Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving - I am away from my Canadian home,
so celebrations will be postponed - 'til Nov. 11 perhaps?
November 11 is an important date, it is St. Martins...

This beautiful tall crock comes from Finland. It has been with me for over 25 years, a gift of my much missed Finnish friend, Satu.

The iron stew pot - Japanese-made, Korean store-bought.

The rustic tabletop?
I think, it is Mexican-made.

I am searching for the inspiration - our old porch at the front of the old and almost "historic" house. Today I have found this, again on the indispensable Obsolete site:



This is just a French architectural model - probably a part of a builder's showroom display.

End of summer

There is this interesting exhibition and I am wondering if I should see it.
I have already seen "The Mill and the Cross" film, based on one of the "Breueghels".
Beautiful film.


With the end of the Summer I need to report on the significant gardening successes.
From the squash seeds fed to squirrels in winter and fallen on the ground - something like this, spontaneously grew this summer.

I have recently let it hang from the wire support that earlier served the peony.

The squash is green and the size of a baby's head.
And I am as excited about it as a young mother.
















ONE gladiolus bloomed in the container, it was a gorgeous plant nevertheless. The pink of the flowers was almost effervescent.

Emotional Response

This is why we prefer finding and doing things we are familiar with - the create the sense of familiarity and security - a desired although highly unreliable emotional response...

I admit I am getting a lot of entertainment, free of charge, sometime at 7 am.
Today we were waking to a life performance of "O sole mio" - not professional but valiant nevertheless performance. Whether one of our neighbours finally came out of the closet with this talent, or an enthusiastic guest...
Well, I am betting on a newly moved neighbour whom I do not know yet...

More positive emotional response?
Vintage inspiration from the net below:

via Antique Daisy

Do you think you cannot get enough of opera singing on Saturday morning?
By now, "O sole mio" was run several times and so was "Nessum Dorma".
I guess you  may say Ottawa is resuming it's colourful phase.

Graphics Fairy

Restoration graphics

For a long time I thrive on being inspired by old items, books, objects of art and decor.
I love the climate of continuity they create, I know - it is illusive, but exciting imaginative nevertheless. I am so glad it is in vogue.
This company Restoration Hardware has showcased massively the ways of putting old and "atmospheric" items together.
Prompted by their bold presentation I am announcing the up-coming Restoration Graphics line where I will produce and show antique-inspired visuals from my collection.

I am off to my Studio to print some of my archival images to enjoy the excitement of the amazing trend.

Here is some totally inspiring bits from Restoration Hardware (www.restorationhardware.com):

Great idea: digital reproduction of old maps
I am totally rushing to seek maps in my vast digital archives

Black&White photos with a smell of a mouse...
There is never any lack of the material - from heirloom to "aged" shots.

Great architectural prints did not go away for long...
So many great resources in old books! All copyright free!

And yes, by all means - all old documents, so stylish....