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Sunday

What a Journey

I have spent the last year on the hunt. Looking for anything I thought would go in our "new old " house.

I spotted this sink and I  knew it was just right for my studio.

 I didn't know where this door would end up, but it certainly had the right look.

 Same thing for this door....
Notice the cabinets to the left. Potential bathroom vanities.

 This cabinet may be a little more Shabby than Chic, but I think I will get Mr. Ella to spruce it up a bit for my butler's pantry.

Finding leaded glass windows to fit the transoms was a challenge, but I think this one will work!
If you want to see more hop on over to my other blog

Wednesday

Let the Tours Begin


Where have I been? I have been busy packing boxes for the move to our Romantic Prairie Home, fluffing the booth and also finding a little inspiration touring some homes decorated for the Holidays.


 
We found some little birdies...


Some "less is more" Christmas decor.


Then on Sunday, I went with a group of ladies down to the Highland Park tour.
 These homes were definitely luxurious to say the least. Photo taking wasn't really allowed, but I did manage to snap a couple of pics.
 I love this idea. Do you think Mr. Ella would do the "eye roll thing" if  I suggested we paint this on our wooden floors in the Master Bath?  

Friday

Touches of Christmas

 I have been adding a few Christmas touches at the Antique Mall...
Just a little bit here and there.



Even in my NEW space at the front part of the store! I moved out of my back corner booth and up to the front where I have plenty of room to have some FuN!


When you walk in the store I am the second space to the left.
Stop by often as I add more and more layers of goodies!

Tuesday

Unpacked

Well, I have unpacked my bags from Hico and  have been  playing catch up ever since.
I was talking to another dealer the other day and she was telling me how she and her husband were starting to slow down. All I could think to myself is that my life seems to be speeding up.  
You know what I mean?
My sweet friend, Jo Carol, made these pillows. Wouldn't they make the best wedding present?

There was inspiration around every corner.


Even triangles!


Thursday

A great show!

What a fun time we had in Hico! I want to thank all of you that came out to this small wonderful corner of the world.

The focal point of our booth was a corner that Mr. Ella put up using 3 sheets of plywood. I covered them with random burlap pieces and coffee sacks. Staple guns rock!!
 Across the top of the corner we put a wire grid decorated with burlap netting swagged on a
giant shovel (9ft.). I have three of these shovels and think they will make great curtain rods...
Swinging over to the other side of the booth, we had our check-out and some of our signs that we design and make. They were a big hit and we will sell these on a cash and carry basis at the Dallas Market in January.
 I am kinda big into natural elements. The mesquite beans drew quite a few comments.

The door knob stands are also one of the products we will be selling at the Dallas Market.

 I am also planning on doing some creative and quirky display ideas.
 Burlap ribbon will of course be one of my specialty items!
Also in Hico I carried these beautiful pillows by Judith Ann.
She will soon have these on Etsy for sale. I will put a link on my blog when she does so  that you can go Christmas shopping!
Monica of Joshlyn Photography came by and took this photo of me.
I just loved all of the people I met and was truly enriched by the weekend.

Hico

We made it to Hico and are ready for customers! I am too tired to describe any pics,
so you are on your own....
The lighting made my photos a little blurry. I will take more
photos tomorrow of it all and other great booths too.





Hope you can come by and visit!

Wednesday

Hints of Hico

The staging of a show is crazy, but it is something I have to do before hand to see how everything will play together. I marked out the size of my space for the Hico Antique Show in my garage. Then I started playing. I wanted to see how it would all look and also if it would fit in a 12' X 15' space. Oh, and not to forget the 5' x 8' trailer. I think Mr. Ella has a shrinking machine hidden somewhere, because someway, somehow he jams it all in our tiny trailer. It may not even be Halloween yet, but Ella is decorating for Christmas in Hico!
I hope to see you there...

Industrial Chic

In the past when someone would ask me what my decorating style was I would fumble around with words trying to explain my look. I have now decided to call it Industrial Chic. 
A mix of metals stirred up with a touch of crusty chippy pieces.

 I love to think of ways to take ordinary utilitarian objects and give them a new life and purpose.

 Mr. Ella brings in a softer edge with bold
architectural elements.
We are having so much fun with this style because it just brings a new meaning to recycling.
Bringing the old into the future. 
I love it...
See ya next time and have a great week!

Friday

Hico - Here we come!!

 Mr. Ella and I are gathering our goods to take to the Homestead Antique Fair at the end of this month.  A hint of what we will be selling has to do with my new obsession. Triangles. Last year it was circles. This year I am still loving all things round, but seem to be pulled toward anything that has a triangle shape.

 I found these old factory molds and thought they looked like Christmas trees.
Can you see it?

Monday

Round Top & Warrenton

 Mr. Ella and I just came back from Antique Week in the Round Top area. We mainly shop the fields in Warrenton when we are there.You just never know what you will find .  I was taking a short cut between some buildings when I spotted these cute blue chairs. They didn't come home with me though.

 We stopped by Zapp Hall. 

 These metal shelves did come home with us. They are really cool because they fold up. (We had just bought some other wonderful metal shelves and they wouldn't fit in our trailer, so we had to get our money back...)
 I loved the industrial twist on this farm table and wanted it 
sooo much. Mr. Ella didn't.
 He like this more traditional one. He promised to build me a table.
It will  be the best.
 We were hunting for a mantel to put in our historic home. We loved this tall one with a mirror, but after thinking about it, I decided it would limit my seasonal decorating.
 I liked this one, but it was just okay.
 This one caught my eye, but it still was not the one. 
Notice the pink bucket of water and the brown grass?
If you wanted to smoke a cigarette, you either had to be near a bucket of water or have a cup/bottle of water in your hand at the same time. It was so HOT and DRY there.

This is THE ONE. It has just enough carved details for our house. It came from a home in New Orleans. With a lot of TLC it will be spiffied up and enjoy a life in Texas.


If you are going to Antique Week I suggest you take a hat, sunscreen, light clothing and a smile!