Spring at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta

Entry vendor at Scott's Antique Market

This is the second weekend of the month and, therefore, the weekend of Scott's Antique Market in southern Atlanta link to website.  My friend, Bette, and I try to go each month and usually make the trip on Fridays. This was an unusual weekend because we actually went on two different days - more on that later.

When visiting the market, I try to concentrate on one theme or type of object to photograph while meandering the numerous stalls and displays. It helps me manage my scanning and, theoretically, keeps me from getting overly distracted and overwhelmed. During these two days, we visited both the north and south buildings and I concentrated on capturing images that reminded me of our upcoming spring. Here is a pictorial walk-though of the markets.

An America display with poppies and other fresh greens.

Loved this glasswork particularly in this fresh green color. 

Orchids I wish I could not just buy but maintain - I am working on my first orchid and want to see how well it does before committing more funds and passion on this elusive flower.

Bette bought this little guy - he had the texture of moss. 

Same vendor as the one above had various maidenhair ferns and hydrangeas displays - nicely done!  

It's almost St. Patricks Day and my husband is Irish - I did NOT buy this hat! 

Talked with the gentleman who had crafted this chest of drawers using rubber cement and fabric - very vibrant!  He said he had been experimenting for some time before finding this solution. 

Rabbit love! 

Sweet table and such a nice Spring color!

More gentle greenery! 

I do love tulips and wish they did better in this southern climate. The winter season is too warm and short for tulips to do well. It is almost a requirement to dig them up each year and replant - a lot of work but they are beautiful! 

Love these forsythia branches (and chair behind them)! 

Vendor had a unique way of placing small water vials inside these centerpieces and allowing cut flowers to float inside.  An interesting approach.

I was not totally distracted by my search for images of Spring. I actually found several pieces of furniture to buy at pretty good prices.  In fact, after buying two small settees on Friday, it was necessary to return on Saturday afternoon to pick them up - just not enough room in my Highlander.

I bought the four antique chairs (balloon style) as well as the two settees. I am still working on fabric treatments and, in the case of the tightseat settee, which color to use to redo the woodwork. 

A great weekend at Scott's Antiques Market. It was noticeably busier than it had been in the November-December timeframe - particularly on Saturday where parking was a challenge. This is such a wonderful market and the clientele and vendors are usually varied and very pleasant - a great Southern tradition.

Designer Color Palettes - Blue and Green

Source - Yahoo images in blue and green

I was looking through the colors and color combinations in my Wydeven Design refurbished upholstery furniture inventory and noticed how many blues and green pieces I have as well as combinations of these two colors. These are probably my favorite hues. In reviewing some on-line decorating blogs and websites, I noticed that there are many images out there combining these two colors.

One recurring theme:

Blues and greens, whether on their own or mixed, can add a calming element to your house. Both colors are known to have soothing effects, so splurge and decorate! read more

I also found a Martha Stewart website that is dedicated to using different color combinations with suggestions and images for each - Link to website - very informative!

One article discussed the psychological affect that spring has on all of us and our yearning for the greening of our outdoor spaces. Other writers discussed the connection between this color combination and "beachy themes" - variations on blues and greens in the landscape.  Whatever the reason is, this combination is vibrant and easy on the eye. It is cool and inviting.

Here are some images of this color combination including some of my pieces. All the images can be found on my pinterest page with sources associated on the "decorating with blues" and "decorating with greens" boards - Link

Here is a great set of images highlighting the connection with nature - check source link above.

What a sweet combination - check source link above. 

I love the deep blue wall included in this vibrant scene. 

My favorite blue and white porcelain looks great against this bright green.

Soothing setting!

Interesting combination!

Here are just a few of my pieces that would work in this setting:

What do you think of this great color combination?

Home Design Trends - Chevron

Chevron Fabric on Accent Pillow - for ease of source identification, I placed all images on my pinterest board - source

I have been fascinated by the ubiquitous presence of chevron fabrics (and rugs and walls and plates and furniture and clothing, etc. etc.).  I just finished a set of chairs in a seafoam blue and cream chevron and thought this might the the time to do some research on this decorating trend.

First the definition:

A figure, pattern, or object having the shape of a V or an inverted V: as

a : a heraldic charge consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at an angle usually with the point up 

b : a sleeve badge that usually consists of one or more chevron-shaped stripes that indicates the wearer's rank and service (as in the armed forces) - source

 And some early history:

The chevron occurs in early art including designs on pottery and rock carvings. Examples can be found approximately 1800 BC in archaeological recovery of pottery designs from the palace of Knossos on Crete in the modern day country of Greece. source.

And transition from historical patterns to modern usage:

The chevron symbol is commonly used to represent rankings, government groups or company logos. The word chevron comes from the French word for the roof of a house – where the two rafters meet making an upside-down V. You can see why this symbol has been used on shields and flags throughout the years.

Then moving forward the chevron has been a very popular pattern used on flooring and decking especially with wood. Still tending to keep with a more literal symbolism of the rafters. When used in a repeated pattern such as in flooring the chevron symbol makes what many people see as more of a zig-zag. source

The following images - all found on my pinterest board under fabrics (see link above) for source information, represent the interesting ways chevron has made its way into our lives.

And here are my lovely chevron-upholstered slipper chairs - by North Carolina's Charles Stewart Furniture.  What do you think of this trend?

Before and After - My Own Parade

Every now and then, I want to highlight some of the amazing transformations that I have been able to achieve buying well constructed used furniture; finding great designer fabrics; and, working with a trusted master upholsterer to do the actual expert work of reupholstering. It is what I do and have been doing for almost nine years. It is a labor of love!

Here are some of my recent projects - most are sold on eBay, Etsy, and my website. Occasionally, I am selling on One King's Lane as well.

This is something EVERYONE can do. I hope that these examples  inspire others to look for reusing, repurposing and transforming great heirloom pieces of furniture - it's a green way to decorate and take better care of our environment.

These chairs are not yet listed. I bought them through a Craigslist "for sale by owner" listing. The chairs are on rollers and the fabric is a nice weight cotton print.

I purchased two loveseats like this through a Craigslist sale. They are exceptionally well made with hand-tied springs and impeccable woodwork. I only had one redone in this textured cream fabric allowing a buyer to buy one or two in this or another fabric.

I bought this chair at an estate sale. It was in good shape but needed a new seat cushion. The detailed channel back with buttons is an extremely tricky upholstery option and was well executed here demonstrating that it does take a lot of skill and talent to do this work.

This chair was bought at a garage sale and had good bones. The woodwork was not bad just boring so I hand-finished it in an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint called Chateau Grey. The fabric is a whimsical French Script in a matching color. 

This chaise sold immediately. It was bought at an estate sale and reupholstered in a very nice yellow cotton fabric. The tailored skirt gives it a much more elegant appearance.

This set of well constructed chairs was purchased at Goodwill Industries. The fabric was discolored and in bad shape. The frame was in perfect condition. The fabric is a nice woven green and cream bought at an estate sale.

This set of slipper chairs are manufactured by Charles Stewart (North Carolina) and were custom made. The new fabric is a seafoam (teal, aqua) and cream chevron. 

This set of chairs was purchased at an antique shop. The fabric came from an estate sale and is a richly colored teal ultra suede on a bonded background. I am going to have to figure out a way to get better photos - these look much too washed out.

I hope you enjoyed this before and after journey!  Let me know what you think of these transformations!