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Me, My Shelf, and I

June 8, 2018 mithra ballesteros
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I have an online shop called Finder Not Keeper where I sell vintage objects and art. I shoot everything for the shop in my basement studio. But before I do that, I use the open shelves over my kitchen desk to arrange or style my finds. This process allows me time to consider the way objects play off each other. I am a matchmaker but sometimes the results surprise even me. For example, I really liked this collection of chinoiserie that I paired with gold dinosaurs. But I didn't know why right away. Then one day I walked in with a bag of groceries and it hit me. This vignette represents Godzilla in Tokyo. And since one of my nicknames in middle school was "Mothra", it all makes sense. 

In the following photos, you can see how I've developed my own "shelfie style." I almost always include serving pieces, I'm not big into color, and I love adding bits of nature for interest. I'd love to hear which shelfie vignette is your favorite.  

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Copper cookware reminds me of that adorable late bloomer, Julia Child. I remember touring her kitchen in the Smithsonian, which had pegboards for her pots and utensils. You can read more about Julia here.

Copper cookware reminds me of that adorable late bloomer, Julia Child. I remember touring her kitchen in the Smithsonian, which had pegboards for her pots and utensils. You can read more about Julia here.

That duck terrine holds mini cans of Diet Coke, which I parcel out to myself on Thursday nights when I'm up late writing blog posts. I'm drinking one right now as I type. It is 1:25 a.m. Procrastination is such a curse! (Read more about my lifelong …

That duck terrine holds mini cans of Diet Coke, which I parcel out to myself on Thursday nights when I'm up late writing blog posts. I'm drinking one right now as I type. It is 1:25 a.m. Procrastination is such a curse! (Read more about my lifelong struggles with procrastination here.)

This collection includes several engraved pieces. I have no compunction buying other people's engravings and monograms, which is no different than opening a used book and seeing an inscription to people you don't know. It doesn't make the book less …

This collection includes several engraved pieces. I have no compunction buying other people's engravings and monograms, which is no different than opening a used book and seeing an inscription to people you don't know. It doesn't make the book less readable. Speaking of reading, click here for the odd story about the "dedicatory bowl" (above) that I found at the estate sale of a surgeon.

I collect Wedgwood black basaltware, which has the most interesting matte finish. See how sharp it looks paired up with a Moroccan tagine? Leave a comment if you have any to sell -- basaltware or tagines!

I collect Wedgwood black basaltware, which has the most interesting matte finish. See how sharp it looks paired up with a Moroccan tagine? Leave a comment if you have any to sell -- basaltware or tagines!

This is the same shelfie as the preceeding photo. I just added some decor for a killer party, which you can read about here. It was a 50th birthday fete for my next-door neighbor, Stacey, who has suffered greatly living so close to us.

This is the same shelfie as the preceeding photo. I just added some decor for a killer party, which you can read about here. It was a 50th birthday fete for my next-door neighbor, Stacey, who has suffered greatly living so close to us.

I created this vignette especially for the party we threw our son and daughter-in-law after their elopement. Their second anniversary was this week. (!!) You can peek at photos from that evening here.

I created this vignette especially for the party we threw our son and daughter-in-law after their elopement. Their second anniversary was this week. (!!) You can peek at photos from that evening here.

Terrines, man, do heavy lifting in many of my shelfie arrangements. They deserve a comeback. Now that marijuana is going legal in so many states, I think people should use terrines for that purpose, like Mildred, the church organist. (Read that tell…

Terrines, man, do heavy lifting in many of my shelfie arrangements. They deserve a comeback. Now that marijuana is going legal in so many states, I think people should use terrines for that purpose, like Mildred, the church organist. (Read that tell-all story here.)

This Christmas vignette just might be my favorite. I used a laser cutter to create the words and then I affixed them onto the platter with double-stick tape. Easy peasy but here's the DIY tutorial if you're interested.

This Christmas vignette just might be my favorite. I used a laser cutter to create the words and then I affixed them onto the platter with double-stick tape. Easy peasy but here's the DIY tutorial if you're interested.

These plates came across the border from Mexico. The roosters are American. And everyone is getting along just fine. No wall necessary.

These plates came across the border from Mexico. The roosters are American. And everyone is getting along just fine. No wall necessary.

Photos by Renn Kuhnen. 


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In Vintage Finds, Interiors Tags Finder Not Keeper, vintage, shelf life, shelves, shelfie style
← How I Procrastinated This Week 06.11.18How I Procrastinated This Week 06.04.18 →

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Welcome! I'm Mithra (pronounced Mee-thra). I'm an interior stylist and a writer. I'm also a vintage and antiques lover. I have an online shop, Finder Not Keeper, where I sell my best finds. (That's a white lie. I keep the best finds.) Read more about me and the blog here. 


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Instagram posts

A few days back in the ‘Quon. All of February is the price I’m willing to fork over for one week in September.
A few days back in the ‘Quon. All of February is the price I’m willing to fork over for one week in September.
Latest blog post about our new outdoor shower and the differences of opinion between this guy and his mother (me) on how it should be used. #linkinbio
Latest blog post about our new outdoor shower and the differences of opinion between this guy and his mother (me) on how it should be used. #linkinbio
Brainy, brave, kind, genuine, indefatigable, funny, patriotic, fair, hard working, gentle, strong, iconic.
Brainy, brave, kind, genuine, indefatigable, funny, patriotic, fair, hard working, gentle, strong, iconic.
Those aren’t my hands forming baguettes. But I took the pic. @heat_her_all_a_man has it down  and I’m ready with my salted butter and honey. What do you eat with baguettes?
Those aren’t my hands forming baguettes. But I took the pic. @heat_her_all_a_man has it down and I’m ready with my salted butter and honey. What do you eat with baguettes?
Surveying the herb garden after a good weeding session. Basil took a hit the last couple weeks but everything else is flourishing like summer lasts forever.
Surveying the herb garden after a good weeding session. Basil took a hit the last couple weeks but everything else is flourishing like summer lasts forever.
First restaurant account for @littlelaurentide! Also first time eating out since the snow was flying. Really really fun night. (Not to mention that building’s white with black trim paint color scheme is 💯)
First restaurant account for @littlelaurentide! Also first time eating out since the snow was flying. Really really fun night. (Not to mention that building’s white with black trim paint color scheme is 💯)
Surprise lilies, also known as naked ladies, fit in well here at the farm for reasons we will let you ponder.
Surprise lilies, also known as naked ladies, fit in well here at the farm for reasons we will let you ponder.
This is son #2, the farmer. Walter is working hard to turn this place into a sustainable organic farm. Follow us @littlelaurentide for the latest on how mother and son align, clash, argue, hug.
This is son #2, the farmer. Walter is working hard to turn this place into a sustainable organic farm. Follow us @littlelaurentide for the latest on how mother and son align, clash, argue, hug.
On the blog today, the newest bachelor at Little Laurentide. Will he draw viewers or is he a train wreck along the lines of Juan Pablo Galavis? Read the latest blog post to find out! Link in bio.
On the blog today, the newest bachelor at Little Laurentide. Will he draw viewers or is he a train wreck along the lines of Juan Pablo Galavis? Read the latest blog post to find out! Link in bio.
On the blog today: a tour of the best places on the farm to sit for a spell. And I write a bit about what it’s like to cohabit with a son who used to give me every kind of gray hair. He could teach a polar bear how to be grumpy and I could teac
On the blog today: a tour of the best places on the farm to sit for a spell. And I write a bit about what it’s like to cohabit with a son who used to give me every kind of gray hair. He could teach a polar bear how to be grumpy and I could teach a grizzly bear how to be grumpy. It’s a new world for the two of us, farming together, and can you guess how it’s going??

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