Something old, something blue...

I just got back from my first blogging conference, and my mind is still spinning and churning.  When I woke up this morning, I realized it is going to take me a few days to get my head wrapped around everything I have taken in this past weekend.  But I still wanted to have a new post to share, and I immediately thought of this one.  Originally I created it for a guest post at Primitive and Proper, If you are not familiar with Cassie and her site then pop over and say Hi. She is amazing.

I promise I will be back soon

-Laurie

Meet my little blue chairs, these chairs were an important part of my childhood and something I inherited from my Grandmother, but I have slowly started to realize they have a larger significance.  In their own little way, they sum up what I am all about.

In simple words, they are old, blue, painted, hand-me-down, simple, small, useful, decorative, well worn,  hand crafted & quirky.

And I love old things, painted things, blue painted things are even better.  I love well loved and handed-down things, useful and decorative things, and quirky, whimsical things.  It is what I am about and in the end what Little Blue Chairs is about.

I have always loved old things, I have a touch of the romantic in me.  I love the idea that others have touched, used and loved objects before me, and that the joy they had has imprinted on the object.  And if I can have things that have a personal connection to me and my family, even better.

That is why using the barn wood in my parents bath was such a joy for me.  The barn had been long destroyed, but I get a pleasure knowing that, at least part of it can still be enjoyed.

There are many pieces I am still dying to get my hands on.  Like this highchair used by my dad and his brothers. Yes it needs work, but I think I can handle it.

Or the trunks my grandfather emigrated from Sweden with (and yes I get the chairs as well).

It actually makes me sad they are sitting out there, just waiting to come home to me. (Can you hear them crying out too?)

I am a sucker for blue paint, Ok, maybe paint in general, but blue is my favorite color and has been for most of my life.  It makes me happy, and if something makes you happy, then I think you need to treat yourself to some of that happiness.  For me the blue makes me happy in my kitchen.

It is not my dream kitchen, but it is a place that makes me dream in the mean-time.  It is just happy an unexpected.  I also like blue on my floor.  OK I LOVE the blue paint on my floors. I really want hardwood floors, but I want to paint them blue and white.  Really, I do, but I don't think I can get away with that one.

I love hand-me downs, again, especially if it is from the family or someone I adore.  The closer the connection the more I treasure it.  Like this desk.

It is the desk my husband and his dad made when my he was a young boy.  It has now been updated and is being used by our daughter.  It has been re-imagined, but all that love and the story is still there.

I am a big believer that the things used in everyday life should be beautiful and feel good.  I go for wicker baskets over plastic bins, wood spoons, and glass jars.  I don't ever spend a fortune on these things, but if I have a choice, I chose the pretty one, even if it is only me who sees it, I am just saying.

And quirky, yes I am quirky, and I think you are all quirky too. By quirky, I mean those things, characteristics and hobbies that make you unique. I believe we all need to bring the quirk in and proudly display it.  If you love to knit, then you should have your knitting out, If you collect star wars figures, then yes, find a few places here and there (unexpected) that Yoda can reside.  Of course the key is moderation, but let people know they are in your home and not a model home.  I kind of like rocks, so I have them around me.

and we have invited fairies to come and stay with us in the back yard.

And yes I even have a gnome living in my kitchen.

But in the end all of the things used to describe my beloved chairs, also describe much of what I am about, and in the end it all comes back to those Little Blue Chairs.

So, again I am sorry I did not have a super fabulous reveal to share, but I thank you for letting me share my love of the simpler things.