A while back I bought this old farm spool at the Habitat for Humanity Store. My friend who sells farming/landscaping equipment thought it was hilarious that I spent money on it as he said he had plenty to get rid of! Oh well, it wasn't much.
My intention of course is to turn it into a table (or two) like this...
Designer Lee Kleinhelter
via shemovesfurniture.blogspot.com
But for now, it is still sitting on my back porch. Untouched. Hopefully this blog post will serve as a motivator for a Before&After feature!
Happy New Year Folks! I am glad to be starting a new year, heck a new decade! I hope it is tops for everyone! So I went to Beaufort for Christmas and Atlanta for New Years and I am headed back to Atlanta for market. Oh how I love making that trip twice in one week (she says sarcastically). While I was there I was able to visit a few of my favorite spots-Chamblee Antique District and Kudzu Antique Mall (it is nestled between all the strip clubs on Ponce-don't be afraid). Here are some of my fabulous finds! Once again, if I had a million dollars I would have bought all that you see below. And I am just gonna throw this out there...because you never know who may be reading...if there are any obscenely wealth folks that want to invest in a bright, young (well, young-ish) designer's future...I will be happy to oblige!
I could have spent hours going through these old magazines from the 60's and 70's but my friend was being such a trooper that I didn't want to push it!
Ok, I am DYING and I mean DYING to create a kitchen around these barstools and this table...
I mean can't you just DIE!!! Industrial yellow base, zinc top...O...M...G!!!
Old metal military lockers that would be divine in my office!!!
Great bamboo barcart! And barcarts are all the rage just ask Eddie...
Super cool 40's chair. Very small and needs new upholstery but I could give it a lot of love!
I had to throw this in there as this photo of my nephew Tyler was on my camera. See, even Batman is representing a little UGA love! Do they make kids cuter than this??? I mean really...
I SO dig this abstract art! Especially the colors.
Vintage Campaign desk...would make a great desk or entry table!
I would have bought all that I saw on my shopping excursion yesterday! But alas, I do not so I will have to settle for dreaming about these fabulous finds...
I would add some wood in the middle and make the most amazing headboard ever!
Yes, I love old wood boxes.
Cool, fish etching. Guess I have a thing for fish or maybe it is just fisherman...hmmm.
As mentioned before, I am a sucker for anything zinc or galvanized. Not sure what I would put in all these compartments but I just know that I need this!
OMG how these are going to keep me up at night! Please can't some distant relative with millions die and leave me a bunch of money so I can buy material things. (kidding, sort of)
You can't tell but this sucker is HUGE! I would have a round, wood top made and covered in zinc so it would kinda feel like this...
[If only I had Lee's shop to put all my stuff in...one day...one day I say!]
I would lacquer you in something fun like orange or turquoise or French's mustard yellow!
This lamp would be divine in a little girl's room! I would design the whole room around you, you cute little thing.
Ok, so admitably (sometimes) I get distracted while shopping for clients...I collect clutches (mainly vintage) and this one was exquisite. Hard to see all the beading detail but it was so pretty. I could hear it calling me from its tiny booth!
Don't hate me! I didn't kill it. Nor do I remotely support the fur industry but it is already dead and fabricated so can't I wear it to stay warm and stylish?
I did manage to get some things that will be beautiful in client's homes (or mine-let's be honest). I will show you those gems next post!
I am a big fan of repurposing objects. Why you may ask? Well...a) Recycling is good. b) I enjoy the challenge of thinking outside the box. c) It is great to have a one of a kind piece in your home. Personally, I lean more towards adding an industrial edge than a "country with a k look"(yes, I coined that term). If you agree, I think the key is to have only one "wow" factor per room. Keep the rest of the decor clean-lined, modern and simple so that your repurposed piece can really stand out.
An old air conditioner, stripped of its motor and topped with glass makes a unique nightstand.
Old foundry parts adds to the rustic look of this living room.
Old metal drum turned side table makes an interesting conversation piece.
A pigeon coop topped with glass and with the addition of some wheels adds a little modern country flair to this room.
Antique Pedistal topped with concrete makes a statement on this patio.
Antique columns topped with glass equal instant desk.
The Junk Ladies, who are masters at repurposing objects, prove that virtually anything can be turned into a table! Check it out...
As I have mentioned before, one of my major Design Crushes is Kay Douglas, designer and owner of South of Market. Check out my previous post or her website or visit one of her stores in Atlanta or Charleston for more inspiration!
~Images: 1) Book Modern Country 2) Country Home 3) Southern Living 4 and 5) Country Home 6) Country Living 7) Book Junk Market Style
Well, my version of hunting and fishing that is...combing junk stores, flea markets and antique malls! I wanted to share with you some of my recent finds from my hunting trips but I need to start by apologizing for the quality of these photos. (I desperately need a nice camera! It makes all the difference.) Hopefully I will have more after photos ASAP. I usually intend for these things to go to clients but they often end up residing with...you guessed it...moi!
Tobacco basket with a Lake City, SC label. I will probably hang it on a wall as a piece of art, much like the photo below...
And an iron gate I found in Savannah, Ga that I hope to back with an aged mirror. How fabulous, right?
An old farm spool that my carpenter is turning into one or two tables.
The Chinoiserie style dresser will be repaired, lacquered and finished off with new hardware. Love the Bentwood stool! Here it is in a room setting...
Some discounted fabric remnants that were too good to pass up...fabulous ikat print...aqua mohair...and this pink David Hicks print by Ashley Hicks is so much fun!
Great chevron trim remnants (perfect for pillows), cool shaped coral button and some fun vintage mother-of-pearl square buttons!
This Henredon parson's style table was a steal at $5 and will look great painted out but for now it lives here in on my landing...
(p.s. the "o" is actually a zero from the old Roper Hospital sign and p.p.s. the wonderful shrimp boat watercolor was created by my very talented father!)
I love the detail on the legs!
These old iron pieces have a great shape!
Before: Console
After: Console
~Images: Domino April 2007 and Kay Douglas' Florida Beach Home
Today I have fun going "junking" with my good friend, Lauren. Although we came home with some interesting objects, I think we have the most fun thinking up all the possibilities and creative ways to repurpose the items we see. For example, this "thing" [Image 1 ] is something that I found at an antique mall in Columbia. It was standing upright and had a sign that said "not a wine rack." I still don't know exactly what it was but I assume it was some sort of metal balcony perhaps??? But I have this major obsession with circles so I had to buy it! Later I had legs soldered on, painted it in a high gloss cream and turned it into a coffee table on my sunporch [Image 2]. This other object pictured [Image 3 ] is something I bought at an antique store in Atlanta. I am told it is an old sewer grate from Holland. Again, I am obsessed with circles (as well as anything zinc or galvanized) so I had to buy it! This was over a year ago and it is still sitting in my office because I have no idea what I am going to do with it. Any ideas? It is about 1' x 3'.
