Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fall Mantels


Boy am I lucky! I already have the perfect backdrop for a Fall mantel! We found this painting in Canada and absolutely loved it!  I added a few Fall leaves that the kids found last year (we pressed them), some grapevine balls, a copper kettle that I already had and a leaf dish. 


In the Library, which dates back from 1789, there is a wonderful old fireplace which had an insert put into it years ago. In keeping with that design, I keep the lanterns on it all year round. I change it seasonally and now it is ready for Fall!


All of these pieces are in my house and I just rearrange them. All I added were the cornstalks and the garland. 



Happy Autumn!!
Meg


             

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

It's a Small World



 Wow! I cannot believe that is has almost been a full year since our first Barn Sale! This past weekend we held our first Fall themed Sale and we teamed it up with History. How apropos, since so many people from my past entered over the threshold into the barn. Some were expected guests..others came from out of the blue. All were wonderful! I know this seems a bit redundant but the world is certainly growing smaller and seems to get even smaller as we age. The connections between people who know people, who we know, who knew others, who knew others where we live are astounding if we all open up enough to ask a question or two. You can often find a wealth of information...if you ask. I thoroughly enjoyed the people that I met at this last Barn Sale and am very thankful for the people who returned from our last one! 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 


There is nothing like a person coming back the next day and exclaiming that the plates they bought the day before looked perfect on their mantel so they had to come get some more! Such heart and soul is put into selecting which products are ordered, which piece of furniture is refinished, what colors are used, and how things are displayed. This is all done to evoke a feeling when you walk into the barn...one that makes you feel like you are somewhere else. It is not about what we sell...sure that is important...but I could sell over the internet. If I did that though, it would not be as personal. I LOVE getting to know the people that walk into the barn! and I LOVE to know that they feel it too, they get what we are trying to achieve. That is payment in full!

Soooo...a heartfelt thank you to all of you who came in to enjoy Life's Patina this past weekend on the beautiful Fall days that we had! To those who could not make it this time around, here is a snapshot of what you missed and sure hope you can become part of that small world next time! 


harvest table...


history...



Halloween Fun...






equine adoration...


Silver and white...


and green...



a touch of whimsy...


words of wisdom...


original pieces...


refinished ones...


industrial chic...


french elegance...


continued...


decorative accouterments...


Zoet Bathletier...yum!!!!


chicken feeder beverage holder...


Gypsy flea market...

A table full of bountiful blessings...all of you
Can't wait to meet more of you next time!!!
Meg



















Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Let Me Introduce You to My Artist Friend

I have referred many times since starting this blog to my "artist friend". I would like to introduce her to you since we spend such a large amount of time together...in waves...when we are getting ready for the latest Barn Sale...when I have her working on a crazy design idea for our house or when she is sharing a meal with our family in between working her busy days as a faux finish artist and then burning the midnight oil in the barn with me working on "projects." We met well over 15 years ago and since then have conspired on many design and decorating ideas whilst observing the antics of our growing family. She is a true friend indeed and a phenomenal artist! No project is too big or too daunting for her! 



Her name is Jennifer Tipka and you all need to check her out at Jennifertipkadesigns.com



She can turn your ho hum cabinets into something special with paint, she can trim out that long and boring Living room wall to make it stand out and she can paint just about anything...no power tool is a foreign object to her! I am constantly amazed by her ability and her enthusiasm. If she does not know how to do something...she will find out how!!

You will see some of her works this weekend at the Fall Sale...check it out!




Saturday, September 15, 2012

Jewelry & Cupcakes.... What more can a girl ask for?

2 Great Things that go great together... 
Jewelry and Cupcakes...and the girls who make them
will be returning to our Fall Sale

We are so pleased to have Jill Harris of Gypsy Flea Market
returning to this show with her newest creations. Jill is a creative visionary who crafts beautiful   jewelry, bags and decorative items. She incorporates vintage materials into her designs to create original one of a kind pieces.






For our spring sale many of you got to sample cupcakes made by Heather. Heather is a talented baker who has started a new business appropriately named...Batter! We are happy to have her joining us again with some exciting new flavors.  Heather's cupcakes will be available on Saturday, September 22nd so we hope you will stop by!



Sale is less than a week away...so try and make some time to stop by to see these products along with a cache' of treasures!
Meg

Monday, September 10, 2012

Handcrafted Floorcloths & Belt Buckles - two products our Vendors are bringing to the Show!

As I posted on Facebook yesterday, I would like to introduce you to some of the vendors that are coming to our Fall Sale. One of our new ladies to join the bunch is Tracey McCaron of Historic Floor Cloths. Since the theme of this upcoming show is History as well as the season of Autumn, Tracey will fit in perfectly with her beautifully painted historic canvas floor cloths. She is a published artist and we are thrilled to have her join us.
                                      Please check out her link at www.historicfloorcloths.com




"Everything Looks Better Belted" will be joining us again for a repeat visit and we are so excited to have them back, these belts are handcrafted by Terese Sides from Charlotte, North Carolina.

All are one of a kind, here is a quick preview of a few we might see!




 

Stay tuned for more previews as we work hard to get ready for the show!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

House Beautiful Magazine 1925


I just returned home from vacation to open up this package that I had ordered a while ago...an original article from the House Beautiful Magazine from 1925! I could hardly contain my excitement for the article was about our house at Willowbrook Farm AND it had pictures!!!!!!!!

I got an email  from the President of the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust asking if I knew about this article that was currently on sale on e-bay.  We are participating in the trust's historic homes tour in September and she had just visited our home. While here, she got an ear full on the house's history, compliments of yours truly...have I told you that I am passionate about history and the history of houses in particular?


I went on the link that she sent me and sure enough, there was the article for sale from a company called Period Papers. (awesome site by the way) I bought it and then had to wait until we got home to view it. Upon seeing it in the pile of mail once home, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting to dive into the surprises that awaited them! My excitement barely contained, I carefully opened it and you would have thought it was a diamond ring, a great pair of shoes, or whatever else girls are supposed to get all stupefied over ...
NOT this girl! In front of my eyes were real pictures of OUR house in 1925. We have often wondered what is still the same and what has been changed and these pictures answered some of the questions that we have slowly been uncovering.
Now if only the walls would start talking to me...I would be the happiest girl alive!

Shhhh...better not announce that too publicly or they might take me away!

Meg