A Glimpse of My Vintage Decor and Tastes
After living for 21 years in a 1750’s antique center chimney house, we decided to build a true passive solar, energy efficient, accessible home in preparation for our retirement years. We hired a Not-So-Big House architect to help us translate our dreams into glass, wood and year round comfort. We do very much miss our working fireplaces in the old house. With a glass of wine and a roaring fire, the cares of the day melted away.
Our new house’s style is what I like to call “Shakers meet the Jetsons”.
The images taken are our dining area and show my current vintage loves and frugal lifestyle. The sideboard is actually the Heywood Wakefield bureau my sister-in-law grew up with. I just love the framework that suggest that the drawers are floating.
The decals on the wall I got at a thrift shop. I had a blast putting these up on the coffee colored walls. The lights are IKEA. The water color painting of calla lilies is by my hand. The black ceramic on the floor is a Van Briggle I found at our leave it shed at the landfill.
The chairs and table I bought for next to nothing from a friend with fabulous taste who had sold her MCM house. I’d hire her in a heartbeat to decorate my house.
I do love woven overshot linens with tone on tone texture. If I ever find any wonderful fabric or antique stores with such material I buy it to make table runners. I used to work at a living history museum in Mass. and learned hand sewing so these runners are hemmed by hand.
The porcelain dishes are Rosenthal Blutenspiel, designed by Raymond Lowey which I got an estate sale. I put them on Etsy and they didn’t sell. I consigned them to two antiques stores and they didn’t sell. In the mean time I bought a set of MCM dishes made in California that were just a bit too fancy for my “Keep it Simple” design plan. Well, the light bulb went off and I accepted the fact that I was to keep and use these beautiful dishes! Now I need to get rid of the other set.
For frugal decorating of sliding glass pocket doors I used an Ellison Die Cut machine (sometimes schools and libraries have them) and cut leaves out of a privacy paper from a big box store that adheres without glue. This pattern is called Rice Paper.
I am a rather minimalist decorator. My mom had a hoarding gene and I was afraid of following her. I love being able to seek, purchase and then sell wonderful items on Etsy to keep collecting on a manageable level.
I hope you liked this glimpse into my home and some of the things that make me and my dear husband happy.
Mary Ellen
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntHattiesAttic
It looks great Mary Ellen! I like your style! The lines on the wall decals go well with the lines on those gorgeous dishes too.
Thanks for sharing your home.
Tina
What a wonderful room you have created, Mary Ellen. The juxtaposition of your vintage & contemporary treasures in your dining area is delightful plus the idea of a “Shakers meeting the Jetsons” design style made me smile.
Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love to see how others use and display vintage items! The clock is awesome!
Mary Ellen, your home is so lovely! And coming from a family of hoarders too, I find that I am minimalist in nature. Even the items I choose are simple and clean, stylish and NOT fussy, which is probably why I LOVE those dishes. Floral without being fussy. Fabulous!
Thanks so much for sharing your home and if I ever get Christmas put away, maybe I will be adding mine to the list. lol
All the best
Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your lovely home. I was immediately drawn to the clock. What is it about clocks? I love your style.
I so enjoyed receiving a glimpse of your world. You obviously have a very artistic bent! I am curious about the candles on the back of the sideboard. I am guessing that they are faux and I really liked the rectangular glass vases? you put them in. They must be very nice at night.
I love your story and how you’ve been able to incorporate your sister-in-laws bureau into your home. I’m sure it brings a smile to your hubby as well! The China story is charming. The hoarding thing……oh my! I have a problem with hoarding China. I like tea parties and buy teapots everywhere I go. I’ve only recently decided to list one complete set, but secretly hoping it doesn’t sell.😉 Happy retirement years to you!
Mary Ellen ~ I love your minimalist style and beautiful treasures. Your dining area is so inviting. Do you take reservations? Great job!
A wonderful cozy home Mary Ellen, I love your mix of styles and the leaves are adorable. Oh, why yes, I would love a glass of wine, thank you, for sharing!
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your beautiful home, Mary Ellen. Your “Shakers meet the Jetsons” taste is exquisite. Thanks, again, for letting me take a peek and getting to learn more about you.
Mary Ellen, Wow, just wow! You have a fabulous home. I am in love with the floor, and the wall decals, table, linens, all of it! What a wonderful space.
Simple but stunning! I especially love how the natural wood looks with the black tile floor. And the dining set…wow!
absolutely love your minimalist style! isn’t it great that you can mix authentic midcentury with affordable Ikea and your own handmade works of art.