Whale Bottle Opener & Stripe Cotton Towels

Posted on | March 10, 2010 | 4 Comments

DSC 2002 Whale Bottle Opener & Stripe Cotton Towels

Two recent purchases that I am totally in love with. Above a whale bottle opener ($21) that I picked up at Liberty Henry & Me in Marblehead and cotton herringbone stripe towels ($20) I picked up on Amazon.

I probably didn’t need the whale opener but it’s so freakin cute and looks pretty adorable resting on my windowsill in the kitchen. I picked up the stripe towels for all the bread baking I’ve been doing. I use to buy the ikea version by the dozen but decided to try a more industrial towel. The amazon towels are bigger, stronger, and more absorbent. I found similar towels even cheaper on large kitchen supply websites but the shipping usually ended up costing more then the towels. I’ll have to keep investigating…

Just got this tip. Available in red, green and blue stripes: $3.95 dozen.

Liberty Henry & Me
139 Washington Street
Marblehead, MA, 01945
781-631-0550

Category: accessories

Ben Pentreath Ltd.

Posted on | March 8, 2010 | 6 Comments

I came across Ben Pentreath’s flat in the book, Perfect English over the weekend. His style is what I aspire too. Layers of pattern, antiques, and art that is approachable but classic. The small chair in the upper right of the photo is upholstered in men’s suiting. I love the gray field with the red stripe—a color a combo I think would be perfect for my den.

Ben runs a great shop in London offering accessories, art, and furniture with a nod to classicism. The store is filled to the brims but finds flow through patterning and symmetry. For those of us unable to make the trip across the pond, Ben has a great online shop filled with all his favorite essentials.

Ben Pentreath Ltd.
17 Rugby St
Bloomsbury
WC1N 3QT
benpentreath.com

Category: accessories, interiors

Porthole Mirror

Posted on | March 4, 2010 | 2 Comments

Image from Authentic Models

I have a thing for portholes. When I did a search on Amazon this afternoon I found all kinds of different versions from nickel, brass and bronze plated. So cool. I love the idea of putting a few in secret spots throughout the house. Prices range from $34-$300 each depending on size.

41fKBgqSOiL. SL500 AA300 Porthole Mirror

Bronze porthole mirror $212.

Nickel porthole mirror $255

Custom Indoor Shutters

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 26 Comments

I’ve been trying to come up with a solution for the windows in my den. Do I put up curtains, shutters, or just leave them bare? Last week I came across The Shutter Store; a custom online shutter company.

I spot shutters all over Marblehead. Most of the houses in the old town neighborhood are at street level. You can see right inside—so sweet and small town. Instead of covering all the windows with drapes I noticed most of the house just put shutters on the bottom. You can still see in but you have to really tall or get up on your tippy toes—which is just creepy. The older homes look like they have originally solid paneled shutters. I’ve searched for months for similar styles and turned up empty.

I spotted solid paneled versions on The Shutter Store’s site. I wonder if they could make a version for me to cover half my window? More like a cafe style? I’ll have to investigate. Above and below a few photos from their site. Shutters are so cute for traditional or more modern homes. Find out more: theshutterstore.com.

Boston plantation shutters Custom Indoor Shutters

full panel shutters Custom Indoor Shutters

Pennsylvania bath shutters Custom Indoor Shutters

Category: accessories, curtains

Modern Cross Stitch

Posted on | January 16, 2010 | 2 Comments

A special Saturday afternoon post. I couldn’t resist posting these adorable cross stitches from Treefox. Right now, they are on sale for just $15 each. Buy all three and hang above a bed, in a small nook, or between two twin beds. I would buy them in a second but I am on a buying freeze. My house is a total mess and I’ve run out of places to keep my goodies until I can decorate.

In other news, how fantastic is the weather today on the east coast of the United States? It’s 45 degrees and sunny here in Marblehead. I opened some of the windows and let the fresh air and the sounds of happy chatty birds breeze through the house. My indoor cat is quite happy and is spending the afternoon sunning himself in the window. After being cooped up in the house for the past month the brief heat wave is a welcomed surprise. Enjoy your weekend and go buy those cross stitches before someone else gets them!

Category: accessories, affordable artwork

Knit & Crocheted Cowls

Posted on | January 13, 2010 | 5 Comments

I’ve really been getting into knitting. I am working on another hat using super soft Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca. I saw an upcoming class at Seed Stitch in Salem, Ma that covers purl and how to combine purl and knit into seed stitch, a basket weave, ridge stitch, caterpillar stitch, basic cables. I need to learn more stitches in order make more advanced projects like cowls and mittens.

I was cruising around on etsy this morning and spotted these beautiful knit and crocheted cowls by Knittles. Knittles is run by two moms Mavis & Olga out of Canada. They create handmade hats, mittens, and cowls. I enjoy the different colors and textures in their work. I love their cowls because they can easily be tucked into jackets without adding extra bulk. The cowls above and below are available for purchase through their etsy shop ranging in price from $45 to $100, knittles.etsy.com.

il 430xN.115695364 Knit & Crocheted Cowls

il 430xN.108229773 Knit & Crocheted Cowls

Shaker Drying Rack & Swift

Posted on | January 11, 2010 | 5 Comments

Last night, I was flipping through the January issue of Martha Stewart Living when I spotted a Shaker drying rack. I really need a drying rack. When I come back from laundromat half the time my clothes are still wet. They get scattered all over the house for days as they dry. The three-sided pine rack originally designed in the 1800’s can be used for drying towels, delicates, and herbs. The drying rack can be folded up for easy storage. The design is seducing. Purchase through Hancock Shaker Village for $71.

The Shakers were ingenious designers. When I visited Canterbury Shaker Village last fall my tour guide explained that the Shakers strove for efficient designs that would allow more time for worship. Did you know Shakers were one of the first to put garden seeds in printed paper packets for sale?

My local yarn shop winds skeins of yarn into balls using a tabletop Shaker Swift. A swift is a wooden contraption invented by the Shakers that resembles a umbrella to aid in winding balls of yarn. If you ever tried to wind a ball of yarn by yourself you know how it can end up in a knot disaster. Below an antique maple Shaker Swift from the 1860’s. Brilliant, right? Modern day pine versions can be purchased for around $70 from yarn.com and Purl Soho.