Friday Show and Tell – Pineapple Motif

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by the very talented Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

In my second post for this blog, on September 25, 2007, I wrote about my use of pineapple motif items in my home. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality. Years ago in New England a pineapple was prominently posted outside the home when the ship’s captain returned from a voyage. Friends then knew that visitors were expected and welcome.

Then in November 2008 I wrote about a large watercolor painting I’d gotten for just fifty cents.

Today I’d just like to share three of my pineapple items. First is a 12-inch tall green ceramic container, hand made in Portugal by Deartis.


I’ve embellished it with a white bow, which contrasts with the sculpted green surface.

This finial was a gift from a friend and sits on top of a small cabinet in my study.

It looks like carved wood, but is some sort of resin. It stands 14 inches tall.

The last item is in the dining room. It is a large 23-inch tall ceramic piece which I found at Marshall’s several years ago.

The pineapple is set in a large urn and reminds me of a topiary.

I hope that each of these pieces enhance the décor and add to the sense of welcome here at Oak Rise Cottage.

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comment is welcome. Visit more Show and Tell at There is No Place Like Home.

Friday Show and Tell – Thrifted Watercolor Painting

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

As I mentioned in a post last fall, I have quite a collection of pineapple themed items here at Oak Rise Cottage. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and I enjoy having family and friends over. Here is an original watercolor painting I bought for only fifty cents at a church yard sale back in the 1980’s. It measures 16" high by 20" wide.


The subject of the painting, two pineapples with a knife that has been used to split one of the pineapples in two, is very well executed by the artist.

I bought the painting unmatted. Soon after I was given a framed print by my sister, and I found that the 27" x 21" frame and mat was just right for my thrifted painting.

I was delighted, and placed it right over the table in the breakfast area in the kitchen of my apartment.

Thanks for stopping by and do visit more Show and Tell at Kelli’s house.

Winning and Fall Décor Accents

A winner! I just got news from Cathy at TreasuredHeirlooms (http://treasured-heirlooms.blogspot.com/) that I won her blog contest for the Victorian Altered Art Gift Tag. I’m really looking forward to receiving it.

As I mentioned to Cathy in my e-mail, these artistic tags are a new craft to me. Since discovering this new world of blogging nearly two months ago, I have been introduced to so many new ideas from some really special people.

Seeing examples of such creativity has also re-stimulated my interest in doing some creative hand-work. In the past I have done a few needlework or sewing projects to add touches of prettiness to my home. Now I want to take that up again. More on that subject in another post.

Meanwhile, here is some things for fall table setting and décor accents I’ve gathered from various storage or display spaces -- soup tureen, gravy boat, fruit and vegetable covered boxes.

There is the little scarecrow I got at the thrift shop for 25 cents, mentioned in my Oct. 3 post. The large folk art tin container was a $15 consignment shop find. It is very heavy and very sturdy. The ceramic pumpkin is one of several containers in shape of fall produce.




I hope you've enjoyed this Columbus Day holiday!

BEAUTIFUL HERITAGE Part II

Hello! Yesterday I was having trouble inserting the photos where I wanted them, got distracted and ended my very first blog post almost in mid thought!

Continuing with the front entrance wall. . . There is a framed sunprint of a pineapple (made by applying the design stencil to the paper and exposing it to sunlight). I bought it at a craft fair at a local apple festival. It was a deep blue on off-white, but over the years it has taken on a purple hue from light exposure. The word "Welcome" and the pineapple graphic says "glad you’re here" to those who enter.
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With usual thoroughness, I have placed a pineapple of some sort in each room of Oak Rise Cottage. Here are some highlights, with photos:
The Living Room – pineapple teapot from a Metropolitan Museum sale catalog is on the top shelf of the desk cabinet; pair of glass bookends on the bottom shelf; brass letter opener on the desktop; a floor standing faux stone pineapple I got at Marshall’s on clearance; on a side table a brass frame etched with pineapples, holds a postcard from a friend in Norway.

The Dining Room – trivets and coasters, many of which are gifts from my Mother, a sister and friends.

The Hallway wall includes a wood carved pineapple plaque.

In the Study, on bookcase - a pineapple finial, a gift from an interior designer friend.

On the bed in the Rose Guest Bedroom a pink pillow from friend and a crystal pineapple from the nightstand.

In the Principal Bedroom (no "master" here!) – On the bureau is a Lenox ‘Fruits of Life’ vase, a gift from my mother, which helped to launch a collection of Lenox vases, picture frames and bowls. Near the jewelry box are pineapple brooches, of which the most exquisite (in gold and silver) is from a friend.

In the Kitchen - a framed ink tracing of a pineapple I did years ago, the image from an old cookbook; two serving dishes by Wilton Armetale; my Household Book, a three-ring binder I covered in blue and white print paper; printed paper napkins from a friend; a pewter hanging wind chime, a gift from co-workers; a wood frame with applique pewter, a gift from one sister, holds a postcard I bought in Stratford on Avon, England in 1995; shaped notepad, fridge magnets, ruler, etc.

In the Laundry Room is a framed print on linen, which my two youngest sisters bought for me at a hospital gift shop when I went to get a second opinion regarding surgery in summer 1980.

So, with many thoughtful gifts from family, friends and co-workers, these items -- among other details of my home -- help express my interests and outlook on home-keeping and hospitality.
[Of course, each of my sisters also has her own assemblage of pineapple objects in her home. But neither has had the incurable focus as their big sister!]

I hope you enjoyed reading about this hospitality motif and related collectibles around my home. Let me know if you also collect pineapple items. I would love to hear from you.

BEAUTIFUL HERITAGE

To have grown up with a mother who loves beautiful things is a wonderful heritage for her children, who will go on to set up homes of their own. My three younger sisters and I each love homekeeping and all that it entails. We are pretty much all collectors of multiple things, all intended to enhance the pleasantness of our homes. Some collections are practical in running a household, while others delight the senses and add to the atmosphere of the house.

Pictured on the right above is a cornucopia in my middle sister's kitchen. Made of natural materials it makes a handy and attractive element on her countertop. Her guests have quickly depleted the generous stuffing of fruit she had provided here.

One traditional symbol of hospitality that all four sisters have collected is the pineapple motif. As the eldest daughter, I started the sisters off in most of the things we have collected alike. As the other sisters set up their own homes, they tended to include some elements from big sister. Both family and friends have contributed to our collecting ventures. For example, on the wall near the front door in Oak Rise Cottage there is a plaster pineapple made by a great friend of mine for me. It is painted in sort of an antique gold and is 18" h x 10.5" w. (See photo at top, left.)