Verbena Cottage: A Reflection of My Journey

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  It has been eight months since we started our online store.  Conceived from my passion of salvaged treasures and eclectic style and born from hard work and fierce determination, Verbena Cottage continues to evolve.


After three years of surviving cancer, I am grateful to have crossed miles of challenges that have grown with a positive attitude. Verbena Cottage has been my therapy to recovery.  I thank you for being part of my journey.  My success with Verbena Cottage has been in large part due to you, who have reached out to me via email and visited my website , followed me on Facebook and my blogs.  For those of you who supported me during local event sales in joining efforts with CCANN (Central California Association of Neonatal Nurses), I thank you for making it possible to fulfill my promises to give back to Breast Cancer and Diabetes Organizations, March of Dimes, and this month's event, Toys for Tots.


A new year comes and bigger goals are set, there are no true guarantees of what may become but true determination can fuel the torch to reach one's aspirations.  I am looking forward to a brighter new year with bigger dreams and meeting new friends along the way.  Wishing everyone a blessed 2012!

Besos,

Mary Ann

I want to share with you some of the photos taken from the Christmas Boutique Sale with part of the proceeds went to Toys for Tots.

Cottage Holiday Tour

Every year I make a point visiting historical cottages to gain inspiration for Christmas decorating. I would call it my "jump start" for the holidays. There is one or more in every city where organizations put together a tour to raise funds for a cause.  This year I have visited Fresno High Heritage Tour.  The Gassaway residence is one of my favorites from the 2010 home tour.  I would like to share some photos from their 2010 gallery. You will find a collection of antique and vintage pieces fitted for a 1930's house and occupants with a modern lifestyle.  Amazingly beautiful!



please click on the photo for a magnified view

If you are eying the harlequin trays, shop HERE!

Happy Holidays!

Mary Ann

French Daybed

shop here

rosanna inc. ~ food that feeds the soul

There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.  Feed your obsessions and celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate with Rosanna's Chocolaterie set.

Shop HERE!

So deliciously divine!

Here is a great recipe to try~

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk; beat well. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full.
3. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost with your favorite frosting when cool. Yields 16 cupcakes.

source via: http://www.allrecipes.com/

why hide them if you can display your precious gems

Exquisite jewelry collection beautifully displayed

 from the book ~The Allure of Style by Mary McDonald

Inspired by Mary Mcdonald's table arrangement, we are introducing the new line by Rosanna Bolwes.  Get the vintage look with the beautifully designed sketches on a decoupage glass echoing the elegance of

Parisian high fashion in the 1950's.

 Rosanna's outstanding designs were awarded the prestigious Gift of the Year Award by the British Giftware Association. Recognized as a leader in tabletop design across the globe, her products have been celebrated in top fashion and home design magazines.

Rosanna Glass Decoupage in Black Dress

Rosanna's Entire Collection of

Parisian Fashion Decoupage

Rosanna Glass Decoupage in Red Dress

Shop Here!

Allure of Imperfection

Images from Patina Style
Photography by: Steve Giannetti, Lisa Romerein

 Patina Style inspires treasure hunters and flea market scavengers like me.  Steve and Brooke Giannetti re-discover the beauty in salvaged objects & add outdoor pieces to complete a symphony of unexpected elegance.

 Steve and Brooke Giannetti will be the guests at the Remnants of the Past vintage show.  Meet them in person for book signing and enjoy the beauty of Coastal California. Plan to be at San Luis Obispo, CA 
 October 8-9. 

To see more of Brooke creative designs, visit
 Velvet and Linen.

Be inspired by unexpected beauty!

Besos,

Mary Ann

A Sanctuary of Treasures

I am so excited about the upcoming Remnants of the Past vintage show. The boys from the Atelier de Campagne will be back this year ~ a must see! 

Here are video clips showcasing some of their treasures!

If you are planning to attend this event, please let me know.  Hope to see you there!

besos,

maryann

Peacock Park Design ~ Decor Extraordinaire

"Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life"

A quote shared by Gina Galvin, Owner/Designer Peacock Park

Have you found your passion and live a life surrounded by what you love? I am sure you have your own story to share.  For me it all started after reading Gina's story on Where Women Create.  I was immediately captured by her timeless designs of  home products and gifts.  Gina's antique business was born out of necessity to rid some of her massive antique collections and allow her to continue on with her passion to scour through Europe's flea markets.  Through Peacock Park, Gina shares her passion with beautiful decor representing many of her found treasures. 

At the time of my recovery from my chemo with a new found definition of life, I was determined to pursue my passion ~ finding, repurposing, reinventing & recycling treasures of the past.  Like Peacock Park, Verbena Cottage was born to share my passion, to revive the romantic style and sophistication of treasures from the bygone era. 

Gina Galvin at her design studio. 

Photo courtesy of Where Women Create

 

Above with Gina Galvin

Photos taken from the trade show

Gina once shared this quote before,

 "Imagination is more important than knowledge.

  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world."  

Albert Einstein

Using your own imagination to reinvent will add your personal style, it is limitless.

Besos,

maryann

Peacock Park

The September issue of  the Romantic Homes magazine features the home of Gina Galvin, creator of Peacock Park Design.  Gina's home sits on a 130-acre property in a small midwestern town of

Grand Blanc, Michigan. 

 Inspired by her love of 19th century French antiques and period pieces from the Paris flea markets, Gina brings the same romantic 'old world' vibes in her antique reproduction accent pieces.

19th century French Aubusson furniture and tapestry grace the parlor.  The crystal Baccarat chandelier completes the exuberant display of the 19th century period collection.

Gina displays her collectible antique santos in her dining room.   

Gina's 19th century dress collection is displayed in the guest bedroom.

The image of the opera star, a signature print in Gina's design, is used on the refrigirator door.  The whimsical door cover bears a real feather and a necklace that swings when the door shuts. Who would have thought of this but a true artist!

Above: Gina's library is filled with antique books and collections of artwork.

I have recently visited Gina's booth at the San Francisco International Gift Show. On my next post,  I will share with you her wonderful display of reproduction pieces that are now available on our website.

  Please come back soon !

besos,

maryann

Photos from Romantic Homes magazine, September 2011

add a little fun to your style!

expecting guests and you want to add humor to your decor as you welcome them? this is the perfect piece to bring in the fun of being a host. use it on the wall, door or add to your table vignette. 

shop here

 vintage gilded chandelier

shop here

& coming soon ~ new jewelry

VC Market New Arrivals

This is a staple in most European kitchens. Technically it is used to dry bottles after washing. It can be used to hold coffee cups by the rings or spools of ribbon or yarn, again you use your own creativity a 100 ways! It can also be used in the garden to hold small terra cotta pots waiting to be planted. It is an exact replica of an antique French bottle tree and it is very sturdy. No assembly required!

This is one of our book boxes with a cleverly disguised safe inside. It comes complete with a key (2).  The outer cover is shredded linen with an aged antique design. Amazing design book box cover!