Tucked away on S. E. Bybee Street in the Westmoreland shopping area (and 2 blocks away from the Stars malls) is a small shop imbued with a rare atmosphere. The name is simply "Marguerite" and it is the vision of its owner, our friend, Daisy Phillips.

I am not exactly a world traveler, but I would say that this shop would stand out in Paris, New York, and London--actually in any great metropolitan city. And here we have it in Portland, Oregon.

The shop is painted in tones of grays (with maybe a "beigy" tint) and Daisy has done wonders with architectural features, draping, moldings, and built-in display pieces. The floor is a wormy-pine laid in a chevron effect. Lighting is achieved with chandeliers. There is a mixture of new giftware and English, French and Swedish antiques.

One large open wall is filled with with French clay ware from Astier De Villette in Paris. The beautiful cream-colored dishes are actually made from black terra cotta. These are highly desirable to the discerning shopper who can add to a collection from time to time. The shop has a bridal and gift registry and also offers gift certificates.

There is a timeless feel upon entering and this is enhanced by the wonderful scented soaps, candles, and room sprays from Deptyque and Parfumerie by Rance. I especially adore the varied selection of fabrics and linens in the form of towels, runners, tablecloths, pillows, and even fine cotton pajamas and robes.

There is pewter and hotel silver mixed in various displays--one whole section devoted to unusual barware, glass cases filled with precious antique "smalls"--even wonderful ruffled umbrellas.

I am always drawn to stationery and writing tools and in the photo below, you wil see an old desk jam-packed with cards, pens, journals, papers, greeting cards--even old French correspondence written in lovely copper-plate handwriting.

And then, there is the last "piece de resistance"--the wonderful powder room--the ultimate feminine space.

Right now the shop has an autumnal feel with sheaves of wheat and pheasant feathers about, but before long it will be decorated for Christmas.

I always leave the shop (or thinking in French, the Bijou) inspired and with my spirits lifted.....

signing off.....

Gayle@starsantique.com

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Yes, I'm a bit ahead of myself as it is not yet even October, but I couldn't resist a bit of a head start. I have always loved Halloween--even years ago before it became a major marketing tool.

I am old enough to remember the days when we went through the neighborhood with our papier-mache pumkins to collect the treats given at every door. I never had a store-bought costume. Sometimes I was a gypsy complete with jewelry, other times a princess--once I was Little Red Riding Hood with a hooded red cape bought by my mother at a rummage sale.

It's fun to decorate for this holiday and I try to limit myself to either vintage or hand-crafted Halloween items--and of course, lots of real-live pumpkins, gourds and squash. Pictured below are some vintage items taken last year at Stars.

I have two movies which have my favorite Halloween scenes--the first is a segment in Meet Me in St. Louis with a very young Margaret O'Brien and the second is a scene in One True Thing with Meryl Streep. I don't care for the horror movies--only the nostalgic ones.

The most fun of all is to see the little kiddies dress up and I always look forward to the Monster Mash, a parade held in West Moreland near the Stars malls. Is that a bald eagle below??????

Never one to sit back and let everyone else have the fun, I like to dress up still. As you can see in the photo below from left to right, me as an Americanized Susie Wong, next a distinguished guest, and sister Carol Ann, as a vamp-type lady. This photo was taken last year--still trying to think of what or who to be this year.

Signing off......

Gayle@starsantique.com

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