LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

The Anticipation of Spring: Farmhouse Friday #22

2012-01-26T08:42:00.007-06:00

With the past few days being filled with rain, I find myself dreaming of all things light and bright….inspirations that bring me closer to the joys of spring.

Your Farmhouse Friday submissions continue to amaze me and renew my appreciation for creative design.

Remember, we will be open for First Monday Trade Days February the 2nd-5th, with promises of lovely items to brighten up your own space for the upcoming season.

A divine vignette from Common Ground.

The pairing of wooden shutters serves as the perfect backdrop for an ensemble of unique pretties.

White dishes, served as art.

Honey Comb Creative Co.

How are you displaying your favorite collections?

Down to Earth Style offered a great tutorial for burlap shades, hop over and check it out!

Every rainy day, and springtime soiree, deserves a cupcake…or two!

Lavender Garden Cottage

So what's your latest farmhouse fancy?

Be sure to share your inspirations by linking up below!

A Sure Thing

2012-01-23T07:51:00.068-06:00

Color schemes come in and they go out. Experts in the industry make predictions for the upcoming hot trendy colors of the year.

But, just as it is with the 5 fashion basics, there is one color scheme that never goes out of style.....

BLACK AND WHITE

Whether it's in the bedroom...

the living room.....

the kitchen....

or the bathroom,

It's always perfection.

You can dress it up....

Or dress it down....

Either way, it's beautiful and timeless.

And just as with fashion, you can throw in any accent color your heart desires and pull it off.

It doesn't matter what you are seeking in the way of inspiration, there it will be on Pinterest.

You can find all of these photos, along with the sources,

on my "Black and White" Pinterest pinboard.

What's inspiring you today?...

P.S. If you need an invite to join Pinterest, email me at sales{at}laurieannas{dot}com and I'll send you one!

Type "Pinterest" in the subject line.

Personal Assistant / Paid Internship Opportunity

2012-01-21T19:42:00.002-06:00

We’re growing by leaps and bounds and 2012 has some pretty amazing things on the horizon! So, I am on the hunt for an intern/personal assistant, something I should have done long before now. I’m hopeful that one of you reading may know just the right person, or perhaps it may be you. This person would be my right hand in facilitating many tasks for the Shoppe, both creatively and functionally. Someone that is a balanced left brain/right brain thinker would be a perfect fit.

Some of the responsibilities will include:

Support and assist with maintenance of social media sites
Assist with a variety of creative projects for store displays, decorating projects, and event design tasks
Maintain E-commerce site; includes some writing and photography
Produce materials for print and web
Assist sales team during all First Monday shows
Some prop scouting

Position Requirements:

Dynamic communication skills, both written and verbal
High energy level and professional appearance
Photography skills and graphic design experience a major plus
Strong organizational skills a must
Good computer skills with experience in the following programs:

Adobe Photoshop and/or Corel PaintShop Photo Pro
Microsoft Excel and Word
Working knowledge of social media sites and blog platforms
Experience with E-commerce programs a plus

This is a brand new job position that is long overdue, I'm so excited! The newly hired assistant will need to be able to hit the ground running and have great flexibility both in schedule and the ability to switch tasks as needed.

The best candidate will be within a convenient driving distance to our location in Canton, Texas, although some tasks can be performed remotely. Job responsibilities require the ability to work one weekend per month for the scheduled First Monday shows. Could be a good opportunity for a motivated design student. Tremendous growth potential for the right candidate.

If interested, qualified candidates can email resume to employment{at}laurieannas{dot}com , please type "personal assistant" in the subject line.

As our store and business are growing, we are also enlarging our sales team and are currently accepting applications for First Monday show staff. Must have availability to work during the show dates, retail experience, strong people skills, and the ability to work in a fast paced retail environment. Please submit resume to employment{at}laurieannas{dot}com , type "sales team" in the subject line.

Lots of blooming and growing going on here!

Farmhouse Bedroom Revisited - Farmhouse Friday #21

2012-01-19T00:01:00.139-06:00

Hubby and I spent all last week in Atlanta buying for the Shoppe, so I slated the bedroom makeover from our Farmhouse on Main to post during our absence.

When we returned home, I was surprised by the near 100 comments and totally blown away by the Pinterest action our little farmhouse bedroom was getting! My Pinterest following jumped significantly almost overnight. Thank you so much for that, you overwhelm me!

If you've not checked out Pinterest yet, you can find me here.

My blog is very special and personal for me. And, even though it is loosely attached to my business, it's so much more than that to me.

It's a way for us to share and connect with each other. Your thoughtful words, and your willingness to share them through comments and emails, brings me so much joy.

I enjoy sharing our little farmhouse with you and have a large supply of projects lined up for future posts. I'm currently working on the living room and am taking it in a different direction!

Last weeks bedroom reveal was much longer than I had anticipated so I saved the "before and after" photos for a later post.

So, here goes....

Aside from scads of wonderful comments, I also received loads of emails with specific questions about the room.

I've answered some of them below.

What paint colors did you use for this room?

Walls: "Steamed Milk", by Sherwin Williams

Trim: "Alabaster" by Sherwin Williams

Did you custom make the bedding?

No, the bedding is a mix of several different lines that I carry in my Shoppe. Since the color of all the bedding is whites, creams, and tans, mixing up the textures and shades instead of keeping it "matchy matchy" gave it more depth and the feel of being collected over time.

Is the ceiling painted a different color than the walls?

No, the ceiling color is the same color as the walls, but the walls are satin finish and the ceiling is flat. The difference in the finish and the lighting makes it look like a different shade.

Where did you get the curtains and curtain rods?

I sell the Farmhouse curtains at my Shoppe, and the curtain rods came from Wal-mart.

Are the bed and desk antique, and are they for sale?

Yes, the bed is an antique and the desk is a repurposed piece made from an antique stable door and antique iron sink legs.

Neither are for sale.....at least not just yet. :-)

Are the horse prints for sale and are they old?

The horse prints are reproductions, I found them a couple years ago and carried them in the Shoppe for a while. They have since been discontinued, but I'm trying to get my hands on more.

And the number one question......

How did you hang the barn door?

I will share all the details including "how to" photos in an upcoming post. Hubster is reluctantly helping me with the post....blogging is not his thang!

:-)

Now it's your turn to share.

What's on your mind today?....

I'm linking up over at Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Farmhouse Bedroom Reveal - Farmhouse Friday #20

2012-01-13T00:54:00.001-06:00

We're taking our sweet time with our little farmhouse.

Hubster and I completed this guest bedroom a few months ago, but I had to find time to shoot photos and edit them before I could share it with you. However, I am making up for it now......this is a LONG post, so get ready!

Okay, let me share that this small bedroom measures just a tad over 12' x 10'.

Keep that in mind as you consider the furniture pieces that hubby and I were able to fit into the space.

We placed the iron bed and the antique wardrobe on angles in the corners to create interest. It also made better use of the floor space. By the way, that black wardrobe is not painted, that is original ebony stain. We've had this wonderful piece for many years.

Since this room doesn't have a closet (a challenge faced by many vintage home owners), this piece becomes even more valuable because it houses clothing and a tv. I love this piece!

Aren't the horse prints with black frames divine?
I especially love them grouped.

That arched window above them was an antiquing find last summer. Had no idea what I would do with it when I bought it (which is how I buy most things) but I love it in this room.

Do you do that too, or do you have a plan for the things you buy?

The bedding is a mixture of many things....

I'm pleased with the mix of textiles and think it will be cozy for guests.

In the photo above, you can see two dark doors in the corner. One is the bedroom entry door, the other leads on to the porch. The doorway into the bathroom (not seen in this photo), originally had just a curtain for privacy leaving no way to lock in warmth or steam from a good hot shower so we opted to add a door.

But the small size of the room wouldn't accommodate a traditional hinged door. So, we took an old barn door and added hardware to make it a sliding door.

How perfect is that?

Not only because it slides, but because it is a barn door in a farmhouse bedroom. :-))

I actually bought a pair of these doors, you will see the other one surface in another bathroom later.

Hubby and I made a quick trip to the local Tractor Supply and bought everything we needed to hang the barn door. When the sales rep was giving some installation tips, he asked how big our barn was. He gave me an odd look when I told him the hardware was to hang a bathroom door.

He was a super nice guy, but I don't think decorating trends were a top priority for him. :-))

Look at the perfectly aged and distressed wood *sigh*.

I added burlap to the inside of the window for bathroom privacy.
(I will share the bathroom in a future post.)

Aside from its own private bathroom, this bedroom also enjoys a private door onto the porch, something I think our future guests will enjoy.

Finding the right light fixture was actually the toughest part of this room.....go figure. Hubby had the patience of Job when we changed out the light not once, not twice, not three times....

it was the fourth light that was the winner.

My criteria seemed simple enough.....simple, farmhouse, elegant, and large enough in size that it wouldn't be swallowed up by the 12' ceiling height or be lost in the beadboard ceilings.

But this one was worth the wait....it's from this cute little Shoppe in Canton where I spend much of my time -
I just happen to know the owner. :-))

I came across this mirror etched with "Room No 5" and just had to have it, my love affair with the #5 will forever haunt me.

The bedside table is an antique cream separator... how fitting is that?

Hubby gave this to me almost 10 years ago for Christmas.....I've used it for many things.

That little platform is perfect for bedside books.

And how perfect is that little mirror for the top?

Vintage alarm clocks are a fetish of mine.....I have dozens.

The vase? Why it's a horse trophy cup.

As the photos reflect, I used farm accoutrements throughout this farmhouse bedroom.

Another example of such is this desk.

The top was created from an old stable door - gotta love that!

Wonderful rusty iron legs were attached to it......how's that for recycling?

We added a glass top to create a smooth writing surface while preserving the old aged wood.

The vintage photos that I placed under the glass were a gift from my precious friend Sharon,

and that fabulous white typewriter was a find from one of our girls day out shopping trips last summer. I've never seen a white one and knew immediately it would go on that desk!

A piece from an old saddle makes the perfect bookend in this bedroom.

It was another gift from my friend Sharon.

More vintage horse trophies.

I have to share..this desk is absolute perfection for me. I bought it specifically for the Farmhouse, but it hung around the Shoppe for a little time while it was waiting for the right spot.

I could have sold it a dozen times......

but I was already emotionally attached to it.

A perfect example of both the perks and the challenges of this business!

The vintage chair is the perfect compliment for the old stable door desk....complete with a custom made washable linen slip cover.

Look at the original dark wood arms peeking out of the white linen. I don't think it would have been as pretty painted.....we just let it be.

And that pretty crested pillow is from the Shoppe.

We've used this mantle in two previous bedrooms.

And, I've also used it as a wedding prop for wedding designs.

But this flea market find has finally found its final resting spot.

Doesn't it look like it's been there for 100 years? Or, 118 years to be exact. :-)) We hung schoolhouse pendants on each side of it....they are perfect and functional.

White polo balls, riding hats, and riding boots

.....now its an equestrian farmhouse bedroom.

This wonderful vintage white scale, a perfect size for this mantel by the way, was a gift from my sweet friend Denis. I am blessed with some amazingly generous friends that seem to know exactly what I like! :-))

Okay my friends, that's it for this show and tell. Now, it's your turn!

I'm eager to see what you have to share this week and would love to know your thoughts about my farmhouse bedroom.

Link up and/or comment below to tell me all about it!

I'm also sharing over at Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Horse Play

2012-01-10T21:47:00.002-06:00

When I was 11, I worked doing various small jobs and chores, saving my money until I had enough to buy a book. It was the first book that I ever bought for myself and I can still remember how excited I was on the day that I had saved the $9.60 to buy it. The title of the book.....
“The Big Book of Favorite Horse Stories”.

It was a big fat book with many stories and I read it cover to cover, over and over again. My crazy love affair with horses began at an early age and only grew from there.

Perhaps it’s their beauty and spirit,
perhaps the mix of strength and gentleness,
perhaps because that they are all heart,

whatever it is....

they move me.

As much as I love horses, oddly I've never done an equestrian themed room before. Perhaps because I was saving it for the Farmhouse that I knew we would one day have. :-)

Several months ago I shared a sneak peek of a bedroom reveal with you and then life stepped in and sidetracked things with the blur of the Holiday show season.

Well, I’m back on track and have finally taken some wide photos of the room. I'll share them with you in the next Farmhouse Friday post. How about you......are you a fan of all things equestrian?

A Sweet Gift

2012-01-07T16:33:00.020-06:00

I'd like to share one of the most thoughtful Christmas gifts I received this year. My darling friend Sharon gave me an amazing Daily Devotional titled, Jesus Calling, written by missionary Sarah Young.

For most of my young adult life I used a Daily Devotional, but in recent years, it’s something I’ve strayed from. Not by choice mind you, I had just gotten out of the habit. Has that ever happened to you?

It was only after this first week of devotions that I realized just how much I missed this in my daily life. And, how much of a difference those precious "one on one" moments with God in the morning can make in my approach to the world and situations. Sharon's sweet gift was exactly what my spirit needed, and the gentle nudge I needed to get my spiritual walk back on track.

A little side note about the sweetness of Sharon. If you visited the Shoppe during this past Canton show, then you may have noticed a cast/boot on my foot. The day after Christmas, 2 days before the Canton show, I broke my foot. Not an accident, but rather the result of overuse on a stress fracture when I should have been taking it easy. (Take those calcium supplements ladies and listen to your body when it hurts.)

When Sharon learned of my injury, she immediately sent an email….not just sympathy, but an email asking if there was anything she could do to help….send people to help at the store….that she would work the floor for me, whatever I needed....she was there for me. Considering her busy work schedule, this meant all the more.

May we all have friends such as this in our life, they shine like diamonds. Not just because they are a treasured friend, but because they offer a shining Christian example for our own lives.

Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Do you have a "Sharon" in your life?

Fabulous Farmhouse Find - Farmhouse Friday #19

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

Over the past few weeks I’ve scored some pretty amazing things at some cool new hunting spots. Most are for the Spring transformation of the Shoppe that is just around the corner. But a few…..a small few…..
will never make it further than the Farmhouse on Main. :-)

Case in point….

By far the most amazing pair of corbels I’ve ever snagged!
I told you....cool hunting spots!

Actually it was my darling hubster that spotted these first.

Great job skippy!

You can’t tell by the photos, but these bad boys are HUGE!

And would you just look at the detail!

And my favorite thing about them……

that delicious pale blue color.

I already have plans for these beauties, but that’s another post. J

What would do with them?

Link up or comment below and tell me everything!

I'm linking up with Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Exciting Announcement!

2012-01-04T22:00:00.000-06:00

You may remember it was just a couple weeks ago that I featured Angela, Parisienne Farmgirl, in my Featured Farmhouse segment. In the article, Angela teased us with upcoming exciting news to be announced after the first of the year.
What a lil stinker!

Her big news?....

The announcement of her quarterly published, emagazine,

Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine!

Don't you just love the name?
Have a listen to Angela as she tells us all about it with her cute self in the video below.
(you can turn off the music on my blog on the very bottom right of my page)

I've had the pleasure of exchanging emails and telephone calls with Angela and her incredible mother Joy, and cannot say enough good things about them. They are truly amazing women. For those of you that have not had the pleasure, the mission statement for this online publication speaks volumes.

Doesn't that sound wonderful?!

Throw into the mix Angela's skillset that defines her as a modern day Renaissance Woman....cooking, gardening, decorating, parenting, DIYer, photographer, writer, and above all else a woman of God, and it's easy to see that this online e-magazine is destined to be wildly successful. And did I mention that her family is just dreamy?...

It won't be long until we're all saying, "I knew her when". :-)

But first, will you help me get the word out by sharing on your blog or Facebook page? You can find out all the details and be among the first to subscribe by hopping over to the website.

Angela is also looking for contributors and photographers for specific topics, if you have something exciting to contribute, be sure to contact Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine.

Congratulations Angela, I can't wait to see the first issue my friend!

We've Been Featured in Romantic Country Magazine

2012-01-02T19:53:00.000-06:00

This was such a sweet show with visits from so many dear friends that it keeps me mindful of the thing I love the most about this business.....our customers/friends!

It was through, and thanks to, several excited customers and Canton vendors sharing with us, that we found out that we are featured in the current issue of Romantic Country magazine.

We knew a feature was coming up, we just weren't sure when, so exciting!

Thank you so much Romantic Country magazine, especially Mary Forsell, for the lovely feature.

And also a big thanks to sweet Carol Spinski who took photos of the Shoppe during her visit to Canton last summer and then later submitted them to the magazine. Thank you Carol!

This edition is packed full of eye candy including a beautiful spread on fellow blogger Rebecca Ersfeld's gorgeous home.....just amazing! If you haven't already, be sure to pick one up.

What an amazing year this has been for the business, we're so excited to see what 2012 holds!

2011 - What a Year!

2012-01-01T20:11:00.004-06:00

Without a doubt, no exceptions, 2011 has been the best year ever for the Shoppe and for us personally.

So many wonderful events and milestones took place this past year that it's hard to name them all, but I hope you will indulge me as I reflect on a few of the highlights.....

Things such as our 3rd Annual Spring Serendipity Market. You blew us away with the turnout!

In May, Southern Living magazine gave us the honor of being named one of the top 5 places to shop in Canton. We have our amazing customers to thank for that!

The following month in June, FD Luxe Magazine named LaurieAnna's Vintage Home as one of the 50 Best Stores in the State of Texas....what an honor! We're still smiling about that one!

In July, we indulged my vintage home addiction and bought our sweet Farmhouse on Main.

Oh the projects....happy happy joy joy!

That farmhouse love stimulated the beginning of Farmhouse Friday's here on the blog in August, which has been a big hit!

Then in September we hosted our 3rd Annual Fall Serendipity Market at the Shoppe.

And, once again you amazed us with the turnout!

The following month we hosted our 2nd Annual Vintage Farmhouse Christmas in October, and have never seen the likes of the turnout!

In November, we took the show on the road to the Mistletoe and Magic show in Tyler, Texas.

And, then finally in December...we were honored with another magazine feature!!

I will share all the details on that tomorrow!

Amazing amazing amazing.....what a year!

Thank you so much to all of our customers and friends for supporting us this past year.

You are the reason we do what we do!

We have crazy BIG business plans for 2012 and are so excited about the New Year ahead!

Wishing all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2012!

P.S. Thank you for the record setting 315 entries for the giveback! The winner of the $100 LaurieAnna's gift certificate is Vickie J! Congratulations Vickie, email us at sales@laurieannas.com to claim your prize!

A Merry Christmas Giveaway!

2011-12-29T14:50:00.001-06:00

The holidays, lots of projects, and time with family and friends is keeping me happily busy these days.

I do love this time of year, but I'm behind on many things including the blog. So, we will resume Farmhouse Fridays on January 6^thwhen life returns to some normality. :-))

Meanwhile, I'd like to share a giveback with you.....a little something to say thank you for reading and supporting us as you do.

The giveback?.....
A $100 LaurieAnna's Vintage Home gift certificate.
For those of you to far away to visit the Shoppe in person, don't fret because you can shop online!

How do you enter?
Simply leave a comment here on the blog.

The winner will be announced on New Year's Day!

Until then, wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas Season and praying that all of us remember that Jesus is the reason for the Season.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

P.S. First Monday is this week, BIG SALE.....come see us!

WINTER SALE!

2011-12-29T09:04:00.000-06:00

Two important reminders....

One.....it's time for Canton First Monday.
And two..... it's January.

If you shop with us then you know exactly what those two things mean....

BIG SALE!

Join us this First Monday for BIG SAVINGS...

50% OFF all remaining Christmas

50% OFF winter clothing & head wraps

20% OFF almost everything else in the store.

The fun begins this morning at 9am.

Hope to see you here!

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to enter our giveaway for a $100 gift certificate HERE. We will announce the winner on Sunday, January 1st.

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy New Year!

Featured Farmhouse, December - Parisienne Farmgirl

2011-12-19T10:18:00.004-06:00

As you recall last month we visited with Joy Waltmire the SavvyCityFarmer in the suburbs of Chicago. What a treat to meet Joy AND see her adorable farmhouse! While there, Joy mentioned her daughter was following in her footsteps so we decided to pay her daughter Angela a little visit.

Angela, like her mom, lives in the country burbs of Chicago, Illinois. She is a wife and mother of four little ones: Aidan 6.5, Amélie 4, Juliette 22 months, and Julien 13 weeks who were all birthed at home with the help of a midwife and her husband.

She also writes the lifestyle blog, Parisienne Farmgirl, where she uniquely combines the two worlds she admires most - Parisian life and farm life thru design, styling and cooking. Her work has been featured in Fifi O'Neils Romantic Prairie Style, Artful Blogger Magazine and Where Women Cook. Drawing from her stays in Paris and inspired by her lineage of farmers' wives she combines both styles to just about everything she puts her hand to including her thoughts on all things French, Cooking, Design, Gardening, God, Motherhood, and the occasional conservative rant.

And as we say in Texas, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. So get yourself a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and settle in. You are in for another treat as we bring you the farmhouse of Parisienne Farmgirl!

How long have you lived in your farmhouse and when was it built?

We have lived here for almost ten years. We are the forth family name to live here. The plat of survey for our house says "1840". The historical society in town confirmed this for us. I love knowing how long this house has been standing here. Funny thing is, as much as we love it we just put a "for sale" sign in the yard. It's time for us to be on a farm!

When did you realize you had the decorating gene? Did you discover decorating at an early age? And how long have you been working on your farmhouse?

I have always enjoyed all things artistic and creative. When I was little it was important for me to enjoy my surroundings. I would get my room all clean and rearranged (dragging furniture from corner to corner) and then I would come downstairs and say, "Mom is there anything you aren't using right now?" She would then give me doilies, frames, and miscellaneous trinkets to use in my décor. Those are sweet memories for me.

I have been working on this farmhouse since before we even closed on it! I got permission to work in there before the closing... it was such a wreck… I couldn’t wait till our May closing to begin.

Your decorating style is somewhat different than your mother’s.

How would you describe your decorating style?

I call my decorating style "Parisienne Farmhouse" - it is different from my Mom, though we do love much of the same things. My style has been Parisienne Farmhouse for years because I love the sparse, rustic look of the Provencial mansions and farmhouses and I also love the cluttered, collected look of a Parisian Apartment. The homes in Province have that dreamy indoor/outdoor feeling, with large rustic pieces and the occasional glitz. In my mind a Paris Apartment has wonderful fabrics... velvet, satin, crystal chandeliers, antiques and modern pieces together and a hint of old Hollywood. Combining the two looks thrills me. They both speak to me and both have a legacy of antiques and pieces handed down from generation to generation. I would say that the first floor of our house has more of the farm influence and the upstairs is definitely more glamorous.

When I think of decorating in the French farmhouse style I usually don’t think of using color so boldly…tell me about all the color in your house.

That's understandable, I think maybe that's because there is a lot of all white decorating going on out there under the style name of "French Farmhouse". That's why I call it "Parisienne Farmhouse" :). It works, cause our house is in town... were I out in a sprawling ranch in the country I might lean more towards a more subtle Provencal aged palette but for now I love, love, love color. I love to use it creatively like in our bedroom we painted the ceiling a wonderful shade of dusky teal (if that isn't too much of an oxymoron!) and then repeated that color in the closets that have French doors. I love seeing the color repeated in those little spaces. I did recently paint my bright yellow kitchen a lovely shade of off white. With a fourth baby I needed a touch more serenity!

How does one go about adding all these different colors and still achieve a pulled together vintage look?

Vintage items have a lot of color. I like to tease on my blog that design isn't all chippy white paint. That's definitely one of the looks but there are so many looks that "vintage" can offer. Often it's a bit faded but the color is there. I keep my vintage look with second hand furniture. All our furniture has "legs". We don't have any big lounger sofas since we don't watch T.V. I think that is the main thing that keeps a vintage look against the splashes of color.

What does “decorating for Christmas” mean to you?

I don't like new Christmas décor (go figure). I'm crazy for Shiny Brite ornaments (I have hundreds), tons of fresh greens and white lights. Sort of New England meets Mad Men.

With four little ones in your house … have you had to adapt or change what you use to decorate with? (to avoid breakage)

I grew with antiques and learned not to put a wet cup down or lay my wet towel across my dresser. My kids are learning the same. I never did move anything when "The Chickens" came along. It takes constant attention those first few days when they learn to pull themselves up to the coffee table but I think it's a good lesson for them to learn, "This is yours, that’s Momma's". Then you can take them anywhere with 99% confidence that they aren't going to touch other people's property at stores and in other homes. Now that's not to say I haven't lost a vase here and there but over all it's been a success. Even as I type they are playing cars on the coffee table next to my collection of alabaster Venus de Milo statues... they wouldn't dream of touching them.

Your indoor style has definitely overflowed to your yard… which is beautiful! Can you share tips on how to achieve your outdoor style also? And tell us about your vegetable garden too! (All those beautiful vegetables…are they just for show in the garden?)

My gardening influences are French and English. I love the Cotswalds and their cottage gardens and I love a traditional French kitchen garden or Potager. I designed my Potager about seven years ago, I wanted something very natural looking so I used small boulders and pea gravel. I use a lot of terra cotta. I do think the trick with a chic garden is to not get too "kitschy". The more knick-knacks in your garden... flags, glass orbs, etc, the less it's going to look like something from the French or English country side. The more herbs, roses and veggies the better. We try to eat really healthy and without chemicals so yes, we grow a lot of food. This year our harvest was over three hundred pounds.

And I’m betting your beautiful copper pot collection in the kitchen isn’t just for show either! Are you a “French” cook also?

I am. I love French food. I appreciate their use of herbs and decadent dairy products. French cooking is really nothing to fear as you can learn a basic recipe and tweak it and use it in a variety of ways. French food has a bad rap for being "fattening" but really, it seems to me to be all about the vegetable. The "fattening" stuff is rarely the main portion of the meal. Food is one of the real pleasures of life. I'm all about it!

Your farmhouse has been featured in many publications. Tell us what’s it like to have stylists and photographers all over your home especially being a photographer yourself.

It's nerve wracking. You try to make things soooooo perfect. You BUST your butt making things perfect forgetting that the reason they are in your house is cause they like what they saw to begin with! Don't get me wrong - it's tons of fun but it can sure get to you if you let it!

As far as being a photographer I do really enjoy seeing my home through someone else's lens.

Do you and your mother collaborate on projects? Are you working on anything now?

Mom and I are at totally different stages in life (obviously:) girlfriend is a creative genius working non-stop while some days it feels like all I do is wipe tushes! But we do work together when we can. Shop the Shed is our semi-annual "miniature barn sale" in her carriage shed. It was her conception and she nailed it... it's been a huge success. I love doing it with her. We have a Christmas sale coming up at her house next week. Though I typically have small finds and some redesigned furniture this time I will just be offering my Parisian style Macaroons in six Christmas flavors. They have become a staple at the sales. Last time I sold out! Macaroons are difficult to find, even in Chicago land. I am pretty excited, this time I will be bringing a macaroon tower so people who have never had one can try before purchasing! Macaroon towers are really festive and I can't wait to show it off!

As far as what I am working on right now...it's TOP TOP SECRET and I can't tell you in this interview but I will be making the announcement on January 1st 2012 at 12:01 a.m. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I wish I could tell you but I do hope your readers will tune in!

We WILL Angela, we WILL! We can’t wait for your announcement! And we can’t wait to see you in Fifi O’Neal’s Romantic Prairie Cookbook book next year…take a peek here.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful farmhouse and gardens with us.

What an inspiration you are!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Mantle - Farmhouse Friday #18

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

Christmas decorating is underway at the Farmhouse on Main.

The portrait of Great Grandpa Fritz led the way.

Then the beautiful cedar tree in the yard joined in with some lovely snippets.

Aren't the gorgeous lavender/violet berries just amazing?

Only God could make something so beautiful and fragrant.

My pretty aqua chairs were all too happy to have their photo taken again. :-))

And, I'm really digging those oversized wood keys.

Aren't they fun?!

Mercury tree stocking holders....

perfectly at home.

And, how about these pretty white suitcases,

(a find from my darling friend Denis)

and stockings that look as if they were color matched for the fireplace tiles. How on earth did that happen?... :-))

Beautiful mercury acorns mixed with more cedar snips.

Love love love!

Other festive details include...

Merry winter snowmen...

that always make me smile. :-))

Snow covered pine tree

tucked inside of a metal urn adorned with words about friends.

Pencil pine trees wrapped in burlap,

and apothecary jars filled with favorite ornaments.

*sigh*

The farmhouse is smiling.

And, so am I.

:-))

Hope things are looking festive around your home.

Link up or comment below and tell me all about it!

I'm sharing over at Common Ground and My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

He's Home....

2011-12-06T07:18:00.001-06:00

My Great Grandpa Fritz has found his place atop the mantle at the Farmhouse on Main.

He was an accomplished pianist and horseman in his youth, just like my grandfather, and later owned a successful mercantile.

Although he passed before I was born, he lived colorfully and vividly through the beautiful memories shared by beloved grandfather.

Wasn't he a handsome lad?

From the bow on his collar,

to the buttons on his boots.

From the the wonderful vintage, chippy frame,

to the aged water stained background,

and most especially,

to his confident little attitude.

I love everything about this large portrait.

But mostly, I love it because my grandfather loved him so.

Welcome home Great Grandpa Fritz.

Aren't these the details that make our homes ours?

Love at First Sight - Farmhouse Friday #17

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

These chairs were among our finds during our trip to North Carolina a couple months ago. I love love love them!

For me, the soft aqua paint on the frames mixed with the vintage tapestry fabric are the perfect combination to create a fresh vintage look.

I didn't have any of our paint chips, or a fireplace tile with me during our trip, but I knew that they would be perfect for the farmhouse....I just knew it. Do you do that too? See something and just know it will be perfect?!

I was so sure they would work that I had a sold sticker on these babies within 2 minutes of spotting them. (Please forgive the cell phone quality of these pics.)

Although I must confess I wasn't at much risk of losing them, these poor gems had been marked down and shoved to the back of an upholstery/fabric shop. It's as if they were waiting there for me to find them.

If you've been to my Shoppe, then you already know that I love white and neutrals. But, I've been craving color lately. Any other white furniture lovers feeling that?

As for the color of my new vintage funky little chairs.....well just take a look at them in their new home.

They look as if they were designed specifically for those 120 year old fireplace tiles!

And look how they pull that blue ceiling right down into the room.

My chair love prompted me to get out the sewing machine and create a little something for these gems. More to come on that.

As our close friends know, we are much further along on the farmhouse than I've shown you just yet......but I'm trying to catch up here on the blog.

Hope I'm not boring you with this "show it to you as we go" room reveal. Thought I'd try something different....I like getting to share the details, and especially like hearing your thoughts as we go along.

So tell me, are you sharing in my chair love?

Okay, up next.....a chandie!

P.S. It's First Monday weekend, the Shoppe is open until Sunday! Come see us!

Link up below and share some farmhouse love! I'm also sharing over at Common Ground!

Seeds of Inspiration

2011-11-29T22:08:00.003-06:00

It all began right here.

With the original Majolica tiles around the fireplace.

The above photo was taken when we first viewed the property. I immediately spotted the majolica tiles and fell in love with the colors. I knew then that we would paint the ceilings blue, although some friends didn't get it when I shared my plans. :-))

Throw into the mix a piece of the original wallpaper, and you can get an idea of the original colors used in the decor for this 1894 farmhouse.

These were the seeds of inspiration for my color choices of blues, creams, golds, grays, and taupes for the Farmhouse on Main.

Several of you noticed the freshly painted blue ceilings when I first shared the newly painted space.

I'm completely in love with the beadboard ceilings, but love them even more now that they are blue!

Wallpaper would have been a good fit for this historic farmhouse, and no doubt lovely. But, wallpaper is such a big commitment of time, energy, money, and more importantly, design restrictions, that I would rather add pattern with things that are less permanent.

Speaking of pattern, wait until you see the "traditional meets funky" wingback chairs I found, they're coming up!

I'm having a ball decorating our new place!

P.S. The December Canton show begins on Thursday morning at 9am, get your shopping game on!

Feeling Blue

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

Old Southern homes are loaded with character and signature embellishments that just ooze Southern charm.

One such feature you will find in many Southern historic homes are blue porch ceilings. Referred to as haint blue.

There are many stories as to why Southern homeowners painted porch ceilings blue. They range from the notion that it brings good luck, to evidence that it can deter insects.

We've painted the porch ceiling blue in all of our past vintage homes.

But for reasons that are far more simple.

I just love how they make me feel. :-))

Our Farmhouse on Main was no exception, but this time we brought the blue ceilings inside to the foyer, parlor and dining room.

I've spied blue ceilings in recent years on coastal style homes, but love it inside of our Southern Farmhouse too.

There was something very specific that inspired me to paint the inside ceilings blue, I will share it with you in the next post.

By the way, blue porch ceilings are no longer found only in the South. :-))

What are your thoughts on blue ceilings?

Giving Thanks - Farmhouse Friday #16

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

During my days as a Corporate Trainer, I used a variety of exercises to teach various training topics.

One such exercise that I frequently used in a Customer Service training class, asked participants to share something out of the ordinary for which they were thankful.

I used that exercise in countless classes with hundreds of employees.

Over the years, the answers ran the spectrum, but none were as profound as the response that was given one afternoon by a quiet young employee.

She shared that she was thankful that
she had bills to pay.

As you might expect, there were a couple of odd looks from some of the other participants until she clarified her statement.

She explained that because she had bills

it meant

she had a roof over her head,

a car to drive,

and heat to keep her children warm.

She ended by saying that some people may never know those things.

I am blessed with so many sweet memories from my days as a trainer, but moments like that one are the real treasures.

For those were the moments in which I learned more,

than I taught.

A heart of gratitude is the most precious thing any of us will ever possess, it will always lead us down the right path and remind us to enjoy the journey along the way.

I pray that for all of us.

Not just on Thanksgiving Day, but for every day.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends enjoying lots of love and laughter.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life, and for letting me be a part of yours.

P.S. All of the beautiful photos you see here belong to my Farmhouse Sistas from last week's Farmhouse Friday. You can visit their lovely blogs by clicking on the photos. Link up or comment below to share some love and inspiration.

A Step Closer

2011-11-22T10:05:00.000-06:00

We've lived in bigger houses,

we've lived in smaller houses.

We've lived in older homes,

we've lived in newer homes.

But, we've never lived in a home that I've loved more.

This is it. My spirit is at peace here.

I'm so in love with our little Farmhouse on Main.

Remember this post, where I shared that I wanted the inside to look like the outside?

After the results of this latest painting project, I feel as though we are a step closer to that goal.

Don't you love the simplicity of the lighter space?

I find myself smiling every time we open the front door. :-))

Get ready for lots and lots of blog posts that include all the details and decorating plans.

Let the decorating begin!

Your thoughts?...

Thank you Tyler, Texas!

2011-11-21T20:24:00.003-06:00

We were so honored to be asked to participate in the 2011 Mistletoe & Magic show, sponsored by the Jr. League of Tyler.

And, especially honored that they showcased us in the entry hall as they did.

The theme this year was "White Christmas", which was right up our alley, white Christmas is our specialty at the Shoppe!

This was a sweet show that offered us an opportunity to visit with guests and a chance to meet some pretty amazing vendors.

Of all the shows we've participated with, without a doubt this was the most enjoyable and absolutely the easiest we've ever done. It's a small show that showcases about 90 retail vendors. And, the ladies of the Tyler Jr. League are sweethearts!

Passing out thousands of cards, we were thrilled to meet so many new customers that have assured a visit to see us at the Shoppe. And, we were humbled to find out how many Tyler shoppers were already LaurieAnna's Vintage Home customers. :-))

Our following has grown tremendously over the past 12 months, it's positively amazing!

Both, BeScene magazine and the Tyler Morning Telegraph, featured photos and articles about our booth. How sweet is that?

A big thank you to the Jr. League hospitality committee, they provided every meal for us and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the show. From my own show experience I can tell you that is a rarity. Truly the sweetest group of ladies around!

Thank you for Tyler, Texas for making us feel so welcome, we loved every minute of it!

Firsts

2011-11-20T08:16:00.000-06:00

This week marked a couple of "firsts" for us. It was the first time we participated in the Mistletoe & Magic show, but an even bigger first.....it was the first time EVER that we hired help for a painting project.

While hubby and I were busy visiting and working in the booth, painters were busy working at the Farmhouse on Main.

I have a confession to make.....with our busy work schedule, we should have recruited help long ago.

Live and learn....

This is just a glimpse and I must tell you that I was delighted into tears when we entered in our exhausted state after tearing down at the show last night.

And, even more delighted this morning when the sun began peeking through the windows.

The difference that paint and a paintbrush can make never ceases to amaze me. Just paint.....it's just paint....can you believe that?

I'm in love with the brighter space! The downside of all this..... I had planned to rest today but there is no way I can't start decorating!

Lots more photos to come as well as a review and photos of the show, but my excitement got the better of me this morning and I just couldn't wait to share this peek with you.

I'm dying to know your thoughts so far....??

Talk to me....

Farmhouse Christmas Inspiration - Farmhouse Friday #15

2011-11-17T00:43:00.006-06:00

As the holidays are upon us, I thought I'd share a little Farmhouse Christmas decorating inspiration, compliments of Pinterest.

Simple farmhouse style giftwrap.

Isn't Pinterest the greatest?!

You can follow my pins here.

Now, it's your turn to link up and share some Farmhouse inspiration.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm sharing over at Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Mistletoe & Magic

2011-11-14T09:02:00.002-06:00

Yessiree, that's where we're headed!

The Mistletoe & Magic show, sponsored by the Jr. League of Tyler, begins with a preview party on Wednesday night, Nov. 16, and then continues through Saturday, Nov. 19th. It takes place at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, Texas.

They have placed us right in the entry, you can't miss us!

Our booth will be loaded up with Christmas goodies!

Come see us!

The Yukky Necessary Stuff

2011-11-12T21:30:00.003-06:00

If you're tuning in for pretty photos of inspiration, this post won't be for you. If you're looking for support and information about restoring an old house, read on.

I think if we're spending money on the house, it should include pretty furniture or bedding, some new curtains or fresh paint. How about some fab new lighting, or a new appliance. Just give me something that I can admire when it's finished.

Most assuredly we will have many of those projects in our future with the Farmhouse on Main, but this is not one of those times. Nope, instead we're pumping money money money into glamorous foundation repair. Doesn't that get your pulse racing?

I went back and forth on even posting about this repair. But, here's the thought that propelled me to share it.

How can I share what it's like to own an old home without sharing what it's like to own an old home.

Not sure how many of you have ever restored, or are living in, a vintage home. If you are, then your home is most likely on pier and beam. I adore pier and beam homes, in fact it's all that we have lived in throughout our marriage. But, they sure do tend to settle, particularly here in Texas.

These are the original timbers that were used in the foundation of the house. The centers are rotten and hollowed out so they all had to be replaced.

As such, we've been through foundation repair, or what we refer to as "leveling" numerous times. It's a stressful process for me, not only because of the great expense that typically accompanies it, but more so because of the damage it causes to the house.

The back of our little farmhouse slopes significantly from the front, many of the rooms have the feeling of running downhill, and the floor is "bouncy" in some places so this project was an absolute must.

It's always, among the first repairs we do because leveling a house can cause damage to sheet rock, windows, wallpaper, wood, etc. Sometimes significant damage. The level of damage is relational to the amount the house has to be raised or lowered to make it level.

Since our sweet farmhouse needed significant leveling on the backside of the house, the damage is significant too.

Isn't it lovely?

But, even amidst the damage pretty things can be found.

Look at the original beadboard walls peeking out from behind the broken sheetrock.

I was telling hubster last night, it's almost comical. You pay foundation repair companies good money to perform a repair that you know is going to cause damage and create more work. It's not intentional mind you, it just comes with the territory.

I still remember the shock I felt after having our first vintage home leveled, I was unprepared for the damage it caused. Now, I know what to expect and the damage still unnerves me. But, unless you are content with the unlevel rooms, it has to be.

This is definitely not something you want to do after you've spent time and money painting or wallpapering. We made that mistake with the first vintage home we purchased. And, although we did paint one bedroom that is located on the front of the house because we knew it would be unaffected by the foundation repair.....everything else has had to wait.

Foundation repairs can be quite costly, usually deep into the thousands, and are best left to the professionals. If you are facing this situation, do your homework. Ask around, check the Better Business Bureau, and don't just go with an estimate because it's the cheapest. Good companies stand behind their work and usually offer warranties. And, you typically have to wait for them because they are busy. We've been waiting for 3 months.

These are just a few of the tidbits that we have learned in our years of restoration, I'm hoping it might benefit some of the newbie vintage homeowners.

At the end of the day, I did have something to admire. A kitchen, hall and dining room that I can stand in that no longer have sloping or bouncy floors. And, the most beautiful thing of all.....the knowledge that we can now officially begin to work on our sweet place!

Now, it's time to get busy with wall repairs and get rolling on our lil Farmhouse!! My heart is singing, get ready for lots of updates! :-))

But first, it's almost time for the Mistletoe & Magic show that takes place November 16-19 at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, Texas! We're ready and so excited!

Featured Farmhouse, November 2011- Farmhouse Friday #14

2011-11-10T19:15:00.000-06:00

Get yourself a good cup of java and a comfy place to sit because you are in for a treat with this month's Featured Farmhouse.

What do you get when you have one design savvy lady, who’s been raised on a farm that loves everything vintage? Someone who wields a paintbrush and a duel point driver with ease. Who can see potential in furniture and things most of us would throw out? Throw in a talented husband that works along side her. Add in kids and grandkids that she adores. And an adorable farmhouse that she restored. Plus she gardens and cooks and loves the Lord. And her given name fits her to a T because she spreads it wherever she goes….

I can only be describing one person because they broke the mould after creating her …the savvycityfarmer…Joy Waltmire!

Yes, today we are traveling north from Texas …all the way to the suburbs of Chicago to visit the charming farmhouse of Joy Frey-Waltmire and her husband Don. Some of you may already know Joy as savvycityfarmer, which is the title of the blog she has written for 6 years. Her home, which she and her husband have lovingly restored, has been featured in numerous publications including the 2011 Autumn addition of the Danish magazine The Jeanne d’ Arc Living and Fifi O’Neall’s latest book, Romantic Prairie Style.

Born and raised on an Indiana farm Joy was introduced to antiques and auctions at a very early age. She loves natural elements and palettes of neutrals, incorporating found objects of interest in her home and designs.

When Joy is not working on her farmhouse she uses her God given talents to style and redesign furniture and decorative items for her clients.

With no formal training, she has developed her eye for design and repurposing from 35 years of free lance design and 10 years of shop keeping. A large part of her business is buying and selling antiques and items that she and her husband redesign. Together they run the home-based business from their potting shed. Twice a year, spring and fall they host a selling event in their backyard that draws shoppers from all over the country.

Joy’s byline for savvycityfarmer.com …

“Courting the muse at home…design-ing, family-ing, garden-ing…keeping a close eye out for castoffs…turning the un-lovely to lovely. (LOVE IT!)

Farmhouse living at its’ finest.”

Full of inspiring photos, Joy not only shares her farmhouse and family but also gives instructions for paint techniques and redesigns. And even wedding design on a budget!

Joy has graciously taken time from her design business today to answer some questions and share her farmhouse with us. Come sit with us on the front porch as we talk to Joy….

Joy…your farmhouse is beautiful! How old is it and how long has it owned you?

We have lived in the farmhouse for fourteen years. The house dates to 1870.

Have you made many changes through the years?

Eight years ago we chose new siding, designed and had built a wrap around porch. When that project was finished we capped it off with a potting shed redesign. Originally our shed was the carriage shed. We covered the existing concrete floor with a raised wood floor and placed bead board on all the walls. It then became my painting and selling (“Shop the Shed”) venue. A few summers ago we completely reworked the landscape and created a pea gravel courtyard surrounded by boxwood and hydrangea.

What one excited you the most and made the biggest difference?

I was the most excited with the wrap around porch … being a farm girl and all, the pea gravel courtyard is by far my favorite. We always had a gravel driveway as a kid. My parents still do. It transports you to Europe and gives the old farmhouse a very rustic rural aura.

Did you do all the work yourself?

We did the design every step of the way, but had the wrap around porch built by a builder who specializes in circa 1800’s homes.

So let’s take a peak inside……

Your walls are beautiful! Can you tell us about them?

Years ago I had a concrete bust statue of a woman. It was literally the color of stone. I mixed and poured and tested until I matched her patina. I applied the watered down paint with a brush, wiping off with a damp terry cloth towel as I went. However, because our walls were old plaster the technique enhanced itself creating the exact look of stone.

How do you define your style and what is your inspiration?

I am truly inspired by styles and sophistication that I see on line. I am not a copy cat, though. I adore the mix of farmhouse, industrial, a little romance and a lot of texture. It’s funny, I been buying and using burlap for as long as I can remember. When a magazine cover gets a hold of what they think a trend is, all of a sudden it evolves in to just that. For another example, I have collected white ironstone for 30 plus years … I just didn’t happen to be the gal who wrote a book about it. Are you catching what I’m saying? I call my style ‘European Romantic Farmhouse’.

Can you give us some advice for achieving that look in our own homes?

First off, take away what ever doesn’t make your heart flip. Second, when you see something you LOVE, buy it if you can. My husband is not allowed to ask me, “What are you going to do with that?”

I WILL find a place for it, even if it means storing something else, or perhaps moving it on to someone else. Buy a few drama pieces, like a great cabinet for the TV, or a sturdy pair of Louis side chairs, great lamps … and vintage leather books! So in a nutshell, I buy what I love and mush it all together.

In your home we see many wonderful and interesting collections. Tell us about your favorites.

I adore hotel silver, white ironstone, brown transfer, demi johns (wicker wrapped bottles) textiles i.e. grain sacs, blankets and linens with texture, landscape oils, apothecary bottles, anything galvanized, and so on and so forth. Truth be told, I would have to claim that the galvanized pieces I own are fast becoming my favorite. It’s really hard uttering those words, though, because remember, I only have what I love around the house. It all has purpose and you will find me using every little thing I own, from wine for a party in a galvanized tub to a Thanksgiving turkey on a brown transfer platter!

(Joy wrote an interesting post on her “new” favorite collectible this week. You can view it by clicking here.)

We understand your kitchen underwent a face lift recently including your cabinets…what changes did you make?

I was inspired and determined to create the look of old tin on my kitchen cupboards. Every day I would look out at the potting shed and see the old tin my husband so lovingly put on the roof. The tin came off of my great grandpa’s chicken shed and was hauled here from Indiana in my Dad’s pickup!

My son in law painted and did some wall papering on my backsplash. The walls are “Eiffel Tower” by Pittsburgh Paint and the wall paper is off the shelf from a local hardware store.

Looking through your photos we see only a few “new” items…i.e. your coffeemaker.

Have you always lived with this “vintage” look?

(Where are you hiding the modern necessities like the TV?)

Always have, always will.

The TV is not a necessity here and is only used for movies so it’s hidden in one of those great old armoires I was referring too. I have no dishwasher. I do love me my coffee pot and my stainless microwave, but I bought the smallest microwave that I could find so that it would not become the elephant in the room. I have a simple white stove and fridge.

My food storage is a butler pantry and an old Iowa farmhouse pine cupboard.

As an accomplished decorator you refurbished vintage furniture with special paint techniques for your clients… do you sell your items in a store?

I sell my furniture redesigns to various shopkeepers here in the Chicago burbs and across the country. (You can find the list on my blog sidebar) I also do a lot of free lance styling after hours for local boutiques. Twice a year my daughter and I host a large sale called “Shop the Shed” in my potting shed and back yard. Our next sale is in May 2012.

What furniture project(s) are you working on in your studio at this moment?

I am preparing a load of repurposed accessories for a big home show this weekend. I’m using a lot of glitter and goo and sheet moss, too. I will be taking some portable pieces of furniture, side tables and a fabulous collection of small benches and stools. I sometimes add roman numerals to round pieces to portray a clock façade or I’ll place a cloche on a redesigned porch post column base.

(I’m sure we will see photos of the home show next week on savvycityfarmer.com and maybe if there are any leftovers from the show they will be available on stuffintheburbs.com.)

Joy, your farmhouse has been featured in several publications recently…tell us what it was like to have someone style and shoot your home.

I am still in some shock that someone saw a reason to pursue me. I’ve been dreaming of this for the last twenty years and had decided it was not going to happen. I mean, I love it, but I was amazed and honored by the famous people that stepped in here to do their magic. I am humbled to say that they used a lot of my own styling ideas …which means they didn’t move much.

From reading your blog we see family is very important to you. Are any family members following in your decorating/blogging shoes?

I have a well known daughter who blogs professionally, Parisienne Farmgirl. She has been blogging for 5 years. (Her home was also featured in the book Romantic Prairie Style and in many other publications.)

Joy, this has been an absolutely delightful interview! We LOVE your European Romantic Farmhouse Style! Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your adorable farmhouse with us and for giving us such great design advice. We have just one more question for you today…

If someone came to you for advice on remodeling/decorating their farmhouse…what would be the single most important thing you would tell them?

I started ‘listening’ to our house the moment we moved it. The walls began to speak. The house has a personality. Be sure to let it have its’ way. Then start buying the pieces and accessories that fit the home.

Work with a builder who ‘gets it’ … some do and some do not. Interview, if you would and move on if someone will not work with your ideas. Incorporate architectural pieces, iron and found objects into the basic design.

Remember to only buy what you love. I believe you can train your ‘eye’ to achieve the exact look you are striving for. Lastly, have fun with it. Break a few rules. If I think of a quirky idea I try it.

If it pleases my eye I leave it, if not, I delete.

Thank you, Laurie, for this opportunity and this beautiful feature.

Joy, Savvycityfarmer

Thank you Joy…

You have definitely shown us “Farmhouse living at its’ finest”…

You are truly a savvy city farmer!

Visit Joy's blog here and shop with her here.

Now, it's your turn to share by commenting below, or by linking up to share some Farmhouse love with us.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thank You for Our Best Show EVER!!

2011-11-09T01:39:00.001-06:00

Why is it when I have the most to blog about, I have the least amount of time to do it?

This past show was so far beyond anything we've ever seen or known, I need to come up with a new word to define it.

On Thursday morning, in addition to the heavy concentration of our faithful followers, we had not one, but two charter buses within an hour of each other.

The store was so full of shoppers throughout the show that it felt like Times Square on New Year's Eve.

Wonderful, glorious chaos and lots of happy customers!

It doesn't get any better than that!

More times than I could count during the show, customers shared that they were visiting the Shoppe for the first time because a friend or family member told them about us.

Or, because they read about us on someone's blog.

How can I say thank you for that?

You are our advertising.

It means the world to me.

Every display, every event, every moment spent searching for items for the Shoppe...

are all done with you in mind.

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

One of the sweetest gifts of the show, my precious friends Denis, Tracy and Michael jumped on board to help out just because they thought it would be fun. :-))

And yes, we did have lots of fun, but I know they slept well on Sunday night!

They were amazing help and our customers loved them. I can't possibly thank you guys enough!

The entire crew would love to have you back anytime!

I really think Denis just didn't get enough of us last month! :-))

A few more gifts in my life....

Umm, can you tell these two are related? Two of my favorite people in the world, beautiful mother and daughter, Lauren and Letty, are invaluable to our crew.

Customers love them both, they are an absolute joy to be around and work so hard.

Sweetheart crew member Patty is one of the most uplifting people, she always has a smile on her face and never has a negative thing to say about anything. May we all be surrounded by people like this in our lives.

All of these beautiful photos were taken by crew member Jessica....who is as sweet as she is pretty and is our team's official photographer.

The show was so busy that we didn't get photos of our many other crew-members, Patti, Chris, Leanne, Rhonda, Kim, Rodney, Daphne, Paula, and of course my sweet hubby.

To all of you on the crew, thank you for all your hard work and dedication, I couldn't do this without you.

And, to all of our customers, thank you for supporting and encouraging us as you do.

You are the reason we do what we do and you make every minute of the effort worth it.

We celebrated the close of the record setting show on Sunday night with a Pecan and Praline cake that was brought to us by one of our clients that owns Nothing Bundt Cakes. Total bliss!

Our customers rock!

Now it's time to get the trailers loaded and get ready for the Mistletoe and Magic show that takes place next week, Nov 16-19, in Tyler. We can't wait!

Will we see you there?

P.S. Farmhouse Friday will resume this week.

Farmhouse Friday #12 - Farmhouse Inspiration

2011-10-27T09:21:00.004-05:00

We're a dozen posts into our weekly Farmhouse Friday gatherings, and it just keeps getting better and better! Last weeks links were jam packed full of inspiration.

Whether you were looking for examples of Farmhouse architecture, farmhouse decorating, or farmhouse cooking, there was something for everyone.

Readers can follow the Farmhouse Friday links and find as much inspiration as a magazine issue.

Take a peek ....

Sweet Young Journey

House of Hawthornes

Cabin & Cottage

Life is What You Make of It

Common Ground

Redo 101

White Spray Paint

Counting Your Blessings

Gracefully Vintage

Fairfield House

Old House True Love

Allergy Free Vintage Cookery

How's that for a little Farmhouse inspiration?

Can't wait to see what you have to share this week!

Thanks for sharing and for visiting!

I'm linking up with Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Farmhouse Friday #11 - Staking Claim

2011-10-20T09:30:00.004-05:00

You may remember from my previous post, while appearing on the Nate Berkus show Maya Angelou said,

"When people plant flowers in window boxes it means they are claiming their space."

Isn't that a lovely sentiment?

In keeping with that, Hubster built me a simple window box that I filled with pretty Fall flowers.

I suppose this means we've officially claimed our space.

We also hung a couple of black shutters to make the window pop a little.

Vintage shutters are on my wish list, but I'm waiting for just the right pair. Until then, these will hold their place.

Just the other side of that window is the bedroom that we've been making over. You can see the pretty window box from inside the bedroom. That post is coming soon.

Such a simple change, but didn't it punch things up a bit?

What have you been doing to punch things up and stake claim around your home?

Link up or comment below and tell me all about it. Remember to link back to my post from yours. ;-))

I love our Farmhouse Friday time together.

Have a great weekend!

I'm linking up to Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Farmhouse Bedroom Sneak Peek, Farmhouse Friday #10

2011-10-13T11:46:00.001-05:00

Farmhouse style. It can be many things to many people. And, just as with cottage, coastal, modern, or any other style of decorating, it can take endless directions. Our homes are personal, as is our interpretation of style.

Over the past couple of weeks, we've had several projects and repairs going on at the Farmhouse on Main. One of which is foundation repair, UGH....more on that later.

A much more pleasing project has been a bedroom makeover.

I shared the beginning of this project here, and then we switched gears to complete transformation of the Shoppe.

But, with that now behind us, I've been able to focus some attention on my little farmhouse bedroom.

These are just a few snippets of this small room.

And even through the close-up shots, I'm betting you can see the direction I took the space.

This room makeover, our first at the Farmhouse on Main, has been so much fun for me. I will reveal the big picture and all the details in the next post. Tell me.....what do you think so far?

Link up or comment below and share your thoughts and inspiration with us.

I'm also sharing over at Vintage Inspiration Friday

Have a wonderful weekend!

Featured Farmhouse October, Farmhouse Friday #9

2011-10-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the debut of "Featured Farmhouse". This is the first of many farmhouses to come through this ongoing monthly segment that you will find right here at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home.

I will be "traveling" all over the globe seeking out farmhouse-styled homes to showcase. So if you love the casual look and vintage inspired lifestyle, and decorate your home to emphasize this, please contact me. I'd love to see it. And maybe your home will be an upcoming "Featured Farmhouse".

For our first featured farmhouse, we have Becky of the beautiful blog, Buckets Of Burlap.

Becky describes her style as vintage country farmhouse.

Becky, what in particular draws you to the farmhouse design style?

I’m drawn to the comfortable, welcoming feeling that comes from the farmhouse style. It’s the simplicity of the mixtures of wood, whites, and vintage collections that I adore.

The relaxed farmhouse style allows my family to enjoy our favorite things… It’s more than a style, it’s the way we live…Baking with fresh eggs from our hens, piling on the sofa for movie night, or having family and friends over for dinner.

Where do you get your best ideas?

I get my inspiration mostly from the amazingly talented women who blog. I love looking through blogs and sites like Pinterest for fresh ideas. I’ve also been known to hoard magazines.

Also, one of my favorite places to get ideas is your place, LaurieAnna! I come away so inspired when I visit your shoppe.

What does your husband/family think of this style of decorating?

God has blessed me with such a fun family. My husband and our three kids love the farmhouse style. It’s not formal, but comfortable…and we all feel right at home. The great thing about vintage furniture is that it looks better with more wear and tear, and slipcovers can be bleached. My family laughs about my constant rearranging…they never know what to expect.

Where do you get your signs?

Such as the Farmers Market in the kitchen.

I’ve made all of my signs using reclaimed barn wood. I just stencil the words with paint and sand/distress, so they will have the vintage appearance. Our latest sign, “EGGS”, was done by my husband, “Mr. Buckets of Burlap”. He cut out large letters from old wood.

Did you have a different style of decorating before this? And if so, what was it?

I actually had NO style before “vintage country farmhouse”… I spent all of my time teaching Kindergarten, which did not allow for much decorating. All of my creative energy was spent on my classroom until summer of 2008. Now that I work from home, I spend my extra time decorating and shopping flea markets.

How old is your house?

Our house is almost six years old. It is a modular home that we had custom built. However, at that time, I didn’t realize my passion for farmhouse style. Therefore, it has been an ongoing process to transform it into a cozy place we are proud of. It is always a work in progress.

How long have you lived there?

We moved into our house in December of 2005.

You home school, don’t you? How do you find the time to do it all?

This is true. We home school our two youngest children. Our oldest attends a local high school. Honestly, I don’t feel like I “do it all” very well. It is difficult to juggle work, home school, and blogging. This is why I usually only post about once a week.

However, my husband and I make a great team. We work together on everything, including home school and house projects. We even enjoy hunting flea markets together.

What is the favorite room of your house?

My favorite room in our house is the den. This is where our family spends most of our time together. We play the Wii or watch a soccer game while gathered around the coffee table eating homemade guacamole. It also has some of my favorite furniture pieces, like our vintage cabinet from LaurieAnna’s.

Where is your favorite place to get your wonderful finds you decorate your home and gardens with?

Our favorite flea market is Canton Trade Days in Texas. We have found some of our favorite vintage items there, like several old scales, and our kitchen island. I also visit a few local antique malls.

What is your next "project"?

We just got our hands on a huge load of old barn wood. Our next project will be a kitchen farm table. Also, I’m so excited to get started on a potting shed this Fall. My husband is such an incredible carpenter. He built our mantle, several farm tables, the chicken coop, and our headboard. I get an idea, and he builds it.

Do you see your decorating style changing or just evolving?

I believe my decorating style is continuously evolving. I love to change things as I get inspired by others or have fresh ideas. The best thing about farmhouse style is it doesn’t go out of style.

Thank you Becky for allowing us into your beautiful home and to all of you for taking the tour with me. Thanks also to Brenda for helping me organize this segment.

Please drop me a line at sales@laurieannas.com if you have an idea for a future "Featured Farmhouse". You don't need to have a blog to be featured.

Now, I'd love for you to link up below and share your own farmhouse style with us.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm linking up to:

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Show & Tell Friday

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home

Farmhouse Friday #8 - Farmhouse Love from the Shoppe

2011-09-30T04:51:00.003-05:00

Next week, I will be back to sharing about our sweet little Farmhouse on Main.

But, as the past couple weeks have found me nesting at the shoppe while we prepared it for the Holiday Season, I hope you'll indulge me just a bit this week as I share a little farmhouse love from my other home. :-)

Today was the first day of the Canton show and the crowds were incredible in the Shoppe.

For several hours, the lines at the sales counter seemed to stretch endlessly.

Thank you for being patient with my dedicated hardworking crew.

We are so excited to have Dee Dee and Denis in the house for this show.

Dee Dee Style

I not only respect them as fellow business owners, but I adore them as people and am honored to call them my friends

Dee Dee Style

They each worked so hard to set up their lovely booths.

Ruby Grace

Our day ended with the excitement of our best retail day ever, thank you so much! To spend my days doing what I love, surrounded by people I love, is more than I could ever hope for and certainly more than I deserve. I'm so very thankful for all of it. We get to do all this again in just a few hours!

Now tell me, what's going on in your farmhouse loving world?

I'm linking up to Vintage Inspiration Friday.

We Have a Full House

2011-09-26T09:08:00.003-05:00

Can someone please tell me, where has this month gone?

Canton First Monday is almost upon us and boy do we have some wonderful things in store! The Shoppe has been transformed with Christmas decor, and many other great new arrivals. And, let me tell you......it is stuffed to maximum capacity. But, that's not all.

This month we are honored to have our sweet friends, Denis of Ruby Grace, and Dee Dee of Dee Dee Style, joining us.

Denis will be bringing a load of antiques.

And Dee Dee will have a great selection of her hand crafted jewelry!

You won't want to miss them!

And, of course we will have a wonderful stock of Daphne Nicole pillows and purses.

Daphne's been a busy girl this month!

The fun all begins on Thursday morning at 9am.

Store Hours:

Thursday 9/29, 9am - 5pm

Friday 9/30, 8am - 6pm

Saturday 10/1, 8am - 6pm

Sunday 10/2, 9am - 5pm

Hope to see you here!

Farmhouse Friday #7 - Farmhouse Inspiration

2011-09-23T09:30:00.002-05:00

The real life of a Shoppe-owner.

My days are busy,

and they are very, very long during this time of year.

Postively no complaining, I love all of it.

But, it does come with challenges.

Most nights I come home incredibly tired.

And creatively drained.

I need recharging

I need inspiring

And, you never cease to deliver.

Brambleberry Cottage

Lavender Garden Cottage

Welcome to the Turner Farm

I am continually amazed by the talent and creativity that is at our fingertips daily.

And, thankful for your willingness to share it with us.

Isn't it amazing how much purpose blogging can add to a life and how much we can touch one another?

Most times without even knowing it.

Thank you for sweetening my "me time" and for the inspiration you bring to all of us.

Ready to do it again?

I will be back this weekend with news about our upcoming show and our guests that will be in the house!

I'm linking to Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Our Cute Lil' LaurieAnna's Vintage Camper

2011-09-19T09:04:00.005-05:00

Spend an hour browsing Craigslist,

a quick trip to Houston,

a little cash,

and what do you get?

This....

Take a little wood,

a little burlap and paint,

lots of enthusiastic participation,

and what do you get?

This!

This was one of the many surprises waiting for customers during our Fall Preview Party, and wow was it a hit!

Our little Craigslist hand built camper was a perfect prop, it just needed a little makeover.

So, hubster built a platform to raise it over a foot, he even added casters to the bottom so we can move it around the Shoppe with little effort.

Then we dry-brushed it with some really old, thick and gunky, white paint. Nothing better than old paint for drybrushing.

Papered the walls, made a door using an old window, and made a window by using a distressed mirror.

We made tire covers using burlap and clothespins

added a porch light, a mailbox (a gift from my sweet friend Patti), and of course some accents from LaurieAnna’s Vintage Home and the result?... a very unique Shoppe prop....

Occupied by one very unique Shoppe Dog.

Zeek always has to be in the middle of the fun!

We will have it all decorated up for Christmas in the upcoming show!

Isn’t it the cutest thing?

We'll leave the light on for you.