When I was staying with Aunt Mary Anne in Kentucky for a bit, I got to know her “mother ways.” You know, the way a woman cooks and cleans and makes a bed and all that. One of the my favorite discoveries was her butter bell — a kind of butter crock or butter keeper that allows you to keep butter fresh outside the refrigerator, so that it’s always spreadable. Heck yeah there is more →
Butter bells — a happy homemaker “must have” spotted at Aunt Mary Anne’s
Posted by: • April 30, 2011
Butch Anthony: Creating art, and a gorgeous home, from junk
Posted by: • April 29, 2011
This video is breathtakingly beautiful, demonstrating how we can create beauty out of virtually anything around us. You don’t have to spend a lot. You just have to Pay Attention. A sane life: Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, Do Without. Thanks, Denise, from On the Verge of Snapping, for spotting this wonderful video about Butch Anthony, his Museum of Wonder, and his beautiful home made completely of recycled materials.
Things I’d change in Mom’s bathroom: Only 2! Okay, only 4.
Posted by: • April 28, 2011
I can hardly believe it, but there are only two “mistakes” that I think I made in the quickie remodel of Mom’s bathroom. Above, we set the recessed medicine cabinet above the vanity too low. As I’ve tried to show with the arrows, when you open the doors, a typical bottle or the electric toothbrush are in the way. Oops. I am sure there must be a “standard” for this. Which I did not know about. #2…. Heck yeah there is more →
Avocado kitchen sink and appliances? Heck to the yeah, say Jon & Trixi!
Posted by: • April 27, 2011
Jon & Trixi are back, with an update on the continuing un-remodel of their 1962 kitchen. They have slowly been (1) peeling away circa-2005 disprovements and (2) replacing millenial flip-this-house crappola with vintage goodness, all in the service of (3) reveling in their kitchen’s innate avocadoness. Heck yeah there is more →
Gainey Ceramics’ 1960s Cylinder Planter — still available new — with more vintage revivals to come
Posted by: • April 26, 2011
The folks at Gainey Ceramics saw that I mentioned their planters a while back, and emailed me that they have a new website, including online sales, and a new “Modern” line. They mentioned their “Vintage” pieces, too, so you know I jumped on that question. Yes: Iconic Gainey Ceramics ”Cylinder” planters like the two orange beauties above, which were designed by Steve Gainey in the 1960s, are still available. 
Stephanie, who wrote me, also confirmed that Gainey Ceramics will be bringing more vintage molds out of their vault — watch next for the “Olla” design. These planters are Perfect for mid century homes, inside and out, and they come in multitude of sizes and colors, for tremendous design flexibility. In fact, just this week DH was talking about how he needed some new planters — Father’s Day is coming soon — a match! Heck yeah there is more →
Gainey pottery on ebay
Posted by: • April 26, 2011
You might be able to find a deal on Gainey Ceramics Cylinder planters on the bay. Or, not: Vintage items seem very collectible. Also, be careful you *know* it’s vintage vs. new. Me: As long as they’re from the original molds, I’ll take vintage or new. Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here
