#Brimfield Recap

As you might remember I wrote about the items I planned to "hunt" for in the fields of Brimfield. Sadly I did not come home with any of the pieces but I did come back with a few little gems! This year was a bit strange as it seemed like many of the dealers were either scared off by the rain or sold out early. I was surprised by the number of empty lots. Rain definitely didn't scare me away, below are the few items I fell in love with and a few I brought home!

I could imagine this going in a little girls room! The color was warm and not overly bright!

Every year I come home regretting I didn't buy a certain piece and this was it! This bench was just darling!

Everywhere I turned these curved arm chairs kept popping up! Is it our next chair trend?

Part of Brimfield is reminiscing about the past and these folded rulers brought me right back to my Dad and Gramps workshop! When I was little I LOVED playing with them, inevitably cinching my finger! I was also drawn to the color combo of painted turquoise and the rich walnut finish!

After 5 hours of walking the fields it was time to relax in the fabulous #Brimfield tweet up tent!

Yes that is a bar which was a welcome site after a long day! Gretchen and Cynthia outdid themselves this year!

Of course the best part of having Brimfield so close by is catching up with Design Friends! It was so great to see Raina, Elizabeth and Michelle!

The fabulous Gretchen Aubuchon of Fashion + Decor truly knows how to throw a party!

 

Last but not least what I brought home! The end of our driveway doesn't seem to want to grow grass so I plan to spread mulch but I also wanted to give it a bit of height. This iron planter was a steal and so pretty! I can't wait to fill it with flowers, it will surely be a sweet welcome home everyday!

I have a weakness for travel alarm clocks so when I stumbled upon these I quickly snapped them up! It takes me back to a time when travel was so luxurious!

Have you been to Brimfield? What are some of your favorite finds?

(all images from jace interiors please credit)

My Brimfield Scouting List

It's that time of year again! Tomorrow is the Spring Brimfield Antique Market and as you might remember in the past, I get just a weee bit excited! Thanks to Pinterest I have been saving inspiration photos as I come across them. The number one thing to remember when going to Brimfield is to be prepared! Know your dimensions, have a list of items you are scouting for and know how much you will pay for them. There is a lot to see and it's super easy to get distracted! Below are just a few things on my scouting list for tomorrow!

I adore these wicker chairs and hope to find a few just like them to paint a deep navy!

 

We are in desperate need for extra seating in our family room so I will be on the hunt for an ottoman. My dimensions are definitely smaller than the bench above but the simple fabric and nailheads are a good inspiration!

Check back in next week as I share my finds or follow me tomorrow on Twitter as I tweet pics of items I buy and those I pass by! Are you going to Brimfield? What is on your scout list?

(image from BHG Carrie Miller, second image via Pinterest if you know the original source pls let me know - update the 2nd picture is from Janell of House of Fifty Mag!)

A Whirlwind Week Brimfield + Blogfest2011 Part 1

Good Morning Friends! The last week was literally a whirlwind I feel like it was just yesterday I was picking a winner for our Coulson Macleod giveaway! Well today we get back on track with a 2 part recap of the last week and than back to daily inspirational postings!

Part 1 - Brimfield Antique Market:
As you know I look forward to Brimfield like others look forward to Christmas morning! It is so much fun waking up before the sun comes up to trek out to western Mass and scout for treasures! This year was even more fun as I had 2 of my best friends with me AND there was a fun #Brimfield tweet up hosted by Benjamin Moore, Daily Basics and the fabulous Gretchen Aubuchon!

I immediately fell in love with these chairs. They are not vintage but made such a striking impact with their exaggerated backs and nailhead trim that I could not help but stop and stare!

This stunning chandelier wanted to come home with me but I just didn't have a place for it! Though I visualize a feminine bathroom with this hanging over a gorgeous clawfoot tub, almost like raindrops falling from the sky!

This year I was overwhelmed....in the best possible way with all of the linen vendors! It is by far my weakness and every year I fall in love with this New England scene. Someday I will grab it to put in the beach house, that is when I buy the beach house!! The red and turquoise is one of my favorite color combos!

To see even more of my Brimfield finds pop over to my photo album here!

(images from Jace Interiors)

My Brimfield Hits and Misses

Yesterday I was at Brimfield and it was one gorgeous day. As excited as I was all week I was a little disappointed with what I found, the pieces just were not there this year or maybe what I was looking for was just not there. Every year my game plan is to go with my list and stick to it. When I first see a piece the questions that go through my head are: can I use it for myself or a client project and how much work do I need to put into it to make it right for me again! This is what I found and fell in love with but didn't necessarily buy!

GORGEOUS chair & half! I loved everything about this except the $1000 tag

Very sweet bird cage and the color was dramatic, unfortunately I don't have space for it now

Fulfilling my type addiction, I mulled around this vendor for a while!

Can you believe it? House Beautiful from 1929. Interesting to read, some design questions are still the same all these years later! I had a great time leafing through his stack!

A simple chair in need of reupholstering but at $125 it was a great deal, though I left it for someone else to enjoy.

I have been in need of a small upholstered accent chair to fit in a corner of my Living Room.
This 1950's vanity chair is SO sweet and I can just imagine it reupholstered in a pure white with sharp black legs. There is a slight possibility this could still be mine..more details to come!

A fantastic bed for someone looking for a twin a new coat of a bright paint color and it would be glorious!

I adore old suitcases, they are so versatile in any room. This beautiful turquoise caught my eye and was in great condition!



In the end this was all I came home with. A new tablecloth that I absolutely LOVE and a bit of fiesta ware purchased for a gift.

In the end it was a wonderful day off of work spent with a great friend and a ton of sunshine. I also literally bumped into Katy Elliott who is just as sweet in person as she is over on twitter! Pop over to her blog for more Brimfield photos! Thanks for sharing in my Brimfield excursion, I hope you all find great pieces at your own Markets this year!

(images from Jace Interiors)

My Brimfield List

One day I look forward to each year is the Spring Run of the Brimfield Antique Market here in Massachusetts. It is FILLED with anything you could possible think of and things you might not even want to think of. It is like one big treasure hunt and I love every minute. Weeks before I walk around the apartment inspecting each room for things that are not quite working or something that needs a bit of a redo than list these items in hopes of finding them at Brimfield!

This year I have a nightstand, something to use as a file cabinet, a big bubble water pitcher, a piece of authentic fiesta ware for a newly engaged lady and of course my favorite; table linens for me and Mom!! Yes it is quite a list but I am so excited to see what I find! It's also the only morning of the year I gladly jump out of bed at 5am!


With all this Brimfield talk I thought I would post a few inspiration pictures. Even if you are not going to Brimfield these are great pieces to find in your own local flea markets.

A Former mail slot is perfect for all the magazines...I might need 2!

A shutter or old door can be turned into an impressive mirror.

An old wicker side table can be given life with a bright new color!

(images from Casa Sugar/Back Garage, Design Sponge, Pottery Barn, Better Homes and Gardens)

Following up...

Marni over at Style Carrot posted about all of her fun Brimfield finds. Thought you might all enjoy the pictures, pop on over here!! Notice the very fun yellow letters and door knobs! Oh how I hope I can make it this week, if not there is always the summer!!



(image from StyleCarrot)

How To Thursday - Brimfield Transformations

It's time for this weeks "How To Thursday" and since it is the week of Brimfield I thought we would look for some inspiration! A piece which looks hopeless can be transformed into a fantastic item with just a little work. Below are a few great items to keep an eye out for while you are scouting the fields or any other market this coming season!

A shutter painted a soft white and used as a memo board. The bull clips are a great accent. Just be sure to look out for one that is non functioning!

This is a great storage cabinet, one which I could really use in my office. I hope it is one of my finds this year! I would paint it a really fun color and add hardware which would work in the room.

I saw this a few months ago over at Knack. Isn't this fun? An old spring (sanded down in the rough spots) and used as a memo board! How creative would this look on a wall with a bold color paint or a solid fabric behind it?

There is always the hope of finding a really great accent chair with beautiful lines! One which may only need a bit of sanding, new finish and some reupholstering....just a few things to make it uniquely yours!



Here are 2 more FANTASTIC finds!! I would love to create both in my bedroom. The trellis headboard is here and the radiator jewelry organizer here.

Enjoy your time at the antique markets and please share your purchases with me! I love good inspirational finds!

(images top to bottom: House to Home,VivaTerra, Knack Isabelle Halling, Homegoods)