To honor all the wonderful moms in our lives, all the women who inspire and nurture us, we invite you to come out to the Cottage and create some quality time with your special guest! Have some cider, or a cup of tea, relax in the garden… come see the wonderful blooms in all shapes, sizes and […]
French beading technique of the early 1900’s is famous for its intricate patters made with small glass beads and thin wire. This method was used to produce flowers to display singly or in bouquets, specially in winter when live flowers were unavailable. There was also a custom of creating elaborate beaded wreaths for special occasions, […]
We found some great items on our last trip to France, which we shipped home and are now available for you to see… stop by and feast your eyes on the beautiful objects we bought with you in mind!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]