I enjoy decorating, changing things up, playing with color and fabric and paint. However, I know that I'm no expert. I think I enjoy it because I do have some talent, but I see my shortcomings so quickly when I try to do what's in my head and it doesn't translate at all. One area I feel I'm lacking in is small vignettes. I love shelves and architectural details in a house and I finally live in a house that has some of that, but I have felt like I haven't taken advantage of it because I don't know how to properly show off these built-ins. I have a few nice things, but they don't all look good together and some of them only look nice in certain settings and blah, blah, blah.

Well, I've decided to just tackle these things a little at a time and the other day...almost by accident...I accomplished a look I like on one shelf.

Everything on here is precious for one reason or another, except the little blue vase, that was just a purchase based on shape and color.

First the books. My grandfather was an Amish preacher and his study books are, in my opinion, very cool. They are in German, so I can't read them, but if I ever learn the language...they will be even more cool. I have several more, on the shelf just below this one along with a German hymnal that belonged to my other grandfather. These books have been through a lot. A lot of pack up and move, a little careless storage, and a fire, so they are pretty beat up and worn, but I love the way they look.

Next the mango wood vase. Kris and I fell in love with this while visiting a little shop in Florida. I so appreciate the swirling wood grain and shape of the vase and have had it sitting in different places waiting for it to feel at home.

The blue candy dish was a "squeal" find at an antique store in Franklin. My mother had one just like this in shape but it had no color. I always liked the combination of the round bowl and square base on hers. I was able to inherit my mothers dish, but unfortunately my little bundles of joy couldn't keep their hands off of it and it is broken. I still have it, but it no longer sits out. My mother actually liked this color a lot and had a few art deco glass pieces in a similar shade of blue. So, though this wasn't hers, it reminds me of her and I love how closely it matches the blue in the artwork.

This painting was a gift from Amy. Knowing my partiality for straight, simple, modern and clean, she painted this for me in a perfect blue. I have had it on the shelf for some time but couldn't make the rest of the pieces fit well. Strangely, just changing the little easel it sat on was the answer.

Previously, the painting was on an iron easel and it was fine. But, we were given a gift of a framed photograph recently and it also fit nicely on the shelves but needed something to hold it up. I went to Hobby Lobby where I had purchased the iron easel and all they had in the right size was this wooden one. I got it home and it sat too high for the photo so I traded it out with Amy's painting and VOILA! It ties in the browns and makes my vignette prettier.

There's balance now, there's shape and texture, color and movement. All with a simplicity that speaks peace to me and a warmth that makes me smile.

These little things make me realize again, I have so much to learn.

Next!

Any suggestions?