About thesavvyseeker

I’m Erin and I’d like to think that I’m a pretty savvy seeker. I’m a life-long learner who can’t sit still and has a slight obsession about history and the arts. I'm a professional designer and have studied everything from Norman Rockwell to medieval art and architecture. I love interesting people and interesting objects. If you have a cool collection and what to chat about it, drop me a line at thesavvyseeker@yahoo.com

Lucketts Spring Market and Victoria Auctions

Posted on May 10, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Hey ya’ll!!!! Looks like I’ve been as absent as this spring has been! I don’t know what the weather has been like where ya’ll live…but so far, this spring has been cold, wet and dreary. Not exactly the perfect outdoor flea market hunting type weather that I was hoping for. Though, some of you may love the rain…in fact it might make you do things like this. I’ve mostly been primping around the house and the garden, but there are some pretty amazing events coming up that might make one come out from their cave!!

Lots to see and do at Lucketts! (Photo from blondemomentintheburbs.blogspot.com)

Have you guys ever been to the Luckett’s Spring Market? For those of you that live near Leesburg, VA…this annual event is a real treat!! I used to live right down the road and I can remember attending this event when I was younger with my mom. Back then, it was MUCH smaller and was mostly comprised of high end dealers. Now, the event takes over 15 beautiful acres in Northern VA and offers antiques, cool retro finds, funky home decor and more!

I think this bench would be perfect for my front porch!! (Photo from luckettstoreblog.blogspot.com)

Need aromatherapy? I love the smell of fresh herbs for the garden!

Which wicker item would you choose? I like the hanging baskets…imagine them filled with lavender! (Photo from luckettstoreblog.blogspot.com)

Need a break from shopping? Rest a while in one of these funky vintage chairs. (Photo from luckettstoreblog.blogspot.com)

Have fun shopping and looking at the awesome eye candy from over 170 dealers May 18 & 19, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $10 (kids 12 and under are free and NO pets are allowed). If you need more details, visit the Lucketts Store Blog.

How about a day trip to Nottoway County for a good country auction?

Don’t want to drive to Northern VA? How about a day trip to Wilsons, VA? If you live in the central VA area, and love attending a good country auction, then I highly suggest you sign up to receive updates from Victoria Auctions. There’s a great auction going on Saturday, May 18 at 10am that will take place at a beautiful country farmhouse in Nottoway County. I don’t know about ya’ll….forget the contents of the house, just GIVE ME THIS HOUSE!! How gorgeous is that place?!

Here’s a smattering of the goods up for auction:

Early antique cast iron bank…

I’m guessing this is something that came out of a nearby general store?

Beautiful southern crocks…

And who doesn’t love a nice pie safe?

So make sure you get out this month and attend one of the many fun antiquing events going on in our region! And if you go…drop me a line and tell me what treasure you brought home! Happy Hunting!!

Q&A: Julie Sudbeck of Hunt and Found

Posted on April 22, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Q: Tell us briefly about yourself – What are your interests and hobbies?

A: I am a wife and stay at home mom of 4 children – 3 girls, 1 boy, 2 cats and a very large lovable golden retriever. I love to read and get lost in a great book. I consider myself a sophisticated potato chip connoisseur. I love to decorate, redecorate and my surroundings. My favorite place to be is at our summer lake home in a small northwest Iowa town. When I am there I spend my days either on the end of the dock or hitting the local flea markets.

Don’t you love these old tweed suitcases? Use them to store your treasures or stack them to make a table!

Q: Describe your style in three words or less:

A: Vintage eclectic

The graphics on this old soda crate are just AWESOME!

Q: What inspired you to open Hunt And Found and start selling antique goods on Etsy?

A: The inspiration to open my Etsy store can be summed up by 3 words-desire, desperation, and distraction. I have always had a desire to open my own store however that was happily backseated by the commitment of being a stay at home mom and raising my children first. The desperation was my need to lessen my mounting vintage inventory in my home curated by my endless thrifting and flea marketing. Yes my children have thrown down the hoarder word a time or two. And lastly, my need for distraction. My mom and lifetime best friend, whom I called a million times a day and shopped with endlessly, had just passed away from a brain tumor. I was facing an enormous void in my life and I knew a distraction of some sort was needed. So one night when I was window shopping on Etsy the lightbulb went on…an Etsy store was a perfect fit for me. I had my shop, it was an online shop but perfect for the stay at home mom and everything could be worked around my kids schedule. My vintage shopping was now considering “going to market” for my Etsy store. And was it a distraction. YEP, I was a one man show…sales started and I have been crazy busy ever since! I even dedicated a shop section to my mom called Josephine’s closet.

You know you want these vintage Mason Chippewa Falls cowgirl boots! I actually have a pair that are very similar…LOVE the color!

Maybe this vintage Pendleton woolen cape is more your style. Love the color!

Q: Most of the items that you sell in your Etsy shop have an industrial feel to them. Are you drawn to these types of antiques? If so, why?

A: I do find myself drawn to vintage industrial but I honestly can’t tell you exactly why I am. Perhaps it is the metal of industrial pieces, I find metal a great texture to add to a home. Maybe it is the color of the vintage metal-it is usually very simple and drab but has a calming feel when incorporated in a home. I could even speculate that the clean lines that most industrial pieces possess attract me, I do favor modern edge when decorating. I also think when decorating your surroundings and putting something in your home that does not typically belong in a home-like a great industrial piece that was maybe once used in a factory-makes a great statement piece and makes everyone go “WOW where did you get that-I love it!!”

Gettin’ industrial with this lovely factory cart that would make a perfect coffee table!

Store some magazines in this vintage locker basket!

Q: Where do you go for antique inspiration? Are there particular blogs that you like to read or magazines?

A: I find the most inspirational places for vintage would have to be the flea markets in Okoboji, Iowa where our lake home is located. Many of the vendors have been selling their whole life and are really good at what they do. They come from different states so you get a good mix of vintage from different regions. My favorite magazine to read is Country Living and my fav blog would have to be Apartment Therapy. They both do a great job of featuring the vintage lifestyle of today.

Is an old duck decoy more your speed?

Q: I’m always fascinated by what kind of antiques you can find in a certain region of the country, like the abundance of early American primitives that you can find in Pennsylvania. What kind of antiques are plentiful or popular in the mid-west?

A: The Midwest vintage finds are plentiful in what I consider “vintage farm fresh.” You get a variety of what a farmer would use to make his living off of the land which might include colorful egg gathering baskets, chicken feeders, turkey feeders, farm harvest tables, 3 legged milking stools, wagon wheels, milk cans, the discs of old plows, galvanized buckets and old horse collars.

Farm fresh from Omaha…or Omaha Street!

Q: Do you have a flea market or a special place that you like to visit for your finds?

A: One of my fav places to shop vintage that tops my list for vintage finds-hands down is Junk Bonanza in Shakopee, MN. This is the mecca of vintage and the early bird ticket is a must and a very very very large vehicle for getting your vintage finds home is mandatory.

Get cozy with a funky flour sack pillow...galvanized bucket optional:)

Get cozy with a funky corn sack pillow…galvanized bucket optional:)

Q: What is the most unique antique item that you’ve had on your Etsy store (Hunt And Found)?

A: My most unique vintage find has not made it to my Etsy store yet. One day while on the hunt, the sweet man that I was dealing with must have known by my persistent inquiries of what he had that I was looking for something different that day. He disappeared to his back room and reappeared with these very carefully wrapped items. When he unwrapped them I knew I had to have them! So simple but just so very unique. He had three glass corked bottles of vintage mineral samples from the University of Nebraska science department. They were from the 1950′s and the shape of the bottles were very scientific looking, the vintage labels were vintage amazing -everything about them was perfect!

Store some goodies in this old mini file cabinet. I’d use it to store jewelry or other small treats.

Q: Is there any special treasure that you are looking for – for your own home?

A: The special treasure for my own home seems to be an on going hunt and one I consider a benefit of my job : ) It is an ever changing treasure item but I think one item that has been on my list from very early is a vintage drafting table. I have found several but they just have not had everything I am looking for in one. I know the one I want is out there and one day when I am NOT looking for it is when I will find it!!

What do you think this was used for? To hold medical files or magazines?

Special thanks to Julie for the interview and be sure to check out her Etsy shop, Hunt and Found!

Q&A: Jay Leavitt of Deep Groove Records

Posted on April 17, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Q: Tell us briefly about yourself – what are your interests & hobbies?

A: I’m the owner of Deep Groove Records and my interests are music and concert going. I do go to the gym everyday…would that be considered a hobby?

The man and music fan, busy behind the counter…Jay Leavitt!

Q: Describe your style in 3 words or less:

A: Very simple man.

Keepin’ it simple…buying and selling vinyl records.

Q: What was the first record you bought with your own money?

A: I bought a 45…it was the Doors “Light My Fire.” I was trying to decide between “Windy” by The Association and the Doors “Light My Fire” won out. I guess that was the road I was down…you know…a little grittier, a little more rock n’ roll.

Here’s a 45 I can get down with…anything by the Beatles…

Q: You grew up in Alabama. How do you think that has influenced your musical taste?

I’m a huge fan of music that came from there because I’m proud of it. If I do have a hobby, it’s collecting records from Muscle Shoals Sound and keeping up with the history of that. I probably have 300 records that were recorded from that area. I was 11 years old when Percy Sledge recorded “When a Man Loves a Woman” in Sheffield, Alabama. I was a paper boy and used to see the stories about the artists who recorded in town that were featured in the paper…and I used to think, “man, there is something going on here.” And my interested started then.

The most amazing collection of concert ticket stubs that I’ve ever seen are on display on the counter. Jay thinks he’s been to at least 1,500 shows.

Q: What is your most treasured record in your record collection?

A: Songs of Freedom by Bob Marley…it only came out in the UK and didn’t come out in the United States. I just looked it up to see what they sell for and they sell for around $250. There are a lot of different and unusual takes of songs on that album that you can’t get anywhere else.

We be jammin’…in the store that is! Listening to the sweet sounds of Marley in the shop…

Q: How has owning a record store influenced the music that you now add to your personal collection?

I have given up seriously collecting records since I have started Deep Groove Records. There was a guy from Austin Texas who was in the store and he looks at me and goes, “You have to give up collecting when you do this, otherwise you are taking all of the good stuff home.” In four years, I have probably only taken 40 records home total from the shop…and there have been a lot of great records that have come around. Plus, I don’t listen at home much anymore because I’m in the store all day and can play whatever I want….I own them all! At one point, I had about 5,000 records in my personal collection but have sold about half of them in this shop.

A smattering of autographed records are on display behind the counter.

Q: What do you think is the driving force behind the renewed interest in buying/collecting vinyl records?

A: We get asked this question a lot. I break it down it down into three different groups of people that buy records. First you have people who are my age (58), who never gave up on listening to or buying records….the type of people that continue to buy, sell, collect and listen to records. Then there’s the age group of people that grew up in the cd era. Those folks will have a friend who has gotten into records and then they’ll hear the records and go, “Oh, that’s kinda cool.” And then there’s young people. With young people, I think that they’ve grown up with MP3 files, but they don’t have anything else…nothing to read or look at. The music becomes a disposable thing. It takes activity to listen to a record. You have to sit down, put the needle in the groove, you have to change the record…it’s an active listening experience. The one thing that all of those different demographics have in common is that they are all music lovers.

Music lovers can sample their sounds before they purchase!

Q: Is there one album that you’ve wanted to own, but never found?

A: I have been looking for a Jimmy Cliff album and it was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound in 1971 (called Another Cycle). They must not have sold many copies of it because I’ve never seen it in all my years selling records.

A collectors dream! Find what you’re looking for…most records range in price from $40 – $3.

Q: You purchase a lot of collections for the shop. What was the greatest score?

A: Lonnie Lissen Smith was a jazz album collector/fan and I bought about 500 records from his personal collection about a year and a half ago. It was one of the most amazing jazz collections that you can imagine…there were a lot of extremely rare records like Sun Ra records. Some of the Sun Ra records were from his band members, like his drummer…things that you just don’t find. They were produced on very private labels and there were only about 1,000 of them made.

Special Note! Be sure to support your local record store this Saturday…April 20th…on National Record Store Day!

Before & After: Our Kitchen

Posted on April 8, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

It’s finally here! The BIG kitchen reveal!! A few blown electrical outlets, a bad case of bronchitis and a few arguments over wainscoting measurements…and it’s finally all complete!!! Maybe I should pinch myself….or maybe I should just show you guys the photos…

I must really like you guys because I can’t believe I’m showing you these horrible before snapshots of our kitchen…with grocery bags on the floor, mail on the table and little dogs running around! Ain’t no “staging” goin’ on in these photos!

Anyone hungry for tomato soup? That’s what this color reminds me of!

Here’s another view of the opposite end of the kitchen…

Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road…right to the laundry room!

And here’s the photo from when the kitchen was painted and the room was cleared in preparation for the old vinyl floors to be removed. Wow! I can already breathe easier with all the clutter gone!

Ah…much better! What a soothing color!

When the old vinyl flooring was removed we ended up having to build a new sub-floor. That ensured that the new tile floor went in nice and even…and I think it turned out beautifully!

Whoa! What a difference! The wainscoting and new floors really add that extra architectural interest that this room lacked.

This room now holds many of my favorite antique items in our home, including this beautiful pie safe from Sweet Briar, VA. It’s dated around 1840 and came out of a plantation that was being renovated. It even has it’s original locks and key…that still functions. This was the last piece of furniture that my mother-in-law purchased before she passed away last year. She didn’t even get to bring it home from the shop and enjoy it. After she passed, I was able to purchase it and bring it here, to our home…where I can admire it daily and always think of her and our antiquing adventures together.

This key and lock are 173 years old! Imagine the things that they have safely held in this pie safe…

The baseboard heaters, door trim and all of the cabinets are painted white with Benjamin Moore’s Impervo (oil based). The Mr. used to be a painting contractor and swears by the quality and long lasting wear of this paint. This oak farm table was purchased at the Raleigh, NC flea market when I was 20 years old. It was the first piece of antique furniture that I ever purchased and has traveled with me to many different homes. The antique mission chairs were purchased at an estate sale a few years ago for a whoppin’ $30. The antique tool tray was purchased last year in Bucks County, PA.

Originally, I thought I wanted either a large checkerboard pattern tile or a large grey tile floor…but when the Mr. and I walked into Best Tile, we spotted this immediately and knew it was the one (If you go to Best Tile, make sure you work with Mary Thurman…that woman knows her stuff!). We both loved the wood-grain like texture (which you can’t see that well here)…reminiscent of old barn wood.

A better view…wish you could see the beautiful detail in this ceramic tile. It looks just like old barn wood!

Here’s the opposite end of the kitchen. The screen door leads you to a tiny laundry room that also holds our brand new electrical box and hot water heater. Both were 30 years old and decided to die at the same time (perhaps the Romeo and Juliet story of electrical appliances??). We can’t place a solid door here, because the room needs to ventilate, so this was our creative solution.

And here’s a snap shot of one of my other pie safe. If I could have an entire house full of antique pie safes, I’d be a very happy girl…I LOVE these functional, yet beautiful pieces of furniture. Each one is so unique…whether it’s been painted or stained…due to its shape and intricate design punched into the tin doors.

One of the last things we did in this room was to paint the pantry door black. I felt that it by going darker, it offered some nice contrast from the white wainscoting and cabinets.

Can you tell I love furniture and objects that have a folk art feel to them?

Last but not least, I have to give a special shout out to the Mr. for doing such an AMAZING job doing all of the carpentry work and installing all of the beautiful wainscoting that now surrounds this large room. All of the lumber was purchased at Siewers Lumber and Millwork.

I’d also like to thank Randy Hedstrom of Hedstrom Paint & Tile, who did a wonderful and impeccable job putting in the new floor and installing our tile. If you have an upcoming project and need some expert help…he’s your man!

Don’t you love the rusty patina on this old tire sign?

So that’s our big renovation project for the year! Now we can sit back and relax and enjoy our lovely new space. Oh…and speaking of enjoying something new…I wanted show you this awesome antique sign we found this past weekend at a wonderful shop in Toano, VA called Everything Vintage Co. It was going to hang on our shed, but once we brought it home, we loved it so much…we decided to hang it in our family room!

What projects do you have planned for this spring? What do you think of our kitchen renovation? Tell us…we’d love to hear from you!

A Quick Note…

Posted on April 3, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Hey ya’ll! I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been a little absent around here lately…

Well, just to give you a quick update…the kitchen is done…but looks like the renovation project took a toll on my health and I’ve been fighting a nasty case of bronchitis. Sooo…I will try to get a new story up next week (if the cough meds can keep me going).

Thanks for stopping by!

Q&A: Margo Arrick from Flea Market Syle

Posted on March 18, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Q: Tell us briefly about yourself – What are your interests and hobbies?

A: I’m married and I have 2 grown boys, one is married the other will graduate college in May. I love dogs and have had several rescued greyhounds over the years . I’m very organized and am a bookkeeper as a “real job”. I love chocolate which is evident by my waistline. As I get older I’m enjoying life more and more. I spent my 20′s and 30′s raising boys and Now I’m living the good life and skipping with a thankful heart through most of my days.

Lots of funky junk can be found in Margo’s Etsy shop.

Q: Describe your style in three words or less:

A: Rustic Industrial Cottage

Check out this awesome photo holder Margo made from two old faucet handles!

Q: How did you get so inspired to re-purpose rusty junk?

A: A few years ago, I vowed to try and go a year without buying anything new for my home. That is when I discovered that my real passion was creating and hunting for the unusual things that add character to my surroundings. During this attempt at green living, I fell in love with all things old, and repurposed. Since pulling myself free of the retail trap, I am fully enjoying the process of the hunt, the find, and the creation of something wonderful from something that was discarded by someone else, as useless.

Q: How did you get involved with the Flea Market Style team? What was your first junk-project that was featured in the magazine?

A: Several years ago Ki had an online junkers club. As part of the membership fee, there was a newsletter, and membership to a private message board which she participated in. I joined and was an active member of the message board, where she became aware of me and what I had been doing on the web. When she was ready for a change in direction for her business, she contacted me for some advice and help with web promotion. We quickly became good friends and our phone calls about business would turn to personal relationships, projects, interests etc. My roll has changed from Web adviser and promoter to a kind of administrative roll with the blog, and emails that people send in from the blog as well as being the” go to” person for mail orders of the Flea Market Style magazine.

(You can order Flea Market Style Magazine from Margo here!)

Photo from robolady.blogspot.com

The first project that was ever in a magazine, was actually a copy of one Ki had done in the past, and was placed on the reader input page of Country Home. The way they published it, made it sound as if I had sent it in randomly, but actually she had asked me for the photo and background of the project. They wanted to publish how someone had used an idea seen in their magazine and adapted it to make it their own. It was an organizer made out of an old bird cage, seen here.

Isn’t this the cutest idea for a Christmas tree?!

Q: I LOVE your idea for an old spindle Christmas tree! Where did that idea come from?

A: I had seen one similar in the antique mall where I have a booth, but that one was made from either driftwood or random sticks. I studied it and knew it could be done with spindles as well. I put the idea on the back burner in my brain for awhile, but it kept coming to the forefront. Once I had time I threw one together and was very pleased with how it turned out. I’m so tired of the same old Christmas tree every year and have decided to do something different for awhile. My boys are grown and I don’t have grand babies yet, so now is the time to do up the Holiday’s “outside the box”.

(Want to make your own? Margo has a tutorial for the spindle Christmas tree here.)

Some of Margo’s treasures can be found at local antique malls in Texas…

Q: You sell antiques/vintage treasures on Etsy and in some antique malls in Texas, as well as write for your own blog and for the Flea Market Style blog. How do you find time to do it all?

A: I’m blessed to not have to work full time. My husband and I have a business and I do all the bookkeeping, and paperwork. I only work 3-4 hours a day at the “real job” which leaves the rest of the day for the other things. Also I get bored real easy so It’s actually nice to put my creative energy into something that makes money instead of something that costs money. Sometimes it does get a bit over whelming and at those times I evaluate what I need to cut back on. Like recently I had some minor surgery and was not allowed to lift for 6 weeks. During that time, I concentrated on making my jewelry pieces, and doing the web work, whenever I had the energy. I got so many pieces done during that time I’m fully stocked and I’ve not hardly made one single piece since then.

Just some of Margo’s funky junky jewelry!

Now I’m back to hunting, cleaning, painting and loading again. There are so many different aspects to this business, that all of my creativity has an outlet in some way. I can decorate my booth, or work on my photography. I can tinker with web design and online publishing or I can play with how to use a piece in my house and when I’m tired of it, sell it to the next person. I can paint, hammer, and solder to my hearts content, or simply sit at my computer and browse what other people are doing for inspiration and work on web pages.

A snapshot of a cute shop from Margo’s trip to Paris!

Q: I enjoyed reading about all the fun excursions you’ve made in search of funky old junk! You’ve been to the Round Top Texas, Junk-Bonanza and the flea markets in Paris. What is your favorite place to go in search of inspiration and junkin’ treasure?

A: Paris was fabulous for sure, it was a once in a lifetime trip and well worth it for the memories and fun and unique things I brought back. But as great as it was, I just don’t think you can beat the junk we find right here in Texas. I am so blessed to live within driving distance of so many good shows. Choosing a favorite is just not possible. Each one has something different to offer. And the Junk Bonanza is a must for me every year. I’ve made so many wonderful friends up there in Minnesota that if I had to miss it, I think I’d be sulking all weekend.

I love the shape and patina of this old metal trunk, don’t you?

Q: Is there a particular treasure that you’ve been on the hunt for – for your own home? If so, what is it?

A: A few years ago I really wanted a french bottle drying rack. I put out the word on my blog and before I knew it a friend of mine had an affordable one available for me. That is one reason I love blogging and facebook. There are so many great junkers out there and so many wonderful ideas. I feel like I’ve made many many friends, who I have never actually met.

Usually the things I have, find me. Like the recent metal trunk I found at an estate sale.

The Flea Market Style team at Junk Bonanza – Margo, Ki Nassauer and Kim Yeager.

Q: What’s next for you in your junkin’ adventures?

A: I’m planning a trip to Round Top later in March, I’ll have to miss the Spring Junk Bonanza but would never miss the one in September. I’m also thinking about heading out to the Rose Bowl Flea in California in the Summer with Ki, if we can work our schedules out. That is one I’ve never been to before.

Special thanks to Margo for this lovely interview! Check out Margo’s blog and Etsy store here:
http://robolady.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RuffByMargo

STAY TUNED next week for our big kitchen REVEAL!!!

Demo Day!

Posted on March 11, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Don’t be fooled by this photo. My frown has been turned upside down now that the demo day has arrived! The guys are at the house as we speak, ripping up my old, crusty vinyl flooring!! I thought I’d share a little of the “before” today…so you can get a feel for what we’re dealing with…

Can you tell how much I like this flooring?

Here’s another photo of the Mr. admiring our ‘yellow brick road’ flooring.

And here’s a shot of one side of the room, not long after we changed the walls from barn red to a soft shade of green.

What a soothing color!

What you don’t see on the other side of this room are the white cabinets, white sink and white subway tile backsplash. However, I promise to show lots of great photos of the entire room when it’s all put together! Can’t wait to show you guys when it’s done!!

Meanwhile, I thought I’d share some other randomness:

Do you love vintage posters as much as I do? Last week, my pal Kathryn sent me a link to www.freevintageposters.com, where you can download and print FREE vintage posters! And, yes, I did say FREE. I feel some decoupage light switch plate covers coming on!! Wouldn’t one of these look great in our newly redone kitchen?

Then I received another email from my good friend Rita, who went to an estate sale and scored this amazing vintage Mickey/Minnie Mouse cookie jar!

Any Disney collectors out there? If so and you know something about this cookie jar, let us know!

While planning for some other fun details in our kitchen last week, I ordered two vintage cheese crates from Julie’s Etsy shop, Hunt and Found. I LOVE the graphics on these old boxes!! I’m not going to tell you just yet what we plan to do with them, but I will tell you that it will be a fun detail in the new kitchen!

Gettin’ cheesy! Too bad I’m lactose intolerant though!

Stay tuned next week…as I should have some fun reveals to show you! Have a great week and happy hunting!

Kitchen Inspiration

Posted on March 4, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

I want to apologize right now for not offering any of the “before” images of what our kitchen looked like when we purchased our 1960′s brick colonial from the original owners. The Mr. was literally peeling pale pink wallpaper and removing the olive green fridge and matching-non-working oven as I was directing the movers where to place things in the house from off the truck…hence the fact that there are no photos. What I can offer you is a humorous mental picture of what it looked like…

Pink and green must have been the “it” color combo of the early 60′s…because it was ALL OVER our home when we first purchased it.

There was a pink “Tiffany style” lamp with a brass/gold chain hanging in the middle of the room, that you would bump your head on if you walked underneath of it. There were “almond” colored cabinets with gold knobs. There was a white formica counter top with gold flecks in it…reminiscent of Goldschlager. The wallpaper was white and pale pink, that had a raised texture to it. The light fixture above the sink was a florescent tube. And the floors…two layers of vinyl, glued together, that have the appearance of pale yellow bricks. Oh, and did I tell you that leading into the kitchen was pink shag carpeting that covered up beautiful, flawless honey oak wooden floors? Yes, I know…I’m a lucky woman.

What I will be able to show you in the coming weeks is our “temporary before,” that we have lived with for the past few years, and a brand new “after.” In the meantime, here’s some vintage and farmhouse-style kitchen eye-candy to get us both inspired!

What do you think about Sharon Osbournes country inspired kitchen? (photo from Architectural Digest)

This photo is from Marion’s lovely updated kitchen at Miss Mustard Seed. I LOVE her chalkboard paint wall. Our kitchen is shaped almost identically to hers…

Check out her marble tile floor and chalkboard painted wall! Adorable! (Photo from Miss Mustard Seed)

I don’t know where this photo originally came from…but I have clipped this image over and over. I LOVE this kitchen…maybe because it’s a lot of different pieces coming together to create a very inviting space?

Check out the antique enamel bread box and architectural elements that were added for display.

These lights are awesome! You can own a pair just like them from Schoolhouse Electric…that offers reproduction antique lighting at affordable prices. Hmmm…I may have to find a place for one!

I totally wish we had glass front cabinets, but that ain’t happenin’ in this round of renovations!

Okay, if these floors don’t give you heart palpitations, then you best check your pulse. DROOL!! And if you look closely in the background…some of the old floors have been painted in a black and white/cream checkerboard pattern…OMG!

Yum…enough said.

I have always loved yellow in a kitchen…it just makes the room sunny and welcomes conversation. This kitchen is a great example of a restoration job.

What do you think about a vintage style fridge?

I like this updated version of country charm…butcher block counter-tops, wainscoting, open shelves and farmhouse sink.

I like open shelving…but that means you have to be super neat and tidy!

I thought this kitchen was fun and friendly. Again, I noticed their vintage style bread box on the counter and jadeite dishes on the shelves.

We have the exact same black vintage rotary phone in our kitchen!

More open shelves…discuss!

Nice white washed wooden floors…

Love the wainscoting on the ceiling…nice touch!

How do you feel about blue in a kitchen? Does it come off as cold?

What do I like about this photo? The antique sign (red) with the pale yellow walls, antique white cabinets, butcher block counter tops, bread box….do I need to continue?

More country, vintage kitchen goodness…

Okay folks…I don’t know where this image originally came from…maybe Better Homes and Gardens…but I find this kitchen to be elegant, soothing, soft and inviting. I love the sea foam green walls, the marble countertops, the farmhouse sink and that ceiling! Look at that ceiling! So cute!!

After reading this, try and guess what elements from these photos that I’ll incorporate in our little kitchen “makeover.” What do you think we’ll include? Which kitchen from this group is your favorite?

2013 Spring Antique Show Guide

Posted on February 25, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Got cabin fever? Are you dying to bust out of your wintery abode and hit the road for some antique pickin’? Looking to plot out your travel calendar this spring for some antiquing adventures? Well, look no further…here’s a quick list of some DO NOT miss shows for the Mid Atlantic region:

I bet there are lots of great treasures waiting for you inside this building!

What: DC Big Flea Market
When: Saturday & Sunday, March 2 & 3, 2013 – Rain or Shine! 9am – 5pm
Where: Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA
How much: $8 admission fee – good for the entire weekend!
What’s gonna be there: 300 vendors from around the country, bringing you one of the Mid Atlantic’s largest antiques and collectibles shows.
More info: www.facebook.com/events/278137342242084/
Need more info? Watch this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N56DBe_ZP60

If you are serious about early American furniture and decor, then this is the show for you!

What: The Philadelphia Antiques Show
When: April 13-15, 2013 – 11am – 6pm (special preview April 12th from 6pm – 9:30pm)
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
How much: $20 admission fee
What’s gonna be there: Looking for that museum quality piece of early Americana for our estate? Then this show is for you! The Show is now recognized as the finest and most prestigious Show in the United States, offering diverse furnishings and decorative arts for both the period and modern American home. Bring your check books…I have a feeling this one will be expensive!!
More info: www.thephiladelphiaantiquesshow.org
Need more info? Read this: www.philadelphiaantiquesweek.com/2012/10/15/2013-philadelphia-antiques-art-show-announced/

Joe Adams of Yesteryear Antiques at Liberty Antiques Festival (Photo: www.ourstate.com)

Joe Adams of Yesteryear Antiques at Liberty Antiques Festival (Photo: http://www.ourstate.com)

What: Liberty Antique Festival
When: Friday & Saturday, April 26 & 27, 2013 – Rain or Shine! 8am – 5pm
Where: Pike Family Farm, Liberty N.C.
How much: $7 admission fee
What’s gonna be there: 400 dealers from more than 25 states pack a 100-acre farm with 18th-20th Century antiques. No craft and no reproductions! Sounds like a good time to me!
More info: www.libertyantiquesfestival.com
Need more info? Read this: www.ourstate.com/liberty-antiques-festival

I've been to this event twice and always had a blast. Now I'm wondering why didn't purchase this awesome cola sign!!

I’ve been to this event twice and always had a blast. Now I’m wondering why I didn’t purchase this awesome cola sign!!

What: 52nd Shenandoah Antiques Expo
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 10, 11 & 12, 2013 – 10am – 5pm (Saturday – 9am – 5pm) (Sunday – closes at 4pm) Rain or Shine!
Where: Augusta Expo Center, Fishersville, VA
How much: $5 admission fee (or buy a 3-day pass on Friday for $10!)
What’s gonna be there: 300 dealers inside and outside the expo center! Dealers are set up in three exhibition halls, four large barns and tents outside. Everything from high end early American to fresh rusty pickin’s right off the truck! My advice…bring CASH, wear comfy walking shoes and bring a tote bag for your treasures. I’ve been and my experience is that the better deals are outside.
More info: http://heritagepromotions.net/events.htm
Need more info? Read this: http://thesavvyseeker.com/2012/05/21/2012-fishersville-antique-expo/

One day, I WILL get to this show!!! But how will haul all my treasures home?? (photo: Masslive.com)

What: Brimfield Spring Antique Show
When: Tuesday – Sunday, May 14-19, 2013 – Sun up to sun down! Rain or Shine!
Where: Brimfield, MA
How much: $5 admission fee (though off street parking ranges from $3 – $10)
What’s gonna be there: One of the biggest open air antique/flea shows in the United States! Yowzers!! More than 6,000 dealers and it takes place around 21 open fields! This show is held three times a year and is well known among antique lovers to be the quintessential show for anyone looking for a treasure!
More info: www.brimfieldshow.com
Need more info? Read this: www.brimfield.com OR www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/brimfield_antiques_show_has_a.html

This show is on my to-do list as well! I’ve heard it’s a great show with a good eclectic mix of goods for sale.

What: Clover Market
When: May 19, 2013 – 10am – 5pm – Rain or Shine! (There’s also another Clover Market on April 14th)
Where: Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA
How much: No admission fee
What’s gonna be there: The Clover Market is an open-air market in downtown Ardmore PA (just outside Philly) featuring 100+ vendors with antiques & collectibles, vintage jewelry & clothing, handmade items, original art & artisan crafts.
More info: clovermarket.blogspot.com
Need more info? Watch this: clovermarket.blogspot.com/p/pictures.html

If you go to one of these shows, let me know how it was and what treasure you scored! What show will you be going to this spring?

Auctioning Charlotte Moss Collection

Posted on February 18, 2013 by thesavvyseeker

Are you a Charlotte Moss fan? Do you repeatedly flip through her books, drooling over glossy pages of French, English and early American antiques and wishing for rooms filled with layers of rich color, texture and fabrics? If so, you’re not alone. Quench your thirst with Charlotte’s eighth book, “Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life: Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspiration.”

We all need inspiration to feed our on-going hunger for designing or collecting…whether it’s reading magazines, blogs or creating scrapbooks. Charlotte’s latest book reveals what inspires her to create her own lines of fabric, carpet, wallpaper and china…as well as what inspires other famous women when it comes to design and style. (Great interview here from House Beautiful!)

Excerpt from Charlotte’s most recent book…

If you are a super fan of Charlotte Moss…March will be your lucky month! On March 7, 2013, Doyle Auction Company in New York will be auctioning off furniture, decorations and art from Charlotte’s personal collection. And if you are in New York on March 5, stop by Doyle’s New York headquarters for a chance to meet the master designer while she signs copies of her new book.

Here’s a smattering of what’s up for grabs: