My "Updated" Cabinet of Curiosities

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I've had this arrangement in what I like to call,  
"My Cabinet of Curiosities",  for several years now and felt like it was time for a change.

"

 Inspired  by this set of 20 vintage shell specimens I purchased from my friend Janet at French Blue, who found them on one of her trips to France, I set about changing it.


The first thing I did was swap out the botanical prints for the collection of delicate boxed shell specimens identified in French.


I must admit that it was hard to decide what to feature in my "new" cabinet as I've amassed quite a collection of God's treasures and wanted to showcase them all!


But in the end I defaulted to sticking to the same configuration as my old "Cabinet of Curiosities", introducing similar but new treasures.


I'm quite pleased with how it turned out!


Some things just can't be improved upon...


Believe me... I tried!


I even went so far as to leaving just the boxed shell specimens by themselves and closed the doors for a clean, crisp, edited look.


Neither my mom nor my husband liked it much.


In fact my mom exclaimed, "it looks like someone robbed your "Cabinet of Curiosities" upon seeing it for the first time.


You know how your mom's opinion when it comes right down to it holds the most weight...


so, after a sleepless night, knowing she was right, I got up the next morning and started putting it back together following the original building blocks.


And you know what?


It came together effortlessly!


I really love it now!


So, thank you mom,


I can always count on your honesty.


I'm thinking that now that I don't have to reinvent the wheel, 


I can easily change out the shells, coral, sponges, and sea fans every so often for a subtle but different look.

  
Most of all I'm thrilled that I finally found a way to showcase and enjoy the amazing collection of shell specimens I fell in love with and purchased from Janet over a year ago!


Too often than I'd like to admit, I fall in love with something and buy it without knowing how I'm going to use it. I just know I can't live without it!


 Now I don't have to...
I get to enjoy it every day!

So thank you dear Janet, I adore all the wondrous treasures I've bought from you over the past few years!  They bring me such joy!





Comments

DogsMom said…
I enjoyed scrolling up and down comparing the old and the new. I do miss the seahorses but love what you have done with the area on top.
November 22, 2011 at 1:39 PM
savvycityfarmer said…
it's the simple things, isn't it ...

sigh ... the marble pedestal ... want ... sigh


p.s. I love it as much as you do.
November 22, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Kathysue said…
Love love it, but I just now realize the green pedestal that I love is the one you are now going to sell!! I love that piece, if it has not sold already let me know how much. I have no idea where I would put it, but I am sure you could tell me exactly where it could go in my house!!
Love the new lighter and bright version, so pretty and will tie in so pretty with white decorations for Christmas!! Mom was right, by the way! xo Kathysue
November 22, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Pamela Hunt Lee said…
Ah, Moms....always outspoken, most usually right.
November 22, 2011 at 2:55 PM
D&G ESSEX said…
i really love where you ended up . i think it has a clean, crisp look to it and i love the change from the green pedestal to white..very cool~Grace
November 22, 2011 at 5:33 PM
FrenchBlue said…
LOVE LOVE LOVE this ALL!! You are a genuis! It looks perfect and reminds me of the ocean museum in Monaco! The way you have each specimen spaced is a refreshing balance to the eye...And as always your Mom is the sweetest of all~
Thank you for sharing such an inspirational cabinet of curiousities:)
XO
November 22, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Alexandra Rae said…
Gorgeous!! Love the whole thing. You styled it all so perfectly! I love the before and the after! It's so funny how our mom's opinion weighs so heavy, isn't it. They do somehow know best. (At least that's what I tell my kids :)
November 22, 2011 at 7:21 PM
French-Kissed said…
Loved the before...love the now and the turtle in the bird cage is brilliant! Have an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving.

Best,

Jermaine
November 22, 2011 at 7:57 PM
Splenderosa said…
Totally agree with everyone, Terri. It's just beautiful with the new little French boxes, so interesting & so pretty. Come over to my place and select one of my new rings as a gift to you (because we never got the summer piece to you). The page is just under my header. Happy Holidays...
November 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM
beauty said…
The blog contains informational and educational material. The post enhance my thoughts and experience. So nice!
I've got to scramble to keep up with your prodigious output!
November 22, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Naomi@DesignManifest said…
It's so gorgeous! I love the cabinet itself and all the little pieces you've put inside.
November 23, 2011 at 6:58 AM
Nutbird said…
I just wrote a whole comment and lost it. When are you coming east to restyle my living room and make me the Yankee version of the cabinet of curiosities? I have enough Cr** I am sure you would have enough to work with. You should bring your mother to New York city for a girls trip, then come and visit me. You can see how we live where the deer and the coyotes roam free, just a mile from town. All the houses have stone walls, low ceilings and eagles over the front door. I am sneaking a break from Thanksgiving prep while no one is looking. I am thankful for: hot water, the ability to say and read any thing I want, and the internet where I make lovely friends like you. Fondly, Ann
November 23, 2011 at 9:11 AM
the.neo.lifestyle said…
MMMMMM very nice work, inspiring, I buy them also more and more :-)

Don't know what to do with all my treasure, but I will put them also in a cabinet the day i found the perfect one :-)

Thanks for sharing,

David
November 23, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Allie said…
What a fabulous display! Love the arrangement of sea items. Your dalmations guard it beautifully too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! -Al
November 23, 2011 at 7:36 PM
quintessence said…
Love it Terri - what an incredible showcase!! How lovely to have a mother whose taste is totally reliable!! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!!
November 23, 2011 at 8:10 PM
Beach House Living said…
For a moment there I was oh no, I really liked that display. The new look is simply divine with the shells in the background and I'm glad you kept the forefront treasures in there.
November 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM
miss b said…
This looks so stylish!I love the neutral sofa and floor against the darker wall and cabinet which adds such interest to the room!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
November 24, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Tamra said…
Love the little boxes lining the back of the cabinet, really beautiful and they draw you in.

I love pieces like this in a house. If you have a friend with one then it's fun to see what's changed each time you go there and if you have one yourself then it's fun to see what people look for when they come visit.

Great piece.
November 24, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Hill Country House Girl said…
Love love love your cabinet of curiosities! You have inspired me to rearrange mine and take photos of it!
November 25, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Sheila said…
That is so beautiful, absolutely georgeous. It makes my bowl of shells look way too tame.
The only thing is, if I may humbly say so, is that you simply must move the dogs to a different room; they just don't go together. It detracts from the extreme beauty of the setup in the armoire. The dogs are a different style of decor completely. I like "eclectic" but the dogs are on a different level and just don't fit in.
November 26, 2011 at 5:36 PM
La Dolfina said…
Thanks Sheila... I sort of agree with you, I need to try to find an alternate spot for them.
Stay tuned, I have a few more tweaks up my sleeve for this room. I'd love your opinion when I post about it!
November 26, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said…
Beautiful!! I love your new shell specimens and your large collection of shells and sea fans are gorgeous.
xo,
Sherry
November 26, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Vickie H. said…
Oh my, but isn't this just EXQUISITE!!! So much gorgeousness in there...a feast for the eyes. That marble stand has me deep in the throes of covetousness!!! Wondering about that main piece: is it a tree or a branch? Unable to tell, but what an eye catcher! Did you make that or purchase it somewhere? Absolute perfection in this vignette.
Loved the old...love the new. And I agree with the previous commentor who would like to buy the green stand: SO WOULD I!! So many uses for that. Amazing work! Thank you for sharing! I am inspired!
November 27, 2011 at 8:31 AM
Burlap Luxe said…
"T" it is divine!!
I love that it has that old French flea feel to it somewhere in the south of France :)

I love, love love the birdcage I am looking for one for my daughters room, I also love it all, mixed with the shells making it so
soulful.

xx
Dore
November 27, 2011 at 3:17 PM
Taylor Greenwalt said…
I love how you displayed everything. What a great piece. I would have a blast changing it all the time. You did a fabulous job!
November 27, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Robin Baron @ Simplifying Fabulous! said…
It looks great! This just goes to show that design is in the details! Your care and consideration did not go to waste! It looks beautiful!
November 28, 2011 at 6:50 AM
ceecee said…
I love your cabinet! I have a huge piece of fan coral, too...it's one of my favorite treasures. I think shells are one of the best gifts...for me, anyway. I could go out and buy myself a nautilus, which I've longed for for years, but I would love to open a box and find one under the tissue paper. Maybe Santa will bring one this year. Enjoy your holidays, T.
Catherine
November 30, 2011 at 8:28 PM
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