The conclusion of Emily Interesting - unless they invite us back, of course!

So this is The End of Emily Interesting. Sounds like a great name for a mystery, doesn't it?

If you haven't been following along, Emily and Harry Interesting are collectors. Their house is wonderfully full and wonderfully...well, interesting. Before you look at the rest of the pictures, remember, this isn't an antique store. It's a home full of beloved items.

Here's goes:

Hi, Renee!

I just had to get into the picture here!

Shawl is from the Civil War.

Thank you, Interestings, for inviting us into your home. Can we come back and see the rest of your Interesting things?

I hope so!

Emily Interesting Part 2. No, wait, it's Part 3. No, that's not right either! Who knows which part it is but there's another part coming on Saturday!

The Interesting stuff never ends at the Interesting home. I could show you Emily and Harry's carnival collection (and I don't mean carnival glass!) which you would NOT believe, and maybe someday I will, but right now I want to show you ideas which you can use for your own collections.

Emily is full of ideas. Harry is just full of it (just kidding, Harry!).

So let's continue with the tour. I won't say a word. OK, I'll try not to say a word. It will be hard. You just look and love all the ideas that will be coming your way.

I knew I couldn't shut up. Here's a couple of closeups of the above pictures. Two frames house and preserve beautiful pages that are works of art in themselves. Instead of never being seen unless you pick up the right book, they are displayed in frames for all to admire.

Another is a cameo, not closed up in some drawer or lost among other collectibles, but framed so its beauty can be highlighted.

Here's another charmer: an old, tiny doll that some long ago sailor carved during a sea voyage. How tiny is it?


The arrow points to where this little treasure hangs high on the wall. I'm not even going to mention what a wonderful use of architectural pieces this is because I said I wasn't going to say a word!

Another architectural detail is used below to distract the eye from kitchen storage, but I also spy a Mickey Mouse collectible on that shelf.

OK, you and I don't have a Civil War Era dresser sitting around but Emily does and see that chip the arrow is pointing to? That happened during the war, shot by a soldier through the window. It's a family piece so she knows the story is true. What history is in this house!


PJ, I put the Interesting's folk art here just for you. Aren't they wonderful?

Hey, there's Eddie Murphy making a call! He must have forgotten his cell phone. Hi, Eddie. This is a tall piece. I'm standing on the stairs taking this photo.

Sweet, sweet doll and clothing display!

Oops, sorry. Don't know how their cat got in here.

Just look at this faux brick wall Emily did. It's across the hall from the bathroom screen door.

Speaking of doors we saw the other day, these displays are behind the Rainbo Bread screen door. The antique with the crane inside it is one of those old-timey games where you put money in and try to grab some toys and candy with the crane. I bet their grandkids love this one!

These pieces are over the master bed.

And it's a good place to end today's tour. Don't be sad. I have more. See ya here at the Interesting home after garage sales Saturday!

Emily Interesting loves doors!

She loves new doors and she loves old doors.

But Emily Interesting especially loves old screen doors.

Emily thinks doors are blank canvases awaiting a special touch. And if there isn't a door where she thinks there should be, Emily puts one there...or rather she points and Harry Interesting puts one there.

My absolutely fav Interesting door is this old bread screen between the dining room and the sun porch, the most used and loved room in the house.

This is the regular bread door to the room.

And this door is between the entry hallway and the dining room. That's an old glass mailbox below the window, one of several in the house. OK, this door's my fav.


No, maybe it's this one. It's a screen door to the bathroom. Yes, the bathroom. (There's another door behind it for privacy.) And how about those wonderful chippy shutters? Are you beginning to get the idea that Harry Interesting knows a little about hanging doors?


The door next to the bathroom opens to a closet. A wonderful, original watercolor hangs in glory, the white surrounding door literally forcing a visitor to look closely at this beautiful piece of art.

But not all doors are solid. Here's the door to the living room, with a tease of the fantastic stained glass within. I was going to show you the windows Wednesday but I just can't wait that long...


The peace and light reflected by these full-length, exquisite windows calm the soul.


And next to the windows is St. Andrew, full-sized and exuding love and grace.

If you think you can't create such charm and style in your own home, you're mistaken. The Interesting house isn't in some fancy subdivision. It's on a quiet street in an older neighborhood.

And the house is small, possibly 1,700 square feet. Both Emily and Harry say they need a bigger home to house all their "stuff." You'll see what they mean Wednesday. Well, you'll see part of it. There's so much I can't show it all. You'll just have to drop by their house for tea.

But a bigger house wouldn't matter. The Interestings would find a way to fill it up with Interesting things!

Oh, Lordy, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Luckily, Wednesday is only two days away.

Want a project with punch?

Here's one for you that delivers big time:

Decoupage an old suitcase!

Emily Interesting created this stunning example using a decoupage medium as her glue and sealer. She suggests using real photos and paper artifacts instead of copies and I can see why. The different thicknesses add a lot of visual interest to the piece.

After one or two layers of medium have dried on the finished piece, Emily rubs a little burnt umber craft paint on the project to make those paper pieces stand out. Then she adds a couple more coats of medium to achieve that professional look.

Heckfire, that's a gorgeous suitcase, isn't it?

Emily lives in her Interesting home with husband Harry Interesting, four dogs, a cat, and a treasure trove of Interesting items. You don't understand yet but you will by the end of the week. Stay tuned. More Interesting decorating tips direct from Emily coming soon!