Remember as a kid how you were fascinated by all those very important keys grown-ups carried? And how much fun it was when you were given some “play” keys of your own? There’s fun now as a grownup in finding new ways to play with old keys, skeleton keys or more modern ones. You can […]
A cupola is typically a small dome on a drum on top of a larger dome, adorning a roof or ceiling, though there are as many variations of cupolas as there are roofs! Check out some of the great examples of these lovely pieces of salvage architectural pieces we have at the Cottage! […]
We had a blast on our last French Flea Market tour! I brought some things home in my suitcase… I took pictures of some of the wonderful items we shipped, which we expect will arrive this month!
In 1836, Sorel in France took out the first of numerous patents for a process of coating steel by dipping it in molten zinc after first cleaning it. This method of rust prevention came to be known as ‘galvanizing‘.” Here is a peek of some of the lovely galvanized items we have at the shop. […]
Here’s some of the beautiful things we saw in Provence… We shipped a load of goodies and we’re expecting them soon, but this enamelware set was so pretty it had to come home with me!
The story of enamel cookware begins in the 1760s in Germany. Enamelled cookware came to the US after Western Europe. Around 1850 Americans began to own enamel-lined culinary utensils, but they were very plain, nothing like the colourful mottled surfaces that were yet to come. The Stuart & Peterson foundry in Philadelphia was making enamel-lined […]
Some of us had moms who kept their perfumes and lipstick and other essential items on lovely little mirror trays on their vanities or dressing tables. How fun it was to tinker around a bit with those glamorous lady things! In honor of the mirror tray, here’s a few of the beautiful variety available at […]
Gazing balls, mirror balls, or lawn globes are said to have originated during the 13th century created by artisan glass blowers in Venice. A beautiful addition to any garden, they were also believed to ward off evil, or bring good luck. Popular in Victorian England, they […]
We love these antique French iron crosses circa the 1800’s! They are rare, heavy, and beautifully ornate made of solid cast iron. These crosses were commonly seen in the countryside of France, where they were used in small churches to mark graves, along roads, or as silent guardians of vineyards. They make a stunning addition to any garden, equally lovely […]
The “fleur-de-lis” (flower of the lily) is a stylized lily or lotus flower. Traditionally representing French royalty, this association arose from a legend that an angel gave Clovis, king of the Franks, a golden lily upon his conversion to Catholicism. In the twelfth century, one of the French monarchs began using the fleur-de-lis on his […]