Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Did someone say "edit"?

I love the concept of editing, I really do. I read about it all the time. The best designers are always preaching "editing" your space.

I look longingly at the most beautiful interiors with minimal accessories and furnishings arranged in such an orderly way and I wish I could BE that person with such discipline. I love the simplicity and quiet beauty of just a few fine things displayed on a table or chest......I try - I put things away, I sell things at antique shows, I give things away........and I still have too much stuff! I just cannot seem to edit enough, especially when it comes to my collections!

I started picking up these carved stone books at antique shows several years ago. They are difficult to find so my collection is small. I only know one other person who collects them and he has a huge assortment. He is Steve Wyman, my friend who owns Uncommon Objects, on South Congress, in Austin, Texas. Uncommon Objects is a fabulous vintage and antique group shop that is like no other! The dealers are extraordinary in their ability to find the rare, unusual, weird and interesting..........not necessarily "fine" antiques, but always curious and unique. Their ability to display their treasures is unequaled and it is always fun to stroll through the shop for inspiration and amusement. The shop has been featured in a lot of design magazines, from Country Home to Elle Decor.

I don't know much about stone books and have never found anything written about them.Many of them are carved to look like Bibles, but not all of them. Steve has told me that some were carried by people who wanted to carry a Bible to church, but might not have been able to read, or may not have had a "real" Bible.

A few of the ones I have are painted and personalized, and clearly mementos from travels. One is dated June 27, 1899, and has the words "Margaret Griffin", Elgin, Nebraska written on it. Another is dated 1915 and is marked "Souvenir Soldiers Home Hot Springs, South Dakota" written in a semi circle around a floral and fruit painting.It is one of the smallest ones I have - probably about 3 inches by 4 inches.

There are some old book ends made to look like carved books and I have picked up a few of these along the way. They are not as old, but fill in the collection nicely, especially for stacking.

So, there you have it.......just one more of many quirky things that I like. If you ever see any stone books, don't buy them - email me and tell me where they are!!

Also, if you find yourself in Austin, you should stop by Uncommon Objects for a really fun,one of a kind shopping experience!!

Meanwhile, edit,edit,edit..................

13 comments:

  1. I am not good at editing either...I find myself too attached to some things...just to set them free...but there are times I do get in those moods to really par down...and I have found...giving them away to be the best way to get throught that process...mainly b/c I think it gives others joy...and I know when I give it away...it will be loved, too...

    Oh!! and I do believe I have been to that shop before...how long has it been there? I think it was a shop that I could have spent hours in...pretty sure it was called "Uncommon Objects"...I just can't remember what street it was on! Anyhoo...I loved it!

    Blessings...
    Teresa

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  2. Wow I love these books! I love using stone in the interior brings something unique into the home, and when carved as books thats truly stunning! Never seen it before!

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  3. These are so attractive! I've never see them before. Edit edit edit!!! hahaha - what's that?

    Hey, guess where I am? Dallas - right down the street from Beverly!!! want me to stop in and tell someone Hi?

    Joni

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  4. Love the concept of "editing". Great word!! Also am loving your Blog. More later!
    Alice

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  5. at stone " bible" is a bit of an oxymoron!! :-) Its beautiful tho!!

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  6. Those books are so beautiful! I've never heard of them before. Yes, editing is very difficult for me, too. I can understand how people become antiques dealers -- one day they wake up and find that they absolutely can't fit another thing in their home...but they are still driven to hunt for and buy more!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  7. Thank you all for your responses to my stone books.I will see what other odd treasure I can share with you next!

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  8. Just droping back to tell you that I found you through Joni at Cote de Texas.
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  9. Would you mind if I showed your lovely stone books on my blog this week? I'm writing about collecting, and these are so stunning :-) You can reply on my_minime@yahoo.com :-)

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  10. I'll be glad to edit your collections for you, if you let me keep what I 'edit' out!

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  11. Thank you so much for letting me use this image in the post I made about collecting yesterday! I'm truly intigued by these mysterious books! I'm so envious of your beautiful collection ;-)

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  12. Hi fellow TX Hill Country girl... I love your new 'header'. The flower beds/potted plants are to die for! How completely inviting.
    I just purchased some urns for my entry way. What do you have best luck with?...(I am not a green thumb)
    Smiles,
    Michelle

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  13. Thank you Michelle! I am not really a green thumb either. I would suggest something traditional like pansies in the winter and impatiens in the summer. Your success will depend on how much sun you get on your pots.I have been disappointed in my pansies this year -I think they need more light to bloom more... Another idea would be an assortment of succulents - some tall and some that drape over the sides - start looking at some gardening magazines! Good luck!

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