If you’ve been coming here for a while, you’ll notice that things look a little different on my blog now!  I actually had this design created over a year ago, but it’s taken this long to get all of the technical ducks in a row to implement the new design and entirely rebuild the backend of the site for the sake of speed and efficiency.  We still have some minor tweaks and cosmetic changes to make, so hang in there if things are missing or a little off for the next few days. So, last week, I drove out to fellow antique dealer’s home to buy some ironstone, but I ended up buying an antique French daybed instead!  It was pretty much impossible to resist.  It does need some work, but I know it will be fabulous when it’s finished. Here is how it looks now… I will paint it, because

I hit a lucky streak on craigslist last week and I also scored some great finds when I was out shopping.  So, the studio is full of pieces waiting for their makeovers. And giving furniture a makeover is like therapy for me.  I put on some loud music and paint and it does me good. One of the pieces I’m really excited about is an antique step-back cupboard.  I got it for a good deal, because it was dirty and had some cosmetic issues, like a missing bottom shelf, a rotted back, etc.  It was otherwise sturdy and the fixes were well within my capabilities. Here’s the bottom of it… …and the top… It was a built-in piece, so it’s missing a back, but my dad cut the piece of bead board to attach to it once it’s painted.  I am planning to match that pretty robins’ egg color with a custom

If you don’t know what “blue onion” is, well, let me introduce you! Blue onion is a blue & white transferware design found on dishes and serving pieces.  The Rice jar in the back left is the classic blue onion design and the rest are variations, but can be referred to generically as “blue onion”, although the pattern is a little different. Anyway, I found an amazing collection of it when I went out antiquing last week.  I went to an antique mall I’ve never been to and, while they can be hit and miss, I love that I’m scouring a place for the first time.  You just never know what you’re going to find that’s been overlooked by other people.  I strolled into a booth that was packed with shelves and a lot of vintage clothing and accessories.  But on one of those acrylic shelves, I caught a glimpse