MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS FOR THE “DECORATING MOM”

If you love to shop on the web, then I know that you have been searching for the perfect Mother’s Day Gift. If you haven’t chosen something yet, and your mother loves home decorating items, you still have time to get creative with your choice and find a rare modern treasure online.

Does she have an umbrella stand? Does this seem to be a conventional and old-fashioned idea? On burkedecor.com their owl umbrella stand is one of my favorite products on their website.   For unique decor this somewhat whimsical piece certainly will add fun function to your home.

If she loves; candles, scented candles, pillar candles, designer candle holders or stands, these can be awesome tabletop decorations that can be used in any room for color, beauty, and, well, the obvious….the aromatic scents.

What about dishes? No, not a traditional or classic set of floral china, but very modern artistic place settings with a bold color scheme? Thankfully, we are part of the new technological age and tablecloths made from white linen are OUT for the home décor gift. If you’ve ever ironed one of those, you will thrill over the new designer table coverings! The fabrics are sleek and the patterns are wild, daring, dramatic, and definitely not plain or drab.

Look up stacking boxes by Offi. These creations will give Mom’s home office the organization and modernity.

Some other ideas are: throws in jazzy colors and patterns; bathroom organizer jars; silk botanical arrangements; or colorful, new picture frames for the grandchildren’s pictures.

Bring your home decorating mom into the 21^st century with designer creations for the home. She’ll love the new age Mother’s Day!

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Quilts – when choosing bedding, consider an old favorite

When choosing new bedding, consider a quilt. There are so many modern quilts available to choose from. The choices transcend all the decorating genres; country, country French, English country, modern, antique décor, and some dramatically modern quilts which will appeal to those of us with more contemporary eclectic taste.

The art and making of quilts spans several centuries at least. Some famous quilts date back to the Colonial Days, the Civil War, and the Victorian Era. After the industrial revolution, when fabric was less expensive and easier to come by, the quilt as we know it today, was really born. Gentile young ladies learned all types of needlecraft: quilting, needlepoint, sewing, etc. and the work was tedious but the finished work was gorgeous.

Different nations and ethnicities stitched hand-made varieties of quilts and from each nation or nationality different styles and patterns evolved. The PA and Ohio Amish are famous for their gorgeous homemade quilts. The beauty and artistry speak highly of the talents of the quilters. One famous pattern that you might find made in the Lancaster, PA area is the double wedding ring pattern. Two pairs of “rings” are joined at top, bottom and sides to another set of rings and another.

The colors you can find to choose from in both the country or modern art quilts is just endless. Some of the advantages of choosing a quilt over a comforter or spread are; durability, functionality, color choices, uniqueness.

In Native American quilts, for example, they included symbols of their culture and spirituality. Some of the pictures that were found on their ancient petroglyphs or eagles and hawks are incorporated into their handiwork. A famous pattern is the star pattern.

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COLLECT & DECORATE

Are you already a collector of antiques, modern art, Americana?  Depending on what you love to collect, you may want to incorporate your favorite items into your decorating theme.  I know a gentleman that began collecting “table lighters” about 30 years ago.  His living room and kitchen have the type of walls that have a space at the top just for displaying knick knacks and bric-a-brac.  Some are displayed in glass curio cases, and many of his finds grace the wall units in his living room.  You might not think that cigarette lighters would create fascinating and colorful displays but he owns some very lovely ones. Many of these table cigarette lighters were made between the 1940’s and the 1960’s when it was fashionable to smoke and people displayed them on coffee and end tables, mantles.  Since they were much larger than the normal pocket lighters and could hold more lighter fluid, the host was always prepared with a “light” for the company that visited.

Many of the table lighters are made of glass: milk glass; pattern glass; cut glass; and were manufactured in every hue in the spectrum.  A lot of the lighters were made by well-known glass companies of that time period: Westmoreland Glass; Fenton Glass; and the Viking Glass companies manufactured and sold table cigarette lighters, just to name a few.  Viking Glass sold the lighters in smoking sets with matching ashtrays.  These now collectible lighters were also crafted of china or porcelain and were delicately and intricately hand-painted.  Among the 1,000+ specimens that he has accumulated over the years he even has 6 lighters made of Sterling Silver.  The shapes vary, too, from plump little rounded cigarette lighters to taller more graceful and elegant cigarette lighters.  With the reduction of smokers and the health risks involved, it is no longer fashionable to display table cigarette lighters for usage.  Now they can be displayed and collected for beauty, history, and antique value!

What do you wish to collect? The options are endless! Your choices will vary greatly depending on how much space you have available and whether you are enamored with the “hunt” or, perhaps, just want to acquire a small, one time collection or grouping of a particular item. Do you love artwork?

Nothing seems to brighten or personalize your living space as much as a great water color, oil painting or pencil drawing. You might enjoy making a grouping of metal trays or antique plates on your walls or in your curio cabinet. Of course, cost will be a factor in your decision but there are limitless types of items that can be acquired for a minimal cost. Walk around your favorite store, click over to some decorating websites, visit an antique mall, mall, yard sale or thrift store, purchase some item that strongly attracts you and BEGIN YOUR COLLECTION!!!

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