There's No Place Like Home ...,

So sayeth Dorothy.

With March winds briefly past and April showers ushering in the spring, our weather thus far has been slightly more than "unpredictable". Last year this time temps were in the 60's with no humidity - perfect weather to apply paint remover or to varnish and seal. But no such luck this year.

Rising early I ventured "not far from my own backyard".  Boneyfiddle Antique District, Portsmouth, Ohio. Located along the Ohio River, this quaint section of town is a favorite of summertime visitors arriving on sternwheelers or party barges to tour the shops, enjoy lunch and stroll along the historic Murals.  I just enjoy antiquing here.

Upon opening the old squeaky door of my first stop, as the little greeting bell rang, I was surprised to see an old friend.  Look familiar ?   Rewind to July 2012 " July Brings Out the Beach In All Of Us ". Perhaps a "cousin" to my Florida customer's little side-table now painted lively in Caribbean colors.  Ideas sprang to mind as I recalled this being one the easiest projects we'd ever tackled. Hmmm - still more shops to see.

Vintage isn't my cup of tea, but you've gotta admire the arrangements. Attractive and stylish.  Moving on to the next shop which I am confident has furniture, it started to snow. SNOW - APRIL - not unheard of, but not the norm.  I grabbed a cup of coffee and continued on.




I found several little side-tables to my liking, and while we have a couple of unfinished projects in the Barn waiting good weather, it's like shoes, you can never have too many.     Here's a couple I passed on - but it was a struggle to pass them by.
                               
                                               

Clicking my heels three times, I was back home in a flash (well 20 mins at best). Scooping the mail from the box, I settled into a comfy overstuffed chair with a warm cup of cocoa. Shuffling through the advertisements, solicitations, and such - ah - the new issue of  The Magazine Antiques.  While the snow continued to fall, I was warm and cozy and could still do some shopping among the magazine pages. Like I said..., there's no place like home ! 

Irish Post Script

Post Script from Ireland .................,

Looking back on my initial research and google-traveling the information highways, post-it tabing pages from library books and tablet downloads, I failed to consider one important factor that came to me on the flight home - culture, lifestyle, and tradition.

I observed a very different lifestyle while there, and frankly it was reminding.  Reminding of a time when we preserved rather than disgarded. When what we had was built to last and we kept it longer. A time when we purchased what we needed and surplus was not thought of.  Traditions were revered. What our grandparents brought over was cherished, retained and handed down.  These represented our culture - the years of hard work, saving and vision that included yester-year in the tomorrow.

That being said, I think the reason I found few pieces of furniture is because they are retained. They aren't salvaged or discarded. Although I would have liked to have found a nice piece to send home, I like more that the old pieces are resting in homes and amidst the decades of family history.

Irish Eyes R Smiling

 

Perhaps I should have titled this entry - Irish Eyes R Droopin.  After the trans-Atlantic flight across the "Pond" over and back, I am truly droopy.  There is no doubt that it was WORTH IT !

Ireland has been in my top five places to visit, and I would visit again in a heartbeat.  Before I tell of the antiquities I spotted I will share a few photos to set the mood.    



In Ireland, they say everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day - while I was not there on THE day - it was close enough. The shops and town folk were busily readying their stores, pubs, and polishing the tea carts for the 17th of March.   







I was not aware that tea in Ireland was such a mainstay. So a "Tea" I had to try. A lovely tea it was.      

  I was now ready to explore Dublin and the Antique shops I'd researched. But wait ....,  I maneuvered through the cobblestone streets and alleys orientating myself to the grid- system, and learning to look a little higher on the building corners to find street names. Signage is in Gaelic and English (thank goodness).  My first stop was at the Grafton Street shops.  I was delighted to find so many shops in one location. Browsing the first few shops I enjoyed the complete organization and neat rows of antique china, statuary, jewelry, hats, stoles and vintage clothing..., but no furniture.  Around the corner I made my way to some more shops, and spied a small curved chair - ornate in design; velvet stuffed seating and backing - THIS I surmised was the place I'd been looking for  - alas- its the ONLY chair in the shop - but it was adorable.  I carried on weaving my way around corners and on the "Lift" taking me to the second floor of the Powerscourt shops. Aha ! Furniture !

                   MASSIVE FURNITURE

Taller than me - you can't tell it, but I was standing waaaaay back and using my zoom to take this picture. Maybe that's why Ireland calls them the "little people" - the furniture is so BIG. But it is

beautiful. Just look at the intricate detail on this piece   Loved shopping in Dublin - but really no luck with furniture. 

On to Killarney.

   Not much furniture in the shops, but I did chance upon two antique cash registers in perfect condition.  A small stool caught my eye, but alas, the proprietor informed that it wasn't for sale.  Euros in hand, tale tucked, I did what any red-blooded American gal on a shopping trip would do ...., I headed for the pastry shops.     

 

 

excerpt from;  IF Not For You     by Joanna Fuchs

                                                                If not for you, I’d be adrift;
                                                                  I don’t know what I’d do;
                                                         I’d be searching for my other half,
                                                                 Incomplete, if not for you  

I will be strolling along the Liffey as I meander around Dublin's quaint antique shops. Perhaps I'll chance upon a matched pair of Irish occasional tables like these.

In my research preparing for this trip, I have learned that very few pieces of furniture made before the 17the century survived because of  pillaging and burning of homes by invaders of the Irish isle.
Irish furniture made during the early eighteenth century can be identified by low relief carvings of eagles' heads, rosettes, winged birds lions' masks, goblin heads, scallop shells and baskets of flowers.Shell motifs are common on chairs, settees, and tables. Plainer Irish furniture and the more elegant type existed concurrently.
By the late 18th Century, when Irish furniture followed London fashions closely, mahogany and satinwood that was brought over on ships from the West Indies to Ireland. The Irish Georgian furniture can be spotted by the deep carvings of masks along with hairy paw feet.

As I pack my bags, and organize my selection of antique shops and museums to visit while in Dublin, I am certain to "chance upon" additional locals - let's hope the luck-o-'the-Irish prevails.

A Note to my varnish stain handed husband:  DDUP  xxx ooo

                                                 If not for you, I’d never have
                                                  The pleasures of romance.
                                                I’d miss the bliss, the craziness,
                                                  Of love’s sweet, silly dance.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Brrrr - baby it's cold outside.  One of our favorite songs for certain, but truth be known the temps have been so frigid the barn door lock has been frozen on several attempts to open. When we had it built it was late spring and we (silly us) gave no consideration to the winter shadow that cast with no sun overhead to warm the front entrance. So, sorry to say..., work will be stalled until Phil sees his shadow or hopefully doesn't see it. Winter IS a time for rest, inside cleaning and project planning.

Thank goodness our wood-work awaiting us doesn't require feeding or watering.