Debra Hall and The English Cottage Collection

PLEASE...COME FOLLOW MY NEW BLOG!!

2011-08-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Happy Friday to you!

I would love to have you click on over to my new blog Debra Hall Lifestyle at http://debrahalllifestyle.blogspot.com/ ! I also have a new website at http://www.debrahalllifestyle.com/ ! I have some new ideas I would love to share with you....

Hope to see you.....

Have a wonderful weekend!

Debra

Garden Harvest, a New Love and a New Website and Blog!!

2011-08-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

Hi friends......Happy Friday!

I thought I would do a quick post on my garden harvest, a new love (my camera), and the launch of a new Website and blog!!

I posted yesterday about my extended garden this year and just wanted to share a few more pictures of my fruits of harvest!!

This year I added blueberries! I didn't even know you could grow blueberries in California! They are so easy and the plant itself is beautiful.

It's a small bush and I planted it in a large old french iron coal bucket.

Here are the black raspberries I planted in an old cast iron sink. Delicious!! Did I have over abundance?....no!

Did I enjoy every savory little bite of my own home grown fruit?....yes!

I only got enough to sprinkle on our bowls of oatmeal in the morning, but what a treat!

This was the first year for many of the plants, so I'm hoping to get more next year.

My new love is my Canon camera!! Thanks to my wonderful and talented friend and photographer Dusty Lu, who guided me on my purchase! Photography is one of Lu's many talents and if you haven't seen her published work, go here! I have a lot to learn about my camera but I'm loving the process! Thanks for your support LuLu!!

And last but not least....I have a new website and blog, where you can find me! Please come and visit me, I would love to hear from you!! I've been busy finding new treasures for my online store and I have lots of thoughts and "lifestyle" ideas to share.

Have a wonderful weekend......

My Courtyard Garden

2011-08-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It's been awhile......I hope you're having a great week!

I have a few things I'd like to share with you.

So, this year I extended my garden and added a few new but very old architectural elements.

I love to cook and use fresh herbs from my own garden.

There's just something about growing it yourself, picking if fresh and then adding to your favorite dish.

Since my courtyard is small, I decided to make it a container garden.

I had the good fortune of rescuing three wonderful old cast irons sinks on stands from a farm that was going to be demolished. They have an amazing patina of crusty chippy old white paint with rust, and a porcelain interior with a drain. Perfect for the garden!!

The first one I filled with a black raspberry plant, an old iron trellis and fresh oregano to trail over the sides of the sink.

and the other two

I put on each side of the birdcage. I loaded them to the brim with every kind of herb I love to use. I chose fennel, dill, oregano, chives, thyme, rue, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley, mint and sage to name a few.

I filled old french wine barrels with cherry tomato plants and.....

added this handsome old cement duck, with crusty iron feet, to keep a watch on the garden.

Soon to come, I have a few more pictures to post of my garden and some exciting news about my new blog and website redo!

THANK YOU for stopping by and stay tuned!

Debra

lust for LEATHER books....

2011-04-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post some of my recent finds for the antique store! My purchases often reflect the things I love to surround myself with. I've had a passion for old leather books for as long as I can remember.....

the older and more loved the better....

french...

english.....

time worn and beautiful...

If only they could talk and tell of the hands that have turned their pages.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Look What I found......Yesterday!

2010-01-26T10:11:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would do a quick post on my quirky finds! It seems I can go junkin' and always finds a few of my favorite things. I found this wonderful black cast iron Labrador dog, a "real" alligator head (so cool), vintage tiara comb, a old tarnished champagne cooler with lion heads and ........some very cool old license plates from England. A quick cleaning and they are ready to take into the store! Have a great day :) Debra

My New Dig....Succulents!

2010-01-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

This summer I somehow discovered succulents and I'm in love with the ease and beauty of

these containers in winter!

I just had to share these pictures that I just took while standing out in the pouring rain!!

We, here in California. are getting pummeled with a series of rain storms lasting all week! It's wonderful if you don't have to drive or have danger of flooding or mud slides, so today I'm just taking it in! This is near my front door...
This one is really unusual looking...it reminds me of Medusa! I bought this one from my favorite plant man at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and many others I might add! He has such a variety and they are so ressonable....
This one is in a cement urn which I just love, it's from France and turn of the century heavily pebbled. Most containers are estate sale and flea market finds!

They don't seem to be finicky with the cold and rain.

Everything looks so happy and green!

This one just creeps over the side of the urn.....

Really gorgeous colors and shapes....

Usually this time of year everything looks so sad, wind blown, leeched and is cut back to nothing in prep for spring.

I love to plant them in vintage cement or iron pots or urns. Crusty, rusty, chippy paint is even better! The old hands are praying for more rain....

They don't need any trimming or serious pruning....

Succulents....my latest gardening passion!

♥Until next time...

Debra

Taking Time to Take it all in ....

2009-05-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

The sweet smell of spring...open windows and the sweet smell of blooming jasmine wafting through my windows at night! I wish it could last forever...
The sight of blooming roses as I look out my kitchen windows doing dishes...

Finding teeny tiny little hummingbird nests in my garden...

Listening to the momma bird feed her hungry little peeps chirping their brains out outside my french doors!
going out in my back yard to check on my growing little apricots espaliered on my garden wall! I check on them everyday to make sure the darlings are OK! Can you see them?

and ...

My sons sports seasons are drawing to a summers end! I must say I'm ready for a break, I'm ready for no school, no homework, no plans and and lazy mornings at home. Hopefully I'll have the time to sit down with a tall glass of ice tea and blog with my friends!! Life has been fast and furious these days (truly a blessing) , I don't know how all of you diligent bloggers' do it! Where do you find the time to do it all... I find when I'm being really good at one thing ...something else is sliding!! I miss all of you in blog ville...

Until next time:)

~Debra

Chair Swap ...And A NEW LOOK!!

2009-03-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have had the bug to change my dining room and wanted to get white fabric in there for a lighter, softer more comfortable look. In the dining room, I had dark antique Windsor chairs around a dark antique English oval table and in my mainly white kitchen I had dark pine ladderback chairs with toile chair pad/cushions at a round farm table. I decided to swap the chairs from the kitchen to the dining and vice versa. I switched the toile pads to the Windsor’s

and I newly slip covered the ladderbacks. The slipcovers are white cotton denim fabric with fluffy 24" down cushions underneath. Voi-la!

A new look. I kept the Windsor armchair at each end and added Carolyn Westbrook's 24 " box ruffle down pillows as seat cushions.

I am loving the contrast of the dark "old" table with the simplistic fresh slipcovers.

Do you want the slipcovers? They are available on my website for purchase at a very reasonable price. You can do this dining room make over with six chairs for around $200.00. The slipcovers are machine washable! This slip will fit your average parson’s chair or ladderback chair and would look great on powder room or office chair.

The slipcovers are available in one size measuring Width: 20 1/8 "Depth: 22 7/8 " Height: 381/4".

Get them while the quantity lasts at ....The English Cottage Collection boutique in the "All Things Cottage" category.

Now I'm on a mission to replace the candle covers on my chandelier to white, the new slipcovers made these look so yellow! Since the shades are tea stained, it will add another touch of white to the room. As always, I really appreciate your visit and comments my friends!

Remember my last boot pic? Today!

Debra (((~.~)))

I'm All Bottled Up...

2009-02-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

All Bottled Up....and need someone to unload on!! Due to several inquiries on my February 4, 2009 "French Love" post, on where do I find one of those barbers bottles or do you have any for sale, I decided to go on the hunt. I found "seven" of the little beauties (a barber's entire collection). I am going to put them up for sale on my website , just click on the SIDE BAR picture and go to "ALL THINGS COTTAGE". Grab them while they last...only seven available! Thanks to all for your inquiries and support.

Debra Y

Udderly Vintage ...Utterly Me!

2009-02-19T12:08:00.000-08:00

They say you can take the girl off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the girl and I would say that's true for me! People always ask me, "What's your style of decorating?", that's a tough one to qualify but I would say it's a bit of the European farmhouse. I LOVE COWS! That's my butter dish above, udderly impossible to pass up.
Here are a few of my collection fav's and a recent find ...
A a few Sundays ago at a local flea market I came upon this bowl, "Be still my heart" ... where's my wallet! In my head I'm thinking as I scramble for the cash "C_O_W_S!!!"
The first picture gives you an idea of it's beefy size; it's huge! And the picture below is the center bottom of the STAFFORDSHIRE bowl. This 100 year old beautiful baby is going to be used and loved daily....
This would be fab-u-lous as a basin 0n a rustic farm table for a bathroom! But for now, popcorn anyone?
Moooo-ve over (old watercolor) and make room for my old rubber cow. Doesn't she look to be saying "Got Water?"
This is and old oil painting I found years ago which was the beginning of my collecting....
... a few brown transfer-ware cups and saucers with cows and sheep
...and yes, this is me right now shooting a picture of my feet
I am a happy transplant living in Californian but I'm forever a Iowa farm girl at heart ...DebraYY

Deb- The Wine Made Me Do It!

2009-02-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

You know you had a good time last night at the Talking Trash shindig when you wake up next morning in the same clothes from the night before, your hair is piled a mile high only on the left hand side and your mouth is like the Sahara desert!!the wine made me do it!! Now that was a talkin' Trash party ...
Debra Y

Did someone say PARTY???

2009-02-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

Am I too late for TnT's Valentine's Bash of the Century?? It's not everyday a girl gets invited to a Talking Trash party where you see all the who's who , if you know what I mean (CD, Harry, George etc.)!! If you haven't heard, Deb really knows how to throw a party and I hear she's even going to have hangdown there! I'm in a bit of a tizzy trying to pull my fancy girl attire together.... but at least I have my Big Sexy Spray and these,

not bad for starters!! Gotta run....See you all there!! Shhh! Don't tell her I'm coming, it's a surpise!

xxoo Debra

French Love ...

2009-02-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

Easy girls (that is, if I still have any followers or readers after my "just super busy" absence) .....I am talking about my dishtowels! Yes, my love for french HOMESPUN linen dishtowels. I adore them in my kitchen!

If you have to dry dishes, you might as well be doing the task with something wonderful!

They are thick and have a yummy texture ...

Different weaves and patterns ...Heavy white linen sometimes monogrammed ...this one is chocolate brown (yummy)!

No plastic bottle for me, only my favorite dish washing soap dispenser ... and old treasured Barbesol bottle with a top that dispenses just the right amount of soap!

Little cotton loops on the ends for hang drying .... love that!

A wonderful old French Bamboo peg for drying ...
Even my pot scrubber looks more alluring for me to use when it's sitting in a old ironstone soap dish!These towels also look great lining a vintage basket of warm goodies, sorry no warm croissants in my kitchen to photograph right now!

I sell these linens at my store location and they will also be available on my website in different variations of linen some with blue and red monogramming!

Just a few of life's simple pleasures I surround myself with ... HAPPY DISH WASHING!

Debra

A Very Belated Big Warm Thank You...

2009-01-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

This is so belated but I just wanted to say "thank you so much " to Cheryl and Dennis for the birthday post and to all of you who chimmed in!! I was so surprised, flattered and heart warmed!! Our whole family had rented a cabin in the mountains for the holidays, which was an absolute blast, there were 17 of us with 17 cell phones, four laptop computers and NO SERVICE due to stormy winter weather!! So even though I didn't get it right away (which you all probably wondered why I didn't post back), it was a wonderful suprise when I logged on!! What a great birthday and a magical snowy family Christmas to remember...

my son Luke...

here's Jack...

my nieces...

frosty... doesn't he look like he could just start talking!!

We thought these snow ladden trees looked like they were right out of a Dr. Suess book... a chair lift view!

Warm regards, Debra

French Love Affair ...

2009-01-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

I'm baa.....aaack!! I called my sweet friend Cheryl (http://cherylsfascinatingfinds.blogspot.com/ )this morning to talk and told her I feel like I'm treading water and barely keeping my head out. But don't count me out!!

I've missed all of you in Blogistan, while I've been playing catch up! Can anyone relate? I'm doing the same thing I do every year come January; organizing, re-decorating, spring cleaning, re-organizing, preparing business taxes (BLuk!), shredding old paperwork, re-re decorating again....OMgosh! Maybe there is a medication for this ! Why is it that the days are never long enough lately to accomplish what I set out to do?? Slow down, breeeathe!

This is one of my latest multi-tasking catastrophes ... I was flitting around my house like a chicken with my head cut off, starting all at one time several of many tasks. I start to run a sink full of hot water with Biz (my favorite!!), to soak my white slipcovers while I'm sorting laundry and drinking my morning coffee and talking on speaker phone, and ... the doorbell rings. Not thinking about the running water, I go to answer the door and Yup ....flooded my laundry room!! Big OOps! My walls were covered with sweat and so was I by the time I mopped it up! The upside is my laundry room got a spring cleaning ...

I guess I'll wait until tomorrow (?) for the intended "French Love Affair"post!! I got a little sidetracked and now it's time for my jammies and nite nite!

Until then ...

sweet dreams!

Our Lovey doveys...

2008-12-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

Now I know where the phrase "they're so lovey dovey" came from! We are crazy about our white little feathered friends, Sugar and Spice. They reside right outside our family room french doors in clear view and act like happy little newlyweds ... Scrub a dub dub, taking turns in the tub ... You go first Spice...

no honey, you go first...
They take turns swinging ...

They snooze together ... Sugar, I'm gonna close my eyes for just a minute!They snuggle together ...

They even fluff and pose for the camera ... Ok-ready! My left side is my better side.
Pretty cute pair! I bought this cage at the show in Warrenton, TX a few years ago and love it, although I'm still on the hunt for a larger aviary. Thanks for dropping by!

All I want for Christmas is ...

2008-12-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

All I want for Christmas is ....

the blessings I already have! This is a photo we took last night of our two boys with our festive fella, Gunner! It's now the picture on my computer screensaver and every time I walk by, it makes my heart sing ...
I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season. It's raining, cold and windy here which is really fittting for the hustle (or get wet)and bustle (brrr!) of Christmas. This was a quick post, now I'm off to pick them up from shcool!!
Merry Merry~

DA HALL'S Finally~ Decked the Halls with ....

2008-12-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

There's no chestnuts roasting on an open fire or Jack Frost nipping at my nose but there are yuletide carols with the fire all a glow! I finally got into the decorating spirit yesterday, here are a few pics from our home ...A pair of usrns on sofa back table, sorry doves not much to eat!

Santa's stockings to fill ... love that guy!

A pillar of white balls, I loVe, loVe, loVe, white....

My entry way .... Now, I could use a peppermint latte or where is that special eggnog Iv'e been hearing about! P.s "Hall" is my last name ....now does the title make any sense?

CHECK OUT THIS FLEA MARKET PILE.....

2008-12-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, I have been meaning to for a few days, but just couldn't seem to get to it! For those of you who have visited me before...notice anything different? Does my blog have a new look?? That's what I have been up to:) a new website and blog look! Whew~ I am learning a lot in short order!

Back to my pictures....the last flea market was a gooood score for me-don't you think?
Check out that fire place screen, just in time for winter fires!!
I also found the x-large tin can w/lid with great chippy white cottage paint!
How about this little dental cabinet with wavy glass and old brass knobs?
My heart went pitter-patter when I saw it!
You just don't run into those everyday...
How did this big hinged lid candy jar get my flour in it?
Huh..guess that we'll have to keep!

I found a few tiny little crystal perfumes jars with cut crystal stoppers.

I came upon one baby jar and bag full of mother of pearl buttons!
And this rhinestone crown....ooh la la!
One more little crazed ironstone bowl which I could never pass up....
I came home relaxed, replenished and happy with my finds!! Love what I do!!
I still don't have my Christmas boxes down from the garage storage! If it's not snow I'm waiting for, then what ?? The spirit? The Cheer? Maybe tomorrow........bah humbug:)

Are You Bringing Your Nuts??

2008-11-21T09:58:00.001-08:00

No, this doesn't mean my family! It is referring to my "Hot and Spicy Holiday Nuts"!

This time of year whether it be our Christmas Open House, holiday parties or holiday meals, I am asked repeatedly, "Are you making those tasty nuts"?? It puts a big smile on my face that I'm remembered for something good to eat..........This recipe is soooo easy and they make a yummy homemade gift or treat. I triple the recipe because one is just not enough! Oh, and did I mention they go great with cocktails or a big frosty glass of beer?

~*~Spicy Holiday Nuts~*~

In a Bowl mix:

1/3 cup sugar

3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. coriander

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp allspice

Whisk in:

1 large egg white

2 tsp. vegetable oil

Add:

2 cups nuts (my favorites are cashews, pecans and almonds)

Spread on oiled baking sheet in thin layer.

Bake 25 min. in 300 degree oven.

Cool on wax paper.

~*~Cheers!!~*~

Now that the nuts are ready for the Open House tomorrow, I'm off to load the car with a few more treasures to take in to the store! This time of year I like to make sure I have lots of pretty serving pieces like silver ice buckets, silver punch bowls ,old etched crystal glasses, staghorn carving sets and beautiful platters. Have a great weekend............

Thank You, dear God, for this new day....

2008-11-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

In my travels today, I found something that I just may have to keep……it’s so charming! I am so drawn to religious items and I have a hard time parting with any of them. I think it's because of my appreciation old things and the fact that they were such a part of my up bringing. They're little vintage treasures that embrace my beliefs. I am not a religious nut, I just happen to like collecting vintage religious artifacts....

Today I found a little tiny pocket bible called the “THE KEY OF HEAVEN”.

It looks perfect added to my growing stack of little pocket bibles and hymnals. I started collecting religious medals, charms, bibles, rosaries and etc .many years ago when I inherited some of my grandma's things. When she passed away, the only things I really passionately wanted, were her rosary, her pocket bible and one of her hankies that she carried to church. I cherish them as I did her; she was a huge influence in my life.

This little bible I found today has a darling brass closure and the first inside worn page bears the name and date of the owner. It reads Carrie Darcy Sept. 1, 1894.

This picture is of a child’s dress forms with two rosaries, one is mine from my first communion as a little girl and the other is my grandma's.
.

This is a priests rosary that I found at the Long Beach flea market a few months ago, I just love the BIG wooden beads and the sterling embellishments.

This is a stack of old bibles from my collection.

Here’s a "one of a kind" vintage sterling charm bracelet with all sterling religious charms, I sell variations of these bracelets at the store.

More little pocket bibles and hymnals………..

I love to think about whose hands and hearts carried these things. A lot of them have little hand written notes and prayers and pages that are dog eared. I always look in the prayer books for one of the prayers that we say every night as I tuck my boys into bed:

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord, my soul to keep

And if I die before I wake

I pray the lord, my soul to take............Amen.

I HAVE WON AN AWARD!!

2008-11-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Here's what I'm supposed to do. Tell you 6 things about myself and nominate 6 blogs.

What an honor for such a novice blogger!! Thanks so much Theresa!

These are the six things about me:

On any given day, for as long as I can remember, you can find tie downs or some kind of rope in my truck. You never know when you may need them. I’ve been known to be at an estate sale a 100 miles from home and buy two tons of furniture and fit it in a one ton truck!!
I love a hot bath at the end of the day with a hot cup of tea or a cold icy glass of Sangria, more often the latter.
I grew up on a farm in Iowa doing chores, driving tractors and playing in a creek. That’s why I love going to the Warrenton Show in Texas so much, it reminds me of home when I’m out in those dirt fields. I’ve never minded working hard and getting dirty. I never minded helping my Mom deliver lunch to those “young muscular helping hands” that my Dad hired during hay baling season either!! It was a great place to grow up and I have such fond memories, something my sons will never really know or experience since we live in CA.
I am passionate about old things. If it’s new, I probably don’t want it! Old ironstone, I LOVE IT. Not the perfect stuff though, the pieces that I like are crazed, showing some wear, or have a few brown spots. OMG! I just realized it reminds me of myself!! I can't go long without shopping for old treasures or I need a fix, it's a sickness that I don't want a cure for. It makes me happy!
I can’t sing! I’m good for about two or three words on key and then something terrible happens! I’m not tone deaf, I just know I can’t carry a lofty tune. I will sing happy birthday but don’t ever ask me to Karaoke unless I’ve had a few too many!
I love coffee. First thing in the morning, there is nothing that makes me happier. I brew it~ just right~ and my husband fixes our first cup…..he knows juuuust how I like it, with coffee mate and sugar. Yes, I said coffee mate. What the heck is that stuff anyway? If you haven’t ever read the ingredient label—Don’t!! I have tried to wean myself off of it but after a while I always seem to go back. It’s all that fake preservative stuff that makes it taste so good.
P.s My husband and two boys are the loves of my life, when they are happy, I’m happy! I thank God for them everyday...

NOW FOR THE SIX NOMINEES:

Hmmmm....Let me see....... How about the only two bloggers that I know (besides the already nominated) and four that I would like to know more about??

My friend Jennifer from The Old Painted Cottage. She is such an inspiration!!

My friend Sandee from Vintage*Obsessions a new blogger!

Paris Coutour Antiques--your Framed Heirloom Collages are gorgeous!

Rubbish & Co.--I have seen some great posted pics!

Time Worn Interiors --who gave me such a warm welcome........Thanks again!

Present Past Collecton--The postard ideas are soooooo awesome!!

It's A Dog Blog...........

2008-11-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

Well it’s Monday and it was an absolutely gorgeous day here in California. As the sun was streaming through the windows this morning, it was showing me it was time fo slick up the house after a great weekend. It occurred to me as I was “dusting the dog pound” to snap some photos of one of my collecting passions……..big dogs, little dogs, and more dogs!! My sweet husband and I share the love for old iron doorstops, bronze sporting dogs, and chalkware. The bottom photo is of a late 1800's bronze daschund with a back of bristles to wipe a quill pen on. Let’s just say I’ve had to thin out the herd by selling some at the shop. I just can’t keep everything! Now it'a off to go feed our hungry big black lab, Gunner!

Well here it goes.........

2008-11-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's my first blog! After talking today to Jennifer Grey from The Old Painted Cottage and Cheryl from Cherylsfascinatingfinds, I decided it's time to quit just thinking about it and start blogging. I have had a passion for old things for as long as I can remember...............where do I begin? This photo is one I snapped at The Agoura Antique Mart today, where I currently display my wares!