tree trimmings

December 17, 2014 | circadee

Our holiday decorating is a wrap at this point. We’re enjoying the warm glow of the tree every night and we’re watching the pile of wrapped presents slowly grow. We went with a smaller than usual tree this year but propped it up on my favorite vintage card catalog table. As for the ornaments, we kept fairly traditional. I’ve been known to go all one color or theme in the past but not this year.

The only big curve ball I threw on the tree were arrows. I guess I should say I “shot” at the tree.

Since we had no specific color scheme, I thought these bright vintage arrows were a fun addition around the top of the tree. What do you think?

You may remember the arrows and antlers from my fall mantel. Yep, they easily transitioned to the next season…along with the cotton stems too.

Both have been a hit in the shop along with some other outdoorsy and almost season-less ornaments like the vintage style chairs, acorns & lanterns.

For garland this year, I simply used chenille ribbon. I love this stuff! It can go around your gifts or on the tree. We still have some available to trim your own tree with!

Tonight is Serendipity of Doylestown’s open house from 6-9. Check out all of these ornaments and more!

chenille love

August 28, 2014 | circadee

Can we reflect for a moment on my love for chenille?

My vintage home decor tastes are constantly changing from nautical to industrial to cottage and back again but through all styles, chenille remains constant. Why? I don’t know. It’s just a little dose of granny whimsy usually in the form of a blanket.

When I found this yellow chenille rug a few weeks back, I knew it would be right at home in the cottage-style bathroom we finished last winter.

It is thin and worn and some of the frayed edges are long gone but I love it just the same. Sigh.

And that stool? That was a quick little milk paint makeover. The worn finish on the top matches the vanity almost perfectly. Happy accident!

It is simply constructed of plywood.

The first coat of paint was done in lucketts green on the top and base.

Then the wax puck made an appearance again between layers of paint…

The top was painted with some leftover ironstone and the base with leftover shutter gray. A little bit of furniture wax and the stool was finished!

A couple of winners! Am I alone in my adoration of vintage chenille?

where are they now

January 9, 2013January 16, 2013 | circadee

As you probably know by now, I love the thrill of the hunt! I love uncovering a long forgotten treasure and giving it a new home or purpose. It is kind of like fostering puppies! Sometimes these treasures are found in the bottom of a box at a flea market or in a closet at a granny estate sale or buried in a barn. The next great thing can truly be hiding anywhere just waiting to be discovered. It is such an exciting thought actually.

Many of the treasures I find I don’t actually keep. Or at least not for long. I am trying to avoid hoarderism. That must be a word and a disease that plagues hoarders. So it got me wondering…where are they now?

What life have former Circa Dee treasures gone on to live?

Fortunately for me and you, I have some insight. Check it out!

I had the opportunity to sell a few unique scales to Miss Mustard Seed which have landed in the glossy pages of her book and a few magazines! Pretty cool. You might remember these scales from early in my treasure posting days here and here.

scales

I personally have a thing for vintage chenille blankets. I snap them up at every opportunity and have a few in my own home. I sell quite a few too. They definitely have vintage beach house or cottage feel. Here’s one all settled in it’s new home!

chenille bedspread

This vintage linen tablecloth was repurposed into a new valance for a kitchen. Pretty clever and adorable reuse!

vintage table cloth turned valance

A friend commissioned me to make a custom painted sign to coordinate with their master bedroom. Here’s a look at the rustic art that some old boards I saved turned into.

custom painted sign on reclaimed wood

This is one of my favorite “where are they now” stories… I found an antique drop leaf table at a moving sale. The wear and patina on the wood was just perfect as is. Cabin owners agreed with me and transported it all the way from Pennsylvania to their Georgia cabin to give it a new lease on life. I think they did a great job pairing it with the antique ice cream parlor chairs, don’t you?

drop leaf table - cabin

If you’ve purchased a Circa Dee treasure, I’d love to see what you’ve done with it and feature it next month! Have you repurposed it or given it a new lease on life?

P.S. I’m on instagram now posting live updates! Find me – circadee