STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

neato! I love looking at pics of your house.

I think they look really good. The only thing that looks weird to me is that there are crosses on either side of the hutch...like Christianity and Buddhism collided. But I think of weird things like that, so if you don't notice it, I wouldn't worry about it.

Do you have a narrow bookshelf anywhere? Like at the end of a hall or something? They would look really cool scattered along with some neat books. But like I said, they don't look bad at all.

Where is the hutch from? I love it!

Great arrangement!!-  But I have always loved the oriental style. I like the crosses on the perimeter because it gives whats in the center more  importance and a  focus- some ideas- you could get some jade colored - or similar , muted green containers in an oriental style to put on the floor on both sides of the cabinet. Do you have a cost plus world market? This is a great place to get containers at a relatively low price. Put tall bamboo sticks in them- you may have to move the crosses a little more out. Also I would take off the ivy on the top, center an oblong earthenware container { one that is "footed and heavy- looking" and add magnolia blossoms} You dont have to have someone make this for you. Just make sure the blossoms are of good silk - handwrapped quality- buy some silk foam at a craft store and some adhesive glue to attach the foam to container. Dont make them tall, because your container is low. So you would want them to cluster in the center and some longer ones to reach out further on the sides. With good quality silks you will be able to bend them in a natural way...You could also add some bamboo greenery { not much, you want to keep it clean} to soften the arrangement. Another thing that would look good are framed rice paper with chinese scrolling to add to the shelves, books that are related to your theme, such as: Oriental art, asia , archiology etc... another touch is you could age a map of asia , or similar- roll it and tie it with rafia cord... I could go on and on so Ill stop there. hth!

Hey guys!  Great suggestions & thanks for the compliments!  Here's a couple of things to point out:

1.  (lilyann):  I can't put anything in the center of the top of the cabinet because the light on the inside's mechanisim is up there and gets hot.  But I could probably still do that arrangement to the side.  I like asymetrical, anyway!

2.  (bumblebee):  I forgot to mention that the stuff on the bottom doesn't necessarily go there.  In fact, the clock is usually on my mantle, and the candleabra is usually stored.  The vase is full of my corks, which used to be w/ an all-crystal grouping before I put the Buddha there.  I'll move it, though.  Or I may move that Buddha.

3.  (halleybird):  I don't have any tall shelves.  I was originally going to place my collection behind my couch on the sofa table (here's a a picture to refresh your memory), but I'm unsure on whether they'll survive the wrath of my kids!  I now have that plant on the sofa table and a lamp to match the other in its place on the side table.

 

On a side note, I'm not Buddhist (not that there's anything WRONG with that ), but I got the idea for all the Buddha statues from my fave designer, Linda Applewhite.  Here's her living room, which I'd LOVE if mine looked like this:

Oh, MissMee, that Linda Applewhite room is gorgeous.  I need the ceiling and the mantle.  Although the huge pear on the coffee table makes me a little bit uncomfortable.  I'm such a weirdo.  Anyway, I can totally see why you love her.  Your house has the same "flavor".