i'm dreaming of a white kitchen

Ever since I saw that sweet chic flick 'Something's Gotta Give', I've been in love with white kitchens. And I know I'm not the only one. 

From what I've read, it seems that after the movie came out designers all over the country were doing white kitchen makeovers... Diane's white beach house kitchen was a big hit!

who says shoes don't grow on trees?

sneaker trees of lyndonville, new york

Have you ever seen a shoe tree? 

I hadn't until my husband took me to see one a few miles from our home. What a sight, dozens and dozens of shoes just dangling like fruits on a vine from not just one tree, but FOUR trees....

using old enamelware pots & pans

enamelware bowl with apples

If you like to collect vintage kitchenware, you'll just love old enamelware pots & pans.  They are a fun collectible that won't break your budget and are readily available at most antique markets.  I love them because they are lightweight, non-breakable and have an old farmhouse appeal.  Plus they look nostalgic  displayed on shelves and old kitchen cupboards. 

dug bottles: another man's trash is our treasure

aqua ball mason jar

On our property, hidden back in the woods, we have an old farm glass pit dating from the earlier part of this century. The first time my hubby showed it to me I could hardly contain my excitement, one look and I could just see all the treasures waiting to be found.

I was mostly stoked about all those old bottles! Gems!

antique archaeology store in Nashville

Are you a fan of history channel's American Pickers show?  We are!

So when Bob and I traveled through Nashville a few months ago we just had to swing by and make a visit to their new store 'Antique Archaeology' in the old marathon building. Of course there was no sign of Frank or Mike or Danielle there, or that big famous cowboy boot, but one always hopes.

See some cool pics....

our old farmhouse in the country

our homestead

Our country home is special to me. We live in a four-square farmhouse that was built around 1910, the property was once a 100 acre working farm. Over the many years farming ceased, and the property was split up and sold. The house now sits on the remaining 20 or so acres.  The original barn has long since been gone, it burned down....and time moves on.

making your own dark wax furniture paste

vintage drawer pulls too brassy

If you read my old green dresser posting, you'll remember that I had some vintage rustic drawer pulls that I wanted to darken a bit to reduce their brassiness.  I had heard that I could use a dark wax rub on metal hardware to produce an aged and blackening effect.

sprucing up an old musty dresser

old green dresser

Last summer I went to a barn sale and I remember seeing this great old green dresser back in the corner.  It was loaded down with piles of stuff on top and the drawers were full of junk....and it smelled musty too. 

I didn't buy it, but I didn't forget about it either.

pressed cane repair of old rocking chair

pretty beat up...both seat boards needed repair

Driving home from errands one day, I saw this Brentwood rocker sitting out at the curb from the corner of my eye.  Pleading with my hubby to "turn around" he groaned but relented, "the last thing we need is more junk" he said, but I felt I could give this chair some TLC and bring it back again. 

So we loaded it up in the truck, and after it sat on my front porch all winter, and all spring, and half of this summer....I finally got started.

some history about the Roycroft campus

Around Roycroft Campus we found several plaques and monuments.  The sign below describes Elbert Hubbard as a writer, lecturer, philosopher, advertising innovator and author of the famous short story "A Message to Garcia".

sculpture of the roycroft renaissance mark.

peek inside the Roycroft art gallery

Framed arts & crafts prints and tiles galore can be found at the Roycroft
Campus...sure they are budget breaking but simply gorgeous!

so many to choose from....

treasures at the Roycroft campus

Strolling around the Roycroft campus I snapped a few pics of some of the beautiful artifacts and historical memorabilia. Here is a sampling of the amazing things we found....

A stunning arts & crafts lamp on a writing desk
with photos of Elbert Hubbard

master Roycroft artisan

we came across master roycroft artisan tom bojanowski working in the basement woodshop of the bindery building.  watching him work at his craft was awe-inspiring.  he gave us an informative little tour around the shop and showed us many of his current projects...such incredible work!
 

tom bojanowki at his work bench chiseling out an oak frame.

strolling around the roycroft campus

the furniture and book bindery shop built in 1904

After lunch at the Roycroft Inn, we then strolled around the beautiful campus grounds to see some of the many original stone buildings built by Elbert Hubbard's artisans & craftsman that he called the "roycrofters".  A few that we visited are the chapel, print shop, blacksmith and copper shop, furniture and book bindery shop. Take a look the quaint style of architecture...

our special lunch at the roycroft inn

Steeped in the arts & crafts tradition lies the Roycroft Campus, tucked away in the small quaint and pretty town of East Aurora, New York.   Bob and I spent a lovely afternoon there yesterday celebrating our wedding anniversary. While there, we had a lovely lunch in the Larkin Room inside the beautiful Roycroft Inn.  It was amazing to dine being surrounded by so much history and such beautiful turn of the century craftsman style decor.
See some pics....

a welcoming entrance with surrounding terrace and gardens