Courtney sends me the following:
"The Bertoia chairs used to be in the bank where my Dad worked in the 70s. When the bank remodeled, he took 6 of the chairs home because my parents were in need of patio furniture. 30 years later, I saved them from their rusty state and cleaned them up a bit. I love that they've been a part of our family for so long."
"The vintage cocktail set was bought online from Austin Modern (http://www.austinmodern.com/) and just screams of a party. I found the house vase in the fields of Round Top, TX. I paid way too much for it ($35 in Round Top seems steep when $10 scores are lurking in every corner!), but I couldn't put it down. I carried it for over 20 minutes before I finally decided it had to come home with me."
"This vintage leg cast is a little "Ripley's Believe It or Not-ish." I like pieces that strike conversation and humor."
"My Mom gave this to me when I was living in New York. My Grandfather, Arthur Ory, used to own an appliance store in Louisiana and sold Fedders Air Conditioners. In 1958 he won a trip to New York City for selling the most air conditioners in his region. They put his name in lights on Broadway, seen here with my Mom and Grandmother. This picture makes me so proud of my Grandpa and nostalgic for my days in the city!"
"My husband couldn't have picked a more perfect engagement ring. His father gave this to his mother the day my husband was born. He also had "JJ" inscribed on the inside, my husband's nickname. Rubies are my birthstone, so the ring is beyond perfect. The diamond pendant was given to me on my wedding day. My other grandparents used to own a jewelry shop in downtown Baton Rouge. When the shop closed, my Grandmother took these loose diamonds. My Uncle had the pendant made and gave it to me on my wedding day."
"My Uncle was an antique dealer and I used to love raiding his shop whenever I would go home. I originally purchased this amazing vintage collar necklace thinking I would have no place to wear it, but I've somehow managed to work it into a myriad of outfits. It's a knockout."
"I found these life-size King and Queen porcelain chess statues in Austin, TX at a garage sale. When I told my husband there was no way we could go home without them, he almost fell out but eventually grew to love them as much as I do. Sadly our very large dog got excited one afternoon and sent the King tumbling down our outdoor stairs. But the Queen still greets us each time we come home."
"
"After a long night of drinking in Fredericksburg, TX, we spotted this vintage typewriter-turned-light perched on the bar's wall. At 2AM we purchased it and immediately knew it belonged over our medical cart bar. The LSU football player whiskey bottle belonged to my Uncle. Both my husband and I attended LSU and we practically bleed purple and gold. If my husband were to take anything material with him when he passes, it would probably be the football player. Filled with Maker's Mark."
"this vintage grape washer was one of Anthropologie's found objects. I gave it to our husband for our first anniversary and we planted strawberries in it. Well, they didn't last long, as you can see. We're on to basil now."
"I bought these old hotel door numbers in the date of our anniversary, "4" "20" "5" We were married 4.2.05. I have them placed above each bedroom's light switch."
Um Courtney I'm kinda jealous of your house to the point where I'm pissed off about it. I like the wholesome family photo over the fish guts. And the typewriter on the wall? You are nuttier than a god damn fruitcake. And I like it. Here at RMH we like to wear our mental illnesses and quirks on our sleeves.
I love posting this stuff from you guys! When I think about the perfect home or my ideal home or just great design overall I don't think about beauty or flow or color I think about how much fun it would actually be to be in that space. This house is full of things that you could look at and hear the stories behind. You would always have something interesting and stimulating around you and your guests will love to be there to take everything in. I see pictures of pretty matchy rooms with designer furniture and I usually just say "hmm pretty whatever" then I'm distracted by something shiny like jangling keys.
ALRIGHT BITCHES, WHO'S NEXT?
"The Bertoia chairs used to be in the bank where my Dad worked in the 70s. When the bank remodeled, he took 6 of the chairs home because my parents were in need of patio furniture. 30 years later, I saved them from their rusty state and cleaned them up a bit. I love that they've been a part of our family for so long."
"The vintage cocktail set was bought online from Austin Modern (http://www.austinmodern.com/) and just screams of a party. I found the house vase in the fields of Round Top, TX. I paid way too much for it ($35 in Round Top seems steep when $10 scores are lurking in every corner!), but I couldn't put it down. I carried it for over 20 minutes before I finally decided it had to come home with me."
"This vintage leg cast is a little "Ripley's Believe It or Not-ish." I like pieces that strike conversation and humor."
"My Mom gave this to me when I was living in New York. My Grandfather, Arthur Ory, used to own an appliance store in Louisiana and sold Fedders Air Conditioners. In 1958 he won a trip to New York City for selling the most air conditioners in his region. They put his name in lights on Broadway, seen here with my Mom and Grandmother. This picture makes me so proud of my Grandpa and nostalgic for my days in the city!"
"My husband couldn't have picked a more perfect engagement ring. His father gave this to his mother the day my husband was born. He also had "JJ" inscribed on the inside, my husband's nickname. Rubies are my birthstone, so the ring is beyond perfect. The diamond pendant was given to me on my wedding day. My other grandparents used to own a jewelry shop in downtown Baton Rouge. When the shop closed, my Grandmother took these loose diamonds. My Uncle had the pendant made and gave it to me on my wedding day."
"My Uncle was an antique dealer and I used to love raiding his shop whenever I would go home. I originally purchased this amazing vintage collar necklace thinking I would have no place to wear it, but I've somehow managed to work it into a myriad of outfits. It's a knockout."
"I found these life-size King and Queen porcelain chess statues in Austin, TX at a garage sale. When I told my husband there was no way we could go home without them, he almost fell out but eventually grew to love them as much as I do. Sadly our very large dog got excited one afternoon and sent the King tumbling down our outdoor stairs. But the Queen still greets us each time we come home."
"
Found this Genetics poster in a prop shop on New
York's Houston Street. Oversized wall hangings draw me in like a moth
to a flame! I'm obsessed."
"After a long night of drinking in Fredericksburg, TX, we spotted this vintage typewriter-turned-light perched on the bar's wall. At 2AM we purchased it and immediately knew it belonged over our medical cart bar. The LSU football player whiskey bottle belonged to my Uncle. Both my husband and I attended LSU and we practically bleed purple and gold. If my husband were to take anything material with him when he passes, it would probably be the football player. Filled with Maker's Mark."
"this vintage grape washer was one of Anthropologie's found objects. I gave it to our husband for our first anniversary and we planted strawberries in it. Well, they didn't last long, as you can see. We're on to basil now."
"I bought these old hotel door numbers in the date of our anniversary, "4" "20" "5" We were married 4.2.05. I have them placed above each bedroom's light switch."
Um Courtney I'm kinda jealous of your house to the point where I'm pissed off about it. I like the wholesome family photo over the fish guts. And the typewriter on the wall? You are nuttier than a god damn fruitcake. And I like it. Here at RMH we like to wear our mental illnesses and quirks on our sleeves.
I love posting this stuff from you guys! When I think about the perfect home or my ideal home or just great design overall I don't think about beauty or flow or color I think about how much fun it would actually be to be in that space. This house is full of things that you could look at and hear the stories behind. You would always have something interesting and stimulating around you and your guests will love to be there to take everything in. I see pictures of pretty matchy rooms with designer furniture and I usually just say "hmm pretty whatever" then I'm distracted by something shiny like jangling keys.
ALRIGHT BITCHES, WHO'S NEXT?
I'm not next. Especially after THAT cool abode. All I've got is my two decade old stinky black lab worn out carpet.
-loved this post. what a great home.
Posted by: Caroline | May 29, 2008 at 05:16 AM
OK, I love Courtney's house. I too am jealous of it!
Leslie if I ever get around to it, I want to take a few photos of things at my house and send them your way!
Posted by: Amanda | May 29, 2008 at 05:17 AM
Leslie - you are seriously a crack up! If you, me, and Urban Grace Erika every got in a room together - it would be trouble!
I am a bitty nutty (did I also mention I have a real horse leg bone in the corner of my den?) and there was a period I had to seriously stop buying the wacky tacky things I came across. My house was starting to become "that house." Glad you liked my possessions. We can fight over them in heaven. xx
Posted by: Courtney | May 29, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Courtney, if you ever want to get rid of that round mirror behind the diningtable - please drop me a line! It's unbelievably gorgeous. Well - your whole house is fantastic (that pattern on the wall in the hallway - is it wallpaper, or did you paint it on? Lovely!!).
I'll just get in line now with all the other people green with envy at your abode...
Posted by: Renate | May 29, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Great items - love your chairs, fish chart, and genetics chart. All have such a wonderful story, which really counts!
Posted by: Diana | May 29, 2008 at 06:33 AM
i'm green with envy and about to pee my pants at the same time.
i'd run Courtney over for that for that collar necklace!
Posted by: kelly | May 29, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Renate: that mirror was a hand-me-down from my in-laws, and I believe it came from Kirkland's! But taken out of context of fake flowers and faux furniture, it looks great. I'll surely let you know should we ever tire of it. For the hallway walls, it is KWID's Imperial Trellis wallpaper and worth every bit of the splurge!!
Thanks for the compliments. xx
Posted by: Courtney | May 29, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Gosh! Now I am totally never going to show my stuff, because I am totally booooooooooring compared to this girl. Geez!! :)
Posted by: J | May 29, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Okay look I think we all need to just settle down. We can all agree that we sorta want to run this bitch over with a car and steal all of her items, but we have to be adults.
Keep sending me pictures! It makes for a lot of fun filled posts without me having to actually write anything.
Posted by: Leslie (Reclaiming Miss Havisham) | May 29, 2008 at 09:44 AM
YEAH!!! Isn't her house killer. She's coming to my house this summer, and she's gonna be so dissappointed... especially since I call myself a "designer".
HA HA HA!!
Loved every minute of it!!
xoxo
erika
Posted by: erika - urban grace interiors | May 29, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Gorgeous house/stuff. And I'm loving the Things We Save theme. I'm with you - a home should be full of things to look at, things that have character and stories and represent the person who lives there. If your home is white and no clutter and all sleek, modern furniture, then what does that say about the person living in it? Plus it's boring.
That said I probably won't be sharing anything. I just moved in a few months ago and the place still looks like a frat house with cardboard everywhere and no pictures on the walls.
PS - This is my new favorite blog. Decorating/design and a heavy handful of personality. Just the way I like it.
Posted by: Amanda | May 29, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Damn, I'd better start watching my back. You people are seriously postal.
:)
Posted by: Courtney | May 29, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Court, I had seen your house before, but I love hearing about the explanation behind some of the great objects. And that NECKLACE...darling, it is to DIE for!
Posted by: erin@elements of style | May 29, 2008 at 10:35 AM
What about the curious little door with the seashell handle? The one under the picture of your grandparents in NYC? I LOVE IT
Posted by: Kate | May 29, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Oh Kate, that's our mailbox "trap"...our house was built in 1926 and they did cute things like that back then.
Posted by: Courtney | May 29, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Okay, seeing Courtney's house again [first time on Erika's blog] helps remind me to FREAKING loosen up and hang what I want on my walls and make my house the way I want it. It's far more interesting that way.
Courtney, thanks for the jump start! Love your pad.
Posted by: seleta | May 29, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Now you're talking about a house with some personality!! (see my post re:Veranda) Love it! I especially love that you had fun in my town -Fredericksburg, and bought the typewriter for the wall!! What a great, fun post!!! And yes, I would steal that necklace from you if I could!!! Come on back to Fred soon!
Posted by: Ann - Hill Country House | June 02, 2008 at 12:52 PM
she's so freaking awesome.
maybe i could conjur up some stuff at the crib. poss do me sometime?
Posted by: i suwannee | June 03, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Ummmm this may be a little late, but I can't help but notice I typed "our" husband in the description under the Anthropolgie grape washer/planter. Yes, I am from Texas, but no, I do not believe in sharing my husband with others. Record cleared.
xx
Posted by: Courtney | June 09, 2008 at 07:09 PM