Help sourcing a product...?

A while back, Ann sent me a question asking where she could find large glass wine just like the ones featured in the first photo of my Tuscan Inspired Spaces post.

The jugs are on a shelf in the upper left corner.

Through my brief research, it looks like you can find them from antique dealers starting at $250.00. A lot of them are labeled as French or Belgian wine jugs, and I'm not sure how different they are from country to country. You can find them on Ebay for less, but of course the authenticity is questionable.

Does anyone know what these wine jugs are called in Italy, or where to find them? Or even where to find inexpensive reproductions if budget is an issue?

Thanks!



via Inessa Stewart's Antiques




via GoAntiques.com

via Ebay
via Ebay

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Happy Birthday Cody!

As some of you may know my Australian shepherd Cody died a week before Christmas after battling with lymphoma. It pummelled us, and though I can't speak for my family, I am a different person indeed. I've had a blessed life and never experienced watching a young, innocent, and scared loved one go through such a ravenous and merciless disease. I still go through the stages of grief all these months later - bargaining, denial, depression, anger -- you name it. My father has bred and owned many different breeds of dogs, and says that none came close to Cody. Yes, he could have quite the attitude, and silly antics, but he had, like most wise dogs, a quiet way of letting us know he was always concerned, and always constant. He was a gift.

On June 20th, I will be running a marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. I've been training for the past 6 months with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, and I've raised over $5,000 to go towards cancer research. I received a promotional postcard from them in the mail a few weeks after Cody died. I'd never heard of them, and never thought of running a marathon, but it seemed like a sign.

In honor of Cody on his birthday, please stop to give your pets and loved ones a few extra hugs and kisses, and don't hesitate to get your animal medical care at something seemingly small. Also, DON'T except "there's nothing wrong," take him/her back, and/or get a second opinion - you know when there's something really wrong.

Best to you and yours.
xoxo - Ashley

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Enter a giveaway from Terri Conrad Designs

Terri over at her blog "Hello! Beautiful" is having a drawing and graciously giving away a beautiful canvas with a photo of the winner's choice on it.


The super easy instructions:

Here's how to enter, play, and hopefully win:

1. leave a comment on Terri's blog, with your blog link (no blog? be sure to include your email addy in your comment)

2. post the above pic on your blog with our link back here, inviting your readers to play and win (kindly use image for this express purpose only)

3. visit Terri Conrad Designs to find something lovely for your heart & home (no purchase required)

On June 10 one winner will be randomly selected and given the choice of any "My Print & Pattern Canvas Wall Decor" to be customized in a 16x16 format.

She has lots of other pretty goodies at her online shop.

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Bobo update

I'm happy to announce that Bobo is in a loving foster home, but she still needs a permanent home. Here's the email:

" Bobo is currently in a foster home where she is doing wonderfully. She gets along well with the couple's two other dogs and is a total love with people and small children. Bottom line: Bobo has been rescued from the shelter, but still needs a loving, permanent home.

Thanks again for your caring......
Patty (NYCA)"

If you or anyone you know can give this sweetie a home, contact Patty asap at (212) 427-8273.

Here's more info. on Bobo from petfinder.

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House Tour: A moody and eclectic home

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!












via Skona Hem

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Beautiful built-ins

I've lived in quite a few old houses and one thing I love about them are the built-in features. Bookcases, desks, window seats - they add so much charm and personality. How about you? What's your feeling on built-ins?

A dreamy day bed/window seat - oh the hours I could spend there
via My Home Ideas

...a little girl's paradise...
via LKS Design


serene office - my desk is never that clean though - as I use it to work on... :)

I love this room. The curtains hung lower ads a lot of dimension to the room I think...










via Decor Pad

via High Fashion Home Blog

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Awesome treatments for your walls

Don't want to hang art or wallpaper, but just a coat of paint too boring for you? Well, Jill recently introduced me to her unique take on walls and I was impressed. She is also a talented interior designer. Check out her graphic murals...

Of her process, she says:
"The murals started a number of years ago when I had a short-term loft rental in Tribeca (NYC). I had these massive white walls and didn't want to spend a fortune on art since I'd be moving out in 6 months, so I painted the murals directly on the walls. Then other people started wanting them, too. All of my murals are painted, but there are different techniques. The geometric ones like the yellow octagons I work out in Autocad first to get the dimensions and spacing just right; then I use a laser level to tape it off. It can take days to do the taping for one of these, but then the paint just gets rolled on so that part happens pretty quickly. For the figural ones like the birds in trees, I work out the design on paper or in the computer in small scale first, then project it onto the wall and trace with a pencil. Then I hand paint all the outlines and fill them in, often needing 4 coats of paint to get the nice crisp opaque look I like---these are the most labor-intensive of the murals. I'm currently working up wallpaper designs based on the murals, which will be available on www.wallpaperstogo.com sometime in the next few months."

I think her murals are really tasteful, and are simple enough you wouldn't get tired of looking at them after awhile.





I think I'd pick this one - maybe in a high gloss cool gray over the same color in matte.
Which is your fav?

Go to Jill Crawford's website to see more!

Some of her interior design:

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