Friday, September 3, 2010

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from years of providing a comfortable place to land, the herbariums hinting of the aunts' background, but never looking outdated.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!

24 comments:

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

This is one of my fav movies of all time, I've rewatched it over and over and the best part I liked about it...the antiques of course and the fact that most came from Sue Balmforth's shop, Bountiful Antiques in Calif. Would you believe, from what I understand, that the furniture was then auctioned off, boy would I love to have been there.

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Ya know I just recently saw this movie for the first time and I'm putting it on my birthday list!! I LOVED that house!!!!!

Hey, girl, you have LOTS to contribute and you throw the bestest PJ party!!!!

xxoo

Olive said...

You are so right about this movie. It is the SET that is magical. I could go that way with my creep old dark house but am too tired to try. hugs darling♥olive

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

The set for this movie was mezmerizing for sure.
What a great post. I can just see you in the la-bore-a-tory....with all your glass beakers boiling over. I can see misty white puffs everywhere while you brew up some stop-in-your tracks decorating ideas!

hugs
Sissie

Debra@CommonGround said...

Yea Debbie, glad you caught the inspiration bug today!!! I saw this movie, only last year and I did the same thing. LOVE LOVE that set! This was very close to the type of furnishings my grandmother had. I remember an old dark red horsehair sofa she had had from the 30's. exposed carved dark wood, not victorian, but dark in mood. I've loved that look ever since I was a kid. I guess that's why I haven't pitched out all the dark wood in my house.
The conservatory really IS magical. Love the vines growing all around the room.
Thanks so much for joining in today, love you big bunches. And we know that inspiration is just oozing out of you girlfriend, so keep it coming!
xo,
Debra

sweetpea said...

oh my goodness what a surprise that we would both love the house in this movie! i love the house, the decor and the clothing that the aunts wear in this movie. love it all! best of luck with the contest, you're a shoe in, I mean a boot in... Teehee!

see you soon!

shelley

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Debbie,
I couldn't agree more, I think that house is the prettiest set houses ever! Love it, thanks for putting it my mind again... I will probably move every bit of furniture in this little house before the weekend's through.

Happy weekend!
xo~Tracie

Malisa said...

I remember the conservatory from that movie! You know what you need to make your "creepy old house" perfect? Lurch! :)

MAL

Laura said...

What a great movie that was- I loved the scene where they were dancing around the kitchen.
The conservatory is amazing-
and you inspire us all everyday.
Woohoo!

Laura

Mindy said...

I am not a movie person, but I do see "you" in every single pic, so, I'd say you "got it". It fits you well and you "do it" beautifully! ~Mindy

Carole said...

I think I've seen that movie 20 times! They were going to do a second one but it never happened. There was a whole website devoted to that movie...kind of a PM groupie website but I've long lost the link. Isn't it sad that they demolished the house after the movie. The garden they said was all fake flowers..incredible huh?
Great inspiration to do this post on.....and wonderful to find out the history to your decorating style.
xx
Carole

AuroraSuzette said...

Oooh that house, that set, yummy. I'll have to check that movie out again as I can't remember it. Love both those actresses, but not as much as you, sweetie!!

Sue (Vintage Rescue) said...

You are channelling me, for sure. I've never seen the movie (but now will) and have been thinking of changing up my house. The new inspiration: the October issue of Country Living. OMG. Two houses I would DIE for. Go get it, and you'll see what I mean! I'll be blogging about it tomorrow...... XOXOXOX PS Now I know where you get some of your booth ideas!

Janet said...

if you hadn't just told me the story, i would have thought the movie was inspired by you and not the other way around! i definitely see your style in the pics but i think you upped the anty!

Jena Williams, Not So Shabby Interiors said...

Ok, now you have inspired me to see the movie because of all of the beautiful pics you have displayed!! Loving every single "Look" as you have great style!!

Tammy said...

Love this movie and the house too!
I just found your blog ( thru Debra) and love it!! You are a hoot!
Please visit me over @
http://junkwildnc.blogspot.com
Happy Blogging!
Tammy :-)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Hello there I too just found you from Debra and love your site.
I have collected junk from Round Top/Warrenton for 30 years it seems. I only live 13 miles away in Burton.
Looing forward to being your newest follower
Love
Maggie

the old white house said...

Loved all of the pics, but after reading your post and some of the comments, I am sorry to say that I have never even seen this movie! I will be putting it on my netflixs list! I loved what Elizabeth said about you, it had me grinning from ear to ear! And your display is just sooooo cool, and I think she does look like she was too tired to get her other boot off and wouldn't a handsome cowboy be perfect right about now? Theresa xoxo

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Oh, Deb, I saw that movie last year because someone on a blog had said it's a must-see and I LOVED it. The most amazing house, non? I'm thinking maybe I should buy it so I could enjoy it over and over again :)

Bonnie said...

Hi Deb, I saw this movie fairly recently and fell in love with it and the house! The house is gorgeous and I loved the aunt's costuming as well.

~Bonnie

Unknown said...

Yes, yes, yes, the set of that movie was spectacular!!! I LOVED it too!!!

Hope you had a good Labor Day weekend Debbie!

Hugs ~

:) T

Anonymous said...

You do know there is a Practical Magic party coming up don't you? September 25th. It's on the sidebar of my blog. With you loving that fabulous house you absolutely have to join us. xoxo

I have been out in the garden taking photos of Bobby G.'s buried cowboy boots. LOL

Pam @ Frippery said...

Oh girl, We are soul sisters, That is my and my daughter Sadie's favorite movie of all time. That house is my dream too!!!! Hugs and wishes for magical days, Pam

red.neck chic said...

See? Yet another reason I love and adore you... ONLY my FAVORITE ALL TIME MOVIE EVER!!!

;-D xoxoxoxo
robelyn