Reclaiming the Edge

One of my favorite materials is wood. Its natural warmth is an important element in the aesthetic I try to create in my home. I've been thinking through what kind of kitchen table I want. We do have a kitchen table currently, but it was left here by the previous owners. I restained the table top and painted the legs, but it's not my "forever" table. I like reclaimed wood for its ecological aspects, for its weathered appearance, and also because I love having pieces with a story and a past life. I also like wood pieces with a natural edge. A raw edge of wood tells the story of wood's past life as a tree. I did some searching on Etsy to find pieces that inspire me. Barnowlfurniture has this beautiful salvaged cherry dining table. The cherry planks are from a hay loft floor from an 1886 barn. Woodfromthehood has this walnut table with natural edges. I love that the top is one solid piece with the natural craggy parts of the wood. This reclaimed wood dining table is closer to square, and has steel legs. Found at surthrival. lorimerantiques has this great farm table with contoured edges above. The grain and finish on this harvest table from dreadnaught gives me visions of the 100 year old barn it came from. chicbycristinia has this lovely, solid farmhouse dining table. This time of year I would scatter leaves around the place settings. Check out the great color on this reclaimed oak and cedar table from greenfootfurniture above. I want to pull up a chair to this farmhouse table from blackberryfurniture. I'm swooning for this walnut table above from rerunzvintageshop, and the family history of the piece makes it even more special. But let's say we're not in the market for a large, family dining table, but we still want reclaimed or natural edged wood to warm up our indoor spaces for Fall.

The natural edge on this oak side table from project2501 has great knotting to run your fingers over.

Above, TRUECONNECTION has this cute little reclaimed cedar end table, as they say - it's perfect for your book and tea.

I need something like this mulberry hall table from Finewoodworks behind my couch, but I could never hide it behind a couch!

Love the exquisite wood grain on this butternut side table from 60nobscot.

Maybe we're not all in the market for a big table, but there are plenty of options to bring home beautiful wood pieces in smaller forms. Woodswise has this ash live edge mirror with some of the bark retained. I think it would fit in perfectly in my foyer.

Reclaimed = cool. Reclaimed fencepost = incredibly cool. Fence post bowl by Underwoodturning.

I'm falling in love with this cherry wood natural edge server I found at sowabisabi. Malachite fills some of the natural cracks in the wood.

MarkMay's recycled timber frame is a perfect touch of warm woodgrain for your home.

This cherry bottle stopper stops my heart. Find it at dfuss.

There is spectacular wood grain on this oak bowl from holzfurhaus.

Digoto has great pencil cups, like the one above with a natural edge and made with maple.

This cherry root bowl's raw edge demonstrates exactly why I like all of these pieces - just look at the richness of the bark left on the wood. Found at ddwoodcreations.

ADrauglis has live edge shelves like the one above in apple wood. I'm already arranging vignettes in my head...

I've been working on this post for a few weeks now, never quite having the time to pull everything together. But then earlier this week I saw the bowl above at Target. I have to believe that it's the Etsy artists who are on the forefront of interior design, and not me. But it is funny when I feel like I'm noticing a trend on Etsy, and then I see it in the mainstream retail world.

For Joy

Quote of the Day

"I strongly feel that a broken pot has fulfilled its role better than one which has never been used." - Ralph NuaraExactly.

Early November Bounty

I recently brought home a bunch of pots that I had glazed. Here's a preview of something I'm working on for the shop... They're wall vases that I will sell with wire or ribbon to hang. I signed the back near the holes. I trimmed the bottoms to be round, so they don't like to stand on their own, but they hang nicely. They will be great for air plants (pictured), for rooting, or for keeping anything small hanging and handy. I have a significant quantity of these in the pipeline, and they've been a lot of fun to work on.

I also recently learned how to make plates.

I really like how the glaze turned out on the two below.

Yes, Virginia, There Is An(other) Election

Unlike most states, the Commonwealth of Virginia has an election every year. For those of us in the public service and political worlds, it can be exhausting to have continual campaigning. For those "normal" people who don't pay close attention to what we call "off-year" races (when it does not coincide with a Presidential election), it can be downright annoying. (Re-elect McCheese campaign poster from Laceybabe.) Members of Congress are elected every other year. With all that campaigning, what else can they get done? For that matter, what DOES a congressman do? (Find out from Vivalasvintage's book above.) Ah. Of course. They play pinochle. MyWagonette has these vintage Congress playing cards.

But look, someone has to be willing to take a relatively low public servant's salary. Colvin Butler here is experienced and dependable. And his county has the best name - Otter Tail County. (Campaign blotter from VintageLibrary.)

And think of the generations of effort it took for us to give everyone the right to vote. (Vintage suffragette postcard from PaperFranks.)

Learning about your candidates for elected office may not be convenient, but as Winston Churchill said, Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. Think of how lucky we are to have a hand in choosing our decision-makers and leaders. (Humphrey and Muskie campaign button from vintagejudy.)

It is a priviledge to participate in our government. (Voting delegate buttons from TheLovelys.)

WE choose who populates our halls of government, who resides in Governor's mansions, and who may continue their service, or be asked to step down. (Capitol building bottle from surfacetoairmedia)

There are public servants at every level whose fate rests in our hands on election day. (Campaign poster from MyWagonette.)

When they are counting the votes, I encourage you to be able to smile to yourself, knowing you participated in our government. Because voting isn't just a right, it's a responsibility. If we choose not to participate, we may as well revert to some other form of government that is easier to administer. And those of us whose lives change every election can get some rest. (Vintage ballot bag from SalvageNation.) Seriously, if you live in Virginia, take a moment to learn about your gubernatorial candidates, Lt. Governor candidates, Attorney General candidates, and the candidates who are running for your Delegate seat. And go to your polling place on Tuesday to cast your vote. I could tell you who to vote for, but I think that would defeat my point...

Shop Update

Vintage items added yesterday (in between monsters ringing the doorbell)!

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos

(Ceramic skulls and cross bones I made from an ice cube tray mold, painted with black underglaze, bisque fired, and glazed with clear glaze.)