Monday, April 20, 2015

THE ART OF THE NICHE


and what you might place in them

  1. niche
    niCH/
    noun
    noun: niche; plural noun: niches
    1. 1.
      a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament.
      synonyms:recess, alcove, nook, cranny, hollow, bay, cavity, cubbyhole, pigeonhole
      "a niche in the wall"
One thing about older homes....they all seem to have the character of 
THE NICHE

this niche is original to 822 and call me fussy...
but I do like them and I like many of them and I like to fill them with trinkets and treasures and art and other collections

angels and candles

angels that ARE candles

crosses

art and seasonal items
this niche in our breakfast nook sits a top our time capsule
to be opened in 2060

a niche window when you step into the shower

a niche in Mr. PV's shower

this was the old doorbell at 822...sadly we had to remove it
happily it became a niche

this was an old clock that got dropped and broken during our move
not to worry...the perfect place for an antique santos and ex votos

this little tin niche holds a butterfly and robin's egg that Betty found on her way home from school
what sweet little treasures!

you will find so many examples in New Mexico and Mexico

and Hobby Lobby
I love Hobby Lobby!

here we go again....
a set of 3 lighted niches down the stairs in the wine cave

the lights above will shine down on
what???  
I'm not sure yet, but cool it will be!

I am so glad that I already have lots of niches
so after seeing the summer Pottery Barn catalog....
all I have to do is paint inside some of my niches
and purchase pillows!

love that bold orange!!!

I am so inspired by this little niche at a chapel we visited in Peru

and speaking of Peru....do you just love this little carved niche we picked up in Cusco?
the perfect size for this tiny old cloisonné vessel

closer to home in New Mexico at the Hotel St. Francis
 niche heaven

whether old and worldly
or fresh a contemporary

check out pinterest
to find your niche!


18 comments:

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

your wine hall is really amazing and the niches are fabulous. Wish I had appreciated the niche we had in our house in Albuquerque when we lived there.

Karena said...

Gina I do adore niches and your cross bottle collection is gorgeous!! Painting the insides is a fabulous idea!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Love all your niches! I have one in my little bathroom but it needs to be spruced up :-)

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Beautiful. I love your nichos and collections of crosses, cherubs, and bueltos. It's amazing that you found that one case at Hobby Lobby; it looks like an antique. Our last home had several large ones, so I've a collection of similar items and retablos, but our current home is a small with none, so I have changed the way I display: chests, the potting shed, outside my kitchen door, and the yard. I have to rotate. In the Italian Alps there are little shrines all over the place, and I loved that.

Taylor Greenwalt said...

I mentioned your blog on my post today.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gina, love me a niche, have them - love all of yours in your creative abode of beauty.
xx,
Vera

NanaDiana said...

I like niches, too. Yours are GREAT!!!! I had some built into this house- 2 to hold large treasured family portraits that are downlit and one to hold a marble statue of ....ready?.....Diana!!!!!
Have a great week- Diana

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

I love that they are going to be on the wine cave stairs...I can think of so many fun treasures to put there!

Maureen Wyatt said...

As old as my house is, it didn't have any niches. I guess the pioneer who build it didn't have time for such things. That's okay, I've made them from boxes and cabinets and love them!

Unknown said...

No niches here either. Unless you count two built-in bookcases. I don't think they are a Canadian thing.
Love the idea of painting your niches a bright colour as in the PB catalogue.

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Okay, I must admit: I have not ever been a huge fan of niches. In my housekeeping mind, I dread anything shelfy that must be dusted on a regular basis. Or maybe it's because I know/knew that any little alcove would end up being a new storage place for matchbox cars. :) You, my dear, have changed my mind! I love the treasures you have displayed in them and I do have a couple of favorites. LOVE the doorbell box! That is soo cool and I love your cherub angels. I think you and your home are one of the few blogs I follow that I would LOVE to tour. So many treasures and so much of what you post speaks to me. xo

designchic said...

I love the look of a niche - the perfect spot for displaying a favorite collection. Adore your cross bottles!

bj said...

ahhhh, I have never had a niche...I am curious as to why so many are decorated with religious items..?
Your niches are all so pretty and so full of personality...they really add to the charm of your home.
O, and Hobby Lobby is a fav of mine, too.:)

chateau chic said...

I love niches, and you've embellished yours so beautifully!
Mary Alice

Fashion-isha said...

Beautiful! It's amazing what a little architectural detail can do!
xo
Sharon

Ann said...

I think most niches are made to be altars where they place images of Saints and others to put things that are dear to them.

I love yours
so beautiful ♥

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Nice niches! Painting the inside is a really great idea. We have only one, but I enjoy having it, and it is a feature of older homes that I really like. In catching up with you I see that you are new to beekeeping. How wonderful! I love your rules of bee etiquette, and wish you great success! (Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment that you left for me. I am truly flattered.)

Marissa said...

Wow, Wow and Wow...
I love them all , but the one that truly calls me is the one with our blessed mother.. LOVE it.
I also love the old door bell niche too.
Awesome post Gina...