Beauty in the Ordinary

In support of the all American pastime, today's post is going to be a little shorter than usual.  I'm actually writing this post on Thursday and will soon be positioned comfortably on my sofa catching game #6 of the World Series.  I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the Texas Rangers can pull off their first ever Series win.  In lieu of a typical post, I'm happy to share some pretty fab photos my friend, Amanda, shot one day at my house.  The photos are of ordinary things ~ but I find such beauty in each of them.  I particularly love this shot of the vintage numbered laundry pins (above).

I also love this angle on the retro stapler ~ I'm quite fond of it as it belonged to my father-in-law, Papa.  It sat on his office desk for as long as I can remember.

I've displayed the vintage skates (thanks Rach), on a shelf I made from an old floorboard ~ I love this photo!  I truly do believe you can find beauty in ordinary things you come across on a daily basis.  Thank you for indulging me, as I take in the game.  See you back here next week.  In the meantime, please check out Amanda's Facebook page here, my Facebook page here, and my pins on Pinterest here.

House Tour ~ Breakfast Nook

I thought I might share a few pics of the breakfast nook today.  My favorite French cafe chairs surround the table.  It's nice that this pretty scene greets me each morning since, I'm sorry to say, I am not a morning person.  It kind of helps ease me into the day.

 

It's a simple spot ~ but so comfy and inviting.  The light comes pouring in during the day.  The farm style table is a flea market find. 

The handwritten recipes, worn with age, were given to me by Nana and are a real treasure.  I framed them up in simple black frames and attached ribbon to them to add a little more presence.  Read more about this project here.

 

When we first moved here all of the cabinets were stained ~ but over time the stain had yellowed badly.  They really dated the house, so I decided instead of going with typical white cabinets, to do something a little different and paint them black.  The built-in originally had glass covered doors on it, but during the paint process we took them down.  I liked the open shelving so much, I opted to leave the doors off which makes for easier access to the dishes.

*Note ~ always keep your eyes peeled for others castoffs on garbage day.  The floor lamp was a freebie ~ found curbside on trash day.  A couple of coats of spray paint covered over the dingy brass lamp and now here it rests in the nook's corner.  The stool at the end of the cabinet - was something my neighbor, Pam, no longer wanted and I was happy to find.  The vintage rug is courtesy of my friend Barb :) ~ something she chose to part with when she moved to her current home.  Thanks to my friend, Amanda, for all the great photos.  See more of Amanda's beautiful photography here.  And thank you for stopping by ~ I hope your week is filled with good things.  

Faces of Time

Clocks ~ another thing I have an odd affection for ~ possibly because they tout an array of lovely faces.  I have a love for any type of letters or numerals ~ so why not on a clock face as well?  It really doesn't matter to me whether my clocks work or not.  Honestly, don't most of us look to our cell phones to check the time these days?  I'm not particularly biased when it comes to my collection.  And although these tick-tocks are a motley crew, I do appreciate them for all their uniqueness.  Some may run a little slow while others have broken faces ~ no worries ~ they fit in just fine in my Tattered Style world. Plain and simple ~ I have an appreciation for clocks and thought I might share a few I possess.      

This retro looking electric clock was found at an estate sale.  It purrs softly as it runs ~ eventually it gets behind ~ no bother every now and then I take a moment to adjust it.  

One might think this is vintage, but it's not.  It's a nice little knockoff from Pottery Barn.  I think they did a lovely job ~ and this one actually does keep good time which makes my husband happy.  

I know ~ this one has a broken face but it's so wonderfully tattered.  I scooped this one up at a flea market for a few dollars.  I think it had been passed over many times ~ but not by me. 

Clocks can add a sense of coziness to any setting ~ they're perched all over my home. Here one rests on a shelf in one of my living rooms. Next time you are creating a vignette, why not incorporate some lovely old clocks in the mix as well? 

Also, just though I would let you know, Tattered Style is now pinning on Pinterest ~ click here to view my pins.  I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.  :)

Photos courtesy of Amanda Kate Photography.

Table It!

Who would have ever thought a few weeks ago that this unsuspecting barn door would end up in these wonderful photos taken by Amanda Kate Photography?  It all began a few months ago when Rachael (my designing sidekick) and I were on yet another quest to find that "not-perfect-piece" for a job we were working on.    

We were in search of something we could convert into a table to be used in a large meeting room.  We spotted this forlorn looking barn door at Lots of Furniture and knew at once this would fit the bill.  We loved the generous proportions this door had to offer and were eager to give it a transformation.  It didn't hurt that it only set us back a whopping $20.00.    

It required a few carpentry skills to adapt this door into a table ~ but nothing too daunting to tackle.  Besides ~ if there's ever an opportunity for Rachael and I to operate power tools ~ we're all in!  So, we lugged it back to the shop and went to work.   

 

Corbin jumped in and helped us out on the project.  Here, he and Rachael are horsing around a bit while reinventing this old door.  ** No persons were injured during this process. :)

As the story played out, the table ended up being utilized as a prop for this photo shoot for an ad promoting a teaching series.

More of Amanda's beautiful photography ~ she did this table proud!

It just goes to prove there's potential with just about anything.  After being used as a prop, this table will take up permanent residence in a general meeting space ~ and is guaranteed to be used and enjoyed for years to come. 
 
Please be sure and "Like" Tattered Style on Facebook...thank you. :)

Peaceful

I love so many things about this stack of old Bibles.  I love the way the edges are worn and tattered.  I love the way the gold lettering is just peeking through on some of the spines.  I love the dogeared pages ~ that tell me they've been read, looked through and pondered over.  I love the markings and writings on the pages ~ the margins are filled with thoughts and numerous passages have underlinings.   This little tower of Bibles that I've inherited represent many loved ones and the faith they have had down through the years.  They bring comfort and peace to me.  

 

And yes ~ I even use these to help bring heart and soul to my home. 

They've rested on mantels and sat on shelves.  Here they sit next to an old Indian printer's block ~ the carved cross in the pattern is what caught my eye ~ notice how it's echoed at the top of the board below.

The Bibles are also accompanied by a wonderful old church attendance board that I found in an Arkansas junk store.  Not too many years ago, boards like these were used to display Sunday School attendance in churches.  Someday I hope to run across some old numbers and letters to slide in the slots. 

These Bibles especially bring peace to me this week ~ not the Bibles themselves but Who they represent and the hope His words bring.  Corbin, our middle son, who has experienced seizures since he was a young boy, will be having surgery on Friday.

He's an extraordinary and courageous young man and never complains.  Our hope is that the procedure will reduce the frequency and severity of the seizures.  If you think about it, would you please say a prayer for him?  Thank you. :)

P.S.  The top two photos were taken by a friend of mine and an amazing photographer ~  Amanda Kate Photography ~ be watching for a future post about Amanda and more of her great work.