My New Obsession

A few months ago, I was shopping in one my favorite thrift stores and found a single gold glass that looked like one of these below.  I bought it for $1.00 or $2.00, I can’t remember.  The gold was sort of worn and I loved the vintage feel of it.   I thought it would be cute  to put flowers in.   A month later, I ran across an entire set at the same store, some had different patterns than I had seen before.  They were in great condition.  All the glasses were marked on the bottom and I was trying to find out what it meant, since I had never seen it before.  I had no idea who made them and when they were made.  I decided to go for it and bought the whole set.   I figured I would use the large one as a vase, the tumblers as vases or drinking glasses and the small ones for tea lights or drinking glasses (I multi function my glassware).  I just loved the glasses and had to have them.  Here’s a peek at a bunch of them piled up in my hall closet (I’m running out of room for all my glasses and mixed matched plates).  Fast forward to the photo below this one……

A few months ago, I get my issue of Architectural Digest and I’m flipping through the magazine, when I see this picture of Claire Weiss’s Apartment in NYC (see below).  Everything came to a screeching halt.  I read the article cover to cover hoping that they would share who makes these glasses since she had such a large collection of them.  There was nothing.  Since I can’t remember what issue I found this photo in you can see view the article here.  I decided to take a chance and email AD to see if someone knew who made those glasses.  I received a prompt email from Robert Rufino, Interiors Editor of AD.  He advised me he checked with Ms. Weiss and that they were called Shoji.  With a little more research, I found out that these were made by the Imperial Glass Company who produced these glasses between 1965 and 1979.  I was so happy to learn the source of my glasses so I could collect more.  In all my years of antiquing and shopping, I had never run across these.  I got an entire 15 plus set including the large vase for $75.00.  I just saw the vase on eBay for $1400.00 and the tumblers are selling on replacements.com for $25.99 each.  I’d say I got a bargain.  I’m in love with this bar and how she displays the various patterns.  Now I’m on the hunt for the other patterns and the ice bucket and decanter.  If you want o send me something for Christmas here you go, LOL!.

I was at my friend Nick’s house the other day and she had a bunch of trimmed kumquats in a little vase.  I commented on how cute they looked and she said she had a whole bag of them. I took a whole bunch of them home and filled four of the tumblers on my dining room table (see the photos below).  Next week it might be peonies and the following week it might be sparkling water for a dinner party.  Either way, I love the versatility of the glasses.  If you spot them on your travels let me know, I’m on the hunt for more.  I love a great bargain and I’d say I hit the jackpot on these.  Now, I don’t want to be fighting you on EBay for these!  LOL!

I can’t help but smile when I see these kumquats in my bargain tumblers.  Stay tuned Peggy & Fritz will be opening a little online shop in the upcoming months full of my thrift store bargains.  Why shouldn’t we all benefit.  Also, if you’re on Pinterest, stop by and visit.

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Photo 2:  Thomas Loof, Photo 1, 3-5 by Peggy & Fritz

Peacock & Beale

I was walking downtown Essex and stumbled upon this refreshing store.  What I mean by refreshing is… it reminded me of something you would see in LA or New York.   Essex never had a lot of home accessory or interior design boutiques but if it did, it was full of chachkies, a Yiddish word for what I call, dust collectors.  Peacock & Beale is the perfect combination of old and new, very eclectic and well merchandised. After doing more research (I thought I would make a good PI), I discovered the owner, Connie Beale was an interior designer, who began her career in Houston working for Bill Francis & Associates and later moved to Greenwich, CT where she started her own firm Connie Beale.  She has been featured in many publications such as Veranda, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Interior Design, etc.  She has since expanded her business and it looks like she brought amazing her talent to Essex, lucky us.  Her store is so beautiful, it reminded me of a lovely, comfortable and well lived in home.  All it needed was a sofa and I would have curled up with a good book and never left.  Take a look for yourself.

Love how these containers for sale are displayed with Rosemary and Ranunculus.

This was my favorite display in the store.  Filled with all kinds of fun vintage finds.

Interior design books displayed beautifully on this lovely table.

I’ve been on a bird kick lately.  Don’t know why but these made me happy!

These  stain glass windows flanking the cashier table looked lovely with the sun streaming through them.  Great way to display them.

I have a thing for tall ceramic or porcelain lamps.  I was drooling over this lamp. Unfortunately, I was so busy taking pictures of the store, I forgot to ask how much it was.

  My rival in college.  But it looked so cool hanging down from the cabinet.  It should say Northeastern University :)

Grain sack pillows.  Love the ones with the monograms.  I just bought five of these at the Long Beach Flea Market last month for my outdoor chairs.

All kinds of vintage finds sprinkled with lovely new pieces.               Make sure you stop in and look around.  Essex is a wonderful day trip if you live in New England.  Lots to see and do.  This is a definite don’t miss for anyone that loves design.

  

Peacock & Beale

21 Main Street

Essex, CT  06426

Phone:  (860) 767-1682

www.conniebeale.com

 

Photo Credits:  All photo’s taken by Peggy & Fritz. 

A Little Twist on Southern Traditional

I have been sick for the last week.  Between the tissues, Nyquil, Advil sinus pills and coughing, sniffling, and sore throat, I have gone into hibernation.  It’s very rare, even when I’m sick to stay away from email, even for work but this has knocked me on my behind.  Today was the first day, I had the energy to pick up something to read.  I came across this article in Southern Living on designer Angie Hranowsky and a house she did in Charleston – I found it refreshing.  Southern interiors are not unusually my personal style.  I can appreciate them for the high quality furniture, textiles, etc., but it is usually a little more stiff for my personal taste.  What stood out for me in Angie’s design for a couple in Charleston is her traditional style with a little twist.

There is nothing like a porch.  I don’t understand people who have them and never sit on them.  I drink my coffee on mine, read books, or just want to enjoy the silence of the morning.   I love Southern porches especially this one with it’s high ceiling and oversized shutters with pillars.  Looks heavenly.  I could imagine growing old here.

The living room below says classy and timeless with it’s formal look lightened up with interesting art which tied into the colors of the traditional carpet.  I love the quiet elegance of this room.  Formal without being over the top.

 

This was exciting for me to see a traditional table that you would normally see with matching chairs paired with Chinese Chippendale bamboo styled chairs.    Great use of color on the walls paired with abstract art breaks up the room that could normally feel stale.

 

An unexpected embroidered suzani found on eBay adds art, texture, and a pop of color to the bed.

Well it’s time for a dose of Nyquil.  Hope you all have a great night.

Wonderful Weather

As you know, I am behind on reading blog posts and won’t be caught up for another week.  I wanted to do a quick shout out to Rebecca at Acanthus & Acorn for including me in her stylish blog awards.  I feel grateful to be in her list, which includes some fabulous bloggers and wanted to say thank you. Make sure you visit her blog which covers food, entertaining, lifestyle, design, etc.  I just found out that her husband’s parents were named Peggy & Fritz.  Isn’t that crazy?  For a little history about my blog name see Peggy & Fritz listed under Labels.  It will give you a an overview of the name and the faces behind it.

On to my blog post!  As most of you may or may not know we have been having the most incredible weather here in Los Angeles.  At the beach, it’s been in the 70’s.  We’re finally having the summer we didn’t have.  All this warm weather has me feeling like spring cleaning  (I know it’s only January) and sprucing up the house.  This weather has got me thinking beachy, white, fresh, clean, etc.   A little inspiration to get the creative juices flowing.

Isn’t this the sweetest little cottage?

Photo Credit:  House & Garden Australia

 

Photo Credit:  Country Living

Photo Credit:  Real Living Australia

Photo Credit:  Country Living

Photo Credit:  Country Living

Photo Credit:  Country Living

Photo Credit:  Country Living

Hope you all have a fabulous week.  For all you East Coasters, I’m sending you a little sunshine. 

Lovely Pink Interiors

I’m a little under the weather and my blogging brain is clogged. Today, I don’t have much to say, imagine that?  So, I will leave you with some some beautiful pink images that just make me feel happy.

Photo Credit:   Stephen Clement

Photo Credit:   Ann French Co.

Photo Credit:  The Eclectic Life

Photo Credit:  New Homes Developers

Photo Credit:  Vogue Living Australia 

Have a beautiful and blissful day!

All Things French

Parlez-vous Francais?  Oui Oui Mademoiselle, Et Merci Beaucoup.  I had to get the correct spelling from my French speaking friend, Kirsten.  When she speaks, it sounds so beautiful.  I don’t understand a word of it.  I can’t speak a lick of French.  However, lately I’m obsessing over French country homes.  While Italy is my passion and all things Italian, minus a few things which I will keep to myself..I found myself going stir crazy in the rain we’ve been having.  For this reason, I’ve been watching marathons of House Hunters International.  This past weekend there were two or three episodes of Europeans looking for a house in the South of France.  I remember traveling to Paris and just falling in love with the textiles, dishes, etc.   I can only imagine what the south of France looks like.  Here are some images that have me swooning.

I could buy this vineyard for sale for 399,000 Euros.  I can imagine sitting roadside sipping my coffee and chatting with folks passing by…or opening my windows overlooking the vineyards…or sipping wine on the back terrace.  Ok time to wake up.

Imagine pulling up to your house with these beautiful flowers and how could you not love those blue shutters. 

This is an actual cottage from My French Country Home.  Simply darling.  Imagine waking up to that everyday.

A house for rent.  Can you imagine this as your home.  I need to hit lotto.

While I’m out of my shabby chic phase, I do have to admire this quiet elegance with comfortable soft linen fabrics and beautiful cottons.  I do like this for a rustic farm house.  I would replace the white cabinets and armoires with something in a pale blue to add a hint of contrast.I can envision myself gardening and working in my vineyard and then curling up on the the white sofa reading a book sipping tea in the morning and champagne by night.

The photos above and below are where I would entertain my new friends.  Lots of cured meats, champagne, red wine, a crunchy banquette with local cheeses.  I can imagine interesting conversation and learning French with the locals.

Photo Credits:  All Interior Photos by Gilles Trillard 

This is how I would set the table for the holidays with all vintage glass pieces and dishes that I picked up at the local flea markets.  Informal with a hint of elegance.

I love all the monogramming on these vintage linens.  I would do all white bedding with monogrammed euro shams. 

Photo Credits Linens:  Campagne-decoration

I can picture myself riding into town on my cute bicycle.  Picture a fresh baguette and cured meats and cheeses in the basket on the way home here.   All the things I need for my dinner party above. I’d pick some field flowers or fresh lavender roadside along the way for the table.

Indulge me.  Officially, it’s a fantasy.  We didn’t win lotto tonight, which means I have to go to work tomorrow.  Ok, back to reality.

What do you think of my house?

Feeling Cozy

Happy New Year everyone.  I hope you all had a fabulous New Year.  I’m looking forward to 2011 and sharing with you my goals and aspirations for the New Year.  Today it’s raining here in Manhattan Beach.  Like New Englanders experiencing lots of snow, we have had our share of rain to the point that this girl who craves it periodically, is like ENOUGH!   However, it has afforded me the opportunity to catch up on all my TiVo, movies, and magazines that have been piling up over the last few months.  I get every home magazine known to man, even styles that are not my esthetic.  I think it’s important to stay well versed and well rounded.  I found this charming space in Traditional Homes November issue…I was surprised since most of their interiors tend to me more traditional.  I found this house warm and cozy and of course, I’m a sucker for white painted high ceilings. See below and let me know what you think.  I love her mix of traditional and classic with ethnic pieces in her living room.

This room feels fresh to me.  The furniture is timeless and I love the pop of color.  Paint is one of the great ways to make a room feel updated and as colors and trends change the furniture remains classic and you can change the paint color.

For the beach girl, this would be my ideal type of kitchen in our beach house.  I appreciate the red, however, I would have likely done some variation of sea blue.  However, I love this white kitchen. For a small space, I love how it functions and the high ceilings.

This is my ideal bedroom.  I know for some. Boring but for me it feels so light, clean, etc.  Love the dark vs. the white.

Anything with white marble…you’ve sold me.

The charming little sitting area at the top of the stairs is warm and inviting.  I think a window seat would have looked great here, what do you think?

All Photos:  via Traditional Home and photography by Joe Schmelzer

Looking forward to the New Year and sharing it with you all!