Brimfield ... and Why I love my Car!

Another one of my favorite things about living in New England ... the Brimfield Antique Market!  The first time I went, I was in such shock I came home empty handed!  It was too much, I couldn't wrap my arms around it ... it is amazingly HUGE!!  But that was the first time, NOW ... I am prepared and I have a ball every time I go, and generally have a list!  I have also figured out my favorite fields and head there first.  This summer when my daughter, Erin, was home from college ... we loaded ourselves up and headed out ... in the Denali!!  I LOVE this car.  Yes, it allows me to cart my children and their friends and all of our dogs anywhere they need to go.  Friends even borrow it during graduation ceremonies to load millions of balloons and cart their children to birthday parties!  Besides all that, I love to HAUL things!!!  She has 135,000 miles and was built in 2002!  As as much as I'd like to trade it in ... I can't!  We have come to love one another and she proves her worth every day!!

This is the arrival home from Brimfield!  The nice young men who sold me the wicker sofa helped me load this and even gave me their bungee cords to tie it down!!  Did I mention I am a sucker for wicker????  I think it comes from sitting on my Grandmother's wicker sofa on her porch in Alabama ... I still have that sofa and it makes me smile!

Yes, I brought home THREE sofas and assorted other goodies.  The striped sofa went to a client for her living room, It is from the late 1700's and has such a beautiful and regal shape.  I will show after photos soon!

 Don tries to remember he loves me!  The boys are checking things out ...

FABULOUS French Settee for $200.00.  Yes, it will make up for the cost when I have to re-build, re-upholster and buy fabric ... but still ... isn't it the bomb????  What about these prints ... 5 of them ... original sketches from 1932.  They are all "city" scenes.  I am doing a little research to see if I can find out a little more!

 Chair and rocker to complement the wicker sofa!

This might have been my favorite find of the day ... 4 volumes of "The South - The Building of a Nation".  These came from New Hampshire ... I must have a southern soulmate somewhere up here and she knew I needed these.  Not to mention they are simply beautiful books with a wonderful patina.

Keys ... we love these in our house!  THREE are for old secretaries I have without keys.  ONE went to my mom who needed one for her secretary and ONE to school with Erin for her bulletin board.

All of these things need a little love and attention ... They are all "under renovation" as we speak ... I will  report back with photos of their "coming out" party!!

Happy hunting and picking!!

xo,

Kim

Art ... and Jane Feigenson

One of the toughest things I do as a designer is choosing art for my clients.  It is not hard because I can't find what I like, I just consider art very personal.  There is a fear about art.  It is my opinion that art should be purchased because you love it, not because the colors match the room you are decorating and I don't believe in buying pictures just to fill a space on a wall.

I prefer originals!  And that doesn't mean you have to have a lot of money, I consider my children's paintings "originals" and I would rather have those hanging in my house than an overproduced image that you can buy in any bog box store.  

It is also an interesting adventure when a couple is deciding on art for their home.  From my own experience when Don and I are looking at art together, there are pieces he loves that I don't, and those that speak to me, but not to him.  When we find an artist or piece that we both love, it makes it even more special.

One of our favorite emerging artist's is Jane Feigenson.  She was kind enough to tell me a little about what moves her to create and show a few pieces of her work ... so I can share with you!

Jane:  I should I have known that as a young kid, I had a creative spirit when I used to play "art gallery".  I would make crayon drawings and post them up setting up a gallery.  I would invite my family to look and buy!!!  Growing up I loved to draw and would take classes at the museum schools.  I lost my way as I had and have a very active full time job in the corporate world.  I began to feel stuck and claustrophobic.  I needed balance and an outlet.  So I signed up for an art class and found my voice.

I do believe art is life.  I learn every day as I paint and create.  I play around with materials and find ways to break all the traditional rules of "art".  I wish the process were easy but for me but it is painful.  It is an organic process that takes time, and a lot of patience.  Working in abstract is like jumping into dark waters.  It is vast and scary but in the end developes into hopefully a great piece that shows my journey, my marks, and depth.

In my opinion, there really is no good or bad art.  I believe it is what the individual likes and feels when they look at a piece.  Learning about art takes time. It is like wine.  When I was a young I thought Riunite was a groovy and great wine.  Now I appreciate wines that are more.

I love when I show my work at an open studio, and watch as people look, study and connect to one of my paintings.  It is the best feeling. Connecting in life is what we all strive for and I feel so blessed when that connection happens.
Thank you Jane!  You can find out more about Jane and her art at janefeigenson.net.  
Happy Monday!
xo,
Kim