I’ve been eyeing industrial carts for years now.  They have so many things going for them!  Really cool hardware, wheels, warm patina on the wood and sometimes even great stenciled graphics and typography, if you’re lucky.  While I’ve always petted them in antique stores and opened the listings on Criag’s List, I’ve never felt compelled to actually buy one.  When my kids were younger, I was worried about little fingers being caught in the wheels and stuck with splinters.  They’re also really heavy and usually pretty large, so they are tough to even get home!  I’ve turned over the tags, given them second glances and even called Jeff for a second opinion once or twice, but I never bought one…until Friday. Kriste and I went to a local antique mall that has several buildings and a wide variety of antiques…everything from kitschy-not-really-antique things to high end museum quality pieces, so you never really

I’ve been hunting for a sofa for the studio for a few weeks now.  I wanted one that has a great look for photo shoots, but is something we can also sit on or take a power-nap on…depending on the day!  I also didn’t want to pay a lot for one, so when I saw this pretty caned back sofa on Craig’s List for $80, I jumped at it. Aside from the obvious…new cushion covers, refreshing the finish, it needs some structural work and comfort-enhancing upholstery work done as well.  I think we can get it looking and sitting pretty with some elbow grease. For now, I threw an antique hemp sheet over it and plopped on a ticking pillow. This has me thinking I may make a loose slipcover for the cushions instead of making a cover for each one. I’ll start dissecting it once I have a good

I’m pretty set on larger pieces like dressers and cabinets for the Chapel Market show in October, so I’ve been looking mostly for “smalls” and smaller pieces of furniture like chairs, stools, small benches, etc.  Remember the theme is French Blue Farmhouse White, so I’m looking for pieces that work with that theme.  Here are a few of the small pieces of furniture I picked up while out shopping last week… I’ve always had a thing for antique baby stuff, which is a little weird, because I’m not what you would call a “baby person.”  I have friends like that who have to cuddle every baby in the room and just can’t get enough.  I’ll hold a baby if someone asks me to, but I rarely seek it out.  But, there’s something about antique baby gear that tugs at my heartstrings.  So, when I spotted this antique high chair in

There are certain things I’m always on the hunt for in antique stores…ironstone, cool scales, French chairs, etc., but the rest of the pieces I buy are ones that speak to me.  It’s hard for me to explain it, but I just know when I see a special piece.  It has a character about it, a patina, a color, a style.  Some pieces are kind of close, but don’t hit the mark.  Other are spot on.  For me, this antique hose reel was spot on. I saw it hanging on the wall in an antique store.  The chippy blue paint was what jumped out at me first, then the delicate metal wheels, then the overall interesting shape.  When hung on the wall, this once-utilitarian piece looked like art.     When I’m looking for pieces to resell and use as photography props, I’ve learned that I need to trust my