Nashville Flea Market

The Nashville Flea Market is the last weekend of every month. I finally got to go this weekend and it was pretty great. They sort of divide the flea market crap (like socks and knock-off perfume) from the furniture and antiques. I can already tell I'm going to be a regular!

Shame on Me!

So, I bought these cool antique wooden printing blocks as accessories last week. You can see the post here. I was really super excited about them. The problem is that I paid about $17 a piece for them (which seemed reasonable at the time)...but then I found some at the Nashville flea market for $5 a piece!! These are the newest additions to my collection. Darn. Live and learn!

Before and After

You may remember me posting about the 500 mile yard sale back in August. One of my finds was this little chair with great bones. I paid $30 for it, but it needed a little bit of work! So, here it is after getting cleaned up, stained black and reupholstered. I think it was a success...especially for the price.

Before - the fabric was stained and the seat foam and padding were rotten. Not to mention that the finish was dated and ugly.

In progress - The piping is ripped off and the wood has been stained black.

After - great new fabric and a cute little lumbar pillow.

Hotel Matilda

Image found via Casa Sugar.
Everyone be sure to check out Casa Sugar and see the article about Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Designed by McAlpine Booth and Ferrier, it opened for business yesterday. Stylish and chic! 

Not That I Know Much About It...

Image found via New York Times.

I'm no fashion expert, believe me. It's not my area of expertise at all. But if I could afford this Gucci dress from the Spring 2011 collection I would buy it in a heartbeat and find somewhere to where it!

Cape Dutch Architecture

Cape Dutch architecture was brought to my attention today for the first time. There's something really stark and beautiful about it. The distinctive style originated in the West Cape of South Africa in the 17th century. The style was beought to Africa by Dutch settlers. Read more about it here.

Image found here.

Image found here.

Image found here.

Image found here.

Paper Garlands

The next time I host a party or a shower I've got to have some of these great garlands. Party supplies are some of the best things on Etsy if you ask me!

Available here.

These are made of old hymnal pages! Available here.

Jane Eyre heart garland. Available here.

Oragami paper garland. Available here.

Wooden Printing Blocks

I picked up these wooden blocks for print making at Arhaus in Louisville this weekend. Aren't they interesting accessories? We really need one of these stores in the Southeast! The furthest south they currently go is Kentucky and Viriginia. Lucky you for all of you that live near one! Also, FYI, their website doesn't do the store justice.

Craft Night in Kentucky

After a long day of shopping, my aunt K, cousin H and I had a craft night tonight. We decided to take some inspiration from from the latest pages of Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Anthropologie and Arhaus by using old worn books to make interesting accessories. Check out our finished products. They're going to look great on K's shelves!

We started out with old books and a roll of twine.

In progress...

The finished products.

And this is what's left of the books!

Book Review

Image found via Amazon.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay is the most wonderful book. While researching a work assignment, an American journalist living in Paris discovers the story of Sarah. The more she learns about Sarah and the horrible things that happens to her family during WWII, the more her life changes. It's really sad, but uplifting at the same time. I recommend it to everyone!

Girl Of All Work

Starting a new job this fall makes me think of how it used to feel going back to school. Getting new school supplies was always exciting! These beautiful office supplies by Girl of All Work evoke the same feeling.

All images found via Girl of all Work.

Excellent Accessories

Accessorizing table surfaces seems like it would be the easiest part of designing a finished room. But, I think that it takes skill and a keen eye to be able to pull it off perfectly.

James Michael Howard's work is a perfect example of great accessorizing. He seems to be a master of scale and object placement. Check out these rooms from his portfolio.

All images found via James Michael Howard.