Anthropologie Ottawa Purchase

Anthropologie has come to Ottawa! (More to come on that thrilling note.) My haul from the new store included 6 lovely knobs and Rifle Paper Co.'s beautifully illustrated Little Women novel!

Anthropologie Cat Knob

I replaced the drawer knob on my desk with this cutie, the treasure of my Toronto shopping jaunt.

Collections

I'm always curious to find out what dear little objects people hold close to their hearts. Often times collections go beyond the typical stamps, marbles, and post cards. I recall reading a magazine article about a man who collects vintage doll heads--yes, (previously detached) heads of dolls that happen to be rolling around flea markets and antique stores--and stores them in a big, fat glass-front cabinet. Personally, if I woke up and saw all those eyes peering at me from the dark I'd squeal in terror, but hey, collections are wonderfully subjective. Here's what I'm drawn to:

 Knobs: I feel like Aunt Clara from Bewitched. Ha! I've been amassing them for future furniture revamps. I've already spruced up the drawers on my two desks and turned a chunk of moulding into a rack of hooks.

 Chandelier crystals: They're sparkly, they're geometric, they're glamorous, and they're a part of the whole Pollyanna optimism mentality. I'll make a chandelier some day.

Doilies: I don't know how to crochet (...yet...), so these ready-to-go bits of lace are great for a variety of projects from collars to buntings. They are readily available and varied in design.

Fabric: If it's pretty, I'll take it. If it's pretty, I'll use it for something. It could be a big chunk or a little chunk and I don't care. I'll turn it into a shirt or tack it to my wall and stare at it. Fabric is my thing. Oh, and a good floral fabric is just too delightful for words.

Vintage sewing patterns: These guys are beautifully illustrated, frameable, and symbolize fashionable potential and former Home Ec glory days. Plus, they can make some cleverly constructed and flattering garments.

Paper: Everything from designer sheets to inspirational magazine clippings to metallic envelope linings makes the cut. I have a box under my bed several inches deep in the glorious stuff; I guess it's an extension of my love for surface pattern design.

Vintage books: In addition to hunting down old editions of classic reads, I'm drawn to books with amusing titles or beautiful illustrations. I also have a mini challenge with myself to find the oldest book possible. My oldest running date is 1887!

Frames: Alas, ornate frames are the closest things I can get to chunks of European architecture. They are arguably even nicer hung empty.
Basically, I love how collections are personal groupings of inspirational objects. They can be used to make more pretty things or they can just be gaped at, but either way a collection gives a collector a little flutter of joy in their search for beauty. What do you collect?

Glass Knobs

I recently found these two drape holders at a garage sale for $2 each. I bought them because I love glass knobs (I'm always on the lookout for them), and figured I could use the knobs for something!

I screwed them off of their chunky black bases and painted them white to better match the look I had in mind.

After a few coats of acrylic matte and semi-gloss paints, they were transformed into architectural, shabby chic beauties!

I might use them to make a hook for hanging jewelry, but I've got a few more ideas up my sleeve...