Tabletop and Antique Poetry

I have a dresser that is part of a set of bedroom furniture that belonged to family.  I thought I would show it today.

I have a Aladdin Lamp on the top surface. 

I placed an old doily, a dresser tray with some vintage items, and a few antique books on the main dresser surface. 

 

I also have an old chalk cherub that is great for holding jewelery.   

 The bottom book I'll  show you a peak of.  It is titled "Dawn to Daylight: Gleams From the Poets of Twelve Centuries."   It starts with an excerpt from Caedmon the oldest Anglo-Saxon poet on record (at the time of publishing) and continues through with works by all of the greatest English poets till Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  I couldn't find a date in the front of the book but a handwritten inscription from one person to another; that it was presented to, dates 1887.  It is leather bound.  I got it at a flea market years ago and I have always loved it.

 Front illustration and title page.

It is filled with many illustrations depicting the pastoral settings in the poetry.

I really admire wonderful old books and romantic Victorian settings I think they are timeless.  So, I thought I would share this.

I will link to:

A Stroll Thru Life's Tabletop Tuesday.

The House in the Roses' Show off Your Cottage Monday. 

Paula Grace Designs' Timeless Tuesday.

House of Grace's Twice Owned Tuesday. 

Tweaking a Tabletop

I have a antique secretary that is a family piece of furniture.  I had a few things displayed on it but it was sorta boring.  So I decided to tweak it with a table top rearrangement.

I used books as a riser and placed the lamp on top.  I also added a small doily with a silver box on top of it.  The layering provides more interest and the books give some height to the lamp.

I also recently scored this great framed cottage art print from a relative who didn't want it.  This sets the cottage mood for the whole room.  It is a large print maybe three feet square and it is a definite focal point.  

I usually don't think of looking for seashells at the thrift store but, I found this bag of large shells at a local thrift store.  They were only $4.  They look really good in my remodeled cutlery tray on the dining room table.  You can see how I took this Pfaltzgraff  tray and remodeled it here.

I will join these link parties:

A Stroll Thru Life's Tabletop Tuesday. 

A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words' 2nd Time Around.

Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

House of Grace's Twice Owned Tuesdays.

Reinvented's Trash To Treasure. 

Tales From Bloggeritaville's Thrifty Thursdays.

Please go and visit these blogs and get great ideas for your home.

 

Vintage Linens

I have a collection of vintage linens I aired outside this past weekend.  It was beautiful and breezy.

 With them in the natural light, I could see really well which piece will be needing some extra care.  

There are some table runners and some towels.  Each unique in their own way.

Some of them are hand crocheted and hand embroidered.  Can you imagine the time it took to create them.

My favorites have to be the laces.  They are so pretty no matter how I display them.

Vintage linens are fun to collect.  I try to pick some up whenever I find nice quality pieces.

Do you have some favorite vintage linens?  If so what are your favorite pieces?

I will link this up to Diane's 2nd Time Around at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words.

I will link up to Twice Owned Tuesday at Creating a House of Grace.

I will link this up to Kathleen's  White Wednesday at Faded Charm.

I will also link this up to Susan's  Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer.