Archive for inspiring collectables
Upcoming Occasional Sales!
Posted by: | CommentsHey all… 
Fall is definitely here in the Midwest and so are the shopping opportunities! Just thought I’d mention that there are an abundance of Occasional Sales this week in the Twin City Metro and beyond. So many in fact, it will take judicious planning to take in all of them. (I kinda like a challenge like that don’t you?!)
Wait… I think I heard someone say…“An occasional sale? What is that?” Well, let me share with you… Renee Christensen of the Minneapolis examiner.com describes them as: “Occasional sales are usually hosted by an antique dealer or a group of antique dealers, and are held as often as monthly to quarterly to biannually for three to five days.” I would also offer that these sales can be great places to find furnishings, home decor, seasonal decor, unique oddities, special handmade creations, repurposed finds, vintage wares and so much more! So, if you haven’t been to an occasional sale… you may not know what you’re in for! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you..)
Looking for something to fill that special spot, want to jump-start your holiday shopping, or just browse until you find that one piece that you didn’t know you would fall in love with? They’ve got them! Good buys and great finds. I am planning on finding a car load of wonderful things for my clients (and my own home)!
Want to catch a preview of the loot?
Start by checking out A Gathering of Friends down at Bachman’s Flagship Store in Minneapolis. This great sale has grown over the years to a spectacular sale. I always leave with not only loads of good stuff, but inspiration and ideas to put into action. I can’t wait to find some architectural pieces, a few vintage accessories, and maybe a white pumpkin or two. (No matter how many I already have, I always end up buying more here… it’s a like tradition!) Go ahead… just to temp you… check it out here.
In addition, Bachman’s is celebrating their 125th year by transforming their historic 1920’s Bachman family home, (located on the original Lyndale Avenue family farm), into a seasonal Ideas House. (The Fall Ideas House is open October 7-10. Tickets are $5 each with 20% of all proceeds benefiting Children’s Home Society & Family Services. Just a note: You must pre-register online for tickets ahead of time. Go here to do that.) So, not only can you shop for wonderful treasures, but you can gain some fall decorating inspiration and benefit a special cause all at once! That’s what I call real shopping ladies! Learn more here.
Then head on over to Teresa DeJarlais’s blog to see a preview of what’s coming over at The Atelier and The Porch. You will find me checking out the fall and Halloween decor, the jewelry and maybe a painted piece or two… You can find the shop right here...
Also check out the wonderful Second Hand Rose’s upcoming sale finds over at their blogspot. I especially want to check out the upholstered pieces, the lampshades and some of the old clocks (those are for me… I have a growing collection of old clocks.) Check them out here….
I will share some of my finds with you…if you share your finds with me! ” A Shop and Share Post”… post your comments and link back to your photos here in the comments.
Can’t wait to see what you find!
Peek into these Rooms!
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Just wanted to share a few photos of rooms that I adore and that make my decorating juices flow…we get just a glimpse, just a peek, but for me that’s enough to fall in love.
It’s often just one or two elements that really sell a room anyway- the way the fabrics play off each other, the way the art has been combined, the juxtaposition of styles. Every piece can’t be the star in the room, just a few elements and the rest of the room supports that inspiration.
So, what do you like about these rooms? Is there anything that makes you think- “oh wow, love that!”? If not, what do you love, what makes your heart pitter-patter?
It’s the corner chair we can see ourselves reading in, it’s the fireplace nook we can feel the heat from, th
e stack of pillows on the bed we want to dive into, or the gorgeous kitchen windows that bring in all of that natural light.
We connect ourselves to the elements of a home that bring us into our world. We actually see ourselves living our routines in these spaces. That’s why we connect to them.
When I design spaces, I start by picking one or two elements as my inspiration pieces, and everything flows from that. It could be a color combo, some fabrics, a rug, a fab piece of art. But it’s that inspiration, that spark, that vision that makes a great room. That’s how I decorate my own home as well. A found piece of art, a fabric that I can’t live without, the accessory that just has to have a place.
That’s why we fall in love with our homes, it’s those pieces that have pulled on our memories, our hearts or our passions. It’s what design is all about. Falling in love with something beautiful or meaningful. Do you have that in your own home? If you don’t, it’s time you do. Start looking for that one piece that’s so great, you want to design an entire space around it.
We all deserve to be connected to our homes. 
They are part of us and they tell our story. Start telling yours today….
Flea Market Finds:
Posted by: | CommentsJust wanted to share with you a photo of my car. It is the second time in two days it has been loaded to the brim with wonderful and unique finds for both my clients and my online shoppe. I will be updating you with some more photos of what was purchased along with what happened to the pieces as they start their new lives in a client’s home or how they might be transformed a bit to find their way into my upcoming new 
online shoppe.
Keep following for more updates!
Creative Blog Giveaway…
Posted by: | CommentsHappy April Fool’s Day… really!
Blogs are a way to connect with other people with similar interests. They are an online journal of sorts. We connect, share, learn, comment, and interact. Some of the sites that I follow on a regular basis and that inspire me are:
The Inspired Room: Melissa Micheals writes about Authentic Living and making an imperfect home. Her posts include inspiring photos from magazines, decor ideas and her famous “drive-bys”. Check her out at The Inspired Room.
Kelly Rae Roberts: Artist, author and possibilitarian: Kelly Rae’s art, life and creative adventures are shared in a blog format that is inspiring and entertaining. She speaks from her heart. Follow her at Kelly Rae Roberts.
Restyled Home: Blogged by Linda MacDonald is all about bringing pretty back to our everyday lives. She talks about life at home, gardening, DYI projects, and her collaborations with the talented Matthew Mead. Visit her at Restyled Home.
Curly Girl Design: Artist Leigh Standley creates whimsical art and merchandise that makes one happy. Her site features her merchandise and her art, allowing one to keep up on her latest designs and shop at the same time. Check out Curly Girl Design.
Heather Bullard: Designer, photographer and vintage enthusiast, Heather Bullard offers daily inspiration from her home and travels. Her photos and stylized designs are gorgeous, as she brings beauty to her everyday life. Follow her as she heads into flea market season at Heather Bullard.
Lulu Painting: Owner, Artist, and Instructor, Alicia Danzig loves paint and color. She is super talented and a vibrant personality. She shares what inspires her on a daily basis, along with taking her readers on a visual feast. Stop by her blog and site at Lulu Painting.
I hope you have fun visiting these other sites and being inspired by their talent and creativity. (Just a few this time, more on another day…) Browse, comment, and be inspired by all of the creative inspiration.
Before you go, please leave a comment here to be entered to win a artistic package that includes- Kelly Rae Robert’s bookmark and necklace, and a napkin set from Curly Girl Design. A perfect treat for yourself, or as a ready gift for a friend. Please enter by April 1, 2010 at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen, and that’s no fool!
Till next time…
Flea Market Style Giveaway!
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s all about “flea market style” today. Are you fond of things from the past being re-used or re-purposed for today? Some people love everything in their home to be vintage or re-purposed, others just like a touch here and there to add personality and history to their everyday routines. I am in the middle. I enjoy many vintage pieces, but mostly as accents or accessories, not used as my primary furniture. Some of my favorite things in my home have been found at flea markets, vintage shops, or pieces that came from my grandmother.
For those of us who enjoy the hunt, there are those stories of favorite finds, and purchases that we didn’t make, but still haunt us. One of my favorite finds is my large vintage wood framed Coffee Sign in my kitchen. One of the pieces that I didn’t get and regret was a large cupboard that wouldn’t fit in my house at the time I found it. Today’s comment question: What is your favorite find or the story about the one piece that you didn’t get and regret? So, with the question set… what’s the fun part… the giveaway?
Today’s giveaway is the premiere issue of Flea Market Style !! (Which hit news stands mid-February.) After much searching, I have located a few issues, so I have one to giveaway to today’s lucky winner! Flea Market Style is loaded with practical and fun ideas and tips on creating a vintage or re-purposed look for your own home. From inspiring projects and entertaining ideas, to decorating and how-to tips, you will find endless inspiration from the pages of this premiere issue.
As Star Tribune reporter Kim Yeager writes, “Readers still bereaved over the loss of Domino, Country Home, Cottage Living and other home publications don’t have much longer to wait for the new mag in town. Flea Market Style, edited by Long Lake junking maven Ki Nassauer and New Hampshire-based lifestyle expert Matthew Mead, is trickling on to newsstands now.” Others on the editorial team include: graphic designer Stacey Willey, writers Linda MacDonald and Sarah Egge, photographer Jenny Mead, stylist/photographer Heather Bullard and antiques expert Tim Luke. Yes, an all star team from the flea market, vintage, and country decor scene assembled this new magazine.
Oh, another teaser for you… one of those wonderfully creative team members will be interviewed by me in my upcoming Interview Series…. keep reading in the weeks ahead for that post!
So, start commenting and the winner for the magazine will be chosen from those entries posted before 11:59 pm CST today, March 30th. The winner will have just enough time to read the magazine and prepare for the spring flea markets just around the corner….
