Saturday, June 9, 2012

Boy Do I Have a Lot of Stuff!!!



Tomorrow I go.... (with my bidness partner, Kris)
 to Amy Chalmers' furniture painting workshop!!!
I'll let you guys know, if an old dog can actually learn some new tricks.

But for right now.....
let me continue to blather on about all the stuff in my living room.
THERE'S SO MUCH....
that this is going to take a few more days.....
let's start with my bookcase....
 It looks like this in my living room....
(in case you are just tuning in)
(I am soooo nice to new readers)
(notice how I am not using really really really small font for my asides any more????)
(I've been asked by some old farts, who can no longer see small stuff, to use larger fonts.....)
(the small font is funnier, but what's the point
 if you can't read what I'm layin' down.....
 ya know????)
Where was I?????
Oh, yeah, my living room over view...
I've had several requests for the name of the paint, both inside and out, of my blue bookcase.
WELL, YA KNOW WHAT????
I bought it that color, have no idea what it is.....
It has definitely been waxed with a darker wax to give the blue some depth...
Sooooo
mix up your own paint and stop wanting everything to be spoon fed.
jeesh!!!!!

Now.....
because you are all sooooo special, 
I will take you on a tour of the shelves!!!!!!!
(so exciting....)
The tole tray leaning against the back of the shelf is one I bought to go with my collection.
I was GROSSLY disappointed when it arrived from the ebay seller.
I thought it was going to be my favorite. 
Nope.
Unh unh.
So it works, hiding behind the big vase!!!!
If you don't like something, sometimes there's another good use for it.
Just keep shoving the stuff around your house, until it works.

I like to mix books in with my displays.
These are left over from my days of magazine shoots and decorator show houses.
I usually don't have such pretty ones to work with, as I actually read the books I have. 
I chose to do a collection of white pottery in this case, because I felt it would look great against the coral color of the inside paint.
So.....
I needed to 
START A NEW COLLECTION!!!!!
TO EBAY AND BEYOUND!!!!!
YIPPEE!!!!
I think this was one of the biggest advantages of moving.
I got to create new collections, as my display needs were a little different than my Watertown home.....
I really like the old art pottery from the 30's and 40's.
They are still really affordable, and the shapes are whimsical and varied.


I use boxes 
(another excuse to collect something!!!!)
to raise the height of some vases. 
This creates a better visual rhythm across the shelf.
I still had some paintings, but 
NO MORE WALL SPACE.....
so I propped them against the back for a layered display.
The varnish has darkened so much with age that it's hard to see what the subject matter is 
ANYWAY!!!
I had collected Staffordshire dogs in a previous life.
Wasn't crazy about them anymore....
BUT
I really like their shape against the pink background!!!!!
Sometimes it pays to hold on to stuff.
The problem is figuring out what that stuff is!!!!
For an interesting article on the dogs, check out this post at Houzz.

OK campers.....
I need to end here, so I can get my rest and be all ready to go tomorrow at Maison Decor's 
FIRST
painting workshop.

Latah, Gatah
Photobucket
Partying at:
<br><br><br><b>Join us every Friday...</b>French Country Cottagevif187Funky Junk Interiors

13 comments:

Nutbird said...

You are going to love it! I went to one in Colorado Springs. The "stockist" was phasing out his sample jars because Annie Sloan was coming out with her own paint samples. I bought a set of every color for a good price. I didn't buy the white wax, I used a can of Fiddes that I had around the house. It is okay for colored pieces, but for white pieces, unless you want a yellowed look, you need Annie's wax. The wax brush is invaluable. Have fun.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

I really think Amy should charge a higher fee for the workshop tomorrow because there will be "entertainment" provided along with the workshop!
Would love to be a "fly on the wall" during that workshop...It definitely would be "an experience" for all those involved....And you are learning from the best of the best....Have fun!!...well that was a no-brainer statement...

Amy Chalmers said...

Cool post on the how tos and whys of how you do a bookcase arrangement...just shove it around til it works...I can do that. but you make it look best! See you tomorrow~I have you at the head of the table.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Your rooms are all so SMART looking. The colors on this cabinet are amazing. I still love McCoy pottery especially in white. It's so LIVELY over here! :) Thanks for coming by, and your generous boost to my ego!

cindy hattersley design said...

Betsey I am an old fart to...I have admired your work for ever...but now I just love your humor...you brighten up my day

Anonymous said...

You crack me up!! I am currently in the process of getting rid of the "stuff". And, it is feeling SO good!!!

The White Pear Tree said...

"New" follower here, through Amy at Maison Decor. Lady, you're funny!

Just shove stuff around until it works. Words to live by.

I love your bookcase, both its colours and its content. Great focal point!

Anne said...

Betsy,
I love your spirit!!! Your book case looks fab.Love how all of your collections work so nicely together.
Anne

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I love your posts because no matter what kind of day I have had, you BRIGHTEN my spirits. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! XO, pinky

Rooms by Ann said...

I love the bookcase and the color, I could so live in your house. Great job.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Your bookcase is my dream! I have trouble putting my bookcase together. Balanced and so beautifully appointed with a big dose of style and sass!
I am a new follower Betsy! You have a FABULOUS blog!

Sandy said...

Hi Betsy! I'm one of those old fart new readers so keep the font's large okay! Come on, aren't you going to spoon feed us and share the colors of your bookcase? I'm a new follower. Love the eye candy and your sense of humor!

"Create Beauty" said...

I came via Amys blog, that workshop looked so fun! Last summer I painted some furniture with the Paris Gray Chalk Paint, and kept painting things til I used up the can, and I was surprised how far it went!

I've enjoyed seeing your fabulous style!
I'm a new follower...
~ Violet

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