Patina Green Home & Market Blog

Our Day with Rachel

 Okay, okay!  Everyone keeps asking for photos and stories from our special day spent with Rachel Ashwell.  Sorry to keep you waiting so long!

 

Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic Couture, designer, author, tv host, and retail professional can now add innkeeper to her many titles.  She recently purchased and refurbished a bed-and-breakfast, The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, in my favorite little TX town of Round Top.  

Last fall, mom and I were among 35 other lucky bloggers (thanks to the Hidden List) to join Rachel at her B&B for a luncheon (provided by the fabulous Bud Royer of Royer's Cafe).  Rachel lead us on a tour of the property including inside her house and private quarters.  We were also among the first to shop in her new on site boutique.

It was a day to always remember, filled with beauty and inspiration.  Luann took great notes, which has allowed me to include Quotes from the Prairie Girl.

 

Quotes from a Prairie Girl:

On her 22 years of designing . . . “Life has been my school and my inspiration.”

Regarding Texas Primitive Style . . . “One must remember, life has a practical side as well as a creative side."

 

 

The Prairie is composed of multiple historic outbuildings, cabins, barns, and preserved cottages.  The setting is in the beautiful  hill country of Washington county with rolling green hills and fields of wildflowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The on site shop sold enticing beds made with layers of dreamy bedding.  We were surrounded by a soft palette of colors, peely paint furniture, faded floral patterns (found on vintage wallpaper , TX flag pillows, sheets & pillow cases)  Gorgeous, sparkly chandeliers hung from the bead board ceiling of the historic cottage. 

 

Quotes from a Prairie Girl:  

Why she opened a store in Round Top, TX (population 31) . . . “I wanted to walk my talk . . . I love this place.  Sure it would have looked better on my bags to have a store in Rome or Paris or San Francisco or Chicago . . . maybe this store won’t be busy 365 days a year but it serves a purpose.  I remember when we were all sitting here talking about wanting a store and how to make that happen, and the next thing I knew, Danny (her “everything guy”) sends me a picture of a wide bed truck with a house on it!  He says, “I’m going to drop off a house on your property for the store”  That’s how it works in Texas!  In New York, you can’t hang a sign without a committee!  I love Texas people.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel gave us a tour of her private quarters, where she stays when living on the Prairie.  It was not only an honor but also a wonderful peek into her life to show how truly simple and down to earth she really is.

 

Quotes from a Prairie Girl:  

Regarding her wagon wheel chandelier (not something she would have chosen, but was in the B&B when she purchased it). The chandelier reminds her of a certain time of her life when things weren’t going well, “I broke down and burst into tears and looked up and said and I have a wagon wheel for a chandelier!  One of her workers replied . . . oh Rachel, it will be all right, tell me what you want, we will put flowers and ribbons on it!  So now it serves as a reminder of that period of time and how we can get past obstacles in our life."  

And, her favorite place on all the property….”the laundry room!”  (Just imagine the softest, fluffiest clouds of beautiful cotton and linen all swirled together, heavenly indeed!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite part of the day was getting personal insight of Rachel and her business as a designer.  I enjoyed studying her inspiration boards and seeing her picks of shabby furniture from Texas flea markets.  On the front porch of her own house, I was pleasantly surprised to find a collection of gilded antique furniture and accessories.

 

Quotes from a Prairie Girl:  

Her finds from Round Top shopping this year . . . “We bring all our things here and get to see them, enjoy them, and live with them a few weeks before sending them to the other stores.”

How does Italian Florentine pieces work with Texas Primitives??  “Every room (and every person) needs a little unexpected sparkle!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I loved the most?

Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic Texas Prairie Girl . . . 

She’s real, she has an authentic style, she has a story, she’s beautiful . . . that’s exactly what we look for when we are shopping for vintage pieces . . . something real, with our authentic style, with a story to tell, and aesthetically beautiful!

Those things remain forever cherished  . . .  

 

Thank you Rachel for a lovely day on the Prairie, from two authentic Texas born girls!

England Antique Shopping

 

As much as we loved be tourist in the English countryside, the real reason we traveled so far away from our little town in McKinney was for the antique shopping!

We shopped antique malls, stores, warehouses, and flea markets for many days.  Each morning we awoke with the wonder of what treasures we would find. 

 

Images of the Shops and Warehouses: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images of the Flea Markets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images of the Treasures:

 

 BELGIUM WINE BOTTLES.

 

 
 

ITALIAN OLIVE OIL JARS.

 

 

 

FRENCH DRAPERY HARDWARE & CHANDELIER CRYSTALS.

 

 

 

ITALIAN HAND PAINTED CERAMIC TILES.

 

VICTORIAN GERMAN STUFFED TOYS. 

 

 

120 YEAR OLD FRENCH STUFFED BULLDOG TOY.

 

FRENCH BRONZE FARMER MEDALS. 

 

FRENCH WOODED PLANTERS. 

 

ENGLISH TERRA COTTA POTS. 

 

BELGIUM TULIP CRATES. 

 

 

HANDMADE CHICKEN COOP.  (WE SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS!!!)

 

 

FRENCH POTATO BASKETS.

 

HANDMADE TOOL BOXES. 

 

ENGLISH METAL SHIPPING CRATES. 

 

FRENCH WINDOW SHUTTERS. 

 

ITALIAN TERRA COTTA POTS. 

 

ENGLISH BRONZE DOOR HARDWARE. 

 

BELGIUM SCIENCE STUDIES. 

 

 

ENGLISH PHARMACY BOTTLES.

 

 

ENGLISH CAKE/PASTRY CASES.  (I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THESE!)

 

 

 COPPER ARCHITECTURAL PIECE.

 

GERMAN FEEDSACKS.

 

 

FRENCH LINENS.  (LUANN IS HAPPY!)
 

 

BELGUIM BUILT IN CABINET DOORS. 

 

GORGEOUS!  BELGIUM BOMBAY HUTCH.

 

 

 WOODEN ENGLISH LOCKERS FROM A YORKSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB.

 

SWEDISH FURNITURE!

 

 

MORE SWEDISH FURNITURE!

 

 

AND MORE SWEDISH FURNITURE!

Pinch me, I must be dreaming!

I had this fantastic dream . . . 

It is perfect TX afternoon with clear blue skies, and I am in the middle of the beautiful hill country.  I am sitting at a table outside surrounded by not only nature, but lovely historic cottages and old barns.  At the table, I am joined by a wonderful group of creative women, and we are enjoying lunch together.  Across from me sits the always inspiring, always fabulous Rachel Ashwell and we are sharing our junkin' stories.

 On my lunch plate (my very favorite) there is a grilled shrimp BLT, a large iced tea, and a slice of homemade chocolate chip pie from Bud Royer's kitchen. 

After many laughs and shared stories at lunch, my new friends and I take a tour with Rachel on her gorgeous property.  We end up in her new Shabby Chic Couture store and get to be one of the first to shop, with it's grand opening being the following day.

  

Could this dream be real?!  Yes!  It is! 

I am one of 35 LUCKY bloggers who will be having lunch with Rachel Ashwell at her Round Top B&B, The Prairie in less than 2 weeks!

Lunch will be catered by the o-so-famous Bud Royer and the delicious Royer's Round Top Cafe.

Even better, a portion of the luncheon proceeds will be benefiting Dwell with Dignity, a non profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers that are dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty.

 

 

Of course I will post photos and details about my experience, but here are a few photos of The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, so you know why I am so excited!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Kelley at The Hidden List for making my dream come true!  

 

The English Countryside

  
We are back from a very successful shopping trip to England!  Our container is full, on the water, and headed this way.  I can't wait to share our treasures with you! 

While we were gone, we missed one of the hottest summers Texas has ever seen.  We came home to a horrible drought and sad brown fields, completely opposite of our recent gorgeous English countryside views. 

I will post a few times about our England trip, but I wanted to start with the sights . . . Our tour lead us through the countryside of Lancashire, the purple heather covered hills of Yorkshire, to the Robin Hood castles of Lincolnshire and then glimpses of the North Sea.

As we had imagined, the countryside consisted of rolling, green, lush hills with layers of white specks of sheep.  The historic villages were filled with inspiring architecture and dreamy English gardens.   I fell in love.

 

       

 

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel in love with the historic English architecture . . . this manor was built in the 16th century . . . it was amazing . . .

 

  

 

 

I fell in love with walking the streets of the small villages . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVED shopping in their "antique malls"!  What an experience to shop in an retired grain mill . . . a historic mansion . . . a gothic cathedral?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

 

 

I loved dreaming of England's magical past of cathedrals and castles . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

Brocantes!!

Our European trip was planned around flea markets and antique shopping.  As we traveled throughout Belgium we stopped along the way at road side junk piles,  antique shows, and city design centers.  In England we scoured flea markets for unique treasures.

 

This market was on the downtown streets of Brussels.

 

 

 

Vintage treasures lined blankets on the pavement of this parking lot.

 

Robert and I enjoyed digging through this vendor's collection of old brass parts.  There were not only door knobs & hardware,  but appliques that had been lost from furniture or house moldings.  My imagination was going wild as I studied each piece!

 

What a great find!  We quickly snatched up these train station stop signs.  These heavy metal signs are going to be gorgeous grouped together (we bought all of the white ones!!)

 

 

In England, I was amazed at the quantity of old concrete garden statues.  They were all individually beautiful with their patina and English moss.

 

 

 

I wished we had taken this bull to Texas!  We passed on him the first time and then I dreamed about it at night and went back the next day, and he was sold!  I should have known better than that!

 

European Pharmacy bottles are so unique and we had a hard time deciding which ones to take home!

 

Our final decision . . .

 

 

 

I just loved this vendor's collection of vintage suitcases.   I can't wait to see the set of white ones that we purchased!!

 

 

These are mother of pearl Victorian French buttons.  They are sewn onto card boards with a thin sheet of tarnished silver on top.  Really Beautiful.  I was shocked to find out the dealer's price,  this collection was $250!

 

 

 

These next three photos were taken in Durbuy, "The prettiest town in all of Belgium".  This home design store definitely caught my eye as I loved everything about it.

   

 

 

 

This retail shop was in the Brussels design district.  I am crazy about it's exterior design.  The large zinc awning. . .  the simple block print logo . . .  the weathered paint on the front door . . .  the glass store front windows and arched doorway . . .

 

   Come see our unique finds and European Treasures at our

Big Reveal!

Saturday, October 16

10 am

 

 

_{^{Patina Green Home and Market}}

_{^{116 N. Tennessee, Suite 102}}

_{^{Historic Downtown Square}}

 

  

 

Back from Europe!

We had a successful trip to Europe, both personally and professionally!  We had a great time being tourist in the beautiful country of Belgium and we did some great buying at the fabulous flea markets of England.  We are so excited for our container to arrive to unpack all of our treasures, hopefully sometime at the end of September.

 

I will blog a few times about this trip, but I thought I would start with gardens and delicacies! 

 

In England, the fields appeared to be purple due to the growing patches of wild heather.

 

 

In Belgium, we found gorgeous flowers everywhere!  I know understand why so many of the cut flowers sold in stores around us, are imported from Belgium. 

 

 

 

One of the best things about being on vacation in Europe is eating all of the wonderful seasonal foods found in the markets and off of the street.

 

The picture above was taken at the morning fish market in Bruges.

 

I just loved this country man selling his house cured meats at a small market in the Belgium town of Han-sur-Lesse.

 

   Boucheries were on every corner in the French region of Belgium.  Many of our meals consisted of these cured meats paired with local cheese and fresh bread from the patisseries.

 

I took this picture at an olive oil market in the cutest little town of Durbuy, Belgium.  I was inspired by their concept of  picking out your own bottle and then filling it yourself with their house-made oils and vinegars.  

 

 

Another one of my favorite food markets was this old mustard shop in Ghent.   Tierenteyn Mustard is made from a confidential 1790 recipe of ground mustard seeds, vinegar, and salt. It has a unique flavor, powerful with a slightly spicy bite.  Unfortunately, you can only purchase this mustard at the shop, where it is hand poured fresh into a crock.

 

 

 

 

 

It was interesting to see the unique produce in the local food markets. 

 

These were tiny wild strawberries!  We ate them whole, green stem and all.  They were juicy and sweet and a perfect afternoon snack.

 

This picture quality is not great, but it is still very clear at the amazing colors of these heirloom tomatoes!  We found these as they were being dropped off by the farmer to be used in the kitchen at this little restaurant in Durbuy. 

 

 

We couldn't miss the famous Belgium Waffles!

I really enjoyed the plain Belgium waffles.  Served warm, they were sweet and crispy and didn't need all of the fancy toppings, they were perfect.

 

 

All around Belgium, we found "biscuit" shops full of cookies and butter biscuits like this one in Brussels called Dandoy.  The have been making their treats since 1829!

 

 

These next two photos were taken at a local honey shop.  Every product in the store was made using their local honey.  There were food items as well as bath products.  I took some fabulous soap home . . .

 

 

And, of course, there was Belgium chocolate . . . a store on every corner!  It seemed as if we tried them all, and I am now convinced that they are correct, and Belgium does make the best chocolate!!

 

and . . . the best beer!  So many Belgium beers!! 

 

 

  Some of our favorite Belgium beers that we tried were crafted in the small towns that we visited.
  
   

Spring Round Top

 

We have been so busy working on the new store (!!) that I have not had much time to write.  I started this post about our Round Top trip last month.  We had such a good time catching up with friends, shopping for the new store, and getting inspired by others that I just had to share my photos.  This picture of Bill Hillis priceless, taken on the first morning of Marburger.  Do you think he was excited?!

 

These next few photos are from Peg & Jon's booth of French Vanilla.

 

These pictures were taken in the space of our dear friends, Linda & Ludmil of Willownest.

  

 

 

This next group is the beautiful booth of Judy & Bill Hill.

 

 

 

There is nothing better than fresh lavender bundles in the bedroom.  I took this photo in the Carriage House Gardens booth at Marburger. 

 

This is also their collection of crazed ironstone. 

 

 

The next three photos are of the gorgeous booth of Creekside Ferns.  Jeanne is from Roswell, Georgia and I just love her style and way of mixing vintage finds with contemporary fabrics and home accents.  Her look is fresh and inspiring.

 

Spring is here!  It was wonderful to see fresh plants, old terra cotta pots, and various garden decor throughout the shows.  This picture is from Parkhouse Antiques.

 

 

What a collection of leather bound books!

  
 

  
 
In the following picture, these beautiful prints were created by our new friends, Kathy & Don Gross of Austin Woodhenge . 

 

Kathy also makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and hand printed canvas bags.  (We loaded up and took a few home with us!)

 

 

These next photos are from Love Train Antiques, one of my favorite vendors.  They set up their gorgeous displays at the Big Red Barn.  Their collection of European antiques is incredible . . . I want it all!

 

 

 

I have to end this post with this picture.  He lives next door to the Willownest B&B and greeted us every morning and evening.  I loved feeding him branches from Ludmil's neighboring tree.  I think he loved it too . . .

 

  

 
 
 

The Flea Markets of Paris & England

 

On our recent shopping trip to Paris and England with The Cheeky Mare, we spent many memorable days at the famous flea markets.  In Paris, we shopped at the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen and then two markets in England, the Lincoln Home & Antique Market (former Swinderby Market) and the Newark Market.  These days were full of inspiration and wonderful shopping.  The following photos are some of the things that we saw . . .

 

This booth at the Paris flea market was full of industrial antiques mixed with soft upholstered chairs and natural elements.  It was beautiful.

 

This Paris vendor had shelves full of old french books, music sheets, documents, and miscellaneous papers.  We spent some time searching through his collection and sent home some of our favorites.  We purchased the letter in the picture above which was written in 1620.

 

We found this chair tucked away into a small corner of the Paris flea market.  To me, it had every design detail that I found familiar with french furniture . . .fabulous Royal satin stripped upholstery . . . curves and wood carvings . . .  years and years of layered, peeling, gilded paint.

 

Isn't this stone planter gorgeous?  It would have gone home with us, but we were minutes too late!  A woman on our trip, June Ainsworth,  bought it shortly before we arrived in this booth.  She is taking it to her Big Red Barn show in March to sell!

 

I was excited to find this vendor's collection of Victorian era cold creams and ointment jars.  Each one is unique and charming.  (A few went home with me, for my personal collection!)


   

Wished I had bought this!  I can't stop thinking about this faded and stained aerial view of Paris from many years ago.  The print was very large and would have made a perfect conversational piece of art in any home.

 

We found these garden tables in one of the flea markets in England.  They were already sold when we arrived, but we still loved the simplicity of their design and could easily visualize them lined with fresh green plants.

 

What an incredible ensemble of Swedish furniture this vendor had!  We saw him at the two England flea markets and each time were stunned by his collection.

 

Would love to see this bench pulled up to a dining room table . . .

 

 

These chairs tell a beautiful story.  Their faded blue gray color was actually achieved by the color die from the original fabric, which had already been removed, revealing the stained fabric liner beneath.  Also notice the backs of the charis were still upholstered in a vintage printed stripe.  I wouldn't change a thing about these set of chairs  . . .

 

There were also a pair of these.  I loved the subtle writing on the fabric liner, which marked their history and made them one-of-a-kind.

 

Have you ever seen a concrete "tufted" chair!?    Fabulous!

 

These vintage nightstands caught my eye because of the beautiful finish,  many layers of washed white and faded paint.

 

These were in the same booth, just as beautiful!

 

 

Okay, I must add that there was a challenging part of our trip, the weather and the mud, were not on our side!  We spent days trudging through the fields set up with "marquees" filled with gorgeous antiques and unique finds.  We continued to pull our shopping carts with their thickly coated wheels through the mud in search of our treasures.   We wore boots to our knees and still came home each night with mud . . .

Through it all, we still had smiles on our faces and peace in our heart.  The weather wasn't going to change our moods as we shopped and shopped.  Along the journey, we came across this little dog who seemed to be as happy as we were, as he posed for my photo.   

 

We couldn't have done all of this serious shopping without the help of our friends at The Cheeky Mare and we will continue to have appreciation for our new English friends, Steve, Cliff, and Paul for getting our found treasures to us safely!  The container is on the water, and should be here soon . . .  
 

  

A Preview . . . . Cliff and Steve loading this gorgeous french hutch into our container!

  
 

Shops of Paris

We are back from an amazing trip to Paris and England.  It was everything I had been dreaming of and more!

  Paris has always been known for it's shopping, and I now know why.  There are stores and stores of every kind on every corner.  We stayed in the Paris neighborhood of St. Germain des Pres surrounded by locals.  This area is a typical Parisian neighborhood and everything one might need is easy to be found.  Everyday we walked the busy streets and gazed into the beautiful market store windows.   I must share some of my favorites.

 

This is a typical wine shop, with baskets of French wine spilling out into the streets.

 

This olive oil company was charming with it's olive trees, ready for purchase, on the sidewalk.  Inside was filled with flavored olive oils and bath products.

 

This food shop sold foods from the Auvergne region of France, mostly sausages and other cured meats, but cheeses, breads and sauces too.

 

The Paris Fleurire le Marche (flower markets) were gorgeous and full of blooming flowers, even in the cold winter season.

 

This store was a supplier of fine foods.  Everything in it was perfectly organized and looked delicious.  Homemade canapes, pate, terrine, fois gras, and caviar filled the shelves.  Notice the leg of prosciutto in the window. . .

 

These mimosa flowers were a gorgeous bright color on the sidewalk of this flower shop.  I also love the white baskets of sprouting green bulbs.

 

We bought our dinner one night here!  It was a fabulous boucherie (butchery) were we loaded up on sliced cured meats, sausages, pate and terrine.  Our next stop was for cheese at the fromagerie and then a baguette at the boulangerie.

 

This beautiful flower shop had crates of different blooming bulbs outside.

 

The seafood in France was so fresh and gorgeously displayed. Check out those scallops!

 

 

This is a traiteur where you can buy pre-made meals ready to be heated up in your own oven and then ready to eat.  We bought my birthday dinner here and cooked it in our cute little Paris apartment.  A yummy birthday dinner that I will not soon forget. . .

 

I saved the best for last, the Patisserie.  These pastry shops were all over Paris and each one was unique (trust me, we tried them all!).  This eclair was the best we had.  When we ordered it, it was carefully pulled from the rest and packaged neatly before it was handed to us as a special gift.  Indeed, it was special.

 
  


  
  

Judy Hill's Holiday Show

Mrs. Judy Hill has done it again! Her Holiday Home Tour last week was as beautiful as ever! 

As always, we mark this day on our calenders early and let ourselves get excited in anticipation.  Mrs. Hill's home is always uniquely decorated with incredible ideas and gorgeous vintage decor!  Judy has been opening her home for loyal shoppers for the past fifteen years!  Everything in her home is for sale, from the shabby dresser to the industrial kitchen island, from the crazed ironstone plates to shiny vintage ornaments.  It truly is a wonderful experience.

 

The entry was magical with branches adorning old shiny ornaments layered against the walls.
  

 

What a dining room!  I love the old settee and fabulous heavy armchairs around the wood table.  The chandelier was dramatic and gorgeous full of real branches, vintage silver tinsel tree stems, and old ornaments tied with seam binding ribbon.

On the dining table, each place setting included an old rusted industrial part as a "charger" and topped with a tea stained wedding bell under a glass cloche.  How creative . . .

 

 

There is something special about the classic glass hutch filled with old dishes and vintage christmas sparkle.

 

 

In the utility room, a chandelier with unmatched shades laid on the counter top to help create an interesting winter scene of snow covered trees and little sheep. 

 

 

What a wonderful plate rack!!  The plate rack found in the breakfast room went from wall to wall and was made from fabulous old barn wood.  It was a unique find!

 

 

The guest bedroom was so fun . . .  Judy's handmade window canopy, decorated with lights, hung over the bed, made with fresh white linens and topped with piles of  shiny Christmas balls.
 

Old ornaments tied to the bed cover was one of Judy's details that did not go unrecognized as she created a fantasy Holiday guest room.

 

One of my favorite furniture pieces on the tour was found in the guest bathroom.  The small vanity chair was in fabulous condition with it's original fabric and adorable shape.

 

 

In another guest bedroom, the headboard was made from a beautiful rusted iron architectural piece.  I loved the way it looked on the chocolate brown walls.

 

 

This vignette was also in one of the guest bedrooms.  The feather tree was carefully decorated with a wonderful collection of vintage silver and gold ornaments. 

 

 

How sweet and special is this vintage iron crib with custom made white linens.

 

The master bedroom was romantic and dreamy . . .

 

 

 

   
   
   
 
 

Inspiring Details Round Top Fall 2009

A few weeks ago, we made our bi-annual trip to the small town of Round Top, TX to shop the fabulous antique markets.  As always, we came home with a loaded car full of wonderful junk that became our treasures. Throughout the few days that we spent shopping, morning to evening, I saw many things that caught my eye and left me inspired.

 

At the Marburger show, one of my first stops is to see what Peg and Jon have created at their French Vanilla booth.  John's zinc tables are unique and fabulous . . .

How creative is this boat / table?!  I love the zinc top and the chain at the front.  The styling of this display including the light fixture and wall "art" complimented the table perfectly.

 

 

This beautiful daybed was found in Linda and Ludmil's booth at Willow Nest Farms.  It was dressed lovely with the original mattress and new pillows adorned with vintage floral appliques.

Linda's wonderful creation of Pearls of Wisdom!  Oh, so many Pearls of Wisdom!!

This is what I think Linda does best.  She can take the smallest handmade items and vintage details and place them in little groupings which are delightful to take in.

Each show, I am always anxious to see more of Ludmil's incredible handmade birdhouses. 

 

Judy Hill's booth was gorgeous as usual.  She has a remarkable way of merchandising.

I love the symmetry and balance of this display.

 

 

 

Have you ever seen such a magical bed?! Incredible iron work!

 

 

The institution of Magnolia Pearl has done it again!  You can only imagine how many hours were spent creating these handmade drapes for their displays.  The were hand stitched together using old coffee been bags, grandma's dollies, and seam binding.  The result was dramatic and impressive . . . 

 

 

I couldn't resist!  Only at Marburger can you see such a range of "antiques", there is something for everyone.  What an incredible carnival collection!

 

Maggie, who sells at the White Elephant Antiques,  always has her surprises with her extraordinary eye for unusual things.

 

 

This old carnival horse quickly became my favorite piece at the Marburger Show.  It was gorgeous in every way, with only small areas of the original paint peeking through. You could see it's original construction with the metal braces and wood carvings. 

 

I will not get tired of seeing stacks of vellum books!  These were found in the booth of Janet Wiebe Antiques.

 

 

The last four photos were taken at the Big Red Barn Sale.  I spent most of my time in the Love Train Antiques booth.  Their displays were extremely inspiring and made up of wonderful, unique, Swedish finds. 
 

   
  

 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspiring Details - Summer Big Red Barn Show!

Thought I would share a few photos from the summer show at the Big Red Barn in Round Top, TX a few weekends ago. 

Our friends were there, and set up beautifully, selling their unique finds.  We left with a full car!!  (Oh, and scheduled a delivery .... thanks Camille!!)

 

This was the fabulous front table of Garden Antiques's booth, until we destroyed it by buying the old wire store display!!  I loved the way Theresa had loaded the display full of old ironstone pieces . . .

 

 

This is Peg & John's space of French Vanilla.  Isn't that table cool with the old round mirror as the table top?

 

 

Also French Vanilla's space.  John made the side table by using an old cast iron base and then a custom made zinc top! 

 

 

This is Leftover's booth.  I am crazy about the old store sign.  It is hand painted on old burlap fabric!  "Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Lunch & Cigars, Candy and Fruit"   They have it all!

 

 

Also Leftover's booth.  The ottoman was upholstered by using multiple pieces of unmatched fabric ...

 

 

Linda's space of Willow Nest, beautifully put together as usual!

 

 

This charcoal sketches were drawn by Ludmil's daughter, she is one talented artist, just like her father!

 

 

 

I just loved these old English crocks found in Golden Chances Antiques booth.   What an incredible collection!

Inspiring Details - Judy Hill's Home Show

Earlier this month, we traveled to East Texas to the beautiful country home of Judy and Bill Hill.  (J. Hill Designs)  They open their home twice a year for a "Home Show/Sale".  Everything, (and I mean Everything!) has a price tag!  We were there early to save our place in line, which made us excited in anticipation!

 

Look how many people were already in line a half hour before the doors were open!

 

On the front porch, I was already in love with this unique column base.  It was about 3' wide and held Judy's potted plant nicely.  I still can't believe I didn't take it home!!

 

A garden trellis in her dining room?!  Only fabulous Judy can pull this off!  Check out the iron chandelier stacked with terra cotta pots on the table!

 

This is one of the table settings. How creative.  Using old newspapers as place-mats is a great idea!

 

The coffee table in the living room is a Judy original.  The base was made from three matching old concrete pieces . . . a very inspiring idea.

 

What a breakfast table!!!  Love it!  Check out the dust pans used as "place-mats"!

 

In the laundry room this etched mirror and shelf of old bottles caught my eye.

 

Loved this collection of cream items . . . old spools of ribbon, candles, a vintage lamp, a vintage art print, all wonderful eye candy!

 

In the guest bedroom, we found this wonderful garden table with old glass vases that sparkled in the filtered sunlight from the beautiful window sheers.

 

In the master bathroom, this basket spilled out clean towels and soaps.  Check out the large old barley dry goods box behind the towels.  It went home with us!!!

 

In the master bedroom this old factory shelf was beautifully stocked with antiques like spools of thread, ironstone, and shoe molds.  Judy outdid herself this show with her attention to detail.

 

Even the back porch was decorated perfectly.

 

There is nothing like an old bucket full of hand picked east Texas wildflowers to put a smile on my face!

 

Overall, Judy's house sale made for a wonderful day and we left feeling refreshed and inspired.  The images are still replaying in our minds . . .

Spring Round Top Antiques

 

Happy days of our recent junkin trip are over! (Loved loading our junk around in Angie's "Junkin" SUV!!)  

We are already dreaming of the fall antique show and wondering what we will find then.  After spending 8 days in South Texas during Antique Week, we did our "work" by searching through the miles of junk for treasures. 

There are a few images from our trip that are still with me.  I will use them as inspiration for time to come, so I wanted to share!

 

Fields of Blue Bonnets!

 

and wildflowers . . .

 

My favorite cow, and neighbor to our Willow Nest B&B, Spice!

 

Robert and I during our Blue Bell Ice Cream factory tour!!  Every TEXAN should have this experience, especially the free tastings!!

 

 

Bundled and aged French paperbacks.  (Some went home with me!)

 

 

This floral arrangement put together by Peg of French Vanilla and Melanie of Seed Box Antiques.

 

 

The beautiful hand made garden trellis from Judy & Bill Hill.

 

    

I love this Magnolia Pearl concrete display with bottles hung from wire.

 

  

  

Ludmil of Willow Nest made this dove aviary, it is incredible.

 

 

What a perfect photo of Ludmil!! Check out his handmade cart . . .

 

 

 

 

There is something fascinating about these creepy vintage doll molds!

 

 

Love this!!!  What a beautiful space the Garten has created! 

 

 

 

 

This is the most impressive collection of antique prints that I have ever seen! Unbelievable.  The stacks were inches thick of loose pages.  See more from Nostalgia Fine Art at www.nostalgiafineart.com 

 

 

If he had only been for sale . . .

 

 

 

 

These 16th century vellum books are so beautiful.  I can't get them out of my mind.

 

  

This picture sums up our trip!  We really shopped!!!