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

A Shared "view"

Sometimes I wish Brooke Giannetti was a family member ... because she appreciates "Patina" ... if you are not familiar with her or her book Patina Style go get it and visit her blog Velvet and Linen.

My family doesn't always appreciate my love of "old things" ... Old houses, old furniture, flea market finds.  I love to think about where these pieces lived before I found them.  The stories they could tell, the lives they have been a part of.

Last week Don and I went up to Kennebunkport for the day ... he knows if we go I will drag him to Old House Parts.  I showed you the photo of a window I found ... I wanted it.  So he said go for it, we'll come back next week to pick it up.  We weren't in my Denali.  When I got home I looked at some old photos from a trip we took last year.  The Same Window!!  See ... it was waiting for me.  I had forgotten all about it.  It, however, never waivered and waited patiently for me!!

It was a little too tall for our house ... so the kind folks at Old House Parts took three rows off the top for me!

Out to the gravel to be cleaned and removal of some broken glass!

Murphy and Byron want to help and don't understand what I am doing with a bucket of water and why they can't drink it.

All cleaned up and just like new :)

Up off the floor to it's new home.

Somewhere, a while ago ... someone else looked through these window panes.  I don't know what their view was ... and while my "view' is just a wall ... the reflection of what might have been makes me smile.

xo,

kim

You never know ...

... where you'll find some inspiration ... or WHAT you will find!

Last week I was taking some things to my local Salvation Army.  And every time I do this, I take a spin through the furniture section ... just in case.

Here's what's camping out right now.

A French console and mirror ... truly worthy of Versailles!!  If you are in the Boston Area and looking for a deal ... this can be yours for $1400.00!!  Don't walk ... Run to the Salvation Army in Framingham!!

I only considered throwing it in the Denali for about 2 minutes.  Then I came to my senses,  Don would have killed me!!!

Hope your week is off to a good start!

xo,

kim

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