Brimfield Round UP!

One of my favorite weeks of the year ... The Brimfield Antique Fair!

Last week I ventured out earlier in the week than I normally do.  I tend to go on Thursday's because I love Mays and J&J's Fields and that is when they both open.  But I decided to go on Wednesday this year ... you know "early bird gets the worm"!

My intention was to get back over the weekend to check out Mays and J&J, but real life does not allow one to go for two days!  Bummer!

Here are a few of the things that inspired me this year ... 

Large, beautifully bound books of old newspapers from the 1800's.  Gorgeous and I could see them actually used as an impromptu side table on their own ... you know, casually sitting there waiting for you to open them, but instead with your glass of wine on top! 

Love these carved wooden tables.  I call it the Rustic Garden Stool ...

We all might be getting a little bored with the large clamshell ... so now you can have a painted fiberglass piece of art instead.  I actually love this ... 

How about some petrified and glossed up tree trunk tables.  

The colors are stunning ... 

I am still a sucker for metal floral chandeliers.  This one was about 36" wide and I don't have anywhere to hang it.  A serious Crime.

I came home with 4 very large soup spoons for Don and 6 Gothic Forks for me. 

Yea ... I just downsized, remember??

Have you seen anything new that has inspired you lately? Please share!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo, kim

Chair Addiction ... The Reality!

Hi My name is Kim Macumber and I have a Chair (and possible sofa!) Addiction.  And no matter how many steps I go through ... I am not certain I will every overcome this.

Some people (my Husband) might call this hoarding.  I have no idea what he is thinking.

I am saving history and being the most "green" a person can be.  Repurposing.  Whether I have the immediate purpose or not.  That is NOT the point.

So ... back to my addiction ... as I might not be the only one with this I thought I should share a little "new" source for you.  

This is a Louis XVI settee ... you know how I know this?  Well, I just know this ... but you know how I can find out things I don't know about styles and era's? I go here.

Perhaps you just buy things because you like them?  I have no issue with this.  You don't really care whether the styles you love are Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI, or Baroque.

But maybe when you are sitting around with the gals having a few glasses of wine, you cannot imagine the delight you will see in their eyes when you announce that you picked up this fabulous Louis XVI Chair over the weekend for a steal ... they will get wide-eyed with the whole mystery of the thing.

My husband does not give me this reaction.  You need serious friends for this!

This is a 1960 reproduction of a Bergère ... that was from my parents home.  Free to me.

And when I got it ... brown paisley.  Not my scene.

The orange leather hide was a find for $85.00 while looking for something completely different.  That is when it happens.  I had no idea what the future held for it.  But then there it was.  You can read more about this chair's adventure here.  And yes, I particularly like real furniture in the yard.

Then these two ... Fauteuils which I found at Brimfield.  I paid $250 for the pair.  I didn't haggle at all.  I was a neophyte.  My first Brimfield trip and my first ever purchase there.  I was in unknown territory and I wanted them.  Badly.  

All re-done and Red Cat Like.  

Once I started getting the hang of things I started working the system. 

 I am still uncomfortable with this.  Louis XVI Settee for $300.  Scored it for $150.  Erin was with me and we found this disaster in the field.  When I was taking it apart to recover it I found a petrified mouse.  No lie.  I immediately took it to my professional.  Some things you just have to send to others. 

 I know my limit.

I had this done for Erin's room.  She loves it and I know it will travel with her through life. All remnants of the mouse are long gone.

We had it recovered (re-built!) in an embroidered white cotton to keep it fun and flirty.  The best part is that she was with me when we were loading up the car with crazy items.  This was the last piece ... we made it fit.  You can read about this here.

So ... in my beautiful world ...  she will remember our adventure that day every time she looks or sits in this settee.  The Best part.

I have been a long supporter and shopper on OKL ... but now love the fact that they are not only a good shopping resource but you can actually learn a little about all the fabulous things that draw your attention.

Makes the whole game more fun!  Thanks OKL!

Next time your looking for something specific or want to know what it is that you have and love.  You have a new resource.  Use it!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

House Tour ... the Family Room

When we moved into our Farm Road house in 2007 I had visions of a Mid-Century Modern Living Room.  You know, where you sit all pretty on a teal velvet tuxedo sofa and sip martinis with your friends sipping with you and conversing in a very interesting manner.

Here's what happened ... I'll fill you in on some of the pieces as we go ... 

Kantha Quilt.  Brimfield Find. Duralee Fabric on Windows and Pillows.

So the room sat virtually empty with only pieces of random furniture and a baby grand piano for about 2 years.

Sad, Before State ... 

Then it was Thanksgiving and we were going to be having Christmas at our house.  For two years we let the largest "living" room in the house sit unused. Stupid.

Don, the kids and I (bad grouping) went to a big box store and bought the deal of the day ... Sofa, Loveseat and a TV for $1999.00.

Yep, we did it, I was horrified and stomped through the store having my own pity party.

Art. Mike Elsass. Abstracts on Metal.

Fake, Faux, Leather Sofas.  Oversized and COMFY.  The kids couldn't be more thrilled.  Don was keeping us on a budget.  I complained that "I am an interior DECORATOR" We cannot have these in our homes.  Besides, we would be throwing them out in a year because they would fall apart and would be gross and he would be SORRY.

Note to my clients that have husbands' that won't give up the leather sectional.  I get it!  

Antique French Step Ladder.

Just because I didn't win the sofa debate ... I marched forward bringing in color and warmth in every other aspect that I could.  One day they will be gone (PLEASE) ... but I kind of like the way the room turned out!

The Faux Grouping has held up to popcorn, pizza, snacks, kids lounging in all manners and the room gets used.  While I am still on a mission to change the sofas, the room makes me smile.  

I even carved out my own little corner.

Chair, Brimfield Find.

Secretary, English Antiques, Atlanta.

This Secretary has served as an office, homework spot and all the school notebook paper, index cards, pencils etc have a nice place to live.  Thank the Lord!

Peacock Lamp. Brimfield Find. Antique Family Bibles.

The TV is over the fireplace and we NEVER use this fireplace ... so here's where I have a little fun changing up the look each season.

Brass Planter.  Estate Sale Find.

I believe we all have pieces of furniture that probably aren't our first pick.  But in this true "family" room ... we are all happy and I don't have a freak if anyone spills or puts their feet on the table.  

Real Life.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-Its ...

I have fallen in love with Instagram.  

Seriously, it is easy, fun and catches my life on the go.

Go here to follow me ... would love to share with you!

1. Oldest German Pub in Boston.  Good Beer Drinking!

2. Found the baskets at Brimfield.  I'm going to be giving you some love next week!

3. Dresden Porcelain Rams Head Ice Bucket.  $2200.00.  Not giving you this!

4. Faux Bamboo, Hollywood Regency Dining Table.  Could be Cocktail Table.  Interested?

5. North End Flowers.

6.  Customizing Guest Towels for my Powder Room.  I swear it is almost Done!

7.  Chinese Junk Boats painted on Silk Prints.  About to be Redone.

8.  Successful Day at Brimfield.  Need more Trunk Space!

9. Colorful. End of Summer.  Nautical.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

How did I not know?

Happy Monday my friends!  

You know I love a good Brimfield find.  And here is one that I missed last month. 

 I will hunt them down in September.  Please, please ... let them be there in September!!

These blue and white bags are by Ahinsa Lifetime Weavers.  A company based in Massachusetts that creates opportunities for income and growth for the workers that hand weave these bags with cotton and banana fibers in Karnataka, India.

I love how the basket sits ready at the waiting for a beautiful laundry setting in this French Inspired Farmhouse in Los Angeles.

These might even make ME want to do laundry!

Via

Brimfield is BIG.  Really BIG.  If anyone knows what field these were in, please share!

Hope it is a good week for you ... wherever your hunt takes you!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

What goes Around ... Comes Around!

Yesterday at Brimfield was a Ball!!  I really didn't buy much ... but the inspiration was mind boggling!!  So much to see and getting to know the dealers is more than half of the fun for me.

I am going to share with you my most AMAZING FIND!

This Bird .... 

You see, I grew up with this Bird.  Actually, there were two.  As many of you know, last August my Mother passed away and I was faced with the task of moving my Father and cleaning out their home.  I kept so much that was special and I tried to find a home for everything.  But some things I just had to let go.  

The Two Started Here ... 

On My parents' mantel ...  You know how in life certain things actually TAKE life?  This Pair was a constant conversation piece ... they moved from the kitchen, to my Dad's desk to the mantel and back again, many times.

I chose to let them go.  And as sometimes things do, I have thought of them often!

And Today I was re-united!  Sadly, only one ... I hope the other is on a grand adventure!

I asked the woman where she found it.  Florida, she said ... I told her the story ... and she kind of looked at me as if I was totally off -kilter.  Perhaps.

But you see, I know this is My Bird ... 

Years ago my Mother had her kitchen painted yellow ... and the painters left a drip.  We never tried to take it off.

Here's the drip on the Bird at Brimfield ...

And here's the drip on the Bird on My parents' Mantel ... 

It was actually more than I could ask for ... Seeing this today made me smile ... Selling for $175.00!

I left it there.  To make a new life ... I wonder where his mate is?  Although had I only found the Mate today (without the paint drip!), I would just be able to guess if it were mine or not. 

The Thrill of the Hunt ... which has always been my favorite part!  

What Goes Around ... Eventually Comes Around!

Have a fabulous weekend!  I have to tell you ... Monday's post on my home is going to be postponed till next week!  I am off to BlogFest in NYC ... and promise to bring you lots of fun and inspiration from the Show!!

Please follow me on Instagram so you can experience Blogfest with me first hand!!

xo,

kim

Spray Painting and Brimfield ...

So much fun today ... please pop over here to see my post at ...

And while I am over THERE ... I am ACTUALLY  headed to Brimfield today ...

The MOTHER of all antique and junk fairs!!

Follow me @KimMacumber on Instagram to see all the Inspiration I find!!

xo

kim

Curve balls and Brimfield ...

Erin and I were supposed to start our drive this morning to take her to Auburn.  She is living in an apartment for her Junior and Senior years and we have had such fun this summer finding  and repurposing for her little apartment.  Trying to keep us both remembering that this is a COLLEGE apartment.  It needs to be fun, but cheap!!  We don't need any fine pieces ... but want some style!

Here are a few things that we found at Brimfield earlier this month.

A few accessories to add to her bookshelves and for her bathroom!

The large tins for art over their IKEA Ektorp Sofa ... which I am convinced is the best college piece of furniture ever!

Cooper is convinced that this means someone is about to throw a ball for him!

 Two little chairs for their small balcony ...

The dough bowl and french linen are mine ... just thought they looked fun in the loot shoot!!

The dogs were please with our find ... and Byron continues to nurture Murphy!

Erin has been working so hard at school and her job this summer Don and I decided to get the Denali fixed up and let her have it to take back to school.  This also gave us the freedom to shop here as we would have plenty of hauling space!

Then the curve ball ... 

Good news ... all are healthy, no one hurt, and we bought ourselves a couple more days home with her.  We'll be flying out later this week and when the car is fixed we can re-schedule our road trip!

Life's curve balls ... making the best of 'em!

xo,

kim

One Room Challenge - Week 3

This week is going to be a Putting Together ... of sorts.  We need furniture and you know we are working on something custom ... and please, custom by someone else, not ME!!

Here's what is happening now.  While considering seating for our keeping Room we came up with three descriptives:

Traditional yet Comfy 

Casual but Neat

Slipped for Easy Cleaning

Slipped Sofa

Our room is a nice size, but because it is also in an entryway with heavy use we don't want to overwhelm the space with furniture.  So we found the above Slipped Sofa comes in A SASSY Chair and A HALF  Yes, not as big as a loveseat but bigger than a Chair!


We are replacing this table for two of these in this space:

Perfect, we'll take two! But we want them in a white Denim Cotton to go along with our Duralee Fabric for the windows:

Duralee

For the window treatments we found my favorite Iron rods from Pottery Barn ... the reason I like them?  They are simple, clean and no finials to "fuss up" the room!!  Although I prefer their "looped" rings ... the clips look a little cheap to me ... and if we are adding custom curtains ... we are not going for a cheap look!!

Hardware

Can you see where we are headed?  We ditched the yellow and the red ... for a more calm and neutral palate for our room ... but we still love and want color ... so our punch is going to come from:


These amazing suzani pillow covers I found at Brimfield in May!

They are going to give our neutral zone a pop of color and happiness!!  And ... you are sneaking a peek at our Sutton Slipped Chair and A Half in White!! ... wait till you see the whole thing!


Disclaimer ... there are no dogs in this house!!!!!  Which make white a much easier choice than normal!!


Things are pulling together ... make certain to check in next week!


I am going to feature 5 days of Custom Furniture and the ORC Special Piece on Wednesday!


Don't forget to check in with our other ORC's to check in on their progress!!


xo,


kim

Beth - Chinoiserie Chic                    Lauren - The Cottage Mix

Sherry - Design Indulgence             Lindsay - Everything LEB

Barbara - Hodge:Podge                   LisA - Lisa Mende Design

Tiffany - Living Savvy                       Jessie - Mix & Chic

Linda - My Crafty Home Life           Alison - My Little Happy Place

Danylle - Nana Moon                       Nicole - Nicole Scott Designs

Julia - Pawleys Island Posh             Jennifer - The Pink Pagoda

Bethany - Powell Brower Home      Lindsay - The Pursuit of Style

Emily - Rue de Emily                         Lindsay - Sadie + Stella

Lisa - Trapped in North Jersey

And then, there was this ...

This Union Jack Rug was in several colors ... The Nomadic Trading Company takes Vintage Rugs and over-dye them to create a new look.  Finding a new way to re-purpose old rugs.  I love this.  There was a Union Jack in Orange.  I am still wishing it were mine.

Red. Stunning. Different.

Wonderfully soothing patchwork.

For the Pink Movement.

Just another reason I love Brimfield ... a place to discover and see the old become new again.

xo,

kim

Bring in the Clams at Brimfield!

Large Clamshells have had a starring role for a while in decorating... I do love the look, but sometimes start to shy away from something because it seems so normal or expected.  Then, with the clamshell ... I still snoop around for a good buy and see if I can't incorporate one in my life in some way.  Here's the deal, the real ones, like this one, are pricey.  Brimfield was selling large ones for $600 - 800.00.  A little  (lot!) more than I want to pay!

While looking for something "new" this weekend I came across this absolutely drop - dead gorgeous Fan Coral ... It was exactly what I have been looking for to replace the clamshell urge.  I had it all planned in my head.  I bet they'll negotiate, it is late on Saturday and dealers are starting to pack up.  

My head was wrong ... price tag: $900.00.  No deals.  I had to leave it there, I hope it finds a warm home and will stunningly grace a sideboard somewhere and be happy!  It just won't be mine!!

So ... I have moved back to the clamshell!

Look how fun for a summer bar set up ...

Elle Decor

This is my favorite way to use a shell ... for a  floral display on a dining room table or sideboard.  I think the natural roughness is a beautiful contrast to a traditional polished wood piece of furniture.

Coastal Living

So, would you pay this money ... or would you opt for the Ballard Designs Resin look alike for $129.00??  Fake and reasonable, or real and pricey?

xo,

kim

Brimfield ... goes Chic

While yesterday I posted about the Industrial Look of Brimfield ... today I will take you down to the end of a typical Brimfield "row" to find a large white flowing tent with soothing music.  It will pull you in ... what an amazing store awaits under the draping.   These beautiful pillows, slipcovers, nightgowns, and furniture cloaked in linen caused me to have a small sigh of delight!  Honestly, I had to stop and kind of twirl to take it all in!!

The European Linens are exquisite in look and feel ...

Gorgeous slipcovers to be custom made to fit all the antiques you find during your hunt!

Another change in Brimfield, and actually very smart marketing and exposure.  This basic storefront takes the "flea" out of the market!  The space was beautiful and the products are scrumptious!  Pandora de Balthazar is a beautiful source for European Linens and Bedding.

They are based in Pensacola, Florida and have a storefront there ... but evidently they make the rounds at antique shows.  If you have a chance to visit anywhere ... I strongly recommend it! A very interesting story on how they began and their founder ... check out their website here.

xo,

kim