This Little Light of Mine!

      My hubby finished restoring the glass chandelier I found and now it hangs beautifully in the hallway bathroom.

      You can view before and after pictures in a previous post "Chandelier Restored". But, now I've gotta show you what I found last week. Yes, another beautiful light fixture. I was actually on my way out of the store and spotted it lying on a shelf. This beauty only cost me $3.99!

     I will have my husband paint the base white for an updated look and then mount to the ceiling in the hallway bathroom. It's really beautiful and will go perfectly with the cut glass chandelier.  I can hardly wait until it's finished and share with you the outcome.

     Here's some pictures of how it looks now.

     Enjoy!

Before 

Another angle

"New Venture"

     Attention! Attention! "The Blue Farmhouse" has ventured out into new territory. I'm pleased to announce that my daughter Ryan creator of "The Blooming Thread" and I have a vendor's booth at "Sweet Repeats". I'm very pleased to share this space with Ryan and I'm looking forward to see where will this adventure will lead me. Ryan is experiencing great success with her business and I just hope some of her successes rub off on me.

     What I have found out so far is it takes time, (although it's only been a couple of weeks now that we have set up shop) tagging everything, picking out the right tags and so on. I want every piece that I place in that space to speak loud and clear "The Blue Farmhouse's" style. In fact, I won't put anything in the shop that I wouldn't put in my home. Now, that's a tall order because I absolutely love living with the things that I have found over the years.

     I'm also confident that you will too, so here's some photos of me getting things ready for our space at "Sweet Repeats". Come by for a visit or leave a comment and let me know what you think.

     Wish us luck!

Remember this frame

Packing things

Suitcases and quilts

More things

Green glass collection

Setting up shop

Another look

Stopping by for a visit

Flowers by "The Blooming Thread"

Chandelier Restored!

     I'm so excited to share with you a few pictures of the glass chandelier that I recently wrote about in "Look What I Found."

     However, what I can't share are photos of the meticulous hours of workmanship my husband put into this lamp. He is my biggest fan and I couldn't do this without him. We love many of the same things so when we go antiquing he goes in one direction and I go in the other and we meet at the register.

     The chandelier looks great with or without the white lamp shades and it would work great in any room. Now, I'm just waiting for my husband to sew a white cord cover (he's an excellent tailor). He really is very good at sewing.

     I'm very happy with the outcome and this is a find that I'll always cherish. Enjoy and let's go treasure hunting!

Before Picture

After Picture

I love this chandelier

Another angle

"Not Your Grandma's Country"

     The barometer I use to make sure that my designs stay fresh and updated are these 2 things: When my daughter Ryan says, "Mom I want that", after a day of thrift stores and antiquing and just being true to my decorating vision and personal style.

     There's an old proverb that says, "there's nothing new under the sun" and I believe that this is true of design. Inspiration is all around us be it through people we aspire to emulate, nature, magazines and the list could go on and on.

     My daughters have grown up seeing me garden, antique shopping and dream of one day having my own shop. I will never forget what Ryan said to me once when she relocated to where we currently reside. Her father gave her directions to our new house and when she arrived she said, "Mom I knew this was the house when I saw all the flowers outside".

     I personally love Ryan's style and enjoy reading her blog. She inspires me! Honestly, I can't believe that I am so blessed to be the mother of these beautiful young ladies and I tell them all the time, "You'll grow up and be just like me (loving blue and white) and hopefully dream bigger and go farther.

      I already see signs of their unique styles as they create and forge their own fashion styles and eventually one day their homes.

     So it is true....like mother....like daughter!

Creator of "The Blooming Thread"

Me and My Beautiful Daughters

"Picket Fences"

     I'm thrilled to introduce you to another gorgeous shop "Picket Fences" and owner Leanne on California's central coast. I felt honored to have finally met Leanne because I have personally shopped in her store and she follows my blog!

     Picket Fences is located in Solvang, California a beautiful quaint Danish community filled with boutiques of every kind, art galleries, culinary delights, vineyards and so much more. Trust me if you have never made this place a destination spot you will soon after viewing these pictures. Her shop really needs no introduction except to those shoppers who have never visited yet, so sit back and enjoy!

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. I have been in business for 11 years. I was in a partnership with my cousins until they retired about 2 years ago.

Q. What do you believe is the secret to your shops success?
A. I think that the right answer is obvious for me because it's my faith, hard work and of course, you have to love what you do.

Q. Where do you draw inspiration?
A. Magazines, HGTV, blog spots and I just recently discovered Pinterest and of course, I love antiquing.

Q. What are your future dreams for yourself and your business?
A. Well, to continue enjoying what I'm doing. I love meeting new people and we have clientele from many different places. I have become friends with many of them and it's always good to see them again.

Me and Leanne

I love the sparkle of this table

The Garden section

More of the Garden

Beautiful Bedroom and accessories

Gracious shop owner

     Thank you Leanne for your graciousness and I wish you continued success in the future. It's shops like yours that remind me that I too love decorating, antiquing and meeting people like you!

     Sincerely, The Blue Farmhouse