The Living Room

I should be blogging about our Christmas decor.  Except we don't have anything yet!
Instead, I'm just going to share our new living room since it's one of the few rooms that feels done.

Luckily, when we moved in, our furniture fit perfectly.

There wasn't much to do here but paint the walls a neutral cream that matched the existing woodwork like I did in the dining room.

Here is the before photo.  

Thank goodness, the floor is in really good shape. although I did have it buffed and a new coat of polyurethane was added.

I considered having bookshelves custom built on either side of the fireplace, mainly because there were built-ins originally, based on the floor patch.

Instead, I ordered two matching bookcases from Restoration Hardware.

We have so many books, so these were clearly a necessity!

I had fun organizing our books and staging the cabinets with favorites objects.

The fireplace mantel is a work in progress.

I had the electrician install the sconces because this room needs all the light it can get.

I can't quite commit to hanging the paintings yet.

This room is constantly evolving.

Adding books, candles, pillows, as well as rearranging here and there.

Here is the room right after we moved in....

....here it is now.  

I just keep layering!

So glad I saved the draperies from the San Francisco house as they work perfectly in both the living and dining room.

We actually use this room!  It's cozy and that's what we like.

What's next?

I'm currently working on converting the fireplace to gas so we can sit in here by the fire during the winter months.

Hopefully, I'll get around to decking the halls before Christmas!

Collecting Shell Art

I have been collecting shell art for many years, but didn't realize it. I have always been attracted to little trinket boxes made out of shells to hold earrings at bedside. One day I looked around and realized that I had more than a few items of this art form. Here are a few of the pieces in my collection.

The shells on this vintage lamp have turned a lovely amber color. It sits on a desk with the box above and a sea shell frame that is new. There is a big difference between new and vintage.

This frame from Z Gallerie is new.

However, these bookends are definitely vintage.

A rare example of vintage shell tramp art. I was told this is French.

This wonderful old lighthouse night light was a recent find. The shells are glued on cardboard.

Another recent find is this shell mirror. It probably started out as a picture frame. Also known as a "Sailor's Valentine."

This shell art lantern arrived today from Wisteria. It is much larger than I thought! Although it isn't vintage, it will be great up in the wine country on a warm summer night.

This is the first in a series I am doing about collecting, featuring my own collections, as well as others. I am fascinated by what people collect and am always interested in learning about what makes something desirable as a collection.

So.....What do you collect?