Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Decora-TEA (Part Two)


The tea room, located on the first floor of my home, is of course decorated with tea pots, tea cups, tea frames, tea collections and on and on, several of which have already been posted on our blog. As was shown earlier, our garden also features whimsical tea related objects. I love looking out my kitchen window to see the tea pot and cup planter set (a Big Lots find a few years ago) and the tea pot wind chime (from an Arts & Craft show). But today, let's take a look in a corner of my private world! Amazingly, decorating with tea has managed to work it's way upstairs! This is a corner of my living room, and if you look closer....
you'll notice two antique tea chests. The larger chest, labeled Choicest Hoo Chow, Gunpowder Tea, Produced in China, 80 lbs. net. was spotted in an antique mall by my mother while on a Rosemary House Traveling Bus Seminar. Since the bus was full of herb enthusiasts and their luggage headed to herb farms and gardens which sell plants and other fun herbal souvenirs, she felt she couldn't purchase it as any available space on the bus should be reserved for our travelers souvenirs. But, when she returned home, she promptly asked if I would return to WV and buy that tea chest. One Saturday afternoon, a friend and I headed back to Berkeley Springs, WV and tracked down the tea box she so anxiously wanted. I'm glad I did, as I now enjoy the chest as much as she did!

The little Tulip box is also a wooden tea chest, however, this is from Japan. The writing on the box reads Choice young leaf, pan fried, 20 lbs. It was in my mother's collection, and now resides in my home. It is loaded with smaller tea tins, boxes, and other tea stuff that just hasn't found the perfect location to be displayed providing even more opportunity to decorate with tea, all throughout the house!

8 comments:

La Tea Dah said...

A very special post! I enjoyed seeing a peek into your living room. Your tea chests are so perfect for one who loves tea like you do. They are lovely! Thank you so much for sharing.

LaTeaDah

PS: I believe the smiley face only hows up on your computer screen. It isn't on mine.

Vee said...

Love how you're using the antique tea chests...very nice! I also like the shelf over the door...so charming.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Glad you decided to share more of your tea things...I did too!I didn't realize they were so prevelant in my life, until this challenge! LOL! Love your tea chest, so unique! What a treasure! Rhonda

Sweet Necessi-Teas said...

Your tea room is beautiful! And I loved the story of the tea chest! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

How nice that you are able to live above your tearoom. Back in the first half of the 20th century and before, when there were thriving downtown areas in every town, the merchants always lived on the floors above their stores.

Grace said...

these peeks into everone tealightful lives has been so incredible, thanks for taking the time to share

Sandy said...

Your tea chests are just wonderful! Thank you for sharing them, I have never seen any before.

Pam said...

I love your tea chests - how unique and special! I also love your tea room, and your garden tea decor!