Raise the Stakes: Poker Chip Decor!

A few weeks ago I shared a buncha' uses for a metal plant stand
that I found at a local flea market.

Another treasure was unearthed that day, and I've been waiting to use it...

I snagged a HUGE bag of vintage plastic poker chips for FIVE BUCKS.
These are thick, heavy almost 'bakelite'/resin chips,

and as soon as I saw them I knew what I'd do with them:

Fill up clear glass apothecary jars!

One jar is totally filled with the chips (background).

The front jar has a glass vase hidden in the center, surrounded by the poker chips.

That glass is holding a candle, but could also hold fresh flowers  - 
red, white, and blue ones, of course :) 

This is a simple arrangement with patriotic summer style

for your entry, guest bath, or kitchen counter.

Speaking of the kitchen: 

vintage poker chips make GREAT fridge magnets, too!

Just glue a small round magnet to the back of the chip.
[ I did the same with a souvenir wooden coin, just because it fit the patriotic theme! ]

PS: the projects listed above in the photo are all past posts - 
find links in my sidebar under 'Top Projects'!

As long as you can keep the boys in the house from grabbing the chips for poker games, 
you're good all summer long! ;)

@ Liberty: Summer Ashore Decor!

Imagine, if you will, Lady Liberty... 
stepping down from her pedestal on Ellis Island to enjoy a summer yachting excursion.

That, in a nutshell, is the premise behind the summer theme
in my friend Liz's booth in an antique mall in San Diego!

Liz hired me to assist her in gaining some serious WOW factor in her booth,
which is in the WINDOW of the gorgeous shop.
She brought the goods, and I helped her with a design plan and styling services.

... and I think I can safely say that her booth is definitely a WOW!

These are simple yet stunning ideas
for combining Nautical, French, and Patriotic decor...

a vintage mannequin is dressed in a white petticoat and draped with a vintage flag.
Liz created her Lady Liberty crown out of tin!

a beautiful alabaster statue tips her crown to the colors

in a purely last-minute serendipitous combination,
a statuary head nestles in a silver yachting trophy, topped by a jaunty French beret 

Old Glory adds color to the sparkle of mirror and crystal in the corner

 a vintage French bed was rebuilt as a bench, then filled with nautical pillows and Old Glory
a life preserver forms a perfect halo above the mannequin
and a sailing ship is ready for the water

miniature Lady Liberties join in the fun!

.
Liz's business is 'My Little French Venue'
The store is Vignettes, in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California

shared online:
 
Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed

Perfect Pastels

Spring. Summer. Ice cream.
They kinda' go together, don't they?!

When I was styling Rita Reade's Mammabellarte booth

for the Vintage Marketplace show this past weekend,

the pale pink, white, and aqua color scheme

reminded me of strawberry and vanilla and mint chip ice cream...

it felt a bit like I was inside an ice cream parlor!

Let these pretty hues inspire YOUR summer decor

for a Home SWEET Home...

This was the main visual draw in the booth - the back wall.
Furnishings create a setting, then details bring it to life....

A darling dining table, painted with perfect pink stripes, conjures up a sweet shop,

a theme reinforced by ironstone creamers, wire urns, and vintage teacups

to create a party setting.

the white milk-glass chandelier sparkles in the midst of soft pastels.
Rita's own photos (STUNNING!) are turned into her line of greeting cards
with pure vintage style.

[ psssst..... have you ever tried PAINTING a CHANDELIER???!
yup. it can be done!

I shared a few of my painted chandy projects in a past post...

click to check it out here! ]

 It only takes a touch of color to create a theme....

bows, ribbons, patina on old pieces of furniture, even paper lanterns

easily add personality and style.

At every show, Rita dolls up her two mannequins.

They always have petticoats on, and special corsets or aprons to coordinate with her theme.
THIS time around, the girls wore sassy, sexy pink and Rita's original mesh crowns...
[ you've probably seen her famous crowns in many magazines! ]  

... even the back of the mannequin is stunningly detailed.

One final detail that just made me SMILE:

 Miss Rita created this darling 'Baby Bunting'
by clipping baby clothes and shoes to a simple length of twine.

We hung it across the back of the booth and it just charmed the heck out of everyone.
It's a simple idea that can be easily changed,

and it works perfectly for party decor AND nursery decor.
When I was painting murals in a little girl's nursery many years ago, 

the client (who became a dear friend) did this and used hers as a window valance!

See more photos of Rita's booth on her Mammabellarte blog