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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Treasure Hunting

When I met my husband, about five and a half years ago, I knew he would teach me so many things. He grew up in a small town in Rhode Island, ironically, only a few miles from where we currently reside. His dad co- owned a small antique shop on the Main Street in his little town and their house was filled with treasures, old and new.

One thing that has certainly rubbed off on me in our years together is his love for the old, and the joy in finding a perfect treasure. He loves antiquing, consignment shops, auctions, you name it. And over the years, I've grown to appreciate them too. There is something so special about finding the perfect piece...whether it be furniture, jewelery, or artwork. And there is also something to be said about the time and effort it took to craft something so beautiful, especially given the machine made, fast paced world we live in now.

Some of our most recent treasures:

Our entry way table. Solid mahogany for under $100. Can't beat that.
I'm aware that the table need some styling help. I'm getting there! We have a rather large sailboat painting that will go above it, and I'm also thinking a more fun lamp deserves a spot there along with some books/accessories.


I've actually been wanting a globe on a wooden stand like this for a while, so it was an exciting find. And at under $50, I'll take it.


Some pretty paintings
This vase is not antique, but it was $1...and will be perfect for our guest room when filled with some home grown hydrangea.


The beginning of my plate collection.  I'm still trying to decide whether to do a more neutral look, or go all out eclectic. Either way, the combined total for these plates was under $10. So no biggie if I decide not to use some of them.

Here is a view of our dining room currently. I'm thinking of doing the plates scattered on the two walls that flank the doorway into our breakfast nook, or possibly only on one of the walls.

The view from the other doorway, and a close up  of the rug.


 What do you think? Colorful, all neutral? I need opinions :)

I'm hoping our house will be a good mix of old and new things. Some antique, some more modern. I think we're off to an alright start!

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, your house is gorgeous! I love that rug...it looks like the rug that I wanted but couldn't find so we settled for a darker blue. Your dining room is very simple and clean...I really like it. And I think the plates will look great regardless of the style you choose.

xoxo,
Joelle
www.wherewelove.blogspot.com

Natalie said...

Can't believe how gorgeous your home is already-- seems like you just moved in! I'm loving all your finds, that entryway table, that globe. Everything looks beautiful, Kristen!

megan said...

Your dining room is beautiful! I especially love the chandelier! Great finds! I'm going to pick up a Craigslist dresser and matching night stands for $40 after work today! :)

Marian said...

1) I love the little lamp on the table!!
2) That globe is perfect
3) Um where did you get that chandelier. That is also perfect

And as for the plates, I'd do color to give it a little pop

Megan said...

OBSESSED with that globe. I want one of those so bad for our future home.

Your home is SO lovely!!

Unknown said...

Wow your house is SOOO amazing- I LOVE the globe and the color choices! neutral is a great thing because you can do so many things with the details! great job!!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Kristen your home is gorgeous!! So cozy yet beautiful at the same time. You scored so awesome finds too! Can't wait for you to show us more! Enjoy the rest of your week, girlfriend :) xo

Holly said...

I love the chandelier in your dining room. And that color is perfect with the dark wood in the room. I love it. I think colorful plates will give the room that mixture of old and new that you're going for with a splash of color to the neutral, natural tones you have going on in there. Beautiful!

April said...

I'm all for eclectic/colored plates, but I'm totally biased.

The soft colors of your rug look beautiful with the dark dining set!

The Southland Life said...

Love ALL of your finds, especially the globe! I loooove treasure hunting!

Jocelyn said...

I've been eying that Chandelier for months... is it from Pottery Barn? LOVE!!!

C Mae said...

Judging by your rug and furniture set, I'd say stay with neutrals if at all possible...I think it will flow better in the room than if you just put up any colorful random plate. Just my opinion. I could be wrong LOL Good luck!

Sam W. said...

I love your dining room table! So pretty! I've loved that rug for a while - the colors are perfect.

Unknown said...

Your house is beautiful! And I'm jealous.. if it doesn't work out could I marry your husband? lol I love antique shopping! :)

Cara Kuhl said...

l.o.v.e that chandelier ~ and I like how the fixed items are neutrals (walls, table, etc) ~ so I think it'd be fun to pull in just a few pops of color in the accessories ~ like the plates!

leigh ann said...

So pretty!
Thanks for the sweet comments -- lovin' your blog!
<3 leigh

Rachel and John said...

That globe is my drream come true! Where did you find it for so cheap??

Jamie said...

I love all your finds! That globe is so neat!

A Crimson Kiss said...

Oh, your home is absolutely stunning-the furniture is so classic and perfect!

Isabella's Mommy.... said...

i love your chandelier!

Jenni@Story of My Life said...

Giiirll!! You and I have very similar tastes *as you know*!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your dining room! And we almost bought that exact rug from PB for our living room!! Lol!! I'm thinking a little more colorful on the plates, but maybe just keeping to a few different colors... maybe some neutral, some blues some greens, some pinks. Not ALL the colors of the rainbow. But I'm sure whatever you decide to do will look GREAT!! :)

ali v. said...

ohmygracious. I AM SO JEALOUS. of your house. of your blue glass. and mostly, of that globe. I adore globes!! great finds my dear...and obviously I love that rug. I think you're heading in the right direction--and can't wait to see what you do with it in person :) xoxo {av}

emily said...

We have the same rug in our living room and a very similar dining room table! Looks like your plate collection is off to a good start!

Megan said...

Your house is simply adorable!! I love the globe...what a great buy!! The chandelier is amazing, too! I am obsessed with chandeliers lately!!

I say colorful, but not TOO colorful. Maybe a mix?

Jamie Walker said...

I have been trying to find little hidden treasures for my new house lately, but sometimes it's so hard! I guess over time I will find more and more I hope! The globe is beautiful!

www.markandjamiewalker.blogspot.com

Kat said...

I love your dining room table and that rug!! Where did you get it?

katherinebee said...

Great finds and I'd LOVE to steal that chandelier from you!

Faith said...

ooooh soooo excited to see this post! i love every single thing you took a picture of! LOVE!

i love the plate collection you have right now ... i think it has a great feel and it will go perfectly with your dining room!

ahhh, i just love your house!

i know exactly what you mean. we are on the look out for a bookcase but we can't find anything that looks like what we want ... i want that look of old, the look that no one makes these days ... i have a feeling you know what i mean!

i could go on and on about your entry way table ... chandelier, globe, etc ... but it might get just a lil ridiculous! :)

Meredith said...

Can I just say that I love all of your new finds but I am OBSESSED with your chandelier!!! I'm serious, I bookmarked this post and am probably going to send the FH on a hunt for something like it because I. Need. One. Love!

oh so lovely said...

ohhh I LOVE your light fixture! that is so amazing! you have very good taste!♥