la Brocanteuse

Feb 24, 2011

Buttons


EX.UNITATE.VIRES ~ ENGINEERS GENIE






I have my own Antique Route that I follow every few weeks..
Little shops that have been around for years, for they have followers like me that simply cannot resist a good find.
Such were these buttons ~ the dealer had them grouped and sewn on cardboard squares.
I honestly  gave a little yell when I opened the  draw of an old dresser and found them  hidden away.Well I suppose they were not hidden but simply put away and forgotten.
It was like discovering  long lost  jewels.



SA ~ SOUTH AFRICA     
S.A.A ~ SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS  
SAP ~ SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE


Sentered at the top (copper with centered crown and sunburst) ~ AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES


Spring buck in circle below SAP
"UNION IS STRENTH"  ~ EENDRAG MAAK MAG













 I would like to know where these were used.
I am unable to make out the script on the elephant button, and also  love the crown.
both these look very colonial to me.


Black Bakelite with centered crown POLICE FORCE



S.A.A.F~ SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE
S.A.L.M~  SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGMAG
UNITAS ~ SKIETKOMMANDO ( soldier  kneeling with rifle, circled  in South Africa's national flower, the PROTEA)


ROYAL VISIT ~ KONINKLIKE BESOEK (Centre below UNITAS)

The Afrikaans versions on some of the buttons make them extra valuable. 





FOR KING AND EMPIRE SEVICES RENDERED ~ 






I would have liked it if the buttons were identified..I must do some research.  
Any South Africans out there that recognize any?




Have a lovely weekend.
We are in for another "take it slow in the heat"  this weekend, so I shall be lazy and relaxing...



  Colx

 

Feb 20, 2011

Thoughtful


For a previous birthday, friends gave me five beautiful    old moss covered cement urns
for my garden..
each urn came with a special wish:
 it included  Blessings, Love, Joy, and Good health 


I enjoy changing the plants in them
 as the seasons change...
these below was last winter, 
potted lilies
on a private roof garden  off our bedroom




Sunset earlier tonight....
I do love this time of the year,
 perfect summer evenings...
hard to imagine that our first winter rain is expected in about  six weeks 
 the huge old oak trees will once again have 
bare branches like in the previous image..

Have a lovely week
 Colx 

with every change of season,every change of plants,
 I smile happy and content to think of my dear friends and this special thoughtful  gift.




Potted Arum Lilies

Feb 13, 2011

I give you this heart..


I found this heart, on one of the shelves we like to call our Cabinette du Curiosites.  
  Sandstone cubicles  where things of curios and question value is continually added and left..
The heart is carved out of stone and  amongst finds collected mostly from walks on the beach, objects that friends added, stone balls, wood carvings, quirky market finds..just all simple nothings but curios with memories..

























Just a few steps down from the house, there is a boardwalk that take us to our "special" place where we collect shells and driftwood. Today was such a day. It was a perfect summers day

the beach house:



Dd is growing up so fast..it seems like just the other day we took this stroll


there is excitement in a stroll down to the beach , every time..








still the same favorit tin pail to collect treasures..


Have a delightful Saint Valentine's day !


 Colx

Vermont ~ South Africa

Feb 9, 2011

NEST



 I have to share this image first, it contains two of my favorite elements that I love..
old white vase and tattered books


Stellenbosch's most historic avenue is oak-lined Dorp Street. Almost the entire street is a national monument, flanked by lovely restored homes from every period of the town's history. 
Dorp means 'town' in Afrikaans. Stroll along historic Dorp Street and take in the towering oak trees, traditional and modern cape architecture, restaurants, art and antique shops
This is where  you will find Linda's shop
NEST
Locals have had the privilege to know  NEST for many years as a delightful shop where no one ever leaves empty handed. This ever inspiring shop has just opened it's doors in new premises where they now trade 7 days of the week.The new address is in a beautiful old building above MELISSA'S, next to the well known Oom Samie se winkel.(old fashioned trading store)
I am happy to share with you the photographs that I took this morning..




We all know NEST is definitely the place to find the perfect cushion, sewn from old vintage fabrics and filled with  down inners.






gorgeous handbags and overnight bags made from vintage Sanderson linen  






 I adore these old prints against the old green shutters.









 plenty old vintage plates and ceramics to choose from..









Linda displays everything in a wonderful creative way.
I love how she has papered the back of these shelves with old black and white copies of botanical prints..





and this wall with old maps..




and the pillar behind this old hand painted 
 Chinese tea box with pretty little birds..



Looking at this image of the old black and white bread tin..I am thinking of going back to get it for our kitchen..BROOD = BREAD = PAIN except the French don't keep their bread in a tin at all!



anything with printed words on it always catches my eyes..







basket weave textures


a miniature enamel bath complete with little spout..
I imagine using it in a beach house  bathroom filled with soaps..



 blue for breakfast


happy glass ware ..


 serious old  school bookcases, a favorite with the local students..



 those old books again..





gift cards made from old script and vintage pics



NEST
 88 Dorp Street 
Stellenbosch
South Africa
tel:+27 82 935 2544
nest-vintage-shop.com


Thank you Linda for bringing us such inspiring delicious old fashioned valuables  to treasure. 

Colx
I leave you with some images of Dorp Street