For many of us, a love of history and respect for the past is reflected in our homes through the use of historic accents and other country decor elements. We’ve enjoyed exploring notable historic figures and homes with you. So far, our series has looked at one home that inspired a classic American painting, and another home where an American icon wrote his finest work.
Today we’re going to focus on Denver’s Molly Brown House, named for the philanthropist, activist, socialite and Titanic survivor Margaret Brown. To spend any time studying the house or its namesake is to see a story of success and endurance. Continue Reading
Are you searching for a way to introduce something beautiful into a functional area of your home? Would you like to give your floor a new look?
Consider the vintage floorcloth.
These floor coverings are in vogue right now, but they can trace their roots to Colonial America. The first three presidents had them in their homes, which shouldn’t be that surprising: back in those days, everybody owned a floorcloth. Most modern floorcloths are made of heavy fabric which is then coated with several coats of gesso, before being painted with decorative motifs and patterns. They are then varnished to make them waterproof. Continue Reading
In today’s always-connected, tech obsessed society, many of the more genteel niceties once associated with inviting guests to your home – or being a proper guest in someone else’s home—are often overlooked.
Indeed, it isn’t unusual today for a house guest or a partygoer to not consider presenting their hostess with a small token of gratitude. Perhaps even more common, however, are those among us who would love nothing more than to arrive at the home of a hostess with a perfectly thoughtful gift, but who simply don’t have the necessary disposable income. Continue Reading
If you’ve spent any time at all on Facebook or Instagram over the past year or so, you are probably aware of the growing trend toward extremely small living spaces.
Upwardly mobile couples have dreams of moving into a so-called “tiny house.” A new movement known as “van-dwelling” has seen scores of millennials tearing up their leases and living full-time in converted trucks and camper vans. And self-improvement gurus like Eric Altucher are preaching the benefits of extreme downsizing and simple living.
It’s one thing to move into a small space. But how do you go about decorating? Continue Reading
No matter where you go in America, you’ll find historic houses. Some are little more than log cabins, while others are stateside versions of the grand palaces of Europe.
Regardless of size or splendor, many of these houses have the same thing in common: someone notable was born there or lived there.
And because we’re interested in homes and history and how they intersect with country decor here at Piper Classics, we’ve decided to devote some space on our blog to some of these houses.
Today we’re heading to Connecticut, to the Mark Twain House, the one-time home of a man considered – as William Faulkner put it – “the father of American literature.” Continue Reading
We’ve been celebrating historic houses in America ever since someone thought “George Washington slept here” and realized that was something important.
Our country is filled with historic homes, and beautiful country decor, whether they’re tiny houses where notable people were born or grand estates built from great fortunes.
And because we’re interested in homes, Americana decor, and history here at Piper Classics, we’ve decided to explore a few of those historic houses on our blog.
First up: the American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa. Continue Reading
A few months ago, we shared with you a look at 2016’s spring color trends.
It came from the Pantone Color Institute, the world’s leading color experts. And while spring’s color trends were more lively, fall seems to be taking a slightly more muted approach.
This makes sense. Spring makes us think of life in bloom. The air is warming, things are growing. Fall is cooler and quieter, a time where we prepare to nest and look forward to sunnier weather.
“The desire for tranquility, strength, and optimism have inspired a Fall 2016 color palette that is led by the Blue family,” writes Leatrice Eiseman, the institute’s executive director. Continue Reading
In researching this post, we came across the story of Judi Hindman. According to the website Better After 50, Hindman is an empty-nester who:
- Works as a personal trainer.
- Runs a catering business.
- Fosters rescue animals.
- Keeps bees in her yard.
- Takes classes at Boston University.
- Plays host to a doctor from Kenya studying in the U.S.
Continue Reading
“It’s like watercolor, so peaceful and pure. You feel like you’re stepping back in time.”
That’s interior designer Cortney Bishop, speaking to the Washington Post in a recent story about farmhouse decor.
She tells the Post that it may be the next lifestyle phenomenon, in cities as well as more rustic settings: Continue Reading
When you use the term “the dog days of summer,” you’re actually quoting the classics.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used the term to describe the hottest time of the year, a period in late July close to the day when the star Sirius – AKA the “dog star” – would appear to rise just before the sun.
“If you go back even as far as Homer, The Iliad, it’s referring to Sirius as Orion’s dog rising, and it describes the star as being associated with war and disaster,” author and astronomer Jay B. Holberg told National Geographic last year. Continue Reading
August is just a few days away. Have you sent out cards for Friendship Day? Put up your International Lefthanders Day decorations? Thought up jokes for President’s Joke Day?
We’ll guess the answer is “No.” These aren’t widely known celebrations, but then again, August doesn’t really feature a lot of top-tier holidays.
But it has us thinking: Why not celebrate some of these lesser-known holidays on the calendar? We’re not saying you have to do anything big, but you might find that these suggestions will help make this August more memorable. Continue Reading
A few months ago, we offered our readers tips on the proper way to set a table.
Today, we’re taking a broader look at dining etiquette and sharing a few of the dos and don’ts of dinner parties. Read on to find out what to do if you’re throwing a dinner party, or if you’re attending one as a guest. Continue Reading
