Pillow talk?

On rainy days we love to curl up with a good book or to watch a movie if we have the time right? And what’s more comforting than our favorite spot… all soft, warm and inviting us to sink in and relax? That’s when we realize our favorite pillows are the icing on the cake! […]

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Rain makes for Rusty stuff

So, with all the rain we have had, there’s reason to worry that things might get rusty…unless of course, we love that rusty, beautifully rustic look! At the Cottage we’ve got an unbelievable assortment of rusty stuff, big and small, suitable for inside or outdoor decor. We especially love the garden stakes in every shape […]

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Busts and bronzes we love

In the early 19th century plaster figure making and bronze sculpture were pretty much two separate enterprises. Italian artists sold inexpensive plaster figures as itinerant tradesmen, but as time went on, some of them became specialists in making molds for sculptures. Plaster figures were used to decorate both grand country homes and more ordinary homes. They […]

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In praise of the tureen

Perhaps to honor French military hero Marshal Turenne this distinctive dish came into use in the seventeenth century in  France. Most of the silver tureens of that era were melted down to finance King Louis’ wars and survived only in paintings. 500 years ago, most common meals in Europe we’re stews, chowders, broths or soups…and […]

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a whiter shade of pale

White, the color of purity… we go to great lengths to keep linens and towels as white as can be. White is also associated with trust, as in nurse uniforms and bandages… It is also a cool, crisp, elegant color, a la James Bond in a white tux. “She has skin like alabaster, or porcelain,” descriptive words used […]

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I’ll come back to you

The swallow, which always returns to its birthplace to rebuild its nest, is now most famous for the celebration of its return to the mission in San Juan Capistrano, CA.   But it has another and much more romantic history…   The poignant love story and theme of the movie Cold Mountain was the harrowing return journey […]

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Red is for “Le Mois d’Amour”

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 […]

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Romancing the light

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 […]

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