Spellbound

I'm not one who usually participates in link parties. Why you ask? Well usually I have nothing to contribute...BUT...when I saw this one Debra was hostessing I thought "Why the heck not?" I may not be inspirational, but goodness knows I have been inspired. In fact, there are two women who I consider my muses. One is a Texas legend and the other a rock star in our world. When I started going through my style file looking for every thing I had torn out of magazines on these two over the years, I found myself heading in a different direction. (Surprise, surprise!)

Suddenly I was thinking about the magazines themselves that helped to define my style when...SQUIRREL ALERT!

It hit me as to what I would like to do for my first foray into Debra's VIF!

What better way to kick-start me off (with fall and Halloween just around the corner) than with one of my favorite movies or rather I should say, my favorite movie set of all time! In the fall of '98 I was a shop owner in Lindale Texas trying to figure out what best suited me. Shabby Chic was just taking off and so was the cottage look, but let's face it...while I love pink...it doesn't always love me. Love to look at it...just don't want to live in it. Around this same time I also happened onto my two muses through some special magazines. I could feel I was nearing my goal of what appealed to my eye when...KAPOWIE!

I saw this little movie and was instantly hooked. I found myself drawn to the dark side of decorating (and I don't mean Darth Vadar)! Loving Victorian and primitives... these were my people.

Oh mylanta...this house! You'd expect a creepy old one wouldn't you? Just one reason why I love these sets!

I tell y'all...I had to watch the movie three times in a row to even know what it was about...I kept getting so distracted by the furnishings. The timeless appeal of worn furniture, subdued lighting, aged leather softly cracking from years of providing a comfortable place to land, the herbariums hinting of the aunts' background, but never looking outdated.

The conservatory just took my breath away. I had to pause the movie to sit and try and memorize every detail. It became my purpose in life to seek out and purchase every beaker I could find...which I did! There wasn't an apothecary jar or Bunsen burner that was safe from my ruthless quest to duplicate this in some way.

Beautiful doors framing a garden hugging the sea. I was mesmerized, hypnotized and continually fantasized about living here!

I knew this was "grown-up" furniture and I loved every piece of it...still do. I'm drawn to the dramatic when I'm out hunting for things to sell. Sometimes people get "it" and sometimes they don't. All I know is it's a love affair I've had going on now for twelve years...and I don't see an end to it any time soon!

I want to thank Debra again for this wonderful idea and believe you me...I've got plenty to talk about in the weeks ahead so stay tuned!

Next week: How I Found My Muses

P.S. Disclaimer: I haven't actually won Elizabeth's wonderful, friendly contest, but I've got my eyes, toes and everything else that I can cross...crossed!