Work Horse!

Arriving On Crooked Creek , we have been abundantly blessed!
Our 1970's Ranch Style home contains four bedrooms ~
three of which are located on the upper level.

Directly across from the Master Bedroom ~ and facing the neighborhood lined cul~de~sac is our Work Horse!

Work Horse in this context refers to our home office On Crooked Creek!

This room houses and eclectic mix of furnishings, "Mr.Ed" and I spent many weekends armed with paint brushes, drop cloths and stencils until all the mismatched pieces had a unified decor look!

A Montgomery Ward, maple, Early American desk purchased early in our marriage for "Mr. Ed's" desk. The bottom half was painted black on the back, sides and behind the drawer fronts. The open hutch was made by our son in his early years of Shop class from scrap pine and received a complete coat of black paint. "Mr. Ed" backed the hutch with pine paneling to mimic one I had seen at our local Ethan Allen show room.

All the shelves are filled with the necessary items to keep our Work Horse running in top shape! This is the look we put together after arriving On Crooked Creek. . .

. . .here a more streamlined look after the new carpet was installed in 2011!

Yes! We still use an answering machine!

Housed behind these "stable doors" of the armoire is our computer, copier, and some filing drawers! The vignette atop the armoire was changed to feature the two of us. The storage boxes hold keepsake cards, graduation and wedding announcements.

My Moma's love seat! An heirloom piece that had rolling casters until "Mr. Ed" changed out the legs!  The throw and pillows camouflage the worn cushions!

The living room coffee table turned sideways makes a perfect side table for the love seat. This is a great place to read a book and there's just enough room for a cup of coffee or tea!

This VCR cabinet contains stationary. . .occasional cards, note pads and Christmas cards! This is how the cabinet was staged when we arrived On Crooked Creek. . .

and here's the change since the Fall of 2011!

 Seating changes came about after I began having back problems. On Crooked Creek left the "old grey mares" behind. . . 

and in their place is a new, more sleek, saddle back desk chair

that fits my back to a "T"!

From paying the bills, to checking e~mails...designing and posting my blog, and hearing from all of you. This home office gets a work~out every day On Crooked Creek. Therefore the name Work Horse lovingly applies!


Until next time. . .

Farmhouse French

On Crooked Creek is located near the Southern edge of our town. One block South of us begins a Tree Farm with a rural area between our town and the next. And while our Ranch Style home is definitely not "country", I adore the new French Farmhouse decor!

Shortly after "Mr. Ed" renovated the lower level On Crooked Creek, we purchased a smaller round table for our dining area. I've been looking for a few "seasons" for new dining room chairs.

While on our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park, I found these two vintage oak "farmhouse" chairs. "Mr. Ed" and I each have our own definition for the meaning "catch of the day"!

I adore the wide ladder back effect...and the way the back piece attaches to the seat. The seats are leather. The addition of cushions from our previous dining chairs make seating more pleasant. Although, it may involve me using a sewing machine...I have a plan for those seat cushions!

To bring a bit more of the farmhouse decor to the dining area, I used this gorgeous sun shining day to revamp our china cabinet!

Now that the heirloom silver tea set is residing on the vintage tea cart in the living room, I  brought out my French Country lamp to pair with the new Sunflower print.

This vintage ironstone bowl belonged to my beloved Mother ~in~law. The hues from the vintage bowl and the comtemporary print blend harmoniously.

I added the restaurant pitcher "Mr.Ed" purchased for me during Christmas. The banding on the white leans more towards the blue ~ green family. Tying the hues together in this vignette.

My very first restaurant plate combined with my first creamy ivory, oval serving platter take their place of honor to the right of the cabinet! Placing them on easels gives them greater presence and keeps them safe for display!

Placing a few individual serving dishes in a primitive, wooden, divided box keeps the farmhouse theme. The addition of my three widely used cookbooks are now easily accessible for reference and inspiration!

An earthenware brown pitcher holds vintage kitchen utensils, both are heirlooms from either sides of our families.

The formal China Rose pink, white and silver china seemed out of place. It was easily located to the built~in china cabinet transitioning from the dining area to the living room. In its place. . .my Homer Laughlin Epicure Turquoise Aqua china!

It's been a busy day On Crooked Creek! I have basked in the rays of the sun's energy to accomplish a Farmhouse French look for our home. One I'm feeling right at home in. . . in our urban setting!

Until next time. . .

Treasure #7!

2012 has already been full of new journeys here On Crooked Creek!

Dear Ones...hold the presses...On Crooked Creek is joining our sweet hostess, Marty @ A Stroll Thur Life for her 100th Table Top Tuesday!!!

http://www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Marty, for hosting this truly inspiration weekly meme. I continually am blessed by all the lovely vignettes from your blog and those of others featured here! You're the b e s t !

Studio One has, once again, become my Art Studio! Many of my former display items have been sold in a recent Tag $ale. The closing of my handmade card business was a choice of heart. I plan to spend much needed time with "Mr. Ed" in his retirement!

Previously, this vintage Tea Cart was used in my booth at our local Spring Fling for display. I found this beauty on Craig's List and purchased it locally. It has been in Studio One since its arrival On Crooked Creek. . .until recently.

Once the Christmas Tree was carried to the storage closet on the lower level, a huge vacancy in the living room made me re~evaluate what would fill that voided spot. The vintage Tea Cart is a "perfect" fit!

I am a Traditionalist. . .to a point. . in home decorating! This Tea Cart would be the best place to display my heirloom silver Tea Set! When I was gifted with my MoMa's Tea Set, my Dad brought a silver plated tray (Made in Hong Kong) for it to rest upon. Not the tray that I was accustomed to seeing in my childhood. For years, I have been searching for a more fitting silver tray.

Treasure #7. . .

Of course, it took an hour and a half of silver polish and "elbow grease" to bring this elegantly, footed, handled, curved silver tray to its former glory!

I am totally grateful that someone gave up this exquisite tray and placed it for sale in their booth at our local Antique Mall! Perhaps the "price was right" because of its blackened condition!

Due to its ample size, I was able to bring out the heirloom silver candelabra and a condiment holder to enhance the top shelf of the Tea Cart.

The pattern is so delicate. . .almost lacey all around the perimeter of the tray.

Scallops add interest to the outward edges of the tray. Those handles are massive; however making transfer of the tray an easy task.

Look closely and you will see the feet of the tray! Although no name is embedded on the bottom, there is a series of four digits under each foot.

The middle shelf is a great space to house our ice bucket and a silver tray of glasses. Hot tea ~ will become iced tea ~ with the onset of Summer On Crooked Creek!

The bottom shelf will suffice as a Seasonal display. Since the Christmas decor has been returned to the lower level, I've chosen to showcase my large bunnies.

Today, On Crooked Creek it is SNOWing. . . so~o~o. . .we'll call these SNOW bunnies!

Amazing how Treasure Hunting not only brought about new purchases On Crooked Creek, but also, new changes . . .new beginnings in our journey.

"Mr. Ed" and I are about to enjoy a "cup of tea",  together, as we watch the SNOW falling on the deck On Crooked Creek.


Until next time. . .

http://www.commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

On Crooked Creek will be joining Debra from Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday. Be sure to visit and be inspired to use your vintage finds in your own home decor!

Treasure Hunting. . .

I am so grateful to live in an area where convenience is in abundance! Within a few miles of On Crooked Creek, one can dine finely, shop easily, find inspiration. . . and yet, every once in a while. . .I just have to "get the heck outa' Dodge"! On those occasions, "Mr. Ed" and I take to Treasure Hunting. . .

Treasure #1, #2 and #3 . . .

I've been looking for some empty milk bottles to fill a vintage wire carrier for quite some time. The monogram G on the Golden Royal milk bottle caught my eye! I adore the detailing! The red is a "great find" for my kitchen On Crooked Creek!

Now...these two, at first glance, appeared to be a match in shape. Even this photo is misleading! However the taller vintage milk bottle(quart) is more square at the base; whereas the smaller vintage milk bottle (pint) is more round at its base.

"Mr. Ed" states the pint bottle is similar to the ones he drank milk from in grade school. He is several years older than I. Had I drank milk at school, it would have come from a waxed paper carton. Allergies made it impossible for me to partake!

Treasure #4. . .

My first restaurant plate!!! Ladies, I nearly danced to the counter with this find! I am acquiring quite a collection of restaurant serving dishes...but this is my first plate! You know what they say..."The Thrill of the Hunt"...Oh, yeah...I was definitely feeling the adrenalin rush when I spotted this treasure!

Treasure #5. . .

Au gratin dishes! Oh, how I wish there'd been four! I've already used these "great finds" On Crooked Creek and will post that recipe in the near future!!!

I was quite smitten with their oval shape, deep interior and the delicate shell design on the handles! They have that creamy ivory hue that I adore! These aren't dishwasher safe, but they washed up so nicely, I don't seem to mind!
 
Treasure #6. . .

A creamy ivory hued vintage oval serving platter! I adore the delicate swirl design around the edges! This is my first vintage serving platter! All the white dishes and the restaurant plate were found at the same Antique Shop in Newton, Kansas!

Treasure #7. . .

will have to wait for another post. I didn't photograph the treasure by itself...and I'm still working on the final outcome of its announcement On Crooked Creek. I do hope you'll stop by again soon for its reveal!

"Mr. Ed" found a treasure, also! He purchased the VCR (can't get much more vintage than that) of Dances With Wolves! He watches the black & white with VCR movies while riding his stationary bicycle in the lower level On Crooked Creek since his retirement!

There's just something so uplifting and inspiring about arriving On Crooked Creek with newly acquired treasures. Just the "pick me up" and motivation I needed to get those creative ideas going once again!

Until next time. . .


FYI:
We've been experiencing computer woes On Crooked Creek lately! Something about a Mother Board...external hard drive... so~o~o, if you notice my absence for a period of days...its due to the lack of knowledge with technology. Thank goodness for "geeks"!