Historic Occurance

We live in an area of town commonly known as the Deco District. A few years back they launched a massive rejuvenation process. Investing much capital in the area to bring it back to life. To restructure the area into a major business arena once again after many years of boarded up shops and empty storefronts. Enter re-gentrification. Promoting the concept of the Deco District as an Arts mecca for San Antonio.

We just got notice that our home is part of a 4 block area being presented for Historic status. Exciting news to be sure. What that means exactly... time will tell.




These mosaics were created by local students in 2003 to celebrate and mark the area along Fredricksburg road once part of the Old Spanish trail.

The logo for the Deco District incorporating some of the area's landmarks.

This one is my favorite, commemorating the newly renovated Woodlawn Theatre. (Where the world premiere of John Wayne's "The Alamo" took place in 1960.)

And in the distance you can see the actual sign for the theatre. Change is coming. Bring it on!

I spy. Serendipity.

You never know what your going to find, especially when you didn't even know you were looking for it. This little sink is perfect for our tiny hall bathroom. Obviously, it will need to be re-enamelled. I know, I know. I said we weren't even going to think about that current bathroom until LAST. But I think this sink is just - Serendipity.

Heading this way.

Heading this way from jolly old England- a matchbox cover collection album. My little mind is just spinning with ideas. After all we are expecting. Andrew Martin matchbox fabric, that is.

"Favorite" Stove

Found this 1930's Favorite Stove on Ebay and then again on Craigslist. We were planning to add a shiny new commercial style range to our kitchen in the remodel. But I find this period stove oh so charming and tempting. It has two ovens which is a plus as well. Aesthetically it is perfect but I don't know how hard they are to cook on.
So for a kitchen remodel update we finally made a decision on the great farmhouse sink debate. We chose the white farmhouse sink from Ikea over the hammered nickel. Thanks for all your input. It is beautiful, classic, easier to clean and easy on the wallet.

One thing about the process taking some time is that it gives you an opportunity to tweak the original plan a bit. We decided to forgo the black granite in favor of some white carrera marble. It is more in keeping with the period of the house and should help make the small 1920's kitchen feel just a little larger.

above and below :Photos by Jose Picayo via House Beautiful.

And we will be sticking with white subway tile on the back splash. The kitchen will be basically white now with buttery yellow walls, original glass fronted cabinets on the top. Our new kitchen will have green accents as well. As it turns out we both have a set of green and white dishes. His - moss green wedgewood. Hers - deruta gallo verde. Shown below.

So what do you think? Should I make an offer on the vintage green 1930's Favorite Stove or stick with the new and shiny stainless commercial type planned? Thanks in advance for your opinion!

A place for everything.

Photos by S. Anton/Inside for Brussels Style ed. Taschen

During this this time of chaotic reno and remodel while living in the home. It is often a challenge to locate and relocate the bits and stuff of daily life. So today, I'm dreaming of a kitchen/dining room with storage galore and beauty to spare. This photo of the dining room of the set designer Eugenie Collet's Brussels home completely captivated me. The order and the beauty. Fabulous.


More images of Collet's breathtaking home featured in Taschen's "Brussels Style".


What a wonderful workroom flooded with light.

On my mind...

An old french print we found this weekend. We already have boxes of art. Some inherited, some collected by each of us in our single lives. In this "tiny Tudor" full of windows and doors there is just not a lot of wall space. One large wall in the den is planned for a "gallery". But I think we can fill it up and then some. Since wall real estate is at a premium around here, we will have to learn how to edit. I've pictured the art wall a million times in my minds eye. But sometimes you have to tinker around with the real thing. So due to the renovation, it's probably wise to refrain. It appealed to us both. So I'm kinda having a coulda, shoulda moment- or two.

Uncommon Objects

Heading to Austin tomorrow for a "vintage Volkswagen" event. So while the guys are cruising South Congress after the show, I may just take a little stroll down to the famous Uncommon Objects . They describe themselves as: "Raw materials for creative living". The shop has been featured in the glossy pages of Elle Decor and InStyle magazine to name a few. Its SoCo shopping at its best! Maybe they will let me get some shots for the blog. So just to tide us over here are some clips from Uncommon Objects website. Have a nice weekend!



All photos courtesy of Uncommon Objects website.

Tag- You're it.

The Alamo - wish I knew why these pics are sooo small.

Giant boot sculpture. Growing up I couldn't stand it. Now I think it's kind of iconic and all together ironic.

I have been tagged by my fellow blogger My Notting Hill. She has a such a great blog! If you don't already you should read it - and often! So I am blogging answers from A to Z today. Thought I might follow in her footsteps by including some shots of my hometown-San Antonio, Texas. (Although, I now wish I hadn't they are just too small.)

A: Attached or Single? Attached to LondonHIM - he has been one of my best friends since we were twenty. We also went to the same High School. When I moved back to my hometown to help out family we fell from friendship into "LOVE"! That was 2+ years ago. I think we surprised a few people. Others wish we were together all along. We're just glad we finally figured it out.

B: Best Friend? LondonHIM (of course), and Stacy has been my best friend since Freshman year in College. LondonHIM and I introduced her to her husband (he went to High School with us) one night while we were out for Margaritas. They have been married 14 years now, I think.

C: Cake or Pie? Cake- Does tiramisu count as a cake?

D: Day of Choice? Saturday

E: Essential Item? My laptop

F: Favorite Color? Black

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? Worms- biting cute little bears heads off is very disconcerting!

H: Hometown? San Antonio, Texas

I: Indulgence? A Book, a cup of tea and a bubble bath.

J: January or July? January (Its too hot in July!)

K: Kids? Not yet.

L: Life isn't complete without? Love

M: Marriage date? Not yet.

O: Oranges or apples? Oranges-but I'm allergic. Bummer!

P: Phobias and fears? Down escalators- Don't ask me why.

Q: Quote? "What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

R: Reason to smile? Each new day

S: Season of choice? Fall

T: Tag three people? Will do so on the down low.

U: Unknown fact about me? Play the violin.

V: Vegetable? Green beans (Almondine is a fav)

W: Worst habit? Procrastination

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? Bring on the Ultrasound (sweetie don't freak out!)

Y: Your favorite food? Shrimp en brochette

Z: Zodiac sign? Capricorn

Light it up!

Vintage light fixture number Five has finally arrived. So its 5 down, 4 to go. But who's counting. This one will probably hang over the dining room table. Ebay rules!