May 09, 2008

Not mainstream

My house will never look like a Pottery Barn catalog. I've never wanted to own exactly what everyone else does, or be a rigid stylist.
Pottery Barn
My version

I like items that have a history...that paint a picture. A metal golf trophy from the 1930's...a powerful female image. An advertising plate with a sad looking hound, a cast iron wind up train, a velvet photograph album that belonged to my Grandmother. And books....lots of books.


Old books are one of my favorite display items. The rich colors of the cloth covers, marbled pages, fabulous cover art...not to mention good reads.


I don't want to be mainstream.

19 comments:

Rosebud Collection said...

What lovely books..as far as photos go..yours are great..You have seen how I can ruin anything with a camera.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

These do make great vignettes. Totally fitting with your style and home. You have some great finds!

jodie said...

Those books are beautiful. I love old books, they way they age turns them into wonderful pieces of art.

Tess Kincaid said...

Lovely vintage books! I also have a weekness for beautiful old books. Many of them were truly a work of art. Often I buy them purely for the cover.

Captain Skulduggery Dug said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't want a house that looks like everyone else's.

Your home should IMO reflect who you are not what someone in the media tells you is the latest fashion.

I'm dreading when we have to put this house on the market as it will mean I have to paint over all the bright colours and tone down all the décor for us to be able to sell it. I hate beige!

Sarah McBride said...

yours looks way better anyways. It has character and reflects your personality.
Who needs overpriced PB furniture anyways??

Unknown said...

Books are so inspiring because they truly capture the time & place in which they were written (style of clothing & homes, unusual names, vocabulary, etc). It is no wonder that you, the self proclaimed lover of the past and its many mysterious wonders, have so many wonderful vintage books around! Have you read them all? I love that your display area is your own unique style, truly what makes your house your home :~)

SandraRee said...

This is just the way a home should look. :)

Victoria said...

I am right there with you! My house is filled with old treasures, and vintage books are displayed everywhere!

Anonymous said...

You've got style, you've got grace. Love that collection of goodness on that table. WAY better than stupid pottery barn!

By the way, I did post your giveaway, would you like me to take it down until the official date? There are some good giveaways there now, it's filling up slowly but surely!

Mrs.French said...

To be honest, I like your style so much better. I have been trying to create some unique vignettes like you have here. Yours are too unique and special.

XUE said...

oh dear, i like yours but i do like pottery barn as well!!! since moving out of usa, i miss the wonderful junkmail/catalogs that used to come with the mail, over there but not over here.

Marie Louise said...

I much prefer your version. Pottery Barn is great but it is always too matchy-matchy for me. It's great to surround yourself with things that have some meaning. Have a great weekend!

StaroftheEast said...

I love your version so much more. Old items and books have so much caracter and history.

Hey Harriet said...

What awesome stuff you have! Your display kicks Pottery Barn butt!

& you're about as mainstream as the kooky "Bonzo Dog Band" but with better taste :)

Anonymous said...

Wow what a lovely collection and wonderful style. You have some amazing finds and great arrangements. Gives that sense of great style and history.

Lavinia said...

Your version is much more interesting, and therefore, I prefer it. The pottery barn version can be taken in with one quick glance...there is nothing for the eye to linger on.

Now your version, one wants to get up close...to look, to study, to examine the various elements brought together in a harmonious whole. There is a history behind your items....

Callooh Callay said...

I've never quite gotten minimalism. Cool stuff, well arranged--that's the way to go. Beautiful!

littlebird said...

i have no idea what a pottery barn is? but if it counts for anything your table looks fascinating and if i were standing in front of it i would have itchy fingers from wanting to pick things up and look at them. ( i wouldn't dare do it, ofcourse, hehe )