A funny thing happened on the way to retreat Spring...
I had to re-design the whole setup. No, there wasn't a problem, it's just that I had all this great garden-theme stuff to put in the space (we even came across a FAB 40's picnic table & benches in the most perfect chippy white paint....) but I had one reservation about it: it seemed too country. Not quite 'Shabby Chic ' enough. Definitely 'Shabby Garden' but, well, I just wasn't sure about it meshing with the aesthetics of Faded Elegance.
Then, we made the decision to apply to participate in an upcoming show. If we are accepted, I'll be hauling all of that garden-fresh goodness to our booth in that show. Perfect solution! (Don't ask me what happens if we aren't accepted into the show.... I'm thinking positively here!) Edited to Add: I just got the verification - we're IN! retreat will be a vendor at the Farm Chicks in Spokane in June!
So, for a few hours on Wednesday night (while I should have been asleep, but my brain refused to cooperate with that schedule) and all day yesterday, I gathered up some stuff from our storage areas, dug through my fabric bins, and put together an 'almost' Parisian look. I say almost because...well, I guess I'd describe this as 'California French Style'. (Like Kari Meng's 'French General' store) Pale sand tones, various whites, feminine, a touch of garden style, vintage simple. It would look as perfect in a beach cottage at Newport or Mukilteo as in a bungalow in Pasadena or Snohomish. Or a farmhouse in Spokane!
It's spring, it's summer, it's fresh. Burlap is HOT HOT HOT in decor right now and i just happened to have some stashed away. I finally talked myself into parting with my antique pastiche frame. Lace linens, a bunch of white wire baskets, white ceramic accessories, some straw hats & tote bags, plus a white millinery hat and sweet white wicker vintage handbag finish it off. I think I will be heading in this direction with our Cottage's summer decor...a bit less feminine and a lot more beach house, but this color combination and fresh feel.
And no sooner had I placed that pastiche frame into the display when the sweet gal who was working walks up and says 'Uh Oh. I think I'll just buy that....' I asked her if I could at least take photos first, before she took it out of the display! So I snapped a few shots, then was wandering around the store, and two darling gals shopped the heck out of my booth! (Bless you, girls!) I may have to unearth a bunch more to refill this by Monday. Good thing I'm headed to Portland for a shopping trip tomorrow...
Oh, and I figured since I sold some stuff, I could buy something, and when I spied this cage in another vendors' booth, I moved in for the grab before those two shopping dynamos could get to it!
Isn't she cute?!!! The perfect state of peely-rusty, right there. sigh.
Nope, not selling this one......
Happy Spring, everyone! Now, go nest!
