Classic Style Using Authentic Treasures

It's all about living an AUTHENTIC life, being true to who we are and finding beauty and inspiration in our daily surroundings. Decorating our homes with found items and antique and vintage treasures, we create a personal ~ classic style ~ that defines who we are!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Little Red



How could you pass it by?




This little gem of a barn, 
setting on the roadside?




Full of charm and quaint in size,



 
certainly for the owners ~ 
a prize!




Can't you imagine her glorious red dress?



trimmed with white and looking her best?



  
 All her parts are working still~




door knobs, hinges, she is a thrill!




Once a place to hang a sign,




 directions to a garage or a place to dine!




 She's still in use and looking good,




 gorgeous color and weathered wood!




 As she ages and the years pass by,



 
her special wiles will multiply.




Folks like me who pay our respects,




 will slam on our brakes and strain our necks!



To see this gift from our past~





 and pray silently that she will last!




So, thank you little red barn, 
I'd like to say, 
You are quite special 
and made my day!




Live your Authentic Life ~
Be the Real You!
Blessings,
Martha

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Mid Century Table Meets 21st Century Chalk Paint

Found this mid-century end table
at a local thrift store....
the top was in bad shape,
but the rest looked pretty good!






A good candidate for
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!

Considering it had those
straight lines and 
1950's style legs.....

 I had to pick out some fun colors that
could go "retro funky"!

I looked to the 1950's for inspiration,
here is what I found, 
let's travel back in time:










 
You catching on yet?



















 &



These "after" shots are all 
without wax applied!
I took the table to the shop
before remembering to snap a photo ~ 
the colors are even more vibrant with the wax!








It's going to take just the right space 
for this fun and funky piece!


 Can't you see a retro
blue lamp on this table?

Or maybe jump a decade or two 
and add a blue lava lamp!








Live Your Authentic Life ~ 
Be the Real "Funky" You!

Blessings,

Martha






Monday, May 14, 2012

His Promise

Part of my Mother's Day was spent
with my mother at the cemetery 
where my father,
her husband, is buried.

Arlington Memorial Cemetery 
in Atlanta, Georgia,
holds many memories for me ~
as most of my mother's family are buried there,
and where I will most likely be buried.

As a child attending funerals
or taking flowers to 
family members graves
over the years,
we would always stop 
by a special prayer garden, 
to reflect, to pray,
 to just be quiet.

And so, 
as we had done 
so many times
in the past, 
we stopped again,
in this special place, 
that holds so many memories.

I love you mom,
I know you miss dad ~
he's there, 
waiting with open arms!























The Resurrection and The Life!


Life, 
our living and our dying,
our daily ins and outs,
our busy natures,
not to
forget 
His Promise!


 If we believe ~ 
we shall not perish, 
but have ever lasting life!


Live Your Authentic Life!
Be The Real You!
Blessings,
Martha





Saturday, May 12, 2012

Time For Tea

My father's mother, Emma, was born in 1897!
This little table, belonged to Emma
as a little girl....






Just a tad taller than an encyclopedia,
 this table was the perfect size....





 ...for Emma to serve tea!

 The pieces below 
are all that are left
of her tiny
Lusterware set!





 The impression of 1738 is the only
mark on the pieces - 
thought to be from Japan.






 If I was a little girl,
age 5, in 1902,
when I was ready to play Tea Time,
I would borrow one of my mother's
dresser scarves to dress my table.






Then I might add a couple of crystal
tooth pick holders to act as tiny vases.




I'd run outside and pick some 
dainty fresh flowers
from the garden 
and gently dress my little table,
as if the Queen were coming for tea!






 All set and ready to pour!




 
 



Tiny cups, from a century ago ~ 
held in little hands.
 





Hands that took such care 
that her grand-daughter might share it
with her own children,
3 generations and
over 100 years later!






Live Authentically ~ Be the Real You!
Happy Mother's Day 2012!
Blessings,
Martha