Cordelia's Cottage

Joy to you all . . .

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:51:00 +0000

A little smile, a word of cheer

A bit of love from someone near

A little gift from one held dear

Best wishes for the coming year

The best to you all
Have a wonderful Christmas

The Point Loma Holiday Home Tour was a Great Success

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who participated: Our fabulous Marketplace vendors, volunteers, Best Friends' staff, not to mention our generous homeowners, everyone that made this a huge success. As a first-time event, we had a great turnout, about 500 attendees, 75 tireless volunteers. There were adoptable dogs and pups at each of the homes. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Little Sissy,(renamed Missy) the adorable 8 month old puppymill Chihuahua got adopted!

Christmas Decor

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Bob, Debbi and I had so much fun decorating the store on Thursday - the time flew by but we worked and worked until the windows were dressed and the store decorated in holiday style. So, we are now officially celebrating the Christmas season!

We're very pleased, once again, to showcase Vintage-Ornaments.com in our store. The paperie items are fabulous - German cut-out lithos on foil over vintage sheet music make sweet ornaments. Their attention to detail is appreciated by collectors who come back each year to add more of Vintage Ornaments' pieces to their collection. The hand dyed and decorated bottle brush trees are always a big hit. There are silver embellished ones this year that are glitzy to perfection. Cindy and Amanda will be at the Point Loma Holiday Home Tour on December 5th, featuring all of their holiday creations.

From Martha Stauderman, Everything Ellie, brought in her Christmas banners, especially created for Cottage Antiques.

I just love our German Saint Nick - he is lifesize!

Photo album from Martha Stauderman.

We love to fill our antique apothecary jars with candies, it's such a simple way to add a nice touch to your holiday decor.

Decorating for Halloween - It's definitely fall!

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:51:00 +0000

Halloween decorations are everywhere! I held off until yesterday to decorate. The store is now officially, however subtly, Halloween'd. No spider webs, no crows, just simply a few big pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns,, gourds, Indian corn, and fall leaves that my husband Bob, with permission, gathered from a neighbor's lawn.

The fall leaves add the perfect touch to our displays.

Debbi worked her magic once again and mixed the pumpkins and gourds with white ironstone, a c1880s marble top parlor table, a chippy painted stool and starfish, pumpkins and twigs. We mixed in Victorian fine silver and voila! . . . it all works.

Corn candy in this Hall Jewel Tea bowl - picture perfect!.

Our custom burlap fit the bill for the final touch to our

Halloween display.

Call the store or email if there's anything you might be interested in.

cottageantiques@cox.net

619-222-1967

Point Loma Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:11:00 +0000

Ocean Beach Antique District Storewide Sales Event & Parking Lot Sale

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:57:00 +0000

Join us Saturday and Sunday

Save the Date for the Point Loma Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Cottage Antiques on A-List for Top Antique Stores in San Diego County

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:34:00 +0000

For the third year in a row, our store was voted on the A List by KGTV Channel 10's City Voters.

Thank you city voters! We're honored.

Posted by: Linda C., 9/3/2009
Cottage Antiques is one of my Tweeters. They always offer the most wonderful things, AND, they also are most friendly...and that's the best kind of antique dealer there is

Posted by: Kathy T., 9/3/2009
High-end but warm and comfortable at the same time with wonderful variety and a great selection. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere

Posted by: Sunny S., 9/3/2009
It's a beautiful store!

Posted by: Susan G., 8/13/2009
Whenever we have company, we take a tour of Cottage Antiques. I like the idea of supporting the smaller companies. The inventory is always changing and you're sure to strike up a great conversation with the employees. They are friendly and sincere.

Posted by: georgiankitten, 9/14/2008
great place to browse and buy something special

Posted by: Ellen in Pt. Loma, 12/4/2008
It is always a pleasure to shop at Cottage Antiques. They're constantly redecorating and displaying and I like to run in and see what new pieces have arrived. I never know what treasure I'll find..

Posted by: Susan, 12/4/2008
Cottage Antiques is comfortable, and everybody's so friendly. Where many antique stores are dusty, this one has the scent of old-fashioned soaps and rose petals. It's a wonderful step back in time, if only just to brouse!

Posted by: christina ennis, 10/14/2008
Supporting my local people.

Always changing it up . . .

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Once again, we're changing the store around. This past Thursday it was so fun, even though it was an especially hot day, it was fun. Debbi worked her magic, as usual. We were running around pulling things in for the displays. I couldn't resist photographing this cupboard with all the white ironstone china, shells, antique photographs that we intermixed along with Victorian silver pieces. It all works!

We stuffed this late 1800s country cupboard with the white ironstone.

Soapstone Countertops - Ageless, Green & Sustainable

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:26:00 +0000

About three years ago, Bob and I remodeled our kitchen. Since we have an older home, 1935, we wanted the kitchen to be updated and modern but also we were determined that it complement and respect the history of the home. Soapstone has a reputation for being traditional but also is very current. It was common in homes, particularly in New England and has been used in kitchens for over two centuries. There are many homes in New England where the 100+ years old soapstone is still standing. There really is nothing quite like it. It's extraordinarily beautiful and possesses remarkable stability. Soapstone develops its own personality over time. So, after doing much research and many nay sayer's comments, we had soapstone installed. I love everything about it and we are happy we made the choice to select natural soapstone for our countertops. And as a bonus, it's the most environmentally friendly countertop available, from taking it out of the quarry to preparing it for the consumer, there is near zero impact on our planet.

Click on Soapstone International's website for everything you need to know about soapstone: Soapstone International

>

White English Ironstone - what a collection!

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:53:00 +0000

We just acquired a huge collection of white ironstone from Staffordshire, England. I was doing some research on some of the pieces and came across an article I wanted to share with you. I found it on Martha Stewart's site. White ironstone has long been an American favorite. Although massive quantities of the handsome, functional, undecorated and inexpensive Staffordshire were imported to America in the late 1800s, Martha Stewart revived its popularity in the 1990s. It is no longer inexpensive.Ironstone dates to the early 1800s; the name and its formula, containing the mineral feldspar, were patented in 1813 by Charles Mason of Staffordshire, England. Ironstone decorated with colorful patterns was an immediate success in England, but the white-glazed variety has little official history there because virtually all of it was made for export to Europe, Australia, and the United States. It is a staple, like the little black dress of the antiques world, can't go wrong with it.By the 1830s, enterprising British potters recognized a potential market among rural American families buying china for the first time. They put together services of snowy-white ironstone, predicting that its simplicity and affordability would appeal to the no-frills aesthetic associated with American country life. These pieces, given names such as graniteware, stoneware, pearl china, or feldspar china, are now all categorized as ironstone.

White ironstone patterns fall into distinct periods. The earliest, called gothic or primary, date from the 1830s to 1840s and comprise paneled hexagonal or octagonal shapes. More rounded forms emerged in the 1860s, including harvest patterns decorated with relief-molded berries or sheaves of wheat. After 1860, bulbous, highly ornamental designs combined ribs with leaves and flowers, and from 1880 on, ironstone reverted to plainer forms, often unadorned except for the handles or finials.The once ubiquitous and affordable ironstone is now highly coveted by collectors and therefore expensive. A teapot might sell for $350 and a soap dish for $200. Its quality is based on the evenness of the color and the crispness of the relief work. All edges, finials, and handles should be chip-free and unrepaired. The cost of a piece depends on its maker, pattern, condition, and rarity, as well as where it is being sold.

The History of Iron Beds

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:33:00 +0000

First used by the Chinese, cast iron pieces were made in 550 B.C. In the 18th Century there were numerous small foundries in the East and even as far west as Chicago. They took great pride and care in their designs. These small foundries could take days to make one single .
Raw iron was melted and hand poured and into molds. Finishes were varied and could range from simple white to multiple colors with gilted detail on the castings. Because of the meticulous methods used to produce iron bed frames, it is rare to find duplicate designs. Back in the mid 1800's, iron being produced in America was far superior to that of Europe. The foundries produced limited numbers of the beds but they were very high quality. That’s why today you can find beds that are in perfect condition: They have stood the test of time.
There is just no substitute for the hand-forged design from a skilled craftsman. We at Cottage Antiques are always hunting for good quality iron beds. When we bring them in, they don’t last long. The ornate, tall beds are the most difficult to find. I love the ones with the original paint, especially those that are chippy and aged to perfection. Here are photos of some of the beds we’ve had in or have right now.

Cordelia to speak at The Cool Twitter Conferences World Tour

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:10:00 +0000

I am on the roster to speak at the San Diego Cool Twitter Conferences World Tour on July 15th sponsored by the Washington, DC-based technology group, The Cool Blue Company LLC."The Cool Twitter Conferences World Tour" second stop is taking place in San Diego, CA on Wednesday, July 15th at Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 802 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 in the heart of the Gaslamp quarter.I'm very excited to be a part of such an enthusiastic group of tweeple (sorry about that, couldn't help myself). This is an exciting time regarding social media and what it can do for businesses today, including retail brick and mortars. Check back for updates on the program. I can't wait!

Of course, I'll be posting photos of the presenters and attendees.

Hang your flags for 4th of July

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Happy 4th of July from our house to yours! Have a safe one, friends.

Heidi's Historic Summer Gardens

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:38:00 +0000

On this Fourth of July, I featuring my good friend Heidi Daniels' barn shoppe. It's located in New England’s historic Harrub's Corner in Plympton, Massachusetts, in the town’s historic district. Heidi grew up in Ocean Beach, in San Diego, but she always wanted to move to the East Coast. So more than 15 years ago, she moved to New England and fulfilled her dream. That's where she met Ben, whom she later married. They bought a historic home with an 1800s post-and-beam barn on the property.

Enjoy the photos and have a safe and happy 4th of July.

The house, named “Summer Gardens,” has a rich historic past. It was built by architect Isaac King in 1687 and completed around 1720. Back then, during the Revolutionary War, it was a way station. Also, in the mid 1800s, the property was a stagecoach stop and tavern. Besides the house, there are two small outbuildings, which once housed a store and post office. Heidi called her store Summer Gardens, after the original house. The shop is inside a large barn on the property.

Heidi loves primitives and Americana and her store reflects the past. It’s overflowing with homespun textiles, painted furniture, Windsor chairs, folk art dolls, handmade local art, and even famous local home-baked pies -- you name it. Heidi’s always loved decorating. I met her on the volleyball courts in South Mission Beach in the 1980s, and our group all called her the “Martha Stewart of Mission Beach” because she had such a knack with making her beach cottage cozy. Her quilts were stacked on a pine cupboard, and transferware plates were hung on the walls and also tucked inside a country hutch. The final touch was the almost endless aroma of cookies baking in her oven.

Fast forward to New England where today she has created a virtual fantasy on the grounds of historic Summer Gardens, with its blooming flower fields where Heidi does spends hours each day planting and pruning her fresh flower gardens. Customers can stroll, cut their own flower bouquets, and view the lavender fields and gourd arbor while admiring the barn and the 17th century home in the distance. Summer Gardens holds a Lavender Days event each year, which is coming up soon. I've always admired Heidi's creative talents, and now she's expressing them in this historically significant two-story barn. My husband Bob and I visited Heidi and Ben two summers ago and stayed on their property. It was very much like vacationing in a historic bed-and-breakfast inn.

So, on our nation’s birthday, this is my tribute to my friend Heidi's one-of-a-kind shop and all things American.

Give Heidi a call if there's anything in her barn you are interested in. (They ship.) 781-582-1576

Interesting article in Country Living Magazine

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:57:00 +0000

There's a growing trend in retail, which I've not only noticed, but have taken part in, in Southern California. It's the occasional and seasonal sale in sheds, barns and even inside private homes. Some are repeat sales, or shows, with a multiple vendor venue in various areas of San Diego County. Because there is little overhead in putting on a sale like this, you can usually get better deals on merchandise. I'll try and post them on my web site to let you know where and when they'll be.

Photos - First day of 3- Day Sale

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:50:00 +0000

The first day of our June Summer Sale was soooooo fun - we had a terrific turnout! The weather was overcast, perfect for shopping in Ocean Beach. We're looking forward to tomorrow, Saturday. Yesterday, a designer from Manhattan, NY came in to shop, said she found us on twitter and couldn't wait to see our store on her next trip to San Diego. Social Media works and because of it we made a new friend!

   The perfect amount of naturally aged chippy paint

   This beautiful tole painted wooden plaque c1900,
   was shipped to a customer in New England

Just in time for our sale

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:44:00 +0000

There's nothing like these old concrete urns and planters that have old paint on them, particularly layered. It makes such a statement and is a perfect look. They only get better as the years go by. They're good inside or outside.
This painted beadboard cupboard just came in with very old paint in creams and white chipping away to reveal the perfect green with all original hinges and door pulls. This is really a superb piece.

We're cleaning house and having a Summer Sale

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Marche Danes Le Jardin in Coronado

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:13:00 +0000

What a lovely fundraising event! Marché dans le jardin, held in the gorgeous home of Jane Pollock's ocean front property in Coronado. This was a fundraiser for Art Takes A Village where about 20 artisans gathered for an afternoon to show and sell there creative wares in this market in the garden with a fantastic view of the ocean. Kim Kelly (Bella Rustica), her friend Nancy and I enjoyed it so much. It was especially nice to reconnect with Christie Repasy. She and I have known eachother a very long time and she always participated in my Chintz events. Christie's art is romantic and sweet, just like her. Take a look at her website and see for yourself how unbelievably creative she is. It was fun as always to see Rita, Mammabellarte, Tamerie, A Little of This That and the Other, and, of course, Gina of Lizzy B's. I've been meaning for a long time to go the La Maison Rustique, Linda's barn in Temecula, never seem to make it, though, that thing called owning your own business seems to get in the way :-) But I enjoyed meeting Linda. She's as sincere and nice as I've been hearing for a long time. Everywhere you looked there was glitter, rhinestones or crystals. I couldn't resist Christie's latest small giclée, a sweet princess crown.

Fresh Linen & Burlap Pillows

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:21:00 +0000

I've just finished stuffing our latest custom-made pillows with down. If you know me you know I love linen and there's nothing quite like a crisp white linen pillow. These are big double-ruffle box pillows with tie-backs and they're so fun to decorate with - they're sassy and crisp and a perfect look year round but particularly spring and summer. Here they are mixed with our latest burlap pillows. The newest one is the French rooster "Le coq".

Fleur-de-lis embellished with rhinestones.This is a burlap pillow with a rhinestone embellished crown.

Point Loma Garden Walk held last week

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:24:00 +0000

Here are a few photos from the Point Loma Garden Walk held last weekend. The 8th Annual, it's always a huge success due to very giving & fun women that make up the Dana Unit of Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary. I love being a part of it. The weather was more than perfect and everyone got to experience a little of what Sunset Cliffs has to offer.

This planted container won my heart. Positioned so simply on a window sill of one of the earliest homes in the Sunset Cliffs area. It says it all, doesn't it?

My friends, Cindy and Amanda (mother & daughter team) with their uniquely planted iron pieces. Most of their plants are heirloom. I know the maidenhair fern is fourth generation from Cindy's grandmother. So beautiful and hearty, our garden attendees love it!
One of the best cottage gardens in all of Point Loma - the Briers' home. They're the greatest family and Calvin, who is a landscape & waterscape architect by trade, did his home justice. It's welcoming.
This is their backyard.

In this beautiful garden, the homeowner prepared fresh berries on a whimsical, garden table setting. We wanted to sit down and spend the afternoon there.
Another great house who's owner is a Master Gardener. She has two compost bins, very large ones, and has never bought soil for her gardens in over four years. I was amazed by her - I need to take one of her classes she offers.
Roses with a view of the ocean. Life is good.

New vignettes in our shop

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:53:00 +0000

We just finished re-displaying the shop. This week was busy with big furniture sales which left alot of holes whioh, of course, means we have to display new inventory! (One of my favorite things to do.) It's always fun to see the store transform and see customers reactions. Here is just a sampling of some of our store vignettes:
This vintage ottoman has been given new life with a custom matelasse slipcover. So cottage-y and comfortable. We also slipcover your ottomans or footstools. Give us a call or ask at the desk - slipcovers are a perfect option for creating a fresh new look in a room and doing it inexpensively.

Silver and sterling are one of our specialties. Here's a sample of a very old Sheffield sugar scuttle. There's nothing like the antique silver items and this piece is no exception with its hand engraving. Any Sheffield silver is always of exceptional quality.

I love these burlap pillows - they're French grain sacks made into pillows and are down filled. Very chic!

How about these 100% linen double boxed ruffled pillows. They're custom made especially for our shop, with ties in the back that give them an extra special sassy look. We can't keep them in and it keeps our local seamstress busy!
I am thrilled to have this Victorian wire plant stand the pillows are sitting in. It is a rare piece with the original paint and looks like it was kept inside. It's perfect for displays. I can picture it in an entryway filled with hydrangeas!

Here's another French grain sack item - this one a seat cushion. We have a lot of these on hand.

I'll be posting more photos tomorrow - I want to capture our displays quick before things sell. :)
'Til then

My friend Kim's Bella Rustica Italian Easter Market in Coronado this Saturday

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:23:00 +0000

It was a great morning with Kim, hostess of her Bella Rustica Italian Easter Market in Coronado, her second annual sale in her comfortable, ever-so-stylish Italian-flair home. It was fun meeting so many of Kim's customers and friends. Tamerie and Rita brought their wares, embellished antique bottles, custom pillows, slip covered ottomans, whimsical birdhouses (one which I couldn't resist and took home). And Kim is such a tremendous talent; I admire her energy and creativity and how she makes it all come to life. Her home is so special and every where you turn you see her signature style. Wonderful sale, terrific morning. Bravo!

From left: Cordelia (me), Tamerie, Kim and Rita

Journals by artist Martha Stauderman with her Martha Lily Designs

cottageantiques@cox.net (Cordelia of Cottage Antiques) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:50:00 +0000

I love these and they're selling as they're coming in. Exclusive to Cottage Antiques, these are created by Martha with her Martha Lily Designs. Made from pieces and fragments of the past and inspired by old wallpapers and vintage lace, these will knock your socks off. Custom made journals available, too. Bring in your own memorabilia for a personalized journal by Martha Lily.

This Notes journal is one of my favorites

The very first day we had these miniature "Friends" books in my shop, we immediately had custom orders for them! They make great gifts! Martha Lily can create them with a child's fantasies and delights in mind, gear it toward someones hobby, for example horses, mermaids, swimming, soccer - anything!

These journals make the ideal gift!