March 7, 2010

Niche Lighting and Sacred Harp Music

 

Remember the problem I had trying to decide how to decorate the niche right off the great room?  Well, if you would like, you can catch up here.

 

I have wanted to add a chandelier or candolier in the top.  There is an electrical outlet on the wall, but I didn’t want to take out the canvas mural and go to the expense of moving the outlet higher for an electric fixture.  And, I certainly wasn’t going to have electrical cord coming down the wall where it would show. 

I had been keeping my eyes open for a small vintage fixture that I could convert to a candolier.  I found it this weekend at a local consignment shop.

If wasn’t hard to take it apart, clean it up, and put it together again.

 

I love the simple shape.

 

 

You can always tell a light fixture is old by the fabric covered wiring.

 

 

The switch looks like an old door key…so charming.

I love the little acorn finial at the bottom, too.

 

 

It’s all cleaned up and ready to reassemble.

 

 

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I still love my vintage blackamoors, but I decided to move them to a less prominent place after my original post about the Italian mural. (link above) 

 

 

I think it was the perfect fixture for this area.

 

The hurricane globe didn’t touch the bottom, so it rolled around on it’s little pot belly.  I painted a clean tuna can to match and inserted the globe into the can – problem fixed.

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I hadn’t found anything great to complete this vignette since the blackamoors were removed.  It became a catch-all spot.

It was time for a fresh look.  I put this together this afternoon, using things that I already had. 

I’m thinking  that I really, really like it!

 

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First, I had to give this adorable French miniature chair a back and a bottom using some of my pillow making supplies.

 

 

I used rub on letters to ‘faux monogram’ an S on the back of the chair.  

 

 

I  painted a thin layer of clear glue on the canvas back before I rubbed the letter on. 

The bracelet was another vintage find this weekend.

 

 

The seat is a French style transfer left over from a pillow.

 

 

I have some lovely, leather bound, antique books, so I used a few here.

 

 

Birds nests always add so much charm!

 

 

This beautiful bust is one of my very favorite things.  I love the colors.  You can tell they were vivid at one time, but age has nicotined’ it beautifully!

 

 

I gave this footed planter a paint make-over last year.  All of you artist out there will recognize the rotten stone around the base.  I love the stuff!!!

 

 

This book is very, very worn.  You can barely make out the title on the front.  It is one of the many books that we won at the auction of a local 80+ year old house and it’s contents.

It is an old Sacred Harp songbook. 

When I hear Sacred Harp music,  chills run up and down my spine.

 

 

Look at the simplicity of the music.  It’s just shaped notes.

Do  Re  Mi  Fa  Sol  La  Ti   Do .   It’s also called do-re-mi singing or fa-sol-la singing.

Growing up, we referred to it as fa-sol-la singing.

You will never hear better four part harmony..a cappella!

 

…. BE   STILL   MY   HEART ….

 

The copyright page is missing, but the inscription in the front has a few names in pencil, dated 1880.

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Remember the movie “Cold Mountain”?  That hauntingly, beautiful music was Sacred Harp music performed by “Liberty Baptist Church Sacred Harp Singers”,  right here in Alabama.

Chill bumps?

 

Okay,  I am back on track.  Sorry!

 

 

Yep,  I am liking the new look.

 

 

I love the reflection in this old mirror glass.

 

I am linking to the following parties this week:

 

metamorphosis monday              Just_something_I_whipped_up                make it for monday

   Met Monday                    just something I whipped up              Make it for Monday

 

Its So Very Creative                       diy @ soft place to land                  TabletopTuesLg          

its so very creative                           DIY Day                                Table Top Tuesday

 

nifty thrifty tuesdays @ coastal charm                    Transformation Thursday              show and tell fridays

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday                 Transformation Thursday                 Show and Tell Friday

 

Rhonda

30 comments:

  1. I love your vintage fixture, it's so pretty, and your French miniature chair is adorable I love what you did with it!! Blessings... Daphne

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  2. I think you did a fabulous job with a gorgeous result. Can't say that I agree about the blackamoors. They are a vintage remnant of a past that no longer exists. I do think they're lovely
    xoxo Pattie

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  3. You keep those blackamoor treasures out for all to enjoy and disregard those who are looking to find fault...let them find it elsewhere! I have a 40 yr old Aunt Jemima toaster cover which has caused a comment much the same...phooey! I love history...all of it! Gorgeous light and it works wonderfully here!

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  4. What a great look! I love the key switch! suzie. xxx

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  5. Very pretty, Rhonda! Love what you added here. The chair is so cute and I love how you "upholstered" it.

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  6. Rhonda, thanks for stopping by. You'll have to check out that new place for sure. What a cute niche that is, you've done a great job with it. Love the old light too!

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  7. Oh my goodness, I am so in love with your miniature French chair!!! Where did you find it? Reading your comment about your blackamoor treasures reminded me of these dolls in England that were really, really popular when I was little. They were called Golliwogs and I just absolutely loved my golliwog!

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  8. Oh those are so cool!! That miniature chair is awesome! All of you crafty people amaze me.

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  9. Oh my, this is absolutely stunning. I love the vignette. Sooooooooo pretty. Hugs, Marty

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  10. My last name starts with a S, so if you get tired of the adorable little chair you can send it to me!

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  11. Great job!! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!! I am your newest follower!

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  12. Oh ~ My ~ Gosh~~~ LOVE this! I am nuts about that light fixture, but I think the chair stole my heart completely!! That vignette looks AWESOME!! Just beautiful!!

    And I LOVE Sacred Harp music!! So many people have no clue what it even is. My mother adored it too and we had some sacred harp music at her funeral. She would have loved it!

    Have a great week!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  13. Beautiful arrangement in the niche, Rhonda!

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  14. So cool Rhonda! Like a museum diorama or shadowbox!

    Just love it! Great imagination and composition....

    love, kelee

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  15. Bonjour Rhonda,
    You did an incredible job, the candlelier turned out fine - you're so handy. And the little S you added on the French chair is adorable.
    Good week to you!

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  16. I love the light fixture in the niche and that is a wonderful vintage vignette you put together.

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  17. Rhonda -

    I just know you are the female design counterpart of MacGyver! You take scraps and rummage through your bag of tricks and presto! Amazing. The photograph of the mirror showcasing your design is stunning.

    I took you and my readers to the Philadelphia Flower Show via video. Turn up your sound and stop by.
    http://fairfieldhousenj.com/2010/03/06/premature-pollination/

    Deborah

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  18. Your vignette is very interesting.....love that little French chair and the old old book really fascinates me as I'm very much into history and genealogy.
    Enjoyed the music from "Cold Mountain"....played it twice.

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  19. Wow! Your reflection in the mirror looks like a work of art! To think, you created it and it is "real life"! Fantastic!

    DD

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  20. I love this vignette! Everything is just gorgeous. I also love that music from Cold Mountain--a favorite movie of mine.

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  21. Oh wow, you are really good! Great site!

    Allison @ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/

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  22. Stunning...magazine ready! I am in love with that petite chair! Glad I found your blog!

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  23. Beautiful vignette! The candlelier was a great find and looks wonderful in the space. Love what you did to the little chair too.
    Jane

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  24. I am so loving the light fixture! Everything is really very pretty. Be blessed. Cindy

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  25. So pretty, and I loved the book Cold Mountain. You ought to join us on Friday for Family Friday...we post about Genealogy.

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  26. Hi...I saw the "Sacred Harp" tag and had to visit! Not a lot of people know what that is! My mom grew up learning music that way, and still uses shape notes to write her music. (She is a very successful southern gospel songwriter) What a treasure you have there. I also love to hear it. Lovely!!!

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  27. Rhonda,
    I'm lovin' this OLD light fixture and it looks great in your vignette! Yep, I'm liking the new look too:) Happy NTT!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  28. Just wanted to let you know that your lovely white vintage bowl (with seashells) is featured today on CC. It's just gorgeous with those large shells in it!!

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  29. The tuna can globe holder was ingenious! And, the look... just wonderful, Rhonda. As always! Have a blessed day!

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So happy you are here - I love your comments!