It's A New Year And I't s A New "What If Wednesday Post!"

And this time…I'm completely enamored with Tobi Fairley!
 If only I could have gone to her lecture and "wine and dine" dinner tonight! Being that our youngest son didn't leave to go back to Auburn until late today I knew in my heart I wouldn't be able to make the show…let alone Tobi's wine and dine dinner tonight. I'm hoping she might still be around Atlanta tomorrow once we get there and I can at least get a glimpse of the extremely talented and gracious, Tobi!
I'm also very excited about a new antique show in our "area"!

I'm so excited about this show and hated that we couldn't be there today when it actually started until I talked to some of the vendors…seems it's been super cold and the heat wasn't working until late today…for the first time ever I think I made a GREAT decision to wait until tomorrow to go! 

But when I think of Tobi being there…of getting to hear her talk tonight it makes me a bit sad! I would be lying if I didn't admit that! She is spot on as my English friends say…whether or not you like her boldness…whether or not you like her taste…she is a "taste maker"... an icon in our time and someone with infinite, timeless talent! The fact that her talk is on "Finding Inspiration In The Mix-Layering Antiques Into Your Design For A Fresh Look" means I should've have definitely been there...
Say no more! I'm just glad someone with Tobi's talent recognizes the importance of mixing the old with the new…of bringing antiques into the everyday landscape of our homes.

And isn't that what is to be strived for? 

Timeless taste in an ever-changing world? 

Someone that can stand the test of time…rise to the challenge…meet the challenge and give us all something to strive for! That my friends….is Tobi Fairley!

If you don't believe me….just take a look at her website! 
It is wonderful!
 You can see Tobi's website HERE!

I mean really….this is exquisite!

It took everything in me not to make this bicycle picture the very FIRST picture! Do you like it as much as I do? Doesn't it just convey that wonderful, laid back feeling of being on vacation?
I think that's why I love it so much! I think that's why it truly speaks volumes to me!
Someone please tell my husband that I want THIS very bicycle for my birthday! PLEASE!!
 (complete with hydrangeas!)

So, you see…in the midst of all of Tobi's brilliant, vibrant work…she has taken the time to speak at this wonderful event…1st Find At The Farm….I'm hoping it will be something that continues…especially in better weather! I'm hoping she does well and that people enjoy all that she has to share!
I must admit…I'm truly hoping to run into her and get an autograph! I don't care that we are "Facebook Friends"and "Instagram Friends"….I want a real autograph that can "prove" we are friends! Really? Will that do it? I hope so! I will be on the lookout I can promise you that!
I can't wait to report back from this show and from the Atlanta Market! I'm so looking forward to a few nights at the Ritz and some fun days seeing old friends at market! 
( and buying lots of things we really don't need!)

Until then, take care! Can't wait to talk again soon!

Wednesday's What If Posts…What If You Got A Sneak Peak?

So, I told you all last week that we were headed to Market in Atlanta….I thought I would be on the hunt for just a sofa for my sweet mother….luckily, we solved that dilemma before we even left thanks to so many of you giving such great suggestions! That meant we were able to focus on the main reason for our trip…picking out wonderful antiques and then those few "new" pieces to give the shop an updated appeal!

Take a look at the fabulous majolica pieces we were able to find and look at how wonderfully they bring out the beautiful colors in Lauren Dunn's painting! I was thrilled with the results! Many thanks to Alison for her talent at setting up vignettes that showcase these pieces to their fullest! 

Here are some great close up shots of the beautiful antique majolica.

I found several gorgeous antique wooden trays but this was the "last man standing" before I got a chance to photograph them! A wonderful designer in town took out the others for a client.

One of my most treasured and favorite finds of the trip were these 8 antique majolica plates that at first glance resembled creamware to me! It's almost as if the two have been combined! I tried and tried to get a great picture but I am not a great photographer…the shop is difficult with the lighting and white plates are hard to photograph period! Trust me on this one…. they are spectacular! There are hints of blue throughout the basket weave pattern…it will be hard to part with these plates!

Luckily I was able to find some reasonably priced antique boxes as well. These Tunbridge boxes are fabulous and even the insides of them are pretty!

Pillows were pretty scarce this time…especially at Market! But the ones we bought are hand done by a local vendor that I buy from all of the time…her work is great and her remnants of antique Aubusson tapestries always amazes me! This first shot is a pair of Galbraith and Paul pillows….

Love the fact that this is a fabric company based in America! You can see their website HERE!

This other pair is phenomenal! I wish I had shown the pair together but they are identical…19th Century Aubusson…pure gorgeousness! Just begging to be bought!

And like I said earlier…we sure did hit the jackpot on the majolica this time! I'm loving the way these plates that we just brought in liven up this area that already had our antlers displayed! It truly is like a breath of fresh air in the shop…at least to me!

I did very well on the restraint factor once we hit the many hundreds of floors at Market. Truth be told…market so overwhelms me that I often think I might just break out in hives! It's depressing picking through the floors and floors of junk. It's a never ending mind battle trying to decide if other's will love something as much as I do! And then sweet Jim…he just carries my bags and keeps up with all of the tickets…he about gave out on me this time, though! We were both exhausted before we ever got there and then our hotel stay was quite the nightmare! I will spare you the details as you truly might spend the rest of your day just doubled over in laughter at all that happened to us this trip! It is "almost" comical even to me! But here is a sampling of the "new" goodies that we are anxiously awaiting to come in to the shop!

A wonderful 3 tiered serving piece that is so fun and very functional!

 Several gorgeous mirrored frames from Lisa Luby Ryan's collection to add something new to our already extensive variety of frames that we carry! I truly love these and debated about getting them at the last market…I'm so glad I just went with my gut feeling on these!

Then, we hit the 'Temporaries' and ran straight to my friend's booth…Lucy Smith! Her work is phenomenal and I'm so excited about the two pieces that will be arriving at the shop in just a few weeks. 

The "Linus" console above and the "Sylvia" occasional table below will add that fun edge I'm trying to incorporate and they should only enhance the antique furniture that we are known for.

The only "new" lamp we got this time was this great mercury lamp above….

As well as this beautiful iron chandelier. Super excited about these two pieces!

And last, but certainly not least….this wonderful Iron Box and Stand will serve as a great addition to our side tables or cocktail tables! What an interesting piece this would be in a room! And quite functional if you think about it! 

There truly is so much more I could show you…leather trays, Lafco candles, preserved boxwood balls, fabulous candlesticks, etc….but I just wanted to wet your appetite with a few sneak peaks into Market this January 2013! So far, our January has proven to be better than ever! I for one am very excited about this new year and all that it has to offer in the areas of design! I'm also enjoying my shop more than ever and realizing that I now have a lot more time to spend there than I used to. 
I hope and pray that is a good thing! 

I hope you all have a great start to your week! I am headed full throttle into "Birthday Palooza" weekend at our house with Miller's 19th birthday this Friday and Holly's 26th birthday on Sunday! It should make for a very special weekend! ( not to mention tiring!) But that's ok! We are blessed!

I also forgot to mention that I won another Novica give away! Wow! Two in less than a month! I'm thinking I need to try the Lottery or something! Thank you, Barbara at HAUSDESIGN for this fabulous gift certificate! I'm thinking I will just add to my last giveaway purchase of the champagne flutes! We shall see!

Much love and many thanks for reading!

Wednesday's What If Post…"What If You Were Choosing A New Sofa?"

What would you choose? 
What would be the key factor on that very important decision for a new sofa? What is that key element that makes us all desire beauty and comfort all at the same time.

Would it be the fact that it was a fabulous heirloom or an antique?

Or, would you care about comfort when you are sitting on it day in and day out? That is what I'm helping my mother with….years ago she and I went to a wonderful 'Open House' event here in Birmingham at a fabulous fabric source for designers…along with that, they also carry a wonderful line of furniture. 
She bought a sofa...

Add caption

I bought a pair of chairs!

And we've loved them! They are from Wesley Hall and you can view their products HERE!
 However, I knew then that when she bought it her mind was thinking how pretty it was and I knew that my dad would think, "This isn't comfortable!" I have to agree with
BOTH OF THEM!!

The very old and tired designer side of me is trying to come up with the best solution for her as well as something truly beautiful and timeless!
 Just like these gorgeous examples from Bunny Williams, David Easton and yes, even Albert Hadley! How can you go wrong with that line up? I saw many of these on Danielle Boudrot's blog "A Thoughtful Eye" which you can see HERE!

So, let the games begin! I am headed to Market in a few days and I must say I am LIVING for it! I'm so tired of not being inspired anymore by what's out there in our part of the world and am so longing to feel that yearning for creativity again!

How could one not be inspired by these design icons?

I'm truly hoping that there will be something new and exciting at Market and that as we head "full throttle" into this new year  it will be the start of a new side of me! Not that my old side was bad! It is just tired and needs a re-booting! Sort of like our old computer at the shop! Just "re-boot" me, will you? PLEASE!!! And add a couple of shots of Botox while your'e at it!

In the meantime…let me concentrate on sofas!

So, are you traditional and comfy? Love to lounge and watch t.v. like my family?

Or do you lean towards the more contemporary side? 

Just like we see here with Christian Liaigre's fabulous french line of sofa's (which you can see HERE!) that in all honesty take me back to the late 60's to mid 70's…just like my grandparents have and I never liked them before! Now…I can see it working and am even hoping they might be mine one day!

 And then there is the wonderful line from Formations…which you can see HERE!

I could so see this being in my home!

And then there is the ever faithful Verellen line of sofas! It is a great one to choose as well and you can see their website HERE!…I have a sofa or two of theirs but I just can't seem to picture my parent's with it! My best friend has their pieces all throughout her home but my parents seem more tailored….Sure would love to know your thoughts and ideas…and especially any suggestions you might have!

Cushy and comfy…tailored and well dressed…straight back…camel arms…one cushion, two cushions

Slip covered, nail heads, overstuffed,

Pleats or no pleats?

Lots of pillows or just a few? Who knows? I sure don't! I love them all…I just need to pinpoint exactly where my mother is headed with her sofa search! Let us know your thoughts!

 We would greatly appreciate them!

I'm loving this quote from someone I truly admire!

"People are nature's number one creatures of habit….we tend to get comfortable, stuck in our ways and fear change. We like to hold on to old things, in order to hold on to old memories. When usually, they keep us from making new ones. Bite the bullet and make a clean break from the past to start a fresh beginning."

This can definitely apply to someone being willing to give up their sofa or anything they've been living with for a while to venture out and get something new and better!

I hope to have some new and inspiring ideas after our trip to Market. Until then, I will continue the search! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week!