Day 565: Scott's recap, part II

Definitive proof that Eddie, Jaithan and I are now BFF. Er, well, we definitely would have been had I not been a total wimp and waited to introduce myself until the last possible minute of our little tour. Lucky for me, they stuck around while we all shopped, and we chatted over a pretzel and chicken salad before parting ways. It really was so much fun, and I hope they will get the chance to do more trips in the future. Here are a couple more fun things we spotted at Scott's.


Eddie offered redo tips on this cute x-bench, among other pieces.

I went on a little side adventure and checked out a table of antique and vintage fixtures and hardware. These could really bring some character to a bathroom.

He had just about everything in every finish you could imagine. I sifted through this pile looking for something that would work on the drawers of my blue chest, but couldn't come up with 8 of anything. In hindsight, it might have been kind of cool to do eight different knobs of similar sizes and finishes.

I also really loved these doorknobs. I've seen antique doorknobs in several different places, but rarely see them with all of the hardware you'd need to actually use them. Most of these did have the hardware, and started at $20 each (we just paid $25 for a new doorknob at Lowe's).

One dealer -- a fabric designer -- had bolts and blots of fabric at an extremely discounted rate. He showed us one roll (I think it was Clarence House) that retails for $1,000/yard. I didn't recognize any patterns, but I'm no expert on fabric, and he definitely had some pretty things.


Erika, these turtles are for you! The same dealer had a couple of really big shells, too.

There were some totally random things, like this enormous sleigh! If I lived on a farm in Connecticut, this would totally be a part of my Christmas decorations!

And this enormous white leather settee. There were two, actually, and they were at least 6 feet tall. Not antiques, obviously, but interesting nonetheless.

All of these dough bowls were about $125, which makes my $50 sound like a pretty good deal!

Speaking of random, does anyone know more about these angel wings? I saw them all over the place at market, and was surprised to see them again at Scott's. The dealer was no where to be found or I would have gotten the scoop. In any case, they were super-pretty and would be neat in a frilly little girl's room, I think.

Love old jars, especially with crusty lids.

Zoe, all of the vintage furs made me think of you!

This was my object lesson of the day. I've seen these in antique stores before, and they have always puzzled me. Why would anyone need a little crystal dumb bell?? Turns out they are knife rests -- a fancy little contraption to keep your table linens clean. Learn something new every day!

These lamps made of hubcaps (rims?) were cool. You can see that he had lamps made of all sorts of interesting things.

These three plates were some of the prettiest I've ever seen! Oh, so pretty. Too bad there was only two dinner plates and a salad plate (probably should have taken them home anyway, oh well!).

This lovely lady is here to say hello to my mother-in-law (Hi Nancy!), who has just begun a similar project using shells she collected while living on the Gulf Coast.

The detail was gorgeous! I especially loved her little belt and coral "corsage."

Day 564's loot

You may have seen my lovely mug on Eddie Ross yesterday afternoon (um, nerd alert!), and if so, here's another look at the pretty Jasperware pitcher I picked up at Scott's. While Eddie was detailing the finer points of the transferware process, I spotted this little ditty across the table and instantly imagined it filled with pretty white hydrangeas -- is it any wonder that I didn't retain any of his teachings?

While it isn't marked, Eddie suspects it is Jasperware, which is made by Wedgewood. Of course, I'm certainly no snob when it comes to serving pieces (most of mine hail from the hallowed walls of HomeGoods), and it was the unusual chalky basalt finish and milky black color that attracted me to it in the first place. I've got a small collection of white pitchers in all shapes and sizes, and the prospect of adding a couple of black ones to the mix is more exciting to me than it probably should be.

My other lucky find is that marble lamp with the shade that is clearly much too small. I actually went to Scott's hoping to find such a lamp for the blue chest in the dining room, and can't believe I did because that sort of thing never happens. I saw lots of pretty painted parchment shades at market, and since this lamp isn't really for task lighting, I'm thinking it might be fun to experiment with something different, like this.

Day 563's Scott's trip recap, part I

Wow, what a weekend! In three days, I hit the gift and home furnishings market, all of the cool shops in Atlanta (or at least most of them!) and Scott Antique Market with Eddie Ross. I've been dying to investigate Scott's for some time, and getting to hit the aisles with Eddie was just the be-all end-all!

And for those of you who are curious about what he's really like in person (let's just get that out of the way), I found him to be very relaxed and open, warm and quite entertaining. I'm sure that all 35-plus (!!) who met with us on Sunday morning felt like he was an old friend by the time we parted ways.

And it helped that we were all totally in our element surrounded by such eye candy! Have a look for yourself ...


I claim to not like Victorian furniture, but I just cannot resist running my hands over a beautiful bowfront chest like this. This would be the perfect beginning to a wonderful chest-mirror-lamp combination in any room in a house. And check out the detail of the hardware above -- gorgeous! AND this dealer had about 15 to choose from.


Oh, this piece made me a little sick. Remember that antiques auction my mom and I found? We saw a piece that looked just like this at the end of the night and thought it was so interesting. Unfortunately, we'd both already spent our limit and we passed it up at $75. I've thought about it several times since and wished I would have broken out the credit card and brought it home.


So when I saw this tag I about lost it. I can't believe I let the first one go! Baker! Ah.


Here's Eddie in action talking about something we know he loves, vintage tabletop. He talked about the differences in manufacturing and how to distinguish markings, etc. Unfortunately I was little ADD that morning and I'm afraid I didn't retain much useful information. Ha. I brought something home out of this booth and I can't wait to show you.


Lovely blue and white delftware and transferware (which I unfortunately probably cannot tell apart!). I almost think it looks more beautiful stacked like this than hung on a wall.


Here he is talking about another of his favorite things, vintage prints and lithographs. This dealer had everything but maps -- she said she had to draw the line somewhere, which I can totally understand, and thought was funny. I actually didn't buy anything here, given the total backlog of things that need to be framed at our house. But, I thought the prices were pretty good on the whole, and would go back if we needed something.


After lunch, my friend Kim and I headed into what I called the "eye candy section," meaning, all the gorgeous things that I cannot even come close to being able to afford. But it sure was fun to look!

These French commodes were, oh. So beautiful. I loved the one in the foreground, and the dealer said that she hasn't had many people intrested in it because it doesn't have drawer pulls. That was exactly what attracted me to it in the first place! I could have taken it home for $1500, she said. I said knock off a zero and you have a deal (okay, of course I did not! that would have been totally rude!).


This iron daybed is so fabulous! I imagine it piled high with pillows in a pretty sunroom (or really any room, for that matter).


Back in the "real people section," this little bench caught my eye. I loved the bench in Chaffee Braithwaite's bedroom that appeared in Cottage Living last spring, and thought it was along those lines. I think it was marked at $125.


Wes loves these little tags for his liquor decanters, and there was at least one for every drink imaginable.


I just love mother-of-pearl-handled flatware. This set was especially pretty.


And the dealer was so kind to show us how to tell English from American (most of the English makers have a crown in their logo), and what to look for in a good set.

This is barely skimming the surface of what we saw, and of course I can't wait to show you my goods! In the mean time, here's what a couple of other bloggers thought of the trip:

Layers of Meaning
Southern Hospitality
The Confetti Chronicles

Let me know if you'd like to be included in the round-up. And a big, heartfelt thank-you to Eddie and Jaithan for coming down South to spend the weekend with some totally crazed fans! We all had a great time!

Day 562's fun event

I'm back from Atlanta and have so many fun things to share. Not the least of which is an exclusive sale that Lee Kleinhelter at Pieces has invited you to enjoy. Starting today, January 12th, mention The Newlywed Diaries and recieve a 30% discount on all items. The general public won't know about the sale until the 15th, so head in early for the best selection. If you can't make it to Atlanta, ask about their shipping policies. Have fun, and please share your fun purchases!

Speaking of sharing, I'm sure several bloggers were with Eddie Ross at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta this weekend. If that's you, I'd love to include a link to your coverage of the weekend here. Shoot me an e-mail!

Day 559's fun

I'm headed to Atlanta this weekend for market, a little flea marketeering with Eddie Ross, and some much-needed quality time with a dear friend. Should be one for the record books (or at least the blog!).

Happy Weekend!

Day 558's replacement project

In case you were wondering, I never did turn five yards of plaid fabric into Christmas stockings (I'm sure Lindsay will be quite relieved). I'd still like to make one for Wes (and then do something different for me, and subsequently for every other stocking that will join our family), but 12 months to do so sounds so much more manageable than 10 days, and Christmas 2008 still came and went even though we did not have stockings (oh the horror!).


Now I've got myself wanting something bigger out of that fabric: a pretty blanket with a nice trim. Like this. I even unrolled some of the fabric the other night and sat under it while watching something on TV. Wes laughed at me.

Day 557's new series: designer profile

Today I'm beginning a new series, of sorts, profiling designers I love. You'll probably know many of them, but I'm hoping I can uncover some folks who might be new to some of you. I think it will be fun. First up is Mary Evelyn McKee, who works out of Birmingham, Alabama (where we live!).

I was first introduced to her work exactly two years ago this week, when I started an internship at Southern Accents. Her Birmingham home was featured in the issue that was on newsstands at the time (January-February 2007). Her style is decidedly traditional, always gracious and warm, but at closer inspection, is layered with interesting things.


Her bedroom is one of my favorites. The Fortuny-covered bed (brought from an earlier home -- more on that later) looks so fresh against the walls upholsterd in Peter Dunham's Udaipur.


Wall-to-wall seagrass covers the floor, and a pretty trumeau is propped above the fireplace (oh, the luxury!). In the mirror you can see that a lantern hangs from the ceiling. And I'm sure you can imagine how much I just love that little Udaipur-covered chair -- there was a great shot of it in the magazine.


This kitchen is quite sleek when compared to her earlier work. It seems she is getting away from the super-traditional look, and adding more modern pieces. I love the juxtaposition against her typically-English antiques.


In the dining room, a Chippendale dining set looks great against what looks like raw or pickled wood (the magazine does not list the finish).


Maybe you have seen this image before, as I have seen it scattered around blogland probably twenty times! It is usually attributed to Cottage Living (because it can be found in an application on CottageLiving.com), but it was actually photographed for Southern Accents and is the entry of Mary Evelyn's previous home (also in Birmingham).


The Normandy-style house was finished much more elegantly than her latest home, which I prefer.


Here's the same Chippendale dining set, looking much more formal.


In the kitchen you can really see the evolution of her style. This is quite pretty (and is another blogland favorite) but is very, very different than the Bulthaup kitchen in the new house.


And here's her Fortuny-covered bed again, with the same bedside tables, too. Which do you like better?


Southern Accents must really like her work, as she was chosen to design their Birmingham showhouse (in 2005, I think). The house was featured in the November-December issue, which explains the holiday decorations (which I do know where created by Ray Jordan of Flower Buds here in town). It's a bit hard to tell here, but that nook behind the bench is upholstered and then finished with nailhead trim -- love it! Love this whole room, really.


I love how comfortable and collected this feels. It definitely doesn't have the feel of a showhouse that you couldn't come into and prop up your feet.


Okay, scratch my previous statement, this is my favorite bedroom of all time (blue, of course!). Just enough modern, just enough traditional, just enough perfection. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to go tone-on-tone-on-tone like this -- even the door, moldings, and ceiling is blue!


Love the double front doors and big lantern in the entry, and the diagonal stripe on the carpet in this eating nook.


Here's another modern kitchen, one that is rumored to have caused a stir in halls of Southern Accents. The wood beams on the ceiling humble it a little, I think.


Are you still with me? I know this is getting a bit long, but I couldn't go without showing you this gorgeous bath! Her Web site says this bath is in a "Twenties Tudor" but she did something really similar with a screen in that showhouse. She definitely knows a good thing when she finds it, and she's not afraid to repeat. I also love that she created two identical vanities instead of one massive one.


Here's a bit more from that Twenties Tudor -- of which there are plenty in Birmingham. One of her favorite accent colors seems to be red, a happy coincidence in a house with a red maple by the front door!


If you just can't get enough -- like me -- stop by her Homewood shop (see what I mean about the red?). It's filled with beautiful art, to-die-for custom upholstery, and really fantastic accessories -- like my fun antique bells.

Mary Evelyn Interiors
2815A 18th Street South
Homewood, Alabama 35209

http://www.maryevelyn.com/

Day 556: in need of inspiration

Design by Anne Coyle, as featured in Elle Decor

Wes looked around the living room the other day and said, "you know, I think this one's about finished." And he's right. We've furnished it, painted it, hung curtains, put down a rug, and I'm always adding and taking away accessories here and there, just because it's fun.

The only thing left on my "list" is to hang something above the sofa. We bought a set of four (reproduction) architecture prints on our honeymoon in Charleston and they need to be framed. But how?! I'm not usually at a loss, but framing brings me totally to my knees. For one thing, it's super expensive! But even if I could afford it, I don't think I could decide how to frame them.



I love the frames in this room by Martha Stewart (via Style Court, who happens to be writing a series on framing). I suspect they are antiques, and I'm certainly not holding out for four identical frames in the size we need. Where does one find new frames that look like this? Not at Hobby Lobby, I've discovered. Man, do they have some big frames.


The framed prints in this room (featured in Cottage Living) caught my eye. Wes really likes these so-called floating frames, and though I've always been lukewarm about them, I like the scale of these. OR should I break up the set of four, and do a gallery-style grouping? Oh me, decisions, decisions.

Now it's your turn. Where do you get things framed? What kind of frames to you like? What would you do with our architecture prints Help!

Day 555: celebration

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday! We've been celebrating since Saturday night and I hope he's enjoyed all of the festivities -- he deserves it!


He is nearly impossible to surprise with gifts, partly because he is particular about things, but also because he is sneaky. I did manage to pull of a couple of fun birthday treats: season three of our favorite show on DVD, a subscription to his favorite magazine and these three vintage beer bottles from Sweden. He knew I bought them here while I was out hunting after-Christmas deals, and confessed to scouting the Web site looking for something I may have bought him -- told you he was sneaky!


Lucky for me they weren't listed online, but I did spot them in this pretty photo. I suppose the moral of the story is that I must shop for him in stores that I like in order to surprise him, right?