohesive collection-all white pottery, mirrors in gilt frames.
- Three or more collections in a room will distract attention from one another. Your home may wind up feeling more like a store.

Via Jamie Drake

I have been very dissatisfied with the only side table in the living room so a few weeks ago, I did some swopping around and I must say I am pleased. (Again, budget of $0.00.)

Eddie Ross recently did an educational blogpost on how to create gorgeous tablescapes which was very informative.

I love the informal, pretty feel of this side table below in such a vibrantly coloured home. I love white walls with plenty of colour in furnishings and art. The pink glass birds add a superb touch to the setting...

Here's what I finally did, with the stuff I had lying around.

- Switched the side table to another slimmer, taller one. Because it's darker wood, it stands out from the wall and window trim and contrasts with the taupe lounge. It also picks up the warm tones of the wood blinds on the window and somehow complements the green grass just outside. Because it's a taller piece, it's now easier to place and reach for a mug.

- While the colouring and toning works well with the pieces around it, it is MUCH smaller. I know lots of interior designers crave symmetry... but because it is smaller and I have no pairs of lamps or vases yet, I decided to go asymmetrical.

I was also encouraged by Kelly Wearstler who says this in her book, Modern Glamour:
Symmetry is graphic thinking at its most instinctual level... Does this mean I avoid asymmetry? Hardly... but I won't apply them in an unbalanced way - especially where accessories are concerned.

So it was a conscious decision... and I also knew exactly what I needed on my side table.

- I was also dissatisfied with what I had on display/kept on the table. Something had been missing. Eddie made me realise: I had no bling! :) I added a silver box my mother gave me a few years back and repeated the metal/shine in a round, 50s Ranleigh silver serving tray.

The former side table now graces the hallway and displays my vintage typewriter, some Raynham urns and a large really pretty sampler I scored from Vinnies for $10. I'd love a bit more of a presence... like a Hollywood Regency faux bamboo small chest of drawers in a brilliant vermillion, but I guess I'll have to make do.. ;)

Although a bit shabby... I love the legs. One day I'll paint it turquoise or lime green.

I only have this small side table because the main "coffee table" is an ottoman I had made specifically to store Hannah's toys. I've always loved ottomans as coffee tables, I find it adds a real luxury to the lounge room.

Because Hannah loves to access it all the time for her toys (and jump up and down on it), I can't pile it with stuff. So I like to keep it plain for propped up bare feet and a tray...

(Pardon the poor workmanship... the carpenter got my instructions wrong... the upholstery on the lid is starting to sag. But I still love the large pop of colour in the lounge room, amongst my colourful art and pieces.)

I love the one above... love love love. Simple tablescape... beautiful buttonhole... gorgeous vintage castors and slim, low design.

Doesn't this side table below hold the right ingredients for a bedside table? A lamp, some pretty flowers, a clock and a little bowl to hold rings, earrings, hair-ties and clips... I'm inspired!

Saturday, 16 May 2009

Dining chairs makeover

My cousin sent me an SOS for a dining table and chairs when she moved into her rented apartment a few weeks ago. She had very little budget but didn't want to settle for cheap and nasty. I like my cousin's eclectic style... and was pleased when she said she wanted a wooden, "classic" set.

We found this at the local Salvos and picked up the lot for only $250. Sturdy chairs, no chips etc etc. This is it in her dining corner of her rather open plan living/dining area.

The next SOS my cousin sent me was this past Wednesday... to help her re-cover the chairs in time for her house warming do next weekend. So we popped over to Spotlight for some fabric... and got to work with my staple gun.

This is what the lounge area looks like (just so you get an idea of the entire room)..

The chairs before:

Recovering her chairs seats weren't easy because they had these corners! So took longer than expected.

My husband posing ... actually he was great help. This is him doing the last chair (I did the previous 5) and declared a rest.

And this is the result, just before being served a thank-you-so-much-you-guys-rock dinner of some buttery-soft steak and morrocan spice roast vegies, yum!

I wanted the area to look as nice as possible... so I insisted her pictures be hung... that large beautiful one is painted by her talented father.

It's not finished though. I'd love her to gather a small collection of bright yellow vases/holders... for her centrepiece for a pop colour... and perhaps some small plants for her window sill...

We've also been scouring ebay australia for a dinner service. My cousin's eclectic... so she's been fancying a retro dinner service. So the journey to a great place to live continues!

Thursday, 14 May 2009

What were they thinking?

I discovered Fly Through My Window today on a Google search for Martha's jadeite... and enjoyed this blogpost more than any other for a while (because it's done on a realistic, everyday-people budget).

I have to say though... (actually, I have to scream it in my head)... What were the previous people thinking!?

I was so inspired by her bathroom makeover... what a great job Darby!

Go to her blog to read and see more detail.

Labels: bathroom, DIY

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Confessions of a Collectaholic

Via Better Homes & Gardens

If you are a collector, let other people share your pride and joy. Don't sprinkle your collection out of sight in a meaningless jumble. Notice how groups of small objects when they are well arranged, become important and effective... Collect what you will, but see to it that you arrange your hobby to its best advantage.
-Dorothy Draper

Via G-a-r-g-y on Flickr

Aunty Voon was my nanny from the time I was old enough to speak till I was about seven. From the time I knew them, there were always piles and piles of yellowed, hardened newspapers everywhere: hallways, front porch, corners of rooms, courtyards. I remember them already yellowed and this was the late 70s! Uncle Voon collected every daily paper since he was old enough to read (or something).

Via JasonTromm on Flickr

My sister's friend in Philadelphia hoards bicycles. We were stopped at the front door of his large shed by about what must be 500 broken, run-down, rusted out bicycles - I forgot to take photographs in my stunned condition!

My grandfather liked collecting old day-planners... never used. And torchlights, all with functioning batteries. And huge nail-clippers.

These were the type of people I use to label "hoarders".

I've come to realise now... that we are all, hoarders... collectors, gatherers. At the very least, like bower birds, dragging bits and bobs that catch our eye into our little nests.

Via maureen_g on Flickr

(Aren't these nests spectacular??? These nests are built by the male birds, who steal bits of bright blue from houses, courtyards, restaurants etc to attract their female counterparts. And they ONLY ever steal BLUE! Not pink or green or yellow! When my blue pegs from the line would go missing we'd know that there was a bower bird nest somewhere near.)

But collectors, hoarders, bower birds, always have different reasons for their inclination. Uncle Voon thought he could sell a newspaper of significant meaning one day. John repaired those bicycles to give away to kids who couldn't afford them. Bower birds drag in these shiny (and often blue!) items to make a beautiful home, to lure a mate and well... prolong their species.

And so do we (no, not build a home just to prolong our species). We interior-home-decorating nuts, we book-lovers, we baking-and-cooking-loving people... don't we like collecting what attracts and inspires us?

I collect, I confess. And I don't think I"m alone by a long shot. Celebrity interior designer, Nate Berkus collects a piece of rock or shell from every vacation as momentos. Martha Stewart collects.. well.. everything... but her jadeite fireking collection is second to none.

I thought I'd end this musing with a guilt-free show of a few of my collections:

Books

Nicola by Loui Shabner now graces the creative home of Kim from Desire to Inspire!

Vintage ribbon

Art glass

50s brooches

Little girls' frocks

Paper napkins

Children's books

Stationery

Art

China

(Incidentally, don't you just love what must be a treasured collection of antique 1880's Coalport Indian Tree china against the watermelon of the walls in the first photo?)

Bags