Home again............

Where did the days go? Seems like yesterday (7/5), I was pulling out of my driveway, trailer in tow and a big YAHOOOOO, down the street. If I was not driving I was walking, sometimes 12 hours a day, head swiveling, mind reeling, second guessing..........

Am I any thinner for all this exertion? No! I am doomed...*sigh*....... But, I loved every second and now the fun part, unloading and "tweaking" the shop, tomorrow! Well..............let's rephrase that, I love the process, the S.G. staff must cringe.

This is a brief preview of my "finds"

Most of my finds are in hot and dusty warehouses, like this.



Dusty and dirty but a true treasure hunt! This beauty was created by a craftsman. The top is unseamed metal, all made by hand. the base is a marriage of metal; column and capitol from a building in Washington D.C. My good fortune was seeing it first.



My dear friend Lisa also maintains a warehouse, and maintain they do. "They" being some of my favorite women in the world, including Lindy and Margaret. All three either re-purpose items to clever effect or shop abroad.

This is my favorite find! See the French signs? Originally used as signs advising travelers where the train on the track was headed next. I bought all 15, great en masse or used as serving trays.



A snap of a pair of footstools, horse and mirror all back in Illinois now.



"Miss Cutie-Pie".
This is Lisa holding up an original Paris street scene watercolor I purchased from her.
She may, make that will, want to kill me for posting this, she will scream "but I was working all day in the hot warehouse!" She is a beauty inside and out.........always



This is fun, a Parisian bread server from a cafe. See the crank handle on the right? There were strings that held the bottom tray and as the bread sold a quick turn of the crank brought the bread level with the top. Today, it is a small console or side table with the addition of a glass top.



From David, another master craftsman. An industrial base from a warehouse (the base needs polishing) topped with a gorgeous stone slab from Europe. Love how he chiseled the edges. Great indoors or out.




This scene is the warehouse of Glennis and Marlene, lovely, lovely deeply spiritual and talented women.

And besides.............they are sooooo thoughtful! Having read my Eddie Ross story about the Pimms Cup, Glennis being British was excited that an American knew about Pimms , bought a bottle and presented it in a beautiful pink pitcher.
And............oh my!!!! included a bottle of Amarula for a night cap, along with magazines (my addiction). Have any of you heard of this? The amarula nut, favored by elephants, grows in South Africa. Apparently the pachyderms love to over indulge and become quite drunk. I resisted that scenario but if you like 'Bailey's Irish Cream', this is ten-fold.




Last, but not least, is my husband Steve.
When my trip is complete, he flies down, loads and secures my treasures and drives all the way home. I know......he is a really nice guy.
As you can see, Steve loves every bit of this................just thought I would share my view every time I looked over!

next post, some of the new finds from the gift show

"On the road again......."

Finally!!!! It is that time, my bi-annual "hit the trail" antiquing road trip

Hook up the trailer and head south. Part of the fun is seeking out the back roads, finding uncharted territory and also catching up with old friendships fostered over the years.

Signs like this make my heart race, the thrill of the hunt. "Will this new spot have what I am searching for?" Better yet, "At a rock bottom price?"



Places like this can only be found on the back roads, pure nostalgia, It beckons to me, childhood memories fondly roar back.


Not all is found by happenstance. Years of hunting and gathering fostered friendships I treasure. Here you are getting a sneak peek of what is pre-bought and "coming home" with me.

The photo above shows a scalloped architectural fragment; perfect as a headboard, valance, crafted into a mantle face..............thanks Lindy!


This was a grabber. Charming French settee, circa 1920, newly upholstered. Thanks Glennis!




This is rare, a set!
So, what we have here is a French table top over 200 years old. The base was too rough and an artisan came in to craft a new base, add the chairs and Voila! A French styled farm table. My love of these is the narrow top, ideal for conversation. Add bottles of a good Cab, imported cheeses, baguettes, candlelight and friends............ sigh
Thanks Glennis and Marlene!


Oooops, that is sister Diane. Hmmm, not happy, sister is angry, angry at herself. Forgot about the trip and booked friends to come in from out of town. "It's ok sister, another time!"




Well, back on the road again..............

See ya'll soon!
debra

Time to get our drink on!

And what better way than with the very British "Pimms Cup".


The anglophile in me would naturally glom onto this summer staple of the highbrow set. Wimbledon proudly sells 80,000 half-pints each year. What is it you ask? Well really only three, yes three, people truly know. A well-kept secret since 1859. What we do know is that it is gin based, the Pimms No. 1, that is. Do not bother with #2, #3.................THIS IS THE FAVORED.



So, back to Eddie Ross ( notice how i keep bringing that up :-)

When we found out Eddie and Jaithan were coming to the shop I read that Eddie liked Pimms, in luck, my speciality! And many calls later asking for the recipe, here it is;




Per glass;

1 jigger Pimms No. 1
1 jigger white rum
ice
lemon soda, typically not found in the US, do not substitute ginger ale. Target sells lemon soda

and fruit, lots of fruit; cucumber spear (a must)
strawberries
orange
lemon
garnish with mint.

But..................

I prefer to make it in giant pitchers. Add to taste the ingredients, let the fruit sit for an hour or two and pour.

have a summer cocktail party, invite and make new friends, cheers!

Strength in Numbers

"In union there is strength"
Aesop


This year, 2009, is my 20th year in business. The learning curve was, and still is, huge. The rewards beyond measure. My company is my only child, my heart and soul. Gratitude is an enormous component, via my business I have made countless friends, lost a few, shared our lives and grown together. My blessings are counted daily.

And again, together, we will tough out the economy. Old patterns will be modified, I will learn to shift gears, you may see changes but that is the cycle of life. By and large I am happy to say we are "still in the game", thanks to you. But do I ever worry, absolutely, we all do.

A recently discovered organization has grabbed my attention, full on strength. Read below;


learn more here (or to read without a magnifying glass)


Together, those of us that can, have a responsibility to actively support our favorites. My three businesses are;

Town House Books and Cafe in St. Charles, Illinois. Here






Sandra Webster clothing in Geneva, Illinois. Here




Moveable Feast in Geneva, Illinois. Here

Hands of Hope

This beautiful setting is the gardens surrounding the pool at Vicky Wauterlek's home, founder of 'Hands of Hope'.
Annually she opens her gardens along with several other generous homeowners in the bucolic suburb of Barrington Hills, Il.
This major fundraiser for her organization is this Friday and Saturday June 19th and 20th.

Laurette Grove, shown above, is a volunteer on one of the trips to Africa. Helping women and children in impoverished nations seek medical care and an education. Funding additionally helps build wells, an amazing resource for a region. Here is what I personally admire; 100% of the proceeds goes to their foundation, 100%!

The following snaps are peeks into the grand beauty of this property. As a garden tour guide in England I have to say this setting rivals many of the famous gardens of England.


In addition to the garden tours enjoy the market of quality vendors, such as Scentimental Gardens! Find a bargain at their upscale flea market, enjoy lunch in the garden.........be inspired.
To learn more visit here.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead

Join me for a demonstration on creating garden party tablescapes. Friday and Saturday at 1pm

let's think of something else for the moment....

Imagine this for a moment; you are a new blogger, you collect pictures for months, the thrill of a lifetime...............yes, for me it was...............Eddie Ross is in town and he has accepted an invitation to a cocktail party at your shop!!!!!........AND.............after a magical day and evening you realize your CAMERA IS GONE! ugggghh

So, until I plead for others photo's to share with you, let's talk about something else. We will get back to Eddie and Jaithan's visit.

Dream Houses

There is a site for buying and selling historic homes in all price ranges. Here are a few that caught my eye. Here



Lambertville, Pa.
Stone house overlooking the Delaware River. Newly renovated kitchen and bathrooms,
and 5 fireplaces!
$1,495,000.00



Gettysburg, Pa.
Revolutionary and Civil War period stone and log home on 5+ acres
Bid for auction


Vernet Les Bains, France
6 bedrooms in the foothills of the Pyrennes by Perpignon. Walk to the Mediterranean.
$483,000.00 USD

Lynchburg, Virginia
1875, 1191 s.f.
Possession of Va. housing authority and in Homesteading program. Comply with their renovation standards and this could be yours.
$1.00
Yes, a buck, house and land!


Eddie......sigh...........stay tuned!

Entertaining Eddie

Watch this man! Eddie Ross (Bravo's TOP DESIGN, Martha Stewarts Senior Style Editor, House Beautiful style editor)

He is a force of talent in so many arenas; entertaining, design, floral, antiquing, repurposing, crafting.......etc, etc.

AND....Eddie and his partner, the additionally talented Jaithan Kochar, are coming to Chicago, the Kane County flea market in particular.
Saturday, June 6th, these genuinely nice guys will guide many of us through the market with their keen eye. I am beyond excited and open to "seeing" with new eyes.




His showcase at the New Orleans Home and Garden Show

Searching at the Scott's antique market

A clever creation from his flea market find


A few sprigs of baby fern bring a table setting to life. Simple and elegant



Another of Eddie's tablescapes. The drama of the forsythia branches are pulled thru-out the setting with the yellow tones in the bakelite utensils and the underlying tablecloth





You will see this man everywhere, soon. Sign up for Eddie's blog to be inspired and to stay in touch. When he comes to Chicago again you too can join Eddie and Jaithan.
will post photo's next week :-)