Valentine’s Day is said to originate in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, an annual fertility celebration on February 15. The Pope recast the pagan festival as a Christian feast day sometime in AD 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day. Our modern day of love probably got its name from ancient Rome as well. Emperor Claudius II […]
Red is traditionally the color of Love and Passion. Red can stimulate one’s appetite, which is why it’s often used in restaurants. In some Eastern cultures such as China red is the color for good luck. Although many Chinese brides now wear white, it is the traditional color for weddings. In Indian culture it symbolizes purity […]
There was a day when the only source of light was the sun, and artificial light was provided by fire, burning oil, or wax. We don’t use those sources much anymore, and yet, they are a favorite when we are trying to set a romantic mood. We love the softer, muted light of candles and […]
The early history of ironing is recorded in Chinese drawings dating back a thousand years. They filled pans with hot coals, while in Northern Europe people were using stones, glass or wood to smooth or press fabric. It was Western blacksmiths that began forging flat irons during the Middle Ages, which were heated over fires or […]
From the French word “chandelle,” chandelier literally means “candle holder,” and when they first appeared, that was about it. The first known chandeliers date back several centuries and were of simple design: crossed wood beams with a spike at the end of each to hold a candle. The chandelier evolved from candles to gas and eventually electricity […]
At the Cottage we have all sorts of items once used for travel and/or storage, from steamer trunks to fancy chests. The long history of how these items evolved and gained popularity is as interesting as the actual pieces… The Knights Templar were the first to make use of wheeled cases to transport armor and other items […]
There is something magical about the art of stained glass. There is such a joy in the varied colors and styles of treating the glass. Who hasn’t been stilled by the grandeur of large pieces such as found in old cathedrals, or amused and delighted by a small simple Craftsman-style window. At the Cottage, we’ve collected […]
“A picture is worth a thousand words” goes the old saying… In days gone by pictures told stories…we chronicled our lives on film, and epic stories were told in moving pictures… These relics of yesterday were the instruments of recording art, history and memories. Though they’ve lost that function they now serve as lovely nostalgic reminders. […]
Happy Holidays to all our customers and friends! We are so grateful for your support and friendship and want to take this opportunity to wish you all Happy Holidays. May you find time to rejoice in all that life has given you. We look forward to the new year and to continuing to bring you the best […]