Archive for the ‘Home Organization’ Category

Mission Style at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

With its distinctive slats and fine craftsmanship, Mission style is a popular and versatile decor option for your home. This style originated during the later part of the 19th century and carried over into the first part of the 20th century; once named the Arts and Crafts design movement. A simpler style than the previous, highly ornamented Victorian furniture, Mission Style to this day continues to decorate American homes. Gustav Stickley and Charles Limbert were among to the first true influential designers and furniture makers at the time.

Though the actual term Mission was coined by a retailer and furniture maker, Joseph P. McHugh of New York. He wanted to offer a line of furniture that presented a style similar to a chair seen at the Swedenborgium Church in San Francisoco, CA in 1894. The Mission style could also then be associated with the famous Spanish Missions located throughout California; though the architectural style is and was quite different. Today, Mission decor is understood mostly through the use of Mission furniture, but there are other ways to incorporate this distinctive style in your home.

A Mission to Decorate

At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we offer quite an assortment of Mission style furniture. Our Mission Console & Mirror Set seen here to the left, is a classic Mission piece. Crafted of imported hardwood, the mirror features handy hooks to hang hats, scarves and coats. The matching console has a drawer for stashing gloves, mail or other small items. There is plenty of room on the console top for a table lamp and decorative accessories; while the bottom shelf provides storage space for books and baskets. Perfectly placed in an entryway or foyer, it gives a warm greeting and an instant identification of Mission decor in your home. Another furniture piece at Sturbridge that works well with this theme and can really go anywhere you need, is our set of Mission Nesting Tables. Also crafted of imported hardwood, this piece shows off a classic design that blends with your existing decor. Keep them nested together, use them individually in one area, or scatter throughout your home. They are suitable for end tables, plant stands, or a unique telephone table.

The popularity of Mission style rests in its versatile design and clean, simple lines. Yet it’s not all about the furniture. Mission decor is highlighted through the use of stained glass accents; as seen above through the use of a stained glass lamp. This accent shouldn’t be over used, but when done correctly highlights the beauty of any furniture piece. Those wishing to achieve the Mission decor style in their home should also consider the use of warm color combinations. Rooms painted with yellows, burnt oranges or soft browns can make the darker stains typically used on the Mission furniture pieces, come to life. Inviting color palettes can also be achieved with “pops” of fabric accents as well. Again not to be over done, a couple bold toss pillows like any of our Apothecary Pillows would be just the thing to make your Mission Style stand out.

In terms of Mission style seating, try our comfy Mission Glider and matching Mission Ottoman in your living room. While still showcasing the characteristic vertical lines, here we have a comfortable gliding chair that gives us the subtle color accent needed to achieve a modern Mission look.

~For more Mission decorating ideas from Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, click Here.


Fresh New Accents for Your Kitchen

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

When it comes to home furnishings and home decoratives, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop has a lot to offer both in our catalog and within our website exclusive items. For Winter 2012, many new kitchen accents have been added to our large assortment in both areas.  During the Winter months you most likely will be spending a lot of time in your kitchens baking and cooking delicious goodies and savory meals. So why not freshen up your kitchen with some updated accents and handy tools? With Sturbridge this is easy to do, let’s take a look.


To start, consider a welcoming sign to invite family, friends and other guests into your kitchen. Our Kitchen Sign seen here to the left, features a unique wavy metal base with a gray and white striped design. The printed phrase on the raised plaque states, “Kitchens are made to bring families together,” beautifully written in red and cream manuscript and complete with an easy to hang, curly wire hanger. As your kitchen is likely to be the heart of your home this winter, you want to keep it neat and tidy. With Sturbridge Yankee Workshop there are lot’s of ways to stay organized in this high traffic area.

A recent addition to our website exclusive kitchen items, includes our collection of Kitchen Pot Racks. Made of hot rolled steel and complete with a uniform satin finish to give a lustrous shine, our pot racks will ease your kitchen clean up and storage. The pot rack’s technology steel anchors (included) eliminate the need to attach the rack to joists or studs in your walls; this means a quick and easy assembly time. There are quite a variety of pot rack styles for customers to choose from that will suit their individual space needs and decor styles. Our Square Pot Rack is the perfect compact size to save space in a small kitchen. It’s just what you need to have your pots and pans at arms reach, without having to go searching in cupboards or drawers. This pot rack features a simple, yet sturdy square grid design. Or for a different look, consider our Accessory Shelf Pot Rack seen below, which offers a wall mount instead of a ceiling mount. The rectangular grid here, acts as a storage shelf for storing extra dishware, cook books, spices and more; while providing plenty of space to hang your favorite pots and pans. Both of these pot racks come with 8 convenient pot hooks.

More kitchen storage ideas include our new Wire Basket Set which will have multiple uses in your home. Crafted of natural iron, you could store fruit, vegetables or towels in the kitchen and fire kindling, small blankets for curling up on the couch or your reading and knitting materials in the living room or bed room. The wire detail and distressed wood handles give this set of three, decorative storage baskets a primitive touch.

In regards to cooking in the kitchen, keep your recipes organized with our Country Recipe Box, designed by Dianna Swartz and Jonie Merrick. Displaying a painted apple pie with rolling pin on a distressed black wood base, the rounded ball feet are sturdy and mimic the round ball handle on the recipe box cover. Holds a typical 3 x 5 recipe or index card and makes a delightful country accent for any kitchen. To coordinate, don’t forget our handy Recipe Card Holder to follow recipes with ease at eye level.

With those of you with smaller or uniquely sized kitchens, we know space is important to you. Having items that are both decorative and functional should be the goal. Customers will love our Bamboo Dish Rack, crafted of quality bamboo wood and offers an alternative to flimsy plastic dish racks. With the standard “v” shape to dry your plates and bowls, an additional feature is a lower shelf to dry your cups and silverware. Bamboo is a naturally replenishing grass and one of the world’s most renewable resources. If you’re lacking room in your cupboards, this provides an additional space to display your dishware. On the same idea, is our Wine Bottle Glass Tree made of steel, to air dry your juice glasses or any small glass about 4″ tall; because nobody likes drying glasses by hand.

In terms of serving accents in your kitchen, it’s all about the details. There’s nothing better than having a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and at Sturbridge, there are a couple of options. Our Classic Coffee Grinder is an antique reproduction, hand churned coffee grinder. Features adjustable grinding mechanism and adjustable settings from a fine to a coarse blend. After you have your coffee grinds, try our new Enamelware Percolator seen here to the left. Featuring a bright red specked design, this percolator forces the boiling water up through the coffee grinds and then filters it through in a separate chamber, producing a delicious and smooth cup of coffee. The enamelware’s durability makes it perfect for camping too. Your family and friends will love the retro design.

For your next social gathering or dinner party present your appetizers with our heavy duty, restaurant grade china, serving dishes. Our Artichoke Bread Tray and matching Artichoke Serving Bowl display beautiful, photo realistic images of green artichoke hearts. On both serving dishes, artichoke is written numerous times in various shades of green throughout the background that will inspire healthy eating and fresh conversation. Or if its cheese your looking to serve, try our new Mini Heart Cheese Board. Made of eco-friendly bamboo wood, also included is a petite 3.75”L spreader that features a carved heart detail on the handle. Customers may also consider this item for a cute Valentine’s Day Gift. Lastly, when serving drinks to a large crowd, our Six Pack Bottle Holder is just the thing you’ll need. The iron metal, basket like base is held by a distressed wood handle and there’s room for 6 glass bottles or glasses. This basket also doubles as a place to store gardening tools or could be used as a great table centerpiece as well; place a small arrangement of flowers in a glass vase for a true country feel.

For a few final ideas in terms of adding a fresh accent to your kitchen this winter, remember it’s sometimes the little things that make a difference in making a big statement within in your decor. Our Swing Hook pictured here to the left, has 6 swing “arms” and is very practical to hang a hand towel or potholder at easy reach in the kitchen. Crafted of metal with a rusty appearance, this Swing Hook will provide multiple uses in your home. For a fun table or counter display try our new Glass Pineapple Container, which offers a modern twist to pineapple themed decorating. Did you know that pineapples symbolize hospitality and community gatherings/activities? In colonial times the tradition of sharing and exchanging the prized pineapple fruit was seen as a welcome invitation. With this glass container you can place your favorite wrapped candies or small decorative fillers inside. Or, use as an enchanting and tropical centerpiece with the added benefit of a taper candle holder in the removable, metal top.

Our final kitchen accent to share today is our new Rolling Pin Sachet, proudly handcrafted here in Maine. Designed by Leslie Evans, our exclusive Rolling Pin Sachet is filled with corn husk and has a refreshing orange and clove scent. Featuring a French wooden rolling pin, bordered by an orange trim and surrounded by a vintage wall paper inspired, green and ivory design. Its reverse is a gray and white country check pattern. Let this delightful aroma add a sweet aura to your kitchen this winter season. For more kitchen decorative accents and tools from Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, browse the entire Kitchen Accessories category today.


The Beauty & Serenity of Decorating with Green

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

A New Awakening

Green is currently a very popular decorating color. Whether it’s a painted green room or green accents throughout your entire home, green is an extremely versatile color as you will see below. Green is a color that comes to mind when “thinking spring” because when plants, flowers and trees begin or continue to grow, spring is a time for that rebirth and rejuvenation to occur. This refreshing feeling can be carried over to the decor in your home with the use of green.

With tomorrow marking the first official day of winter, having some green with the feeling of spring inside your home, might be just the thing to get you through the cold days and nights to come. Awaken any room with our Potted Rosemary Candle, seen here to the left. Made in the USA, a design of pretty green topiaries is featured on the jar. Rosemary is an aromatic herb that has been used for centuries in teas, cooking, and potpourri; today it is one of the most popular herbal scents for candles.

Symbolic of Nature

As mentioned above green represents the health and beauty of the earth and thus all nature itself. Highlight the splendor of all things natural with our Botanical Fern Print Set, seen here to the right. Originally painted in 1850 by Edward Lowe, these reproductions give the look of pressed ferns. Choose your favorite or consider the whole set and save. They are placed in a distressed black frame, made in the USA. Another green gem in our wall decor department is none other than our Green Rabbit Print by artist Lisa Hilliker. This print will offer a a focal point of green in any room.

If you enjoy the appeal of the fern prints, at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we have just the thing! Our Fern Quilt Collection has all the beauty of a walk in the Maine woods. Featuring vermicelli stitching amongst various shades of green ferns, it will be spring time year round in your bedroom. Coordinate with our Hooked Leaf Pillow for a cohesive green fern themed look.

Easy on the Eyes

Green is said to be one of the easiest colors on the eyes; unique to any other color because our eyes actually rest upon or recognize green to actually interpret the other colors. Therefore green can also improve your vision! We know that green is calming and that is why purposely, before people are brought onto a live television set, they are often put in a green room to relax and calm their nerves.

Featured here to the left, another fabulous green item from Sturbridge is our Country Classic Lamp; shown in here a bold Hunter Green. This darker green is often associated with masculinity.

 

The Many Shades of Green

Seen here to the right is the close up detail of our new Montego Braided Rug While this rug comes in many colors, here we feature the fun and vibrant Lime Twist color. This brighter hue of green is commonly related to spring but goes even further to represent grass and outdoor activity. That’s perfect because our Montego Rug is made of 100% polypropylene, making it suitable for an outdoor patio or other living space.

The many shades and hues of green are what has made this color a widespread, gender neutral color. The lighter and softer greens are correlated with nature and spring as seen above, while the darker and deeper greens are understood more conservatively with a symbolism of wealth. Money is referred to simply as “green” many times and perhaps painting a room or your entire house in this color will bring a serious of good fortune and luck. Brose our entire website for more green decor ideas at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop today.