Friday, November 18, 2011

Nothing Clear About This Glass


Over the past year, I've gathered a number of glass containers and covers: a cloche, hurricanes, vases, a vintage storage jar with lid. All are thrift store finds. The most expensive was the cloche, which I purchased for  a whopping $2.98. The others set me back 49 cents to 98 cents each.


When I recently found a box of various sized bottle brush trees at an estate sale ($4 for 16 trees), I knew what I wanted to do with them. So, I pulled out some of the glass containers, disassembled the fall display on the dining room buffet and went to work.


Soon, a glass "tree-nagerie" took the place of the amber waves of glassware.


The holiday display sparkles in the candlelight, looks interesting on the vintage etched glass mirror and blends interesting shapes and sizes.

So why am I so ambivalent about it? Help!

My husband, who has good design sense, but whose style is more about simplicity, clean lines and symmetry than my style, actually suggested "froufing" it up a bit--making the arrangement more opulent. But, he said he liked the vignette the way it is, too.

When I envisioned what I'd do with the bottle brush trees, I really thought I'd love the simplicity of the display. Now, I just don't know. I don't dislike it, but it doesn't knock my socks off.

Judging from the photographs, what's your opinion?

Should I "frouf" it up?

Should I consider bleaching the green trees as Faye at Wild Rose Vintage did?

Or should I tear it apart and create a completely different vignette?

Thoughts, anyone?


Make it a great day!
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15 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 19, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    No, don't bleach. I prefer the green. It doesn't need to be "froufed". I love that it "is what it is" !!! Although I DO have a collection of deer that belonged to my grandmother that would look cute roamning in there...LOL. I love what you've done and I'm jealous !

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  2. Faye November 19, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Good Morning Ann,
    Thanks for the link to my bleached bottle brush trees dyi. I like what you have but they might be really cute bleached too. You could try bleaching just one or two and see what you think, as long as you have so many. I'm so crazy about the old mercury glass ornaments, just the plain balls, you could add them to the cloches with the 'green' trees and it would give it a little sparkle. Also the glass bead garland could be fun with the mirror and glass reflecting even more sparkle. All silver glass ornaments could be really pretty with the green trees and it would be simple and still go with your room color. Just an idea....
    Faye

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  3. AnnNovember 19, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Thanks for your ideas, Faye. I have a number of really sweet mercury glass and silver ornaments. I'm going to experiment with your idea.

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  4. CasandraNovember 19, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    I have a ton of small trees(bottle brush, ceramic, paper mache,etc) that accessorize my Christmas Village. Your display reminds me of the year that I displayed the trees only for the whole month of November. I love your collection and the combination of glass, mirror and trees. I suggest a white underlayment to hide the wood top of your cabinet. It can be soft fabric arranged to resemble snow or just white poster board trimmed to fit the top. I agree that a bit of shine from beads or ornaments could work well. Just keep fiddling with it Ann. You've got the beginnings of something great!

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  5. MariaNovember 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    These are so sweet and look beautiful displayed this way!

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  6. Something SpecialNovember 19, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    You just don't know how much I love your bottle brush trees. I love them too. I will post some of my decorations soon. I love vintage Christmas!

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  7. DoniNovember 20, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    I am loving it as it is...but whatever you do will be lovely! The glass really makes it so pretty...as well as the layers. Thanks so much for joining me for Pearls and Lace Thursday!! I'm so glad you did!
    Blessings
    Doni

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  8. AnneNovember 20, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I love it all just as it is. You had some really good glass finds-perfect!

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  9. FABBY'S LIVINGNovember 20, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Just gorgeous! All this inspiring Christmas ideas, I love them, specially the trees inside the cloches, I have them, so I will do this! Great glass finds. Happy Thanksgiving. FABBY

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  10. JessicaNovember 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I love it and I'm jealous of your collection of bottle brush trees! I wonder if a light cloth underneath the mirror might make it pop a bit more!

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  11. DebbiedoosNovember 21, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    This is such a pretty pretty idea. I love the display of cloches. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.

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  12. ShaneeNovember 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I love the simplicity of this. What a wonderful glass collection you have and at such great deals!

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  13. Little Dotty BirdNovember 22, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    what a gorgeous idea,it looks fab!

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  14. Liz @ the Brambleberry CottageNovember 23, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    No matter how hard I try, I just CANNOT simplify my decorating style. So...I would be tempted to add some froufrou myself, Ann. Perhaps adding something glittery or shimmery to reflect more light...and some faux snow...would make your sweet vignette even more magical. ;)

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you again this week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  15. Wicked Faerie QueenNovember 26, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    You are so lucky finding those trees. I love bottle brush trees. I really do like your display but perhaps it needs just a little bling. Maybe a gold or silver glass ball placed just so. I also saw a beautiful idea in Country LIving magazine once. They put a small bottle brush tree in a lovely large size antique teacup and surrounded it with small glass ornaments that complimented the colours of the cup. It was so simple yet really lovely.
    Thanks for joining my blog I am now a member of yours and look forward to seeing what else you do for Christmas. I love you blog.

    Have a lovely weekend,
    Sue

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