French Ashtrays And Collectables

Love this ! It is from Sheryls-artdeco.co.uk While searching for the latest accessories I stumbled onto to this collection that is French in origin.

It is really beautiful and look....there is an ashtray in the collection.

I do love the FRENCH, I just can't help myself !!!!



Up until the recent couple of years you could smoke right in the airport in France.
( Lovely how the French hold onto their LIBERTY )


It is official,
we are their Guest and on no less than 3 occasions I have personally seen
some Ugly American walk right up to a smoking Frenchman or Woman who is waiting for their luggage at the conveyor belt... and the American will start coughing and waving theirs hands as if to push the smoke away.

And let me make this special point, the Frenchman was standing with at least 75 feet between himself and the nearest person. The American walks right up to them and starts in on the ugly faces and ' your smoke is offending me' routine.
What is that about ? Rudeness Perhaps ? or Just maybe Control Issues .

In either case....

I always try to pack my manners and meds if I am a guest anywhere.

Back to issue at hand, Ashtrays..

These little ashtrays are considered 'Occupied Japan' and are extremely collectible.
Let me Tell you they are hard to find. These are from Ebay.

For all you ladies ( including me ) who do sneak your ciggies on occasion, these are adorable

I am guilty of buying these when I find them. I have one that matches my the terrace off my bedroom. It has a Boston Terrier and a green base. It is so sweet to look at. Mine has a very clear face etc.

Ok, now I live in Boca Raton and if you ever caught a glimpse of the preteens and the teenage girls here .... well, right next to the pink diamond phones they park on their desks they could park their Miss Kitty ashtrays . G-D forbid, but you never know.

CLICK PHOTOS to go to sites

Fabulous Victorian Bamboo - Brighton Pavilion

Fabulous ....and there is great history behind it all as well.

I do not know where you might live, but here in the Palm Beach County Florida,

the really collectible pieces can be quite expensive. I know, I have a charming Victorian Bamboo (or Brighton) hall-tree at the end the upstairs hall in my own home. It is holding tennis rackets and baseball caps etc.

Ofcourse it does have a bit of the CHINOISERIE look on it ....that I love,love,love !!!!

( maybe I can find a man who is a Chinoiserie man.....!!)

You can however find some new pieces now that are really quite nice and a good buy..

I believe Ethan Allen may have a bit.

Although it makes more sense to find a real Victorian Bamboo or Brighton table or hall- tree yourself. A good piece will cost the same as something from Ethan Allen.

I have had kitchen cabinets and bathroom cabinets built to mimic this look.

And they do have the molding that looks just like the bamboo trim on this little night stand.

Put a marble top on it, and vintage style faucets and you have a rich look.

I found these pieces at this store and they have a website;

The Antique Swan in Austin , Texas.

I spoke to a gentleman by the name of Eric, he was so sweet, knowledgable and helpful.

I would not think twice about doing business with them !!!

Ask for Eric and

Click on the pictures to go to site.

Beyond A Bathroom ( and a little nervous breakdown )

This is beyond hip.
It is beyond elegant.
This is a brilliant mix of traditional, a bit of whimsy and high contemporary.

There is a lot of appropriate GOLD in this design, and it is dramatic !!@!! LOVE IT.

I am always concerned with the mixing metals in a design;
It has to be a thoughtful transition.
Because the Venetian Mirror is Shiny Silver and right above the Shiny Silver chrome legs of the sink console, it all works beautifully.

It is the perfect bathroom for the nervous breakdown I want to have over this election.



I could just go in that fabulous bathroom and forget about the world outside and chant ....



" this election is not happening, this election is not happening, this election is not happening.... "

Sarah Palin's Office - Killer Decor

Horrible design, but a great view from her office.

I am not surprised at all about all the 'KILLS' displayed in her office.
...just another example of her great timing. Wasn’t that speech great !

I refuse to post anything so ugly on my blog.
But you can read more on Sarah Palin when you click on the picture, it is an article from

The L.A. Times

CLOCKS ON WALLS

Try a wall of clocks for fantastic impact in a room.
You can manage this look whether you are contemporary/modern or traditional.
Do it.
It will make such an impression that your guest will be 'WOW ed' !!

It will be fun collecting them on weekends at flea markets or little resale shops.
Fall is coming and that will make it even nicer to find your very own clock selection
down little country roads or in little towns.

Only one thing.............you just might want to disconnect the chimes unless you like that
"ding dong, I am going crazy" sound.