Squash-A-Penny Junction, Part I

Posted on May 29, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Have you been someplace to unique, so extraordinary, that you almost felt like you walked onto a movie set? That is exactly how I felt when I visited Squashapenny Junction a few weekends ago.

A friend of mine gave me the tip about this place and then when I was in Fishersville, another antiquing buddy had asked me if I had ever visited Squashapenny. I’ve been to a few places off the beaten path looking for treasures, but I know I would surely remember a placed called Squashapenny! And now that I’ve been, I can truly tell you that this place is as unique as its name.

I bet you’ve never seen a general store like this before!

Just a few miles off of the Doswell, VA / Kings Dominion exit off of 95 North of Richmond, down a tiny unmarked road that runs parallel to some train tracks, is this gem of a place. It was originally built as a general store in the 1860′s and about 16 years ago, the property was bought and turned into an eclectic antique store. I don’t think much has changed about this building since it was built…except maybe some of the contents inside…which still contain many old general store items such as old food cans, displays and advertising signs. There was so much to look at, it was totally sensory overload!! But what fun we had while we were there!!

How’s that song go…”whiskey for my men, beer for my horses…”

This old iron horse sits outside…he looked thirsty, sittin’ out in the hot southern sun, so I offered him a drink…

See what I mean about a movie set? I felt as if I had gone back in time…

This is what we saw when the Mr. and I entered the building through the original screen door. It was wall-to-wall-floor-to-ceiling eye candy!! You could literally get lost in this place, scoping out the walls and displays for one of a kind treasures!

Wonderful old Pepsi machine…I wonder if the fountain soda sign will fit in my station wagon?

The Mr. was all about this Pepsi machine…which up until recently looked like you could still purchase a cold beverage inserting a coin and pulling its lever. I’m a Coca-Cola kinda girl myself, but I still thought it was pretty amazing. I was more in love with the Fountain Service sign sitting to the right…

Amazing RCA Victor chair…maybe once used as a display piece in an old record shop.

The Mr. does not love antiques as much as I do…but he loves me which means he gets to tolerate my sometimes-over-the-top-enthusiasm for old treasures. I rarely see him get as excited as I do over antiques but when we he turned the corner and saw this RCA Victor Records chair, I thought he was going to lose his mind!! For a man that collects records, this chair takes the cake. I may have to talk to Santa to see if it can appear under our Christmas tree this year…

Children’s boots in pristine condition!

See what I mean about wall-to-wall!! So much to look at!!

Overall, I would say this is the place to go if you collect antique advertising pieces, old store displays or anything odd and quirky. And the owner was just a friendly as can be, so I’m thinking that she would probably be willing to negotiate on a few items for serious buyers. So if you’re near Doswell, VA, do yourself a favor and make this part of your itinerary! I’ll be sharing more about my visit at Squashapenny Junction next week so stay tuned!!

2012 Fishersville Antique Expo Recap

Posted on May 21, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Hey ya’ll! Well, the 50th Fishersvile Antique Expo is over and needless to say, I had the time of my life! Now that I look back at some of these photos, I wonder why I left some of these treasures behind! We had an amazing time, the weather was gorgeous and there was just too much to see in one day. We didn’t go home with any large pieces of furniture, but did manage to score some smalls to add to our collection. Here’s a run down on some of the highlights that we saw…

This is what we saw when entering the expo grounds outside…

Overall, I felt that the majority of the prices were high but almost every vendor was willing to negotiate (probably so that they wouldn’t have to haul it all home!). There were some really beautiful baskets and primitive coverlets…

Don’t you just love those coverlets!

This biscuit bin probably came out of a general store somewhere in Virginia. Suprisingly, we saw a lot of general store items and antique advertising…and as you can imagine, these items did not come cheap!

If only this could fit in my kitchen!!!

I totally fell in love with the small primitive cupboard on the right hand side of this photo. It stood at about 5.5 ft tall and was definitely hand made with a mix of different kinds of wood. I loved the overall folksy feel to this piece.

Its sometimes difficult to take it all in! There’s so much to see!

The cupboards in this tent were AMAZING!!! I stood and gazed at the oak cupboard with the glass door for a while…but priced at $1,200 I had to keep walkin’….

I can see you drooling now…

This civil war era pie safe really got my heart beating! It had a beautiful patina to it and the buttery yellow tin gave a beautiful contrast against the red toned wood.

Awesome pie safe with old yellow painted tins…

Almost each booth had some sort of antique advertising piece for sale….but I didn’t see a lot of people buying it. Advertising is such a hot item right now thanks to TV shows like American Pickers. Most vendors told us that they were trying to have a few advertising pieces or old photography.

If you like old advertising, then this is the place to be!

I fell in love with this old dry sink, while the Mr. liked the old 7up cooler…

Remember my earlier post about my cast iron gnome? Well here he was at the show! This one has a better paint job and was priced at a whoppin’ $700! My dad nearly had a heart attack because he picked mine up at Metrolina in Charlotte, NC for about $20! The dealer told us that this one was made by Hubley. I fell in love with the gnome to the left of this one, but that little guy was even more expensive…priced at $850!

Looky! Looky! Gnomes galore!

I also spotted a lot of antique slag glass lamps…which I love since my living room is mostly decorated in the Arts and Crafts style. This beauty was made by Bradley and Hubbard and came from the dealer’s home in Pennsylvania.

Bradley and Hubbard slag glass lamp

So what did we buy? Lots of antique yard long photographs to add to our collection. I love to group them together on a large wall. There were a few items that I couldn’t decide on and then went back to purchase them, only to find that they were scooped up by someone else! Lesson learned…get it while you can! One dealer gave me some good advice at the show…its not the things you buy that you remember, its the ones that got away!

The Mr. toting some treasures back to the car!

Will you go to the Fishersville Antique Expo next year?

Flea Markets, The Savvy Seeker Way

Posted on May 15, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Okay. So, unless you have just tuned in, you have heard me rambling on and on about this upcoming weekend…the Fishersville Antique Expo! I don’t think the word “excited” can fully express how I am feeling right now about this show. It’s more like this:

Okay, maybe not exactly crying…but pretty excited.

So, while I’m thinking about the show, I thought it would be a great time to go over some helpful tips that everyone should know before going to any flea market type event. I’ve been attending flea markets of all kinds since I was a kid, up and down the east coast, with my mother. And she’s a pro. That woman can sniff a deal a mile away, same goes for my mother-in-law! They both swear by these tips and I’ve seen it action! So take note and enjoy!

What To Bring

1. Tape measure
Know your measurements BEFORE you go!!! There is nothing worse, than finding that unique desk or cupboard and then realizing you forgot to measure how much room you have at home for it! OR not knowing the measurements of your car…how will you get it home? For example, I know that I cannot fit anything over 40″ wide in the trunk of my car…that is VERY helpful to know!

Metrolina flea market in Charlotte, NC. Photo: pleasesirblog.blogspot.com

2. Water bottle and granola bar
It’s high noon. You’re hot and tired. The $9 hot dog cart is on the other side of the flea market. But that’s okay, because you’ve brought a bottle of water and a granola bar to tide you over!

3. Cash/Checks
In all the years that I’ve been attending flea markets, I’ve only paid by credit card once. That was last year and the vendor had a really cool credit card machine that hooked up to her mobile phone. But that is rare! Usually the deals happen fast and cash is king! Plus, some dealers will cut you a deal if you’ve got cash in hand!

Some of my favorite flea purchases…english ironstone!

4. A buddy
It’s always nice to have a friend along. Besides a day of bonding, a buddy can come in handy when you need to lift that heavy item into your car. Plus, if you’re not quite sure about a possible purchase, ask your friend? Sometimes they might be knowledgable about a particular kind of object that you don’t know enough about.

Other General Rules…

Most of the below is common sense, but it’s good to get a reminder!

Dress in layers!
Mornings can be damp and cool. Afternoons can be glaringly hot. Do a body good by bringing along that old hooded sweatshirt and maybe keep an umbrella or sunscreen in the car. And most importantly, wear comfortable shoes. I’m not telling you to wear your bedroom slippers folks, but make sure you’ll be able to walk half a mile on gravel or grass in something comfy.

Where it all began for me…the Raleigh, NC fairgrounds.

Dress down
It’s harder to haggle down a price if you’re pimpin’ some expensive name-brand clothing or digging around in your Prada handbag for your wallet. I always make sure I’m dressed comfortably and casual…jeans, tshirt, jacket, sneakers.

Bring a list
Have you ever walked into Target and totally forgotten what you came there for? That happens to me as soon as I see all the pretty little antique objects spread out across the parking lot, just waiting for me to sift through them! It’s very helpful for me to bring a list of my top 5 “wants.” This keeps me focused and gives me plan of action while hunting for treasures.

Be realistic
When looking for a deal…you have to be realistic. Don’t bark a price out at the vendor…ask them something like, “What’s the best price you can do on this?” The vendor has to make some sort of profit…that’s why they are there…so don’t expect them to give their treasures away for nothing. Also, do your homework. If you are hunting for a particular item, know it’s current value and have a ballpark price in your mind.

Enjoy the trip! You never know what you might find…like a giant roller-skate!

Have a great time!
I always try to turn my flea market adventures into a special day trip. Do some research, try traveling to a town you’ve never been to before and make a 24-hour vacation out of it. Hit the flea market in the morning, ask locals for tips on a great spot for lunch, check out the town in the afternoon and enjoy the weather! Making a memorable day out of my “little journeys” is always one of my most favorite things to do!

Got a favorite flea market? If so, tell me about it? What was your biggest flea market score?

C.B. King General Store Auction

Posted on May 7, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

May is always one of my favorite months in Richmond, VA. It’s a beautiful time of year to be outside just before the excruciating, brutal Richmond humidity hits and scorches away all signs of life! There are always lots of church yard sales, outdoor fleas and local farmers markets to check out. However, this time I wanted to share with you some information about a really exciting auction that is happening in Brunswick County on Saturday, May 19^th.

C.B. King General Store

To bid or not to bid, that is the question!

I normally don’t write about auctions, mostly because I don’t go to a lot of them. Some of my antiquing-buddies swear by them and say that you can really get great deals if you’re willing to travel and give up an entire afternoon. I’ve only been to two auctions, both in the Richmond area. At one auction, I purchased my first piece of antique furniture when I was 21, which was an oak washstand. At my second auction, in King William County, I waited all day to bid on a beautiful mustard colored pie safe and was out bid at the very last second. Hey, you win some, you lose some…isn’t that what they say?

When I received the email from Victoria Auction about the upcoming auction and real estate sale of the C.B King General Merchandise and Country Store, it really peeked my interest. Why? Because historic gems like this are far and few between. No only are the original contents of the general store for sale (which dates back to 1870), so is the general store building and the adjoining 3,800 sq. ft. farmhouse!

All those treasures…waiting for a new home!

Here is glimpse of some of the gems that will be up for your bidding pleasure:

1920′s Hardware, Nut & Bot Cabinet

Let’s put this counter in my kitchen…oh wait…it wouldn’t fit! Look how long that baby is!!!

Old store counter or table…would make a great kitchen island!

I would put this cute little wagon on my front porch…and fill it with flower pots!

Old Eagle Tribune Wagon…

This old coke sign would look awesome in my kitchen!!

Lots of advertising, including a rare Coca-Cola lollipop sidewalk sign

Can you imagine how many clothes you could fit in this beauty! Aw…a girl can dream…

Beautiful grain painted wardrobe…

These would look awesome in a row filled with bright colored candy, sitting on top of a cupboard!

I love the color of these gum ball machines!

I don’t know why I love these old cupboards so much…look how warn the paint is from a century of hands opening and closing it’s doors and drawers! LOVE!!!

And my favorite, an old pie safe with original paint.

A Rich History

Here’s a little back story on this place and why its so unique according to Victoria Auction’s website:

C.B. King General Merchandise 1870-1935 was built and operated by John James King at the end of the Civil War, the store was renamed C.B. King General Merchandise when John’s son, Charles B. King, became the proprietor in 1896. At the time, the store was considered the largest and most up to date in Brunswick County and sold groceries, dry goods, men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and caskets. The upstairs served as a hat shop and carpentry shop for over 25 years. The store is a great location for that business you’ve always wanted. With its original counters and shelving, this country store transports the visitor back in time. With over 1,800 square feet of floor space, updated wiring, a rear deck and an additional 1000 square feet upstairs, the country store can be described in one word: opportunity. Husband and wife team Jim Halley and Huyen Bui are only the second owners of the property since it was built. The King family operated the store, a cotton gin and small farm until the store was closed in 1935 during the Great Depression. It remained closed until the current owners purchased it in 2004. The ice cream shop and kitchen are located in what once was a grocery store.

Why I think YOU should go

The adjoining farmhouse…simply precious!

One reason is because I can’t go…I’ll be heading to the Fishersville Antique Expo. So, I need you to go and tell me all the about the auction! The second reason you should go is if you are into antiques and are looking for something special to add to your collection, this certainly seems like the right opportunity. LOTS of old advertising and special finds that you just don’t see everyday! The third reason you should go is because places like this are so rare…it’s a part of american history that is quickly disappearing from our landscape. Small old towns are becoming vacant and historic landmarks like this fall to neglect or become replaced by new strip centers. Who knows what will happen to this place, so go and see it and be reminded of a time past.

For more information about this special auction, visit the Victoria Auction site here. And if you go, come back and tell us how it went!

Before & After: My Bathroom

Posted on May 1, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Some renovation projects are simple and some are messy. Some take a few days and some take a few weeks (or months!). Whatever your renovation project is, it’s always going to be a learning experience. Hopefully in the end, your new space is exactly what you imagined it to be…wonderful!

This is a tale of our upstairs family bathroom…which had floor tile reminiscent of the disco floor in the film Saturday Night Fever.

Not a good choice for a bathroom floor!

Neither of our two bathrooms had been updated since 1963. If the bathrooms had evoked a sense of “Mad Men” cool, mod style…then I probably would have been okay to keep them as is. What I was not cool with was when the floor tile started coming up and strange plumbing issues arose. It was time to break out the sledgehammer…

Houston, We Have a Problem

Those are words you do not want to hear from your contractor or your plumber. Ever. But once you start undressing your rooms to their bare bones, there’s no telling what’s behind the old tile and plaster. Fortunately, we did not have any mold or any real dangers. What we did have was some funky plumbing and some old pipes that had almost rotted through.

Other minor issues we ran into most came from measurements. The homeowner who is the worst with math…should not hold the ruler! For example, the Kohler toilet we purchased was too large because we have baseboard heat that runs behind the toilet. There was a bit of a last minute scramble to find a smaller toilet that would work with historic homes that have old baseboard heating.

The "before" shot...disco floor pink/peachy walls...

The famous hand sawed countertop...notice the crooked edge on the far right.

Another thing to note…if you only have one bathtub in your home and you are planning on updating the shower head and faucet combo, you must have a uni-lever system instead of two handles to control the temperature of your water. This prevents scolding and keeps your bathroom up to current building codes. I special ordered a very cool dual porcelain handle shower system and then had to quickly return it once my plumber dropped some knowledge on me.

The pipe on the far left should have been on center wall, for the pedestal sink.

Shower faucet plumbing being converted for the uni-lever system.

The New Room

Isn't she lovely?

After the renovation dust settled, we were left with our dream bathroom. After the Mr. and I looked at a lot of sources for inspiration we opted for a very classic design, creating a bathroom that was simple, functional and timeless. I love white subway tile and I especially love the small accented stripe across the room. By keeping things simple, I’ll be able to switch the wall color or bathroom accessories down the road without breaking the bank. Bungalows from the 1920’s and 1930’s especially inspire me and this bathroom scheme can often be found in both. Here’s a breakdown of what was added and changed:

Kohler pedestal sink (Craigslist.com find for a cool $60)
Delta sink and shower faucets with white porcelain handles (handles are ordered separately…check with your Delta fixture dealer for details)
New low-flow toilet
Delta light fixture with frosted glass pendants
New exhaust fan system with overhead light to suck out all of that nasty humidity!
White subway tile and classic black and white floor tile (Home Depot)
Monogramed burlap shower curtain with fringe (BallardDesigns.com)
Antique hooser style cabinet with white and black enamel top (Craigslist.com find for $40!!)

What a nice way to wake up every morning!

The only thing that we kept was the tub. It’s big, it’s old and it’s heavy. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with it, so why get rid of it? I prefer the old cast iron tubs to the newer plastic ones anyway…so eventually this baby will probably get a small facelift by getting glazed.

Baby Got Bagster

The smartest thing we did with this renovation was utilize Bagster, the “dumpster in a bag.” Pick up a Bagster for a cool $40 or so at any big box home store, fill it with up to 3,300 lbs of unwanted junk and then call the 1-800 number to schedule a pick up for about $100. Hands down, the best thing we did during this project. It was so easy, convenient and cost effective, so I highly recommend it!

Vintage enamel cabinet...fabulous craigslist find!

Stay tuned for more bathroom-makeover-bonanza in the upcoming weeks – for part II of this story! And don’t be shy! Tell me what you think so far! Do you have a great old home bathroom re-do story of your own? Tell us about it!

Note: Quick shout out to our friend and tile guru, Rob Whybrow! You did a fantastic job! Thank you Rob!

ATTENTION D.C. Antique lovers! The DC Big Flea Market is this upcoming weekend, May 5th-6th at the Dulles Expo Center, in Chantilly, VA. Admission is $8. Learn more about it at www.damorepromotions.com.

Check out more before-and-after projects at Beneath My Heart.