Typeface Drawer For Beach Treasures

Posted on | August 11, 2010 | 7 Comments

When I was growing up we had an old typeface drawer full of treasures. I remember spending hours looking at every tiny little piece. My sister’s vacation house in Maine had one displayed in the stairwell. It was gorgeous filled with tiny little shells and rocks from the nearby beach. The bird feather tucked at the very top was great contrast.

You can find old typeface drawers at fleamarkets, antique fairs, ebay for under $50. Most are rectangular or square.

Category: accessories, affordable artwork

Whale Bottle Opener & Stripe Cotton Towels

Posted on | March 10, 2010 | 5 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 | 7 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.