I know there are many people who read my blog that have a style that is different from mine. I know because you tell me. So I try to keep that in mind, when I’m sharing ideas. I wanted to share some of my go-to items that will work well in a lot of different rooms and with different styles. If you like something contemporary, I don’t think these will work, but if that is your style, you probably aren’t here, right?
So what would I recommend for a room to have classic style?
Glass bottles
The go with ALL COLORS and just look classic!
White ironstone
Once again, white ironstone works well with neutral rooms, or rooms full of color.
Silver pitchers or trophies
I love using the silver pitchers and even trophies for flowers, but they look great even when they are empty. They work with color drenched rooms as well as pale ones.
Vintage books
These sometimes do have color in the covers, but still they work well in any room. If you are a reader then this is a way to show the world you love books. If you aren’t a reader, then it still makes you look smart.
Here are some products I found for you. They are affiliate links.
LOVE the idea to use the silver pieces! It allows us to enjoy special pieces in a new way… not just special dinners! ? Thanks for the great tipM
I love decorating with white ironstone and all the accessories that you recommend. They really bring a room together
This is a fantastic post. I have already fallen in love with all of these items by being on your blog and bought my first ironstone piece on ebay just recently. These accessories — esp. the ironstone and silver — are variation on the neutral theme, different textures and gleams and finishes reflecting neutrals . . .
I love the way you are now offering the shopping at the end. I had no idea there were so many sites! And this is just such a valuable service to all of us . . .. Your blog gets better and better .. Your marketing gets better and better, your “business” gets better and better . . . . And yet you stay the same: caring and lovely!
I want to have a consulting call with you just to catch up. But I have not enough progress with my house to warrant it. But just know I am inspired by you as a business woman, blogger, and designer extraordinaire!
I wish we lived in the same town.
Blessings, Anna
What a lovely message Anna, thank you so much!!!
I love these ideas and have used all but the silver pieces. Many years ago I collected this and sold thru an auction when we downsized. Might have to look for a piece or 2 again. Beautiful displays
I enjoyed our “visit” today! I love to use bottles, small to large; I use books, old and new, as risers in almost every room! I am collecting gently used silver items which I like a little tarnished! I really love your plate/platter racks that are built-ins in your breakfast room! Did you design those? I would like the easy access; plus, you get to enjoy the dishes visually, as well!
Good Morning
Painting going on here; which involves moving buffet, which involves unloading china, which means dishes to wash and silver to polish! Phew!! But very timely with your “decorating with silver” – so glad to have the new ideas. Thank you and Happy Halloween!
Thanks to your blog, I’ve been collecting bottles, ironstone and silver for the past year. I recently spotted a tarnished pitcher marked silver plate in the back of an antique mall booth for $11. Upon further inspection at home, I saw that it was actually sterling with an inscription dated 1916 from a prestigious country club. Thanks for educating the rest of us on the treasures out there!
You are very clever, I do enjoy your reading your articles.
I live in NZ so we do not get a lot of French items down this way and I am always looking for lovely French ideas.
I am a real Francophile.
Karen
Hello, Anita’!
I have been looking at your blog and continue to get many ideas for inspiration’
Tell me, I’m thinking of going to Provence
Next year and I was wondering about
Vivid colors being used in their interior design. Although I like the gray and white neutrals, I’m also partial to the vivid color schemes,.
Ann, yes vivid colors are part of Provence style. The grays are part of farmhouse French style, but I don’t think of the grays and neutrals as being traditional country French colors.
What nice eye candy in this post! I love old bottles–the turquoise ones are my favorites, or the rarer pale lavendar ones. White stoneware is also a favorite of mine. I don’t have much of a collection but I pick up one or two from time to time. I really want to find a tureen that I can afford to add to my pieces. I’m not so into the silver trophy pieces, but I find them appealing in this post.
I don’t know if these photos are of your own house or not but in the bathroom photo I noticed a Santos figure. I have wanted so much to find one of them to buy. If the photo is of your house perhaps you could tell me where yours came from.
I bought it years ago, so I don’t have a current source.
Oh, I see. Thanks for your reply anyway. I’ll just have to keep looking!
Anita your bathroom is so comfy with lovely chair near the tube and I love the way you put the table whole pkg together so inviting . Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents is so much fun to be apart of this . Dawn
Thank you for including appropriate sites on the bottom of your posts for sites where to find the objects you highlight.
Nice ideas♥ Happy Monday ♥
You have such a special way of giving cohesiveness to your spaces without cluttering. The way you curate your accessories is amazing, Anita! I could certainly use your suggestions for my cottage-y kitchen/ LR area here in NJ. Thanks for your blog!
I am nuts about your style! It is refreshingly different than so many of the others! I’ve always collected old timeworn bottles, white jugs, old silver and I treasure old books!! If you could peek in my home right now, you’d see all four in use!
I abhored that trend where covers were being ripped off books simply because they added “too much color” to a room. Old books with their worn covers and lovely gilt lettering are gorgeous and add so much character to a room. I also dislike books being covered with burlap, etc. How do you know which book is which when it’s covered up. To me, it looks just plain silly! Thank you for showing us your beautiful home and keep on doing what you’re doing!! 🙂
I forgot to mention that I have always wanted a Santos but I know I’ll never be able to find one in Canada!! If you ever learn of a source, can you let us know, please. I see there is another interested reader asking the same question.
I love these ideas! And have a few of them on the go, yay! With a smaller space to work with, I find too many little collectible things can look cluttered. That might be a fun blog post…how to decorate intentionally in small spaces!
Lani, I posted one today!
Reading is my favorite hobby, so I have books in my decor all over my house – sometimes just stacks of books, but also decor made from books…and words. I just love words. You have some of the most beautiful bottles, Anita – just lovely!