Friday, August 29, 2008

Familiar, yet not...



This little washstand has stood in our dining room, in the same exact place, since I was a little girl.  My mother had a washstand set on it -- a large bowl and ewer, with accompanying pieces all in a pink floral pattern.  I'll show them to you some time.




I tend to have flowers on it in summer, and branches with berries in the fall and winter.  My $6. thrift store silver coffee pot sits here now, along with some butler's crumb picker uppers.  What do you call those things?




Here is a closeup shot of the washstand.  Apparently at some point, the drawer pulls were changed out.  I used to love to go through all the things my mother kept in these drawers -- old vintage cards, newspaper clippings of her wedding, and an old Brownie camera.




This is  a pewter coffee set that my father gave to my mother for Christmas one year.  How she loved that gift!  She would proudly bring it out at every holiday.




I have a lot of mirrors in my house -- not because I like to look at myself (yuk!) but because they capture the light from outside and make a small, dark house a bit brighter.  One of the other things I love about the mirrors is that they reflect little visions of my rooms that seem almost unfamiliar.  It's like looking at an entirely different place!

We will be enjoying a quiet holiday weekend here at home.  I hope you all have fun over the next few days, and I will see you on Tuesday.  Happy Labor Day!

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I just wanted to give a great big "Thank You!" to all of you who have voted for my photos by clicking on the widget at the top of my blog.  You are all wonderful bloggy friends!  There are two days left before the end of the contest, so I guess I will hear soon.  Keep your fingers crossed!  :)

36 comments:

  1. What a lovely washstand. Your stories about the different pieces at Little Red House are always so heartwarming.
    The little crumb picker-uppers ....are they called Silent Butlers?
    I love your floral arrangement here and look forward to seeing the fall one. I am not good at arranging things like this and have to copy someone else. Who better than you!! ;O)
    love, bj

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  2. The wash stand is beautiful Mary, and the family history of it makes it even more so. Happy Labor Day holiday to you sweetie!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  3. Love the washstand it is beautiful. Always enjoy your arrangements. We have a quiet weekend planned too, enjoy! Janie

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  4. What a beautiful vignette Mary. It's made all the more beautiful by that fact that there is history in the piece.

    Have a great holiday weekend.

    - Suzanne

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  5. hmmmmm.. in short it is an antique now.. wow, there must be a lot of memories your mom has during her time with that washstand..

    thank you for the visit and comment in my page.. wish you a great weekend!

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  6. That whole vignette is just wonderful. I am coming to spend the winter in your cozy house!

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  7. I love your home - it is so full of wonderful things and memories!!
    Have a great weekend.
    Sally

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  8. Yes, silent butler. Wouldn't we all love to have a real one; butler that is! I'd even let him talk from time to time. Your wash stand vignette is beautiful.

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  9. Lovely pics, Mary! Those look just like a magazine spread.

    Rhoda

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  10. I'm new to "blogging".. on a home vacation exploring different decorating sites.
    I painted a small room exotic red by Benjamin Moore.. with beige ceiling and trim. French posters. black day bed. It's beautiful & my favorite room!

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful home & ideas.

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  11. Hi yogapaws,
    Your room sounds wonderful! There are so many talented bloggers to draw inspiration from. I welcome you to blogging, and hope that you will have fun browsing through the links in my sidebar. :)
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  12. Mary, your images and words to day are lovely.

    You have to win! I know you will. ;-)

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  13. HI Mary!
    I think silent butlers is a perfect name. :) There is a dinner traint aht runs throught eh White Mtns not far from here and the wait staff uses them between courses. I love them! I feel so special when they get flickered in front of spot.

    Is that an old piece of wallpaper rolled under the vingette? I LOVe that!! what a great way to use it and add the color, texture, but not have it permanent.

    Have a lovely weekend!
    xoxo~
    Abbie

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  14. hmm.. as you can tell, I have no time to proofread my posts..
    lol!

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  15. the whole display looks beautiful on that wonderful washstand. I love the Butlers thingies...never seen those before. Have a nice peaceful weekend.

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  16. How beautifully your house is furnished! It shows great taste to put all your beautiful things in the right places. Everything is just perfect.

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  17. Beautiful wash stand!! Your pictures are gorgeous and of cause I clicked the 'I dig it' on your contest pic ;) I hope you win!!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Jannet

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  18. You are The Queen of Vignettes, Mary. I love that urn the flowers are in; just the perfect amount of patina. Have a happy holiday weekend.

    Janet

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  19. What a beautiful display, Mary! I love everything that is on it, and especially the story and the history about the washstand.

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  20. Hi Mary, I haven't been by in some time and oh, I'm so glad I did. I love the washstand and you have it dressed so prettily. Did you make those flowers? I have some of these silver pieces, are they wine holders? Anyway, beautiful picture - looks like it came from a magazine.
    Be a sweetie and come to see me,
    Shelia ;)

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  21. I love that wash stand! And those are called Silent Butlers, I believe!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  22. I love visiting your home in your pictures. What a wonderful idea for a post. Touching story, as well, about the Christmas gift. I wonder sometimes what it would be like to stay in one place for a good long time.

    * sigh *

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  23. Love the wash stand! You know, even if you did have a few of those mirrors in the house to look at yourself, we SO would not be mad at you, cutie! : )

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  24. I think these are lovely photos and a tasteful arrangement of beautiful and treasured things. I am going to visit your other blog to see more of your photos. You really shouldn't worry about all the mirrors catching your reflection if the photo of yourself is anything to go by. It is very nice indeed! Love Eleanor

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  25. I have a washstand that is very similar. I'll have to post it one day. Right now it is holding my printer and stores paper and ink. That thing has been an end table, bedside table, and had a spot in the entry of one of our houses. I love furniture that is so
    versatile. You have a lovely blog and your photography is fabulous.
    Mimi Sue

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  26. Hi Mary,

    What a beautiful piece and I love all of the silver pretties you have placed on it. I share your same passion for the mirrors, for the same reason. Cozy little dark houses do well with reflections don't they?

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  27. Beautiful, beautiful!
    Thank you for all your prayers and blessings!
    Have a wonderful Labor Day,
    kari & kijsa

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  28. Hi Mary

    Good morning! I'm a fan of mirrors to, they always make a room look bigger!
    I am back to my blog and highlighted your wonderful contest give away that I happily won! Hope you can hop over!
    Enjoy your day!
    :0)
    Tara

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  29. mary, every time i see that photo of your living room i sigh. the paneling takes me back to a house i used to visit all the time. i LOVE it so much! it must be so comfy/secure and wonderful to be in your house. with the flowers and yard, and bugs. it just is perfect and i wanted to tell you i appreciate it. i know you know it is ideal!jkj

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  30. I am keeping both fingers AND toes crossed for you, dear Mary. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will walk away with top prize!!
    love, bj

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  31. Hi,
    I have a little award for you over at my blog. Thanks for all the work you do on your blog...it's awesome!
    Susan http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

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  32. Beauteous photos and such lovely patina on that washstand. Love, love, love.

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  33. The washstand is lovely, Mary. And you photos are wonderful. You have a beautiful home.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  34. that washstand is beautiful. how awesome that its something from your childhood.

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  35. Mary, your mother's washstand reminds me of the one my dear little mother has in a special spot in her home. Someday it will be mine. I treasure it because of all the wonderful things she keeps in the drawers. Our mothers must have had a lot in common even though they never met. They seem to have liked the same things. Maybe that's why you and I have become blog friends - much in common from our childhood on! ~Adrienne~

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  36. I love it! Glowing wood and the cutest wallcovering ever.
    Your house is adorable.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!