Latest Find

People always ask me where I get all my cool stuff. I have my favorite spots I visit and I’ve been at it long enough that people come to me with things they think I’ll be interested in. I have to say ,though, driving a truck and being open to what the world presents is as good a source as any…and the price is often really good. ( see the sign ). These doors are actually beautifully crafted pine doors, at least 100 years old. They would make a handsome cabinet door or stripped of their old paint and used in new construction as a door could add a touch of character to a new space

Why not?

So we had a really big wet heavy snow this winter that snapped many trees in half. One such cedar ( juniparius virginianaI  ) lives in my yard.  When I came upon the tree I was shocked by the dramatic new silhouette. Took a deep breath and studied the tree for a bit. The break in the trunk was ripped and torn and a large section of the tree was just hanging there exposing a long trunk of exfoliating bark. I found it to be beautiful exposed. It wasn’t until a little bit later after continuing to look at it that I thought i could leave the branch to die wear it lay, loose all it’s needles and turn that wonderful gray driftwood color. So as in a wild woodland somewhere, I will observe the succession of a tree and how it develops with new plants that grow around it in to a new environment……unless I can’t stand how messy it looks and get out the chain saw.

Chalkboards aren’t just for kids.

Look at these amazing slate chalk boards. These boards were salvaged from an elementary  school in Atlantic City. I had to have a few……think I’m going to tile a bath room and shower with them. Will probably need to seal them, but need to find a product that doesn’t darken them and make them shiny.They could make a cool table top too….or maybe an accent wall or floor. Though one might think to do these in a child’s room, I think they would be handsome almost anywhere that had a cleaner modern look. Would definitely be cool with an industrial vibe. Another thought about these dark stone slabs is if you use them in a room on a floor or wall that gets direct sun for some of the day they will absorb the heat and radiate it back out as it cools of and the sun goes down….nice.

Creative Moment

A collection of scientific bottles, old battery casings, clear chicken wire glass .and Victorian tincture bottles play with afternoon light…

Why not?

Why not plant Poison Ivy on a large tree. For one, you can see the beautiful fall color. If you plant it on a tree off the beaten path you can avoid contact. It creates heavy dense cover for nesting birds in an other wise open branched tree. It also produces berries that the birds love. With a little thought, You can have a plant inside a plant.

Reeds on the Floor

The round wooden “reeds” on the floor will make interesting furniture. Will post a frame made of these later.

Flutes or Reeds

On this column you can see that the flutes are being removed. Look closely at the faux painted mortar joints. The whole church was build to resemble stone as in the original European Churches.

This church is so Goth.

Look at the magnificence of this Victorian era Church. Made in the style of the Medieval Cathederals of Europe, this Philadelphia church is unfortunately being taken apart.

Creative Moments

Everyday I try to conscienciously set out to compose one quick ” Creative Moment ” Here I assembled 3 different kinds of stone I had lying around……cool shadows

Springtime

I have an appreciation for all seasons,but it’s the Spring that I always want to be home for. After all the festivities of the winter season pass and winter starts to loose her grip, it’s the  Witch Hazel that always catches me off guard…a sunny day in early march, snow on the ground and a blooming witch hazel …wow…but it’s still really cold. So by the time the Daffodils make their entrance in April, I have savored the wonder of buds of red, green, yellow all set to the music of courting song birds…I love Spring