Can you imagine ever feeling so passionately about your home that you perceive it as both a parent and child? A friend from work and I were discussing this quote and she said that her mother, who grew up in England, believes that Americans are very house proud. But I think we, versus the English, have a different type of house pride.

Think about it… the American dream is owning a ginormous house which signals our ascent to wealth and success. It’s living in a showcase of our own reflection, a testament to our good taste. In essence, we own our homes, they do not own us.

I read an article a few years ago in which the author wrote that he was simply be the keeper of his estate. He was the guard for this generation, responsible only for seeing that his children would takeover that role someday. He was almost a slave to his home, it owned him and dictated certain aspects of his life

But maybe this isn’t a cultural difference. Perhaps its just when you inherit a home or antiques with great significance, whether historic or sentimental, you feel a connection unbeknownst to others. It can’t be that the home is a burden to you, but that its value and importance almost surpasses your own. Is that totally crazy?

I’m curious, what do you think? Do you own your home or does it own you? Is it a burden or are you its guardian?

Duff Ramsey, Stephen Ramsey’s great nephew, moved to Buckingham County, VA from Manhattan in 2009. Ready to put down some roots and eager for a project, he fell for Prudence House, a charming home that was originally used as a law office back in 1850. After an addition in the 1930’s, the home had not received any further updates until Duff eyed the potential this historic gem offered.

The front door—decorated with a simple, sturdy brass knocker, picked up in a Santa Monica antique shop—beckons me to knock thrice, eager to see what treasures await inside. As I enter the hallway, I’m immediately captivated by walls covered in plaster lathe waiting to be plastered, a collection of colorful antique doors stacked along one wall and the most hilarious vintage neon “Triple Treat” sign left over from a Time Square adult club that had closed down. Duff wisely snagged the sign when he was hired to renovate the club into a new business.

The tour officially begins with a greeting from Delilah, the sweetest Neapolitan Mastiff. With a bone waiting in my purse for her, I quickly make a new friend. Duff hands me a glass of homemade dandelion wine and we gather around the table in the drawing room, munching on fresh fruit, settling into the groove of the afternoon. Taking in the space, I begin to relax and immerse myself in the history surrounding me. There’s an antique bed waiting for a nap (a fabulous find); a cobalt blue wood burning stove that provides heat for the whole house; a pile of old wood scraps that will be dispersed for different projects; an old sailing photo; a gorgeous, circa 1810 china cabinet, updated with columns that were added around 1890-1910, that serves as both a storage and a display piece; and an oversized quarter that was used to advertise for 25 cent peepshows, also snagged from the Time Square adult club.

Enticed to peek into the kitchen I am immediately drawn to the whimsy it exhibits. My eyes dart all around capturing as many details as possible, initially landing on an old copper ladle hanging from the ceiling, filled with homegrown peppers and local garlic; then taking in anchors suspended from an old jewelry maker’s bench, supporting cookware; a horseshoe for good luck; an old mask peeking down from the rafters; and a bowl full of corn picked from the backyard. The most intriguing repurposed item is a safe from the 1750’s and was likely used for a jeweler, banker, or goldsmith and now provides extra counter space and storage.

Across the hall, the master bedroom has the coziest feeling. With exposed beams and an inviting hearth, the furniture arrangement makes me crave a good mystery book, an old quilt, and a cup of hot tea. The room is furnished with the sweetest daybed (formally a child’s bed), antique dresser, and wing chair (that Delilah has claimed as her bed) and is simply accessorized with a sailboat pencil drawing, old top hat, work boots, an old wooden candlestick, and a dream catcher.

With admiration for the slate-shingled shower Duff designed and installed, a long, hot shower is what comes to mind.

Heading up the steep stairs to explore, I’m curious about the collection I come across in the guestroom. An old toy plane, a bird skeleton that was found on the property, a whale box, and an old photo all gather together on the mantle. The most enthralling lamp I have ever seen—a handmade family heirloom made out of a variety of old bullets in varying sizes and styles—sits independently on the middle of the floor waiting to be placed in the appropriate spot. With the range of unique items grouped in this guestroom, I can’t help but want to touch everything.

Out back, the patio and garden are playfully quaint. Keystones are used as the patio steps and a large collection of antique bricks from the 1700’s await to find their place amidst the patio floor. Homegrown vegetables and herbs fill the air with a rustic fragrance and miscellaneous items are repurposed as garden décor.

With my eye being drawn across the yard to the vintage 1968 hardtop Bowie Ford in 70’s green, I can’t help but think how stylish I would feel while cruising through the town. Duff, with ongoing projects in every corner, has taken the time to restore the 1968 engine, replacing the transmission suspension and the brakes and keeping the Bowie driving along smoothly. Next time I’m expecting a ride.

Just beyond the patio is one of two cabins original to the property that had been standing until strong winds blew it down. With the logs already conveniently numbered, three weeks is Duff’s estimated timeline to add pine floors and complete the restoration. It could become the perfect space for an artist studio, potting shed, or more appropriately, Delilah’s haven.

Saving the most magical part for last, Duff introduces me to Mir. Looming in the background, her presence doesn’t go unnoticed. Mir is a breathtaking English Channel Cutter from the 1890’s and is named for Duff’s Grandmother, Miriam. Finally getting the boatlift completed, Duff has hoisted her up and is concentrating on refinishing the deck. Mir is serenely waiting to return to the sea for her next adventure, having previously explored the Northeast coast.

Wrapping up the tour, we refill our wine and head next door to the neighbors’ house for a bonfire and cookout. As darkness sets in, I snap a few more pictures. I then hit the road for the hour drive back to my hometown with tunes cranked loudly and farmland rolling by, daydreaming about the history lesson I just received, the wonderful collection of antiques I experienced, and the simpler means of living a country life.

Duff & Delilah, a great duo, the perfect hosts. Thanks for the hospitality. I can’t wait to see the completed project.

Spoon Chandeliers via Renest and Rue Magazine, Rolling Pin Sconces via EE Jewelry, Plastic Spoon Chandelier via KitchAnn Style, Tin Pendant Light via Mint Design Blog, Funnel Pendant Light via Sweet Paul, Salt Shaker Lights via Surthrival , Decanter Light via BootsnGus, Grater Pendant Light via LampGoods, Grater Candle Lantern via Style Me Pretty, Colander Pendant Light via Boelie Design, Tin Pendant Light via Flea Market RX. 

Hi, I’m Joana from myseastory, and I am so happy to be participating on Sentimental Salvage today!

It’s been a year since I moved from portugal to turks and caicos, I remember doing lots of planning to bring with me every little thing that I would need and wouldn’t be so easy to find on island. I knew there was no Ikea, no Crate and Barrel, not even Craiglist or Ebay…

But I brought only what I really needed, and after finding a home and settling down I began to feel the urge to fill the empty walls of our Caribbean home – so this is where I am at the moment, in the process of this challenging project.

A few weeks ago I found this map print through Black Eiffel and knew I had to have it, it is so simple and would give a happy touch to my home. I used an old frame that was still inside a box and it fit perfectly – now it reminds me of all the places I still want to travel to!

xx Joana

If you like it too, you can also download another version of this print for free on Angela Hardison’s blog.

Thanks Joana! 

Images via My Sea Story

Antique Iron Gates via Burke Antiques, Antique Tractor Stool via Quintessentia, Antique Leopard Print Stool via Artobject Studios, Books Handmade Weddings and Wedding Planning for Dummies, Wall Sconce via Victorian Country Chic, Bedding via Dwell Studio , Images not to scale

Another dining experience I’m coveting is a trip to Faviken in northwest Sweden.

Picture this… a working rustic farm is the middle of nowhere, where food is treated as it should be. Ingredients served at the appropriate time of year, all elements of the meal foraged on the farm, hunting as a part of meal preparation… with an end result of “real food” served in a sparely decorated restaurant for only 12 lucky diners each night.

You can tell that the food and other experiences take center stage and are what makes Faviken so special. I had to dig to find pictures of the other spaces on the estate but they were not lacking in charm or beauty. Apparently, you can’t go to dinner without staying the night – it’s actually that far away from civilization. 

If you want to read more, Bon Appetit featured Faviken back in September. I think the appropriate word for Faviken is magical. 

Images via Bon Appetit, and Faviken.

First, the Park Avenue Armory itself is a place of splendor. The bride in me thought “oooohh, this would be a perfect place to get married in that navy Monique Lhuillier dress I was drooling over the other day” (the realist in me has a feeling that would also be out of my price range.) The arts patron in me decided I’d settle for seeing an aerial dance company perform there. And also, isn’t it nice to see this NY relic get all spruced up, decked out, and used for a good cause? 

If you’ve read Elle Decor you’ve probably noticed those stylish living rooms that include a tailored couch with oversized photography hung above. Let it be known that if I’m ever destined to have such a space, this is the image I’d want at center stage. Reading up on the image I learned that the shoot occurred pretty quickly because the building was already being dismantled when the photographer Ormond Gigli envisioned the shot. It is quite stunning, isn’t it?

Image via Peter Fetterman Gallery

Posy rings are my new favorite. They are simple gold rings engraved with a sentiment. Hmm. Hello, wedding band?

Image vis Les Enluminures

Wow, you can see where my head is… the cabinet below from the Robert Young Gallery, which was one of my favorite displays, shows a couple courting, then engaged, then on their wedding day, then married. I really loved the hand painted stripes in their display booth. 

Images via Robert Young Gallery and my iPhone

Now this is a cool story:

“In 1970, a 14 year old boy rescued an Album of drawings from a trash heap… He kept it for 36 years. The album consists of 283 drawings done on both sides of ledger sheets, each bearing the name of the hospital , State Lunatic Asylum No.3, Nevada, Mo. They were sewn into a beautiful, hand made album”

As it turns out, the identity of the artist has only recently been discussed. The artist is Edward Deeds, Jr. who was committed for life at the age of 17, in 1925. 

Images via Hirschl and Adler Galleries

Liz O’Brien‘s display was one of the few that featured a sort of modern Hollywood style. I find the images below on her site, and I’m sneaking in the green chair, even though it’s reproduction, because it’s AWESOME.

Images via Liz O’Brien

Saw this painting at the show and left a tiny piece of my heart with it. Is it a surprise that I like flowers when they’re a little more dark and moody? Let’s call it soulful. That chair has plenty of soul itself. Man, I wish I had more rooms to decorate! 

Images via L’Antiquaire

We saw this one sword at Peter Finer that was probably larger than both Em and I put together. One question: how did people hold those things? There must have been a whole leg of knight training dedicated to just standing up. I much prefer this delicate German kids sword… ahem, kids sword?!

Images via Peter Finer 

Just because I’m a sucker for a slab of wood table. 

Image via Moderne Gallery

And finally, Hostler and Burrows. I’d made a note to myself to talk about them, but I can’t remember what in particular I liked. Then I looked on their website and saw these chairs through, “Who cares what my original intent was… these chairs are rockin!” 

Ya’ll, it’s the weekend – have a good one!  

Images: File Cabinets as Kitchen Island via Oh My Goods, File Cabinets as Planters via DesignSponge, File Cabinets as Desk via Oh My Goods, File Cabinets in Bedroom via Rue Magazine, File Cabinets Under Bed via DesignSponge

Like many twenty-somethings who have relocated to cities far from home, I‘ve had to furnish my new digs (or, to be accurate, my room in the apartment I share with two roommates) on a budget. IKEA bed frame here, CB2 vase there. When I first moved to New York, my financial restrictions combined with a paralyzing fear of bed bugs (no thrift store décor for me!) caused me, more often than not, to shy away from all things used, and settle for unoriginal.

So when Erin invited me to contribute a Sentimental Salvage, I initially drew a blank. The only items I’ve salvaged have come from Anthropologie sale racks, I thought. Then, I remembered.

I brought these pieces of dishware – a stout little sugar bowl and a striped soy sauce dispenser – home from a recent trip to Japan. My mother, who’s in the process of cleaning out my grandparents’ house in Tokyo, saw me admiring them one morning and encouraged me to take them home.

I don’t know the history behind them, but I love that these pieces — that once sat on my grandparents’ kitchen shelf in Tokyo — now have a home in my New York City apartment. My grandmother was a legendary cook, so I also like to think that maybe, just maybe, some of her culinary know-how will rub off on me when I use her things.

These pieces, though small, are part of my family’s history. I think they’re beautiful – I especially adore the colored stripes – and they bring to mind many happy memories of meals I’ve shared with people I love. I’m so happy, and so grateful, to have them.

Absolutely beautiful! I, too, adore those stripes! Thank you Shoko!

Images by Shoko

“We danced our youth in a dreamed of city, Venice, paradise, proud and pretty, We lived for love and lust and beauty, Pleasure then our only duty. Floating them twixt heaven and Earth And drank on plenties blessed mirth We thought ourselves eternal then, Our glory sealed by God’s own pen. But paradise, we found is always frail, Against man’s fear will always fail. ” – Veronica Franco 

The feeling: Venetian overload
The elements: anything gilded or handpainted (with gold)

All vintage and Italian… Striped Rug via American Textile History Museum, Gondola Chaise via Hudson SuperMarket,  Handpainted Venetian Stool via John Jay Gredler, Vanity via Joseph Anfuso, Vanity Mirror via Verruno Antiques, Literary Classics via VandM, Screen via Lamberty