New Bar Stools for the Island

When I swapped out my old island for my new antique island a couple weeks ago, I knew immediately that I would need to find new bar stools as well. I had been using a bar of oak bowback Windsor stools that were very nice, but now, with a much longer island, I needed a matched set of three. I hadn't really come up with a definitive idea of what kind of stools I wanted, even after a couple hours of pinterest searching. As soon as I saw this set of three bentwood style vintage stools though, I knew they were perfect. I picked them up yesterday afternoon, and was so excited about them that I immediately re-painted them. Here they were before, after, and now in my kitchen.

New Acquisitions and Flea Market Finds

This is really the peak of my work season. I've got furniture requests pouring in, and luckily, I've also got furniture practically coming out my ears. And since nothing makes me happier than sitting outside on a sunny day and painting a new piece of furniture, all is well.
      Yesterday's flea market was fantastic. I could have bought much more, and was really only limited by the space in the back of my truck. By the time I got home I had things piled and haphazardly ratchet strapped in place. I also picked up some furniture over the week that I thought I'd show you!

I actually bought this antique mahogany hutch off my friend, Leslie. As soon as I saw it in her house I fell in love with it. It's so incredibly handsome.

One of the guys at the flea market had this pair of antique green mixing bowls. I was fully prepared for them to cost over $100. Nope, $6 for the pair. I was soooo excited!

I found this pair of vintage solid cherry side tables at a church tag sale I passed on the way back from the flea market.

I've already modified that piano bench to be an ottoman for my antique green velvet couch in the guest room.

This solid maple desk was just too cute to pass up.

I love these antique ladder back chairs. They probably date to about 1880 and are in an early or possibly original green paint. The two big chairs need new rush seats, but they're otherwise in wonderful condition. I don't have a spot for them in my house, but I bought them because they were just so rare and beautiful.
 I'd like to find them a good home. 

And finally, I found this set of vintage plates and mugs in a box marked "free" on the side of the road at the end of my street. They're in fabulous condition- eight large plates, eight small plates, six medium plates, nine mugs, a sugar bowl and creamer- all in my very favorite shade of chartreuse. Yesterday was my lucky day!!

just look how perfectly they match my new island!

Top Picks: Eldred's Auction Summer Market Sale

Eldred's Auction is having a fabulous summer sale on July 17th. You can view the entire catalog here 
It's light hearted and jam packed with wonderful antique objects!
Now, as happens every summer, by the end of June I'm up to something very very naughty, I'm think about my Autumn decor. I know- terrible. I just can't help it. No matter what time of year or how beautiful the weather is, my mind is always set longingly on the next season. Caramel apple cider, a new pair of brown leather boots, and an emerald green sweater mmmmmmm!
So my top picks from this Auction may have been slightly influenced by the Autumnal leaning.

I love everything about this cupboard, from the color to the form to the surface.

An adorably leggy little one drawer table

I'm such a sucker for a fine floral still life. Love the vibrant hues of this one.

This would be absolutely perfect on my mantel for Autumn.

Ethereal and satisfyingly moody. 

A fabulons antique dry sink.

The perfect gift for the Children's Librarian in your life. 

The legs on this bench are so incredibly unexpected and quirky!

Back to school decor- sooooo fun!

The salmon red and robin's egg blue on this glazed top step back cupboard are wonderful.

Classic antique trestle form harvest table with nice clean lines.

A lovely paint decorated settee- could well have been made in the Portsmouth region.

You can practically feel the stiff breeze in this stunning landscape

Another painting perfect for Autumn decor. What a tense and terrifying moment! We have a black bear running around East Hampton even as we speak. 

Classical paint decorated Fancy Windsors in spectacular condition

These antique wrought iron garden gates make the most wonderful statement pieces when hung on the wall. 

This vintage Fall landscape is darling.

A practically matched pair of 19th century dome top boxes with two different shades of blue/green. Be still my heart!

Eldred's has a nice selection of antique barber poles in this sale, but this one is my favorite. The softness of the paint surface is beautiful, and being that it's flat, rather than 3d it would be so easy to display!

BEAUTIFUL!!

This green glaze on this double handled earthenware jug is so outstanding.

And finally, there's something so mysterious and engaging about this somber portrait. It's my very very favorite thing in the sale. I want it!

New Acquisitions and Flea Market Finds

I was really really good at the flea market on Sunday. It was huge and I had a lovely time, but my workshop is fairly full at the moment, so I needed to practice some serious self control. I came home with an absolutely spectacular set of eight vintage hand blown twisted olive green drinking glasses, and a pair of vintage brass pigeons.

A Dining Set for the Seaside

I'm in a beachy mood these days. Summer is here and we've had day after day after day of impeccable weather. I was inspired to re-finish this plain jane oak dining set with a little hint of classic New England Coastal. The paint is home made chalk paint- which is sooooo much fun to put together. I used Province Blue by Benjamin Moore, then distressed the set lightly, then waxed it with home made dark wax. The dark wax brings the blue down a few levels to an antiqued duck egg shade that I'm just obsessed with. I sanded, stained, and sealed all six chair seats and the table top. I hope this set goes to a vacation home with views of the water!

I also want to give a quick shout out to my dear friend, Leslie, who's recent AMAZING furniture work inspired me on this set. She's ridiculously talented and has been teasing the most amazing depth and energy from her furniture projects with the most incredible paint surfaces.

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