before & after Here is the break down of what we used to create his new space. PAINT - As usual I went with my favorite paint - Ralph Lauren. This time I tried their Polished Patina in Historic Jasper. Its a sorta navy blue in the can and it dries a deep grey with flicks of gold., morphing as the sun changes and you move around the room. *For warning; I was told 2 quarts (about 40 bucks total) would do the job., but it only did a small wall (6 feet by 7 feet high) and a larger wall that was mostly door opening. (about 10 - 11 feet by 7 feet total). - The cabinets I used a no-drip gel formula by Gidden Charcoal Grey High Gloss. Loved it! And excellent coverage. Would use again. Costs about 20 bucks a quart. *UPDATE: Although the fumes were terrible and we had to air out the room for 3 days now before he can sleep in there. CABINETS/COUNTER: - The counter top - that yellow., just wasn't working. This is a kids room., a 13 year old I-like-to-discover-and-destroy kid. I was not going install new cabinets or counter tops. -We covered the yellow counters with contact paper. Yes., that's right - the type you buy for 10 dollars and stick on your pantry shelves. Totally removable if he decides to change rooms or color themes. And he isn't cooking on the counters, only making toast or organic waffles at best. Its OK., it made the room look pulled together but close up inspection does show little imperfections. - We removed the doors to the top cabinet and I used just a standard white paint primer by Valspar. - Anthropologie Hardware I had previously gotten, but are, unfortunately, no longer available. I still consider Anthro one of the best places to shop for unique draw pulls. Before Click to Read Previous Blog
FLOOR: I was contemplating the floor for a while. but we have a few rooms that we need to sand and redo the hardwood., so we may eventually pull up that vinyl (that is currently place *stuck* over nice hardwood.) For now we covered the floor with a hand braided two-tone., grey and white wool rug from Homegoods and a cool grey and black rug from Anthropolgie. Also is a jute rug under that we scored on clearance at Lowes for $35. His floor is cozy and plush under your feet. ECT... - The area to enter into where he has his bed and big antique chest of drawers is covered in Ikea curtains/panels that cost about $40. -The heavy wood sofa is tufted velvet from the 1800's. Heavy duty wood frame to support a big and growing boy. We purchased this in an antique store by the water front. After          
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Previous owner of my current home, Elizabeth, was the best blessing that came with our house. I have gained a wonderful and lovely friend. She makes me laugh, she is clever and as she is smart, and she is very creative and artistic while holding a regal sophistication. A rare beauty, indeed! Elizabeth ran an herbal sop right here on my property for many, many years. She taught exceptional workshops and had lectures. So, a few weeks back, she graciously offered an afternoon class for the children and their friends. In the garden we were,, amongst plates from Fiesta Ware to bone China. The bumble bees were fiercely demanding some of our Lavender tea and organic lemonade.While the birds were chattering about our presence and how it difficulties in their eating their afternoon seed eating. Puppy was pouncing with her over sized paws and the orange cat was waiting to see who might scratch his chin. But the children and us adults weren't quite aware of all that busied itself in nature (except those pesky bees!) We were chattering ourselves and creating and laughing and embracing summer, friends, art, and joy. Elizabeth brought all the supplies and we all added some more glassware to create Garden "Flowers" that stand glittering in the sun to accent the landscape and yard. She also brought Victorian Sandwich Cake and a Carrot Cake like none other - it truly belongs in a palace., only royalty should eat such perfection. I am shamed to admit it, but not one picture did I get of these perfectly presented treats, as we gobbled them quick and happily, up like the non-royals we are. I hope you can find sometime before winters mark to enjoy outdoors, family, friends, and some cherished memory making time.  The not-so-great directions to create your own GARDEN PLATE FLOWERS HOW TO: A. Pick A Plate. B. layer onto to see if you like. C. Paint and Decorate D. Glue with heavy duty glue., you want it to withstand weather! E. Let dry. F. Glue a flat bottle onto the back. (like a Shaker) G. Put wooden pole in shaker.          I cant reveal it all, but next week is a baby shower for a very special girl I know. I have spent a lot, a Lot, of time assembling a gift that matches her nursery theme colors and holds true to what I can not say 'no' too; Vintage! OK, so I was a bit torn at first,. What to get? The new high chair or diaper bag is very reasonable and very much what a baby shower gift opening ceremony should contain so to speak. My gift was felling, like it wasn't very Practical. It's beautiful. It's sentimental. It was collected with a lot of thought behind it. It was painstakingly time consuming. To be fair., I simply could've bought all the gifts online and saved a lot of time ad energy, but I admit it, I am a huntress - I like the hunt. So in the next couple weeks I'll list out all the goodies and give you some ides for you to create your own gift basket for new baby. I will give you ways to add in fun and memorable gifts that work as future keepsakes for mommy-to-be. I will also be adding in some DIY tutorials on a very sweet and cute idea that is a really cute. In the mean time; I just thought; 'Well, I have to share this with someone because I am so excited to share it with mom-to-be.'   Quite a few years ago I came across these beautiful vintage lens. I remember the exact location, a little sea side town that I was going through happened to be having an estate sale. It was a tiny white cape house with a driveway covered tip to top with stuff. To be honest, it looked like loads of rusty, super old junk -- my type of place to find some weird little delightful 'art' for my home. Maybe I would find an old vase or even a pail for holding my garden tools? You never know. Honestly, one thing i am confident about is my eye - I know beauty and I can find it anywhere. When I spied these, I was lured by the vintage packages, but when I opened the little boxes and felt a little sparkle inside when I held the heavy weight, thick glass and I read, "Made in Japan" - Sold! The gentleman wanted about 10 dollars each. I wasn't sure if it was highway robbery or the deal of a lifetime; all I cared about was the potential to play with my camera in a new and exciting way. I feel like these little guys never got their "due" with me. I played a bit with them on the beach with my Canon Rebel, but at the time I was more obsessing with the crystal yellow lens and hadn't really bothered with the rest. Fast forward to a Canon 6D and 50 mm 1.2 L series lens... (and the rediscovery of my lens collection during a storage summer cleaning and reorganizing day). I took some of these test shots and I am so excited for our next fashion shoot on August 8th. It's going to be rich and a 'Fairy Tale Fabulous Madness'. I had to hold the lens up to my lens; as they were too small and did not first my modern camera. Which means if you ever come across these guys or similar ones; do not hesitate to buy them. Sen if you have a point-n-shoot. They are truly fun to play with and can create a wonderful look. Do you have any lens that you love? Any great tips or stories? Tell me about them! 
Actual Area With different HOYA (Special Effects) Filter Lens This lens created a light and foggy look.  This lens was a bit darker and also a bit more foggy Oh and i had to practice on puppy. <3   Ive lived here almost a year. We left our extended New England style Cape last year because we need to spread out and have space, especially from being onto of each other all the time. Charming and cute isnt so appealing when your constantly bumping into each other. I love tiny homes, but it was time to move on. We have almost three times the space here, in own new home. And closets. SO many closets. Im finally fitting into the natural rhythm of our home and lifestyle. We started all these rooms labels and furnished with its own purpose. Very practical. Flash ahead to real life, real living. We are finding my photography studio works best as a dual office where my little guy can hang out beside me and mine craft. We have discovered that all the rooms were reversed for their original purpose. The long of the short.... Everything is being used all wrong and it was very hard flipping and flopping and changing furniture around to suit all those changes as they popped up. But we are here. Checked in at 'comfort, not so perfect' place. With all that said; I Think my studio has reached the point of it's final setup. So I thought I would share just a few pics of how I mix work with home and kids. There is a cozy corner for the kids to cuddle up with a book or tablet and a new longer office desk for an extra computer for the kids to play and gab up a storm to me. They didn't like me in my own spaces. They wanted the opportunity to be comfortably right next to me. Funny, I wanted more space to 'spread out', but my kids (sometimes) still need and want to be close by me. Thats a wonderful joy! BEFORE   AFTER Antique Italian carved corner chair, sheep fur and blanket - the perfect cuddle spot.   Clothes to be photographer are all protected and covered on a salesman rack.  Wall Paper by Rebecca Rebouche, Anthropolgie, and the rest are all Vintage: canvas linens, fabric paper, and reflective rolls. Rebecca is in 3 of our rooms, because she reminds me to release my inner whimsy and childish joy.    Blue board wallpapers purchased at Anthropologie. Acrylic office chair.
  And at night when Im working late, I have this antique glass globe I placed on a baby blue lamp base. I love it, but my older son calls it the "creepy baby face lamp." LOL!  This wonderful movie lamp form the 50s throws off so much light! A darling friend recently gave it to me, it makes me think of her goodness and sweetness whenever I pass it by.
 The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men. ~Minot J. Savage It's memorial Day here, in the USA, but my heart extends to all soldiers national and international. Those who have fought to serve and protect their countries. Those fallen in the name of honoring a heartfelt place, and all its people. We are not too far from the dark fairy tales we've read of. The handsome lover runs off to a strange and distant land, never to return again. The heart breaks and tears and darkness also closes in on the innocent, the darling who remains protected and safe, broken and loss, in heartache. And maybe it started by gathering around family and friends who have loss the best of men and women, but in the States we can be found on Memorial Day Weekend at small family gatherings, cookouts, or enjoying the freedom that our soldiers gave their life for us to have. We speak badly and proud, fearless of what others think or say because no life falls in vain... or at least we try. We salute, parade and play the taps. We march and make a loud noise for the mighty heroes. So, at Salvato Collection, we too just wanted to say a special thanks in the only way we really can. Here, in a little country town, we offer the workmanship of our collection of visuals and images from our shop. Little pieces that remind us of the strong, the hero, the soldier. There isn't many ways to say thank you for such a sacrifice, but we will use our voice of vintage, art, and photography to freely speak blessings and love over our special men and women. 
  There is nothing like looking up at the night sky; in the country. Last summer we sat in the garden, filled with the fragrances of roses, hydrangeas and all the other 2oo species of plants. Fireflies drive by and the grass is rich under our toes. Its very, very quiet. You can hear neighbors three doors down talking. Breaking the silence is giggle and day dreams as we add to the magic with lots of lanterns and an oversized backyard hammock. My kids and I grab a bunch of furry, plush blankets and get the fire pit going. Then we lay there with the heavy stars above and a worn brick "patio" below, smack in the middle of all our various flower, veggie, culinary, and english style gardens. (I must add, that due to former owner Elizabeth's genius garden planting and no sitting water - mosquitos rarely bother us.) This is what summer is. Unplugged and filled with love. This is why I promote star gazing. Its a sorta memory making, storybook chapter each one of us deserve to add to our life story. Last summer, I set my camera on on a long exposure and tripod. And where we left the city area to a location that offers a hint of the milky way; my cameras really displayed the sky beauty.  Photography Amanda Deare. (Me!) SPOILER ALERT. After practicing the timing and work of night photography, my goal is to take that skin to Salvato Collection's fashion world. We are looking to organizing a midnights summer shoot in a very unexpected way!  So get out there. Start living. It's Warm. It's Spring. It's Astronomy Day. Get to gazing at those planets and stars ! Wherever you live Sky Magazine has some great info to help you out. (I am not paid to promote Sky Magazine, just a fan.) And just in case you want to see how small we really are....
Etsy and the Knot have combine their beautiful forces for a lovely Bridal Event this April 29th and April 30th right in New York City. We have been asked to be a guest shop there. It's exciting and wonderful and such a blessing. Wow! You may have been wondering where have I been all month? Well, after fighting a cold virus that was the worse ever, I have been knee deep in stunning vintage... which is pretty wonderful. I have been super busy collecting more Antique & Vintage wedding dresses. Making more of our custom pieces like Wedding Party Hats and Halos. Plus, I have been gathering up the masses of perfect little brooches for a special wedding day. Grooms tie brooches, belt brooches, accessory brooches. Throw in a few bridal purses for good measure, too! I Love making Salvato Collection's handmade party hats/crowns. It doesn't matter the painstaking work. it's almost meditative. It forces my to slow down and create. We only use vintage wallpaper and seek the best quality ribbons. I are so happy to be able to have created some more beauties and these are the best ever, if you ask me. <3 So my dear friends, family, and fans I thought I might share some things we will be selling and showing. For those of you wanting to join in on the funs click the button to grab your tickets to go! You must go if you can. The location for the event his amazing. There will be wonderful shops and so much happy joy; you can not miss it! Our Hand crafted PARTY HATS!   The studio and picture taking time.  Trying to find an outfit for me and my assistant (and Salvato Collection model) April to wear.  More handmade from antique & vintage flowers... HALOS!!!  Dresses. Dresses. Dresses.    New packaging in!  Vintage and Antique pins and brooches... for days!!! Sterling silver and pretty sparkles.    If you cant make it and must have something you see; just message me: info@SalvatoCollection.com or comment below. i love hearing form you all and it makes my day to listen to you opinions an thoughts. Thank you for your love, kindness and support. God Bless! XO Amanda #MyEtsyWedding #SalvatoVintage #SalvatoCollection
 Before it's all green; it's this. Welcome to gardening in New England. A visitor might see cold and lots of dead things, but we see hope and excitement of a future filled with warm breezes and fragrant florals. A tiny look into the current garden   Garden End of Last Summer... Fruit and flowers I ordered. List of Fruits |
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