My Little Sunshine...

This weekend was supposed to be full-on baby preparation.  Meaning, get the crap out of the nursery and organize or else TRASH (I would donate it... don't hate) everything!!  How in the world did we accumulate so much anyways?  Prior to our big move, we donated many items for the sake of not having to haul our junk across the eastern coastline.  Somehow it seems like we have more stuff!  I miss our basement.  At least we could hide our mess.  This is forcing me to become a minimalist. Something I aspire to be, but my parents could potentially be on Hoarders!  Just kidding, Mom.  Well, maybe.  

I decided that the best way to spend this Saturday was to organize the nursery in my head rather than  physically removing our crap from the nursery only to stuff it in some closet somewhere in which would more than likely be moved 15 more times in efforts to "organize."  Sorry for the massive run-on.  

I'm a visual learner.  Just looking at a mess gives me anxiety.  Where to even begin!?  Do you feel me?  For me organizing my ideas on paper, or in this case by creating a mood board, helps me know what steps to take.  Starting with the end in mind really is motivating!  Here's the direction I plan to take: 

Click on the image above for a better view.

Resources: 

Window Treatments - Santa Maria Desert Flower by Waverly

Vintage Lucite Lamps - Thrift store find

Vintage cocktail table - Philly curb alert

Vintage Faux Bamboo chest (not this exact one) - Atlanta Craigslist find

Lambskin rug - Atlanta Craigslist find

"Bee Happy" print - Spread the Love (Etsy store now closed)

Crib sheet - Rosenberry Rooms Petite Dots in Navy

Crib - Jenny Lind DaVinci Crib

Smile pillow - Pillow Talk

Crib skirt - Doodle Stripe Lime / Pure Organic Bright Pink by P. Kaufmann

Kill / Steal: Persian Khorasan Rug

I was checking out One Kings Lane Beneath the Feet rug sale, and my jaw nearly dropped when I spotted a Persian Khorasan rug on sale for $1169.  I would kill to have a beautiful Persian rug.  However, my pockets currently do not run that deep.  

 Persian Khorasan Rug   

Kill:  One Kings Lane (sold out)

Instead, I scavenge Craigslist as though I am in search for a long lost family member until I find the identical twin that I always hoped for. Now, I'm not always successful, but there are times when I come across amazing steals!!!  Take for instance this nearly identical Persian that I scored on Craigslist for only $100!!

 

Steal:  Craigslist Find (Doylestown)

I'm hoping that I can find a way to modernize something so traditional like this rug by incorporating more contemporary furnishings.  I have not been able to find an inspiration photo that I really like, so I'll be working on a mood board to help direct my attention.  Any ideas on how to make this piece work in a contemporary living space?  Have you used a Persian rug in your home?  I would love to hear / see what you came up with. 

Fave Find @ Golden Nugget Antique Market

Flea Market season is sadly over.  Have you been experiencing the same type of  withdrawals as I have been experiencing?  Luckily, there are a few places near town that know flea market season is something that should never cease to end.  Golden Nugget Antique Market in Lambertville, New Jersey is open year round!!

My Fave Find: a goody box full of designer scarves 

Photo: The Tiny Abode


The first person that comes to mind when I think of framing scarves is my blogger friend, and a Philly local, Naomi Stein from Design Manifest. Naomi's loft design actually appeared in the June/July Lonny magazine. 

Photo: Courtney Apple via Design Manifest

Jessica at The Aestate did a feature on framed scarves which can be seen here. 
I am particularly fond of the Hermes scarves.

Photo via The Aestate

And just how adorable is this framed Vera Neumann scarf in this nursery which was featured in Apartment Therapy?

Photo via Apartment Therapy

I ended up buying two scarves which I hope to frame.  My sister bought three which she plans on sporting at the shore later this week.  What would you do with vintage scarves?

For your entertainment... 

What's a flea market adventure without a lil' dress-up involved?  Here's a pic of my sister and I reverting back to our childhood days.

Are there any flea markets that you love going to in the off season?  I'd love to know your secrets!  What do you look for when you go to flea markets?

64 Perry Street, New York, New York...

My real estate high is not over.  Did you know that Carrie Bradshaw's New York apartment is up for grabs!?!  I have to say it is quite the showcase!  Much, much different than what was actually filmed as the interior of Sex and the City.

Take a look at those herringbone floors!

You know I have been told that my celebrity look alike is Kristin Davis or better known for her role as Charlotte York.  In that case, I think I'll just pack my bags and make myself at home!

Photo: The Wall Street Journal

What was actually filmed was the exterior of the home which is located in West Village.  Although, we all know that Carrie lived in the Upper East Side.

Regardless of location, this house is stunning!  The price tag matches the glam at $9.65 million.  You can check out more details here. And just for fun, here's a quiz to see "Which SATC Character is Your Style Twin?"  

Here are my results...

Big surprise.

Lovely, Lovely Lamps

One never really knows what he may stumble upon when entering the organized chaos of a vintage shop or thrift store.  Quite honestly, it can be rather overwhelming without a game plan in mind.  Often I feel like a kid in a candy store with ADD, not really knowing where to start or where to stop for that matter.  Last weekend, however, was different.  I knew what I wanted.

Lighting...

This, my friends, is a Paul Hanson Ginger Jar lamp.   I didn't really know what I was looking at while shopping, but I knew that I liked it.  That's all that really matters anyways. 

Here are some more lamps that I am more than just a little gaga over...

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: adaanddarcy.com.au via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: assemblageltd.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: assemblageltd.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Below is a picture of my lamp in it's entirety.  It has some minor damage (See the base?), but overall it's in pretty superb shape.  For fifteen dollars, I couldn't let this piece slip by.  Jason thought I was insane at first, but after introducing him to 1st Dibs and showing him that we could very well have a $1000 lamp in our possession, he changed his mind rather quickly.  That is after we got over his idea of selling it and my cry back, "I want expensive things!"  Just this morning he told me how proud he was with me and my bargain of a deal.

Now, where to find a lamp shade that will fit this giant sucker?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!!  

P.S. I'm sure many of you were distracted by the nudity.  That is an original oil painting by Jason Espey, my awesome husband.  He has a facebook page, so you should go like him!  And for fun, you can tell him that I sent you!   If you enjoy reading The Tiny Abode please feel free to follow us on facebook or twitter.  Or you can use our little subscribe linky to the right. 

Make a Statement with Barware

Image: Charles Dickens Fine Jewelry

This is the barware that the hubs and I picked out for our wedding registry about four years ago. If my personality could be cloned into barware, this would be it.  Fun, funky and bubbly all wrapped up in a one package deal.  There's only one problem... I hate it!  You know that irritating behavior that you possess that, let's be honest, kinda even drives yourself crazy?  Well let's just say, I'm ready to give this barware the cold shoulder.  If it gets too cold it cracks.  Too hot it cracks.  Sitting in the cabinet being ignored all together... CRACK!  Who knew barware could have such a bad temperament?  The set above is made by TAG, which for the most part carries a great product. Let me be clear, I LOVE TAG!!  However, this barware has to go!

Images: here and here

Fun and funky can always win my heart, but this time around I am on a search for something a little more sophisticated, a bit more glam.  This weekend I stopped by one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx, and spotted Lauren by Ralph Lauren Barware in Aston for quite the steal!

Image: Macy's

Aren't they pretty!?!  Best part, the highballs were only about $7.00 a pop.  You can also find the
Lauren Ralph Lauren Four Aston Highballs on Amazon  for $50.00, which is a great deal in comparison to Macy's $130.00 price tag.

I also get a hankering for anything in cobalt blue.  I lurve the Classic Lismore (above) by Waterford!  These will never be in my price range! 

Image:  Pinterest

Cobalt, however, really has a way of peacocking itself right off the bar cart, don't ya think?

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterestt

Vintage Now in Martha Stewart Living

Yesterday, I picked up this seasons October issue of Martha Stewart Living. That's right, I'm not a subscriber.  You can scream at me later.  However, I just HAD to have this issue!!  One, fall is Ahhh-mazing!!  I can't wait to read Martha's pumpkin party tips!  Two, Philadelphia's own Kerri Farragut and Amy Tyrrell, co-owners of Vintage Now, are fashionably sporting along the The Great Pumpkin Party partaking in the pumpkin carving festivities.

 

None of my blabbering has the slightest to do with what I am about to share with you other than the Amy and Kerri's upcoming hosting event at Vintage Now's showroom in Norristown this Friday!

If you're like me, a self-proclaimed BIY-er (that is a buy it yourself-er) rather than a DIY-er (who's got the time for that!?), then you are going to LOVE this shop!!  Kerri and Amy have already raved the estate sales and auctions for you carefully selecting vintage pieces for you to lust over.

910 East Main Street * Norristown, PA * Suite B

(take the elevator down to the bottom level)

6:00pm - 11:00pm

Sarah Lockard from AroundMainLine has recently created a public event on facebook for Girls Night Out in Norristown!  Anybody can come!!! 

Decorating with Faux Bamboo

So we are still crushing on some good old fashion faux bamboo!  This look never ceases to please!
 Mary McDonald might as well be known for her keen attraction to faux bamboo.  Oh wait, she is!  Can you  blame the girl? I'm sure alot of you have seen these images before, but for those of you who haven not, feel free to indulge!!  I really can't get enough of her.  My sweet husband even surprised me by purchasing her latest book.  The mail man can't get here soon enough!

All photos: Mary McDonald

So, are you as sold as I am?  I drool at the site of faux bamboo!  Take this 1950s outdoor dinette for example.   I would die to have this set on my back deck.  Doesn't it make you want to chug a pitcher of lemonade!?   It's soo hot!  Hmmm.... now, if I could only get my hands on $6400!!  That's how much it cost to take this baby home, and that's not including tax or shipping!

Photo: 1STDIBS

However, don't fret!  Seriously, stop fretting, and just go to the thrift store already!!  Remember my $10 chair from Impact?

And my coffee / nesting tables from the Philadelphia Flea Market!!  Which come to find out, resale for a pretty penny!  Score!  But I don't think I'll be letting go of them anytime soon.

All of that, just to show you this!  My latest scavenge at yet another thrift store, The Second Mile.  These faux bamboo nesting tables need a good scrub, and I will most likely refinish them.  However, for $15 for all three, I'm happy!  This exact set just sold for $75 on ebay.  Good buy, but $15 is a great buy! 

The obsession must end soon!  I have little room to spare in my one bedroom apartment!!

Flea Market Finds

This weekend I went to the Philadelphia Flea Market.  I'm sooo glad I did!  Here are the items I managed to squeeze into my car.  Steals of deals, really. 

Faux Bamboo Frame - $3

Chippendale Faux Bamboo Tables by Omega - $40 for the set

Owl Plant Hangers - $7

Gilt Frame (Holds 16 x 20 Canvas) - $10

Today we will be highlighting the Hollywood Regency Chippendale tables. The set came from this sweet lady, Loretta.  AKA, my favorite flea market dealer.  We got along great!  It may have to do with the fact that she spent the first ten years of her life in Alabama, where the tea is sweet.

 Photo: Phila Flea Market

New furnishings equal new apartment layout equals freaked out husband.  However, our apartment feels so much more functional.  And that makes me happy! Here are some of my previous Hollywood Regency obsessions.  Those who've done your research know $40/set  for faux bamboo is quite the steal!  I may spray paint them a fun color, but what color?

 Originally, I was going to use the largest of the tables as a coffee table.  That didn't work.  The scale was all wrong, so it moved to the bedroom.  The nesting tables however make a perfect media center.  Before, our entertainment pieces were dispersed across the room, not making a whole lotta sense.  Now, our monitor, keyboard and DVDs (stored in the suitcase, genius I know) are all in one happy corner called togetherness.  Ahhh.

We ditched our coffee table, but no worries. Our new piece is multi-functional.  We like!  The couch also moved, now facing the windows.  Here's what our space looked like before, and before you judge know that we are working with a very difficult room.  Long, narrow, awkward stairs, refrigerator in the living room and all.  As far as the coffee table, Craigslist anyone?

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Hollywood Regency: My Very First Mood Board

I have been obsessing over Hollywood Regency decor!  You may remember a few of my obsessions from previous post: chandeliers, gold bamboo motif cane chairs, and my very own tufted headboard.  With an obvious obsession, I thought that it would only make sense to dedicate a post to Hollywood Regency style.  Originally I was just going to post some inspiration photos, but then I thought what better time than to create my very first mood board!  This is what designers use to woo their clients.  

I decided to go with a teal and orange color theme with pops of yellow... yet another obsession.  I can't get away from blue and orange color combination!  Even my living room adorns these colors.

Here is what I came up with: 

Left: 

Pair of Campaign Etageres Shelves via The Regency Furniture

Lincoln Chaise Lounge: Klaussner

Lemon Galloway Trellis Pillow: Small by Nature

Suzan Embroidered Pillow: Pier 1

Center:

 Blue Tufted Sofa (Discontinued): Anthropologie

Black and White Emma Rug: Madeline Weinrib

Bamboo Table: Little Paris Antiques

Bamboo Mirror: Christies

Celon Beaded Chandelier: Ballard Designs

Right: 

Orange Curve Pillow: Pieces Inc.

Blue Lamp via The Regency Furniture 

Chippendale Chairs: via Home Design Interiors

Gold Round Table: Unknown Source (Please let me know if you know the source)

So what do you think about Hollywood Regency decor?  Are you obsessed like me or over it?  How about my first attempt at a design board??  It was actually much easier than I anticipated.  I can't wait to get some more practice!

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