Collections: English teacups

Today's collection comes courtesy of a long weekend spent opening boxes that belonged to Joan and her mother, Elsie. They have been in storage for the past two years since we sold Joan's home in California, so the last three days have been a bit like Christmas morning around here! These sweet English teacups belonged to Elsie and were once displayed in her living room in Palos Verdes, California. I am toying with the idea of displaying them in a similar fashion, as they are perfectly lovely and remind me of my great-grandmother and my English upbringing. If you followed my very first blog, then you know I have always had a soft spot for Painted Pink Roses...

Stay tuned to see where they end up!

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All photos by Gerald & Joan.

Collections: Vintage Embroidered Linens

I can't get enough of these embroidered linens that I've collected over the past five years. What makes them so special is that someone's granny put a great deal of time and love into each delicate piece. If you like the look of embroidered linens, I recommend you visit an estate sale. At every estate sale I attend, I peek through sewing rooms filled with embroidery floss, needles and fabric and see the pretty evidence firsthand. Once you find linens, how do you use them? When paired with hand painted dishes, vintage embroidered linens make a lovely addition to a table. They also look sweet on a bedside or dressing table. Embroidered pillow cases add personality to a guest bedroom, and hand towels liven up a boring hall bathroom.

If you find a stained linen with a lovely motif, you might consider using it for a sewing project of your own. Check out my "Granny Chic" Pinterest board for some ideas.

I'd love to see the lost art of embroidery make a comeback. The details are so charming and add personality and warmth to so many simple items.

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