Dining Rooms ,Donkeys and Lamps(oh my)!

I wanted to share my dining room progress(you may click on any image to enlarge)! The walls are still fairly artless,and one day in the future I am thinking of replacing my washtub chairs with something bigger,taller and more unusual and statement making. I realize galvanized steel washtub chairs are definitely not something you see every day...but I am trying to implant the thought "think on a bigger scale with larger pieces"! Ofcourse I have no idea what these fantasy chairs look like,any thoughts ,anyone? The table and chair in the corners are probably not going to make the cut. I am considering replacing them with these modern book shelves.


This is how the entrance to the dining room is framed.The small rectangles you see are actually little cut out "windows".

The lighting plot in the house is quite wonderful,and instead of a chandelier in the dining room,there is a recessed "coffin-like" cut out with a rectangle wired for light "echo" of the beautiful bamboo floor .

Directly behind the table is a new(to me) buffet/display case.I am unsure of what period it is from.Unless its from the mid century I am simply not a furniture era spotter! I am guessing its from the late 20's or 30's...but then again perhaps its a 40's piece! Anyone care to speculate.



It has little etched/painted flourishes on the glass and the back of the case has this bizzarro world silver sparkly wallpaper stuff that I adore!!!!!! So much better to show off my donkey planter collection.
Containing my beloved donkeys to this elegant little piece that possesses its own imperfect quirks really elevates the importance of this crazy kitschy bunch in my mind!


I have topped it off with one of my favorite inherited pieces from my Grandma. My husband likes to call this diamond shaped hand painted mirror "Lone buck at purple mountain". My grandparents evidently watched it being painted on a trip to Colorado. Rumor has it there is also a round variation of this treasure at my mothers house that she cannot find!Lighting the way are my adored matador and matador-ess lamps from the 50's.I jettisoned(and carefully stored)the giant fabulous original shades and replaced the bulbs with big round clear ones. To me ,without their shades,they have become giant candelabras. And again,I have achieved my brand of elegance through a witty wink!

Long ago I wrote of my passion for lamps. I simply cannot get enough of them. Figurine lamps are certainly my favorites,like this Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy "Naughty Marietta" chalk lamp shown here and snapped up from a thrift store for 20 bux!


Vintage bedside lamps (one of a pair),I grabbed (both) at a garage sale for 10 bux!


A tiny Shawnee Chinese empress lamp.


My Swordfish lamp with the crazy feather implanted shade!


...and ofcourse my fave little Asian pair that has lived with us for the past decade from the mid-century decade!


Lastly getting back to another part of the house...I decided on this multi-color block rug from Ikea(notice how all my art looks like little poastage stamps? I gotta get some giant art!). With a biegey/taupe love pit sectional I wanted a piece with color to make the sectional really pop!

I think I achieved my goal.

Thriftventure Chock Full of Fall Fabulosities!

It has been a bit of time here at JDP when last I had a posting about my thriftventures.Thrifting is still as much a part of me today as when I was a teen.Absolutely no where else can one happen upon the most unique,intriguing and REJECTED items of our society.A true modern art museum in every cramped and cluttered shop!Knick-knacks,embroidered linens,rhinestone jewels...... that X-mas angel in the spitting image of Rupaul....Its all there just waiting to be rescued.
I am sure we all have our own mental "to be thrifted" list and on mine was an Alfred Shaheen dress.


Well kiss my Eames chair I found one for 3 BUX!!!! WITH A PAGODA on it!!!
Alfred Shaheen was famous for his silk screened print aloha wear in the 50's through the the late 80's. I am guessing this piece is a shift from the late 60's. I have already wore it with skinny jeans and pumps,but it needs a bit of tailoring for a better fit.

Click to enlarge and check out the silk screened signature!


Another piece from 68-71ish time frame. A coat dress from Niemans,isn't it a bit of a thrill to thrift high-end vintage? This was 4 bux...and I am kuh-razy for the print,green flowers has always been a personal favorite concept! I'm thinkin' blk tights and docs...or heck maybe green tights if I can find them.

An ethereal bed jacket for under 2 dollars to go with the rest of my collection .



...and can you totally dig crazy Aunt Matilda's left over couch upholstery dress? This is the frock I am most looking forward to wearing this fall...definitely black Docs and black tights(price tag, 2 bux)!


Also at under 2bux a statement necklace in the guise of a butterfly,this will pair nicely with my newest bedjacket.


and we finally come to what is probably my favorite thrifted item of the summer(just last week). A copper cameo pendant! I also have a pewter cameo necklace thrifted long ago(I think in my single days!).I remember paying 5 bux for it and it is still one of my FAVORITE pieces to wear! This one cost 6 bux(not bad inflation)and that sort of thrift store price always gives me pause...but not when its a COPPER CAMEO NECKLACE!!!!!!!!

Last but not least a pretty little porcelain bauble that has inspired a Halloweenie project...can you guess what it is?

A Peek into My Little Piece of Bloggy Heaven

Come and take a little peek ....just around the corner of my bedroom....



Into a little nook....right across from my Magic Closet .....you can tell its mine ...cuz' any place I park my boots I call home.



Oh,and then there's the dead giveaway of the impracticality that defines JDP. The usage of a vintage embroidered tablecloth thrown over a 50's table rather than a proper desk! That and of course Martin Denny's Exotica album cover screen saver.



A spot for my also exotic tchotchkes from the 50's ,some that have been with me FO-EVAH on my little whimsical life journey....and finally a spot for my horsie TV lamp inherited from my great Aunt Margaret.



'Tis quite possible this is a temporary set-up,but I am feeling creative here...so for the time being I shall delight in my nook of whimsy and fun.