It's about time!

Well, it's about time.  Here it is at the end of June, and I have just now managed to get my side porch ready for summer.  There was the pollen issue and probably, if truth be told, a few Christmas tree pine needles scattered about.  I'm not showing a before picture because it is just too darn embarrassing!

When I was sweeping, the rug I had started to shred, so a new one was in order.  The cushion that had been in the chair was mildewy, despite being an indoor/outdoor one.  So off I went in seach of a few things to spruce it up.

Found this one, which was one of two, at Tuesday Morning for $5 for both--what a deal!  Now the side p0rch has a new mat.  

This corner was just cleaned and straightened.  I went with an asparagus fern this year--mostly because I found it at Kroger for $5.99.  And, it was a different look.

Found the chair cushion at Tuesday Morning.  It has enough texture to hide outside stuff that gathers.  It was indoor/outdoor, so it was on sale.  And, that cute dragonfly pillow is my accent.  Found it on sale at Target.  It isn't indoor/outdoor, but for $5.90 I can replace next year. 

So, finally done.  Now maybe visitors won't think they are at the wrong address.

I am still working on screened porch, however, I do have two areas finished.

The Italian bunny planter is one of my favorites.  I got it at a warehouse sale in Atlanta years ago.  The hydrangea is a new look----only $7.99 at Trader Joe's.  They definitely have great plants and prices.

Finally, here is the only wall on my screened porch.

The shutters are ones I found on our trip to Cincinnati last summer.  The wonderful cement wall planter was a birthday gift from my sweet daughter.  The lamp was a consignment purchase.  I had to have it 'cause I do have a love for Chinoisserie/Palm Beach looking things.  It reminds me of something that would have been at The Cloister before they remodeled it (but not with a burlap shade!)  

These may be all of the pictures of the screened porch that you will get, unless I can make myself finish it.  I tend to be a 2/3 finisher---think of it, start it but not finish it!

                                                              Karan

A gallery wall

I've been in the process of painting my living room for a couple months now.  I finally got tired of staring at all of the art I took off the wall.  I couldn't come up with where I wanted to put everything, so I knew it was time to call in the big guns. I promised Mom some cold Pinot Grigio if she'd come help me get out of the mental block I was in about hanging things back up.
  

Here's the before shot of my stairwell, pre-paint.  The color was Alexandria Beige by Benjamin Moore. It was a lovely color and did well for me for 7 years, but it was time for a change. I wanted something lighter, fresher and a good neutral palette for all my junk collections. Since my humble abode only has one bathroom,  most everyone has to travel upstairs at some point or another to use the bathroom.  It might as well look nice right?

Same stairwell, post - paint and pics! The new color is Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore. It's a nice transformation if I do say so myself!

Allison

I forgot our anniversary!

Oh my - I feel like the stereotypical spouse who forgets their anniversary.  We just realized that last week we have been in business for 11 years!!!  Woohoo!! Time flies when you are having fun.

Here is a photo of Allison and me on the first day of the first shop, dated June 5, 2002.  Seems I may have picked up a few wrinkles.  However, I did learn about hair color! 

For those of you who didn't know us at our first location down the street, this is a picture of our front door.  We had killer, big, picture windows on either side that we were constantly filling with goodies.              

After three years, we knew we needed to expand.  So, we decided to move down the street to our current location.  While Allison and I were at market, the girls moved us.  It was a BIG job!  Hazel and Anita are getting out the last dregs.

They were still pouring the concrete as we were moving in.  Anne was in a supervisory role.

It took us almost a week to get things moved and set up.   Wow, we felt so good that we had so much new space.  We finally had room to have Lucy come to work.  She loved it, and the customers loved her.  

Naturally, we had to celebrate with wine!  Anita was on it :)

I have been so blessed to have such good friends help me through this amazing journey.  Some have moved on and we have 'adopted' some new ones.   My family has also pitched in at one time or another.

Of course, none of us would be employed without our consignors and customers.  

Many thanks.

                                                Karan

Table Talk

Well, I'm back from the beach, and it's way past time to update the blog.  Most of the problem with writing a blog is subject matter.  In my mind, it's a fine line between something interesting and something boring.

Today, as we were shifting stuff around the shop (which as most of you know is an hourly occurrence), we came across this pitiful table top.  

So tired and thirsty (kind of like me sometimes!)  Well, Sarah whipped out the Restore-a-Finish.  What a difference!

We carry this stuff because it's so darn good.  You can see the left side is done, and the right side isn't.

Here is the final finish.

All of the difference in the world--right?!

Now if I had a decent camera that I knew how to use, you would REALLY  be impressed.

We were so smitten with our 'new' surface that we decided to really dress it up.

We have just gotten in these pieces of Wedgewood's "Flying Cloud" pattern.  Then we have this great Pottery Barn lantern.   Next we found these 2 red pottery pots--perfect.  Then, of course, a table setting needs glasses.  AND, one is never enough.  Finally, we have these napkins that go with a tablecloth to put out.  

We would so set a table like this when friends and family come over.  Here's to a shrimp and grits kind of dinner!

Karan

A Little R&R

I'm heading off tomorrow for a little R&R.  I'm meeting a group of girlfriends at Southern Shores in Nags Head.  To me, that's the best R&R. 

                              

With just the girls, you can:

1.  Stay in your PJ's all day long if you want to.

2.  Sleep as late as you want because you don't have to tend to someone else's breakfast (or lunch if you REALLY sleep in!)

3.  Go shopping without having to tell anyone you won't buy much or the time you will be back.

4.  Depending on what you do, there's no makeup or much hair care involved.

5.  Dinner can be wine and cheese and crackers---no planning and shopping and cooking.  UNLESS you want to.

6.  No one else's laundry, towels, etc. to have to deal with.

7.  You can read, take a 'drop-down' as my friend, Hazel,  says (AKA a nap!) any time you want.

8.  You can stop anywhere, anytime, for how ever long on the trip down and back.  


Now, I love my family to pieces - and I enjoy our trips to the beach together.  Here's a throwback picture of Allison and me at Myrtle Beach many moons ago...

         

 BUT, girlfriend trips just fill a real 'rest and relax' niche.

When I get back, I will have:  

1.  My husband's office move with which I am involved.

2.  A bridal portrait bouquet.

3.  A dining room table arrangement for a party.

4.  5 centerpieces for a bridal shower.

Will be thinking about this (not) when I'm trying to decide whether to have beer, wine, or something with an umbrella.

See y'all in a few----------

                                                      Karan

Wedding flowers

Back in March we did flowers for a wedding in Williamsburg.    The ceremony was in the Wren Chapel at the College of William and Mary.  What an historic place for a wedding!

The reception was held at the Alumni House of W&M.  The bride, Meg, was a long-time family friend of Allison's husband, Jon.  The colors were blues, greens, purples and yellows.

We think they turned out well, and the bride and her mom were pleased.   That's a score in our world!

Congratulations Meg and Brian!

The Lay of the Land

When I go home to visit my mom in my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, I go  on what I call my 'morning coffee tour'.  Instead of making a pot of coffee for just me, I go to a close-by Hardees and get a large coffee.  Then, I take off on my tour.

Huntsville is a beautiful city.  The landscaping is really nice and, in many cases, different from what we are accustomed to seeing here in Virginia.  The areas that I usually cruise are the Twickenham, Five Points, and Blossomwood areas.  

This last time, Allison was home with me.  I drove and she snapped photos of landscaping that we like so we could 'de-construct' it to apply to our yards.

This one is owned by a landscaper!  The tiered stone levels with the plantings make this just lovely.  This is not a large yard at all.  In this particular neighborhood, the '50's red brick ranchers and cottages are being bought and completely re-modeled.  This was a little red brick house with white shutters and a centered front door.  Now look at it!  I am amazed at the creativity some of these folks have.

This is an older home that has more simple shrubbery design with just boxwoods.  But what makes this so great, is the similax vine growing over the entire porch.  Many of the homes have big front porches and most of those have smilax vines growing over them.  The columns, rails and colors are so well chosen.  If you look closely, you will see a lamp on a table.  Many of the porches have lamps on tables along with seating arrangements.  It looks so inviting at night to see the lamp light.

This garden had a great mix of shrubs and perrenials.
We figured out that they plant to the edge which would help  keep weeds at bay.  The bird house gives it some nice height and structure.

And, finally, the symmetry of this starting with the planters at the front door leading to the planters down the steps was just perfect.

Now, can we find the time and ability to execute any of these ideas?  Wishing, hoping, thinking and praying so!!!

                                                        Karan