Rainy Day Fav’s

When blustery days arrive and the rain drizzles down I look to a few tried and true ways to take total advantage of the weather.

These are a few of my favorite things, not necessarily in order:

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Best Recipe EVER:

• 1 oz (30g) quality cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cream

1. Mix the cocoa powder, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan.
2. Stir in the boiling water and heat slowly as you stir. It should boil fairly quickly, so be sure to continue stirring so the chocolate doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the pan.
3. Slowly stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until the milk gets hot, but don’t allow it to boil.
4. Remove your hot chocolate from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Pour into 4 mugs and add cream to each mug to serve.
6. Top with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
7. Sprinkle with cocoa powder and enjoy!

Crocheting

Scarves are my favorite, like this one from Lucy @ Attic 24. I made one like it last year in muted, rich reds and golds using Homespun brand yarn.  And look at these Babushka Dolls also from Lucy @ Attic 24:

Curling Up with my Kitties

These two are Coolness (Japanese Bobtail) and Autumn (Calico)

Autumn is Coolness’ Mama

These two are Mickus and Jooniper, another boy and his Mamma.

I always wonder how many of me Mickus is looking at!

And… Raaj Baby! He’s one our newest additions from last year.

You can’t see them in this pic, but he has the most amazing blue eyes!

Watching My Outside Pets Play in the Rain

Charlie (Domestic White Duck) and his girlfriend Lola (Mallard)

In order, Rosie Buns, Mini Buns & Bella Buns.

Rosie is also known as Nosy Rosy. She all about everyone else’s business!

Reading a Good Book!

One of my all-time favorite books, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

And, Of Course, Stoppin’ In The Mud!

As Snug As A Bug In A Rug…

…Or Vintage Blanket!

Recently I managed an estate sale for a client and was reminded of my love of vintage textiles. Specifically vintage blankets. Wool blankets, crocheted blankets, chenille covers, quilts, and throws of all sorts! Of course I took my fair share home and am LOVING living with them. 

The main attraction to vintage items for me is the sense of connection to the past. There’s just something about hosting an item full of someone’s memories, and knowing that it will eventually be passed along to someone else who holds memories near and dear to their own hearts.

Second to the memories, is the fun mix of colors that come with vintage finds. They somehow, innately, blend together in perfect accord.  It’s like the work of creating the palette itself has been done for you!

There are all kinds of vintage blankets, but here a few of my fav’s -

Chenille

Textured, yet soft blankets, usually done in pretty whites and pastels

Wool

Woven with natural fibers and made to last and keep your tosies warm all night

Crocheted

Made by hand, these blankies add color and fun to a room.

Quilts

I can’t say enough about these beauties! Hand made from saved fabrics, like flour and sugar sacks, or even clothing no longer fit to wear, these treasures add a sense of comfort and love to your home.

Indian Blankets

What draws me to these works of art is the texture, contrasting mix of colors, and hand woven designs.

There’s just nothing that says home like a comfy blankey. Paired with one of a kind vintage throw pillows (which will be featured in my next blog) these treasured textiles add a layer of warmth creating an inviting environment. One that is sure to inspire a good nap or reading session.

Want to add some vintage blankets to your decor? Keep your eye out at flea markets, thrift stores, and best of all, estate and yard sales, where the prices are almost guaranteed to be rock bottom!

Burning Your Candle At Both Ends?

Boy, I sure have been!

 

But! What I really wanna talk about is candle season! I love candles (PartyLite and Trapp are my favorites) and although I burn candles year-round, I am obsessive about them during the Fall/Winter seasons; AND I CAN’T WAIT! (yup, I’m shoutin’)

I have found myself overwhelmingly busy as of late and that gives me all the more reason to wanna light up. There’s just something about that warm, flickering, glowing light that candles exude.  Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

They’re comforting and soothing, especially when they’re fragrant.

 

 

Of course everyone has their own favorites, but we tend to fit into a candle scent category. The main categories include:

Floral

Fruits & Citrus

 

Herbal & Woodsy

 

Edible & Spicy (Officially My Fav!)

 

Fresh & Clean

 

Something fun to try is layering your fragrances. Basically this means to mix and match scents, creating your own custom aromatherapy.  Whatever your preference, no matter how busy or leisurely your time is, there’s no better way to spend it than with a yummy candle burning along side of you.

Oh, and a word to the wise, clip that wick to a quarter inch before burning, and snuff instead of blow to extinguish the flame.  These two tips alone will prolong the life of your candles and should help to enable you to get the most outta that expensive wax.

Do you have a favorite? I’d love to hear what your’s are!

Industrial Chic…

…Re-Inventing At It’s Best!

Rusty old chains, cogs, machinery, exposed pipes and farm equipment signify what it means to be Industrial Chic.

I have a strange attraction to industrial equipment. The older and rustier, the better. I consider myself to be somewhat of a tomboy when it comes to getting’ my hands dirty and I like to skulk around in the garage; tinkering. As a kid I would spend hours going through my grandma’s garage. I was fascinated with the many ‘junk’ drawers and ‘junk’ rooms out there.  It was like I had found the greatest treasure on earth.

As a newer design style to the scene, Industrial Chic offers something styles of the past haven’t: a connection to our mechanical, more inventive side.  For those of you who dig Re-Inventing, this style is right up your alley (maybe even literally!).

Old, rusty wire can be made into beautiful light fixutres:

Vintage Inspired Industrial Hanging Light

Bookshelf Industrial Age Pipe

Side Table Reclaimed Farm Metal Gatski Ford Pickup

Oooh so cool! The really cool part is that for all you city girls, you get to explore the country in ya and visa versa!  It’s like the ultimate win win.

Have you made or seen something cool made from industrial equipment? I’d love to hear about it!

Re-Visioning My Vision

I find myself feeling very nostalgic lately. This feeling has led me to reflect on what it is I’m doing, and what I am meant to be doing. In my original vision of Re-Inventing Vintage I pictured exactly what I described in my introductory blog post, “What Do You Mean, Re-Inventing Vintage?”, however, as we grow and learn our vision can change. I’ve begun the process of Re-Inventing myself, yet again. A good friend pointed out that what I do is not just Re-Invent ‘stuff’, but rather she sees me as actually living a vintage life style in the present. In other words, just by living, I’m Re-Inventing Vintage.

We’re all familiar with the term ‘revision’ which means: amendment, review, reconsideration, modification, adjustment, alteration, change or correction.  When I think of the word, my mind immediately goes to change or correction, however in context to my Re-Visioning process, I really connect with adjustment.  I am adjusting my vision as I’m being led.

So what does all this mean? It means that I’m not just all about interior design. While I remain passionate about re-inventing my finds, I am seeing a bigger picture and am happy to be sharing it with you. I am very much involved in living an art-filled life, one I like to call the Art of Homemaking. Yes, homemaking involves cooking and cleaning, but it’s so much more than that. There’s an art form to creating a home and for me it’s all about the arts!

I’ll be posting more blogs on life stuff and I really hope you are inspired to be Re-Inventing Vintage with me. In the meantime, here are some pictures of my recent trip to our local creek with my husband and youngest son.

A Filbeck Family Outing

Upper Bidwell Park, Chico, CA

We made our way down the dusty, dirt road in the ol’ ’66 Chevy pickup and found ourselves at the end of the road.

Once on foot, we made our way to the creek

Up the left side of the terrain you can see Monkey Face

We watched the deer play

And then we played

As we headed home, the scene changed into a beautiful painting of light as the sun set

What Decorating Style Floats Your Boat?

Do you remember, back in the 80′s and 90′s, getting your colors done? An ‘expert colorist’ would assess your hair, skin and eyes to determine what season you were;  either a Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall… Well the same principle applies to your design style, but the fun part is that YOU get to do the assessing and NOBODY gets to grade your results!

A+ for everybody!

To get started, peruse pictures of various design styles in books and magazines, and by Googling key words such as:

Traditional

Bohemian

Beach Cottage

Victorian

Modern

Contemporary

Shabby Chic

Flea Market Style

Retro Chic

Rustic

Country Living Style

As you take in each style, be consciousnesses of what you love and  and what you don’t.  Recognizing both is important in determining what floats your boat.  It’s kinda like the old saying, “You can’t have the good without the bad.”  Let your gut do the thinking; leave politeness out of it. After all, this is about what you like, and the designer will never be the wiser.

The more you become aware of what appeals to your senses, the closer you are to understanding your design style.  It’s also important to remember that we don’t have to fit into a cookie cutter.  Multiple styles may appeal to you. For me, I love all things vintage, weathered and traveled. I like dark, rich woods AND painted furniture. I like interesting moldings and trims AND clean lines.  I like neutrals AND bright colors.  I like soft, feminine patterns AND bold geometrics.  Defining ones style, especially if you like many different looks, can prove challenging, but don’t despair! There’s a style category just for you: Eclectic!

I consider my design style to be eclectic, but I definitely gravitate to certain styles over others.  A combination of Flea Market, Country Living and Shabby Chic paired with Bohemian AND Traditional best describes my overall style.

So what’s your style? If you’re still wondering, there are style diagnostics online like this one from HGTV: What’s My Style?  and this one from Sproost: Style Quiz.  Just remember, it’s about you. Don’t let yourself get caught up in thinking you have to fit into some category. Use the tools for fun and who knows, maybe you’ll find out something about yourself you didn’t already know.  And if you’re curious, HGTV defines my style as:

Cottage Chic - Shabby, yet stylish. Cozy and comfortable with muted shades taken straight from a flower garden. Shabby Chic and Cottage work in my home.

And Sproost says my interior design style is:

• 33% Traditional Asian
• 33% French Eclectic
• 34% Nantucket Style

Eh… close enough!

Want to learn more about Eclectic Decorating? Check out this Blog Post

The Eclectic Decorating Dilemma

Living With What You Have And Loving It!

Photo by Hamish Bowls

Are you what one might refer to as a mixed bag of taste and style? I am, and learning how to infuse an eclectic array of decor and furniture can prove to be challenging. By using what you love and following these basic design principles you will achieve a personalized yet well designed space.

Balance

Creating a sense of equilibrium in a space using color, pattern, texture and shape.

House Beautiful

Proportion

The use of objects in relationship to one another. How things relate by scale within the space.

Home To Life

Rythym

A sense of flow as your eye moves throughout the room. Repetitive elements and contrasts are used.

Emphasis

The use of a focal point or areas of interest.

Not all things are created equal and an emphasis should be placed on key pieces or architectural elements.

Unity

The result achieved when the above principles work together correctly.

Or what I like to call – Putting it all together!

When you skim through magazines or decorating books, you see these principles in action and the results are pleasing, although often times monotonous and boring. In other words, been there done that! The trick is to use the basic principles AND your own style in union with one another. The result – A space that speaks directly to who you are. A stylish, well put together space, unlike any other.

Consider your favorite pieces. What do they have in common? How do they contrast? The eclectic decorator likes many different styles, but as each is picked by you and for you; you should notice a consistent theme. Does a certain color stand out? Do you notice that all of your pieces combined create a global effect, cottage flair or do they offer a time worn classic feel? Whatever it is you discover about your style, know that individuality is what sets your home apart and makes it uniquely yours. Avoid cookie cutter decorating and design your space around you using the principles above and you’ll never go wrong!

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old…

…One is Silver and the Other’s Gold

I love metals! When I wear metals, I choose silver tones, but when it comes to decorating it’s all about the mix and match! I’m sure there’s plenty of debate about what’s good design and what’s not when it comes to using metals, but I’m here to tell ya that mixing golds, silvers, and bronzes offers a uniquely reflective quality to your design. And if you’re anything like me, the last thing I you want your home to look like is a magazine cover.

Here are two perfect examples of mixing metals, using new and old, and achieving a well balanced and unique design.

From The Urban Farmhouse

“I don’t have a lot of money? Where can I find cool objects d’art?” Simple! Thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets, oh my! You never quite know what you’re gonna find when shopping at any of the above, so go with an open mind. Try to look for things with a unique shape or texture. Hammered finishes offer an extra reflective quality. There are so many dents and divets just waiting for the light to hit them!

Here’s what’s hot:

Owls

Bronze Vases & Vessels

Vintage Mercury Glass

Gold Sculptural Finds

photo by buppins

The world is full of treasure. All you have to do is take some time to go get it. And remember, the good stuff’s usually at the bottom of the box… so DON’T be afraid to dig a little and get your hands dirty. Scrounging up a dirty old treasure is what it’s all about! There’s nothing that a little ingenuity and elbow grease can’t fix!

Got a great find? I’d love to hear about it.

What do you mean, “Re-Inventing Vintage?”

In times when money is tight and our sense of security is rocked by unforeseen changes, we often look to alternative sources to fill the holes found during the aftermath. For me, with back to back job losses along with my husband becoming disabled and home 24/7 AND my disabled MIL moving in to live with us full-time, I started looking for ways to fill my creative holes.

Back when paychecks were coming in regularly, I would just shop. Although I prided myself as a frugal shopper and consistently hit the yard sale and thrift store circuits, I was buying what I wanted, when I wanted. Now, with no money to spare, I had to get creative. I needed to fill the holes.

I started by looking around my house for what I could Re-Invent into something new for myself for free. One of my first projects was re-inventing an old stretched canvas oil paintings I did back in college into a vintage fabric covered wall , like these from Resim Store:

I made it my business to be on the lookout for cheap or preferably free finds that I could re-invent into something new. Luckily for my budget, there’s a such thing as Flea Market Style!

Some of my all-time favorite finds are:

Mosaic Art

by Barbara Donaldson

Frame Art Collages

Collecting Vintage Milk Glass And Actually Using It!

Check Out This DIY from Ruffles

Using Old Soda Crates For Storage

Vintage Fabrics & Textiles

If you’ve ever had to re-invent yourself, you know what I’m talkin’ about. Taking that remnant of what was once, and transforming it into something new and beautiful. Something that is better than it was, yet still recognizable. That’s what Re-Inventing Vintage is all about. I hope you’ll join me as I share future projects and ideas.