NEW GREEN THINGS

I received a number of unexpected "green things" this Christmas which have been added to the mantle.There is a little debate about the grass vase which was re-gifted to me by someone who knew I appreciated green more than they did!  I was particularly touched  by the  uprecycled bottle from S.P.

NEW YEAR, NEW KITCHEN SHELF DISPLAYS

To celebrate the new year I changed around the open shelving in the kitchen. The change was triggered by the absolutely tea-set by sister bought me for Christmas.

However I had no trouble finding enough white, pewter and glass items to fill out the shelves. The small sugar bowl was an impromptu present from my Nonna on my last visit. The cream and blue old floral plates were one of my purchases of "vintage" things - and I still love them. The old fowler jars with candles are one of many left-overs from our wedding table settings.

The enamel plates are also a recent purchase - in the last few months I have taken to buying old blue and white enamelware on ebay. I have developed quite a collection which has been put to work in the kitchen (great for BBQs) and the laundry. Stay tuned for more enamel - though I have heard S.P.'s suggestion that it might be time to stop!

US FLEA MARKET FINDS - SAN FRAN PRINTS

 My trip to San Francisco last year was timed around the monthly Alameda flea market. And it was totally worth it! I had the most wonderful day wandering around the hundreds and hundreds of stalls. I could have brought home a shipping container full of stuff! However instead I bought things I could fit in my relatively small amount of luggage. I couldn't resist these vintage San Fran posters. Apparently they were handed out to customers when they opened an account with a certain local bank in the 1960s. Once I was home, I framed them and have hung them on either side of the doorway in the upstairs landing.

US FLEA MARKET FINDS - KNOBS & PULLS

One of the things I enjoyed the most during my trip to the US were my trips to various flea markets - I found ones in Boston, New York (Chelsea Garage Market) and Monterey (Cannery Row Antique Mall) but these all paled in comparison with the monthly market at Alameda Point just outside San Francisco. It was no coincidence that my trip coincided with this market! But I was blown away with the scale, variety and price. Unfortunately due to luggage constraints I was limited to the types of things I could bring home - glass, crockery and large enamel buckets were all off the list! So I focused on this I frame, linens, and hardware. I came home with this collection of door knobs, drawer pulls and hooks. Can't wait to put them all to good use in various projects in the months to come.

LATEST VINTAGE FINDS

More vintage finds for the laundry and kitchen. All with very useful purposes!

An enamel jug for watering my new courtyard pot plants.

An enamel box to keep the shoe cleaning supplies.

Two wire egg baskets - one of which has been re-purposed as a fruit bowl.

An old wicker basket (found on the curbside on council clean-up day) for general laundry storage.

COLLECTING

I once saw a list on For the Love of a House of all the things that the author collected. Now she is a former antique dealer so hers are likely to be "real" collections rather than market / etsy / junk shop finds.

But nonetheless, I enjoy the thrill of the chase. I also love that although some of the collections are purely decorative (i.e. mid century glass and pewter candle sticks), most get day to day use in our home as vases, soap dishes, and everyday kitchen items. You have no idea how much better a vintage lemon juicer or ice-cream scoop actually are!

Mid century glass (green) 

Glass bottles (green) 

Majolica plates 

Ceramic jugs (green and white) 

Pewter candle sticks 

Ironstone servingware (white) 

Green and white transferware

Vintage kitchen utensils

Ginger jars (green) 

Kyes Moire trays

Enamel household items  

Linens (neutral colours) 

As my own collections grow, some other collections to inspire.

 Enamel & pewter kitchenware via Vogue Living. 

 Hotel silver via For the Love of a House

 Much blogged pantry shelves

White ironstone via Kara Rosenlund 

HOLIDAY MARKET FINDS

On a pre-Christmas trip to visit family in Melbourne, I was lucky enough to have some time to wander around Camberwell markets early on the Sunday morning. I have only just brought my finds home as I couldn't carry them on the flight back on that trip, but we drove back down to Melbourne over the holidays.

This enamel basin was a bargain at $15. And is now holding the toilet paper rolls in the laundry (S.P. is much more accommodating of "junk" when it has a utility).

I couldn't go past a whole box of little green glass inkwells and managed to stop myself at three.

There is a regular stand selling old pots. Having been inspired by the concept of a "potting" table covered in small terracotta pots in the courtyard (here) - I stocked up on some small second hand pots. My in-laws thought I was mad!

On the drive home from our sumemr holiday, I convinced S.P. to stop in Berrima where the highlight was a visit to Peppergreen Antiques. Mrs B had told me how fabulous it was but add in a 50% off sale and I could have stayed there all day. There is every imaginable collection - linens, fabric, cutlery, glass, kitchenware. Room after room! I limited myself to some small moulds (which thought would make nice salt or butter dishes) and some linen checked napkins.

INSPIRATION: KITCHEN SHELF DISPLAYS

SP declared them "the absolutely worst thing I had ever done!" My newly painted kitchen shelves are  home to (a small selection) of my "green" collection. At least for now. 

My assurances to him that I would rotate the things provided little comfort. My inspiration is of course is Trina from A Country Farmhouse. Which BTW is the most peaceful, beautiful blog. Whenever work is too stressful, I quickly check out what the latest happenings are on her farm. She rotates her kitchen shelves by the seasons. Here is her white / pewter display.

I have posted pictures before of various green / blue displays (here). Poor SP - he really does have to put up with alot.

INSPIRATION: ITS NOT EASY BEING GREEN

I am not alone in the world with my collections of green "things". In fact by comparison to some of these homes, I have a long way to go. S.P. has now taken to expressing surprise when things come into the house which aren't green - isn't he funny!  My collection of "green things" below:

And some to aspire to: