LA DOLFINA

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 ...

There is so much fall inspiration floating around blogland that I was encouraged to dress up my fireplace mantel for the cozy seasons ahead. I have to admit that while I'm a huge fan of the fall season, I'm not especially fond of decorating my home in fall colors. That was until... I attended an auction earlier this week and purchased this pair of lovely large ginger jars. I brought them home immediately placing them on the mantel of my chinoiserie fireplace hoping they'd provide the drama I was looking for. Now I don't know about you but I've always found mantels (and bookshelves) very challenging to decorate.  I stood back to take them in while scanning my inventory to see what I could come up with to create a pleasing vignette. First I grabbed a pierced compote and a large piece of coral and placed it in the center.  Then I remembered I had a stash of my favorite Chinese mushrooms which I then placed among the jars and coral centerpiece. ...

I picked up this Fan Coral Candle and Compass Bottle Stopper at Pottery Barn the other day...   These ocean-inspired candles capture the shape and texture of coral in precise detail. Cast from molds made from natural coral pieces. Fan Coral: 9" wide x 3" deep x 10" high  to have as a Giveaway over Labor Day Weekend.     Just leave me a comment and be a follower of both La Dolfina & Il Tuo Tesoro .  If you mention the Giveaway on your blog I will enter your name a second time.    The winner will be chosen on Labor Day.

I can't tell you how long I have wanted to create one of these shell type-trays.     (Click on any image to enlarge for close-up detail) Ever since I first laid eyes on the one in India Hicks home years ago...     I have wanted to create one of my own.    Well, I finally collected enough shells, coral, sea glass, and bits & pieces of nature's art to complete one!  I think it's my very favorite treasure and says more about me than anything else I own.

        I arrived at The Pointe today with a novel idea.   I would use my camera lens, instead of cash,   to bring home whatever my heart desired!                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ...