antique | So Pretty is as Pretty Does.

Apr 26

Style Goes on Forever.

Like gorgeous spring days, it feels like you can never appreciate good neighbors enough. We had wonderful neighbors during the first two years in our first home. A friendly older couple and with around 170 years of living between them, it’s no surprise that both Mr. and Mrs. M led extraordinary lives. Mr. M was a WWII Prisoner of War and was one of thousands in the Bataan Death March. Mrs. M was a photographer and artist who added color to black and white pictures before cameras had that ability.

In the past 12 months, both Mr. and Mrs. M passed away. We’ve missed having them next door – I learned something new every time we talked. Their daughter came by yesterday to tend to estate matters and asked if I’d like anything to remember them by. Even with Mrs. M gone, I’m still learning more about her – she had great style.

Past + Present = Easy Art

In so many aspects of life, it’s important to find a way to balance past and present – whether in your relationships, your wardrobe (still waiting for the right moment to break out my scardigan), or your home.

Our house is a few months shy of being a centurion, so I try to respect its age while maintaining a semi-modern style. This very easy $15/15 minute DIY art piece is a great example of how past and present can be a perfect pair.

Here’s what I did…

Update: A new coffee table

As promised in yesterday’s post, “A new coffee table! Sort of…” my new-ish coffee table is upright, in place and the glass seems really secure. The beauty of designing this little space is that the display case opens and closes easily, the contents within are by no means permanent, which is sort of liberating. I love creating vignettes throughout the house, but I sometimes agonize over decisions because I once I design a space I feel like should stay that way, at least for a little while. But, the display case can be ever-evolving – like a mini-gallery, and I like that.

I used some really neat graphic art supplies and drafting sets that my Dad and Granddad used when they worked at the Newport News shipyard. This arts and design theme is a great reminder to stay creative.