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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Furniture fun

What’s more fun than finding a great piece of furniture and incorporating into our home’s decor? An old-fashioned wood cook-stove, or a timeless dresser can be the piece that spurs a new look or theme to update the home’s look and feel.                   Perhaps a re-purposed item, […]

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What’s in the cupboard…

In antiquity, the “court cupboard” was one of the most important pieces of furniture in the house. Because there were no banks or stock exchanges, wealth was invested on gold and silver dishes, chargers, platters and cups and these were displayed on a cup-board. Later, enclosed cupboards with vented doors, called almeries or aumbries were used to store leftover […]

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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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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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