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!!

Ashwood School Antiques

Posted on December 10, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

So, while I was at my company retreat the other week, at the luxurious and way too fabulous Homestead Resort & Spa, I managed to find an hour to kidnap a few of my coworkers and drive them to the nearest antique store (no surprise there)…

Ashwood School Antiques in beautiful Bath County

About 4 miles down the road, we found this awesome old school house turned antique store, called Ashwood School Antiques. Originally built as a high school in 1908, the school served many purposes until it closed it’s doors in 1969. Folk artist and antique dealer Pat Broyles purchased the old school house and turned it into an antique store and part home (where she resides). I can’t even imagine the work that went into bringing this building back to it’s former glory!

What a fun idea to stencil a staircase in such a clever way!

One thing that immediately caught my eye when we walked in, were the adorable stenciled staircase! What a great idea! Notice the fourth step up, that says “Circa 1908.” This would be an awesome project to do in your own vintage home! Then my eye was drawn to all the lovely antique egg baskets lining the staircase!

One of the many relics from when the building was a school in the early 1900′s…

There were many artifacts in the front foyer, reminding visitors of what school was like in 1908! The chairs were so tiny!! I fell in love with this porcelain water fountain. How cool would it be to put this in your bathroom!

Beautiful oak china press….can it fit in my car?

Leave it me to then spot every amazing antique cupboard/hutch/cabinet in the store! I was already trying to scheme how I could squeeze one of these into my car and take it home with me…until reality checked it. I knew the Mr. would NOT be happy….oh well, maybe next time!

Oooo…or do I like this one better?

Ugh! I don’t know why I go so crazy for these cupboards!!! Picture this white chippy goodness with some cute shelf paper, filled with ironstone or brightly colored fiesta ware!!

Fun turquoise washstand cabinet. I bet there are about 15 layers of paint on this baby!

Then I spotted this turquoise gem, hiding under vintage cookie tins and hat boxes. I LOVE the color! What do you think…would you place this in a hallway, bathroom or maybe use it as a nightstand?

The perfect mission rocker for your Mr.’s man-cave…except it’s missing a cup holder for his beer…

Then I almost missed this cool mission arm chair. I could picture this in a man-cave…maybe next to a vintage record player or antique Victorla.

I’m thinking this would make an excellent movie prop…why do I not have a moonlighting gig in the film industry?

Upstairs, my coworkers and I spotted this very old wheelchair. My guess is that it was probably used at the turn of the century at the hotel or one of the other old spa locations.

The Everly Brothers had it right when they said, “Whenever I want you, all I have to do is Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam”

And then we saw it….the pièce de résistance!!! Standing about 8-9 feet tall was this very early American stepback cupboard, probably original to Bath County. I would imagine most women get heart palpitations when they see Brad Pitt or Channing Tatum…but for me…this is the kind of stuff that gets my heart rate up! It was definitely hand made…with pale gray paint worn off in all the right places to reveal it’s original red paint undertone. I almost had to borrow a handkerchief to wipe the drool off my bottom lip! Needless to say I was very sad to leave it behind…but for a cool $3,500 it could be yours! Hopefully you have really tall ceilings and can fit this pretty baby in your home!

Paper Mache Jack-O-Lanterns

Posted on October 8, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

I’m really fortunate that I get to work on some pretty cool projects at my day job. One of my more recent projects included a Halloween themed mini recipe cookbook for Avocados From Mexico. While working on the layout for the interior pages of the booklet, I was struck by something the food stylist had incorporated in a photograph for ‘Bewitching Cheese Bites’…antique paper mache Jack-O-Lanterns!

Yummy! Bewitching cheese bites and antique jack-o-lanterns! (Photo by: Mark Loader, Food styling by: Francine Matalon-Degni)

These beautiful petite objects were made popular in America in the 1940′s and 1950′s. During the early 1940′s, sugar rationing was a big issue in the U.S. due to World War II and delayed the overall spread and popularity of trick-or-treating amongst children. Historians believe the mass popularity of trick-or-treating accumulated in the early 1950′s with cartoons such as Disney’s ‘Trick or Treat’ (1952) and Peanuts by Charles Schultz (1951).

She’s ready to party!! Check out the jack-o-lanterns behind this lovely lady!

Constructed out of egg crate molded pulp and finished with bright, festive Halloween colors, they came with a wire handle and a removable paper insert for the eyes and mouth. Due to their flammable construction, they were better used as party favors, containing nuts or candy, rather than for lanterns.

Photo from: http://theoldpaintedcottage.com

Whether these were accidentally broken or simply tossed in the trash after trick-or-treating, these funny faces are hard to come by. Average prices today range anywhere from $85 – $1,000.

This rare German paper mache jack-o-lantern sold for a cool $400 at auction:

I think this pumpkin needs a little help applying her lipstick!

And of course, as with any antique, the more folksy and funky the subject matter, the better!

This little kitty went to market and sold for $800!

Here’s a few lovelies that were featured in a photoshoot in Country Home:

Photo from: Country Home

Are you lucky enough to have one of these funky faces passed down to you from your family, like this gal:

photo from: http://kitschenfeast.blogspot.com

No matter how funky or freaky your little jack-o-lantern may be, it’s all about how you display it:

I love how full this Halloween hodge-podge collection is! A real treat for the eyes!

If you are a collector of antique Halloween item or jack-o-lanterns…let me know!

What Inspires You?

Posted on October 3, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Happy October ya’ll!!! I’ve been busy working around the house and the garden…getting ready for fall. I know I’m not alone when I say that I truly love this time of year. The colors, smells and flavors of the season are simply awesome….and inspiring.

So what inspires you? I thought I’d share with you some of the things that bring me endless inspiration in my home life and professional life as a designer and artist.

1. Anything Stickley

It wasn’t until I lived in a historic neighborhood with streets lined with American bungalows from the early 1900′s – 1920′s that I really began to learn about the Arts and Crafts movement. Wow…there is sooooo much to learn too. From textiles, jewelry, posters, ceramics, glass and furniture…this era has a lot to offer an admirer. For anyone just learning about Arts & Crafts, my advice is to start with Gustav Stickley (1858-1942).

Stickely was a craftsman who promoted a simple lifestyle, focused on a connection with the environment. He wanted American households to reject the overly ornate machine made furniture of the Victorian era and return to a finer sense of craftsmanship. I love his work for the quality, the rich patina of the oak furniture and the simplicity and cleanliness of this design. More about Stickley and his family here.

2. Farmhouses

When I was a young girl, I went to visit a friend who grew up on a small farm. Her mother was an artist and her father was a contractor. They lived in Pennsylvania, in a home that was built in the late 1800′s…that had a barn, a large garden and lots of small farm animals that freely roamed their property. I fell in love instantly. I remember the large plank wooden flooring, the glass cupboards in the kitchen and waking up to a rooster. Something about that early experience has stuck with me and my love for the American farmhouse has only grown.

3. Rusty, Old Junk

I spent the first 10 years of my life living in North Carolina and as I have mentioned before, I spent a lot of that time at the Raleigh State Fair Grounds attending the flea market on the weekends. I can remember seeing a lot of rusty, old junk. The muted colors and peeling textures of these old relics are something that I now associate with the south. And now as an adult, I find that I use these colors and textures in a lot of the things that I create or design.

4. American Folk Art

I was 8 years old when I learned to cross stitch at school. Yes, that’s right. Not at home (though my mom did a lot of cross stitch then), but at my elementary school. As I got older, I learned to sew other things by hand and then learned how to knit. Fiber arts have always been something that I’ve been drawn to. After a long day at the computer, one of my favorite things in the world is to make a hot cup of english tea, watch an old movie and work on some sort of craft project. This slower paced activity teaches me about patience in a world that is filled with instant gratification. There’s also something very organic about the creative process with crafts that I love. Not all projects turn out as planned. Often times, the material that you are working with can dictate how a piece is completed. So, I guess I enjoy the journey and freedom of creating something that may have a quirky result.

When I look at folk art, I like to imagine the kind of person that made that object. What were they like? Where did they live? What inspired them to create that particular thing? It’s not just the aesthetic beauty that I admire with these objects…it’s the story that goes with them.

5. Primitive Furniture

This category goes hand-in-hand with my interest in farmhouses. I guess I have a deep appreciation for most hand-crafted objects. I find it fascinating to learn about the materials that were used to create furniture, based on what region it was made. What factors influenced it’s design? For example, I love that the punched tins in pie safes were created for ventilation for the food that was kept inside. Some of the punched tin is plain and some are almost like beautiful works of art with intricate designs and patterns. Also, older homes were not created like modern homes with a closet in every room or cabinets in the kitchen. Large cupboards were created to accommodate dish ware, blankets and dry goods.

6. The American West

I’ve been living in Richmond, Va for 16 years now (wow…time flies!!!) and I have learned sooooo much about the Civil War, since this was, after all…the capital of the confederacy. What I didn’t know a lot about was the western expansion in our great country after 1865. A few years ago, I took my first trip out to the north west and visited Washington, Idaho and Montana. I was completely transformed and moved by the colors and history of the landscape. And after receiving my first pair of cow girl boots a few years ago, I’m hooked. Some of my more recent treasures have included a Zuni turquoise bracelet and antique mounted antlers. Now, I just need to find an excuse to visit Arizona or Texas…

So what inspires YOU? Tell me about your collection? I’m looking for folks to share their favorite finds in an upcoming post…so tell me…do you have a favorite quilt that was given to you by grandma? Or a fabulous vintage lunch box that you found at a flea market? If so, contact me!

She’s Gone Country! Country-Western That Is…

Posted on September 11, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Ya’ll ever heard that song by Alan Jackson…She’s Gone Country? If not, here’s the song for a quick refresher. The chorus goes like this:

“She’s gone country, look at them boots
She’s gone country, back to her roots
She’s gone country, a new kind of suit
She’s gone country, here she comes”

Well, looking back at all the goodies the Mr. and I found over the past weekend, I’d definitely say that we’ve gone country! But then again, the Mr. would probably already proclaim that he’s country:) He was born and raised in the south and his daddy is a preacher…so I think that’s a good indication!

A New Kind Of Suit

My husband was about to pass out when he came upon this early 1970′s Scully leather jacket, with alligator skin embellishment in a thrift store. It’s also a perfect fit for him!

Scully leather jacket…all you need is Conway or Merle on the jukebox.

Here’s a close up of the awesome alligator trim work on the back of the jacket, across the shoulders.

Simply awesome…you really have to feel this jacket to appreciate its high quality construction.

For those not familiar with the Scully clothing name, it’s been around for over a century. Scully originated in 1905 in Napa, California and created fine gloves and jackets. Some Scully items reside in the Smithsonian Institute. A new Scully leather jacket, similar to this one will cost you a cool $250 – $300.

Look At Them Boots

After this lucky find, we kept driving and came upon a church tent sale. That’s where we found these beauties…

Vintage men’s frye campus boots…size 9.

We couldn’t find a Frye marking, but again…the leather and construction of these boots was not cheap. And they definitely look exactly like vintage Frye campus boots. I got my first pair of Frye boots about 4 or 5 years ago…they were a Christmas gift from the Mr. I guess I can thank him for now border-line obsession with cowgirl boots. They are more comfortable than sneakers and go with everything!

The original Frye Company store, located on Elm Street in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Photo from TheFryeCompany.com.

Frye is another American company that has been around for a long time. Frye opened their first store in 1863, supplying boots to civilians and those trekking across the country to make roots in the expanding wild west. The Harness boot (which I have) was originally inspired by the American Cavalry and was heavily produced during World War II.

When we asked the guy running the tent sale what he wanted for these thangs, he said, “Make me an offer.”

“How about a dollar?” I said.

Sold.

Couldn’t believe it. Still can’t. We got them for a friend of ours, but later that evening he tried them on and discovered that they didn’t fit….soooo….if you wear a men’s size 9, these babies could be yours! Just make me an offer…

Mama Tried

Just like Merle Haggard said, I guess ‘mama tried’ and failed…because I’m guessing whomever owned these cast iron knuckles maybe ended up doing time in prison, without parole! I can imagine some cowboy puttin’ these things on during a card game brawl in a saloon.

Check out these amazing cast iron knuckles, or what some folks call knuckle dusters!

Cast iron knuckles (otherwise known as “knuckle dusters”) were popular in the 19th and early 20th century during hand to hand combat. According to Dave Grant, who wrote the book on the History of Knuckle Dusters, the knuckles that we found are T-handle knuckle dusters, which were cast out of iron or steel.

We purchased these in a second hand shop for $14 and thought they’d make a great addition to the man cave. Antique iron knuckles are highly collectible and some have been refashioned as belt buckles. If you were to purchase these from a dealer, they’d probably sell for $125 – $150.

More Pennsylvania Antiques!

Posted on September 4, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Hey ya’ll!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day Holiday! Now that summer is coming to a close, I thought I’d share one more post about my antique pickin’ trip up to Pennsylvania. Today, we’re going to visit a funky little shop in historic Downingtown, PA called Creekside Antiques. This is a great little spot, with lots of rusty junk piled high outside. Indoors, you can find a little bit of everything. Last Christmas, I was able to score a beautiful turn of the century slag glass lamp. There are several dealers inside, so the mix is nice and the prices are very reasonable. Take a look inside…

Lots of rusty goodies outside!

Now that I’m looking at these photos, I’m thinking to myself…”why didn’t I grab that adorable garden arbor or that funky rusty sculpture for my flower bed?”

I loved this desk…even though someone had applied a painted finish to it. I do have a mix in my home of “as is” antiques and some that have been painted. This dealer had some really cool old glass bottles and wrought iron door/coat hooks.

My mom fell in love with this cabinet. I had one almost exactly like it in my living room last year, but sold it so I could fit in my giant step back cupboard. I love all kinds of cupboards and cabinets…because they are a great place to display books, artwork and other small collections.

Shabby chic cabinet…probably from the 1920′s or 1930′s.

Next stop was another little shop called Milkhouse Antiques, in Glenmoore, PA. Drool. I LOVED this galvanized bench. Doesn’t this look like you could just escape to this little corner with a lemonade and a good magazine? It was a bit steep for me though, as it was priced at $300.

They change out their garden accessories seasonally….I

Old chicken crate behind the cute potted plants…

Lots to see in this place. Don’t you love the old store bin? I could put lots of stuff in those little cubbies! I was looking for antlers, but wanted something mounted on an old plaque…so I passed on these.

Below is the top half to an old hoosier cabinet. I thought this would be really cool mounted on a wall in a laundry room. You could use it to store all your detergent and other household goods.

One thing that is plentiful in PA are old trunks, tool boxes and blanket chests. I really like this black one, since it was up on casters. Could be a small coffee table for a small space or apartment…

I though Milkhouse had a nice mix of styles, as you can see in this dealer’s booth. Her style was more french/english garden…which I love in a guest room. Still sad that I left the smaller tobacco basket behind…as that size is hard to find. Usually in the south they are much larger.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the eye candy! This fall should be a host to tons of antique shows scattered around the east coast. I’ll try to post information about shows as I hear about them. For starters, here are some:

Brandywine View Antiques is having their 5th Annual Fall Fest on September 8th and 9th, 9am to 4pm. If you’ve never been, you should go! Lots of treasures for sale in the big barn! This is one of my favorite antique stores in PA! The original house, that is now the store, used to be part of the Underground Railroad!

Notforgotten Farm in Amherst, VA is having their Annual Gathering of Primitive Friends show on September 15th, from 10am to 4pm.

Enjoy! And let me know if you go!

Cute and Quaint at Pearl’s Market

Posted on August 13, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Just outside of the lovely area of Chester County is this gem of a place, Pearls Market, in Downingtown, PA. This was a great stop, early one morning, as I continued my antiquing journey through the sprawling and lush PA countryside. I believe that it’s a family owned and operated business, as I saw what looked like a father-daughter team working the fresh fruit and flower stand outside the shop.

Lots of great goodies can be found outside…such as lovely hanging flower baskets and this cutie side chair, turned into a makeshift planter with petunias.

I love the multicolored petunias spilling out of this child’s size chair…

There’s tons of fresh fruit and I was told that their fresh produce changes seasonally. Inside the shop, you can find all kinds of homemade jams as well!

Beautiful and ripe…cherries and other fresh produce

Going into the shop, one can find all kinds of furniture. Some of it’s old, some of it’s vintage, some of it has been repainted. Out on this porch area, I found two wonderful counter height chairs, probably from the 50′s, that had wrought iron cows on the frame of the chair…adorable.

I think this cupboard and little farm table would look precious in a kitchen or hallway…

When we went inside, I fell in love with this re-upholstered arm chair. It was either the soft linen fabric or the nail head trim…this chair could go in any room.

An old chair gets a facelift with linen upholstery.

How about a cute potting table for the gardener in your household…or maybe it could be a desk in a child’s room. Either way, it’s bright and cheery!

Something every gardener needs…a cute vintage potting table!

The inside of the shop is small, but there is a nice mix of vendors. This vendor’s corner seemed to have a more shabby-chic feel with it’s cute painted dresser and vintage hanging light…

Update an shabby chic bedroom with this charming white dresser…

If you’re passing through this area, make this a stop…as I have heard their array of items for the fall are wonderful.

For more information about Pearl’s Market, visit their website at http://www.pearlsmarkets.com/

Antiquing in Lemoyne & Hershey, PA

Posted on August 6, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of American Pickers had it right, when they said that Pennsylvania is one of the best states for antiquing. Not only is this large state steeped in American history, it has two towns that are coined as the “antique capital of the U.S.A”….Lancaster, PA and Adamstown, PA.

A little further west of both of those two towns is Lemoyne and Hershey, PA. Our first stop was in Lemoyne (near Harrisburg, PA) at a large antique mall called Antique Marketplace. This place had it all…furniture, photography, pottery, glass, vintage clothing, you name it. It was so large, that at one point while browing isle after isle, I almost felt lost! Oh, and almost every booth in this place was having some sort of sale!

Lots to see at Antique Marketplace in Lemoyne, PA

I find it so interesting to see what kind of antiques you can find in a particular town. It tells you a lot about how the people in that area lived a long time ago. Since Lemoyne, PA is surrounded by beautiful farmland, I found a lot of farm memorabilia for sale.

Love these old enamel farm signs…would look great in a garden!

And of course, I’m always drawn to the advertising pieces, such as this beautifully restored Coca-Cola drink machine. I can picture Jack White (from The White Stripes, The Racounteurs) having a red and white themed kitchen in his Nashville mansion…can’t you?

Outfit your kitchen in white and red with this vintage cabinet and Coca-Cola machine.

I used to be able to find old house parts and architectural salvage like the pieces pictured here for $20 or less. Now that stores like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware have made this look popular to the masses, these original antique parts have sky-rocketed in price. I think these two white, chippy corbels were priced at $190.

Who doesn’t love architectural salvage these days?

Maybe this chic in the painting in the background is smiling because she could see me drooling at this antique dentist sign. I LOVED this sign and was so tempted to bring it home, but it was not on my list (when you get easily distracted, as I do, it helps to make a small wish list and stick to it!). Notice the small tooth/molar in the arrow….ugh…LOVE!

Ugh…still sick that I left this sign behind…would look amazing in my new bathroom!

Next stop was this small roadside service station that has been transformed into an antique store called Furnace Hill Antique Co-op in Campbelltown, PA.

Furnace Hill Antique Co-Op in Campbelltown, PA

I love this photo…could almost be a postcard! If I had a large garden, I would totally purchase this old wagon and place potted plants all over it! I also like old shutters, which look fabulous repainted and placed on either side of a window in a room or fashioned together as a headboard for a bed…

A cute, rusty vignette outside the shop welcomes visitors…

There was a lot to see in this small place…some great hoosier style cabinets, pottery, great antique photography and of course the wonderful furniture Pennsylvania is known for…such as this jelly cupboard. If you don’t like the finish of the wood (which I think this one was walnut), then you can always paint it to fit the style of your room.

A great Pennsylvania jelly cupboard…could either leave it be or give it a coat of milk paint…

Last stop was Crossroads Antique Mall in Hershey, PA. I really think Hershey is the cleanest place in America. I didn’t see a leaf or a piece of trash anywhere on the street in this small town! Every lawn was perfectly manicured and who could resist a stop at Hershey Park or the Hershey Chocolate Factory! This two story building had mostly smalls but had some great antique Hershey chocolate molds at a great price ($100 or less).

Crossroads Antique Mall…two floors with lots of treasures!

Before we were leaving, we spotted a chair (that was on my list!) to go with my recently purchased mission desk. Once we removed the giant pile of stuff that was sitting on top of it…we could see the beautiful dark oak finish and lovely straight lines of the chair. You could instantly tell that this was a chair of strong craftsmanship. I turned the chair over to see if I could find a makers mark (as I do with all old furniture) and low and behold…the original Quaint Furniture Stickley Brothers label was still in tact!!! I thought I was either going to throw up or pass out. Needless to say I couldn’t write the check fast enough for this pretty baby! She’s a perfect match to the desk and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

The find of the year…a Stickley Brothers chair, c. 1902, with original Quaint Furniture label.

Not all pickin’ trips bear such amazing finds as this last trip…but for now, I may have to agree…that if you can’t find it in Pennsylvania, then you can’t find it anywhere!!

Have you ever gone antiquing in PA? If so, tell me about it…what did you find there?

Upcoming event note: Join the Art Deco Society of Virginia this upcoming Sunday at Forest Hill Park. For more info, visit http://artdecova.org/

Q&A: Janet Coon of Shabby Fufu

Posted on July 25, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Janet: I am a nature loving girl who was born in NYC, has lived most of her life in Miami, a lifelong artisan, an entrepreneur, a patient wife of 30 years and a mother of two amazing daughters in their twenties.

The one, the only…Shabby Fufu studio!

Q: Describe your decorating style in three words:

J: Soft romantic elegance

Don’t you LOVE this old dress form?

Q: What inspired you to start the Shabby Fufu business/store?

J: I had been creating and selling both my art pieces and antiques/vintage for decades in a variety of shows and in several past retail venues that I was involved with. Back when the internet was first grabbing a stronghold of society and with the infancy of Ebay, I decided to give on line selling a shot to expand my business out of the Florida market. At first I concentrated on offering my vintage pieces that I had collected over the years and as I gained more of a following began offering my art pieces on Ebay up for bids as well. I did very well on Ebay for a number of years and made the progression to having my own website called Shabbyfufu. The name came from a partner that I had in the antique all where I was selling at the time. Whenever I’d design a new piece and bring it in she would say….”oh, you are so shabby and so fufu!”. It just took a life of it’s own from there.

A magnificent chandelier with mason jars…one of Janet’s creations!

Q: You are a multi-talented artist and produce a lot of unique items for your clients. Do you have a favorite item or project that you have created for a client?

J: Thank you! I would have to say that my favorite pieces to work on are the romantic style dress forms and mannequins that I’ve been creating for about 15 years now. Most of these pieces I now do by special order to accommodate the buyer’s preference. Since I made my now well known blue Mason jar chandelier, these have become a mainstay product of the business and with each being a one of a kind art piece I love to work on these as well.

A lovely diptych photo collage, courtesy of Janet…

Q: Your home was recently photographed for the Fall issue of Romantic Country. What was that experience like?

J: This was the second shoot that I have done with Fifi and that gave me an advantage in that I knew what to expect and could help pre style my home to save time. She is a darling and I enjoy her company and admire her great eye for style and design.

A sampling spread from the new issue…

Q: You have worked with FifiO’Neill in the past…were you inspired by her in any way?

J: Yes, as I mentioned above I had worked with her before and I adore her aesthetic. Recently I had the experience of working with another team of photographers and a stylist and have an exciting upcoming feature in yet another publication in the Fall. I’m honored to have had my home and business chosen and always learn so much from these pros!

Fifi, working her magic on the photoshoot!

Q: You have mentioned on your blog that you travel a lot for your special treasures. Where are some of your favorite places for special finds?

J: My absolute favorite place to search is in France. This past May I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend a bit of time driving the countryside and sourcing some great pieces in out of the way brocantes.

What a great chippy, yellow bench…would look great on my front porch!

Q:What are some of your favorite antique pieces in your own collection?

J: I have an ongoing love affair with salvage, and have acquired some cast offs that I love from my husband’s construction business remodels. A wonderful pair of huge old gates, old windows and two mantels are a few of these that are now mainstay decor pieces in our home. I have a passion for chandeliers and have several favorites here as well.

Q: Any forecasts about where the shabby chic look or French home design trends will move in the future?

J: As we all know trends come and go, but I do feel that with a base of whites and creams in both wall colors and in furniture they are timeless and will fit any decor. I see the shabby chic style as moving to more of a bohemian chic trend at the moment and away from all of the pink rose overload of the past. I do love French home design…but only if it’s authentic. I feel that some of what you see mass produced as “French style” is a misnomer and a trend that is petering out.

I love a good, ol’ cabinet, filled with treasures!

Q: What are some easy ways that one could achieve a Shabby Fufu look in their home? Any decorating advice?

J: Stay authentic to what you love…buy one of a kind pieces, tattered vintage and layer it all with a white base and it’s a look that you’ll never tire of.

Cute vintage enamel ware with roses…

Special THANKS to Janet for the lovely interview and the wonderful images, that were all pulled from her blog.

Check out Janet’s blog, ShabbyFufu.blogspot.com for more and if you’d like to check out her wonderful online shop (which I recently purchased a wonderful vintage yard-long photograph from!), for some great vintage shabby goodies, go to: http://www.shabbyfufu.com/

Q&A: Ignatius Hats and Home

Posted on July 10, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

What do you get when you mix two magically creative guys with a knack for making wearable art and a historically significant home in Petersburg, VA? One of the most interesting and beautiful homes that I have ever seen…that’s what! Meet Rod Givens and Ignatius Creegan of Ignatius Hats! The were gracious enough to have me over to explore their federal style home and even allowed me to try on a few of their fashionably forward hats (Fellas…the bird hat is a MUST HAVE!).

Q: What can you tell me about the history of your home?

Ignatius: The home was built in 1855. On April 3^rd, 1865, the house served as General Grant’s headquarters, where President Lincoln met him here to discuss the end of the war. This was right after the end of the 9-month siege of Petersburg. Ten days later, Lincoln was assassinated.

Gorgeous antique chest, anchored by a mirror and architectural prints.

Q: Where do your beautiful antiques come from?

Rod: From all over the United States because we travel extensively throughout the year. We take our hats to about 10-12 shows a year. Some of the collection also came from my family.

A rare Empire style grandfather clock greets guests in the main foyer.

Q: What can you tell us about this fabulous clock in your foyer?

Rod: I’ve never seen another Empire style grandfather clock…it belonged to the previous homeowner and came with the house.

Amazing plaster work on this ceiling medallion, original to the house.

A marble bust sits on top of this empire style table. Pocket doors reveal the “hat room” in the background…

Q: How long have you been renovating your home?

Rod: Since we moved in, about 9 years ago.

I have no idea how a girl could choose from all these beautiful works of art…each one delicately crafted by hand! Maybe a different hat for each day of the week? Hmmm….

Q: What was the first antique hat that you brought home?

Ignatius: A blonde horsehair and straw hat from 1910, that came from Bygones (in Carytown). The horsehair allows the hat to be lightweight and stiff. It’s rare because most horsehair hats are usually black.

Original marble fire place found in the formal dining room…

A sweet petite chair sits to the right of the original china closet.

Taxidermy and fine art await you in the formal living room.

Q: Tell us about your favorite item in your home…

Rod: I love paintings and I’ve been collecting them for quite sometime now. My favorite painting is from the 1920’s by an unknown artist that I purchased off of Ebay. Other paintings in our collection are artists such as Jack Lawrence and Martha Upshur.

Part of Rod’s antique toy collection is showcased on this petite antique french settee, located in the upstairs office.

An antique furniture cart is fashioned as a coffee table, here in the bright and spacious sitting room, just off of the kitchen.

Q: Describe your style in three words:

Rod: Elegant Hoarder

I am in LOVE with this creamy colored enamel ice box! No ice inside…as it now stores bread and other treats!

Q: How did you acquire your amazing antique hat form collection?

Ignatius: The first one was bought in New York in 1985, but some were also given to us. A little later, I bought a small collection from New York. The earliest hat forms we have are from the teens or 20’s.