Chandeliers at Beach House 27

Beach House News & A Cool Old Prep Table

2011-06-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

So glad you stopped by today - grab a cup of my new favorite coffee, Hazelnut....it's so good, and I'll show you what's been goin on around here -

I've been working on my on line shop - I'm adding pages of...Chandeliers, Kid's Lights, Lamps, Beach Shop, etc... hope you check it out when it's ready -

Bought this old stainless restaurant prep table at a garage sale recently, and a few blocks later I found this huge wood and metal bottle rack. I moved the cabinet that was on this wall - stuck this table in its place, hung the wine rack (no bottles yet because it's still teetering on 2 little nails) and I think I like the change a whole lot.

Stacked the big old white porcelain cooking and serving pieces on an old wire rack right next to it - I use these all the time and they're not easy for me to store, so this works -

This bottle rack may have to take on a whitewash at some point...I think. It's metal and wood, once it's painted there's no going back...The green is a bunch of mint from my garden...best heartiest thing I ever planted, it grows like a weed and adds the most incredibly delicious scent to my yard and home. Free.

Some old blue canning jars, candles, shot glasses, a wire stand, old milk crate, vintage weathered wicker basket, an old champagne bottle box holding my tea light stands, and an old french aluminum ice bucket.

Mr bh remembered our Anniversary and brought me home some big white china mums - they were beautiful and lived for over 3 weeks - I think these are now my new fave...

Cool old Dress Form from the 1930's will be in my online shop - as well as the old white folding chair with the pie top seat -

Gathered up some old galvanized buckets for the next Rose Bowl Flea-M and maybe a few will show up on my Vintage Garden Page...

Love this old wavey aqua glass bowl - I found it with a bunch of large aqua glass balls and a bunch of green glass balls strung on ropey wire...couldn't resist the watery glass and the sea colors -

I'm hoping my new mural will be finished tomorrow - I'll be showing it before the paint is dry!

Today - I'm hittin my teeny tiny closet for some reorganization therapy, and giving a set of 4 old white metal chairs a beach house makeover -

It's Jen and Ryan's 1st Anniversary... Happy Anni You Two - Love You.

Going to a Party here

Going to a party here
And I'm Partying here too

Chandeliers & Sunday Dinner Table

2011-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

How the heck are you. I've missed you. Think about you all the time.

My life is now out of Rehab and I'm Living It. I like it. I miss my kids living here, their voices around me, their skateboards and surfboards, purses and shoes, forts on Sunday mornings and all the chaos and love you can imagine. I even miss their laundry...the done Laundry.

So, I live for having them here on the weekends to cook, eat, walk and play, and I've really been enjoying doing some table foofing for them using newly found treasures -

And when they leave, Mr BH and I enjoy cleaning up and talking about them...

We're still out hunting down parts and pieces for Chandeliers all the time, I haven't taken enough photos of Chandeliers - I always forget, and some Chandys just fly out of here. If you're local come see us at the Rose Bowl 2nd Sunday of every month - Row W5. (Hello 49 Plymouth, Tess, & Mindy)

But here's some that I remembered to photograph - and some tables I had the camera handy for.

Cool old Clarinet Chandelier

A few lights waiting to be picked up and a few waiting to be packed up...

We duck and slither between Chandeliers all the time...

Old French Bistro Set that I found at a Hollywood Estate Sale - it was pink!

Coastal Passover!

My neighbor brought me these beautiful flowers from her garden - perfect for last Sunday's BBQ Dinner

Used these new to me old blue dishes on Mother's Day

One more thing on my WANT TO DO list is organize this blog better - how do you keep your photos organized?

Do you do Flicker or PhotoBucket or something else?

Thanks for coming by today - I'm having a good life with A Beach Cottage - Good Life Wednesday

Going to Party Here with Funky Junk Interiors

Marsha

A Beach House Chanuka and A Jar Lamp

2010-12-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hello you guys -

Hope you are all enjoying the winter/holiday season. I love winter, I love cold weather, I love the bare tree branches and the leafless boston ivy on the weathered fence in the backyard. I love rain boots, and hoodies, umbrellas and big totes to carry it all in.

Mid December and we have warm weather - actually it's hot. I shouldn't complain, it's great for my business at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and it's great to go garage saleing every Saturday morning, but still I hope we get some cold days so we can break out the boots and jackets.

We had a great day at the Flea Market yesterday - meeting people, talking, selling my thrifty finds, talking about treasures and decorating and styling, and what other people have in their carts as they stop and roll and stop and roll. Mostly we love showing our Chandeliers - MrBH says that I love a compliment as much as a sale, not quite - but almost!

I'm taking photos of Chandeliers today, some that already sold, but I gotta show you what a man passionate about creating Chandeliers can come up with.

For many reasons, we're doing a low key holiday this year - I made a donation to every request for Missions and Holiday Meals we got in the mail, I'm taking Gift Certs to the Dog Rescue places in my area, I give a dollar to every cause at every grocery checkout and I put money into the Salvation Army Santa everytime I pass him. Always a few bucks to the homeless and hungry at the freeway ramp or wherever, it's small, but it's what I do.

I went gathering up in my own stuff, stash, and traveling shop to come up with a few things white, wintery, and sparkly. No big gifts for the kids this year either - each got a hoodie, they already have every i-thing invented and I've asked them to donate this year too - so we've donated as a family and we all like that very much.

We had a small Chanuka dinner last Sunday, and even though we try to have dinner together every Sunday, I tried to special it up a bit. We had our favorite Cranberry Chicken, potatoe pancakes, applesauce, lemon brocolli, a bottle of wine and a Challah that we all pulled from. Apple Betty for desert with vanilla ice cream. My son Tony brought a new girlfriend and I was glad that Jen & Ryan could meet her, get to know her, and like her as much as we do. We'll keep our fingers crossed...

Here's the Mantel in the Family Room - simple and to the point.

Here's the Mantel in the Front Room - first thing you see when you walk in the front door -

We lit the Menorah and set it on the kitchen table in the window. I found this gihugeant old Menorah while out thrifting a while back - gave it a couple coats of white paint and I'm happy - she's cool.

MrBH made this little lamp the other day - I said I needed a little lamp in the kitchen, he took one of my old blue mason jars full of white shells and I got a new/old lamp. Love it.

Be happy.

I wish you all Peace and Love

Hooking up with Kelly's Korner

Partying with Julia too!

Beach House Kitchen & PEACE on the Mantel

2010-11-27T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hello from my Kitchen Sink -

I Won! I Am So Happy!

Thank you Roberta at Tresor Trouve

These Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazines arrived so fast and in perfect condition.

They are incredible and I love them.

Thank you again, so much!

Check out Roberta's fantastic blog, you'll be glad you did.

Boy has this been a different year and Thanksgiving was really different! My newly married daughter went to Oregon where her inlaws live, and I missed her cooking right next to me, decorating the table with me, preparing and serving and being my right hand. I know she was a big help to her mother in law and showed off her talents and made me proud, but I missed her so much and Ryan too.

Everything else was perfect!

MrBH and son are on a 2-Day motorcycle run and I have the whole house all to myself

all weekend. I'm gonna blast the radio on the oldie station and do some gardening and painting -

But first, I've been puttering around inside, sweeping up, clearing off, getting rid of, and prepping for the winter - my favorite season. Before I get into all the projects I've got lined up - I snapped a few photos in the kitchen and added a few pics at the bottom that I took yesterday -

My little 1940's Kitchen - all original cabinets, galley design -

The cabinets were all built by the original owner and I swear his wife must have been my height - I changed all the knobs and pulls to old glass ones -

Our view from the sink and from the kitchen table is the front - I love that.

Kitchen Table is an old cement garden table - I see the glass needs to be pushed over to the left a smidge. I'd like to change the covers on those chairs - it's white vinyl, but kids always told me the vinyl felt so cool on sunburn legs I just keep it on. Pretty easy to wipe clean too.

This old stove came with the house - she can cook!

Driving Pacific Coast Highway - I couldn't resist...

Love this PEACE Christmas Window - the Peace signs are all silver balls and the Pyramids are all shells - everything else is white and amazing.

Check out this cool huge metal peace sign inside the store hanging over a bed, that's a pillow below it -

Bye for now -

L O V E

2010-11-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

I am filled with gratitude today and everyday.

Today, I am calling people that I love just to tell them I love them.

And from now on, I'm going to do that more often.

I'm also going to write more notes - they're such a pleasure to receive.

Thank you blog friends - I appreciate you more than you can imagine.

How I Hide My Trash

2010-11-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

Helllooo - Come on over, it's a beautiful day. I'd love to tell you about the Rose Bowl Flea Market last Sunday, and show you the Chandeliers I'm beading - but this crazy Gate made my day!

That's my little old cottage -

I turn into my driveway - that's the detached garage at the end - and even when the Aggies are blooming and the ivy is thriving, and the green is lush, all I see is the trash.

I've seen some great ideas in magazines and other peoples homes - we just never did anything.

The other day we were walking home from our favorite cafe taking a shortcut through the alley when we saw this leaning up against a pile of rubble.

I was thinking I could use it IN the house somewhere - it is white, I could write something on it, just lean it somewhere - but this is where I really need it. I just didn't realize how much I needed it.

In front of the trash cans - a Trashy Gate.

So we put it on a wide concrete stepping stone, secured it to the fence. Done.

And now this is what I see when I come home. Yes.

And for Free.

I'm coming back with a post about this magazine rack -

and a post about a lucky find - this Pair of Beach House Arm Chairs -

See you - Thanks for all the very kind comments about Jen's Wedding.

Make it a great day - I'm joining Faded Charm's White Wednesday Party

Jen & Ryan's Wedding

2010-10-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

Jen & Ryan's Beach Wedding -

The Chuppa is my Grandma's Tablecloth - we had bamboo poles in old french buckets, topped them with chandelier bobeches and an old glass doorknob. I beaded 5 long strands of white beads and crystals for each bobeche and old very long crystals from my other Grandmas Chandelier. My brother performed the marriage ceremony - which was really special for all of us and so heartfelt - plus he was really funny and made the entire ceremony more memorable than you can imagine.

They did the mixing of the sand -

The Programs - we added a vintage button to each one...

Love this Cake - My neighbor owns the local bakery that is out of this world - I knew they would nail this cake and they did - I was beyond thrilled. I found the vintage wood Sea Horse at a yard sale $1 - it has a plastic base and I'm pretty sure it was a canister lid - I added the rows of rhinestones.

Jen & Ryan with their Wedding Party - I've known these girls since they were little and I love them so much - that's my son Tony on the far left, and the guys are Ryan's best buddies and brother -

So Cool

But they just had to be real -

Personalized Water Bottles on the beach -

Bride and Bridesmaids bouquets were Calla Lillys - Jen's had some special little
momentos sewn onto the braided white satin wrap on hers- and the guys all had minis -

Candle Holder with the date in vintage rhinestones -

I washed and ironed 150 vintage damask Napkins - added a ring of crystals to each - and boy did they get commented on...

We put Orchids in the glass containers and filled them with sand -

Lori & Tim Prepping while we were on the beach...

We had the entire yard fenced in and hung 44 sets of Ikea curtains on bamboo rods attached at the top - the breezes were perfect!

We had a swag of whitewashed driftwood to sign - it's hanging in Jen & Ryan's home now

It was a perfect night -

You can kind of see we had the whole yard fenced in and hung white sheers from Ikea all the way around the yard on bamboo rods - it was so great when the breezes would billow out the curtains -

The morning after...the kids all stayed at a Hotel and then they came home for a brunch with about 40 other friends and family -

Thanks for looking at one of the best days of my life -

Now back to the kitchen blog and a blog about the incredible chairs I got at The Little French Flea Market over the weekend...

Marsha

Jen's Beach Wedding Vintage Rhinestone Centerpieces & Candle Holders

2010-10-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday to ya!

Here's what all the Centerpieces looked like for a week before the wedding - it was like living on an orchid farm and little by little all of our regular everyday stuff got stashed making room for everything wedding.

Two days before the wedding we filled the containers with sand so you couldn't see the pots insisde at all - during our 'Morning After' Brunch we emptied the sand cuz I think the sand was suffocating the orchids. Bought the orchids at the Farmers Market and they were gorgeous!

We had so much fun making these - a few months before the wedding I started to buy up all the glass containers at the Thrifts and we decorated them. They cost me like 2.99 a piece. We wrapped them in twine (got a huge bolt at a garage sale for a buck) then we lined the twine wrap with rhinestone trim, and added vintage rhinestone jewelry and shells to each side. I've been collecting vintage rhinestone jewels for as long as i can remember - brooches, necklaces, earrings, shoe clips, sweater connectors, bracelets, and buttons, and didn't know it, but this was what I was saving them for....

Started off with this mess - bringing all the little drawers out to the table to figure out exactly what to do!

Went downtown and bought these bolts of rhinestones

separated and organized everything

painted and decorated the shells too

then decorated all 4 sides of the vases

we used these shorter and taller containers for candles and flowers all over the place

Two nights before the Wedding we set up the tables and started checking stuff out

Our vision was coming alive - I was standing on the band's stage...

NOTE: About a month before the wedding, we decided to paint the kitchen. Can you imagine? We emptied the entire kitchen out, laundry room too, lived with everything spread across the dining room and further, painted and spruced up, then put everything away with 3 weeks left till the wedding. Crazy, but so worth it!

I'm blogging that right after this...

Jen's Beach Wedding & Freshening Up The Little Bathroom

2010-08-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

I'm just diving in because you gotta start somewhere...

I've lurked around your blogs during the wedding prep mostly checking in in the middle of the night when many times I awoke in a panic and had to look through stacks of papers to make sure I had paid some bill or turned the sprinkler off in the back. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was forgetting something - all the time.

Jen's Beach Wedding was perfect, I'm a happy Mom and I love Ryan very much - this couple got it right. We planned and prepped the Wedding and at the same time spruced up this old place on a $0 budget and had the biggest blast of our lives. We did it all at the same time, that's how we roll better under pressure I guess - no time for being confused, disappointed, or pissed at anything including how much things cost.

I left you at sending out the Invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding. We shifted into high gear and of course I got some orders for Chandeliers and sold some furniture so I had to continue to take care of biz and while biz has been slow - it picked up - wouldn't ya know it, and we needed the $$$, so late into the night I was beading Chandies, and mr.bh was in his studio wiring em up.

Once biz was under control, I started with painting the little bathroom. The vanity countertop was ugly yellowish marble that I painted about 13 years ago and it needed a freshening up too. The floor was green stone tiles with cement grout and I decided to paint it all gray. I was unsure how but determined - and figured if paint didn't work - I'd get a rug.

Now that I'm looking at these pics I'm thinking I should add a little color on the raised panels of the vanity doors - yeah? Hmmm.

I used Porch and Patio paint from Home Depot and got a can of light gray mixed up - perfect at the store, but at home it was too dark so I added some white for a lighter marine gray and it was much better. Phew! Done.

I used Epoxy paint on the marble sink top - love it, and you would never know, and it takes wear, tear and abuse - 13 years worth.

I used a nice wide brush, and it worked! Much better - don't you think?

Ok one project down...a ton more to go.

Photo of the full bath tomorrow -

AND the Wedding Centerpieces tomorrow...

Every night after dinner we'd meet out on the porch for a much needed glass of wine or a couple shooters to discuss the dailys and plot the plan for the next day. PS We agreed on most things, disagreed on some things, but the only thing all of us ever argued about was the GUEST LIST. Enough said.

Thanks for not forgetting about me...and if you're here come see our Chandeliers and everything Beach House at the Rose Bowl every 2nd Sunday of the month.

See you tomorrow with our Centerpieces, Candle Holders - and then the Kitchen Sweep Up.

Marsha

Beach House Bath - Painted White Tiles & Closet Markers

2010-04-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Beach House Bath. One of my favorite bloggers, Sarah over at a beach cottage, was blogging about painting bathroom tiles and asked for comments if you've tried this before - I've taken the plunge - many times.

Here's my bathroom now after a complete makeover on a tight budget a few years ago. No before photos - but it was built in the 1940's so you can imagine it was really tired. The tiles in the shower and on the countertop were peachy/pink with grey trim and we painted them white - you cannot tell that they are not original white tiles. They are in perfect condition, they clean up with Windex, and they look just as new and fresh as real white tiles look. I swear, you cannot tell. Even in the shower, they're new and fresh every single day. EVERYONE is shocked when I tell them they're painted.

Built in the 1940's, original heater heats up { your legs } instantly - we took off the chrome plate, cleaned and polished it and left it - why not?

Added a curved shower rod which is surprisingly more roomy -

These floor tiles were in the tile store's stock room - saved money by not having special order - we did it all ourselves - easy enough and didn't take long -

True 40's tub - looks brand new -

This photo - I'm in the bathroom you can see the closed door with a long mirror on it. The star mirror is over the toilet.

Of course, a Chandelier -

Snapped the linen closet which is right outside the bathroom in a joke of a hallway - and I hope you can see the markers. Right after we got married we went to Lake Tahoe, where we did some antiquing and junking. Mr bh found these really old linen closet markers that are etched on mirror backing and we bought them for our "home we would one day have." I was impressed that he appreciated details like that.

I came home pregnant.

There's a Guest Towel marker too and I love them.

In the past, I've painted ugly dark tan bumpy tiles white, never had a chipping peeling problem, even with the bumps. Our little bathroom had a horrible yellowish/greenish marble counter top that I also painted. It's been 15 years, and just recently I saw a few chips, decided I should probably redo it, but I haven't yet. It's not THAT bad. That was before they made special paint for this so I used epoxy appliance paint. It worked.

Oh - and I always spray the paint to avoid brush streaks - just sayin.

Now, I gotta get back to applying strands of rhinestones to large shells for Jen's Beach Wedding.

Take care - have a great weekend, we're shopping for shoes and doing some cake testing - thank heavens because Jen and I are starving.

I'm joining the party at Cindy's Show and Tell Friday

Aqua Glass Jars & The New Beach House Dining Room Chairs

2010-04-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

Good Morning - This old wire rack basket with the aqua canning jars was my reward for a successful date with the taxman, oh yeah the taxman.

I get so ridiculously nervous as tax day approaches, hoping and praying that I have paid attention to every detail, penny, receipt, check, note, and bill to come up with numbers that I present to the taxman. And my taxman wants everything in the computer, so that's just hugely time consuming for me, and I don't do it often enough, so it piles up and I do it all in one month. Every year I promise I won't do that anymore, but every year I do the same thing.

Now, I'd rather do this.

So when it's all done and the taxman leaves, I leave. I hit the thrifts like a bat outta hell because I have at that point not shopped guilt free for a while. Always thinking, "I should be at home doing paperwork and taxes" can wreck a perfectly good stop in.

So I hit my favorite junk shop - and there were these jars in the rack with a few more on the side, just waiting for me to knock down everyone standing in my way to get them without making myself too obvious or someone closer just may nab em first. They were mine and they came home with me.

The next day I went down to the Farmer's Market and couldn't resist these pure pure white iris's - in these jars on the dining room table with the light hitting them through the blinds first thing in the morning - it just all feels so good. This is what I see across the house when I leave my bedroom first thing every morning -

While I was loving looking at the photos of this aqua turquoise beachy blue glass, I was noticing something bothering me. Yeah, I'm tired of the dining room chairs. I've loved these chairs from the moment I spotted them at Sally's - a big wood table with 6 chairs and 2 arm chairs with the little wings that I loved, they were white with french caning, the whole thing was perfect. I paid $250, covered the seats with white denim - done. There's a photo of the dining room on the right side of this page - and you can kind of see the chairs in the background -

But now, I'm ready for a change - so I dragged in all the old folding wood beach chairs that I've picked up at garage sales, flea markets and thirfts, and set 8 chairs around the table.

Loved it. I like the look with 8 chairs and I like it with only 6 too - and the beauty is that they're folding chairs - easy to store a few extra, and I don't think I've paid more than 10 bucks a chair.

White Roses from my garden

So I am loving the new chairs - mr bh, my son, and I played musical chairs last night testing them all out, they're all sturdy, somewhat comfortable - I added a cushion to a couple - really really love the even more casual look -

I'll take some new photos of the whole room as it is now, and show you tomorrow -

I'd love to know what you think of the chair swap

blogged to join rhoda - southernhospitalityblog

Beach House Porch, Mantel & Jen's Wedding Invitation

2010-04-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

Day 84 - Here's my little beach cottage - and I do mean little...couldn't get great photos today but I think you can get the idea...

We'll have frames with fabric creating a topless tent { I didn't want a tent tent }to give us privacy, even though the neighbors are coming, market lights strung from the trees on the street to the porch in a triangle pattern, up lights on the trees and a Chandelier above the dance floor. I'm standing on the driveway which is lined with topiaries that will have twinkle lights in them, and that will be our bar and hight cocktail tables area...

When you walk in the front door, the first thing you see is the fireplace mantle - I never ever know what to do up there, but I looked at some of my favorite books, and checked out some blogs and took all the good ideas that included stuff I already had, and came up with this - it'll do for now -

The pink rose is from my neighbors garden, and the twigs are from the walnut tree next door -

Today I found the bottle on the left end of the next photo - I was so happy because I was on the hunt for exactly one like this one for the marriage ceremony. It's the perfect old aqua message in a bottle with an old metal stopper at the top.

When we started to look at invitations I fell off my chair a few times at the costs - wow, I really got a quick education in the whole printing world. It ain't cheap. Nothing is. Even if you do it yourself on the computer you've got to buy the cardstock and the ink or toner, the envelopes etc. or pay Kinkos to print each side, including return addresses. No matter how you look at it, it's going to cost - so for us, after we went round and round, pricing out DIY and going to 4 different stationers and through probably 100 books, we found this one that we loved and went with it. We were thrilled when we got them, and I figured we were VERY lucky to find something we loved for not that much more. No printer jams no ink problems, just order, pay and receive. For me, A Bargain -

I had to take the photos of the invitation outside so you could see it - the heavy card stock has a pearlized effect that I love, the inside card is white that reflects silver, and the wrap stock is like heavy matte gold that reflects like platinum.

Bottom left corner says shoes optional

The response card is also white with a little silver reflect -

So, what do you think?

They haven't gone out yet, so you're getting a sneak preview -

Next we're making Beach Parking passes, tagging flip flops, Program fans, wrapping silverware etc etc etc etc etc.

See you tomorrow -

I'm hooked up with asoftplace - check it out, you'll be glad you did -

Malibu Beach Supply & An Old Turquoise Deck Chair

2010-04-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Jen's Beach Wedding - 86 days to go. There's something to do every single day - we're getting very excited around here, very busy finalizing all the arrangements and adding lots of details that I am going to share with you -

So to catch up, last Saturday some friends and I threw a Bridal Shower at Zen Bistro for our friends' daughter Stephanie, and it was - as the girls said UH-mazing. We were Ladies lunching with Champagne on the Lake - and I got reminded how we actually become a different person when we put on our party manners and a new outfit.

This was the setting - we kept this whole side open to the Lake - it was a beautiful day with a little breeze - just perfect.

Meet Lovely Stephanie and Handsome Danny - getting married May 1st -

Sunday was a no plans day, so Mr bh and I went to Neptunes Net up PCH for some fish and chips -

It was of course, really crowded but we met up with some friends, got a great table, and enjoyed the ocean breeze kickin up - see the palms! When we pryed ourselves out of our seats we headed to the Nursery to get some succulents and cutting flowers and there's a little junk place there that I love poking through -

But! On the way we spotted an Estate Sale sign, so even though it was close to 3 pm and they were sure to be all closed up we took the detour - beautiful detour -

This old Beach Deck Chair was sitting close to the road guiding us to the Estate - waiting for us.

She has her original turquoise finish all weathered and worn, a couple slats missing but I don't care, it's sturdy and strong and was $3. We loaded her in the back of the truck as fast as we could before they could change their mind.

Made it down to the Nursery and went over the props area to see if there was anything there I couldn't live without.

Loved the blue jugs and all the white wicker with the old pots back there -

Fabulous old Farm Table with the perfect patina - really big

Great old watering cans, big baskets, some great glass stuff, and old gardening tools - I really didn't want to leave anything behind, but I chose a few things and went over to the Nursery

I want to pot some succulents by my side door { the door I use on the driveway } I haven't always loved them, but now I do, and I thought they would be great in my old terra cotta pot covered with lined up shells. I got a few varieties to play around with - I'll try them out, it may be too old lady, I'll see...

Here's what I scored from the junk shop - couple of Chandeliers, the back one is old and french with little barbola roses, a pair of metal Seahorses, a cool old turquoise bottle -

And these three big Porch Sconces -

And then Home to our Porch -

Tomorrow Day 85 - countdown to Jen's Wedding I'll show you the invitations -

and

I'll show you the rest of the Porch and the front of our house and yard where the Reception will be -

Thanks to all the bloggers for your inspiration on what to do with the Mantle - I copied

learned from you and I'll show you mine tomorrow - it's the first thing you see when you walk in -

I wish you all a wonderfully happy Easter and Passover -

Turquoise Chandelier - SeaShell Bucket, Beads & A Butler

2010-03-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hi all -

THANK YOU SO MUCH - I received the nicest comments on this Turquoise Chandelier and I appreciate each comment and each compliment more than you could ever know. And I was really blown away when I saw there was a list of emails about this one and Chandeliers in general.

Thank you again -

Here's what we've been up to when we're not working on Jen's Beach Wedding...invitations should be here this week -

Spotted these buckets at the Rose Bowl Flea Market - I envisioned them filled with shells or something somewhere in the house, or on the porch, but Mr Chandy had his own idea...

A few month ago I sold the Chandelier in my hallway - we lived with a light bulb hanging on a wire out of the ceiling - kind of like the shoemakers kids going without shoes. Mr Chandy over here loves to create the chandeliers and he growls like a mean dog when he hangs one, so I have to time changes very carefully. I've been waiting for this beaded shade { no light }to become a Chandelier since I found it at a Consignment Store around Christmas, and last week I just about fell off my chair.

When you look up at it there's a mirror that reflects all the crystal beading and 3 bulbs, and it is amazing. I love and appreciate beading so much, and I am a beader, so this is home in my hallway, for now.

Wish you could see it in person -

I took some photos outside the other day, it was raining so we rolled down the side shades to protect the recently painted porch, and the lighting was perfect for a few photos. This old folkart carved butler is having his picture taken today... along with a few other Chandeliers.

Thanks for visiting today - I'm hearing so much about beadboard lately, I thought I'd show you mine on my next post. The man who built this little place in the 1940's had his own ideas on how it could be done, and he did it, clipped ceiling and all.

Take Care -

Blogged to join DIY at asoftplace

Beach House Chandeliers & Stuff

2010-02-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

Good Mid Morning - I'm sending love to Layla Grace and her family. Her brief life powerfully reminds me to value life everyday.

While I was taking some of these photos yesterday, I was down on the floor and when I turned around I was face to face with this old 7-Up box on the fireplace. It is stuffed with 2009 files and paperwork and now overflowing into another pile next to it. I've got to do my taxes and get rid of this already, and I don't even mean really DO them, I mean organize the paperwork for the accountant to really DO them. Starting Monday morning for sure. Really, I figured out that's the only way to make the pressure go away.

Anyway Mr Beachy has been spending alot of time working in his studio lately and called me to come out and look at a few Chandeliers in progress.

These two were done and I was blown away - I think they are both amazing.

My girlfriend {thanks, Lor } found this beautiful iron aqua/turquoise piece as you see it, all beat up and loved, out at the Flea Market a few months ago, and now it's a Chandelier. We rarely find pieces with great color but this one was just too cool to paint. I love the beachy coastal feel and the total uniqueness of the Chandelier.

So we brought it in, I beaded it with thick french scalloped crystals and huge old crystal pendants at the bottom. I love it.

Hung it outside on the Porch to photograph in the natural light, but the photo inside is the true color -

Then he said "Whaddya think of this?" Me: "MMMMM" I LOVE IT, I WANT IT." That's my usual response, check this out -

Looks like its straight from the beach or maybe was by barn doors or a garden gate. How great over a kitchen island or sink, next to the bed - so great everywhere.

Aren't they great?

So I'm home alone all day today and am going to get organized. Gotta start getting the trailer packed up for the Flea Market on Sunday, then join Jen's future in laws for dinner Sunday night for fiance Ryan's birthday. Buca di Beppo { I think } has the best Chicken Marsala and I am in the mood, oh yeah.

In between everything next week heading downtown to the flower district with Rhonda to see what we can get for Jen's Beach Wedding.

Have a good one, I gotta go sell some Chandeliers too -

Chandeliers, Weddings, Bridal Showers & Friends

2010-02-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

Here. I. Am. Beading Chandeliers and planning Jen's Beach Wedding.

I've been on a crazy little ride here, ups and downs and sometimes just running around in circles. Jen's wedding is coming along - it's June 26th and we're getting excited and nervous all at the same time. My girlfriend's daughter is getting married May 1st, so I'm in on a shower for her next month and my girlfriend is giving a shower for Jen, so together we are shopping, brainstorming, and having the time of our lives. You think you know exactly what you want but when you start checking stuff out and seeing what's available it gets confusing because there's so many choices and such great things out there. Doing our best to copy expensive champagne ideas on a beer budget as they say.

It ain't easy doing everything you want to do on a budget, and I found out early on - when you wake up in the middle of the night, no use trying to get back to sleep - once you're up, you're up.

For me, I find the best time to go over this stuff with Mr. Father of the Bride is while we're by our favorite Beach Cafe drinking Tea from a Starbucks thermos and he eats a doughnut or a white Hostess snowball and I eat celery sticks.

We've been working day and night in our Chandelier Studio, which keeps us sane. For years we've been renting lighting to studios for movies TV and commercials and have recently included renting Chandeliers for weddings, events, and private parties. We're still selling out at the Ventura Flea Market at the beach - and still love it. We're staying busy trying to produce as many Chandeliers as we can, this is our passion, and we love it just wish we had more hours in the day and more energy.

Seems like revolving doors around here - someone's always taking a look - and thankfully business is good. Got a chance to snap a few photos - if you want to take a closer look check us out on ebay - id is chandeliermagic. Come back over the weekend - I'm going to photograph a few vintage Beach House Chandeliers that are major heart throbs...

Funky strands - all old crystals from my collection - love this one

This white Chandelier is sold - and I just loved it while I had it

Love this topiary Rose Lamp - was in my Family Room for many years -

So - I've been visiting blogs as much as I can lately, mostly just lurking about - you guys still blow me away with your entertaining writing, great photos, and amazing creative ideas.

I'll show you the wedding invitations as soon as I get em...and a few other special things Jen and I are doing to make the day perfect.

Decided today! Guys will wear khaki linen pants, white tuxedo shirts not tucked in, and black leather flip flops. Down on the beach we're having personalized bottles of water and flip flops at the Shoe Bar.

Wish you could all be our guests...

Signs of LaLa Land - Home Sweet Home

2009-12-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Here's what I get...if you want to change your mood - go out for a while.

Check out this Leopard Limo -

We took my sister-in-law from Arizona around looking at Beverly Hills and Hollywood holiday decorations last weekend - even though we were all born here it's still fun to see what's going on. Mr Beach and I take rides and day trips all the time checking out different towns and beaches, or checking out landscapes { to copy } so we're into it, and my sister in law misses it.

Not many decorated mansions at all - but the ones that were....were beyond belief. Night photos didn't come out and I couldn't fit the big houses in my camera frame - but I hope you enjoy what I did get...

Here's the bronze statue guard in front of a mansion on Sunset Blvd.

Same house - statues of couple looking at the house thru binoculars and kids playing with a dog

Bronze painters

Wonder what they represent - funny

Movin on - this house is the Witch House, supposedly used in movies and then moved to this corner. Looks like they're renovating now, probably preserving it for the historical society. This whole area is on the tours - you know, like the one Lucy and Ethel took.

Rodeo Drive - Shopping

Beverly Wilshire Hotel

Walk up the narrow street to Tiffany's

My hangout in the good ole days

Gotta stop at Turners - check out the "NO CRUISING ZONE SIGN" this is Sunset Strip -

sometimes ending up here at crazy hours

Is this how you imagined House of Blues?

Mr Beach says THIS is THEE hardware store of hardware stores -

we pulled into a Christmas Tree lot and saw Cristina Aguilera - see her getting into the passenger side of the black car.

we had dinner at Farmers Market -

Walked the Grove - did a little holiday shopping at only ONE store - Anthropologie - great displays and great stuff - here's 99 bottles of beer on the wall -

loved these suitcases and right next to that

I loved this - S hooks with clips

Chandeliers

how cozy are these

the amazing Tree at the Grove

That's it for now - so much to do, I don't know where to begin -

Our Menorah, Chanukah & Christmas

2009-12-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Evenin' - hope you're having a good one -

It's so cold and I love it so much. Something about lighting a fire, cozying up with a blanket, wearing a sweatshirt and drinking endless cups of tea to help keep warm that turns me on.

I put this Chanukah Menorah together last year - I don't know if I broke any religious rules, if I did - I've tweaked them just a little bit, and I'd say it's ok. This went right down the center of my Dining Room Table and I enjoyed it every time I walked by.

We light the candles every night for 8 nights, we eat potatoe pancakes non stop, they're our appetizers and we serve them with applesauce, strawberries, cranberries, powdered sugar, apricot marmalade, and whatever else we can think of. Maybe we'll try Nutella and cool whip this year, hmmm. They are so good and they are gone so fast. Sometimes the guys help out peeling and rubbing the potatoes and onions on a graph like grater the old fashioned way, or they stand and flip pancakes for a while and we all talk - I love that. It's a messy job { especially with guys flipping }so I line the entire top of my stove with foil because the pans of splattering oil quickly get out of control, and the cleanup is - well you can imagine.

This year, I'm doing everything on a tight budget of $0 - we'll be dipping pretzels and dried fruit in chocolate for gifts, decorating canning jars of tea lights, and a few other things. I will be dropping off dog food at a few local rescues as often as I can - I've been told they give the food away to people who can't afford to feed their dogs - and then they won't have to give their pets up.

My sister-in-law is coming into town this weekend so we're starting Chanukah a little early - here's my Menorah this year - couldn't help but light the whole thing for a preview just a little early.

Simple Beach House Menorah this year -

We're heading into the city tomorrow - making a special point to cruise Beverly Hills and photograph the decorations - they're always amazing. Last year I took some photos of the crystal Chandeliers that were hung all along Rodeo Drive - I'm anxious to see what's up this year - I'll post both sets of photos over the weekend.

Tomorrow morning I'm hittin up a few garage sales if I can scrape up a few bucks - and believe it or not, I'm makin a ham for our early Chanukah dinner. hehe

Then it's Christmas with our "created family" -

Have a great weekend - Blogged to join http://theinspiredroom.net/ and funky junk interiors and Kelly's Corner - Christmas Trees { and my Menorah }

Going in Circles

2009-12-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

Today I jumped out of the tornado I've been caught in. That's never happened to me before - I forgot to be happy, I forgot to be thankful, I forgot to be busy, I forgot to pay attention to blogging and working and I really forgot that I'm letting go, I got stuck. I'll tell you later what I'm letting go of.

So I got up today, went for a hike, and now I'm gonna get it together.

A few weeks ago it started, my family and I dropped everything and went to Arizona for a week to be with my Dad - he's got cancer and is hanging on - my uncle says he gets happy when we're there. Next week he's coming here for a visit to the beach -

The Arizona sky -

Here's the wreath I found for $3 thrifting - pretty much sums up me going in circles lately

A great thing happened - my son Tony flew in the 2nd row left - formation over Los Angeles to honor Veteran's Day

Prep for Thanksgiving - lots of peeling going on

Jennifer and I made Thanksgiving Dinner together all day - we had the best time while the guys watched football and ate and played and the neighbors stopped by

Dining Room - we didn't BBQ the turkey, but we left the doors open anyway - just about to set the table - forgot to take photos as we got busier.

My favorite Chandelier - found the bottom part all chippy and old down the beach in a pile, and the top part - it's all mother of pearl squares and it goes up to the ceiling...I think it was part of a floor lamp once

Love the finish and the old flowers so much

Found this old bread loaf baker thing - filled it with garden flowers

Here's where Jen's getting married - Pt. Dume in Malibu

This is where I resumed letting go today - because I've made the choice to focus on happy

Stopped at the Flower Market - keeping it real and simple

I'll see ya tomorrow - thanks for being my friend

Laundry Room Chandelier & The Old Gate

2009-10-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ello!
Ya know how when you change one thing in a room, you're prompted to change the whole room? That's what happened to me a few weeks ago in the laundry room. I found a light fixture on the ground at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and couldn't wait to take down the old one and install the new one. There wasn't much to change in my really small laundry, but it inspired me to change other stuff in other rooms, so I did literally nonstop.

Here's the old laundry chandelier pretty much the same as I found it about 10 years ago -

Here's the one I'm lovin today - quite a difference I'd say. Ooops, took the photo before I added a really old long pull chain -

So this change started some more rethinking around the house and I pretty much went thru every room and closet movin out all the things that are on my long list of things I walk by and say 'this has to go.' I try to remove things the first time I say that but I don't, I wait till I absolutely can't stand it anymore, why? I don't know.

Then I hit my stash in the storage, yard, and garage and I made HUGE decisions on everything I have been storing, hoarding, and saving to repair, paint, part out or whatever - and I decided to let go of tons - so we're loading up and letting go. That is big for me, really big. So here we go... all that plus the Chandeliers and lighting that we are creating today and love love love -

That started a couple of weeks ago, and we've been working our buttinskys off everyday preparing, loading up the trailer and and we're almost completely ready - and it feels so good. I've been on a thrifting shopping spree for so many years now that my style has somewhat changed and all the GREAT stuff I won't be using anymore is going to the Flea Market on the beach this Sunday.

As you can imagine we're beat up, I messed up my shoulder lifting things I shouldn't have, like cement statues and pots { dummy me } and I've been popping pain pills because I just didn't want to stop.

We're almost done and ready to go - Sunday 4 am.

Couldn't help but snap a photo of my favorite little gate while taking a much needed break with Mr Beachy and a Costco chicken.

BEACH HOUSE WEDDING UPDATE

Jennifer & Ryan have set the date June 26, 2010! Last Saturday afternoon I got my first treasured moment being Mother of the Bride when Jen and I went wedding gown shopping. As unbelievable as it sounds - we both knew the very first dress she tried on was the one. Can you believe it? She tried on several more so we could be ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE, and we were - it's perfect for her and her dream wedding, and she looks amazing in it.

She's so happy and so am I.

See you at the Flea Market - you'll find us beach side...

Later -

Flea Marketing for the Beach House Wedding

2009-10-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Good Monday -

Whooooo - I am havin a real hard time getting into the swing of things this Monday morn - I feel like we partied hard all weekend. You know, partied hard - where you stay awake much later than usual, talking and laughing hysterically over shooters and Mudslides and a few various other cocktails with two other people you love dearly.

My brother and sister IL live in Palm Springs { a desert resort a couple of hours away } and they're downsizing so we had an all day garage sale Saturday, stayed up late partying hard and then did it again all day Sunday.

Having a garage sale is a kind of partying too, chit chatting with hundreds of people, being in a good mood and entertaining them while you hope they just haul something away. You connect with your neighbors and get to know them - I think they feel it's much less invasive to hang out at someones home outside and so neighbors tend to stay and hang out. My sister IL and I can go in and out of deep personal conversations and then jump into small talk with other people with no problem, almost automatically. We're very talented that way, and we're always aware of where the husbands are, too.

Anyhow, our 2-hour trip down there took about 5 hours cuz we shopped and thrifted our way there. I'm on the hunt for serving things for Showers and parties that are in the near future - and of course Jen's wedding. I got lucky at garage and estate sales - people are giving great deals to get rid of stuff, and make a few bucks as we get closer to the holidays. I do, however, really feel for the cottage shop owners who are all singing the blues in a big way and are on their last leg. More and more stores are closing the doors and some towns looked abandoned all together - it was weird and sad.

I found the coffee pot first - in great condition along with the big ironstone platter, the bread box and the canvas bag at an estate sale and and got the rest at Goodwills and Salvations along the way. I'm sticking to enamelware, ironstone, white and silver serving pieces and old china.

Love that French Ice Bucket and hammered aluminum pitcher -

Love this coffee pot - country at the beach -

Enamelware - I've gathered up a few large pieces and I love em -

This 3 tier server reminds me of a little cafe -

Haven't a clue what to do with this old canvas bag - it's pretty big with a drawstring and I love the vintage lettering -

Scored 2 rolls of striped wall paper - I use them for gift wrap, a pair of shoes that I can actually wear because I'm giving in to lower heels -

And this is a shot I got of the the Sunrise in Palm Springs -

New coffee pot looks right at home to me -

I'm joining the "I'm a Flea Marketer Party" - check it out

http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com/2009/10/join-im-flea-marketeer-party.html

Rainy Day & Dinner For Two - By the TV

2009-10-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Good day this rain day -

The sound of rain on my bedroom window awning is the most welcome sound in my sleep. I was so happy to hear it at about 4 am, and when morning hit I got right up opened the front door and watched the rain from the porch with my Tea. I'm off coffee right now - so I'm drinking lots my old fave Constant Comment and my new fave Mango Chamomile. When it rains I can breathe and see much more clearly, and everything looks so much better wet and clean, even weeds. My grass was lovin it too - free water.

So when most say a rainy day gets them wanting to be all cozy with a good book and a fireplace fire - not me, I get energetic and gung ho. I love the big chill.

This little house of mine is so 1940's California Cottage - we have a long driveway to a detached garage, so the garage is in the backyard and we have completely converted it to a working Studio for our Chandeliers - and that's where Mr Beachy works - about 20 steps from the back door.

So while Mr B was out in the studio most of the day this is what I got accomplished today, and listed on ebay - this Flying Vintage Cherub made of white capiz shells -

And this 2-Arm Vintage Beaded Sconce -

Then I heard those dreaded words coming in the back door "What's for dinner?" Dinnertime has changed considerably around here since the kids moved out although I didn't much care for those words from them either. I don't know why, I just cringed even though I made dinner every night and emjoyed it, the chaos, the mess, everything about it - I just hated that question. It's so much easier now that it's just the two of us most of the time, once we had corn for dinner. Just corn.

But tonite, it was Pizza on the coffee table in front of the TV.

no planning

no fuss

no table setup

no mess

I love Topanga Pizza.

Tomorrow we're heading out of town to Palm Springs for a few days - and I plan on thrifting all the way there. Have a great weekend, hope the rain stays around for a while...

Jen's Wedding Update:

We're Doing Save the Date Cards

~*~*~

Blogged to join this outdoor party - check out all the great ideas

asoutherndaydreamer

and this Tablescape party - great Fall inspiration

betweennapsontheporch

Beach House Chandeliers & A Cozy White Family Room

2009-10-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

Hi -
I've missed you - we've been so jam packed the last few weeks I got totally caught up in life and chaos - I was going to say a welcome change from my normal routine, but lately like for months now, nothing seems normal.

For weeks we had family in town for a wedding so we got to hang out and catch up with aunts uncles and cousins that we never get to see, and it was great. It was really hot, so we spent as much time at the beach as possible actually a lot of time walking back and forth and eating. As the lovely aunties get older they just love to talk about everyone - they've all been married to Mr Beachys family for over 50 years and boy do they have the scoop.

Then, I was contacted by a blogger who found my blog and wanted to buy some chandeliers for her cafes up the coast - variations of this one, so I marathon beaded and crystaled and got the order out and she was happy so we were thrilled. This design is our signature style and my favorite so there's always at least one available -This ones available for sale now -

So I spent some time trying to figure out how to make it easier to buy on the blog, got the 'buy it now' and 'paypal' banners just have to get them in the right place. In the meantime if you would like to buy something or inquire about something you see on my blog you can email me here.

This is a great Vintage Porch Chandelier with a French Crown at the top - For Sale

Then this computer started to act up - so it was off to the Apple store to spend a few hours with a genius at the bar - 3 times and it's still not right. I lost my email accounts, bookmarks, photos, records, data, and lots of other stuff that I don't even know about yet. Don't even get me started. You have no idea, well there's probably alot of you that have been in this mess. Would love to buy a new laptop, but instead I bought more ram and a stick. MmmHmm Who's stupid? It's a good $$$ decision - Jen's Beach Wedding is just around the corner approaching quickly. Very quickly.

Thought I'd invite you into the Family Room to hang with us...I'll whip up some margaritas with chips and salsa -

Wintertime we light a fire every single night. I collect vintage beach art and I was so happy to find the painting on the mantle last month at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. The hydrangeas are one of my fave lights and the lantern on the brick - that's going to be a Chandelier soon.

These Bookcases hold nearly everything - magazines, bills, stationary, tapes, and now wedding magazines, photos, ideas, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. Bottom left - all our old albums from the 60's & 70's - just can't part with them.

Found this Rose piece garage saling today - I'm not sure what it's for but I think it would be great to sit on the Fireplace or anywhere - it's For Sale

We've been invited out to dinner tonite with friends so I gotta get goin -

Blogging to join the party with Cindy at My Romantic Home

I hope

Enjoy Sunday -

Surfing Malibu from Cloud 9, Tony & Sunset Flight

2009-09-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Day Everyone -

Last Friday night we took a sunset flight over the city, valley, beach & up the coast. It was unusually cloudy in some places - but even the tops of the clouds are spectacular from the sky. That's a small plane you say - yep, it is. Seats 4 and you're almost touching shoulders.

When my son Tony, was really young he started a lifelong fascination with airplanes, cars, and pretty much anything that moved him around. He knew going to the market with me meant he would be adding a sleek shiny new plane to his fleet and while I never knew one from the other or what he already had - he did, down to the color of the stripes and decals. He would flip through the packages like he knew what he was looking for and always found one that delighted him for the rest of shopping and the rest of the day. He always carried a little plane {race car in the other hand} around and he - he'd squint one eye and flew those little planes around looking thru the windshield at eye level and he was a happy kid. I knew one day he'd do it for real, and when he did I told him that when he turned one of his dreams into a reality - one of my dreams came true too. I am so proud of him.

I've flown many times with him, sometimes just around, sometimes up to Santa Barbara for lunch and a little shopping, but this was my first sunset flight. We took off from Van Nuys and I started snapping photos - I love the way there's one house lit in the photo - I'd love to give this photo to those people.

As we headed towards Santa Monica you could see the clouds socked in - the marine layer. There were snippets of clear skies, but the sun was starting to set and well, I didn't let my nerves show - I have 100% confidence in my Pilot.

The skies opened up when we got to Malibu - this stretch of beach houses is Malibu Colony - and above that is the Cross Creek Shopping Market.

This is another stretch of beach houses - they're all fabulous, ain't a bad one in the bunch.

This is Tony, my son the Pilot.

Love this - that's PCH, cross creek shopping, and the Malibu Pier at the top. That's the Adamson House in the center of the photo - the 1st original Malibu Beach House. It's an amazing home, now maintained by the city - magnificent views and grounds from every angle - especially when it's loaded with surfers.

This is approaching Paradise Cove - the beach at Magic Hour.

We were at the most perfect spot when I got the sunset - I got lucky with this timing...that's for sure.

We flew around for a while, then traveled over Malibu Canyon to the valley and headed back to the airport.

We went around the airport one more time -

Then had a perfect landing on one six right.

It's my greatest pleasure that both my son Tony, and my daughter Jennifer are good, kind, considerate, patient, compassionate, loving, generous people - and that they continue to make me proud every single day in everything they do.

Blogged to join

http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com/2009/09/waterside-wednesday-cold-season.html#comment-form

and

http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/2009/09/watery-wednesday-54.html

Ocean Breezes in the Living & Dining Room

2009-09-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hi -

Sounds crazy I know, but I must have had a flu or some bug because I feel so much better now! Last week I popped a few pills, took some rests and faked it - and it must have worked.

The last couple of days you could really feel Fall in the air, grey sky in the am with some fog and mist - and a wonderful breeze crosses through the house. I love it.

Love a fireplace - this is one that opens to the Family Room in the background too - surprisingly there's nobody laying on the couch right now. My Grandma's crystal lamps are up there on the mantel with some things that I change out for the seasons. Hmmm the fireplace trim - I gotta do something about that - that trim has got to go. Maybe it could be painted? Why not?

The club chairs in the Living Room below are distressed brown leather - they're great but I Summer them up with some white throws just to change it up a bit. My favorite bit of advice I got from my favorite designer was to move something out the minute you walk by it saying "this has to go." Sometimes I walk past something for 6 months before I finally move it out. Do you do that? I need to work on it.

Above is the Front Door into the Living Room - & you can see the Dining Room from the front door too - I'm standing in it.

Dining Room is a good size with great natural light from the big windows. Now I'm standing where there is a swing door to the kitchen so it's really easy to serve. The french doors open to an outdoor kitchen/BBQ area. It's all original cement and used brick with a bar serving area with a couple of stools and a cool old bench. Great for crowds and parties - another place to go for food which is great because thekitchenissotight.

This is probably my favorite Chandelier - Mr Beachy's design - it's mother of pearl squares to the ceiling, and the bottom is iron with metal flowers. It's over the top naturally weathered and aged - it was sitting outside on a deck in Paradise Cove for years when I scored it from a very nice guy who GAVE it to me. It's white and rusty and scruffy and probably the most commented on Chandelier in our house. Is it a compliment when people say "only you" - it is to me.

I change the bottom crystal whenever I find something interesting that goes with my centerpiece which is always seasonal flowers and stuff. The old farm table and chairs were a Salvation Army find years ago, I covered the seats with white denim - now I'm thinking of recovering with a faded stripe -

My favorite flower right now is white carnations - they're always at the market and they're just a few bucks.

The display stand in the corner is holding some old beaded lamps and hurricanes that I use for centerpieces with candles. There's glass shelves, it's got some tole roses vining through it and I think it's days are numbered around here.

Partying with asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com

Custom Chandeliers For Every Room

2009-09-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Weekenders -

AHHHHH a holiday weekend with no plans. I'm staying around the house and gonna fix up my blog - well, I'm going to give it a go as they say.

Went back into some old photos and pulled out some of my favorite Chandeliers - some are in my house today and the rest used to be here. Grab a drink we're having a LIGHT SHOW!

This is one I truly regret selling, although I can't keep em all. I've tried.

I especially like the medium size Chandeliers - everyone needs at least one - yeah?

This one was from the famous Greta Garbo Estate in Bel Air, California

This was in our Powder Room - I think it went to Australia

Straight out of a Castle in Hollywood

Everyone loves traditional

Left was also out of the Greta Garbo Estate - Right was used in a TV Show

These Sconces have been used in many productions - they'll be available here and on ebay as soon as I can!

This beauty is in a Bridal Shoppe in Nevada USA

Traditional with a twist

This one was used in a movie

A little more traditional with some funky style

Next two were designed for a ceiling fans

This one reminded me of an antique cake plate - upside down

New made to look old and french - I love that

Next three great petite size

Rescued this one - found in pieces

Left - cool french cage with all rhinestone center - amazing sparkle Right loaded with crystals

Favorite outdoor - iron roses on top

Romantic Frenchy

Left is in my kitchen - it's all white & I love it - Right is our signature style all funky beaded with old crystals -

This style petite Chandelier is one of my favorites for baby gifts - I can't even count how many I've given and each one is custom designed just for this baby.

This one is on the Porch by the front door.

This crown Chandelier is on a ceiling fan in my bedroom.

This Chandelier was used in a movie

Our signature style - in a petite size

That's my Chandelier Light Show for now - we've been doing Chandeliers for 15 years and these were the photos I have handy - hope you enjoyed the tour -

Blogged to join and party with Susan -

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/09/welcome-to-34th-metamorphosis-monday.html

Vintage Chandelier & The Beach House Kitchen

2009-09-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Good People,

Here's the Chandelier I worked on most of today - reminds me of Rain, and I must have rain on my brain because it's sooooo hot here, my city is on fire and we desperately need rain.

I love the unique style and design Mr Beachy creates and I wonder if you do too.

So, I'm staying inside these days catching up on things, trying to be a blogger, and cooking up cool light meals. My kitchen is small galley style, with 2 great front windows that I find myself watching the neighbor kids play while I snack...way too often.

Built in 1949 by the original owner I'm sure it stayed in its original condition for all these years till we came along. Everything needed attention, and we were determined to keep the original charm with paint, and all the tools you could possibly imagine. After we touched and fixed every single inch of this kitchen and returnd it to it's original good looks I was happy.

I figure this guys wife musta been my height because the cabinets are the perfect height for me. They're all original with beadboard doors, and I added the vintage glass pulls. Not nearly enough cabinets, but is there ever? Funny thing is - both of the painters that painted this kitchen STRONGLY suggested we go over to Home Depot and buy new cabinets, they just don't get it.

The countertop, backsplash and window ledge are marble, the sink is big, deep and not divided - I love that. Great for big pots. I also love the deep drawers and the pull out bread board.

The stove is old, and in great condition. I'll get that Wolf Range one day, just not this day, not this economy. This old guy works perfectly, it's white and chrome, oven, 2 broilers, center griddle, and one of the burners has a thermostat - great for slow cooking and keeping food hot. There's also some great drawer storage at the bottom. Besides that, I can't see how the old guy would ever fit through the doorway - I think the house was built around the stove.

The kitchen table is a cement pedestal table, usually you see them outdoors but I think it's cool for this kitchen - very easy to take care of. I found the chairs at my neighbors garage sale and recovered the seats in white - some kind of fabric that I can easily just wipe clean. The Chandelier is one of my favorites, and the blue neon sign says Marsha's est. 1996.

I made this sign out of an old chippy white fence picket and these chunky white letters. I've got the rest of the fence behind the garage waiting to be used for something. One day.

The tile floor is waiting for it's turn to be what it was originally - black & white squares. When I am in a kitchen with those big B&W squares I feel like I'm in a mansion somewhere, ya know? As anxious as I am, I am so not looking forward to the mess tearing up the old tiles creates, so this floor is staying a little while longer.

The Laundry Room is next and then through the swinging door to the Dining Room, which is pretty much what sold me on this house when we bought it 13 years ago.

Of course, every room has a unique "favorite" Chandelier created by us - the best part of this old place.

Thanks for coming by today -

Blogged to join http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/ and theshabbychiccottage

Beach Morning, Pillow Slips & Vintage Holders

2009-08-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All -

Most mornings Mr Beachy brings me a cup of coffee and my section of the Daily News, I turn on the morning show, grab the newest magazine I haven't read yet, and get to work. Wish I could say it looks like the photo above but it really looks like this - rumpled and congested with the computer, paperwork and the phone...yep, it's my desk in a bed.

When I've caught up or had enough - I get to sweeping up and figuring out what needs to be done. More often than not, a chandelier needs beading, my ebay store needs attention, and I've always got painting and whitewashing to do. Of course, there's always cleaning, cooking, and laundry to do in between and I don't think I'll ever catch up on everything. I also have a constant little voice in my head telling me to head over to the thrifts for the spectacular stuff that was just dropped off.

Anyhow - A few weeks ago I cleaned out the Linen Cabinet - I don't need this much anymore, and I must let go of the extras. So here's my pile of what's going on to ebay and etsy, maybe you'll see something you love - there will more detailed photos over there.

Here's what I'm making over this week - painting, whitewashing, lining - a few will be for a couple of friends who are having birthdays - the rest will be sold.

One by one I'll get around to playing with each one of these treasures - lovin every minute, even in this incredibly hot summer with part of Los Angeles burning up in raging fires. My heart goes out to everyone affected, evacuated and scared. I hope it's over soon - every single firefighter is a hero.

Just a note: See the canning jar with the single hydrangea? I cut this blossom in my garden 3 weeks ago and look at it, still so fresh. I change the water every few days, but how is it so healthy after this long, normally hydrangeas barely last a couple of days, even when you soak the whole thing first. Maybe this - I don't know...but I accidentally break crystals all the time while working, I put em in a jar with some sea glass and maybe a few shells. Could that keep em alive longer? I don't know, but it worked.

Take Care - Make it a Great Day -

Sorry for the duplicate photo of the messy bed - I mean office.

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/yardsales-once-again/

Jen's Beach House Wedding & I Love Her

2009-08-26T21:29:00.001-07:00

Good Evenin -

My daughter Jennifer gave me this charm, and got one for herself....we both wear it everyday. I've always thought she was an old soul - saying and doing very wise and kind things, and this says it all don't you think? I love her so much.

So Jen's getting married next summer! She and her fiance, Ryan, will be married at the beach, on the sand, with a casual reception at home! I am so excited and anxious, determined to live and love the process each minute at a time. We've been pouring over magazines, checking out bloggers weddings, and researching a million ideas.

So last Saturday we went down the beach for lunch, a little shopping, and to relax a while.

We found a spot with some fabulous beach houses - Carbon Beach.

A coupla hours flew by and we headed home - stopping at the magazine stand for more more more.

For the past few weeks I've been cleaning out, reorganizing, changing lots of stuff around, starting 1/2 a dozen blogs, taking photos, painting and beading chandeliers. When I totally emptied my Linen Closet a coupla weeks back - I got myself started on a complete beach house spring cleaning in the middle of summer but very much needed.

I don't need so much stuff anymore - I love my thrifts and stop at my favorite few as often as I can - so in this great clean out I've made piles of pillow slips, quilts, tablecloths etc. to keep me busy on ebay and etsy forever!

While reading several blogs the past few weeks, I found some that tugged my heart, a few that were so entertaining funny, and some that inspired me and encouraged me in so many ways I couldn't step away from the computer.

Where do they find the time, I dunno - but I want to be their friend...and here in this great blogland everyone is a friend.

So I've started to write a little every night - I'll show you what I create and how I do it, our Chandelier Studio, and how we live...and how I plan to make the Beach House Wedding of Jen's dreams a reality. In a word - HELP.

I'd love to hear from you if you have anything to add to our Idea Book - it's called {don't worry}"Everythings Gonna Be All White!"

G'Night -

Beach House Vintage Linens & It's Marcia Brady

2009-08-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloggie Friends -

Thank you all so much for your very kind comments and emails - I love the bloggers I've met and have learned so much from all of you.

One of the best parts of getting older is knowing yourself, and when I'm blue, my medicine is my kids around me, a very laid back fab husband, this comfy beach house, and the sea, but what heals me the best is my regular ole routine life. Grocery marketing (who woulda thought Costco would be consoling), laundry, attacking a tall stack of mail, paying bills, talking to the neighbors, and of course my beading hobby. I'm a lifer at beading, it's my therapy and I love it.

So when Mr Beachy asked me if I wanted to go to some garage sales on Saturday morning I knew that was going to be the best therapy of all. So I threw on clothes and out we went. We hit a few sales listed in the Daily News and as we arrived at one advertised as "a collector's sale" I could see that it was all quality antiques and such so we poked around. I found a great basket, a white ironstone pitcher, a dozen old canning jars all unique, and a box of vintage linens that no one had gone through yet. It was mostly Dish Towels and Dinner Napkins with initals, monograms, and embroidery, and a couple of handmade crocheted popcorn pillow covers with chunky tassels.They were all really discolored, folded up and stored for a long time - but I was pretty sure bleach would fix these babies.

I took my pile to the lady running the show and she started to sort through adding up my stash. She said $10 for everything - I paid her...and then I realized who she was. She was Marcia Brady, Maureen McCormick - a little older but I knew the face and the smile. I had seen her a few times out junking at Salvation Army and some thrifts but never spoke to her. This time I said - "Hi - My name is Marsha." She smiled big held out her hand and said "Hi - It's really nice to meet you." Her Mom (I think) got a kick out of it and I could only think that she's probably met every Marsha in Los Angeles by now. I told her how funny it is going through life with a name that when people see me they say it 3 times - we laughed, spoke for a few minutes then I left. I realized when I got to the car that I should have taken a photo but come on - 2 women doing garage sales at 8 in the morning don't really care to have their picture taken.

Here's a little of what I got after a quick soak and wash -

Don't know if you can see but there were several Kitchen Towels with Hilton Hotel in the weave - and several Towels with Rosenthal embroidered in blue - love them. Two red pretty heavy cotton Towels gingerbreads and a holiday theme.

Right away I put a Rosenthal Towel on my hook by the sink - love it. Coincidentally, Rosenthal is my mother in laws maiden name - how funny is that, and I got them from thee Marcia.

So now - I'm rehabbing my Linen Closet - I have a p-a-s-s-i-o-n for Vintage Linens and have quite a collection - but I'm on a kick to eliminate, clean out, and get rid of what I no longer use - all good stuff, I just have way too much and must make room for more of what I do use!

They say your life changes every 6-7 years - mine is sure changing right now - so I'm packing up for September's haul to the Ventura Flea Market at the beach. My favorite day.

Lots more to show you tomorrow - lots of Vintage Linens for sale and the improved lovely Linen Closet -

love

2009-08-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Good Morning -

sitting here taking deep breaths crying missing Presley

My Sweet Angel Presley

2009-08-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Would love to tell you what this little girl means to me - I just can't yet.

Presley

April 11, 1994 - July 30, 2009

i love you so much

Vintage Glass Knobs and Doin It Yourself

2009-07-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

Hi -

I'm about 1/2 way through blogging how we got to this little beach house and how we are having such a blast working Chandeliers. Shortening it up for this blog, when I heard the little white gate click and latch behind me I knew I was home and we made a deal with the seller about an hour later.

As I entered this very small entryway I saw only one door and it had an old glass knob on a backplate....this house had me at hello. Here's how it greeted me -

As we looked around, some doors had the original old glass knobs and some did not so I started to wonder if my stash of vintage glass knobs could actually be used for working door knobs - why not?

On one of my visits to Liz's Hardware (a favorite place) they were having a sidewalk sale of fabulous stuff so I scooped up all the old backplates that I could and begged Mr Beachy to make em work with the knobs. Not easy - we had to find the right inner workings and this and that and modify holes...it was as I call it a 10 Damnit job - and that's alot.

When we added the french doors in the Dining Room we put knobs inside and outside -

These are outside - the doors open out to an outdoor kitchen - all original with some band aids.

Here's the door to the hallway - it's a funny place for a door but I like the way it looks opened against the wall.

This is the door to the bathroom and then the other side...

This is a door in our bedroom -

Here's the other door in the bedroom

I love each of these - they make me happy and when the sunlight shines in just the right spot for just a few minutes it's so great.

See you tomorrow - I'm trying to link - I sure hope I got this right...maybe one day I'll be able to figure out the button deal! http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/

Marco .............. Polo

2009-07-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

I'm bringing you up to date on my brother Keith and the Marco Polo Mural in Santa Monica that he is doing. Then I'm off to blog my great yard sale haul last Saturday, my Tablescape and how we enjoyed every minute of weekend houseguests - I think we made it look easy. A few fabulous Chandeliers on ebay in case you want to take a look

Here's the front of Marco Polo - Keith and Collin just hangin out shootin the breeze on the stoop........there's no doorway or stoop or steps, sure looks like there is though, don't you think?

Here's the Mural up to date almost finished - the kids on the top of the scaffolding are Alexis and Collin real kids, and the guys working on the mural are not real guys.

The final day of painting will be this coming weekend and then I'll get photos of the completed Mural -

See you tomorrow -

Hooked On Vintage Beach Art & Chandeliers

2009-07-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Hi Blog Friends -

It's been crazy hot here in So California lately - almost to hot to go thrifting. Staying inside really helps me catch up on what I should be doing so I have caught up a bit and have posted some Chandeliers below that I currently have on ebay if want to take a closer look - id is chandeliermagic.

I'm hooked on Vintage Beach Art - I especially like the older ocean paintings on canvas or board. The ones with the darker muted colors that have highlights on the water -they're the best. The 1st one is in my Living Room - I found it at a Garage Sale and didn't know how much I really loved it until I got it home. I think I fell in love with the size too - there's so much of it. The little one I also found at a Sale and the colors in this are perfect sea colors - you can see the old 8 X 10 stamped on the side with the staples and I think it's charming.

I found the one below recently - I think the little metal title tags are so cool too - like a plaque.

This is a Vintage French Chandelier - I think the scrolls and curves are fabulous and I I love the beads and crystals - easy and elegant...
This is one of my fave's these days, I'm loving the funky beaded strands - this one is a larger one and the next one is petite. Both are beaded with old crystals all in different sizes and shapes and different lengths in perfect condition.

This is a little lamp that is one of a Pair - they're very beachy and perfect for anywhere!
Please visit me on ebay if you get a chance - Our house guests are leaving on Sunday - so I'll be back after the weekend.

Make it great!

Marco Polo Mural Update -

2009-07-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

G'Morning All -

This is what you see turning into the driveway - the blue is outta this world beautiful.

This was it through Sunday - Monday we spent the day eating, cooking, and talking on the couch while we both worked on laptops. Quite a sight I'm sure. Back to work today so I'll be snapping progress photos tomorrow.

In the meantime I'm anxious to post some photos of some chandeliers we've been working on lately - I'd love to know what you think -

Keith Blum Murals - Santa Monica Style

2009-07-12T09:06:00.001-07:00

Hi Blog Friends - Thanks for joining me...Meet Keith Blum - he's my brother. He's a fabulous artist/muralist whose Trompe L'oeil works have amazed me my whole life and I'm so happy to share it all with you. You may have seen one of the murals he painted at the famous F & S Fabrics in West L.A.

That's him standing in front of the mural next to a car so you have some perspective of the size of the building. He can draw and paint anything - he prefers to do it with wide brushes with huge huge strokes on the side of a building, but can fool your eye even if in a little niche painted with a skinny brush. A true artist.

Currently he's doing a mural in Santa Monica featuring a tribute to Marco Polo - the store is Marco Polo Imports and they have very cool imported furniture, chandeliers, pillows, shells, candles etc. Located just up the street from this landmark in Santa Monica, California -

Here's the pencil rendering - you can see that it's in a 3-ring binder and is notebook size...The side of the building will be completely covered with his artwork

This is the side of the building chalked out with some outline done and check out the major scaffolding going on - can you imagine painting something that large that close that high?

This is really close up -

And here's what it looks like looking straight up!

Walk right around the building and you'll see the front...(remember this was Day 1 so it's just the beginning) see the chalk marks on the left where there will be a mural and see the door and staircase on the right? it's painted no real stairs or door there at all.

Here's a closeup of the Trompe L'oeil door and stairs...there will be another photo when the left side when is done - amazing don't you think?

This was all for Day 1 - you can see the building taking on it's new look - and I'm sure the final picture will be out of this world mind blowing great.

And then we headed home...

Day 2 on Monday - wait till you see the progress...Santa Monica's got it!

www.keithblum.com

Welcome Beach Bums Swinging on Chandeliers

2009-07-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't know what happened to my 1st blog but I've heard this is 'show your entry and foyer' week - so for me, it's the perfect time to begin again. I hope my entry keeps you wanting to come back for more to see what's new around our place and to check out our Chandeliers and other vintage lighting.
My kids call this Peace & Love because of the design in the swing which cracks me up. A few years ago my neighbor moved and couldn't take the swing so they hauled it over here and it's perfect - really solid even has the perfect crickety squeak.
I found the Sconces at the Santa Monica Flea Market - they were freshly painted black and they just weren't right so I painted them white and made them look aged and weathered and I love em. Couldn't decide what Chandelier to put right here and when my contractor friend brought this one over that he rescued that day up it went. It's been there a few years weathering and getting all chippy-love that!
If you can see the Adirondack chairs and rockers on the Porch - they're great and I would never admit this to Mr Beachy but it's a little bit of a regrettable purchase. We overpaid and they're such good quality they'll never weather or look old-bummer. But they're solid and steady and comfortable and they're here because I wanted them really badly.
Our Beach Bum doormat gets much use and paves the way for everything imperfect. There's a cool old cement Peacock statue to greet you and a pile of inspirational rocks the kids have set out. Come on in!
PS Gotta figure out how to change the order of the photos and a few other things...