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Dreams do come true!

November 7th, 2016 a long time dream of mine came true. That dream you ask, well that little dream of mine was to always have a brick and mortar filled with all the beautiful vintage clothes and vintage home decor I love and appreciate for their stories, quality and individuality. This little shop is called Bee & Mason and is located on the sweet little Main st. in Milwaukie, OR.  If you are ever in the neighborhood please stop by and say hello. We would be happy to show you all our lovely little vintage treasures. 

Francisca

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Relax...

It's Spring in the Northwest which means rain and even some sun, hence the reason we are so green but I am the first to admit that there are days where I fantasize about a relaxed day in the sun doing nothing much but absorbing some warm rays.

Here is how I would like to do it today...

If you can't find me today it's probably because I found a hammock in a warm sunny place!

Ciao,

F

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Being a woman...

In my world of vintage I am an oddity at times, not because of what I do but because the gender I am.

You see, when I am out hunting for vintage treasures  you can find me in old barns, workshops, dumpsters, junk yards and salvage yards. Most of these places belong to a man. They are always astounded that I am a woman who likes metal, machines, industrial and your random vintage oddity. They scratch their heads when I get right in and get dirty with the next guy and can load a metal table into my car on my own...don't get me wrong I am not ashamed or afraid to take up an offer to load my car up with all the metal I find, shoot I relish in the opportunity to not have to load my own car.

I was at an estate sale once and there were two lines, one for the house the other for the workshop. I was number 2 in line but not for the house, for the workshop. Not one but almost all the men in line each told me I was in the wrong line, the house line was over there ( I was the only woman in "their" line). When I told them nope I was in the line I wanted to be in they just scratched their heads and shrugged.

This happens often, these men are just confused on why a "girl" would want metal. I have to admit it makes me smile, there is nothing like confusing a guy. Teehee!

Women are not simple beings you can just make blanket statements about, we are complex and individual. I love a pair of 4" heels and a sexy dress just as much as I love my chucks, jeans and t-shirts. I don't discriminate between the two they are both me. If you ever get a chance to come by my studio you will find gold brocade dresses merchandised next to bouquets of saws. Yes, a tomboy and a Latina with curves. That's me!

I love being a woman and am happy to be comfortable in a pile of glitter as much as a pile of metal.  I am not alone, there are many of us picking women out their getting the same odd looks as we dig for that perfect vintage metal yumminess. To all of you I say "happy picking" and to all the men we love because you horde metal we say "thank you"!

Ciao,

F

 

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Vignettes...

Vignettes are so much fun to do. You can use them to tell a story, show off a collection, represent a season and so much more.

There are a few tricks to putting together a vignette but the biggest thing you need is an imagination. The two rules I tend to always follow are the power of odd numbers and the low, mid, high rule.

Power of odd numbers is just what it sounds like...I use odd number of items; 3, 5, 7. It tends to feel more balanced with odd numbers of items, I know it sounds counter intuitive but try it, you will see what I'm talking about.

13 items alone in this vignette...

13 items alone in this vignette...

5 items in this lovely vignette...

5 items in this lovely vignette...

Then there is the low, mid, high rule...all this means is that you want to have items in your vignette that are different heights so that the eye can travel up and across the vignette.

I love this one...your eyes starts with the top hat and shoes then travels up to the mirrors which are in three sizes, the shortest mirror is in line with the waist of the mannequin which draws your eye to the right and up to the flower at the top.

I love this one...your eyes starts with the top hat and shoes then travels up to the mirrors which are in three sizes, the shortest mirror is in line with the waist of the mannequin which draws your eye to the right and up to the flower at the top.

This one is self explanatory...

This one is self explanatory...

And this one is a great example of both rules...as you can see though there are so many ways to put a vignette together, it really comes down to what do you want to say and use your imagination and get creative.

I could post a million pictures of vignettes and could spend days putting them together because I find them so much fun to do and it is endless to what you can do.

Ciao,

F

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Well Dressed...

We live in a casual world especially here in the United States. Many of us live lives that require a more casual attire, I know I do but sometimes I dream of a life where i could dress on a regular basis. Now women get more opportunities and sometimes are expected to dress more formally then men. It seems to be a dying art that some men are trying to bring back, the art of dress. I have to admit, I truly appreciate a man well dressed.

Here are a few who seem to have mastered the art...

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/79047116350/the-portuguese-gentleman

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/79047116350/the-portuguese-gentleman

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/77897606886/the-portuguese-gentleman

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/77897606886/the-portuguese-gentleman

http://anthonybila.tumblr.com/

http://anthonybila.tumblr.com/

http://socialsurvival.tumblr.com/post/78710176735

http://socialsurvival.tumblr.com/post/78710176735

http://tumblr.savilestreets.com/post/78257313594

http://tumblr.savilestreets.com/post/78257313594

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/77897582404/the-portuguese-gentleman

http://theportuguesegentleman.tumblr.com/post/77897582404/the-portuguese-gentleman

Will you dress well today?

To all the men out there who have mastered the art...thank you!

Ciao,

F

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Studio space...

I have loved being in my current studio space, it is very me but it has it's down side too...no heat, entrance in the alley and no place to hide the "ugly" stuff. With that being said I am excited to announce I am moving...not far just up around the corner to street side. I will still be in the same building with the same address just now I will have an actual store front, a separate studio space, heat in the store (makes for happier shopping) and will be street side so now you can actually find me!

Fingers crossed I can start working on the store part this week, the current tenant is suppose to move out today and there is a LOT of work to do on the space before Saturday when we have a Open Studio scheduled. It will be one of those works in progress and that's ok...need to keep it all in perspective.

Feeling inspired...

I will keep you posted to my progress with pictures...I love a new adventure and am so excited about this one.

Ciao,

Francisca

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Seeing Double...

I shared a bedroom with my little sister for 11 years before I got my own room. We had bunk beds which then became two twin beds. My sister and I decorated our own room so that we could still have our own space but also share the space. There is something rather sweet about seeing twin beds in a room, at least for me.

You could grow up in this room and use the space behind each bed for storage.

You could grow up in this room and use the space behind each bed for storage.

This room reminds me of adventures in the woods...what if you put the monograms of each kid on the foot of the beds.

This room reminds me of adventures in the woods...what if you put the monograms of each kid on the foot of the beds.

Take a small room and make it feel bigger with twin beds.

Take a small room and make it feel bigger with twin beds.

First of all these beds are amazing and I love the pop of color.

First of all these beds are amazing and I love the pop of color.

Stories on the walls, storage at the foot of the beds and playfulness in the bedding.

Stories on the walls, storage at the foot of the beds and playfulness in the bedding.

Rope beds=swings

Rope beds=swings

There are so many options to twin beds...

Ciao,

F

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Love...

It's the month of love and Valentines day is only 2 days away...have you gotten your sweetie a gift yet?

If not or even if you have and you just want to really show your love...I have a few ideas!

Put a bird on your love...

Put a bird on your love...

You can't get more romantic then candle light and why not a red bookcase to house your loves collection of sonnets.

You can't get more romantic then candle light and why not a red bookcase to house your loves collection of sonnets.

A pair of mohair bar stools, perfect for dinner for two.

A pair of mohair bar stools, perfect for dinner for two.

And no Valentines is perfect without a cocktail or bubbly so why not the cart to house them.

And no Valentines is perfect without a cocktail or bubbly so why not the cart to house them.

It may not be red but it has a key...perfect for keeping love letters.

It may not be red but it has a key...perfect for keeping love letters.

All of these Valentine lovely's can be find at Grand Marketplace in Portland, OR...so what are you waiting for go get that perfect gift for the love of your life!

Ciao,

F

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Flora...

My best friend is starting her own business and part of this new venture includes tablescapes and floral and plant arrangements...this got me thinking, what would you need to do these? Of course my thought goes to vintage. So, I pulled a few pictures together with some ideas...

wood boxes...

wood boxes...

Bottles and glassware...

Bottles and glassware...

Urns...

Urns...

Pitchers and galvanized containers...

Pitchers and galvanized containers...

Silver...

Silver...

The list of potential containers is long and the props to support these arrangements endless...let your imagination run wild and find those items you love to tell a story with spring flora...now if winter would just cooperate.

Ciao,

F

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Untraditional...

I have written about A G Hendy & Co. Home Store before and next time I am in England I plan on making my way to Hastings to do a little shopping at this amazing home store.

They just posted pics of their new window displays and I just had to share...they are untraditional and I just love

Hendy window.jpg
Hendy window2.jpg
Hendy window3.jpg
Hendy window3.jpg

Ciao,

F

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The Bearded Man...

I live in the Northwest where beards reign. They don't do much for me but I know many a woman who swoon for these bearded men. My dad had a beard for most of my young childhood and I use to love to play with it and was heart broken when he shaved it off. Who knew he was so hip.
What do beards do for you?

Ciao,

F

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Organizing...

Spring is just around the corner (Yay!) and that means for many spring cleaning/organizing. Sometimes I think this might be better for those short winter days but you know there is no wrong time to clean and organize.

To be successful one needs the right tools. I have a few ideas what those can be and they are perfect for any home or room, really.

 Lockers...

really perfect for anything needing storing

source

Wooden drawer cabinet...

perfect for all that paper work we seem to have to keep

source

Victorian House Keeper Cabinet...

for all your linens

source

Industrial Metal drawer unit...

for all the little things that always need a home.

source

Industrial Metal Tool Bit Cabinets...

line these drawers in velvet and store all your favorite jewels.

source

You have a few more months before it's Spring so start hunting for that perfect vintage piece that is going to make Spring cleaning that much more fun to do.

Ciao,

F

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Personal style...

The other day on Facebook a friend posted a list of trends that people want to see go away based on a article she saw...it started a really good conversation through the comments from a lot of friends. After reading them it made me think, what is on trend?
I've been in the design business for 20 years and one thing I know is that we all have our own style and that it is reflected in our homes and in what we wear. There are no wrong answers in telling ones' own story. Sure there are trends and fads and a long list of who's who in the design world telling us how we should decorate and style our homes but when it comes right down to it, it's your story to tell whether you like an all white room or a dark and moody room you are the one who is going to have to live in it and should reflect you and your lifestyle.
So, go out...be bold...buck the trend and tell YOUR story!


White...

source


Dark and moody...

source


Color...

source


Ciao,
F

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A New Year...

2013 was a big year filled with many changes for me, I'm not

sad to say goodbye to it but I am very excited to say hello to 2014

and to see what it has in store. 

I have a good feeling about this one. 

source

Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled

with good health, happiness and prosperity!

Ciao,

F

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All about the table...

My husband and I love to entertain with friends...he cooks and I set the table.
Thanksgiving table is one of my favorite to create. There are so many things you can do.
Here are a few tips to creating the perfect table to give thanks around with your friends and family.

If you are serving at the table keep your center pieces simple...
Use what you have, here they used glasses filled with herbs...you could also use bowls of Autumn fruits or vegetables. Just remember to leave room for all those platters of food.







I like to shake up the table with place cards, it keeps conversations interesting and if you have new guests it can make them feel more welcome by sitting them next to folks who will embrace them and ease the feeling of not knowing anyone.
You can use small apples, little pumpkins, pine cones, wine corks or just a simple piece of paper with their name written on it. Again, use what you have and what is seasonal.


image via

Lighting is key for any room to create a mood...this could be using a dimmer on your overhead lights, adding candles or stringing lights...it all depends on the room and what you have available but please don't use big bright lights, know one looks good under a spotlight.


image via

image via

Seating...who has 12-20 chairs that all match sitting (yes, pun intended) around their house? Don't be afraid to mix it up with traditional dinning chairs, upholstered chairs and benches.

image via

For the table settings mix and match your glass ware, plates and even flatware...it adds a bit of whimsy and interest.

image via

Remember to have fun, use what you have and don't be afraid to mix it up...the true reason you are all getting together is to give thanks and celebrate so don't stress, it will all be fabulous!

Ciao,
F

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