Reuse, Repurpose ... Unexpected Objects as Art

When gathering information for this post I realized a theme was developing. My husband and I have collected antiques since we were in college.  In my own home I don’t have a single lamp that began its' life as a  lamp. I have a few nice paintings from my friend Pat Huber http://pathuberfineart.com/collections/9145.  You can read the post I did on her art here http://villacantinas.blogspot.com/2010/04/kitchen-completion-and-beautiful-art.html .  More often our “art” began it’s life as something else. If I find something that intrigues me it might end up a lamp, wall art, or something even different.   Steve and I were repurposing things before we new it was in vogue to do so.   Steve purchased old Pennsylvania barns for their beams and has used them in several homes he has built or remodeled over the years. I intend to do a post on that in the future.
In one of my older posts  I posted a picture of this fabulous grape gathering bucket that I had been coveting  from Barreveld.  I knew I wanted to use it somewhere I just wasn’t sure where.

 I also posted a picture of this area which was calling for a fabulous work of art.


Since the budget didn’t allow for a fab work of art I filled it with a mixture of gathered local sticks  and faux flora.  Now it is one of my favorite details.


The great oars in the picture above have made their way around Villa Cantina as well.  They look great wherever I put them!




I found these old french porch balusters at one of my favorite haunts  Center Street Antiques in Soquel.  I knew  when I found them they would make fabulous lamps.  Look what Colin created over the weekend.  Drum shades are from ballarddesigns.com. 








This area was desperately calling for something interesting.   This isn’t the most attractive stair rail.  I hope to give it a better finish at some point.  I think something old always adds character to an area that can be cold and unwelcoming.




On the wall a great pair of Oars that I found on Ebay here and  a fabulous pair of canoe paddles from Crawford Antiques in Soquel.

On the wall an old barn vent from a Pennsylvania barn that Steve purchased the beams for a home he did several years ago.



The end result is much friendlier and welcoming don't you think?



Reemember the cowhide rug that I bought from Shine Rugs.  Here it is in all it’s glory…love it!



I also bought these great shutters from Capitol Salvage on Ebay.  I am thinking headboards for these fellas!



As I was about to post today I came across one of my favorite blogs Acanthus and Acorn.  She did another fabulous post about a new book Monica Rich Kosann has written titled “Living With What You Love"
You can read her fabulous post here http://acanthusandacorn.blogspot.com/2010/06/living-with-what-you-love. 








If you would like to buy Monica’s book you can click on my favorite design books or go to Amazon or your favorite bookstore and purchase.  I am ordering mine today.
 
Technorati Tags: Living with What you Love,Capitol Salvage,Acanthus and Acorn,Crawford's antiques,Center Street Antiques,Ballard Designs

Halter Ranch and Uncorked Wine Tours

We had a chance this past weekend to try a few new wineries that we had not yet visited. This beautiful Victorian Farmhouse had long intrigued us. We were absolutely taken with the property and pleasantly surprised with their wines. 
Halter Ranch is a relatively new winery with a rich history. Located on Adelaida Road, near Vineyard Drive, the property dates to the 1880s, when it was part of a 3,000-acre ranch owned by Paso Robles pioneer Edwin Smith. The  Victorian farmhouse Smith built in 1885 remains a Westside Paso Robles landmark. In 2000, Swiss-born businessman Hansjorg Wyss fell in love with the property .Their vineyards  are planted with 15 different grape varieties - 60% Bordeaux and 40% Rhone.  It is one of the area’s few SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified wineries.  We particularly enjoyed the 2008 Rose which by the way was named by Sunset Magazine as one of the top three favorites on the Central Coast.

The Old Barn on the property

Below is a rendering (courtesy of Halter Ranch website) of the new winemaking facility and tasting room. There is a newly constructed covered bridge that will connect the new structure with the original property. I love that it is in keeping with the character and ambiance of the  property. You can read more about it here:  http://www.halterranch.com/Our-Story/winery_project


We found their wines to be affordable and quite good. If you are interested in purchasing any of their wines go here: http://www.halterranch.com/shop
While visiting Halter Ranch we had the pleasure of running into the charming, cute and bubbly owner of Uncorked Wine Tours.
We have not yet taken any escorted local wine tours but I can tell you if we do we will definately contact Katie.  She will help you choose the wineries you would like to visit or if you have your own itinerary even better! She will even bring along a gourmet lunch.  She has a beautiful van that seats six.  Check out Katie’s website and give her a call if you are interested http://www.uncorkedwinetours.net/