Mozo's Antique Search And Rescue

It seems that antique stores and collectives are slowly disappearing, thanks to eBay and online shopping venues like One Kings Lane, etc.

So I was pleasantly surprised to see a new store open in my town.

Just around the corner from my daughter's house is Mozo's Antique Search and Rescue.

I stopped in for a look-see and was so happy to see my two old friends, Moe and Lisa!

They have always been hunters and gatherers, so it just seemed right to them to partner up and open a store.

Moe is one of the most creative people I know.  She owned a very successful clothing boutique in town for over 35 years and designs her own line of fingerless gloves (above), so she knows a thing or two about selling and merchandising.

I have several pairs of her gloves and even bought a new pair while there.

Lisa is also very creative.  

She had her own catering company for years and has a design business called DaisyBrady Design and Artifact that will be opening in the back of the store soon.

They have gathered a collection of fun, beautiful, eccentric antiques and collectibles that caught my eye, like this old print...

...and this Jeanne d'Arc statue.

How cool is this bottle?

I seriously considered buying it and adding it to my amber bottle collection.

Or even adding it to my bar that I set up in Asti (here).

Notice the spider web?  It would be a cool Halloween decoration too.

 I left it behind and can't get it out of my mind!

What I didn't leave behind though is this antique wicker trunk.

Now, where to put it?

No worries, I will definitely find a place.  

I'm thinking it will make a great coffee table or be fabulous at the foot of a bed.

Or, it could be a toy box for my granddaughters when they come to visit.

While I caught up with Moe and Lisa, my eye wondered, taking it all in.

There is a collection of cool necklaces and little artifacts...

...shelves of little collectibles.

Just a lot of really cool stuff.

I can't wait to go back and will probably be their most loyal customer!

I believe that even though we can find what we're looking for or collecting on eBay and other online sites, people still want to experience the thrill of the hunt.

Don't you?

Country French Magazine

 Run, don't walk to your local grocery store for the latest edition of Country French magazine.

It is one of the best ever, starting with the amazing cover featuring living room styled by Bonnie Broten and photographed by John Granen.

 Mind you, the whole issue is great, but I was especially interested in this home as I've seen it many times on Pinterest and heard about the shoot from Bonnie herself!
It was the first time John and Bonnie worked together since they did my photoshoot of Asti for Tuscan Style.

 I remember the first time I saw this kitchen, I was in awe.  I especially love the open shelving and the green subway tile...

 ...and this gorgeous stove, set into a nook.

But also, they have a glass front refrigerator!

 This is the lovely home of blogger and designer Desiree Ashworth, located in Utah.
Her blog is the popular Decor de Provence 

I love the neutral bedroom with its canopy bed, linen bench and those amazing silver lamps.

Coffee table styled by Bonnie!

The feeling in this home is quiet elegance, featuring timeworn, weathered and French of course.

I love the contrast of these shiny mercury glass urns with the raffia upholstered chairs.

This issue of Country French is a keeper!

And bravo to both Bonnie and John for a beautiful cover!

A Big Impact With Science Charts

It's been fun decorating the wine country rental and although it is 95% done, there are a few things that I'm working on.

Mainly, that big blank wall straight ahead!

I originally wanted to put an antique glass fronted hutch there and fill it with natural curiosities like bird's nests, rocks, fossils, etc., but I waited too long and the piece that I was romancing sold.

Then I got the idea to hang German science charts.

I found a great source online and ordered this sunflower chart...

...and this grape chart.

They not only fill up that big blank wall, they also give visual weight to the room and add to the "wine country meets natural/industrial" vibe that I'm going for.

Walking into the cottage, you see one big living and dining room.  I just love how the charts anchor the room and create a place for the eye to land.

Science charts were used in the 50's and 60's in the classroom.  The really good ones are German, but there are some fabulous French ones too.

 I found my charts at Empirical Style, a fabulous online store featuring maps, botanical and science charts, as well as Thomas Edison light bulbs and vintage lighting.

Be sure to check them out!

I'll be joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.

The Portofino Pavilion - A Dream Come True

 I'm so happy to finally reveal our new tent pavilion, courtesy of Z Gallerie.

Apparently, when I blogged about backyard tents a while back, they were paying attention and decided that I should have their beautiful black and white stripe Portofino Pavilion.

Imagine my surprise when it showed up at our door!


It's like we got a whole new room!


From this...


To this!
I've had such a blast decorating it, starting with the green and white outdoor zebra rug, also from Z Gallerie which I layered over an outdoor seagrass rug from Grandin Road.


  I had the sofa and chairs slipcovered in Sunbrella's Cilantro green and found coordinating pillows from various sources.

The black and white stripes even go with the newly painted black windows!

With summer slowly slipping away, we've been spending as much time as possible in our new room. Coffee in the morning... 


...and wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.


In fact, evening is the best time to be under the tent and dreaming...

...thanks to the chandelier from Lamps Plus that I hung yesterday.

Candlelight casts a warm glow as well.

Talk about romantic!

Yes, we absolutely love our new tent pavilion!

Z Gallerie summed up their tent perfectly:

"Our Portofino Pavilion, exclusive to Z Gallerie, is a great way to entertain outdoors, providing a suitable amount of shade. Large black threaded tassels are suspended from each corner. All four sides may be unzipped to expose the interior. Easy to assemble and disassemble making it a perfect temporary or permanent addition to any backyard or patio."

I couldn't have said it better.

Thank you Z Gallerie for the perfect backyard pavilion!
It's a dream come true!

I'll be joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.
I'm also joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party.

The Birds

Like a scene straight out of "The Birds," this bird has been dive bombing me every time I set foot in my backyard!
He barely misses my head, and I'm truly afraid!

This is his "wife" who also doesn't hesitate to dive bomb me or the dogs!

She has a nest in one of our Crepe Myrtles--not very high up either.

I can see her little babies from my bathroom window with their mouths open, waiting for their food.

As soon as they grow up and leave the nest, I'll add it to my collection.

Fast forward...
The baby birds did indeed fly away and I am now the proud owner of their nest.
It's a work of art, worthy of being under a glass dome!

#Warm August Nights

 We have a new reason to hang out in our backyard these days.

The August evenings here have been warm enough to actually sit outside.

Which prompted me to pay a visit to the wholesale nursery for azaleas, hydrangeas and lavender to enhance the view from...

...here!

There is another reason we are spending more time in the backyard, which I cannot wait to reveal!

If you Instagram, then you probably know about "hashtags."
Well, here are a few #hints:
#warmaugustnights #stripes #blackandwhite #green #zebra #canopy #zgallerie
Stay tuned for the reveal!