Monday, June 30, 2008

VIGNETTES IN HIGH PLACES!

Having these high areas to decorate can be a challenge, not to mention they are high and can't be changed often which is something I like to do, but these areas are too high for that being nearly 12-15 feet off the floor! My DH is so helpful when it comes to giving these areas a dusting or redesign. I usually leave my displays alone for awhile before changes, so I thought I would share them before I get the bug to redo!!

The first one is my favorite, as it is so high you can see the second story rooftop of the neighbor's house through the window. It holds my grandmother's antique singer sewing machine, old school books of my mother's, old thread spools, greenery, old vases and urns, iron shutters, and a candle in the window that comes on every night and also a light on the machine that also is timed to shine each evening. Below this area is a closet which is at the bottom of the staircase. I am taking the picture from the top of the stairs. It is like a small sewing room. I have plans to add a small chair to one side to compliment the machine when I find the right one. These pictures are so dark and I am sorry for that. This area is very hard to get a good photo.



Also near this area, at the top of the stairs, is this window display with shutters. I placed a country path print behind an old window. In the window box I tried to fill with similar flower colors from the print.

This high display is in a living area and holds an old birdhouse with wreath, lilies, hydrangeas, an old metal pitcher and wooden bunny.

Next to this you can see the side of a very high wall sconce that lights and dims. The room has 4 of these lights at the top of the 12 foot ceiling, but on the window wall I have hand painted some wysteria hanging from these pots for interest. This picture is blurry, but you get the idea.

This next display is very close to my heart as it holds a pair of praying hands that my dear hubby made for my parents one Christmas when we were in college. I can still see him, walking to a local art shop to browse for ideas when he saw these precious hands. Even then, his Christian spirit and heart always showed through. My parents loved this handmade and painted gift and displayed it the rest of their lives. Now that they are in heaven, I have the hands and they are the first display I see when I walk out of the bedroom in the morning. I have teamed them with a musical birdhouse, a vine of yellow roses, old frame with bread bowl, pretty magnolia branch and a sweet red bird for color. This display sits high atop a corner cupboard.

In the master bedroom, this high shelf holds an old antique tray that I still have an idea to paint something on along with an old needlework magnolia, old candlesticks and an old framed painting of a young girl playing the piano. This display is high above a writing desk and just below the sky with clouds I have painted in the room.

The sky with clouds is the center of a raised ceiling area that is finished with crown molding to complete making this area perfect for painting the sky. I have taken this look over into the bathroom. The shelf area between the two rooms holds my wire bird cage collection with some ivy. The sky is wonderful to wake up to.

Sky from the bathroom side.

Furniture tops are the perfect high places to display collectibles. This photo shows an old hutch topped with my oil painting of old red roses, a large glass vase, grapes trailing across and a trio of bell domes at different heights showcasing a few of my old bell collection.

My high entry display brings the eye up to see an old roses painting with stack boxes, greenery, stone wall decor and stenciled flowers on the tile ledge.

Also on this ledge, at it's turn, is a needlework cottage of a Thomas Kinkade painting that I did years ago.

High places in the kitchen bring me to share this niche. It is the pass through between the dining room and kitchen. I have a sign that reads Home is where your story begins along with some Tuscan style collectibles.

This high kitchen shelf displays a thin shelf and home to a pear sign and rooster plates. The shelf tops a built in crystal hutch.

The last high place is another hutch top in my library/family room. It shows a wall accent, boxes, wire bird cage, and hydrangeas bringing out the colors in the room.

Thank you for stopping by and as I close I will share a few past works and painting studies.



Lastly, this is a large beach scene of Cottages on the Beach. I painted this many years ago from an art study. I still enjoy this piece as it hangs in a guestroom.


Well, I am off to paint and create. I hope you have a great week and till next time, Blessings and Blue Skies, Celestina

18 comments:

Kathleen Grace said...

Hi Celestina, I am so glad you commented becasue I love you beautiful blog and your artwork! I need to go look at the rest of it now:>)

vickie said...

Miss Celeste! Every picture is so wonderful. You are a true artist in all endeavors!

Simply Me Art said...

What Wonderful Ideas. You have truly utilized areas that usually get neglegted. I Love what you have done. Jamie

A Hint of Home said...

Hi Celestina,
You sure have a lot of high places to decorate. You do a wonderful job!
I love the last pic you painted. It reminds me of Linda Nelson Stock's work.
Your home is just beautifully decorated.
It's great to have a hubby who helps clean those high places. Mine does the same here.
Have a great week!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love the sewing machine up on the ledge. We have 1 large ledge opened to the family room and hallway that I put my antiques. I wish I had more. Nice to put things up there and off the floor! Way neat idea to paint the flowers coming out of the sconces.

Unknown said...

Wow, those are some beautiful vignettes. I love the way you arrange things, so lovely! That is so sweet that your hubby made those praying hands for your parents when he was so young. The red bird with that vignette looks really sweet, does it have holes in the design? It almost looks like it could be a pomander.

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hi Celeste! Your niches continue to thrill & chill me!! Of course, my very favorite is your sweet grandmother's sewing machine vignette. It just doesn't get any better than that! Each display is so unique & so well thought out. I love it all.

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Sandra Evertson said...

It's all SO Gorgeous! I especially love the amazing vignette with the sewing machine! Fabulous!
Sandra Evertson

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

oooh so many pretty places! I love to decorate high up.... the little ones keep their fingers away then. lol

xo Heather

Bertie said...

Love this post, honey!! All of your high spaces are brilliantly done! Nice to have a hubby that will help with those.

Miss you bunches!!

Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage

Ruth Welter said...

Hi Celestina...first of all your new paintings look beautiful, I espeically love those grapes. I love the display you have done with the window, I love old windows, they have such character. I love how you have painted the sky on your ceiling...I know that would be a lot of work, work that would probably make your neck ache. : )

Secondhandrose said...

Celeste, you have a wonderful way with display. Thanks for so many pictures.
Karen

kari and kijsa said...

Absolutely beautiful! Love your use of color and space!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

smiles, kari & kijsa

Rmomof3 said...

I especially love the grapes. Our kitchen is decorated with grapes. Beautiful!
Renee

Shirl said...

Hi Celeste, wow you have alot of beautiful high places in your home! Each one is just beautiful! My favorite is your grandmother's sewing room vignette.
Blessings, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

Debbie Kay said...

Celestina:

Your home is as beautiful as you are.....

Debbie Kay

Blogger said...

I love the pear pic and the Roosters...I love everything! Thank you for sharing :)

Chany said...

Mary Celestine, una belleza todo lo que haces, yo estoy muy contenta de conocerte, porque tu manos me bendicen y me ayuda a mi también a valor más mis labor, te dejo un abrazo especial, con todos mi corazón Chany.-

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..