My Shabby Streamside Studio: June 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part III: Mercury Glass

Shiny Things

I hide coins for my son to find
drop nickels ‘round the playground swing
seed quarters under sawdust by the slide
place dimes beside the whirlawheel
I act surprised when he discovers
a penny along the woodchip trail
delight in the excitement on his face
his lucky smile finding unexpected shiny things

I seek objects that shine
collect and hold them in my hands
assorted coins that shimmer
crows so bright they start
the fire burning in the sky
my son his brilliant eyes
I turn them in the light
then hide them in my heart

Bruce Dethlefsen

Today’s lesson in ‘the Nina Hartmann look’ is the importance of mercury glass.

She uses shades made of mercury glass over task lighting in her kitchen and candlesticks. They add sparkle without bling, because the tarnish softens the effect. It’s like displaying silver without the chore of polishing.

Try massing them in front of mirrors. With shimmery candles lit at twilight the effect is pure delight.

Mercury glass votives do double duty as charming vases.

I’d love the real thing, but they’re prohibitively expensive in antique stores and the web. I found my reproduction candlesticks at The Sheep’s Nest ($80 for 4) and my real one at The Barking Dog in High Falls, NY ($15 because it’s chipped), and reproduction votives at Anthropologie ($12).

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part II: Angel Wings

In this immaculate doll of heaven has been conceived,

as though

No hands had shaped her, an uninvented innocence be-

queathing grace

Ring upon ring in haloes all around her, and not remote

nor kind

But only there, dispensing of all the brought light a total

larger light.

Even now her wings have assumed such shields of glory

and the pool beneath

Wheels with such wreaths of shining, the room is gath-

ered and filled

By her tall and burning stillness and, an actual angel,

her suspension wars

For a whole minute against all the dark, as if I were a

child.

from Swedish Angel by Winfield Townley Scott

As promised, I’m writing a series of posts on Nina Hartmann and how her style has influenced my decorating.

Angel wings are the first item on Nina’s list. She buys vintage wings made by mothers or nuns for children in Christmas pageants in European flea markets. Tough to find, but easy to make yourself. I merely bent bailing wire into a wing shapes, sewed scrap cotton net, painted stars with glue, then sprinkled German glass glitter on.

I can’t help feeling a little spiritual with angel wings in the house. They symbolize freedom and protection.

They impart intangible ‘heart’ in the home far more than any tchotchkes.

Avoid the $7 12" dollar store wings. I’ve seen them in magazines but the effect is perfume on a pig (they’re just toys for kids).

Check out handmade wings at:

Fanciful Design

Petite French Market

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part I: Rustic & Romantic

Fluffy white angel wings on a black bulldog: Nina in a nutshell.

Vintage crinoline and my homemade church candelabra. Ruffled leavened with rustic.

The crinoline was $18 at The Salvation Army and the candelabra was practically free.

Balance in romantic home accessories: white and black, roses and tarnished metal,

refined linens and raw burlap. Authentic only.

First off, I must thank all of you for your kind words and advice in response to my recent tragedies and troubles. I’ll heal much faster with encouragement. I’m looking into master’s programs, too, to raise my earning potential. I fear the money and time it will all cost, along with the knowledge I may not be better off after all’s said and done. But one must try, for failure is certain if one does not.

As promised, I’m writing a series of posts on Nina Hartmann and how her style has influenced my decorating.

Nina says:

Compliment every feminine accessory (such as lace boudoir/wedding textiles) with a masculine accessory (such as old mannequins or my favorite – shed deer antlers).

Nina suggests zinc, raw or dark wood, old wicker, weathered metal, and industrial materials to get the look.*

(*Cited from 'Jeanne d’Arc Living' Autumn 2010 cover feature on Nina.)

Getting an authentic feeling in your home means skipping Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn items. Go for homemade and handmade. It saves money and you’ll never have that impersonal cookie-cutter effect. My favorite Etsy shops for this look are:

My Petite Maison

A Prairie Market

Brocanterie Belle Ami

Savvy City Farmer

Want to learn more tips and where to shop?

Pre-order the English version of Nina’s book Vintage by Nina.

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Vintage by Nina Book Winners!

Congratulations to:

#14 Debby of Cozy Blanket

#8 Maria of Rusty Hinge

winners of Vintage by Nina by Nina Hartmann with photos by Maria-Isabel Hansson.

Pre-order your copy at Atelier de Champagne!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Please Pre-Order 'Vintage By Nina' in English GIVEAWAY (U.S.)

What a fine thing! What unannoying

romance; And how beautiful, she

with the natural stoop of the

snowy egret, gray-eyed and straight-haired,

for whom it should come to the door,--

of whom it reminds me. The split

pine fair hair, steady gannet-clear

eyes and the pine-needled-path deer-

swift step; that is Sweden—land of the

free and the soil for a spruce tree

from A Carriage from Sweden by Marianne Moore

Dear Nina Hartmann has graciously offered two SIGNED copies of the Swedish version of Vintage By Nina for a giveaway!

Nina needs your help.

In order to get this delicious English version,
interest must be evident in the U.S. in the form of pre-orders.

She works so hard. She has invested so much.

Won't you send Atelier de Champagne an email to pre-order today (it's about $70) or at least leave a comment about your interest?

Let's make Nina a big success in the U.S.!

To enter: leave a comment.
Extra chances will be given to those who spread the word via social media. Don't forget to leave a comment for each. If you don't have a blog or email link on your blog you must contact me.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.
Giveaway ends midnight 12 June 2012. Open to U.S. residents only. Books will be mailed by USPS Priority with Delivery Confirmation (NOT Media Mail, the cruel unprofessional joke that cost me huge money and denied customers what they ordered in good faith).

From Atelier de Champagne:

Those interested in acquiring (the English) book for resale should contact us via

e-mail infoatelierdc@gmail.com for details and info on cost.

Title your e-mail Wholesale VBN

We need to take pre-orders ASAP in order to get the book to you by mid-September.

Those who are interested in purchasing an (English) copy or two for themselves send an e-mail to infoatelierdc@gmail.com.

Title your e-mail Retail VBN

Atelier de Champagne will take pre-orders for the sure to please Vintage by Nina Christmas book out in October 2012 with photos by Maria-Isabel Hansson soon...stay tuned!