I have been chatting with Don as we had our second cup of coffee this morning and I’m running late! The good news: I slept a bit longer this morning. It’s amazing how much difference an extra hour makes. I have never been one of those people (lucky them!) that can function well on too little sleep. Nope; even when I was a kid. I can get by for a day or two, but five? No and no and no.
Oh, and I got frustrated with trying to reapply my nail polish yesterday, most likely because I was so darn tired, so I took it all off. I’ll get back to it one day.
Living room art, part 1.
Our vintage lithograph of the RMS Aquitania. The Aquitania was part of the Cunard line, built in Scotland and launched in 1913 on a trip from Liverpool to NYC. It was an luxury ocean liner but was conscripted for use during both World Wars. In fact, it was due to be retired in 1940, but then WWII broke out and it was enlisted once again. It was officially retired in 1950. It was part of Cunard’s 3 ship fleet; the Mauretania, the Lusitania, and the Aquitania. The Aquitania was the last of the four-funnelled ocean liners. You can clearly see the funnels in the lithograph.
We found this in a local shop and Don fell in love with it. I fell, too, but he was the one who talked me into buying it. I’m so glad we did. The brass plate at the bottom says “Cunard Line.” It was made by Cunard for travel agencies advertising the glamour of transatlantic travel. Since the Aquitania was only used for the war effort after 1940, we can safely say this is, at the very least, from the 30s.
Finding this piece finally solved my problem of what to hang over the piano. I tried several solutions but this one took. The frame matches the color of the piano, it’s substantial, we love the colors and it makes us happy. It doesn’t hurt that the blues are also in the McCoy and the red is in also in the lamp shade.
Next to that is my Hymns board, found not long after we moved here in a now-defunct antique shop in Beacon. I had always wanted one and I especially loved that this one was an off-white. I don’t display anything on it, preferring it to be clean folk art, which speaks for itself. It’s very old.
To the left, the gallery of our beloved dogs. The artwork, including the sketch, is by Shanna. The photograph is mine, transferred to canvas. I have another beautiful painting of Scout by another blog reader that I have yet to frame. That’s on my to do list.
There’s more in the living room but there was just too much glare this morning. I’ll get to it soon.
Happy Saturday.
Good Saturday morning, Claudia! I love all the artwork in your house. I love unique pieces that speak to you. I am still looking for just the right pieces for my kitchen and main bathroom. I know I will find them when it’s meant to be.
Well, unfortunately I’ve get to get outside now and shovel. More snow last night and it’s still coming down wet and heavy. Brian’s working and won’t be home until 7 pm, so no choice but for me to get out there and do it. Hope you have a good weekend.
I’m so sorry you have to do it on your own. I’ve been there and it’s not fun. Take care, Melanie!
My family came to Canada in 1953 on the Cunard Liner Scythia. I remember the trip very well. There was first class and tourist class, and each had a playroom for children. My mother took us all over the ship. On a lower deck, just above the water, were all the cages where people’s pets travelled.
What a neat story! I’ve never been on an ocean liner – it must have been an incredible journey, Melanie!
I am honored to be hung in your lovely gallery ❤️.
I’m honored to have your work in our home, Shanna.
I just love your house and all your attention to detail!
Thank you, Jenny!
Since I am trying to decorate a new house, I appreciate your comment about how you have to just keep trying.
I get frustrated moving things around and still not getting it right. Plus I am not skilled in grouping items. Maybe I need more stuff. We gave away so much when we moved.
Anyway, such silly little problems. I am so very lucky.
Thanks for sharing.
I’ve decorated slowly over the years and our house has changed a great deal since we moved here. You have to take it slow and let it evolve, my friend. It’s worth it! xo
I really enjoy looking at the different areas of your lovely home and the vintage objects inside. My ex Mother in Law who was 90 years old, sadly passed away earlier this month. We always got on well and I would visit her regularly as my son is her only grandchild. He saw her at least twice a week and works at the hospital where she spent her final months.
Anyway my Ex said If we wanted anything from her house to help ourselves as he wanted to get it cleared. I’ve chosen two egg cups which belonged to my ex and his brother when they were children in the 1950s ( Ex isn’t even slightly sentimental!) They’re made in England, one is a squirrel, the other a duck and the cup part rests on their back. Also chosen a Russian Babushka doll and because I can remember being given a second hand one as a child in the 1960s, a Max Factor Sophisticat. It’s a black cat in a dome that once held a small phial of perfume and sat on her dressing table.
I can’t understand how some people have no attachment to older things😬
Happy Saturday
Oh, what wonderful treasures, Dee Dee! You will always look at them and remember your mother-in-law. I’m with you on not understanding those who feel no attachment to older things and to things that have a history.
That Cunard print is spectacular and looks great by the piano. I would fall for that, too.
And I love the wall of dogs! Special dogs, of course. I have a space like that for the marmelade Gypsy, whom I miss every day. A beautiful collection.
I miss my babies. Thank you, Jeanie.
I’m always struck by your talent for collectibles without clutter. Everything is arranged nicely and organized yet it’s a cozy, eclectic look all about your home.
Thank you, Vicki.
Hi Claudia. Love your photos. Your home reminds me a lot of our old farmhouse/cottage. I buy and display what makes me smile/happy, not what’s “trending”. I have to laugh at your nail polish dilema. I love to see ladies with lovely polished nails. They don’t have to be long and sculpted.
When I do mine, which is rare due to gardening and cleaning up after my puppy, it doesn’t last but a day before the chipping begins! Then it comes off in total! Take care.
The minute I read ‘on trend’ or ‘trending’ my eyes glaze over! Thanks Penny.
Claudia your art work is gorgeous. You have such a lovely home.
Marilyn
Thank you Marilyn!
How unique. Never thought of using the Hymns board in a home…innovative.
As I said I am now a minimalist, but I love hearing your stories.
love your blog…
I don’t think I could ever be a minimalist, Brenda. I applaud you!
I love your collected pieces on the piano, and how they harmonize so well with that picture. It’s quite gorgeous, you know! ;)
Oh, thank you, Donna!
Your art piece is fantastic. In Branson, they have built a partial replica of the Titantic. You go on a tour of various parts of the ship. They give you a ticket when you enter of someone who was actually on the ship and some info on that person. When you depart the tour, they let you know if your character actually survives or not. It’s a fabulous tour. Thank goodness, my two sisters and I all survived!
That must have been neat, Judy! xo
glad you got a bit more sleep!
hopefully that continues for you. thankfully i am one of those people who can function well on a few hours of sleep, even three or four … just not for many nights in a row or i get crabby. :)
shanna is very talented and i know that art is extra-special to you (i miss my babies, too).
and that hymn board …! i’ve wanted one ever since i saw one in a magazine a long time ago. maybe someday …
the imagery and colors onthe “aquitania” litho are beautiful! love finds like that, the unique and hard-to-find ones (i am not a trendy person) and maybe especially the ones that i had to be encouraged to not walk away from. like a painting of dolly parton from 1970 … i almost didn’t get it because i wasn’t sure it would fit in my little two-door car (the painting is 4 feet wide by 6 feet tall) … but the shop let me try it, it fit and i bought it … for only $60. and, at a time when i didn’t have money for extras, a very old print with beautiful faded colors of a “flower woman from haarlem” (that’s the title) that looks so much like actor liam neeson in a long dress that everyone calls her “liametta”.
anyway, thanks for the art tour. love it.
goodnight!
kathy in iowa
Both of those pieces sound wonderful, Kathy! Off-beat and so, so interesting.