As always, a bittersweet moment as we depart one home for another. This post is really for me, to remind myself that while I didn’t do anywhere near as much work on the house as I’d planned, I did get some things accomplished in addition to finishing the bathroom (almost). And as I head back to Tokyo, I know I’ll need little reminders of our beach house goodness for sustenance.
First up, the Sonoma bookcase all filled up (mostly). I have never been as happy with a mass retailer/catalog item as I have been with this one from Ballard Designs. And I am not the only one liking it as yet again I have spotted a pair of them in a high-end design, this time the Nate Berkus designed brownstone for Katie Lee. They really are versatile and great value for the money.
My girls scoured the attic for my gardening books and we added a few other vintage wooden delivery boxes gleaned here and there. And I still cannot believe the way the television fits – as if it was custom made for it.
The bottom section has been filled out since my post on hiding all the cords and the electronic components are basically unnoticeable. I need a few more good coffee table size books which I may have to steal from my shelves in Tokyo this winter.
The top is filled with pretties, gardening books and good reads.
Added some special Japanese details to the downstairs bath, including fishing floats…
…and a big collection of kashigata that look like coral patterns on the ledge above the built-ins.
Didn’t hang any of my lovely Japanese hanga (modern woodblock prints) above the sideboard, but the longer they stayed leaning there, the more I liked them just like that. And I had planned to have the big wire basket full of dried hydrangeas by now, but no matter what I did, I failed on that front. If anyone out there knows the trick to drying them, please let me in on the secret!
I tried early in the summer and filled it with blooms, but they just shriveled and rotted – no drying! So sad, because they were so pretty!
Close-up you can see my $2.50 William Yeoward-esque decanter – garage sales were very very good to me this summer.
You’ll notice you never heard anything about the kitchen. The truth is that with kids and constant house guests the DIYs are hard to get to. But my palette of cream and white, with texture and mixed metals remains unchanged. Tried the water technique for drying hydrangeas too, but it didn’t work much better.
I always find the stained glass door in the dining room ironic, because I had already picked the color palette based in some part on my Aesthetic Movement transferware even before seeing it, and it could not have been more perfect. Most of the stained glass in houses around town is combinations of bright red, blue and yellow. Obviously this was my destiny house.
A few gifts and trips to the Ladies Auxiliary book sale filled out this little bookshelf at the top of the stairs. The larger artwork is a 19th century Japanese land contract that I bought for the equivalent of a dollar at the Tomioka Hachiman shrine sale and framed. Sharp eyes will recognize a few other Tokyo treasures.
Little girls grow up so fast…
…the bigger girls too. So luckily both of their rooms are close to complete.
The search for master bedroom night tables continues. I had seen some cute scalloped ones here and here, so I picked up this pair for $50, thinking I would paint them. But they are still too low and very blocky and square – the lamp on the stacked books looks cute for styling, but is actually like that for night time reading practicality. The only real decorating mistake of the summer.
More etched mirrors made their way to the wall…
…the Louis XVI-style oval from the bathroom has a great new spot, better suited than its old one, mimicking a favorite Charlotte Moss dresser and mirror combo. As for the lack of lampshades here and in other photos, still waiting on my custom ones after a year, but that is its own story. Just try to imagining one on this lamp made with green marbelized paper, meant to look like malachite…
…and the French chaise found its perfect fabric – a European style ikat from Lee Jofa called Lambelet Stripe, picked up here for a song.
Nothing big changed in the guest room, just a sweet little chair…
…and some sweet little welcoming details, like these vintage wooden shoe lasts and child’s slate.
And someone wrote to ask about the upstairs hall bath which I never mention, because it came to me pretty spot on. Just a coat or two of Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue and it was good to go! Maybe some artwork needed?
Well goodbye New Jersey summer! Hello Tokyo! I can hear the shrine sales beckoning…
feltsocute
Looks incredible. I may abandon my little island and come live at your beach house!
I love all the tiny touches of Tokyo you incorporated. And I definitely love that vintage camera I spied!
Tokyo Jinja
The camera is definitely an homage to you! Miss G found it at a garage sale for $3 this summer.
George Fukuda
It all looks amazing! Love the glass in the door! Your palettes are beautiful. Re hydrangers: Cutting too early when the colors are …dare I say it boastful doesn’t work. Let them age slighty on the plant, drying out a little naturally, cut as they change in color. You can also dehumidify them. You’ve done a sterling job Mrs.Wein! sterling I say!
Anne
I’m confident you will figure out the flower drying, and when you do they will be perfect in the wire basket which you lovingly and safely transported. I love that sideboard vignet. You had quite a successful summer, By the way, the stain glass is gorgeous!
Carol Livingstone
I always dry hydrangeas (and most other flowers) by tying a group of them at the base of the stems with a rubber band and use string to hang them upside down in the garage or shed. The rubber band holds the stems together even after they shrink from drying — if you use only string, the flowers will fall out of the string as they dry. Because they are upside down, the heads will dry upright on the stems. The strong blue/purple/pink colors will fade to parchment, but the flower form will remain.
Tokyo Jinja
I tried that method too with poor results. Maybe it’s just me? Tried to stop by and say goodbye but you weren’t there. Have a great rest of summer!
Carol Livingstone
Maybe it’s the hydrangea variety — I grow tree hydrangeas at home in Illinois, and they may be more woody. If I think of it, I’ll dry some over the winter and bring them back next summer.
I’m sorry I missed you!! If you’re back over the holidays, send me a note, I may be in NJ then too.
Angela
Jacqueline, I love what you’ve done, it looks beautiful! The wallpaper in one of your daughters rooms is beautiful, it looks like wild flowers and the fabrics that you have used around about too are lovely. I tried to click on the link for the Lee Jofa supplier without success. It’s hard to find inspirational fabrics here in Belgium like you do in the US and would love to know of an online supplier that would ship here.By the way, loving the item you purchased from OKL via Charlotte Moss, fits beautifully, is it as beautiful as it looks on here in real life? Can’t wait to here your new stories about finds etc back in Tokyo. x
Tokyo Jinja
Thanks Angela! I don’t know why the link doesn’t work, but you can search directly at http://www.insidefabric.com. And the grey piece really is as lovely in person!
for the love of a house
So Pretty! Love the painted stairs. I remember talking about that. Everything looks so good. It must be so difficult to leave. Love the large float at the sink- I might have to borrow that! Hope your p.ivy is better.
j.
Is It Copy Cat Chic? Or Is It Just Copying? | Tokyo Jinja
[…] A Television Solution From My Notting Hill and Ballard Designs All Tied Up…Power Cord Bundling So Long Summer…Vignettes and Views Around the House Just in Time…Last Piece of Cream Hibiscus Branch From Aleta On the Blind’s Side…Sudare and […]
www.wallstickersd2u.co.uk
Useful info. Lucky me I discovered your website accidentally, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened in advance!
I bookmarked it.