100 Ideas Flea Market Style

The pictures from the photo shoot which took place at my house back in the fall have been published in the latest edition of Better Homes and Gardens 100 Ideas Flea Market Style!  This is a fabulous issue just brimming with wonderful and creative ideas for everyone who loves using found treasures in new and unique ways.  Take a look at all the great transformations which took in my own house.

This picture is from my living room and shows a vintage chicken coop which Donna Talley – Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith publications - turned into a one of a kind coffee table. 

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

It was a simple and quick project with great results.  She attached vintage looking casters to the bottom of the coop and added a glass top.  My favorite part is the ability to use the inside for storage and display of my ironstone.

You may recognize the picture below from the eating area of my kitchen as I recently added the marble top to the antique grain bin. 

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Instead of storing noodles or grains, the glass front cabinet drawers are used for linen storage as well as other party staples. It makes for a pretty and practical display!

The next picture illustrates a fun way to re-purpose and use a vintage tool box.

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Instead of transporting table items one at a time or on a tray, why not carry it all in a vintage tool box?  The large size and sturdiness of the box itself make it ideal.

Another creative idea shown in the magazine is to turn a sofa console table into a kitchen island by simply placing a salvaged slab of granite on top.

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Although the console is not old, the paint treatment and vintage towel hanger give the piece an antique feel.  The slim profile also makes this a great option for anyone with limited space.

One of my favorite flea market purchases ever is my vintage cart.  Here it is used for holding blankets and throws.

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Finally, there is the architectural salvage piece which hangs in my mudroom.

100 Ideas Flea Market Style - John Bessler, photographer

Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

I bought the wood piece at a tag sale and have been so anxious to share this project with you.  I will give details as to what I did to turn it into a coat hanger very soon. Oh – and if you are interested in the tutorial on how to make the “XO” pillow seen on the bench, the instructions can be found here.

These are all such great ideas!  There are many more to be found in the magazine. I am not sure I can pick a favorite, can you?

Master Bedroom Updates

Before I show you one of the many things I have been up to since I last posted almost four months ago, I wanted to thank everyone who wrote to check on me.  I am doing well and it really touched my heart knowing that many of you were concerned about me since it had been so long since I had written anything on my blog.

To catch you up a bit on what I have been doing, the past several months have been a whirlwind of activity.  Beginning in October and lasting through the first of the year, I became extremely busy with my Etsy shop and had my best holiday season ever.  There were lots of late nights and long days to get all the orders finished on time.  So to everyone who bought one of my stockings, pillows or tree skirts – Thank You!

In the fall I had a photo shoot at Donna Talley’s studio with photographer John Bessler.   Donna is a Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications and asked me if I would be willing to share one of my favorite collections in an upcoming issue of Better Homes and Gardens Flea Market Style magazine.  It was a fun few hours and as usual I enjoyed the time I spend with both Donna and John.  The magazine should be on newsstands in March. 

After the holidays were over, I felt as if it had been so long since I had been able to do anything in my own home that I went into project overload - painting, sewing, cleaning, updating small things which had been on my “to do” list for too long, designing and creating new items for my Etsy shop etc.  I was great at getting things finished but not so great about writing about them.  I will try to do better!

Anyway, I am happy to be back and to share one of my latest projects – the master bedroom. 

If you have been a long time follower you know that over the past several years I have been slowly making changes to this space – one piece at a time.  While I still have a few more things I would like to do, the addition of a new bed really makes a huge difference.  Here is a reminder of what the bedroom looked like before.

Back in October I finally found and ordered a bed.  We had lived with only a bed frame for quite some time and after lots of time searching I was excited to make a decision.  (The bed and side table in this picture were moved to my son's room.)  I ordered Hickory Chair’s Simone bed by Suzanne Kasler. 

I love, love, love the bed!  What I did not like was the fact it took over three months to arrive. Evidently they had an issue with one of the bed parts which caused the very long delivery time – three times longer than normal.   When I asked if they could at least reduce the shipping cost or have the bed delivered to my house rather than to a warehouse for me to pick up I was told no – they would do nothing.  Not the best customer service on Hickory Chair’s part so in all honesty I am not sure I will order anything from them in the future.  Enough said, so I will move on.

Besides the bed, I also made new linen pillow shams and replaced the silk curtains with ones made from the same linen as the pillows.  I added a glass top to the basket by the side of the bed which made a big difference in that everything on top is now level.

I am so very pleased with how this space is coming together.  As I said before, I still have a few things I would like to change but as I have done up to this point – it will be one piece at a time!