The Guest Cottage

I've always dreamed of turning the wee barn in my backyard into a guest cottage.

It has a tack room...and a stall with cool wide-plank walls and floors.  It also has a "great room" with salvaged telephone pole columns...and a vast dirt "rug."

Maybe someday it will happen.  Just in case, I've jotted down a few things here...

The Guest Cottage

Do you have sweet dreams for a little barn?

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

The Barn Cat's Almanac

 Punxsutawney who?

My doorman already told me we should expect an early spring.  He's been asking to be let out onto the front porch for the last couple of days.

It's no surprise that he would know blossoming season is just around the corner... 

After all, his name...is Bud!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Are you looking forward to getting started on your spring projects? 

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

Light Luggage ~ Vintage Treasure Hunting

Do you ever have a "find" that leaves you smiling inside...grinning from ear-to-ear? 

That's how I felt after recently discovering this beautifully delicate deconstructed lampshade.  I was pretty happy too, upon first setting eyes on this little vintage turquoise suitcase...marked "J"ust for me!  

 I've yet to check, but I'm fairly certain I have an antique floor lamp ~ perfect for this shade!

I'll let you know if they're a match!

Oh, and the little aqua suitcase...it now holds wee vintage lighting fixtures for my restoration projects!  You can see more views of it here and here.

Have you discovered any "new" treasures lately?  Are they practical, or simply sweet statement pieces?  We'd love to hear about them!

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen ~ Before & After

When I found my 1910 farm style house, it had been bungled beyond simple repair.  Yet, as I walked through its lumpy-painted, wall-to-wall carpeted, crooked foundation of goodness, I grinned from ear-to-ear.

Espresso Cups & Saucers ~ Starbucks

The Original Butter Bell,  Ironstone Plate ~ Thrifty Finds

Red Plate ~ Fred Meyer 

Gutted at some point, layered in linoleum and pieced-together 1950's cupboards, the kitchen was the worst of all.

Seriously, it needed some major help.

Lavender Sachet ~ Seabold Vintage Market

A gift from a dear friend

Swedish Dancer Hook ~ Family "Heirloom"

3 Milk Bottles ~ The Bungalow

3 Black Milk Bottle "Caps" ~ Kitchenaid 


I waited a few years before tackling the job.  In the meantime, I collected more pretty (mostly thrifty) treasures for the space...always able to picture what the "After" would be.

Stacked ironstone ~ Johnson Bros. & Ridgway

Red Pail w/ Plaid lid ~ 25 cent Thrifty Find

Swedish Dancers Tin ~ Tre Kronor

Red & White Enamel Basin ~ Estate Sale Find

Red & White Vintage Recipe Box ~ Clayson Farm Antique Show


I began collecting red & white enamelware before acquiring the Bungalow, which came with a few pieces (not shown).  

Red Chantal Teapot (r) ~ Christmas Gift

I keep breakfast goodies like tea, wassail, & protein bars in the tins.  The recipe box if filled with packets of hot cocoa.

Whoa...I'm sorry.

Did you want to see the ugly before bits?

Okay, stand back...here's how my little breakfast hutch corner looked in 2010, when it turned 100.
(To see some before photos of the hutch base, etc...click here.)

AND

BEFORE

(This is where the Harvest Gold fridge was when I found the house)

Mmm...mmm, what was I thinking?  Why did I want to change a thing?

All I did (in 2006) was...

Scrub it down, remove the linoleum, clean up & paint the wood floors, add brackets, and hand-cut trim work from left-over solid wood pieces (no mdf!)...

Re-plaster over the lumpy original lathe & plaster walls and ceiling

Sand it, Prime it, Paint it, Caulk it...and um...

Chalkboard it!

What?  

I like to recycle.

I thought a chalkboard was the perfect solution for the odd space that was boarded up when someone cut an old cupboard to "fit" this corner. 

And 

Here's an old grainy "After" photo from back in the day...

I um...haven't changed the chalkboard decor...ever.

I actually see this as an "in-between"kitchen (it literally is...in the center of the house). Eventually, I hope to open things up a bit more to expand the space and bring in more light and work space.

You can see visuals for some of my ideas for the next phase of the kitchen here.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit, I hope to share more before & after photos from my little kitchen soon!

In the meantime, you can see more photos & stories about "Ma Cuisine" here!

Bon Appetit!  

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my fabulous junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

Please visit Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

 

Suite Spaces ~ Downton Abbey Style

A brown paper package filled with Twisted Peppermint lotion...and cozy striped socks landed in the mail today.

Ten inches of new fallen snow arrived last night...

as did,

The third Series Premiere of Downton Abbey

Happy New Year, indeed!!

ps  If you fancy Downton Abbey Style, you might like my Suite Spaces Board on Pinterest.

Enjoy!

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my fabulous junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

Vintage New Year Blessings

A sweet little estate sale find...

And an Abundantly Happy New Year to YOU!!!

: )

Julie M.


For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my fabulous junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.

Please visit A Southern Daydreamer's 208th Outdoor Wednesday

The Vintage Quarterly, Part II

Whew!

The last few months went by in a whirlwind!!  Can you believe that Christmas is almost upon us?  I'm still getting things in gear and I am most definitely excited about the holiday season!

Are you?

You can read about my latest little adventure here!


The Scoop!

I've been blessed to meet a LOT of sweet new folks this year as I've snapped pictures across the countryside and at various events.  Some of y'all have requested to order prints of my photos.  I've sent proofs & a price sheet to those of you who've sent me notes.  If you haven't received them, please check your "other" Facebook message file, or your email's spam folder.  If I didn't send you a note, and you'd like to order some prints, you can message me through The Little Red Shop's Facebook page, or send me an email at the little red shop at gmail dot com.  

You can see all of the pictures I've posted into albums on The Little Red Shop's Facebook page here.     

I have to run and wrap some pretty baby gifts for a client, put the finishing touches on a Christmas sign for another, order some fine & yummy things, hunt for more treasures for the shop....

and get a coffee.

: )

I hope you had a really sweet Thanksgiving weekend, that the rest of your November is wonderful and that your December will be blessed beyond measure!!

Julie M.


For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my fabulous junking & scene-snapping adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.