Saturday, January 17, 2009

Back in the Real World

Back at the bungalow now known as the "real world" I've come face to face with a challenge I didn't want to take on: the interim mantle. I've ordered some great things for the mantle that will last well into the spring/summer, but they haven't arrived yet - some of them coming from as far as South Africa.

So I went searching around the basement of real, while still longing for the basement-less house of dreams and came across a few great baskets I've collected over the past year.

I don't know what prompted the collection, perhaps it was the discovery of the cart turned coffee table that got my mind geared on all things primitive. No matter, as they turned up, I bought them - and needless to say, ended up with quite a few to choose from:

Why not hang them on the wall, I thought!? It's the perfect way to blend things I obviously love in with the house, and with their somewhat primitive nature, they fit nicely in with the other pieces, like the cart and apple press barrel:

The iron basket was a steal at Linens-n-Things closing sale: 79 Cents! Granted, it had a very country looking iron sign on it that said "Harvest", but once that was gone, it was perfect!

The candle lanterns on either side of the basket vignette were picked up at a garage sale minutes from my office. A lunch break looksy-loo turned quite lucrative when I happened upon these copper babies, stamped 1899 Pittsburgh. They were used outside, so they're quite weathered, and actually now more closely resemble bronze. They were $1.
The door leaning against the wall (behind the chair) was also a great bargain. Originally a section of a bifolding, actually quad-folding garage door on a Victorian Garage built in the early 1900's, I scored this at an antique mart for $10 - thanks to paying in cash!

So, there you have it. My pseudo primitive, but rather interesting collection of what-nots, turned mantle art. Of course this is temporary, so look forward to another change. What's in the future? Think turtle. Happy Sunday!

28 comments:

  1. Ooh you have a magic basement like I have a magic closet! Isn't it great to find stuff you already have and revamp?!
    I love what you've done with the mantle.
    xo xo

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  2. The real world looks good to me! The baskets are great, and I love that they are all so different, hung seemingly randomly (I know you better than that!) and that they are all different sizes - my eye just happily bounces around from one to the other.

    Great find on the lanterns, and you know how much I love that door -- do you have the other 3?!

    Can't wait to see the turtle!
    xo Isa
    Was that ice cream ever delivered? LOL

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  3. Your baskets take me back to the 70's. They were quite an obsession back then. They go very nicely with you other pieces. Turtle???
    hugs, b.

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  4. Hi Artie...thanks for your sweet well wishes...I do feel some better today. You have created a very interesting design over your mantel...I can't imagine what's coming next...but I'll bet it'll look GREAT! ;-) Bo

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  5. Hi Artie, I love your display of baskets! Looks like it was meant to be in that space. You have inspired me to get crackin' and hang all the art I have been collecting over the years in my travels... it's incredibly cold and snowing today..great time to start!

    Mmmm....turtle....can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

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  6. I love that door! I'd put legs on it, a piece of glass and call it a table. It would be perfect on a covered porch!!!!! Love the play of all the texture you have going on over your fireplace. Mary Poppins carpet bag has nothing on your basement. I can't believe what you pull out of there!!!!

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  7. You GOT me with the "basement of real" statement! Oh, I can't tell you how much I LOVE everything you did. The table is to die for, the basket is perfection, the old door, the baskets .... WOW, would all of this look great out here in the High Desert! P.S. I am still on the weight loss good track..

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  8. I love it! I can't even seem to arrange stuff on the top of my dresser. Pout. I need to do some more research (i.e. look in magazine) on how to arrange things.

    Good work! I love those baskets. And the incredible deals you seem to find. Jealous!!!!

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  9. Hi Artie,

    Ok, Great Minds think alike! At one time I had a basket collection too. I hung mine on the dinning room wall leading into the kitchen! But, I love them over the fireplace..... great job with your arrangement!

    xoxo,
    Cathleen

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  10. I collect sweetgrass baskets and have a lot of them on the wall.

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  11. I like the baskets! they have a nice texture against your wall & mantel.

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  12. Hi Artie,

    The baskets look great, can't wait to see what comes next. :) After I took down Christmas and unpacked my regular items, I've been trying most of them in different places. It's been driving my DH crazy, he thinks I bought new things. LOL Shows how much some men take notice to what they already have.

    Hugs
    'D'

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  13. I'll be dadgum if you don't have an eye for design and decoration I don't know who the hell does!! Everything you do has flare. The first pic in my post today is of the amaranthus, (yellow), caladiums underneath, (red and green) you have to click to enlarge to see the shrimp plants to the right of the oak tree.

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  14. You do have a wonderful eye.
    I love your mantle art.
    However, you sound like me...nothing is ever permanent.

    xo
    Brooke

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  15. Hi Artie, glad you enjoyed the crawfish. It's a small world, isn't it? And how blessed we are to have good memories of summers spent with our grandparents. LOVE your primitive pieces. You've always got such inspirational ideas!

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  16. I think the baskets look great, but now you've got me intrigued with "turtle". Hmmm.

    Justine :o )

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  17. I really like all the different tan/brown textures of the woods and metals. Please share the history of the little guy on the mantle. When you put the lanterns in the Bazaar, please let me know!

    I have work off tomorrow and we are in the middle of a snow storm. I had plan to do some work here but instead you'll have me going to Linens-n-Things! I am looking very forward to seeing the turtle shells! :)

    G in CT

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  18. Artie,
    Your baskets are lovely, and I love all of your stylish and cheap finds. A Man after my own heart. I love a good bargain, especially when it looks a million dollars. It so nice to say 'I got that for a buck'...you know they were thinking $50! Well done.
    Ness xx

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  19. In tune and in rhythm with the bones of the home...Artie, I adore it!

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  20. Oh My GAWD! This is fabulous! I'm using the idea for my mask collection.

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  21. Artie, it looks great! I love it when I find things I haven't used in a while. Kathy

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  22. Good job!! I love to rummage in the basements and attics of clients for things they really did not realize they had. I once found an unbelievable antique screen that was just gathering dust because..."we just don't know what to do with it"!!! Believe me, I found a place for it!

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  23. Alright, Artie, you owe me! I shoveled the driveway and cleaned the car off to go to Linens-n-Things to find just an empty building shell there. Nothing!
    Okay...I did stop by Goodwill on the way home and found a very old vintage "Rat-De-Cave" so thanks for getting me out! Alright, we're even.....
    G in CT

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  24. What a lovely and masculine solution...it feels very earthy. And it's fun that you're brave enough to try out new things and make changes for the seasons...I tend to get stuck in a rut and leave things as they've always been.

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  25. Hello Artie, You left me a comment on my blog awhile back and I apologize for taking so long to leave you a comment in return. Though I had looked at your "party" and loved all that you did. So creative you are and I bet everyone of your guests appreciated it. I tried to leave a comment for you back then but I have the slowest dial up in the world and it doesn't always cooperate with me. One of the drawbacks of living away from town. :) I love the basket arrangement, they add such a nice rough texture and work very well with your other pieces. I know you are waiting for your other decor to arrive but I bet you might feel a little nostalgic in removing them! Your house is wonderful, has a very calming, soothing effect. I have added you to my list so I will be back again soon. ~ Laurie

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  26. Oh. How did I miss this! I am loving this temporary fix. Very ethnic and textural...nice transition into spring!! Yum!!

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  27. Lovely! So inviting! :-)

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