Collaborating...

Troy Antiques has added a new area in "the vault"...anything and everything baby and child...nursery, playroom, and kid's room furniture, bedding (by order at the moment), pillows, toys...and all other sorts of accessories-both vintage and re-purposed. Stop by when you can and check out the latest!
Gail (aka Miss Hettie's) found this great small platform style rocker. She painted it white and distressed it a little-and brought it to me for the fabrics. And what exactly do you do? Boy, girl, pastels, brights???? How do you know what someone will like? So, we opted for white-a cotton duck gathered skirt that ties onto the base under the seat cushion. The seat and back cushions are covered on one side in white duck and the other-an old white cotton bedspread which gives a super vintage appeal and adds great texture to the all white piece.
But I just had to add a little color, so I decided on a little 14" ruffled pillow in a sweet pink cotton rose stripe print. The pillow, I decided, could be easily changed for a different look.
This sweet chair would make a charming accent not only in a nursery, but in almost any cottage-y setting.
Special orders for nursery items welcome!

Black Vintage Settee

Bobby refinished this vintage settee in a hand rubbed, distressed black. A contemporary aqua upholstery fabric with cream chenille dots was used to recover the seat and back cushions.
This settee would make the perfect mudroom bench...or, add a couple of pillows and use it in the foyer. This versatile piece could also be used at the breakfast table as bench seating.
There are so many options for small furniture pieces...and, especially if the piece is vintage (or old)--it adds so much charm to any space.
This settee will be available at Troy Antiques on the square in Troy, Alabama.
****UH-OH****space unavailable now-check on this item in Dothan at OLD SOUTH ANTIQUE MALL!!!!!

The Stockings are Hung....it's Christmas time soon!!!

This is the time of year that your sewing speed determines your income....well, sort of. Decorators are calling, individual clients are calling....people are getting their homes ready for entertaining...it is really a fun time...and, then, the week before Christmas, Bobby and I push everything out of the way and hide our "work stuff" so that we can host a little family meal for a few of us...and...boy, would I love to be getting my house ready, too!

Bobby and I are planning some ideas for our house-and I hope maybe next year will be the year....our family is growing and I want to be able to host a family gathering or two....so, that is our plan...could there possibly be enough time to get it done before next year? But, for now....I will do my best to finish the dining rooms and family rooms and bedrooms I have promised...and, really, the weeks get faster and faster the closer it gets to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've included some photos of our "nook" space at "On the Square Antiques" in Troy. We have added a few vintage Christmas decorations to go along with the club chair and ottoman that I slipcovered in a cottage style floral Waverly fabric, prewashed and dried...also a valance in matching and coordinating fabrics-great for a home office or craft room. A few black painted side tables and a black cupboard with hand painted detail on the doors are also included in our Cottage and Cabin booth in Troy.

I have added some cabin style Christmas stockings to our spot inside Old South Antique Mall in Dothan...these are made from a charming tattered vintage quilt and burlap, and backed with cream homespun. I will take special orders on stockings using your quilt or fabrics of your choice...call soon!! And, Happy Decorating!!!

Happy Halloween and Other Issues...

It's been a busy October in my world...and, obviously the blog has gone by the wayside-but sometimes, just sometimes, you have to cry "calf-rope" and realize you just can't do it all!! Our "St. Louis" daughter came for a visit and brought her boyfriend-and, it was great!!!! All except the part where I tripped over the electrical cord and flew through the hallway only to land on my arms-full force!! OWWWWWW!!!! And, I mean that. This accident happened the day before Allie and Chris were to arrive-so, as you can imagine, I was cleaning the house and preparing partial meals (so I would not have to spend their entire visit in the kitchen). I was finishing making a chocolate cake (Allie loves chocolate...and, don't we all!!) when I remembered that I wanted to give Bobby the necessary measurements to cut boards for the roman shades that I was trying to complete-so, you see, I was cleaning and cooking and working when I remembered that I must then run to my workroom to get information...keyword (run)...So, as I hurried around the corner, I forgot that I had moved the fan, and...that's when it happened-always in a hurry to do one more thing.

Bobby just happened to be inside...and he called out "can you get up?"...and I called back..."NO"...I think I knew I could get up, but I could not hurry....So, he has offered to get me "Life Alert" so I can be safe-"ain't it great"!! Anyway, Bobby finished making the chocolate icing for the chocolate cake-and, he loved every minute of "what do I do with the rest of the icing left in the bowl? Eat it?". The rest of the day I spent moaning and groaning, but assuring myself that since I could move my arm, it must not be broken. But not only did I injure my left arm, but also my right pinkie finger-so you see, both arms-kind of hard to do any kind of sewing or cooking or... tie your shoes...

Anyway, Bobby helped me finish the roman shades that night. Allie and Chris arrived and we had a great visit! I just moved extra slowly. And, do you know it is difficult to do anything...and I mean anything, without full use of your arms-left or right.

And, two weeks later, I have been working ever so carefully and slowly-but making accomplishments-and, that's a very good thing. I don't think I have that insurance that pays when you can't work...you know, the duck.

My biggest accomplishment since "the accident" has been the eight- one and one half width drapery panels- lined and interlined-with a fabric tape sewn down the lead edges...the fabric was a beautiful green herringbone stitched silk. Bobby and I installed these panels in a master bedroom in a home in the Garden District in Dothan.

Since then, I have been making dust ruffles, tailored bedskirts and all sorts of down filled pillows and shams. I will try to take new photos soon to share.

And, Happy Halloween...from the baby....and Honey...have you ever seen a cuter "pooh"? That's another thing-there is not enough time in the world-I certainly misplanned my timing to retire...???? Can I ever??? But, I wish I was-retired- so that I could spend my days playing with this sweet pumpkin.

Speaking of Grandmothers...I found these vintage cross-stitched "Grandmother" poems...and, added new fabrics to make pillows-perfect "conversation" pillows for a rocker or sunporch swing. These pillows and lots of other new finds are available for sale at On the Square Antiques in Troy.

I enjoy blogging when I get a chance...hopefully it won't be so long before my next. Be careful out there and don't rush...you can accomplish more if you take it slower sometimes...

~Debbie

Vintage Cupboard Re-Make

I love vintage furniture...and could not resist this piece with the hammered strap hinges. I purchased this bottom kitchen cabinet and enlisted Bobby to attach the upper portion with cubbies to add height. A distressed mustard finish with black flecks and " Ta-Dah" ...a great cupboard for a French Country Kitchen or storage for a mudroom or office.

This cupboard is now for sale at Old South Antique Mall in Dothan, Alabama.