This Eastern Swallowtail loved the thistle – as do the bees. I swear, that beautiful butterfly drank from every blossom. He was there a long time and didn’t seem to be afraid of me. Don had already observed how many bees were attracted to the thistle as well, and there’s one in this photo. This is a screenshot from a little video I posted in my stories in my main IG account.
I mowed the lilac side of the lawn yesterday and weed whacked. I also cleared out the entrance to the culvert drain pipe which had been blocked. Why? Because the county came by one day and re-dug the culverts – too much, according to me – and then left behind all the debris (consisting of tree roots and branches.) All the heavy rain we’ve had pushed everything toward the entrance to the pipe that runs under our driveway. The culvert is not our responsibility but this is about the 6th time I’ve had to clean up after the county has made an ‘improvement.’ You would have heard some cuss words coming from that general area.
Do you remember this cupboard?
I got it for about $5 when miniatures (dot) com went out of business. It originally came with fleur-de-lis designs on the sides of the cabinet and drawer. Not my cup of tea, but I knew it would be good to have in my meager stash. I’ve had it sitting on the first floor of the Beacon Hill for a while. You can see that I put a coat of paint on it to cover up the designs. But that’s all I did.
On Saturday, I decided to transform it. And I just dove in – which is my favorite way to do this type of thing.
I wanted it to look like my favorite kind of furniture – old and weathered with multiple layers of paint. I’ve always envisioned the owners of the house loving folk art and antiques.
Here it is in the hallway. I staged it a little just for fun. Right now, I have some books in there, but I’d love to have a collection of crocks on the shelves. I think that would be fun.
I’m really pleased with the results. In fact, I love it.
One more mini thing:
I have this tile on hand and I’m wondering if it might be a good choice for the studio. Easy clean up, no worry about the floors. I might paint the walls white so that the artist can display paintings-in-progress on the walls. (I didn’t glue it down yet.)
Okay. This has turned into Mini Monday, I guess.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Love a mini Monday! So many cute additions to the rooms. I love the Thistle. I am hoping this fall to get back to the outdoors and enjoy some cooler weather.
I hope that for you, as well, Linda. You deserve it!
Stay safe.
Ooohhh Claudia, I Love what you’ve done with that cabinet! Moody and worn and much loved…. beautiful work! You are really good at that “oldifying” thing! :):) And it looks wonderful in the hallway… I want to move in now…! Old books too… and the corner of that carpet too…. We always had bookshelves in the hallway of the houses I grew up in… access for anybody anytime (no room for a “library”) and I remember sitting on the hall floor trying to choose a book…. thank you for the memories! As for the studio floor… I am undecided (it isn’t mine to decide) but nobody ever had real tile in a third floor older house…. linoleum look-like tile yes… but not actual tiles. The colors work with the walls as is… but I am not sure the pattern isn’t too strong… dominant in a distracting way. A paint spattered floor might be more “real” for an artist’s studio…. although linoleum would be “easy to clean” in theory. It might distract from the artwork on display. (Just my humble opinion) I am sure you will make this space stunning too!
As for the Magnificent thistle…. what a crowning glory the swallowtail is! I am so glad you could get such lovely pictures…. butterflies are not often so cooperative!
This, however, isn’t an old house that has never been renovated. I’m not at all into keeping things true to the period, Betsy. I’m all about decorating it and, while honoring the structure, having fun with it. For example, if there was a bathroom on the 3rd floor, it would be tiled.
I’ve always felt a paint spattered floor is too “precious” of an idea. More like what I might find in a roombox, but not in real life. Most painters’ studios that I see are not paint spattered.
Thanks so much, Betsy!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I was thinking more along the lines of a style of painted flooring that was common in old New England farm houses in the colonial times- it is referred to as “splatter painted” in some references. It would serve to hide the accidental mess of paint drops, but was an over-all pattern of splattered color on the floor, not just the “messy painter’s ” drops. I agree with you that deliberate mess always seems a bit off to me… who’s that messy? (unless you’re Jackson Pollock). That said, I am sure Your choice will impress me!
Thanks Betsy. But please remember my real-life house was built in 1891 and I have no interest in decorating it according to the period. Same with my dollhouses. I’m an eclectic kind of decorator!
xo
Love your cupboard, very shabby chic. And I do like the “tile” you are considering for the art studio. Your butterfly picture is beautiful. Have a great week. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks so much, Elaine. I appreciate that.
Stay safe.