Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Apple of My Eye


I love objects that are both utilitarian and beautiful, like the stoneware jug pictured above.  I think what draws me to these items for use as design elements in my home is the fact that although we use them decoratively today, their intended use was something far different.




The original owners of objects such as old crocks, jugs, baskets, etc. used them to store things, they were a convenience that they likely paid little attention to from day to day.




Yet on some level they must have thought about their form as well as their function, because they are often just as pretty as they are useful.




I have wanted a wire basket for ages, and silly me, I was so busy snapping pictures while I was in Europe that I didn't bring home a single thing for myself...not even a lovely wire basket!  I hate the practical side of myself sometimes, the one who thinks, "oh that will be hard to get home, or do you really need that?!"  I sometimes kick myself when I return from someplace special for not picking up things that can only be found in those specific places.





Lucky for me the world is now a global marketplace, and reproductions are everywhere.  I'm not a big fan of reproductions, and whenever possible I will always go for the real thing, but this time I made an exception.

A few weekends ago when we went to stay with our daughter, I ventured in to a shop on the way home that I've always wanted to pop into.  I had tried several times, but I was traveling through at odd hours and was never able to catch them when they were open.  

The shop is called Coco Blanca, and as the name implies, it is filled with wonderful tone on tone items in shades of cream and white that make you want to sell everything you have and start over.  They were unloading new merchandise the afternoon Mr. Tide and I stopped in, and I could have picked up a few pieces of furniture, glassware, and even jewelry, had I not been in a hurry to get home to dogs.  I did however, pick up the wire basket you see in the photos above.  I knew it would be a great prop for photo shoots, and when not in front of my camera, I knew it would serve a useful purpose by holding my veggies and fruits.  You have to love something that is both beautiful and serves a purpose in your life!

I will definitely be back to Coco Blanca.  I have my eye on a piece that might just work for my dining room makeover...yes I'm busy changing things up in that room...stay tuned!

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for my latest Giveaway.  If you haven't yet...click HERE to get all of the details!

19 comments:

  1. What a pretty vignette, that beautiful jug and basket of apples.

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  2. I love pottery and I love the natural look of your jug. The basket is wonderful...I have been looking for one to put my onions and potatoes in. I love the look of the apples in it!

    I am the same way as you are when I travel. I never leave enough room in my bags and I really have to LOVE something to get it home with me. How many treasures I have passed up!

    I hope you are enjoying this fall weather, unless you got the snow! We have been so fortunate with our weather since our LONG spring! Hope it lasts, it was predicted that Chicago will have a wicked winter!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. Great basket and I look at those jugs all the time, but have not bought one. Sounds like a nice shop.

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  4. You are right about old items that were very useful, but also attractive. I wonder about the folks who used to own antiques like that: did they enjoy the form? Or just the function? :)

    Love your header too!

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  5. I think your beautiful jug might have held hard cider Kat, or something home brewed - can you imagine pouring a drink from it? Straight back to grandad's still!

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  6. I love the jug and have two chocolate brown ones like it. You did not buy one thing? You certainly were focused.

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  7. As if you don't already have enough going on, now you're REDECORATING???? Paging Dr. Cranium, Kat needs to have her head examined, STAT! (Just kidding)

    Now I want an apple.

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  8. cough cough cough... oh sorry... looked at the prices. Guess I'll just have to dream about that store.

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  9. I love it. It's perfect. You take the best photos. A-M xx

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  10. This just speaks to me, Kat...I need to dig out my jug like that...beautiful! Your photos and new header are gorgeous!

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  11. I have 2 antique jugs and I love them! They both have tan bottoms and brown tops. Love your photos and your new header!

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  12. I love the wire basket! And the apples look like those grown here in NC! I just ate some big globe grapes...they would look pretty in there, too! I'm having a BIG GIVEAWAY, too! Stop by when you can! Hugs! ♥

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  13. Beautiful vignette! I love the utility of a wire basket as well as it's form. I really like the oval shape of yours. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. I think everyone needs at least 1 wire basket like yours or similar. I cannot tell you how many uses I've for mine even if its just to hold something beautiful, like your apples. You are going to love that basket many times.

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  15. I love that when things were made like that jug, they were made to last forever. Not like our throw away generation we are now. Can you imagine our cardboard wine boxes being handed down? Me neither!
    Lovely photos and your new header...gorgeous!
    Deb

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  16. As ever, a lovely group of photos here, Kat. Wish I had a store like that near me. Or maybe I don't . . .

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  17. What a great arrangement here.

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  18. Love the curves of the old stoneware jug.

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  19. Love the wire basket, vintage or not, it's just so pretty and so perfect for photo shoots! I can't wait to see what you do with your dining room, I know you've been wanting to change it up for a while now! xo ~Lili

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