Furniture Buy Consignment coming to Colleyville, TX

I am so EXCITED!!!   I just got an e-mail that Furniture buy Consignment is coming to Colleyville.   I can't wait!!!  I visit their store in Lewisville often.  Every time I go, I load up my car!  In this economy we are all seeking ways to cut back on expenses and this is a great way to furnish your home.  Practically new furniture sold for 1/2 the price.  The pieces are gorgeous and you will be shocked when you see their showroom in Lewisville and Frisco. 

I will be lined up at the door with my "latte" the day they open!!  I'll keep you posted.

Happy Shopping,
Ruth
https://www.ruthiestaalsen.com/

See the possibilities

I was out doing my Saturday errands today and drove past an antique mall that was having a sidewalk sale. 

Of course my car automatically turns when anything of that sort is advertised.  I think my GPS's voice actually said "TURN HERE, TURN HERE, MAKE A U-TURN...NOW!!!!"   Of course I listened to that voice and pulled over.

 I absolutely couldn't believe it when I saw this door.  I just blogged yesterday how I was going to be looking for a one since I let go of one that I regreted selling.  I could feel that overwhelming panic as I walked up to it.  Of course I was thinking "is it sold?"  It had a tag on it that said $30. Was I reading it right?  I found the owner and asked them to load it up!  It was a done deal.  I know I can do some great things with it.  I think the wrought iron inset will make it gorgeous.  The stained glass behind it is a gold color so that will be perfect with my logo. 

My "treasure angel" was with me today.  I truly believe I have one. 

Some regrets & other projects

One of  my passions is to find old furniture pieces and have them re-upholstered.  I found this couch and it had such great bones and character.  Purchased some black "brushed suede" fabric and had it redone.  Added the animal print pillows and I thought it was fabulous.  The best thing about the couch was that the cording was different than the main fabric.  Always remember to do something different with the cording because that contrast really adds so much to a piece.

I sold this couch to a really nice young couple and she was SO excited. 

I wonder if she would sell it back to me. 

I'm regretting selling it!

Another item I found was this old chair. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I had these fabrics that I had picked up here and there and put them together and they made a great combination.

I couldn't part with this chair and ottoman and I'm glad I kept it.  It now lives in my guest room.

BEFORE

AFTER

I wish I'd kept this chair for my office.  But I sold it to a couple

that was moving here from CA and needed a chair for their bedroom.

I found an old door at a thrift store.  I loved it because it had the inset panels on each side and knew I could do something creative with it.

About 6 months later I found the 3 individual medallions at "Salvation Army" thrift store and immediately thought of the door.  I had my artist friend paint the door this beautiful sage color and had her age the door's insets.   I later sold it to a photographer who was going to use it for his photography sessions as a backdrop.  NOW I'm wishing I had kept it.  In November I'm attending the Annual Colleyville Chamber of Commerce EXPO.

The door would have made a perfect back drop for my booth.  "The key to your decorating needs"  I could have hung keys from the door..... Oh well.  I'm going to try and replicate/recreate this door.  I'll post it when I finish.

Maybe a bigger version of the above.  I made this for a giveaway table at one point.  It was a picture frame and I put hinges on it and added a door knob.  The medallions added a special touch too.

  I think this will be my inspiration for the large door/backdrop???

 What do you think?  My logo could be at the top too.

 

2009 EXPO will be held on November 5, 2009 from 11am-2pm at Crown of Life Lutheran Church & School, 6605 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville. Call the chamber at 817-488-7148 for more details.

Grapevine Antique Mall

I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite places to go when I need a good "escape" or if I'm really looking for something unique for a client.

 I live in Grapevine, TX and I'm constantly looking for great finds.  There are a lot of great places around and I frequent many antique stores in the area.  What I've found is that so many of them have the "same old stuff".  I was starting to get frustrated UNTIL I found a wonderful Antique Mall close by.   It's fun for me because I use to have a booth in an antique mall on Main Street here in Grapevine and strolling through these isles brings back fond memories for me.

GRAPEVINE ANTIQUE MALL, located at 1641 NW Highway - Grapevine Antique Mall.

There is something for everyone here.  I've discovered a couple booths that are my absolute favorite and I thought I'd show you some pictures so you can get tempted.  I'm telling you...the next time you have a few minutes, you WILL be stopping by to take a "peek" because there are some amazing treasures to be found! 

My first and favorite

Extraordinary Finds

by

Paulette Esselman

You inspire me Paulette!!!

Paulette gets objects from all over the world for us to enjoy.  The first time I walked into this booth, I couldn't contain myself.  I went absolutely nuts and  started to hyper ventilate because I wanted it all.  I had to put on my "self control" hat.   There aren't that many places that do that to me but I actually felt like I was going to break a sweat.  I spent about an hour looking at each incredible item.  I think it's because I grew up overseas.  All the cultures were speaking to me and bringing back incredible  memories.  I love for my home to be filled with unique objects.  The rustic elements, textures, shapes and architectural pieces make me sing for Joy!  Take a look at the pictures and you will see what I'm talking about.  Get ready!!

Love this architecural piece.  It would make a great headboard or add amazing character to a kitchen.  I could even see it as a mantel.  Love the color!

Love the Zebra ottoman in the background.

A grouping of these wrought iron items would be amazing above kitchen cabinets that have lots of room above them.  Many clients I work with have tall ceilings and we're always looking for large scale items to put on top of cabinets so we don't have tons of clutter but rather lots of interest.

Christmas is coming up!  Someone call my husband, please!!!!  This bench with the pillows are killing me.  I love the old bench with the zebra pillows. 

Of course being from Africa is why I love these so much!  I actually have one of  pillows that I purchased in Africa.  I placed it in my office on my little antique sofa. 

Have to comment on these sconces because they are ostrich eggs!

These partial columns were salvaged from the old Dallas courthouse.

THE SASSY SISTER HOOD
by
Barbara Glondys

This is such a wonderful combination of textures.  Also gave me an idea for my "Springbok" that I purchased in Africa.  I can recover a bench or make a pillow with it.

 

This cool piece is actually an old light fixture turned upside down.  For those of you who know me, you know I love items that are used for something other than what they are suppose to be used for. 

THE SHABBY SISTER HOOD

By

Julie Latshaw

Very cool items for great prices.  Love to add a bit of "shabby" with new items.

Love this candle stick with the rustic roses.  Would be perfect in an entry way or outside your front door or back patio.  It could also be used as a hat rack if you like to think "outside the box"

Are you ready to shop!!!  Pick up your Starbucks Pumpkin Latte (had my first this week) and visit GRAPEVINE ANTIQUE MALL.  You won't be disappointed.  Oh, and I didn't tell you, it has an upstairs!

Simple pleasures make life more comfortable

One of my wonderful clients decided she wanted to re-upholster her couch and chair that she inherited from her parents.  The couch has a really nice curve to it which is hard to find.  It's also incredibly comfortable.  She could have purchased a new couch but they were both the right scale for the room and re-upholstering them allows us to really create a custom/designer look vs. a showroom piece.

I went out on a hunt and chose new fabrics for her transformation.  I wanted to use fabrics in quiet shades and tone on tone patterns to help make this home a calming space. 

I found two fabrics that work well together and created the following:

AFTER

We've got some nice chocolate  brown "down filled" throw pillows to add to the couch to complete the look!

BEFORE ARM CHAIR

AFTER ARM CHAIR

I love this fabric and it looks beautiful with the couch!

Coordinates with the client's rug perfectly too!

If you have a great couch that is good and sturdy and just needs an update with new fabric, that's the way to go!

These are the comments from my client.

  "The furniture was delivered right on time and I love it! It's weird, but I also feel like I have to get use to it (like I have strangers in my house :)). I love the fabric and think it really enhances the design of the furniture, and using two different fabrics for the couch makes the couch so much more interesting. I would have been so stressed out trying to decide on fabric! I can't wait for my older sister to see it! She'll be visiting in October." Once again, I'm amazed!

Happy Weekend!