When I placed the vintage drop leaf table that I painted in a corner of the guest room . . .
I had to re-locate the piece of furniture that was in that spot. Which was the Ethan Allen tea cart
that I found last year at an estate sale.
The Ethan Allen tea cart that I so very much wanted in our early years of marriage
but just could not afford it. Practicality always got in the way.
The antique bench was previously in the bay window area of the dining room and moved to the great room.
The tea cart shuffled over to this space . . . Shuffling to the tune of “Tea for Two”
I began to decorate the tea cart with the most obvious items.
I placed one of my favorite tea sets that I purchased in France that is actually German,
on the tea cart. Yes, the expected items for a tea cart.
The silver tray is actually a trophy tray that I purchased at an estate sale in Northwest Georgia.
There were many trophies in the sale . . . trophies for prize winning dogs. I saw this tray in a corner
of the room and grabbed it faster than you can say Best in Show!
I guess you can possibly call it NQV . . . Not Quite Vintage, or would it be, being 52 years old?
Actually, my friend Merry who was also on the France trip with us spotted this beautiful porcelain
tea set in a corner cabinet in the most quaintest of shops. She knew I would love it!
So here you have Option One – A tea set for a tea cart.
Then we move to Option Two – A Bar Set Up for a tea cart a.k.a. bar cart.
Martini anyone? . . . I love this shaker that my niece gifted to me on one of my birthdays. I was in my
Cosmo phase . . . or any martini for that matter . . . a great shaker with drink recipes right on it!
I know . . . I collect some weird things like drink stirrers from hotels that we have stayed in.
Love the Peabody! . . . and their duck parade!
The martini glasses were also a gift, from my friend Linda who said that they were the Martini
glasses that were one of Oprah’s Favorite Things! Do you think that everyone was contributing to my
my Martini obsession at the time?
My birthday orchid that I received from my sister Carol over a month ago is still going strong.
I believe it is in a happy place in front of the window glad to be inside out of the chilly winds.
So, do you have a preference? Is it Option One with the Vintage German Tea set?
Or would it be Option Two with the Martini Bar? Or maybe both? Tea in the morning . . .
and a Martini at 5 o’clock. I think I should get another tray and move them from top to bottom,
bottom to top, depending on the time of day!!!
Note: You may have noticed something new on my sidebar.
Today, a wonderful new home and garden App has launched!
The app is called bHome. This app is a fantastic way for you to access some of your favorite bloggers
and shelter magazine blogs at your fingertips . . . just by downloading it to your iPhone or iPad.
You can read posts, grab images to place on Pinterest, Instagram, Tweet, Facebook and more.
Want to chat with some of your favorite bloggers?. . . you can do that too!
I am so over the moon excited to be a part of this great innovative idea and group!
I would like also mention at this time that the app was the brainchild of Kelly of My Soulful Home and
her husband. Visit Kelly today on her blog as she introduces this great mobile app.
So go over to my sidebar and click on the bHome image (or click below)
and that will lead you to the link where you will be able to download the App
It is pretty awesome!!
And to see it in action you must see this video made by Donna of Funky Junk Interiors!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnpvBqRoH7Y&feature=youtu.be
just love those martini glasses and that they are all different. my vote is B… or A….or B . 🙂 have a wonderful day, however you use that beautiful cart. can’t wait to see you in a few months.
Please share where to got your window treatments. I love them !
Traci…they were custom made by my friend Linda….they are stationary roman shades and the fabric is from Ikea.
Thank you. All your rooms are lovely
Um, yes both. I adore the tea set…it’s downright beautiful! But cocktails for dinner are good. 🙂 I can’t say the tray is vintage because it would mean I’m vintage (ahem). Lol. I like the tea cart too; I can see why you always wanted it! Hope you are well. Take care!
Hi Shirley, Your tea cart is gorgeous and I love both ways you have decorated the top. Your tea set is a beautiful treasure from France and those martini glasses are awesome too. Yes, I love it all!!
Beautiful orchid too!! and, gotta love your olive bucket off to the side.
Happy Decorating!
Hugs, CM
I vote for A…love the tea set, it makes you think of “Spring”.
I love your tea cart. I’ve been looking for one myself – wood not metal. I love both ways you styled it. I really enjoy reading your blog. I just found you recently. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Vintage or not quite vintage – it looks amazing!
The tea cart is just lovely! Ethan Allen furniture really holds its value especially the older pieces and still very much in demand. If you see a Ethan Allen piece in a consignment or yard sale it wont be there long.
I kind of like the bar set-up but that might be because I also collect drink stirrers from my travels!
Love it set up both ways! I have a old tea cart with a removable glass tray, that sits in my den as a side table.
Love the tea cart and so glad you were able to find something you had always wanted. It’s a warm fuzzy when that happens. I like to tea set for Spring/Summer and the Martini set for Fall/Winter – when you need a little warm up 🙂 Either way it’s a winner.
I am hard pressed here. As a lover and collector of tea cups and tea pots, I love the idea of this beautiful set being displayed. However, I also love a good martini on occasion too. I really love both displays.
I love the cart for both purposes, but the tea cup pattern is the true prize. How beautiful it is 🙂
Since my maiden name is Martini I should pick that option but I LOOOOOVE that tea set and it just looks like YOU! You have beautiful pieces and the flowers and the orchid, oh it is just all so pretty. BTW, we have those same Martini glasses and I never knew they were an Oprah favorite:) XO, Pinky
Beautifully done Shirley, I love the martini for two with the orchid styling. I would be making Cosmopolitans!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
LOVE the tea cart….your tea set is simply gorgeous!!! I like both options, I say switch them up whenever the mood stikes!
~Des
Shirley,
I love both of them, however I love the tea set up better. I love the Peabody as well. We went there on our honeymoon! Gary Collins was there. (He is famous, but I can not remember why.) 🙂
There was a group of children from kindergarten there sitting on the floor, along both sides of the red carpet. When the elevator door opened, the ducks walked onto the red carpet in between the children. It was so sweet to see the children’s faces, as they were an arms length from the ducks! I always wondered how they kept the duck poo poo out of the fountain! 😉
Thank you for bringing me that memory today!
Blessings!
I love option #2…#1 is pretty too. They both look great with that orchid! I collect swizzle sticks too! I have several from Pan Am…remember that airline? 😉
Both are nice, but I do love the tea set and it is so you!!
Love your tea cart and tea set, such a pretty spot!
Blessings,
Cindy
Shirley, your cart looks beautiful both ways! Either way…you can’t go wrong. I am so crushing on those martini glasses right now! They are so chic!
The tea cart with the beautiful tea set is my favorite for Spring, which we hope arrives before too long!
Shirley, I like both of them. I guess it depends on if you drink more tea or more martini’s. Put one on each shelf and then change them around. Hard decision to make, but I am sure you will make the right one. The tea cart is to die for.
Mary
Shirley, my sis has that exact same cart and it is gorgeous! I love the tea set with birds. Not being a drinker, I would definitely chose the teacart look.
hugs,
Jann
Your beautiful tea cart is perfect for tea and martinis, Shirley! Your tea set is exquisite!!
Mary Alice
Both choices are great! I Love the martini cart idea, and would you believe, my mom had a cart very similar to yours, but she would only serve tea on it. 🙂 Your tea set is gorgeous. Love the birds on it. Hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day. xo
I have teaset envy Shirley, love the bird and fruit motif on your beautiful set on your cart! I have a birthday coming up in April, I’m glad to know I’ll be NQV 🙂
I share your quandary. Except for me it’s tea or wine cart. My tea cart usually is set up for wine for the Holidays and tea in the spring and summer. Your tea set is beautiful. Always fun to move things around.
Beautiful tea cart and lovely tea set… Great job as always…
I like it styled both ways, but you know that we are martini girls, so I think that’s my favorite!
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