Demijohns

Demijohns have made the rounds through the blogsphere lately and I thought I would educate myself a bit more on where they came from. I’m glad I did. I am eager to use these in some of my room designs.

The word demijohn was taken from the French, Dame Jeanne, meaning Lady Jane.

In Britain, demijohn refers to a one-gallon glass brewing vessel.

In Southeast U.S. slang, a demijohn jug, of any size, is referred to as a jimmyjohn.

The shape of the demijohn can be ovoid, kidney, cylindrical, round, teardrop, apple and heart shaped. The sizes vary from a few ounces to twenty gallons or more. The very large containers are called carboys.

The original purpose of the demijohn was for transport and storage of bulk liquids.

The demijohns were usually wrapped in wicker to protect them from breakage during shipping. Today, however, most demijohns have had their wicker removed to better reveal their color and shape.

Three color variations of the demijohn.

From the European Antique Market's website. These demijohn’s have been used for candles and the wax has dropped down the sides. Lovely!

Jayson Home and Garden has an antique green demijohn that sells for $125.00.

Fill one up and put your favorite branches or flowers in it.

19th Century Demijohn

Set of three antique demijohns from Alhambra Antiques

25” tall demijohn! $300 from modernicus.com

Here, designer Steven Gambrel uses a demijohn on the coffee table in this Dunes house. Although they kind of get lost because of the clear glass. I think a colored (perhaps blue like the lamp behind the sofa) would stand out much better.

A shop in Paris with demijohns hanging. From the blog A Brooklyn Limestone in Progress.

Demijohns shown on a furniture project from the blog Design Sponge.

Now for the fun part….

I was just at Homegoods near my home doing some shopping for a client when whaddayaknow… Demijohns in all shapes, sizes and colors…. I couldn’t resist. They are very good quality and at $19.99 a piece, I had to pick up a few.

My digital camera is on loan this week, so I can’t show you my great find… but I will soon!

Note…. I’m off to Catalina Island for a few days, so I won’t have an updated post for you for about 10 days! Hang in there with me, as I have an incredible interview and giveaway coming up! Here’s a hint… it’s all about junk!

How to add warmth to your home...part two

Last month I wrote about my love of wood, and how it can add a feeling of warmth to your home.

Today I am posting about my next favourite materials for adding warmth to your home - cane, wicker, rattan, rush...all those wonderful materials that are woven into bags, baskets, chairs and more.

This picture below is one of my absolute favourite pictures. I probably say that too often, but this is definitely in my top ten. I'm loving the old fan (one day I will get one, I came 'this' close recently but was outbid), the old desk, the fabulous lamp but most of all I love the cuttlefish baskets on the wall with the lettering stamped across them. Text and texture - this makes me happy!



The colour of cane and wicker helps wins me over - ranging from soft barely-there sandy hues, to rich chocolate browns. All the different weaves catch my eye too.

These cane chairs below blend beautifully with the old wooden trestle table, but also add another element of touch-me-texture.

The deep browns of this cane lampshade blends in beautifully with the browns in the figurine, the metal fruitbowl and the picture frame. I don't think this was some happy accident, but the result of an artist's eye.

Love the baskets below, with their lovely little tags, and the collection of beach bags, casually stacked on top of this console.

More great baskets adding colour and texture, and blending and contrasting so beautifully with the wonderful warm hues of the wardrobe and the leather bags. Leather and woven materials are a classic combination.

Next up is a divine collection of hats, bags and fisherman's baskets, all in delicious honey shades. Look closely and you can also see the cutest little lamp, complete with leopard skin shade!

Take away the bags in the next image, and the image would be rather dull - but the texture of the bags and the differing weaves add contrast and interest to the vignette.

Here's some more basketry with text stamped on it - just so perfectly gorgeous....I want them! This could be a project to try one day....

I have recently bought a basket exactly like the one in the picture below. Just one more to the collection - I have woven butlers trays, a cane trunk, cane baskets on top of my kitchen cabinets...the list goes on!

Images 1 Unknown - from my style file 2 Tine K 3 Australian Home Beautiful 4 Australian Home Beautiful 5 Interiors (now defunct) 6 Notebook Magazine 7 Country Living 8 Toast via Absolutely Beautiful Things 9 Atlanta Bartlett 10 Australian Country Style 11 Dreamhouse

Best wishes,