Tuesday, October 18, 2011

These boots were made for.....

.... me!



If you have not met 
my sweet blogging friend, Richard,
you need to do so.
Please take time to visit him
at his blog called





This is Richard's lovely home.

And this is Richard. His kind soul shines right through his great smile.


Richard, and his beagle, Sissy,
live in a stately historic 1845 red brick 
mansion on the banks of the mighty
Mississippi River in Missouri.


Sissy!


Not only does Richard
host tours and events in his
gorgeous antique-filled home,
he also runs a fabulous antique and gift shop 
in his small town of Clarkssville, MO.


Every time you visit his blog,
you will learn something new
about an antique or a treasure
and a little bit of history.


You will also usually get blown
away by one of his extensive collections.
Richard has surrounded himself with
priceless furnishings and antiquities.
A virtual feast for the eyes!


But getting back on track....
 Richard,
being his kind and thoughtful self,
 recently emailed me photos 
of these very old and much-loved 
English riding boots he found 
while antiquing one day.
He thought I might like them.
:)

Correct!


(Another personal shopper! Yay!)






As soon as I saw them, 
I knew I had to have them. 
They have been patched twice,
and re-soled and have been worn 
for so many years that the black leather 
has been rubbed down 
to it's original brown in many areas. 
 They look to be from the mid to late 1800's
based on the style and condition.
(Would you agree, Richard?)









 Here is how they looked
when they arrived yesterday. 
A little TLC is needed
to revive the old patina of the leather.
I lightly wiped them with lemon oil,
but will buy some leather
conditioner to bring back some of the shine.




One patch is round.

And one patch is not!










Here they are after I wiped them off with a bit of lemon oil.


Once I get the patina restored,
I am planning to take them to the
lamp shop and have them made into lamps.
(Disclaimer: Thick miter-edged board on bottom, brass rod behind.
No boot will be harmed in the making of these lamps. ) LOL






I love them.
Thanks, Richard!
Will share them with you again
when they are completed.

Now please go say hi to Richard, ok?
(Link here)

Tally-ho!

xoxoxox~
Alison






Update:
Thought I would add a couple
riding boot lamps that I have
drooled over lately.




(This pair used just the wooden stretchers!)

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Alison! What a wonderful find from Richard.....those will be stunning lamps and so unusual. Can't wait to see what they look like when you're finished with them. I'm loving those patches!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Oh, I love them. What a great idea turning them into lamps. Can't wait to see them. I want the forms that go inside for my boots.

Richard Cottrell said...

Ms. Alison, I am so pleased the boots arrived and you are pleased and happy with them. I think they are indeed from the 1800's and maybe the early middle. I love the wood stretchers inside as well, I think they are beautiful. I love your ideal about lamps and how perfect for your Polo House. I also want to thank you for the wonderful and most beautiful and kind post that you have just done about me and the boots. I was so shocked and pleased to see it, what a great surprise and tribute. One of the nicest things anyone has ever done, and I so appreciate it. Thanks again and again, sweet lady, and I am so happy, happy you love the boots. Until next time, Your blogger friend. Richard

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Fabulous! I would have never thought of lamps. Can't wait to see.

Town and Country Gals said...

Alison,
Amazing! You know I love them! I also love the wood boot forms, have been looking for some but as of now, no luck! At one of the malls in Franklin TN there is equestrian style booth with boot lamps and they are fabulous! Can't wait to see yours!
Rebecca
PS. Have posted a pic of my pheasent, if you get a chance, check him out.

Andrea said...

I love the history and character of the boots! Can't wait to see them lampified!

AntiqueChase said...

Love to see how you make them into lamps without damaging the boot... great idea!!!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

The boots are wonderful and so is Richard. J and I have had the pleasure of being Richard's guests a time or two, in his home and at his shop.:-)

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

LOVE them! The patina, and history....and LAMPS!! LOVE that idea!!

Can't wait to see them! I am off to visit Richard and Sissy :)

Lou Cinda

Pamela Gordon said...

These are beautiful boots as are the wooden stretchers inside. Great idea to make lamps (without damaging them). Can't wait to see them. I am a follower of Richard's and always enjoy his blog posts. Pamela

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Richard sounds and looks like a wonderful guy! Going right now to check out his blog!
Kelly

Kelly said...

I've never seen a boot turned into a lamp before. This will be a first for me! That was very kind of him to think of you when he found those.

At Home in English Valley said...

Hi Alison, I like Richard already! Those boots are so perfect for your home. I just saw your post about the osage apples. I love them too! They grow at the end of my subdivison, the original boarder of a farm. Take care!

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

Alison, these are spectacular! Oh, the stories they could tell! They will be great lamps!

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

Alison, these are spectacular! Oh, the stories they could tell! They will be great lamps!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Alison, These are real treasures. ANd will be a beautiful addition to your Polohouse! Richard sounds like a dear.
Yvonne

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Alison, They will make wonderful lamps and couldn't be more perfect for your home. Richard is such a sweetheart and he does have the most amazing collections. I would love to go shopping in his home.
Hugs,
Sherry

Designs on 47th Street said...

Hi Alison! The boots are so perfect for you. How fortunate that Richard thought of you and how kind he sent them your direction. Oh my goodness, what unique lamps you will have! You will have everybody in blogland looking in the back of their closets for boots to turn into lamps! LOL!

Rachel Rose Mercantile said...

I will definately pay Richard a visit. What a special treat! Love the photos-simply amazing!

Town and Country Gals said...

Alison,
Boot lamps, Amazing!
Rebecca

The enchanted home said...

You have the best ideas!! Love riding boots especailly old ones and its brilliant for you to turn these into lamps....cannot wait to see them, they are going to be spectacular and a perfect addition to your already exquisite home.
Richard sounds like a treasured friend and his home is absolutely gorgeous!!
Great post!

Richard Cottrell said...

Allison I feel famous. Richard from My Old Historic house.

Sue said...

These boots are going to make wonderful lamps! How very appropriate for your home, too. :-)
How nice to have been gifted them from your friend, Richard.

Sarah said...

Alison, I don't know how I've missed so many recent posts. Catching up tonight. I don't want to miss anything you have to share. Love these boots. What a terrific idea to make them into lamps. Love the forms inside as much as the boots. You are a clever lady! ~ Sarah

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Your lamps are going to be gorgeous! I can't wait to see them. I love the blogging world because it consists of the most wonderful people like Richard. We get to know each other's passions and find ourselves thinking of each other when we run across some "finds."

Becca Bertotti said...

I love the boots with the forms in them! And, I've never seen a boot lamp before ... genious, and I can't wait to see them all lit up in your gorgeous space!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Awesome, Alison. I plan to put my riding boots in my new room. I have a purple velvet riding hat that looks very similar to yours!!! Can't wait to see you lamps.
xoxo
Me

SHERRY HART said...

Awesome...so Ralph!