Monday, April 2, 2012

Day Two: Architecture



Today is Day Two of
Thirty Days of Photography II.

The topic for today is:  ARCHITECTURE

I am not really a student of architecture. What I am is a mistress of architectural salvage. 

Some women are delighted to spend the day at Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus.  Not me. Give me a wallet full of money and point me to an architectural salvage warehouse and you will have one happy woman.

I love it all. I love the old doors, the used doorknobs, the antique hinges and the outdated plumbing fixtures. I'm drooling. 

I am a lover of chippy paint. No, Linda, I did not say that I am a chippy.  I adore layers and layers of old paint. What a story those layers tell!  Refinished antiques? Never.  I guess you might call me "shabby chic".  You might call me a collector. We of the chippy paint adoration society call ourselves junkers.  We look for the age...the patina.  

This photo features an antique cornice that I bought from a Knight's of Columbus sale at an old, German community in Texas. I love the lines. I love the history. I love the chippy paint. I placed it above the fireplace in my dining room. Under the cornice, I hung an antique oil painting on rolled canvas that I got at an antique auction. I am convinced that it is a priceless work of art. When I sell it, I will take all of you to Italy on a photography expedition. Promise.

Maybe I love architectural salvage because that is what I am. I was beautiful in the past. I am historic. I am a little shabby, a little cracked and a little chippy. I am worth being salvaged.

Want to see the other competitors participants in this photo meme? Go to their blogs and check them out. It's worth the trip. I guarantee you.

I think we have two new fools participants, but I will have to update
with their blog addresses. 

Sorry. I'm antique.


Our fresh bait two new participants are Cheryl and Kristen. Welcome! Misery loves company.
   




29 comments:

mo.stoneskin said...

Love it. Salvage is the way forward. The missus salvaged an old arts box (multiple extending drawers for arty bits) yesterday for my daughter and you'd have loved it. The chipped paint is quality.

nonamedufus said...

Great shot. I'd love to see the rest of your house. (Hey, not in a perverted kind of way.)

Mariann Simms said...

I also love the old stuff the way it is - don't refinish it...takes away the beauty and mystery.

Ziva said...

How wonderful. I wish I had a house to fill with pretty things, but as it is, my little apartment is full of horribly boring IKEA stuff. But when I grow up... ;)

Nicky said...

I'm holding you to that promise, by the way.

That is gorgeous Malisa. Chippies and chippy paint have their places in life. And over your fireplace is the perfect place for chippy paint. I'm guessing on the floor in front of the fireplace would be where the chippy goes...

laughingmom said...

Very lovely! I am a fan of the salvage yards as well. We have some really nice ones here which means that using their stuff in your home costs a freakin fortune - thus I have none.

Unfinished Person said...

Each blog that I visit each day during this challenge (only in two days) has been quite a revelation. Yours is no different in that way: amazing, amazing and amazing.

Malisa said...

Maybe I should add in that while the paint on the cornice is chippy, the whole wall is not chippy. I edited that in to exaggerate my love of chippiness.

Linda Medrano said...

As one chippy to another, that photo and piece are simply gorgeous. In the past, you were merely beautiful, now you are beyond priceless.

MikeWJ at Too Many Mornings said...

Malisa, you had to know I'd love this! Like you, I love architectural salvage and combining unusual, seemingly unrelated objects. This is beautiful, and I'd love to see more of what you've done with your place.

By the way, I know a good painter if you need some help fixing the place up.

Elizabeth A. said...

Love. it. All of it.

When I buy a house, I need you to take me for some serious shopping.

meleah rebeccah said...

This is FABULOUS!

"What I am is a mistress of architectural salvage."

You and my mother would make an awesome shopping / decorating team!

PS: I am also a lover of chippy paint.

Cheryl said...

I grew up with shabby so I just can't find it anywhere in my soul to like shabby chic. I do, however, love the history of a thing, especially anything made of wood. Using this cornice to frame that iconic image is perfectly delightful.

Sue said...

As you know, architectural elements are by far my favorite things in both my home and my store! I don't know what it is about them, but they call my name and I can never say no!!

Take care,
Sue

Malisa said...

Mo, I want to see your missus' box. Oh, my, that didn't sound right.

Malisa said...

Dufus,

I would love for you to see my house. You are welcome anytime! If you ever get the urge to come to East Texas (ha), let me know.

Malisa said...

Mariann,

Never bother old stuff! :)

Malisa said...

Ziva,

IKEA isn't so bad. It's pretty nice when you can mix it with antiques and nice pieces. I guess that is what you get for living in a beautiful location. Sigh. As for me, I have nice things but live in the suck hole of the earth.

Malisa said...

Nicky, you are so funny! You think I am burning paint chips? Of course I am not. Those paint chips just fall off into the plates of my guests. They eat them. All is right with the world.

Malisa said...

Laughingmom,
There are some high priced salvage yards and then there are some junk yards which hold fabulous prizes! i go for cheap. That doesn't mean I am cheap, but I am.

Malisa said...

Linda, I love you! We are in the chippy mutual admiration society!

Malisa said...

Unfinished,

You post a photo like you did today and call others amazing? Wow!

Malisa said...

Mike WJ,
I would like to see what you have done to your place too! Wink.

Malisa said...

Elizabeth,

Let's go shopping! I love to spend other people's money!

Malisa said...

Meleah,

Your mother and I could probably set some new standards and embarrass the shit out of you. I dont' know what that means, but it sounded good.

Malisa said...

Cheryl,
I understand. My mother is like that. She grew up with shabby. She doesn't think it's chic. I'm not equating you with my mother, buy saying that I understand where you are coming from.

Malisa said...

Sue,
We are soul sisters when it comes to architectural salvage.

00dozo said...

A woman who shares my love for everything old, well, architecturally speaking! It makes one wonder of the history behind old pieces like this. This is a great and unique take on today's theme.

Nicely done!

;-)

dog eared copy said...

It's interesting in how the architectural elements have been combined to create an alter of sorts for the Marian image. Buddha, and now Mary: The iconic imagery cut with the shabby chic components are a great contrast!