My parents were wicked antique collectors, so I know where to get them. Interior design is a new adventure for me. I’m living in my first “adult” apartment. This is a 600 square foot one bedroom unit. what i share my boyfriend and our two cats. A year later, we’re still figuring out what we like and don’t like when we look at the things around us. That said, I love our closet and seeing all the spooky and fun stuff we have to start our day.
hand
It all started with a novel ceramic ashtray shaped like a cupped hand. I think I bought it at a flea market when I was in high school. One ashtray turned into three, and now there are over 15 people! I love these things, they’ve become a humorous staple of my bedroom decor, and I keep them in everything from jewelry (obviously) to odds and ends like old dice and devil figurines. Honestly, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that ashtrays make great all-rounders. They have minimal personality and humor.
sardine box
Another moment that makes a bowl a vanity staple is a ceramic sardine box that holds hair ties and loose buttons. Why sardines? Well, the trompe l’oeil element is nice enough, but I think the shape and placement of the sardine as a sort of handle is too good. This was popular on the Victorian table and ensured that the salty marinated fish remained moist. I love anything that elevates the humble, like sardines.
candle
You’ll notice quite a few empty glasses that once contained Diptyque scented candles. I’ve only had the pleasure of being on fire about five times in my life. In fact, most of the glasses marked ‘Santal’ were found in boxes abandoned on the roadside of Borum Hill. I know one of these could sell for $30 on eBay, which is a good score to say the least! Here are some of my favorite candles and scents that I replenish every year (when possible).
• Cade Labs – You can only purchase it at Le Labo stores in New York, and you must inquire directly. This is the official perfume of the Gramercy Park Hotel, one of my favorite places in the city and where my “blogging career” began. That’s for another post.
• Catbird Ghost Rose – I actually have the full size of my neighbors fig tree as well but this is a real slap in the face at any time of day.
• diptych lease and/or Chêne – Chêne (aka Oak Tree) is my favorite tree. I think it smells more like firewood than Feu de Bois.
• Arizia Candre Wilfred Candle – Well, I don’t think this is available anymore! Aritzia used to produce truly wonderful candles, each one atmospheric and made in France. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that they no longer make the product. It was an unrivaled product in terms of price and quality.
• St. Rita Parlor Incense Cone – My boyfriend bought this on an outing and burned it on his special day. It’s spicy and moody, and it reminds me of him.
bell
Speaking of candles, I don’t have many candles on my dresser in this photo, but I’ve become a huge fan of cloches as an accessory to keep and preserve scents fresh. Plus, they look like they came from a classic French apothecary or a strange museum.
“Book” box
The book-shaped cardboard box with Venetian paper corners belonged to my stepmother. After she died I inherited it. I’ve always loved how she uses it as a jewelry box, where she keeps delicate and special pieces.
Dried Magnolia Tree Seed Container
This is from Edward Gorey’s Tree. i love him love him his houseIt’s on Cape Cod. My aunt lives about 20 minutes away from there, so every time I visit, we make a pilgrimage to Gorey’s house and go on a Gashlycrumb Tinies scavenger hunt.
Necklace holder (used for sunglasses)
My porcelain hands hold all the jewelry I want…well…I hold them in my hands. So, instead of using a necklace holder for the purpose, I use a T-bar shape to hold 3 to 12 sunglasses, and when I’m bored, I tend to pile them up without thinking. Some opticians may suggest storing your sunglasses in a case like an adult, but I always choose to keep them visible. Plus, I like the idea of picking sunglasses like picking fruit from a tree.
toiletry tray
These days, I’m going to wax poetic about my favorite perfume. Anyway, I keep most of my collection in my closet and organize it on wooden trays to keep it tidy. organized houseThis is your suggestion. I also keep a sample bottle of perfume in a delicate glass that I bought at a clearance sale in town three years ago.
my pentax auto 110 camera
My best and smallest film SLR camera. You can read about this amazing and attractive camera here. here. They have a great history and this was given to me by my father for my 23rd birthday. I also have a small lens kit and a manual 12 second timer for it.
I added my windowsill friend Sanjay the rabbit and some plant scraps I got from my aunt as bonuses.
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