This is my favorite corner of the house right now. The bird illustration was done by my father, I’m guessing about 45 years ago. To the left of it is a shadowbox filled with collected shells and dried sea creatures, all labeled. My grandfather (who I never knew) made it. The frame is bamboo, the matte is burlap, and the shells are glued into a stationary box marked Charlbet’s, 380 Main Street, Hyannis, Mass. When I was 9 years old, my father gave it to me, and he wrote on the back:
Made by Robert Dorfman
Owned by Bruce Dorfman from 1945–1984
Owned by Anna Dorfman from 1984–
10 Comments
Very nice. I love shadow boxes. I keep meaning to make some with things from London in it. I must also inquire about that lamp. Where did you get it? Also, would you recommend the Elfa desks?
The lamp comes from West Elm. I don’t recommend their furniture, but their accessories are usually decent quality and reasonably priced.
I don’t have any experience with the Elfa desks, but they seem like a great option if you’re planning to integrate one into a wall of shelving/storage. If you’re just thinking freestanding, I think you could probably get the same look for a lot less money at IKEA?
Thanks for the desk advice, I will check out the IKEA web page!
oh this is so nice!!!!
OMG I LOOOVE love your website (just found it today!). And how wonderful is it that you have such sentimental pieces of art in your living room corner. Jealous, of course, of this, and of how fabulous your living room/Elfa shelving turned out!
LOVELY!
DfM, thank you (!), but scroll down a bit and look at my bathroom. You won’t be jealous for long!!
omg! came to this post after today’s with your gran’s peace poster (the sentiment is fabulous and so simple), but what’s blowing me away is i am back living in hyannis after a childhood here and when i worked at the library back in the 70’s i used to run errands for supplies at charlbet’s (that was back in the days when we just put the bill on the store account — i swear charlbet’s is where i got my love of all things paper and pen and writerly)…peace…i miss that store and the old art supply that couldn’t compete with ac moore and joann’s…
p.s. i was 9 when we moved to hyannis…
I have a big old Charlbets Sign I’m going to be selling on Ebay. Let me know if you’re interested.
Jim D.
dokker@verizon.net