decor changes

The other big change in home decor since Christmas was the display on our sofa table.

We’ve had the table for nearly 20 years, and for that entire time it has been covered with pewter frames of various sizes that hold family photos.

Oddly enough, I am not able to put my hands on a good photo of the table itself. I know photos of it exist, just not on my computer. In other words, said photos were taken before I owned a digital camera. The prints are in photo albums at home… and since I am currently in San Francisco, this sorry image will have to do.

I know it is terrible. That is because I had to really zoom in and then flood it with light.

Here is the original photo, which was taken in December 2006. You wouldn’t know to look at it, but the sofa table is in the dark background, on the right side of the photo, just off of Dave’s elbow. Thank goodness for Photoshop.

Now that you’ve kind of seen a “before” photo – here is the “after.” First a daytime image…

… and next, a nighttime view.

When Dave first saw the “remodel,” he was not pleased. He liked the photo gallery better. The same photos that had sat on the same table for 20 years. Honestly, no one ever looked at or actually “saw” the photos anymore. So what was the point of displaying them in such a prominent place in the house? I’ve moved the frames to a credenza in our sitting room.

Hopefully, the new display has grown on him. I really like it.

Let’s take a closer look.

Just off-center is a large rattan basket with leather handles. It holds a couple of photos and my small collection of cigarette memorabilia. I say memorabilia, because “back in the day” smoking was something of an event.

I don’t like smoking, I’ve never smoked, but there used to be fabulous stuff attached to it. For instance, the little round ashtray, just below the photo of Sloane and me, has the most awesome foreign coin in the center. Turn the ashtray over and you can see the flip side of the coin.

My parents smoked when I was young and the silver-plate cigarette box was theirs. The interior is lined with beautiful wood. To the left of it is a slim silver cigarette case. It is under a dark brown leather case, and that is just under the silver lighter. The tin cigarette holder in the center was found at a vintage store.

Two scented candles and a 2012 Arizona centennial paperweight are at one end of the table. A pair of dark green vases are on each corner.

Finally, maman cochon et ses trois petites porcelets (mama pig and her three little piglets), anchor the table and add a bit of whimsy.