Fresh Start

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and here's hoping you have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
It's no secret that Pinterest is addicting.  I easily could spend hours at my computer dreaming of all sorts of things.  Lately, I've been dreaming in all white.  I have always been drawn to an all white or monochromatic look.  Maybe my latest obsession with all white is due to wanting a crisp, clean start in the new year.  I always look forward to the New Year.  Who doesn't like a fresh start?
Here's some of what caught my eye.  All are from Country Living.com.

Who wouldn't want to come home to this gorgeous foyer?  So simple and yet very dramatic.

I love this living room.  Really like the couches and coffee table. So simple and classic.  The overall look of the room, beautiful.

Another beautiful and simple living room. 

I love the mix of white, wood, black, rustic, and refined, all together. 

Very vintage feel here.  Love it.

How easy would this be to accomplish?  So easy.  White slip covered chairs, old wood trunk, and a chandelier over head, done.  This is by the way, why I hoard certain things.  So if I ever do have a little cottage, I could easily furnish it with things I have always loved.

How dreamy is this bedroom?  It's so perfect. 
Well, in the mean time, I don't have a dreamy cottage to decorate, so I'll have to keep pinning ideas for when I do.   Hoping for lots of snow one of these days.  That would give me a beautiful white wonderland at least!
Follow us on Pinterest for more inspiration!

Antique Tool Box

We recently acquired a beautiful, antique wood tool box.  I fell in love immediately.  I wish I had somewhere perfect to display it everyday.  This is where that dream cottage would come in handy!

It's wonderful, right?

I love the patina of the wood.

It gets even better when it's opened up.

She's a beauty.

Keep Calm and Shop Small Business

It was a great weekend for vintage seekers, near and far. A huge thank you to everyone who came out this weekend!  We small business owners really appreciate your business!  We couldn't do what we do without you!

I know we had a busy weekend, as did our friend Mary from Urban Farmgirl and Co, at her grand opening, of Urban Farmgirl in Rockford.  I was glad to see so many of our regulars went up to show her a visit.   A Ruffled Nest in Sycamore had their Christmas In the Alley, which I know was a hit as well.  It sounds like Steeplechase Antiques was packed too.  Yeah!  I love vintage packed weekends like this.  Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful mild weather, and your treasure hunting!

For more information on when these shops are open, make sure to visit their websites, as they are not open every weekend.  We will be open next weekend, December 6th, 7th, and 8th. 

December at the shop!

It's Christmas at the shop!  Here are some pic's of what we have for the holidays...

This vintage santa cutout stands about 4 feet tall and is absolutely adorable!

Got tags?  We have plenty!

We have lots of different bottle brush trees.

These wreaths are made out of vintage sheet music.  Perfect for a shabby Christmas!

Burlap table runners are perfect for adding a festive touch to your table...we've got a couple styles to choose from!

Vintage sled.

This old enamel pot is the perfect colors for the season.

 We love these pillows mom makes. They are great year round and really "pop" when thrown on a chair.

Hand stamped tags...

Lots of mittens!  Be sure to try a pair on and feel the soft inside lining.  Perfect teachers gift!

Bakers twine always looks so cute wrapped around a package.

Julie has been busy making her burlap wrapped vintage bottles.  Each bottle has a vintage rhinestone piece added to it.  Great hostess gift.

We love burlap!

How cool is this vintage inspired potato chip holder/rack??  Perfect for holding all your holiday cards.  Love this!!

Stamped muslin ribbon.  We sold so much of this stuff at the 3 French Hens market that we had to make more!  Wrap your presents in it, or your tree!

These 18 inch bottle brush stars are fabulous!!  They look so great on a tree or in a wreath.  

Only a couple left!!

Vintage chicken feeders filled with candles.  Perfect down the center of a table.  

Banners look so festive hanging on a fireplace mantel.

Antlers are great for decorating this time of year.  

These little trees are sat atop a small snow-filled vial and adorned with a vintage rhinestone piece.  One customer ordered one for all her co-workers....great idea!!

We have some festive Beth Quinn necklaces. 

Vintage inspired zinc letters...spell out something festive or somebody's name!

We have lots of ornaments......

and of course, plenty of vintage ornaments.

We hope to see you this weekend!  We are open Thur-Sat and will also be open next weekend as well. Our local friend and owner of Steeplechase Antiques in Barrington, is having a Christmas Trunk show this weekend.  Stop by Tattered Tiques and then head over there for some greenery and Christmas inspiration.  She'll be featuring work from Joy...the Savvy City Farmer.  Be sure to make it by both our shops this weekend!