For those of you who are new to my blog, my intention has always been to share creativity and inspiration through DIY projects.
being able to make beautiful things gives me a lot of joy. I am very greatful for my artistic talent and always try to use it every day.
As an interior designer, my surroundings are very important to me. I need to see things that make me happy. I believe being Artistic comes with also being sensitive; colors, aromas, and textures affect me a lot. I am forever changing my interiors to reflect my current mood. when my children were young they would say “mom, why can’t you just leave it the way it was?”
That’s life with a designer!
Another thing about me is I love antiques and vintage. My “nanny’ instilled that in me from an early age, as she also was an avid collector. She had things from her family displayed everywhere. she would always say “take what you want now so you don’t fight abought it after I’m gone.” I always thought that was weird, but i took her up on her offer.
My maiden name is MINTON, which i now use as my middle name and is also the name of a china factory from Staffordshire,england that was started in 1793. I would like to believe that I am related somehow but really don’t know. The above photo is a small sample of my collection of 43 years. The very first piece that started it is in that photo.
The pattern is “pink cockatrice”
nanny gave it to me 45 years ago. I have since collected enough for a full service for twelve.following is another photo of my collection when i was living in new york. i made the shelving for it myself with moldings and faux paint .
sadly, when we sold the house, i also sold most of the collection at auction. all I kept was the parian pieces and the pink cockatrice. I had shelf units made in the new house to display them.
the reason i kept them was that they were all white and fit into my “new” florida decorating scheme that am happily going to change for our new farmhouse!
i am currently restoring a piece i bought at auction; a gorgeous gilded wall hanging “vitrine” that i’ll put some pieces in.
i love the piece but it is a little bit too formal, so i’m giving it a lighter feel by painting the inside a very pale grey blue.
i will also rub the gilding with white to tone it down and give it a worn aged look. It’s not done yet, as in between projects, i have PLENTY of packing to do and am trying to put it off.
this is definitely NOT a sight that makes me happy!
Castle & Cliff 