Where “Satchmo” Lives

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Vintage4YourHome

I have to admit I’ve been in a slump these days – well not a real slump – but just pretty much taking my time, not being rushed or putting myself on time frames. I’ve been watching The Ken Burns Jazz Series. It’s featured on Netflix and if you get the chance to watch it – I highly recommend it. As I watched, I reflected back when I had the opportunity to tour the home of Louis Armstrong. The excitement mixed with anticipation made me feel like “gitty-little” girl waiting to open a present. I was just completely overwhelmed with joy as we rode to Corona,Queens, NY. Louis Armstrong was my first introduction to Jazz and I love his music and here I am.. en route to his home. We pulled up to the two story brick frame and I felt a tingling sensation all the while thinking – “WOW” – (hindsight is 20/20 – I wish I had started my blog back then.. I’d have pictures galore to show you..) But since I didn’t, I’m sharing some pictures I pulled from various websites to give you a glimpse of what I saw.

This is Louis Armstrong’s humble abode;

The living room was so finely decorated with embossed wallpaper and trinkets purchased from all over the world where he traveled (I love the artwork!!)

The kitchen equally beautiful, was state of the art for that time period. I fell in love with the blue enamel kitchen

Take a look at this stunning bathroom. The ceiling and walls were all mirrored and graced with solid brass fixtures and marble tiles. This bath was befitting for the king of jazz and one of Louis’s favorite rooms.

The office is where Louis comes alive. As you enter you’ll hear a recording of his voice in the air.. having conversations. It was almost as if he was there. The door you see here leads to the balcony where Louis would go out and serenade the neighborhood… (could you imagine how awesome that must have been!!)

The master bedroom, simply exquisite and tastefully decorated with embossed wallpaper and matching blinds

The master bedroom closet was very spacious and uniquely designed.

And this is the adjoining master bath

The garage was converted into a museum and gift shop where you’ll find all his clippings, albums, writings, and Louis’s collectibles.

The King’s prized trumpet rests in it’s case.

Now they offer summer jazz concerts inside his Japenese inspired garden

I never had the opportunity to see him play live in concert, but after taking this tour, I felt that I had connected with the man who revolutionized the beautiful music of “Jazz”. Leaving the home with eyes moist of joy, my soul had been satisfied.

I hope you enjoyed the quick tour of the lovely home Lucille created for her and Louis. With the joys, laughter and wonderful music, this is the place where they lived until death did they part.

If you ever have the chance to visit New York, by all means, head over to Corona and take the tour because there’s so much more to see. You can read more about the house on the museum’s website here and booking a tour here. Louis Armstrong may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. His legacy of wonderful music was an inspiration to many and will always live.

“He inspired thousands of trumpets, inspired countless vocations, enchanted millions of friends, who quite simply, listend. For me, he’s the epitome of the kind of American who goes beyond the rules, a truly good and original man” – Duke Ellington

That Little Basket!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Vintage4YourHome

I was a kid watching Abbott & Costello, when I first Ella Fitzgerald sing this song. Today, as I listened to her sing this kiddie, joyful song of her little yellow basket, it brought me to post about these once used tobacco baskets. The tobacco basket was used until about 1980, to display tobacco taken to market. The crop is grown throughout North Carolina, primarily on family farms. According to the NC Dept. of Agriculture, North Carolina farmers today produce approximately 2/3 of the US crop of flue-cured tobacco.

After sorting and grading, the leaves were tied into “hands.” A hand of tobacco weighed about 1 pound if made of tips or lugs and about 2 – 3 pounds if made from cutters. A hand of tobacco is a group of leaves tied together at the stem end. The end is wrapped in another cured leaf.

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The hands were then laid in the tobacco basket in a circle with the stem ends pointing to the outside. The baskets were then loaded and taken to the tobacco warehouse where they were sold at auction. Today these baskets are used for more decorative purposes.

Placed neatly behind this lamp – it makes for the perfect backdrop

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Very creative way to display the modern deerhead

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The entryway was accented with the basket above the table flanked with candleholders

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Here it makes for excellent wall art in this bedroom

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A wreath made of cotton is attached to the tobacco basket and hung on the outside of the home

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When placed behind the mirror, it gives the mirror more eye appeal

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and the perfect accent for a country kitchen

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Tobacco baskets are old and some are even broken, but they still offer an array of ways to decorate with them. They may not be the type of basket Ella sings about but, it’s the basket I chose to write about. However, if I found Ella’s basket I’d like to give her this and say “Thank You” for making a beautiful music.

Lovely Lavender

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Vintage4YourHome

Although it’s not Pantone’s color of the year, I’ll say that Lavender remains one of those soothing colors that makes any year a good color for me. With hues that reminds me of the aromatic scent of wisteria, it simply entices the eyes and create a relaxing effect. Through its gentleness – it packs a powerful statement in a room. The softness makes it versatile and blends with almost any color. When my mom asked me to help her decorate her living room, that was the color that immediately came to mind. It simply reminds me of her personality. My mom is a gentle woman who doesn’t speak in high tones but her volume speaks through her softness. This post showcases her lovely, lavender living room, designed on a dime…featuring vintage re-styled furniture. Welcome to Mommy’s house…

The furniture pieces are vintage french provincial items that have been loving restored. All of which came from yard sales, thrift stores and roadside finds. The pair of chairs were purchased from a moving sale for $40.00. I had them re-upholstered with this lovely lavender damask fabric.

The upholsterer did an absolutely a fantastic job making them new again. Completely tufted and well cushioned, these chairs are so comfortable.

Her sofa, purchased at the same moving sale for $50.00, was upholstered in an ultra-suede deep plum. This sofa was a true bargain (the cushion is 100% goose down feather stuffed) and completely comfortable.

With catching fabric on sale, buying the furniture and paying the upholsterer, her set was under $500.00. The frame for this artwork was a flea market find for $25.00. The lithograph by artist Ellen Powell-Tiberino, was professionally matted.

The ottoman – another yard sale find for $5.00 – reupholstered using leftover fabric from another job was an added bonus with the complete set.

Her coffee table – found as is – on the street…(it was great night of bulk day hunting treasures) $0.00

It was a miracle finding all these pieces (made of fruitwood) in such great shape but at different times. You know my motto – Patience is a virtue.. eventually it’ll turn up..

The space is accented with vintage crystal candy dishes, thrifted candle holders and other thrifty finds to create the finished look.

Visiting mom is always a joy, and her living room gives everyone a welcome feeling. Her heart is just as sweet as the candy she keeps the candy dishes 🙂 . Since I welcomed you into her home, I’d like to introduce you to my Mom… (picture taken 2 years ago when we celebrated her 75th birthday and I love this picture- she was so surprised)

By looking at her, do you think her living room reflects her style…. 🙂

Chair Me Up!

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Vintage4YourHome

Well I’ve had a good long weekend and it’s back to the ole drawing board.. as the DD commercial says.. it’s time to make the doughnuts” as I drag myself out of bed. I always reflect back to when I first saw this piece of art that reminded me sooooo much of myself on Monday mornings. It’s called Blue Monday by Annie Lee. You can see more of her artwork here.

I hope I’m not the only one who has this feeling on Monday (Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday & Friday) mornings.. chuckles..I’m just kidding … Ok, ok… moving along… It’s been a while since I’ve posted something for my Monday Makeover and I’m excited to show you this one. Over the years, I’ve met quite a few chairs that I hold dear to me and this is one..well… was one that I’ve waited quite a while to do anything with. When I first saw Clarissa.. (that’s the name I gave her… means gentle) – I know – call me crazy.. but I’ve come quite attached to some of the objects around the house and I figure since they’re in the family then why not name some of them.. chuckles.. My husband just shook his head when I said meet Clarissa..( in other words.. I’ve gone coo-coo for coco puffs..) LOL!! Well if an artist can give his paintings names.. then how come I can’t give my furniture names.. right?? Ok.. now.. when I first saw Clarissa, she was a poor lost soul – very gentle and delicate. She had been left unattended and stripped of her cloth baring her insides waiting to be covered up. I could tell she was once a beautiful creature, gracing a lavish home (at least that’s what I imagine). Her curves were none like I’ve ever seen in my travels and I really wanted her. She belonged to a dear elderly antique dealer/friend name Joyce, who kept her for a very long time waiting to get her repaired. Joyce had so many beautiful chairs and she kept saying she’ll have it done eventually. Well sad story is that Joyce never did have her done and unfortunately she’s ill and would not ever see her again. I held onto this chair since her illness tucked away in my storage. I finally decided to take her out and bring her back to life .. Here she is ..

Just a s shell of her was all that was left.. I can’t imagine how someone could mistreat such a beautiful object.

Judging by her stuffing – of cotton and horse hair – she was made in the early 1900’s – so this chair has been around roughly 100+ years.

But I guess considering her age, it’s a blessing she’s still standing.. (God knows I probably won’t be standing at 100 years – chuckles). I pulled her out of storage and made up my mind to finally get her done. It is her time to shine again and grace the home of a loving owner – ME! And here she is.. Meet the NEW Clarissa

I tried to save the bird fabric on the back but it was too damaged and dry rot.

I even searched for a fabric with a bird backdrop but couldn’t find anything pleasing to my satisfaction. I just decided to go with a patterned back and a solid ultra-suede (although it was velvet on her before)

All in all – I’m very pleased with her new look

If chairs really had souls – I think she’d be smiling at her new look and pleased to feel back at home

Welcome Home Clarissa!!

Glad to have you join us! I’m sure if Joyce could see her she would love her. I hope you all are pleased with Clarissa’s new look as much as I am.. and if so.. holla at your girl! Happy Monday and enjoy the rest of your week.. Smooches

It’s Your World!

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Vintage4YourHome

I hosted a NYE party for the first time since living here and as I was preparing the table and foods, I had the music playing to get the vibe flowing through me. As me and my mom danced around the kitchen to “house music” this song came on and I said – I must share this with you. Even though the words are pertaining to a relationship, it doesn’t matter because the meaning of the title says it.

It’s 2015 and guess what…! It’s your time to shine, It’s your time to make it happen and it’s your year to do You! because guess what – It’s your world.. As we ring in the new year filled with new beginnings, we reflect back on the mistakes we’ve made and learn from them. We think about what brought us joy – and we keep doing it more..It’s all in what we call the book of life. We are born and then we die.. the dash in the middle is what me choose to do to make it our world. Of course there will be moments where you’ll second guess yourself, that’s natural, but guess what, if you mess up.. just do it over.. and over and over again until you get it right.

As Steve Jobs quoted: Your time is limited – don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important – have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Live your life to the fullest, let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and remember to create a world around you that makes you happy. You’ve only got one life to live.. Make it count! And in the process, remember to dance – dance and dance… even if you get sore (like me), then praise God thanking him for making it all possible.

As for me and resolutions, I don’t make them because the reality is.. I don’t keep them. However, every year I promise myself to make each new year a little bit better than the last. Some how, some way, every little bit helps.

Now — let me share my little creative moment I had while preparing the table. Remember the vintage glass swan collection. I needed some dip bowls and looked at them and said “hmmmmm”…why not? Here they are..