SMS: Super Mom Syndrome

I recently signed up for Apartment Therapy's January Cure putting rather high expectations on myself.    We definitely have been putting our fair share into organizing our tiny abode in preparation for baby (Holy Heck!  Am I 35 weeks already!?), but by no means am I following the guidelines or email notifications that Apartment Therapy has been sending me (in which I signed up for).  On the other hand, I think that you should!  It's really a great tool, but there are WAY too many distractions and baby preparations going down in this apartment to seriously follow the this year's January Cure.  Being a perfectionist, I can't help but be a bit disappointed that I was not able to meet this expectation.  News Flash to Self:  I am not a Super Mom nor Super Woman for that matter. 

Now let's all take a moment to breathe, shall we?

If you follow my Facebook page, you will recognize this cute lil' cloud (available here).  This is one of the inspiration pieces I have found while designing our Sunshine themed nursery.  You can read more about our nursery inspiration here.  

This weekend we managed to attend a pregnancy preparation course... WOWZA!  The videos I watched.  Nuff said.  Thank God I now have this glider to come home to... in which I will be sure to practice my pelvic tilt rocking and breathing exercises.  

And here's where it gets real, Y'all!  This was and practically still is our current state of the room we refer to as "the nursery."  Oh, yes.  As hard as it is to tell, it's coming along!  Jason, the hubs / soon to be new dad, has been doing a great job applying layers of perfection into this massive piece of furniture.  

It's hard to tell now, but we are using Behr's Nocturnal Sea.  

Also, if you look really hard, you may even spy a crib.  More on that later.  5 WEEKS (at least I hope)!!!

Craigslist Crawl: Atlanta

As you may know if you've been keeping up with the blog post, I am in search for chairs (again).  My farmhouse table has had many different styles of chairs accompany him over the years.  While in West Philly, Mr. Farmhouse had to spend some hard time in the basement.  He just would not fit in our eat-in-kitchen.  Now that we are back in Atlanta, we are once again trying to find some friendly and sophisticated company to surround him.  I spotted this set on Craigslist for $100!!

Image: Craigslist

I would more than likely paint the backs white and reupholster the seat cushions.  This isn't exactly what I'm looking for, but they do have a few things in their favor: 

1.) Super Affordable - 6 chairs for $100 (table would go in storage or resale)

2.) Faux bamboo backing - hard to find

3.) Mid-Century Modern look - give some balance to my traditional rug.

What do you think?

Mod-ing Up a Traditional Rug in the Dining Room

I have a GIANT red rug.  I found it on Craigslist a while back thinking, "OMG... I have to have that!"  Sound familiar?  The rug really was quite the steal.  I even spotted it's fraternal twin on One King's Lane for $$$$ more than what I emptied my pockets for. You can take a peak the version I scored here.   This all sounds dandy I'm sure, but there is a problem.  It's SOoooo traditional.  Bleck!   Since having this blog, my taste has had a tendency to change.  I think I was in the process of figuring out my style.  This is something that will forever be adapting, as it should.

 

It's All About the Chair

It's easy to style a room in a traditional format unintentionally.  Especially when you grew up in a very traditional style home.  I haven't quite figured out how to describe my taste, but if I were to name it I would say that I am more inclined to gravitate towards a Frenchy Boheme composition than anything.  What the heck is that anyway?

Image: A Cup of Joe

 

I think my best solution to tone down the trAd is to go for a much more modern chair and skimp on the French Country.  I really like how the Eames style chairs above are intermixed into an otherwise country farmhouse setting. 

 

Image:  Unknown

 

Ok, so this rug is not a traditional Persian, BUT the colors are very similar to the colors in my rug (red, blue, gold, navy), and the farmhouse table is nearly an exact replica to mine.  Thus, I am inspired!  My artsy hubs keeps telling me that there is too much white in our space. He's right.  How awesome are these blue Bertoia chairs above!?  If I could only score these on CLs or Goodwill for pennies... my life (or at least my dining room) would be complete!

Image:  House Beautiful

 

Ok, this may look familiar.  It's been floating around the internet for at least a year now, and I may have even featured it on the blog once.  So there is no rug here, but I'm eyeballing the chairs.  What do you think about the industrial look with a traditional rug underneath?  I almost scored these charis on Craigslist, but the seller bailed on me.  Errrr.... we had a time / location, and she sold them to someone else!  I think there needs to be a Craigslist Etiquitte 101 course.

Still bummed.

 

Image:  Overstock

 

They're still priced very reasonably on Overstock, but I was going to get them for 1/2 the cost.   Bigger and better chairs await me I'm sure (I hope).



Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Where've you been?

Lately my Facebook page and Instagram is getting a lot more attention than what started all this madness, my blog.  Blog, you are not a middle child, like myself.  Well, maybe you are, but I will give you the content that your audience craves.  

It's Flea Market Season, Y'all!

Brooklyn Flea came to Philly, and they BROUGHT it!  

Ooooo... I love a pretty bird cage.  I'd throw a terrarium up in that!  The chair was $10.  TEN DOLLARS!!!  A seat cushion is the easiest thing in the world to reupholster and a quick and cheap face-lift.  I would use it as a desk chair.  Should of bought it.  Darn.

Here is some more flea market eye candy... 

 

If I had money falling out of my armpits (did I just say that... I'm going with it), this is what I would buy... 

 

My faves...

 

 

I know your eyes must be glued to that pink and black dress... think again... that's a jumpsuit!  LOVE it, but I am not that brave.  Well, not $130 brave.  Maybe if it was $30 I wouldn't feel so bad purchasing it, knowing that what it would take to convince myself to throw it on before work.  Yes, I'm the crazy girl that would actually wear this to work!  My non-profit agency would not know how to handle all this awesomeness.  Ok, I think you get that I love it.  I won't shut-up about it!

 

Don't skimp on the textiles... 

 

Most vendors at flea markets have prices reduced to wholesale value.  These woven textiles would easily sale for $100 at Pottery Barn.  I can't remember the exact price, but I do remember thinking, "What a steal!"  I couldn't justify buying it for myself, but I think it would be a great house warming gift!

 

Best Advice...

 

Shop with friends!  There's nothing like having a gal pal to keep you laughing as you rummage through vintage goods and imagine how your Great Aunt Sal used to make do with a rotary phone!!  What is that, anyways!?!

Friends can be inspiring also, especially when they kinda do this or are on there way of being artisans / designers for a living!  Having insight other than your own is a wonderful thing!  I love to listen to other peoples ideas on how they would dress-up an item. 

 And don't be intimidated by bringing a babe along.  They're fun and super cute!!

The Brooklyn Flea Market is going to be in Philly every Sunday in Northern Liberties at the Piazza at Schmidt's.  10AM - 5PM.  Rain or shine.

 If you just can't get enough of The Tiny Abode outings and need your daily fix, be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram.  Our favorite design styles are also collected on Pinterest.  I'll admit it, my Pinterest boards ROCK!

Attachment Theory... Houston, we have a problem.

It's a bittersweet day in this tiny abode.  My Brody dinette sold today on Craigslist.  

 

Brody, you were a stud.  You just weren't doing it for me. It's not you, it's me.

Time to go shopping!!

Phila Flea Feature... Butcher Shop Rehab

Phila Flea Markets vendor list has boomed since PBS airing Market Warriors.  This weekend I was excited to meet Butcher Shop Rehab!  

 Photo: Butcher Shop Rehab

These guys were so cool!

 

Photo: The Tiny Abode

L (on the right) and I could have talked about design and furniture all day, but we refrained.  Afterall, he and his buds had customers crowding in their corridors.  This was by far my favorite vendor at the Phila Flea Market this weekend.  What drew me in was the vintage modern chair in the top right.  I didn't get a chance to check out the brand, but it looks very Eames like to me. When I asked, "How much?"  I was informed that it was not for sell.  Butcher Shop Rehab picked this piece up from another vendor to add to their personal collection.  At that moment, I knew These guys got style!  (at least similar taste to me).  The next item I spotted was the shag rug made of Llama fur.  Here you can see how B.S.R. used it as a chair throw. 

Photo: Butcher Shop Rehab

Styling this is a very simple concept and works really well with Eames reproductions such as this White Cradle Chair designed by Baxton Studio Letterio available on Amazon.

 

Here's how interior designer Jenn Hannotte from Hannotte Interiors softened up a rocker in a nursery by using a sheep skin throw.  

Eclectic Kids by Toronto Interior Designer Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors  

So there you have it!  Flea Market design is an easy way to style-up any room.  Be sure to check out Butcher Shop Rehab in Wilmington if you are in the area. 

 Photo: Butcher Shop Rehab

They also travel, so keep your eyes out at the next market in your town.  Follow Butcher Shop Rehab on Facebook and be sure to check out their blog!

Fabric Choices... Galbraith and Paul, Anyone?

One thing I need to be sure to put on my new years resolutions list is to familiarize myself with beautiful textiles!!  And where better to start than with one of Philadelphia's very own, Galbraith & Paul.  Can you tell that I love local businesses?  I really am a sucker for it.  You may recall seeing Galbraith & Paul textiles in Style at Home's May 2009 From A to Zoo article. Yes, I know that was ages ago, but these little birds have decided to stick around my friends!

Photo: Daniel Harrison via Style at Home

Mark your calendars, cause a sample sale awaits you!!  Fortunate for us, Galbraith & Paul is only a hop-skip away to 116 Shurs Lane in Manayunk.  The sample sale will begin on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am - 5pm. 

Source: Galbraith and Paul

I owe it to my friend Laura Flavin from Modern Bird Jewelry to thank for this helpful tip!  Not only will the sample sale include fabrics, but you may also be fortunate enough to score some fabulous wallpaper at a whopping discount!

Source: galbraithandpaul.com via Cathe on Pinterest

I'm really hoping to find some fabric to spruce up my farmhouse chairs that were a curb steal back in October.  I'm thinking the Seville Medallion (bottom left from samples above) may make the cut.

Weekend Recap... Splurge @ Fete Noel

So remember that pop-up store I told you about?
Totally worth it!!

Seriously, I highly recommend stopping by Fete Noel's pop-up store in Chestnut Hill.  So much eye candy!

I was swooning over this chair, but maybe that's because it looks so yummy with all the other teal accents.  Who am I kidding?  The chair is great, and can definitely stand on it's own.  I mean seriously, I would kill to know how to reupholster like that!

Unfortunately, the chair and I had to part ways.  I don't have that type of cash, Honey!  However, I did come home with the much overdue Design Sponge at Home book by the infamous Grace Bonney.

Photo: Design Sponge

I know, I know.  Shame on me for not having it months ago.  WHAT was I thinking!?  Check out the details here.  Definitely worth adding to your Christmas wish list.

P.S. If you are the vendor of the swoon worthy chair, please shoot me an email.  I would love to give you proper credit.

Snowing in October... Trick or Treat?

It's a snow day in Philadelphia and along the rest of the East Coast. 

Photo:  Debbie Czarnecki-Lapinksy via Action News

Therefore, my butt was inside!  Snow!!  Already!? Noooooo!!!  Being stuck indoors on a Saturday is not my ideal weekend.  I was bored to say the least.  So bored that I decided to set the table just for fun. 
Sorry in advanced for the low quality pictures... it was a dark day.

The hubs got confused with all the "missing" silverware.  It's rare the table is preset.

I even lit the candles.

I'm not sure how I feel about my creme and mocha plates with white chairs and accessories.  Maybe I should just change out the center pieces and runner.  Hmmm?  The plates are by Casa Fina, and they are 100% awesome!!

Working at golf courses while in college proved to serve a purpose.  Everything may not match, but at least I know how to set a table!  And if you want to get really fancy check out this diagram. 

Photo: One Hungry Mama

Apparently my water glass and wine glass should be switched.  

Shh.... don't tell.

Above are my freshly painted curbside chairs.  What do you think?  The seats still need to be recovered, but I"m happy with the high gloss finish.  Ideally I would have faux bamboo chairs, but those suckers are not cheap!!  The zebra rug will be moving to my office soon, and the pictures/art will be taken down eventually and replaced with a plate wall (or so I say.... it's always changing around here).

Source: ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The more I think about the color scheme, the more I'm convinced that I need a set of white plates.  What do you think?  I love all the white with the farmhouse look.

My Pseudo Farmhouse

It's a beautiful day in Philadelphia!  A nice 68 degrees, with only a slight autumn breeze, enough to make you want to crawl up on your roof top!  

So that's exactly what we did!!

A quite unique perspective, and it gives you an idea of just how close we are to our neighbors.

(Please excuse the lack of make-up... it's Sunday, peeps!)

A little rooftop therapy, if you will.

 Farmhouse Table Update:

Today is only two degrees shy of perfect spray paint weather.  I think I am safe to give it a go!  Besides, there are very few days ahead that will offer this type of weather perfection.

Backstory:

 I found four of these matching vintage chairs on, you guessed it, none other than the curb!!

The chairs are covered in dated upholstery and what I'm guessing to be cat scratches.  Overall they're in pretty good shape.  Sturdy, just the way I like them!

Besides, it's nothing a few cans of spray paint can't handle. 

I simply lightly sanded the chairs, wiped them clean, and Kilzed away the ugliness.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but the chair on the left is slightly darker than the chair on the right.  I was going for antique white, but it turned out to be more of a buttercream... no thank you.  So, I will be spray painting all four today in Krylon's High Gloss White. 

Here's a reminder of the Restoration Hardware-like table I found at Impact for a steal at $35!!

 And the Restoration Hardware table currently on sale for $2295!!

Courtesy: Restoration Hardware

Just for fun, here's a farmhouse table in a chic city apartment.  Farmhouse chic is not just for the country!

Be on the watch for my reveal!