Country Living Sneak Peek

For those of you who are familiar with the Country Living magazine and their fairs, I am sure this week's blog title has your attention! Just as soon as my sadness about the end of Antique Week (or rather month) in Warrenton set in, my excitement for the upcoming Country Living Fair in Austin began. Mark your calendars - it is less than two weeks away at this point! The fair begins on Friday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, April 29. Always something to look forward to around here, and I am EXTRA excited for this show  - - - because I will not just be there to shop, but I will also be there to work!!  AHHHHH! 

No, I won't be a vendor...instead, I have the honor of learning from and helping a great new friend Karen with her huge space at the show in the arena at the Travis County Expo Center. I met Karen several months back at her space in the Finds! antique store in Burnet. On my very first 'Barn Chic Antiques business' shopping excursion, I nearly filled my rented Expedition with Karen's goods back when her space was at DJ's Trading Post off the square in Burnet. Since then, the ladies at the store recognize me and would always show me the new items that the ever-so-talented Karen brought in to her booth. And I would then destroy buy out entire displays...one day I happened to be shopping at the new store while Karen was in there fluffing her space, and I was elated to meet the sweet woman (and her husband Brent) behind the decor. It was an instant connection and we have been in touch since that day. 

On another trip to Burnet, I again ran into Karen at the store and she told me that she was selected to be a vendor at the Country Living Fair in Austin. She said it would be a ton of work and wondered if I would be interested in helping her...um, let me think about that for a nano-second - YES! 

Karen invited me to her ranch outside of Marble Falls to check out what she will have for the show. I ventured west today and was mesmerized by not just her absolutely awesome vignettes, but also the true beauty of her and Brent's own 'Country Living' in a spectacular Texas Hill Country setting. We had such a great visit and I enjoyed every second of it. Here are just a few pictures (that don't do justice) to her picturesque homestead. 

Blue Skies Ranch entrance

The security guards checking me out.

I talked to the donkeys out the window and they came right over.

I must have gotten the seal of approval to enter.

Hello, Texas Hill Country! Look at that view! You can see for MILES!

That screened-in porch is just beyond words.

The hummingbirds were drawn to this place and I saw several buzzing around the flowers and feeders.


And butterflies were abundant as well!

This is her potting shed surrounded by sweet honeysuckle and verbena.

A close up of the entry to the shed.


And this is what it looked like inside the shed:

 

 

 

If that is what her potting shed looks like, just imagine how great her displays at one of the country's most prestigious antique fairs will be!

Some more garden shots: 

 

 

Looking back to the house from the shed.

A view of her workshop from the potting shed. Inside that space is a crafter's dreamland! 

The view from her workspace.


If I haven't yet convinced you of the need to get to the Country Living Fair during the last weekend of April, maybe this sneak peek of Karen's booth will!

And she kept telling me she still had much more to do within this space! I say it looks pretty darn great.

I so admire her designer's eye for combining elements from several decor genres - industrial, vintage garden, primitive, shabby chic, and farm simplicity. Her space at the Expo Center is something you cannot miss - and I will be there to say hello, so come by and check it out! Are any of you going to be selling or shopping at the fair?

Have a chic week!

-Sarah

Lost Love Letters & Warrenton Part II

I really dig letters. Metal, plastic, rusty, marquee, or paper, it doesn't matter! I bought several letters at Warrenton, and I have already added a small green 'u' and a larger lowercase 'n' to the booth. I took my husband and my parents to Warrenton yesterday and I found a 'r.' Guess I can spell out 'run' ....or not. No need to make a word to enjoy the letters. 

I used to have 'i LOVE JUNK' spelled across the top of my space on the back wall. When I went to the booth this past weekend, I noticed that the 'L' was missing, so now it read 'i OVE JUNK.' Well that won't do. I ended up finding the L; it just fell forward onto the cabinet. I stood on my tippy toes and stretched to put it back up with the others, and it fell...between the wall of my booth and the one behind it! That L is a goner. But I actually found another booth in the mall that sold these letters, so I stocked up and can write lots of fun words now! 

Here are some pictures of my fun new finds from my shopping adventure to Warrenton/Round Top last weekend. 

Meet my purple lady! 

Here are a few new carts. 

 

I brought four screens home last week and found two more shorter ones yesterday. I love screens!

So I dragged (not drug, according to Grammar Girl!) my husband to Warrenton for the first time yesterday and he survived - at least now he knows where I spend a few weekends a year! Here he is checking out coyote pelts. 

My parents are veterans of the show but went again with us yesterday, and actually ended up buying a few sets of Longhorns to take home.  

 (They didn't buy them all, just two.)
Good thing they drove - not sure those would get through security.

I always love the style of this vendor in the Zapp tent.
I wish I had gotten her card - I think she sells at Gatherings in Georgetown.

This old baker's cabinet is amazing and in such perfect condition for being over 100 years old!

This cabinet was across from the lady's space and this vendor has great furniture as well.
Loved the supersized Easter eggs inside it!

Egg basket with artichokes. 

More suitcases and I almost bought a Round Top tank top. Wish I had!

Fun French Country style.

Like the mix of primitive and industrial - primdustrial!


From the Junk Gypsy tent that I didn't go in last time:

I <3 ORANGE!!!!!!

The lamp matched the chair and couch perfectly - in color and style!

Awesome display. 

Almost bought one of these dreamcatcher tank tops too.  

Another Junk Gypsy display.

 My mom liked the outhouse - I am sure she was picturing all the planting she could do around it!

These were the ONLY body parts I saw yesterday! The tub-full at Cole's Corner was GONE! 

Carol, sorry, we tried to find you some!

 Fun flower featurer.

This little cart almost went home with me, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be as I left without it. 

You know what else I left without? An olive bucket! I stated in my last entry that I wanted to go back for one, and the first two vendors I checked with were either out or packed up. Then I found some in the Zapp area but got distracted by the awesome Junk Gypsy tent and never thought about the little rusty olive bucket again  - darn it! 

Things I didn't buy: cart, olive bucket, 'Round Top' tank top, and dreamcatcher tank top. Dang! I didn't buy much at all yesterday, but I sure enjoyed having company to explore the fields. Thanks for going, Mom, Dad, and Andrew!

Some updated booth shots - 

All I need is a U and I would be set for Wheel of Fortune.

Lots of new purchases made their way to the booth - purple lady, letters U and N, folding wooden measuring stick, screen, and a few goods transported from IL by my parents - a fun blue tool caddy and an old typewriter in a carrying case. 

I hope you all are enjoying a great Easter!

Have a chic week,

-Sarah