All It Takes Is A Little Creativity!

You say you want a Garden Party? Well, you've got one!

 Instant set up….

I love it when these magazines come to the shop and borrow our "ordinary" things and turn them into something  extraordinary! I really don't think I would have used my indoor altersticks or candlesticks for an outdoor event but you can bet I will the next time I entertain!

I mean really….

Leave it to Victoria Magazine to use antiques in the garden so to speak! 

And truthfully, isn't that what they do?

They used one of  my most favorite pieces from my shop to display scones for afternoon Tea! Imagine that! We have used it for a variety of displays and we have done something similar to  this before but seeing it here in this beautiful magazine makes me love it all the more!

 Just look at the detail on it! As well as the rose and the ribbon!

And then, on another page you see the fabulous use of our antique, very unique candlesticks which were brought in from Belgium mixed in with our reproduction mushrooms and nests. 

It all works beautifully together! 

And while I know the picture below isn't the best quality of getting two on one scan…I wanted you to see it as a whole before I showed the individual pictures!

It all works so well together…and then, when you break it down you see the beauty in each piece as it stands alone!

This is actually a set of 3 antique tins from China…used to hold tea. So, as it was fitting for Victoria Magazine to work it into their issue on serving tea it gave me an entirely new perspective! And they were so sweet to let us enjoy the floral arrangements at the shop once they finished the photo shoot! That's another perk of letting them borrow things from the shop!

They chose to display our pages from old books in one of my favorite ironstone bowls….

And they actually wrapped vintage pages around our linen napkins…( now I know why they are a bit stained! ) No matter…they are now half price! Hmmm….

But my favorite part of this picture above is the gorgeous antique majolica plate that resembles creamware! This is actually a set of 8 plates that I hope never sells! 

And just like the antique ironstone pitcher above filled with gorgeous flowers that sits on our tray, I hope the simple things in my life can be used as something beautiful and creative!
You see, it really does take just an ounce of creativity to turn something ordinary into extraordinary! 
It doesn't hurt to start with beautiful things from the beginning either! Now we can all entertain this spring and bring something outside that really was meant for inside! We can use that treasured piece of china for a simple lunch or afternoon tea. After all, what good is something if it's not enjoyed every once in a while?

Are You Known By The Company You Keep?

If I heard my mother tell me once while I was growing up I heard it 1000 times! "You are known by the company you keep, Carolyn!" And you know what? She was always right! 100 percent of the time! 

( that doesn't mean I always made her proud…but hey, that was a long time ago…)

Therefore, I feel pretty good about showing you yet another one of my friend's/customer's homes that is also featured in a popular magazine….this time it is the home of D.A. Tynes…

She is someone I've admired for a long time and someone whose taste I would love to emulate! 

Take a look at her elegant but understated designs when it comes to Christmas decorating!

This is truly spectacular!

From the time you ring D.A.'s doorbell until the you leave her home you are surrounded by gorgeous antiques and a welcoming environment!

The fresh greenery, natural colors and textures all help to make this a dreamy Christmas!

Talk about pure gorgeousness! I mean, really!
I wish I could blink my eyes, twitch my nose, cross my arms, nod my head and make it happen!!

( I guess you have to be my age to get that one, don't you?)

No matter…

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I for one am using this beautiful magazine to help in my Christmas party planning! The Christmas cards are almost finished….the party list is made…even the menu is decided on! Guess there really are perks to being an "Empty Nester!" I get to have time to focus on things like this! Not much time…but some time! That's good enough for me!!
And, just so you know, I keep some pretty good company these days…
I would hate for you to worry about me!
All of that to say, we are in GREAT company this month with Birmingham Home and Garden Magazine!

They are Gallery Hopping! 
Seriously! 
We are considered an art gallery of sorts now and I for one am so excited about it I can hardly stand it! Take a 'look see' on our next post, please!! Thanks so much for your loyal support! I truly appreciate it…
Now more than ever!!
If you get a chance, please check out this issue of Victoria Magazine as well as, Country French! You will not be disappointed! I am forever grateful for your sweet support of Mulberry Heights Antiques as well as Vintage Mulberry…the blog! You cannot imagine how much it means to me!
XOXO!!!

Oh, To Be in France.....Normandy to be Exact!

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of log cabins, prairie dresses, trunks filled with special memorabilia.....

And then I grew up!!  And I dreamed of silver serving pieces, creamware, transferware.....

Each and every piece told a story and I could truly imagine it! It was exciting and wonderful! It was a true treasure hunt to me at each antique fair we attended! The quest was on!!!! At each show I felt like the gun was firing and I was hearing, "On your mark, get set.....GO!!!!" I loved the thrill of the hunt!!! And I still do!

But I also love seeing people fall in love with the things that I love!! I love seeing happy customers!!

I love seeing my dream of collecting pieces come true!! Whether it be silver, transferware, creamware, ironstone...anything your heart desires....I love seeing a dream become a reality!!!

Which is exactly why discovering Normandy was so much fun for me!!! It was a quest....and we were able to set out and conquer that quest that I had so wanted to do!! We found the home that  I had seen in a long ago Victoria Magazine. To be in that house...see and meet the owners in person.. To share their love of all things old! To see their barn that was overflowing with treasures....THAT was a dream come true!!! Which is why this issue of Veranda magazine re-kindled all kinds of emotions!!!

Creamware was all over their house....as was black and white and red and white transferware! And the chairs that I fell in love with in the magazine....were also once for sale in my shop....of course they are sold, but I still love the memories....

In fact, I loved the memories so much that we re-did our bedroom in these fabrics that were also featured in Victoria magazine....I've never tired of it!!!

But for now....just bask in the beauty of this incredible house that was so lovingly restored!!

The colors on these walls are to die for....so soothing...so refreshing! The french transferware plates are just like the ones that we have in the shop! I was so thrilled to see black and white transferware again! It was my first love! It's hanging in my dining room and adorns the tops of my kitchen cabinets....

The images of this beautifully restored home by Charles Spada is everything I dreamt of then and even more than I could hope for now.....I know you will enjoy reading about the home...and just know, if you ever want to find a piece of Normandy yourself, simply come in to Mulberry Heights Antiques and I can share a couple of treasures with you! Bon jour!