Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part III: Mercury Glass



















Shiny Things

I hide coins for my son to find
drop nickels ‘round the playground swing
seed quarters under sawdust by the slide
place dimes beside the whirlawheel
I act surprised when he discovers
a penny along the woodchip trail
delight in the excitement on his face
his lucky smile finding unexpected shiny things
I seek objects that shine
collect and hold them in my hands
assorted coins that shimmer
crows so bright they start
the fire burning in the sky
my son his brilliant eyes
I turn them in the light
then hide them in my heart





Today’s lesson in ‘the Nina Hartmann look’ is the importance of mercury glass.

She uses shades made of mercury glass over task lighting in her kitchen and candlesticks.  They add sparkle without bling, because the tarnish softens the effect.  It’s like displaying silver without the chore of polishing. 

Try massing them in front of mirrors.  With shimmery candles lit at twilight the effect is pure delight.

Mercury glass votives do double duty as charming vases.

I’d love the real thing, but they’re prohibitively expensive in antique stores and the web.  I found my reproduction candlesticks at The Sheep’s Nest ($80 for 4) and my real one at The Barking Dog in High Falls, NY ($15 because it’s chipped), and reproduction votives at Anthropologie ($12).




Until next time, stay shabby!




Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 







Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part II: Angel Wings




















In this immaculate doll of heaven has been conceived,
            as though
No hands had shaped her, an uninvented innocence be-
            queathing grace
Ring upon ring in haloes all around her, and not remote
            nor kind
But only there, dispensing of all the brought light a total
            larger light.

Even now her wings have assumed such shields of glory
            and the pool beneath
Wheels with such wreaths of shining, the room is gath-
            ered and filled
By her tall and burning stillness and, an actual angel,
            her suspension wars
For a whole minute against all the dark, as if I were a
            child.

from Swedish Angel by Winfield Townley Scott




As promised, I’m writing a series of posts on Nina Hartmann and how her style has influenced my decorating.

Angel wings are the first item on Nina’s list.  She buys vintage wings made by mothers or nuns for children in Christmas pageants in European flea markets.  Tough to find, but easy to make yourself.  I merely bent bailing wire into a wing shapes, sewed scrap cotton net, painted stars with glue, then sprinkled German glass glitter on.

I can’t help feeling a little spiritual with angel wings in the house.  They symbolize freedom and protection. 

They impart intangible ‘heart’ in the home far more than any tchotchkes.

Avoid the $7 12" dollar store wings.  I’ve seen them in magazines but the effect is perfume on a pig (they’re just toys for kids).

Check out handmade wings at:





Until next time, stay shabby!




Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 





Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Decorating Tips from Nina Part I: Rustic & Romantic






Fluffy white angel wings on a black bulldog: Nina in a nutshell.







Vintage crinoline and my homemade church candelabra.  Ruffled leavened with rustic.
The crinoline was $18 at The Salvation Army and the candelabra was practically free. 







Balance in romantic home accessories: white and black, roses and tarnished metal, 
refined linens and raw burlap.  Authentic only.





First off, I must thank all of you for your kind words and advice in response to my recent tragedies and troubles.  I’ll heal much faster with encouragement.  I’m looking into master’s programs, too, to raise my earning potential.  I fear the money and time it will all cost, along with the knowledge I may not be better off after all’s said and done.  But one must try, for failure is certain if one does not.

As promised, I’m writing a series of posts on Nina Hartmann and how her style has influenced my decorating.  

Nina says:

Compliment every feminine accessory (such as lace boudoir/wedding textiles) with a masculine accessory (such as old mannequins or my favorite – shed deer antlers).

Nina suggests zinc, raw or dark wood, old wicker, weathered metal, and industrial materials to get the look.*

(*Cited from 'Jeanne d’Arc Living' Autumn 2010 cover feature on Nina.)

Getting an authentic feeling in your home means skipping Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn items.  Go for homemade and handmade.  It saves money and you’ll never have that impersonal cookie-cutter effect.  My favorite Etsy shops for this look are:






Want to learn more tips and where to shop?






Until next time, stay shabby!




Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage 

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 





Vintage by Nina Book Winners!








Congratulations to:

#14 Debby of Cozy Blanket  




#8 Maria of Rusty Hinge  




winners of Vintage by Nina by Nina Hartmann with photos by Maria-Isabel Hansson.




Saturday, June 2, 2012

Please Pre-Order 'Vintage By Nina' in English GIVEAWAY (U.S.)















What a fine thing!  What unannoying
            romance; And how beautiful, she
            with the natural stoop of the
snowy egret, gray-eyed and straight-haired,
for whom it should come to the door,--

of whom it reminds me.  The split
            pine fair hair, steady gannet-clear
            eyes and the pine-needled-path deer-
swift step; that is Sweden—land of the
free and the soil for a spruce tree

from A Carriage from Sweden by Marianne Moore



Dear Nina Hartmann has graciously offered two SIGNED copies of the Swedish version of Vintage By Nina for a giveaway!


Nina needs your help.


In order to get this delicious English version, 
interest must be evident in the U.S. in the form of pre-orders.



She works so hard.  She has invested so much.

Won't you send Atelier de Champagne an email to pre-order today (it's about $70) or at least leave a comment about your interest?

Let's make Nina a big success in the U.S.!

To enter: leave a comment.
Extra chances will be given to those who spread the word via social media.  Don't forget to leave a comment for each.  If you don't have a blog or email link on your blog you must contact me.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.
Giveaway ends midnight 12 June 2012.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Books will be mailed by USPS Priority with Delivery Confirmation (NOT Media Mail, the cruel unprofessional joke that cost me huge money and denied customers what they ordered in good faith).








From Atelier de Champagne:

Those interested in acquiring (the English) book for resale should contact us via
e-mail infoatelierdc@gmail.com for details and info on cost.
Title your e-mail Wholesale VBN
We need to take pre-orders ASAP in order to get the book to you by mid-September.

Those who are interested in purchasing an (English) copy or two for themselves send an e-mail to infoatelierdc@gmail.com.
Title your e-mail Retail VBN


Atelier de Champagne will take pre-orders for the sure to please Vintage by Nina Christmas book out in October 2012 with photos by Maria-Isabel Hansson soon...stay tuned!












Until next time, stay shabby!




Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage 

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Vintage by Nina Winner & New (Longer) Giveaway



New blogger Ashley of "...Ideas At Midnight" is the 20th commenter and won the signed Swedish copy of Vintage By Nina!





Don't ask me where my head was when I scheduled a giveaway to end the day I started it...

Posting a longer giveaway now!