Brightening a Dark Corner

When the Christmas tree comes down, I really miss the pretty bright lights in the corner of the "parlour" that I can see from my "nest" in the den.  Dayle and I discussed it and decided we needed a lamp for that corner.  So, yesterday he was reading Craigslist and found a vintage 1920's era "bridge" lamp with a pretty shade.  I emailed the seller and asked her about it and made an appointment to go see it.  We loved it and bought it and brought it home where it is now brightening our lives. :-)

The seller, a really nice lady, had purchased the silk and beaded shade from the maker who had a lampshade shop in Portland's Sellwood area for years.  The shop closed a few years ago, so the shade is actually the best part of the lamp.  It was REALLY difficult to get a good photo of it, the silk on the outside of the shade is "plum" and the inside is a lovely antique parchment color. 

 This corner is now a lovely place to sit. :-)

There is plum braid along the seams of the shade and the beading is wonderful. 

We have shelves on both sides of the fireplace - a perfect place to put family photos.  I have my parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, children and grandchildren on these shelves.  They tell the story of my family and I love them. 

The new vintage lamp illuminates my family.  

One of the doilies that my DIL Kristi gave me has found a home on the back of the chair. 

Our wedding photo is on the left, and my parents wedding photo is on the right.  Dayle's baby photo is in the center and my sister and I are on the left, modeling matching dresses that my mom made for us. I'm the "little sister". 

Children's books for our grandchildren are on the bottom shelves, an easy reach for the little ones. 

Isn't it pretty?   

This is a photo of my maternal grandmother, Lela, tending a large flock of chickens.  So, I come by chicken raising naturally. :-)  My sister, Roberta, made the leaded glass frame for me and gifted this photo to me for my family photo gallery.  

I also have some family photos of Dayle's family, though not as many.  The clock on the top shelf was a wedding gift to his parents at their wedding, his mother gave the clock to him.  It doesn't work, but I've encouraged Dayle to take it to a clock shop and get it fixed up to work.  I have 2 antique Indian dolls there and 4 miniature canoes.  Yes, I have way too much "stuff".

I also have a vintage set of leather bound Encyclopedias - my Mom bought these at a garage sale in the early 60s and she just loved them and hauled them around for years.   

The interior of these books are amazing, it's hand done marbled paper. 

This is the inside.. they're from 1891! 

I flipped the book open to get a photo for you and landed on a map of Dorset! 

The covers are beautifully embossed leather. 

Dayle's mom's china cabinet is filled with my collection of Shawnee Corn Pottery. :-)

For the very first time, a pair of Hummingbirds has stayed here over the winter.  Dayle has taken very good care of them keeping the feeder filled with fresh home-made nectar.  Sweet little things.

And I just HAD to share my 15 minutes of fame.. I was number 1 in Scrabble ratings for a few hours before my dastardly nephew Josh pushed me back to #2.  :-)  I took a screen shot to remember this moment forever.  LOL! 

We are having a wonderful run of cloudless days - the sunshine has been filling the house up and we've enjoyed it immensely!!  How is your weekend going?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)