the vingettes of chateau gahan.

As soon as you enter her home, you feel like you are on vacation. I don't know why... maybe it's the mixture of pale pinks, mint greens and summer sea blues, or the freshly painted thrifted finds, unfussy fresh flowers or perhaps the fluffiest of dogs (who meets you at the doorstep, ball in mouth) that create the perfect combination to put you at ease. And you must just give in to it, take off your shoes, wrap yourself in a brightly patterned vintage throw and let out a contented sigh.

Chateau Gahan is the prettiest of places, an easy-going retreat that is just so lovingly considered. As promised, come on in!
















(Thank you for always keeping the door open.)

festival faces.

As usual, the Inman Park Festival did not disappoint. So many people to watch, amazing artists to support and fried food to enjoy. And of course, there was the infamous parade!





















I trudged home not only with a sweet sunburn and tired feet, but also with a glass stopper painted by my friend Leigh (please do go look for her booth if you stop by on Sunday — her work is amazing and so very giftable) and of course, one more piece from Cara Gilbert (my collection has now grown to a sizable 4).

Oh Inman Park festival, you never cease to amaze me.

ps. Happy "meetiversary", Witt.

Hazel-Atlas Capri Dots & Blue Blenkos.

So here's my collection of Hazel-Atlas (Capris Dots pattern) that I've been collecting the past few years. I fell in love with this set immediately when I was first introduced to the pattern. Uh, ok, that's sounds like I actually met someone, not a set of dishes! But I guess it also proves just how much I love my Hazel-Atlas.

This set comes with 2 different plates sizes, a soup bowl, a berry bowl, a small dessert bowl (I found that is just the perfect size for ice cream), tumbler, juice, old-fashioned and whiskey glasses, coffee cups & saucers. I may have missed some items here. Oh, and a sugar & creamer (Not pictured — but yes, I have those too thanks to mom)!



My favorite thing about these glasses (besides the gorgeous blue hue) are the tiny raised dots on the bottom of the plates and bowls. The glasses are actually dimpled; when you put liquid in them, they disappear because of the condensation. It's sort of magical, well, if glass can be magical. (Of course it can be, duh.)



Speaking of magic, here's the little pinch-pot Blenko that I scored this weekend. I collect the same color to go along with the dinnerware. This one will be good for cut flowers. Here's where it's residing today.



I believe that when you start a collection of depression glass, it's never for display only. Oh goodness no! I use all of it. That's the best part! It isn't fragile like the glass pieces you'll find at Crate & Barrel. Trust me, I've gone through an entire set of glasses from there, one breaking right after the other for various reasons...

They just don't make 'em like they used to. Yup, I said it.

Depression Glassware Show Treasures.

The annual Depression Glassware show put on by the Peach State Depression Glass Club is quite a sight to behold. About 4 years ago, a colleague of mine (who has a very impressive collection of all kinds of depression glass) invited me to go with her, and well, I got totally sucked in.




I've been every year since, searching for pieces to add to my collection, but also to just scour to find perhaps that unique piece that I've never seen before. It's funny, 4 years ago, I was definitely the youngest person there. But this year it was really crowded, filled with collectors young and old. You'll overhear conversations like, "I remember grandma had one of these", or, "I broke this dish and am looking for a replacement", to, "When I bought my first set it only cost 50 cents per plate".

You'll find things like glass lamps...



... to all kinds of Blenko pieces. I collect the blue Blenkos, so I had a hard time resisting this display. They have the most Blenkos I've every seen in one place.



If you like Fiestaware, this is the place to pick up those hard-to-find pieces. Like the mixing bowl set – I can't believe all the pieces are intact.



I also collect Fire-King (Jane Ray). There's tons of it here, in all the varieties, styles and colors. I find jadeite to be irresistible, don't you? The green color is just an exquisite, happy shade.







My friend collects the pink glass. Isn't it dainty?



So is this kid's tea set in the original box. Wow. It was going for about $500. Quite a find.



I fell in love with these. They almost came home with me, as did these glass rolling pins.




But this is what I came here for. Hazel-Atlas Capri Dots. This is the collection I started 4 years ago. I was looking for the berry bowls, but alas, did not find any. It's getting harder and harder every year... I guess they are becoming more popular.



But not to fret, I didn't come home empty-handed! I'll share with you in my next post. If you're in the Atlanta area today — get your butt on down there — it truly is an experience, and I'm sure you'll find something to treasure.