Vintage Inspiration #92 Painted Upholstery

Anne arrived late Tuesday evening and Wednesday we hit a few places around Springfield. Yesterday  we headed to Ozark to visit Leola's and Riverview, and then had lunch at Spring Creek. Today we're off to St. Louis. I wrote this post earlier this week, hope you're having a great one as well. How do you make up for 3 years in a week? we're trying!

How many of us have seen a fabulous bargain of an old sofa, chair or settee at a garage sale or flea market and marveled at the bones of the piece but just couldn't "get there" in making a purchase because of the amount of money/and or time it would take to see it come out as we've envisioned?

 Well, we're starting to see a trend in technique for actually painting the fabric, as in this wonderful tufted sofa from Gua at Hviter Lakkris. The tufting alone would have scared me away!!

This is how it started out...

Or take a look at this pristine beauty from Glory B's Cottage

Can someone say 1980's?

That brings me back to a post I did a couple of weeks ago 

where I shared this amazing sofa in Traditional Home Magazine.

I love trends, 

but don't want to invest a lot of money into them

 or to changing out upholstery because you're tired of it.

My rule is "don't buy pattern...buy neutrals" for the big things.

That way you can change out pillows and accessories for a fresh new look.

I broke that rule on a sofa purchase a while back,

and now it's covered in a white slipcover.

So instead of investing in upholstery for this kind of trend,

 why not just paint it?

And along the lines of the Union Jack,

 I think I'd opt for a more toned down version,

say this...

or in grays...

which brings me to this wonderful French gilt set

 that I recently saw at Relics.

Still pricey, but totally gorgeous.

The sofa is worn, but the chairs are in pretty good shape...

Personally, I think it's fabulous just like this.

Just thinking of the "idea" of painting a piece.

Right now I'm just "dreaming", but you just never know what I might do!

 So the next time you see an iffy sofa, try to imagine it painted!

So that brings me to a few of last week's features:

Lisa from Budget Design Girl shared a post about the Union Jack in design that is coinciding with the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. THIS I could go for!

Amanda Marie from Little City Homestead, a new blogger,  posted about an adorable little watering can with the perfect "chippy" quotient!

Melissa from Daisy Mae Belle, (also a new blogger)has two things that I love (and have), a rusty fence gate and a birdhouse! Isn't this a great entry statement?

And in honor of Father's Day, I want to share this wonderful Model A Ford from Faye at Wild Rose Vintage. My daddy collected antique cars,  and I grew up having a real love for them.

brings back wonderful memories!

So let's see what kind of inspiration you've been kicking around this week. Please have a link within your post to be featured!

and please go visit these other great Friday party gals:

xoxo,

So...here's the plan

See this girl...

we've been waiting to meet for almost three years.

Anne lives in Texas, I live in Missouri.

We started talking when our blogs were babies

hanging out on Theresa's sidebar.

(thank you, dear Theresa!)

She'll be here in just a matter of hours.

Then later this week, we're headed to St. Louis 

to stay with my daughter and her husband

at the "Bed and Breakfast".

(just kidding...but they're wonderful hosts!)

Then we're going to meet up 

with one of the sweetest, most talented gals around...

Elizabeth Maxson

and we're going to let E take us to all her haunts and hang outs.

So, posts will be a little fewer this next week.

We'll still be having Vintage Inspiration and Monday Marketplace,

hope you'll join in as usual.

And I can guarantee that I'll have lots of fun to share next week!

Then, when I'm back, I'll be celebrating my 3 year Blogaversary

with a knock out Give Away of Carolyn Westbrook's new book.

"Through the French Door"

so get ready!!

(I'm thinking that this will be one of the best weeks ever!)

xoxo,

Monday Marketplace # 16

Hi Everyone, this is the start of a fun and busy week for me. 

I'll share the plan tomorrow!

Time for Monday Marketplace

where you can link up your Etsy and Online Boutique items.

(share up to three item links)

Here are some of the great links from last week:

Starbucks collectible burlap coffee bag

from Tracie at Fishtail Cottage

Remember this photo from my last post?

It's a coffee bag chair cushion!

Lace and ribbon boards for organizing your craft supplies

from Woodberry Designs

Just look at this adorable chick pitcher from CraveCute.

This would put a smile on the grumpiest morning face!

Wonderful blue or green vintage sap bucket

from VintageChateauChic

I also want to share a special from one of my sponsors,

Sweet Harvest Farm.

This special runs from June 11-15. 

I've tried CJ's soaps and they are wonderful!

 They will be offering 3 of their most popular soaps in a tri-pack deal.

3 for $15.00. Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Oatmeal, Milk and Honey. AND a Lip

 Smoothie FREE! That’s a savings of $8.00. Total with shipping would be $25.00

All Sweet Harvest Farms products are made entirely from scratch with, not only organic ingredients, but with those that are nurturing as well. Formulated by Cynthia Jennings, each patented recipe was developed for all skin types. Each large 6 0Z bar will last 4 to 6 weeks in the shower and won’t become slimy or tacky like your store bought beauty bars. The Lip Smoothies are unlike any other “lip balm” or chap stick you have tried. A little dab on your lips will do you for most of the day and will leave your lips kiss-a-blee smooth and hydrated. Visit the Sweet Harvest Farms Testimonial page at http://www.sweetharvestfarms.com to see just what all the fuss is about!

To place an order you can send a payment through Paypal to Cynthia at sweetharvestfarms@verizon.net. Just write “Common Ground” in the Special Instructions Box. If you would like to use your Credit Card you may go to the Sweet Harvest Farms website and place an order for one bar of soap. Just write “Common Ground” in the Special Instructions Box and your card will be charged accordingly.

Hope you'll check out Sweet Harvest Farms,

 their products are exceptional!

This linky party is for items for sale in your Etsy Shop or Online Boutique. Hope you'll join in. You can link up to three items, please link to the individual item if possible. And remember that it's up all week, so be sure and visit throughout the week to see great items that have been added!
If you link up, I'd love for you to add this button someplace on your blog to let people know where to come and shop. And it would be so nice for you to be a follower on GFC. But, you don't have to have a blog to join in.

See you all tomorrow...xoxo,

A Visit to Robin's Vintage Suitcase

As one of my local sponsors, Robin's Vintage Suitcase, I'll be sharing photos of what's new in the store and giving updates on what's happening. Summer is in full swing with lots of bright colors in wreaths and accessories. The garden room is brimming over with outdoor finds for your summer porches and garden spots, and since vintage garden items are a favorite of mine it's always the first place I head.

Robin carries a wonderful mix of antiques, vintage, and one-of-a-kind finds. Also the latest in accessories from market. I'm so ready for sunflowers!!

This wonderful vintage French sofa 

is dressed in a heavy linen type burlap.

Robin's creativity is showcased at every turn,

 as in this fun lampshade tied with bits of this and that.

lot's of dishes and silver

There's a great selection of wonderful vintage furniture pieces, too.

Robin also creates beautiful wreaths and flower arrangements.

Fun pillows and accessories

Robin's party room, will soon become a Tea Room. The Vintage Veranda is in the planing process and is scheduled to open July 9. Stay tuned for more news on this. It's a gorgeous space with a tried and true caterer and chef at the helm. Personally, I can't wait!! Springfield is short on spots for a girl's lunch.

I found this great frenchy "cafe" pillow for my daughter in St. Louis, as I'll be heading up for a visit next week. More on what's happening next week...I have an adventure in the works!

more photos from Robin's Vintage Suitcase,
and a 3 Year Anniversary Give Away teaser coming soon,

xoxo,