Always Something New Even If It Is Old

A couple of Saturdays ago we went to the Mt Hope Farm Garden Antiques Show in Bristol Rhode Island. There were about 40 dealers with all sorts of great things...statuary, planters, china, silver, linens, all kinds of smalls, garden patio sets, prints, and so much more. This is my husband, first in line to get into the tent...we attended the early buyers event so we would be sure to see everything the dealers were offering.

More folks awaiting the opening of the show.
A few examples outside the tent. One dealer has some wonderful chairs...nothing we could use but I certainly admired them. It was a set of four heavy slated chairs with metal arms and legs...wide seats and backs. What made them remarkable was the back of each chair had a bronze polo player on a horse....these chairs were breath taking...never saw anything like them. There were pricey but if I was into polo I would have to give them a second thought...I can see them belonging to Ralph Lauren! She also had a wonderful zinc table with four chairs in a woven pattern...I really could have owned that set for sure. She said she would be at the antiques show in the Hamptons in July...so who knows?! We plan to take the ferry over from Connecticut and attend that show...hope to see her there.

Lots of patio sets outside. In this corner were two dealers with some wonderful things. We fell in love with a pair of granite planters...and ended up buying them. They are a very plain set with a few thin line carvings for eye appeal...age about 1880's. They are very very nice.

Here is Bob and the dealer wheeling our new planter out of the tent.

My husband and the dealer loading one of these incredibly heavy granite planters into the back of the van.

All loaded and ready for the next one.Below is a bouquet I picked this weekend and wanted to share it...day lilies and catmint for color and coral bell, hosta, lily leaves and ferns for filler and eye appeal...I think it is simply beautiful...going through the garden and finding this assortment was a pleasure.
Wanted to share this rhododendron border with you...we discovered it a few weeks ago. This is on a road we travel all the time and you would never know this treasure is here...as it is always just a huge green privacy hedge for the house behind it. But once a year it gives everyone a glorious gift of color.

Absolutely beautiful!!!!!

Hope you have a great day....

Elizabeth

Antiques and Decoratives in the Garden

I have always felt if you plant but one seed you are a serious gardener...it takes a special person to trust and hope in that one seed so how can you not be a gardener. Over the years we all develop our skills and want to make our gardens more than just flowers or shrubs or vegetables...it seems to just happen a little something it tucked into a space for added eye appeal. If you are like me your taste develops and the old items have a charm that no new item can ever have...of course there are some wonderful reproductions today and they to have their place...we love to go to antique shows and shops and pick up items for the house and garden...below are some photos of our finds for outside. It is impossible to show everything today..so here is a sample of the things we love...Below is an old cement pedestal with a nice armillary atop...it adds such nice height next to a very old Casablanca Oriental Lily...also in this bed is a wonderful terra cotta Wolff pottery forcer, the top is removable.This is a little composition robin that sits on a slender stake amongst the hosta and boxwood.
The antique fencing that surrounds the raised beds is actually from a cast off from the Providence Union Train Station. This turn of the century fencing was found at an antique shop. I had initially just expected to have picket fencing but this fence was a something my husband fell in love with...We had it delivered and the installed...it is extremely heavy but adds so much beauty to the garden...it truly makes the bones of our garden very elegant. My husband bought the antique millstones that are at the two entrances of the garden for me as an anniversary gift one year. I knew we needed something different and these two stones fit the bill! I love them so much...they are perfect!
This is a new cast iron urn but it definitely looks old as it is a good quality. Planted with dark colors it had a nice look in front of the half lap lattice panels.

Below is a wonderful faux bois planter we found at an antique show at Blithewold in Bristol two years ago. The coral bells look nice inside.
We found a pair of these great green and white strapped aluminum chairs at an antique shop...I love the green and the style of the chair. The little two tier wire table has a carry handle and the original turquoise paint. Amongst the peony is a stone face that watches over the garden...to the right is a small marble angel from France.
This old cement bench is tucked under a pine.
A nice view of the storage shed. The stone step comes from Rudy's in Connecticut. If you ever get a chance to visit Rudy's do it! There are so many architectural treasures there...old chicken coops of doors, windows, hardware, sinks, just about anything you could hope to find. All organized...if you get a chance to visit the stone yard down the road by a cow farm don't pass up that opportunity. Rudy sent us down there and we entered through a cow gate that must be closed behind you (a sign points this out). Once you start walking through the old stone steps, the grand stone pillars and columns and old pieces of granite you can't help but be in awe. We never wanted to leave...there is so much beauty in these fields...

This is an old terra cotta Roseville two handled pot...looks nice tucked here.
This is an old cast iron grape vine pattern bench. We have another one opposite to mirror it on the other side of the garden. This bench came from my father who received it from his aunt. This is a common pattern but is a very cherished piece to use. Next to the bench are a pair of old cement urns. if you look closely next to one urn is an old antique cement apple.
In front of the vintage trellis covered in Betty Corning clematis is an old birdbath. Around the top edge of the birdbath is a sundial. Nice piece! On the ground below is an old duck...he is deteriorating but still has alot of life left in him!
This is a photo of the sundial top of the birdbath.This is a glimpse of the garden just as summer is to starts soon...looking back at the spring photos...my garden does grow!
I am so fortunate to have this lovely garden by the pond...

Elizabeth

A Peek Inside Our Day Cabin

Welcome inside our day cabin. We have tried to keep a rustic 1930'2-40's look inside. We love anything Adirondack and campy looking. When we go to antique shows, shops, flea markets and yard sales we always keep our eyes open for old souvenirs, camp signs, and fish cabin items. If you have ever been to South Dakota and taken the highway out to Mt. Rushmore through the Badlands and into Wall...you can't miss all the signs marking how many miles to Wall Drug...for hours these signs crop up and soon you know you have to stop at Wall Drug...so we picked up this sign to become part of the road signage marking how far to Wall Drug!

This robin built her nest in the rafters under the porch roof. She just finished feeding her babies...with the temperatures so hot we can't imagine how they are surviving up there.
This is a great vintage wooden first aid box we found at an auction. it fits perfectly in the cabin.
Inside is stocked for that "just in case" time...
This is a view to the main pond that is on the backside...sitting here is just so peaceful...each season is a delight to observe.

Found this old spinner on ebay. For some reason when anyone spins it it stops on Go Fishing....hmmmm

Great old chalkware wall thermometer and weather watcher.

This is a wonderful old folkart table lamp. The base is a stone fireplace. it looks great lit. The lamp sits on a fabulous antique square hickory dining table we found at an antiques show in New Hampshire.

This is the dressing room. On the wall are some photos and flies I tied. My niece, father and I took fly fishing classes and tying flies was my favorite part. So my dad gave me tying classes for my birthday. I just love tying flies..hate fishing but flies are so beautiful...I just love them. So I framed my first flies.
Inside the dressing room.
The counter where it all happens...everyone in the family pitches in so work is spread thin and it makes parties a snap.
A gentle reminder on the way to make sure everything is back in place for the next day. Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek inside...this is a lovely place to relax, work and play.

Elizabeth