urban farmhouse

A quick stroll through the shop. . .

2012-01-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

Dealer Feature - Erika Cady, Not Your Grandmother's Rhinestones

2012-01-17T13:41:00.000-05:00

Introducing Erika Cady of Imakdee.Blogspot.com, another fabulous vendor (and fellow Buckeye!) from the upcoming Vintage Marketplace in Nashville, Tennessee.

She is a lover of old rusty things, dented, dinged, tossed out and forgotten.

She designs jewelry made up of old broken vintage jewelry, her passion for the last 10 years.

(That's Erika on the right, with her sister who was helping her at the Springfield Extravaganza show.)

She looks for the unique pieces, the ones everyone else passes over and then she gives it new life.

Eclectic but classic.

Eclectically perfect.

Join Erika, Theresa of Timeworn Interiors, Sue Whitney, myself and more at

The Vintage Marketplace

Hendersonville Expo Center

Feb 2-3-4

Dealer Feature - Theresa Smith of Time Worn Interiors

2012-01-13T05:05:00.004-05:00

I would like to introduce you to one of the fabulous vendors that will be joining me at The Vintage Marketplace in Nashville. Theresa Smith of Time Worn Interiors is no stranger to phenomenal shows, just take a peek at these pictures of her booth at the most recent Marburger show.

In Theresa's words: I love anything that has old crusty paint that is peeling and flaking off! I love architectural salvage! And last but not least I love RUST! I enjoy taking a piece of junk and turning it into something useful.

I don't know about you but these pieces no longer resemble junk do they? I would welcome any of them in my home.

Theresa has loads of one of a kind items she fashions out of found elements using her own welding gun! Of course husband Craig loves to get in on the design and execution of these unique pieces as well. They make a good team don't you think?

Oh. My. Goodness. LOVE this table!!

Theresa and I have been "blogger friends" for a few years now although we have never met in person. We'll be correcting that soon. Her creations and talent for displaying found objects never cease to inspire me. You can check out her blog at Time Worn Interiors or better yet, plan on seeing her in person at The Vintage Marketplace Show in Nashville! It's right around the corner...Feb 2-3-4!

New arrivals and restocked favorites in the shop...

2012-01-10T14:08:00.002-05:00

New arrivals and restocks of some shop favorites!

A substantial piece, a statement all by itself. A reproduction of an antique image on boards.

23x38

When I mentally drool over something I know I have to have one for our home...but I did order 2 for the store so you can have one (or two) too! Tufted and curved in all the right places this slipper chair is covered in oatmeal hued linen with white buttons on the tufting...exquisite. $695.95 each in store

Individual paper feathers painstakingly hand made on wire and completely covered in an assortment of antique images of ephemera.

Incredible wreath made from delicate tissue printed with antique music sheet images. Available in 15 inch size only.

This great " Joy of Life " tin box has a trio of adorable french dogs on top.

4 x3 x 1.5

Oh I love this table. Made from heavy cast iron panels that are replicated from fence panels. The iron finial is visible through the heavy beveled glass top. This is a really substantial piece. $289.95 in store

An urban farmhouse favorite. The perfect size for table top in your kitchen, potting shed, craft room and more. Modeled after antique European bottle drying racks but created with practicality in mind for every day use.

These mini little dog prints are one of my favorites. Tiny little pictures framed with substantial mouldings make a big statement. These are exact replicas of old cigarette cards that were collected years ago by the designer in Europe. The graphics are terrific.

This is such a sweet miniature version of a classic hamper. Use it to store anything from onions to bath accessories.

This is the coolest way to hold your mail, magazines, or file some papers. It is made of an antique distressed frame and two printed cloth shelves with cherubs, and applique stamps.

Wow! A long refectory table, fitted with a distressed tin top. Beautiful any way you use it. $895 in store

Very cool handled cushion with a dual purpose. Printed with a French graphic, it has handles on the top that to hang it on hooks, also makes an interesting backrest for any bench or stool. 21.5"x2"x12".

Such a great item. Who doesn't love a pedal can? I use these to store dog food or bird seed. Of course you can always use it for trash but we are always thinking about unintentional uses.

Swoon! Willow turns an ordinary bucket into a beautiful and functioning container. Available in two sizes.

This is another one of my favorites and best sellers. It is the NEW replacement for the wreath on the front door. Hang the basket and fill with seasonal greens, branches or whatever you like.

This distressed metal rack is reminiscent of the racks that are above the seats on a train. It can be used in so many design scenarios, stylish organization at it's best.

Large 4 inch enamel rusty clips have so many uses: clip photos to a wall, cleverly close bags or organize papers on your desk. Why use those ordinary ones from the office supply store? $3.95 each in store

A wonderful melamine tankard with a French graphic. This generous sized cup has a handle for hot or cold beverages. 5.5" x 3.5", $5.95 in store

urban farmhouse featured on JUNKMARKET Style....

2012-01-04T11:41:00.001-05:00

Have you heard? Road trip time!

Nashville here we come!

Please join Sue Whitney, myself, and show promoter Jon Jenkins along with a host of other fine dealers as we launch an exciting new vintage shopping venue.....The Vintage Market Place in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The show runs from February 2 through February 4, 2012. Please visit The Vintage Market Place blog for all the details.

In the meantime, click on the pictures below to check out a post about urban farmhouse of Sue Whitney's JunkMarket Style website.

New Lenny & Eva sentiments just added...

2011-12-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL AVAILABLE

Girls Trip!! Guys too...

2011-12-19T07:00:00.019-05:00

Mark your calendar! A brand new show we're helping put together, you don't want to miss this!!

Nashville, Tennessee

February 2-3-4

We'll be there along with Sue Whitney of JunkMarket Style, Theresa of Time Worn Interiors many more!

25% off Christmas goods!

2011-12-16T17:12:00.000-05:00

25% off new Christmas goods in store now!! Shop soon for best selection!

Open Thursdays thru Saturdays

10am to 4pm

vintage items, glass glittered deer and votives not included

Wreath sale!

2011-12-09T17:05:00.000-05:00

All winter wreaths now 25% off in store!!

New Christmas items available online. . .

2011-12-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

Time to preorder January's WINTER TIME Jeanne d' Arc Living

2011-11-30T15:55:00.000-05:00

The pictures look delicious!! Reserve your very own copy here!

Christmas Open House

2011-11-22T22:32:00.000-05:00

Since pictures are worth a thousand words...I'll leave the commentary out of this post.

Open this week Friday and Saturday, 10am - 4pm.

It's time...

2011-11-10T16:41:00.003-05:00

We hope you'll join us!

Please note the shop will close Saturday at 4pm and reopen at 6pm on Thursday, November 17 to kick off the holiday season.

Velvet pumpkins on sale!

2011-11-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

20% off all remaining velvet pumpkins!!

Perfect for gift giving and stunning on a Thanksgiving table!

When they're gone they're gone....hurry for best selection!

sorry my out of town friends, this is an in-store sale only

It's time! Preorder the coveted Christmas issue of Denmark's Jeanne d' Arc Living Magazine!

2011-10-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

This is issue is definitely a customer favorite as it is the one that sells out the fastest, so please don't delay! I have a limited quantity coming in mid November and you don't want to miss out. ORDER HERE. It's absolutely FULL of Christmas and winter decorating ideas as well as gifts to make. Here's one of my favorites from a past Christmas issue, Christmas Coffee. Be careful it's addictive!

Perfect for gift giving too!

(This is a pre-order item, I expect to receive them mid November and will mail out reserved copies immediately.)

Halloween Windows

2011-10-19T16:24:00.000-04:00

Finally found some time to take and post pictures of my Halloween windows. The first window is a murder of crows. They are flying off with a mother and a child's vintage sleeping gown who are holding hands.

The other window is our vintage ballroom ghost, she has plenty of mirrors to check her reflection! A wire ghost dress floats in and among a plethora of floating hand mirrors. We've been collecting vintage hand mirrors all year long for this window. I didn't know what else I was going to put with them until I saw these on Facebook. Perfect. So I made one this morning and voila!

Fun to make!! Hope you enjoy them too. (Rainy and gray here today, not a good picture day.)

The Rural Society Antiques & Garden Show

2011-10-04T11:02:00.003-04:00

Please join us at

The Rural Society Antiques & Garden Show

FRIDAY, OCT 14TH 9A-5P

AND

SATURDAY, OCT 15TH 9A-3P

The Rural Society Vendors are.....urban farmhouse, Page Price (The Rural Society), Rusty Fletcher, Lisa Marton, Sherry Davis, Black Cat Primitives, Crude Black Ewe, Heart & Hand Primitives, Junque Magnet, Frippery, Basilicus Jones, Jill Groezinger, Tickled Pink, Blue Ribbon Spices, Pickin Chix, The Red Chair, Melissa Rudrick, Hammersong Farm, Susie Davis, Pat Warthen, Bethany Grubb, Theresa Summers.... and food by Gretchen Hawk these vendors are from all over Ohio....Mount Vernon, Newark, Thornville, Lebanon, Shelby, Granville and Pickerington! We have all been stocking up for this show!

HOSTED BY PAGE PRICE

AT WARWICK FARM

16620 WELLS ROAD

MOUNT VERNON,OH

at the traffic circle in downtown Mount Vernon head north on North Main Street for about 1/2 mile, turn right onto OH-3 North/Wooster Road and continue and for 3.5 miles, turn left onto Wells Road and follow signs

PLEASE NOTE: the shop will be closed October 13, 14 & 15 while we are at the show

Road Trippin' to Kentucky's 'finderskeepers'.....

2011-09-30T08:38:00.000-04:00

Our next show, The Rural Society in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, is just a short two weeks away! While we're busy traveling state to state hunting down the goods Page (of Warwick Farms) and I found time to squeeze in a trip to a shop that's been on our bucket list: finderskeepers in Lexington, Kentucky. If you're in their neck of the woods be sure and stop by. Owners James Snowden and Randy Terrell have curated a striking and edited collection of beautiful finds for your home (and I would love a peek at their homes!) James was on hand the day Page and I visited and he is quite charming, wrapping up all of our treasures for us while we shopped. Enjoy the photo tour below.

Just a few pictures from the Country Living Fair...

2011-09-23T17:06:00.000-04:00

and I literally mean just a few. In the hustle & bustle we forgot to snap photos! Thankfully, my trusty assistant Wil (yes, one L) took a few. The only photo I really wanted and missed was of my front table with these "out-of-this-world" vintage, arched, Gothic windows with they're original blue glass. They both sold on Friday. But someone did snap a photo of them and posted it on my wall on Facebook so I'll share that one first.

Loading up...it's truly farmhouse around here, my friend's horse trailer doubles as a show trailer.

First step, tent assembly, this is tent 1 of 2 that we set up. This bad boy has been through rain, blistering sun, tornadoes (2010) and winds from Hurricane Ike (2008). He's still holding up surprisingly. (Just don't watch us when we take it down...it's quite comical because by the time Sunday evening rolls around we're all mush and no one can keep a straight train of thought...so disassembling a structure should be off limits.)

Everything gets unloaded and placed "on deck" until the furniture pieces are set in place under the tent.

The piles of treasures we brought seemed to grow in the trailer on the way there!

We restocked every morning but come Sunday there wasn't much to restock with and as mentioned earlier...we were zombies. So much fun had by us and hopefully all who attended. This fair is such an amazing collection of UBER TALENTED men and women, if you haven't been to one yet plan on it ASAP! Atlanta is next month (we'll be in Mt Vernon, Ohio October 14 & 15 for The Rural Society Show) and another has been planned for Austin, Texas in April or May of 2012.

If you took pictures of anything at the fair we would love to see them! Please also comment and share about any treasures you found.

Pam Pierce...a new favorite

2011-09-05T14:54:00.000-04:00

I just recently discovered Houston designer Pam Pierce via Veranda magazine and I am loving her aesthetic. Her clean, classic and edited hand allow the textures and details of beautiful pieces play off each other seamlessly. Enjoy!

Velvet pumpkins are here!

2011-09-01T12:02:00.000-04:00

Country Living Magazine Fair Right Around the Corner!

2011-08-29T12:24:00.000-04:00

Country Living Magazine Fair

at the Historic Ohio Village adjacent to the Ohio Historical Society

Just off I-71 at Exit 111

north of downtown Columbus, Ohio

September 16-17-18

Tickets can be purchased online until one week before the fair and at the fair box office all the days of the fair.
One day in advance $13 - at door $16
Weekend Pass in advance $15 - at door $20

~~~~~~~~Exclusive Early Bird Shopping~~~~~~~

Enjoy 90 minutes of priority shopping on Friday

8:30am to 10am

Click HERE to order

Limited to 2500 tickets

Early Bird $40 only available in advance until September 15th

Ohio Village at the Ohio Historical Center
I-71 at Exit 111 (17th Avenue)
For your GPS: 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OHIO
Across from the Ohio State Fairgrounds & Ohio expo Center

A Culinary Bummer

2011-08-16T14:42:00.000-04:00

"Ain't nothin' in the world that I like bettuh', then bacon and lettuce and home grown to-matuhs."

But, sigh, my thumbs are not as green as I would like them to be and my memory is even worse! You see I had every intention of having my very own homegrown tomatoes this summer. I bought my plants, just 2 because no one else in the house likes them, and had big plans for them. Then I promptly forgot about them.

A couple weeks later I was working in the garage and stopped to stare at these 2 brown, prickly, dried up things in a plastic garden center tray. My first thought was "what they heck are those things?" I warned you! My memory is worse than my gardening skills!

Then I remembered...and oh let me tell you, it was a sad, sad moment. The door just closed on my open-faced, warm from the sun tomato sandwiches. My basil pesto pasta sprinkled with chopped red gems from my back yard is now just a fleeting culinary creation. Smoky, salty, crunchy, juicy BLT's made from "Mortgage Lifters" just went bankrupt.

Then...I almost started sobbing when I thought of Ninny Threadgoode..."Oh, what I wouldn't give for a plate of fried green tomatoes like we used to have at the cafe. Ooh!" (read about my affliction for fried green tomatoes here)

I'm telling ya', I had to get a beach towel for the tears. A tissue was just not man enough for the job.

Then, a knight in shining armor rode into the garage on a gleaming white horse and plunked a couple pounds of heirloom tomatoes down next to my crispy "plants" on my work table. I couldn't believe my eyes! I lifted the visor of the knight's helmet to kiss him for this good and noble deed which was surely death defying and highly dangerous.

The chorus of angelic singing in my ears was interrupted by "easy there Tomato Drama Queen, ever heard of a Farmer's Market?" Then husband went back into the house. He just doesn't understand...but, sigh, loves me anyway.

I went back to happy little culinary thoughts.

Hope your tomatoes did better than mine!

Sizzling summer sale!

2011-08-10T11:19:00.000-04:00

SIZZLING SUMMER SALE ONLINE

ON OUR SUMMER CLOTHING

& FINDING'S BRACELETS

UP TO 25% OFF!!

A sampling of goods available online...one is on sale!

2011-08-04T08:28:00.000-04:00

New Lenny & Eva sentiments

2011-07-25T12:59:00.000-04:00

Just a sampling (as there are many, many more) of the new Lenny & Eva Salvaged Sentiments now available in "Boudoir" section of my online store (along with some beautiful urban farmhouse clothing). Truly a fun piece of jewelry to wear and an exceptional gift to give or receive! Perfect for bridesmaids gifts!

Wear as is or add a charm or two.

Add to your collection as it strikes you, having several sentiments to choose from is perfect for our ever changing moods right ladies? :-) Enjoy! See the entire line in the "Boudoir" section of my online store.

New old finds and some really good new ones too. . .

2011-07-21T12:54:00.001-04:00

Vintage coin purse engraved with "Thelma", love this!!

Pearls, shells, lace, ironstone, antique urn and a gorgeous vintage sofa.

A skirted vintage vanity stool, dressed up and ready for you!

Skirted table with a flip top for hidden storage, Aidan Gray wire topiaries, old porch columns, zinc top cupboard base.

Freshly painted French blue dresser, I added the skirt to hide a working drawer with missing veneer. The doors open to reveal more drawers. ~SOLD~

Paris metro subway banner, newly made Mora floor clock.

Vintage feed bin turned on end to be a cabinet, Aidan Gray wire candelabra

Vintage concrete birdbaths and fountain, Aidan Gray garden columns for indoors or out, gorgeous new hall mirror, antique urn.

Gorgeous antique urn on plinth.

Vintage buoy and a sprinkling of summer and the sea.

Aidan Gray garden columns with flame top urns.

Always an evolving collection of vintage frames and mirrors, a few examples here.

Just arrived! Lacy urban prairie skirts.

Beautiful, scrolly Aidan Gray basket candelabra. A knock out piece! So much more in store!

Aidan Gray Home.....be still my heart

2011-07-16T15:25:00.000-04:00

By now you have probably heard of Aidan Gray Home as they have been featured in several magazines.

But did you know urban farmhouse is a stocking dealer of AGH goods?

The Aidan Gray line represents a love for interiors, design and authentic products that exude “European Grandeur.” The founding partners’ desire for products made by hand and with authentic materials such as solid wood, rustic metals, antique mirror, old painted finishes and silk appointments drives product development.

I love AG so much I had to take some home for myself to enjoy! The textures and fabrics are a perfect accompaniment to the vintage and antique pieces I have collected over the years. The chairs below is where you'll find me these days, curled up with a Jeanne d' Arc Living magazine or my lap top. They are SO comfortable and slightly over-sized so it walks for the men in my family (who top out at 6'5").

Stop in and peruse the Aidan Gray Home selections all of their exceptional pieces can be special ordered for you through urban farmhouse.

Willow House and Dina...gorgeous!

2011-07-12T19:03:00.000-04:00

Time for a bit of a different post! One of my very best girlfriends, Dina Reasoner, has recently become a Design Consultant for Willow House. New to Willow House? They are a wonderful home-based decor business with some truly beautiful, elegant and graceful pieces for home and garden. I'm helping Dina kick off her new venture by spreading the word with my fellow bloggers, blog readers, customers and friends. I would only do this if I thought you would enjoy their products as much as I. Here is a collage I put together of some of my favs from the catalog.

Please note, these are not urban farmhouse products (so you will not find them on my website) but rather a company we give our stamp of approval to if you will. If you like what you see and want to see more just click on the photo to view a catalog and/or shop online. You can order online through this link...just make sure you enter my name, Lisa Maughmer, as the party hostess cuz I'll get some free stuff...who doesn't LOVE free stuff especially when it's pretty free stuff?? This little virtual party I'm having will end Saturday, July 16th so you have a few days to look and shop if you like. Oh, and one very important note...her July special is this:

Spend $39.96 or more on products

and you can take one additional product

that is $39.96 or less for 50% off!!

The items on sale can be used to qualify for the 50% item, but you cannot choose your 50% off item from the sale flyer.

So have fun! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do and the very best of luck to my dear friend Dina!!

It's National Blueberry Month!

2011-07-07T17:19:00.000-04:00

In honor of National Blueberry month I'm sharing my absolute to-die-for favorite recipe for Blueberry Strudels. The recipe comes from Betty Rosbottom's Cooking School Cookbook. The book was a Christmas gift from my aunt in 1988 so I have been making this for (EEK!) 23 years! Consider it tried and true!! I have made it so many times the 416 page book literally falls open to that page when I lay the book on my kitchen counter. I even have notes scrawled in the margin: "Very (underlined twice) good", "fold long edges in to keep juices from escaping", "good without sauce", etc. I must confess here...I have never made the sauce, the strudel is that good, who knows, maybe it's even more heavenly with the Blueberry Cassis Sauce!

Ms. Rosbottom owned and ran La Belle Pomme teaching kitchen located within the Lazarus Department Store in downtown Columbus, Ohio. My aunt worked at the interior design studio within Lazarus...a weird bridge but the connection has been serendipitous for me and my family's love of blueberries! (Then again, wrap ANYTHING in crispy layers of buttered phyllo dough and how could anyone NOT love it?) Hope you find as many years of enjoyment out of this as we have! Here's to that fabulous blue fruit!

Blueberry Strudels

4 cups fresh blueberries rinsed and patted dry

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

6 phyllo sheets, 18x14 inches

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1 cup heavy or whipping cream

Confectioner' sugar, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Blueberry Cassis Sauce (recipe follows)

1. Combine the blueberries and lemon zest in a mixing bowl and toss together. In another bowl mix the sugar and cornstarch well. Then add the sugar mixture to the blueberries and mix well. Set aside.

2. Place a phyllo sheet on a clean kitchen towel on a work surface, with a short end facing you.(Cover the remaining sheets with a lightly dampened kitchen towel so they do not dry out.) Brush the sheet generously with melted butter and sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of the bread crumbs. Repeat the process with a second sheet, then place a third sheet on top and butter, but do not sprinkle the third sheet with bread crumbs.

3. Place half the blueberry mixture on the end of the phyllo sheet nearest you, and spread the filling horizontally to form a 3-inch wide strip going almost to the edges. Fold the two long sides of the dough over about 1.5 inches to enclose some of the filling, and then, starting at the end of the filling, roll the dough into a log shape. Use the kitchen towel as an aid to help turn the strudel over.

4. Butter a jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet . Use two spatulas to transfer the strudel to the pan. Brush the strudel with melted butter.

5. Repeat the process to make the second strudel. (The strudels may be made one day in advance to this point. Keep covered with a lightly dampened kitchen towel and plastic wrap and refrigerate.)

6. When you are ready to bake the strudels, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375.

7. Bake the strudels until golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool 5 to 10 minutes.

8. Whip the cream until it is firm but not stiff.

9. To serve, cut each strudel into 5 pieces with a serrated knife. Serve each piece sprinkled with confectioners' sugar and garnished with a sprig of mint and a dollop of whipped cream. Pass the Blueberry Cassis Sauce separately.

Serves 10

Blueberry Cassis Sauce

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup creme de Cassis

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and patted dry

2 to 3 tablespoons sugar

1. Combine the water, cassis, lemon juice and cornstarch in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Stir over low heat until the cornstarch dissolves. Then add the blueberries and raqise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats a spoon, about 5 minutes. Let the sauce cool 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Puree the sauce in a food processor, blender or food mill until smooth. Strain the pureed sauce through a fine mesh sieve. Taste and add sugar if desired. Reserve in a covered bowl in the refrigerator (sauce may be made 1 to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated). Reheat the sauce until warm, not hot, before serving.

Makes about 2 cups

Wishing everyone from sea to shining sea...

2011-07-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

A very happy Independence Day to one and all!

photograph of Old Glory from the Civil War, circa 1864, soldier is from the 37th Pennsylvania Infantry

Free In The USA On the Fourth of July, I raised the flag,
As I spoke with love and pride:
"I’m blessed to be an American," I said,
To two friends who stood by my side. One was my neighbor, who lives next door,
He's a citizen, like me.
The other, a visitor from a hard, oppressed land,
Far across the sea. "My flag stays in its box this year,"
Said my neighbor, boiling mad.
"The terrible shape this country’s in,
The future looks nothing but bad. "Taxes, scandal, indifference and crime,
On our land like a giant stain."
My visitor said, "We have all that, and worse,
But it’s against the law to complain." My neighbor looked startled, but not subdued;
Then he started in on the Press:
"There’s nothing but bad news; the headlines are bleak."
(It gets me down, too, I confess.) "Our news is all good," said my visitor.
"It’s just how you’d like to be.
We know what our government wants us to know;
Our press is controlled, you see." My neighbor spun ‘round and marched toward his house,
And here is the end to my story:
The next time we saw him, he was out in his yard,
Proudly raising Old Glory.

New and vintage finds online and in store. . .

2011-06-27T17:39:00.000-04:00

Vintage redwork pillow layovers, scalloped cake stands and patriotic buntings!

Happy 4th paper and tinsel garlands on sale in store for just 9.95!!

Lots of new jewelry and apparel added to the urban farmhouse online store.


Vintage bed coverlet in the yummiest shade, Findings bracelets and a flaming ex voto.

One good thing about my broken ankle? I'm getting more onto the urban farmhouse website!

Pre order the 5th edition of Jeanne d' Arc Living...coming soon!

2011-06-21T13:22:00.000-04:00

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL!!! I can't say it enough!!! I have already pre-sold a third of the quantity I have ordered so please, please hurry! Don't want you to miss out on the High Summer edition!

Also have you seen our new urban farmhouse apparel? Available online only...preview them right here.

NEW NEW NEW!!! At urban farmhouse online!

2011-06-16T23:55:00.000-04:00

urban farmhouse romantic prairie clothing!!

click picture to see more....available online only

Lots of summery goodness and more on the way in before we open Thursday...

2011-06-06T10:16:00.000-04:00

Just in time for the upcoming holiday, tinsel and paper Happy 4th garlands, we also have piles of 8 foot red, white and blue grommeted cotton banners for porches.

A year round favorite at urban farmhouse, birch bark folds with test tube vases. This week they are blooming with snap dragons.

Vintage galvanized bathtub...here are some ideas for this.

Gorgeous McCoy pottery

Starfish strands piled in bowls and hanging from porch columns, metal topped work table, another urban farmhouse favorite.

Adorable vintage folk art church

LOVE these! Unusual vintage toys, perfect paint colors.

How cute is this? Vintage juicer for citrus fruit. Juice a fresh orange right into the mug, remove the sweet little guy and you're all set.

Vintage scale, we love scales at urban farmhouse, especially the miniature ones, they truly look like lilliputian works of industrial art.

Vintage graining tool and dated brass pins.

vintage lace and the last of my collection of old millinery pins

For the antique/industrial urbanite...I have two of these. Do you know what they are? It's an antique wallpaper cylinder, circa 1840's, this one has been turned into a lamp. On the National Park Service website I found the following information about historic wallpaper making: "In the 1840's a significant commercial impact of machines on wallpaper printing occurred. Steam-powered machines were developed with efficient systems for feeding color to cylinders that printed from raised, rather than engraved surfaces, employing the conventional principle of the woodblock. The standard cylinder had a wooden core with the raised printing surfaces, formed by strips of brass which were tapped into the wood core and made cloisonne-like raised outlines of shapes. Inside of these little walls, felt was tightly stuffed to carry the colors for the solid areas of patterning (figure 9). Details such as lines and dots were printed by appropriately shaped brass pieces. The cylinders were placed on a machine that had at its core a large revolving drum, or giant cylinder, upon which the blank paper rode while it engaged in sequence a series of the smaller cylinders, each of which had a raised surface to print one color of the pattern. Each printing cylinder was coated with its individual coloring by a roller fed belt from a trough that held the appropriate color."

A beachy terrarium with an oversized battery pillar candle complete with a remote control and timer setting. Now you CAN have a candle lit under glass.

One of two vintage handmade martin houses in the store, I love the color on this one.

An assortment of vintage brass tags and prize ribbons. We always have the most unusual collection of vintage smalls at urban farmhouse and a lot of them can be found in Lisa Marton's space (friend, colleague, pottery guru and the only person I rent space to in my store). You can follow her on Facebook at Collected Over Time.

Summertime requires special candles (no, not citronella ones although I could use a semi truck full of those at my house) and I chose these this year because of their down home, southern charm goodness. I've said it before, I'm a marketer's dream customer...I'm a sucker for product with good packaging, I'm a visual person to the core. Can't talk a lick about politics but I can tell you when something is visually "right and pleasing to the eye", what that unique talent is good for I'm not sure yet :-). This was one of "those" products for me on several levels. First visually; a simple, clean vintage look jelly jar wrapped in woven willow, topped off with crinkly brown paper and tied up 'all purty like' with a piece of twine. Then nostalgically; the names, THE NAMES! They had me at the first one but then they kept coming...Sweet Tea...Back Porch...Gladys' Kitchen...Front Porch...Southern Charm just to name a few. Then...the true test, burning them. They are a dream! The fragrances perfectly capture summer moments and I promise you'll enjoy each of them. Why...they're finer than frogs hair! Buy online here or in store.

Just a little nautical splash. More solar luminary lids for your vintage jars arrive this week. Grab yours before the 4th of July! Buy online here or in store.

Here is a set of our fillable candle jars. Customize yours with your children's collection of shells, sea glass, photos, etc. I filled these three with vintage glass bead garland in a patriotic palette of red, silver and blue. From my Christmas goods I pulled out some foil covered paper pulp stars to scatter around as well.

Love this color combination.

What are you doing to kick up your heels with your home? Please leave me a post below or share with me on Facebook. Look for me as "urban farmhouse Ohio".

As always...thank you for your continued support!!

Lots more coming in this week...summer hours Thursdays through Saturdays 10am-4pm.

Introducing Lenny and Eva jewelry. . .

2011-06-02T13:09:00.001-04:00

This is for the one who has found her way, and the one who is still searching.

For the one who counts her blessings, and who is a blessing to others.

This is for the dreamer, and the dancer, and the music maker.

For the ones brave enough to jump, and the ones still standing on the edge.

This is for the one who takes the path, and for the one who creates her own.

For the one who fights, believes, creates, and inspires.

This is for you.

Finally, a statement piece that is as versatile as you are.

Bracelets are made from the finest buffalo and cow hides, and feature small brass hooks to which "sentiments" can be attached. Each of these interchangeable sentiment plates features motivating words or meaningful quotes that have stood the test of time. Fully assembled, these sentiment bracelets can change as often as the weather or your mood.

Inspiration, motivation, appreciation-whatever reminder your day needs, look no further than your wrist.

Each sentiment is cast in lead free metal, then given a rustic antique brass or antique silver finish, creating that timeless, vintage-inspired look. And if your bracelet still isn't individual enough for your liking, slip on some charms to finish the look. Each Lenny & Eva piece is hand-crafted in the USA.

Finally, a statement piece that is as versatile as you are.

My favorite new find

2011-05-30T21:43:00.000-04:00

So in love with these solar powered mason jar luminaries! They add an instant ambiance to any outdoor living space. You can purchase just the lids and top off your own collection of jars. They look wonderful in varying sizes and colors or keep it more uniform and do all one color and one height. Leave them empty or fill them with items you collect. They also make a wonderful night light inside in which you could fill them with a photo collage. Available in store in singles or online in sets of three.

Just another reminder about our new summer hours, please spread the word to your friends! Thank you in advance! If you'll send me a friend request on Facebook you'll be one of the first to know about new and vintage finds before they make their way to my blog. Send your friend request to Urban Farmhouse Ohio

I don't think I could ever find a more fitting post for today

2011-05-30T09:16:00.000-04:00

So I send you to my Memorial Day post and photo from 2009. Our sincerest thanks, from everyone in the urban farmhouse family, to every veteran, today and every day. God bless you and your families.

"Its soul, its climate, its equality, liberty, laws, people, and manners. My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of and which no other people on earth enjoy!"

~Thomas Jefferson

Architectural finds and show pictures

2011-05-19T12:24:00.000-04:00

We're restocking and twirling the store for summer after our first ever Rural Society Antiques and Garden Show. I have posted lots of pictures from the show on my Facebook page as well as the show's page. We hope you will join us there to stay as current as possible on new acquisitions to the store and exclusive hot of the press announcements! (For example, a change in our hours for the summer beginning June 1st.)

I thought I would use this post to show you some of the architectural pieces making their way into the shop. We're always on the look out for pieces like these in addition to old garden statuary or fountains, cupolas, weather vanes, vintage wicker and antique garden urns (which we have 9 of right now).

Do you incorporate architectural pieces into your home or garden? If so how? Please post a picture of it on my Facebook wall, we would love to see!

Below is a picture of the gold glittered star wreath hanger we featured during Christmas. I am repurposing it this month for Memorial Day with a red, white and blue banner spilling out of a vintage paper wreath. I might dig out some patriotic post cards to attach as well or maybe a banner with a red German glass glitter sentiment written across it. I have about 5 of these hangers available of you want one for your front door too.

New summer hours beginning June 1st

2011-05-16T12:25:00.001-04:00

please note: this summer we will also be closed on Wednesdays beginning June 1st
shop 24/7 by clicking on the "Visit Boutique" button on the right side of my blog

The Rural Society Antique & Garden Sale is THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

2011-05-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

Our first ever Rural Society Antique & Garden Sale is THIS WEEK!!

Friday May 13th 9am-5pm

Saturday May 14th 9am- 3pm

For more details including a map and address visit Warwick Farm

For photo albums from some of our dealers visit our The Rural Society Facebook page.

VINTAGE FURNITURE, DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES AND GARDEN FINDS FROM A TALENTED GROUP OF DEALERS INCLUDING URBAN FARMHOUSE, LISA MARTON, PAGE PRICE, SHERRY DAVIS, CYNDI NEAL, JANET CLAYTON, RUSTY FLETCHER, POLLY MCCORMICK , PAT WARTHEN AND MORE!!

urban farmhouse in Thornville WILL BE OPEN during the sale

(Please note, most vendors will accept cash or check only, no credit cards, also, this is a farm and parking will be in a grass field, heels and cute little shoes not encouraged, we'd love to see your boots! Sadly the antiques and gardening show at Bryn Du is not happening this year so we put this show together to replace it. Hope to see you all there! PLEASE share with your friends and spread the word and thank you in advance!)

Are you ready for May's Jeanne d' Arc Magazine?

2011-04-27T09:01:00.001-04:00

We are SO VERY ready and May's edition of the Jeanne d' Arc Living magazine looks like it promises to be full of fresh blooms!

Isn't that bouquet exquisite? To me that is the perfect combination for a May bride.

I am very much looking forward to this one! Some of the features include: Growing Columbines and Cranesbill, Planting in Non-Traditional Pots, The Summer's Sweetest Hostess Gifts, Mannequins and Flour Sacks,

Delicious Food with Eggs, Melons and Strawberries....I see some wonderful recipe potential for Memorial Day weekend!

Click on any photo to preorder and reserve a copy for yourself today!

A most glorious Easter wish to you and yours!

2011-04-24T19:55:00.000-04:00

Latest acquisitions and arrivals...

2011-04-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

Gorgeous antique wicker desk with original chair, quarter sawn oak top

Vintage sun dial, cast iron base

Pair of vintage table top sized urns with arms on plinths

Vintage soda fountain ice cream servers, set of 4, beautiful shape

Hand made petite bed perfect for your pooch!

Huge mirror (dress forms are shop props)

demi table (sold)

Lennox open salts with shell and coral design, set of 6

primitive French horse (new)

crusty, rusty wall hooks, "Les Rosiers", love the big open roses on the ends

wire farmhouse compotes

ivory, carved wood crowns

Adorable vintage clown (I do not like clowns, but this is so sweet!)

Saleman's sample brass bed

sweet cottage style table, original paint

LOVE finding these vintage demijohns

butterflies under glass

Unbelievable garden gate, either American Gothic or European, we can't decide (Sold)

vintage linens

vintage hooks on salvaged door header

vintage bunny door stop

vintage copper birdbath

iron wall sconces, paint as found

Terrarium with electric pillars, lovely on your patio this summer!

Vintage table top size urns with arms on plinths, paint as found

LOVE this...1/3 of a vintage Howard Johnson's Ice Cream shop mirror (I have the rest, was cracked when I found it so I am mounting it on wood to save it)

Vintage hotel chair, original sea foam paint

lots of old feedsacks

dressed up chandelier

Lavender products, blue lanterns and a darling vintage folk art bunny child's clothes rack

cast iron foot board in a light green paint, as found

vintage original framed water color

large scallop shells

vintage ball jars and bottles

tridacna squamosa shells, pearl necklace & earring sets

Dreams baths...just for fun.

2011-04-11T13:24:00.001-04:00

Hey there friends! Hope you all are enjoying April. Looks like spring has finally graced all of us with her presence. You may have noticed I have not been blogging much lately. Yes, I have been posting pictures but very little in the way of commentary (you might even enjoy it more this way?). Besides the normal daily runnings of the store we are also preparing for an event some friends and I are putting together for you! The event is in May and will replace our beloved Bryn Du show which is no longer happening. If you follow me on Facebook then you already know about it (Please join us there! It's a party every day!). If you don't know make sure you sign up for my email mailing list (on the right side on this blog) as we're sending the formal invites out this week.

Now, how about a little bathroom fantasy trip to liven up the day?

photo from chiclittleblog

photo from cotedetexas

photo from glam.co.uk

photo from homeinspiring

photo from nestdallasdesign

photo from novabathrooms

photo from Coastal Living magazine

photo from modern-decors

photo from skinscrubs.co.uk

photo from tiktock2u

photo from tinatarnoff

Which one is your favorite?

Old and new finds recently added!

2011-04-05T10:38:00.001-04:00

Some amazing redwork pillow shams and layovers have been added to the "Found" category in the shopping area of my website. They are beautiful!

We've been shopping, hunting, gathering...and we're still unpacking our finds

2011-03-31T12:46:00.003-04:00

Just a few snapshots of finds in store now

2011-03-18T16:27:00.000-04:00

Ahhh spring...the Jeanne d' Arc way...

2011-03-17T22:16:00.001-04:00

This magazine, these pictures, sigh, just makes you feel so good, so ready for a day where you be outside, in the sun, in the earth, hands dirty, the smell of soil, robins in the yard, the promise of spring.

Bring the outdoors in, the indoors out, fill anything you can with something green; baskets overflowing with delicate ferns, industrial filing drawers each filled with a different herb, the classic urn, or a stately Wardian case showcasing a prized orchid or two.

April's Jeanne d' Arc will bring you into spring, gently, beautifully, perfectly. Preorder yours here. April's issue arrives in the states around April 8th (available only in select boutiques throughout the United States). This an SO MUCH MORE for you on my website, more vintage items to be added this week. Enjoy!

Our thoughts and unending prayers...

2011-03-14T17:55:00.000-04:00

Our hearts and prayers go out to those living in Japan. The massive earthquake and tsunami are nothing short of apocalyptic. In the wake of this devastation they are waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop as nuclear reactors are failing. I hope you'll join me in sending a donation to help, no matter the amount, together every cent helps. If you are unable to give from your wallet giving of your time and offering prayers are just as important.

Peace to you and yours.

Donate through the Red Cross here.

Springing it up! Fresh finds for you!

2011-02-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Oh So Graphic!

2011-02-21T10:09:00.000-05:00

Oh so GRAPHIC sale going on online NOW

For a LIMITED TIME all these fabulous designs are currently on SALE online!! Hurry hurry!

Quantities limited and sale ends Saturday, February 26th!

Window shopping

2011-02-17T18:31:00.000-05:00

Time for a window re-do!

This one is a vintage 'Man Cave'.

This one is a mini Parisian attic with lots of treasures buried away and waiting to be rediscovered...just like shopping at urban farmhouse!

Free magazines with order!

2011-02-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

Next 6 on-line orders via my urban farmhouse website (starting at 1:30pm EST 2/14/2011) will also receive FREE one copy of each of the above Romantic Homes magazine editions (February, March, Special Editions Kitchens and Bedrooms & Baths).

Shop here

Organic, wrinkled and ruffled

2011-02-12T14:23:00.000-05:00

We've been on a mission to redo our bed, a whole room re-do is much too daunting, just the bed is enough for me! Of course we all know any way that redoing one thing leads to a list of other things that will have to be redone. Case in point, the wall paper I put up and posted about here is not in the same color palette as the new bedding I just purchased. I may just rub it with some stain though...hmm....thank goodness it's just this one little corner!

I first fell in love with Pom Pom Interiors way back in the day and I dream of wandering all three of the owner's California stores some day. When I'm in Atlanta I always make sure to visit her showroom, it's so calming and peaceful, a welcome respite from the chaos of the gift show. This year was no exception and I wanted to play Goldilocks and try out each and every sumptuously dressed bed! Here are a few pictures I took while there (forgive the quality as it is with my phone).

Pinkish bed

Blue bed

Table setting

Dreamy, creamy white cloud of a bed ensemble. This was my inspiration, who WOULDN'T want to snuggle up in that? Still working on ours but we've started, despite Odie being upset that her electric blanket is no where to be seen. But it's a start, definitely needing more pillows, a nubby, sweater-y throw casually tossed across the foot of the bed, and maybe an old, iron garden bench tucked perfectly at the foot...or that might be a toe stub waiting to happen, okay, re-thinking that element.

A sampling of our latest arrivals...more every week!!

2011-02-09T08:34:00.002-05:00

old rusty fence pieces, garden art on the wall

huge vintage fishing float

fabulous reproduction French sconces

an urban farmhouse best seller...burlap foot stools

nostrum bottles

vintage beaded French flower bouquet

classic bell cloches

more of our favorite pillows

bottle drying rack

European wall fountain

willow trunks

so many uses for these...our fav idea is to hang one in an outdoor shower

a spring main stay at the farmhouse...walking/gathering sticks with built in baskets (can't wait for morel season!)
not all items in my brick and mortar store are on my website, please feel free to email me at urbanfarmhouse@gmail.com if you see something here you are interested in, make sure you add my email address to your address book so you receive my reply or be sure to check your SPAM/junk mail file

Lots of new old finds in the store and still unloading...

2011-02-07T10:55:00.000-05:00

New finds. . .

2011-01-31T21:07:00.000-05:00

All these and more just posted on web store...

coming soon! Reserve yours now, available to ship February 10th.

Shop urban farmhouse 24/7 here.

A sampling of new arrivals. . .

2011-01-29T08:41:00.000-05:00

I am so loving these ginormous LED candles! They are 6x10 and 6x8, but the best thing? They have a dimmer switch, a constant on or flickering option, built in timers for 2-4-6 or 8 hours and all of these features are on a hand held remote control! So if you have a super high plant ledge or maybe the top of a cupboard that you want to add a touch of light to these are perfect! I also found these gorgeous display case lanterns in Atlanta, perfectly sized for these new pillars too.

Birds, bunnies and eggs OH MY!

Lots of birch folds back in stock and a fresh order of test tube vases for the folds just arrived! An urban farmhouse best seller!

Piles of branch nests with sweet green eggs and ferny touches.

A plethora of pillows to cozy up your couch or chairs on these frosty winter days.

The cutest cupcake stands! Elevate that cupcake to the status it deserves...it is cake after all!

Another new favorite, the unique tilted design of this recycled glass pitcher. It is perfect for lemonade, sangria, margaritas or a cascading bouquet. I have them in two sizes including an over sized one perfect as a wedding gift or for game day!

Lots of new bling! Since I am always thinking about the beach this time of year my buying was totally influenced by the blues and greens of tropical seas and of natural elements found on the beaches.

I'm bringing in lots of funky glassware for more sparkle, we can always use that during Ohio's gray season.

Willow gathering sticks...Ohio morel season will be upon us before you know it, these are perfect for the hunt.

Spring time blossoms to soften the winter scape.

Lots more but I had to get back to opening the boxes and putting things out. Plus a stack of vintage 1930's valentine's has me all ga ga right now...oh they are so sweet! Pictures of those soon.

Dear Ballard Designs by Iowa Junk Gypsies

2011-01-28T13:18:00.000-05:00

I stumbled on a blog post titled "Dear Ballard Designs" over at Iowa Junk Gypsies blog and just had to share it with all of you. Love it. You will too.

Tulips and buttercups

2011-01-27T12:51:00.000-05:00

If you love the French and Danish styles of decorating then this magazine is for you!

The February edition, expected to arrive February 25th, will feature "Beautiful Spring Homes", "Children's Bedrooms", "Tulips and Buttercups", and tips for creating the "French Chic" style.

Looks romantic and dreamy don't you think? But the best part? Thanks to our dear Danish friends restructuring prices I am able to toss out the old $32 per issue price and unveil a

new price of $26!!!

Click on any picture to go shopping at urban farmhouse and reserve a copy for yourself right now!

(Please note, due to the popularity of the magazine and the need to strictly track inventory for pre-ordering it is exclusive to my online store and not available in the shop or through phone ordering, thank you in advance for your understanding!)

Ya Mon!

2011-01-20T13:12:00.001-05:00

View from my room

Hi everyone! Back from vacation and feeling super rested and revived even though it was a girl trip ;-). Every two years twenty four of us, ranging in age from 24 to 56, travel together to some tropical destination to hang out together and just "be".

"John's Key", a little island for sun bathing, accessible by a sand bar path

Each time we seem to travel a little further south in pursuit of warm water and sunny days. This year it was Jamaica. The waters...in a word, stunning. Flying in over Montego Bay was just breath taking to look at and even better for the fish in our group (that would be me). I could stay in it all day and night if my fingers wouldn't "prune" up like they do.

A shanty mercantile...really...these are shops just down the beach from where we were sunning. Very tempting to move urban farmhouse there!

From Jamaica I met up with my mom and we hit the ground running at the gift show. For 2 days we looked at new product, walked, scouted for new vendors, walked, tried to put our finger on new trends (tartan plaid everywhere!), walked, placed orders, and walked some more. I think we need to go rest up in Jamaica!!

Aching feet feel way better in the sand, don't ya think? Ya mon!

But we're back at it at the shop with all kinds of goodies scheduled to arrive very, very soon. In fact, one order arrived yesterday! I found some fabulous jewelry, rugs, florals, furniture and even ordered pages and pages and more pages of Christmas decor!!

Ned! Get back in that truck! You don't have time for the beach there are boxes to be delivered! What's that? Oh...they're my boxes and you were looking for me? Okay, okay....on my way...5 more minutes....

It's all going to start pouring in every week (not the Christmas, thankfully) so stay tuned or get out here and see it for yourself!! In the meantime...can someone get me another pina colada?

P.S. If you ever have the chance to plan a trip like this will your girlfriends I highly encourage it!! As I stated above, we do this every 2 years, always in January over MLK weekend (Thurs thru Mon). We each squirrel away 10 dollars or so a week (EASY PEASY!! That's a couple Starbucks coffees a week!) for two years to cover our costs. One of my friend's is a travel agent and she puts together our choices. We vote on the destination and determine who's rooming with who at one of our trip meetings, a great excuse to get together every month for about 8 months prior to departure. The memories and the camaraderie are priceless!

7 Ways to Declutter Your Antiques Pile by Joanna Madden

2011-01-11T18:59:00.000-05:00

Joanna Madden, fellow purveyor of fine finds and creator extraordinaire of Findings bracelets had her home featured in the most recent issue of Country Living magazine. Joanna, her mom Kathe (and gal pal Andrea!) frequent our tent every morning at the Country Living and we peruse theirs equally as often. Their displays, vintage goods, jewelry and style are a treat for the eye! If you have not seen their space you are missing out. Make sure you see it this year!! Visit Country Living's site with photos from Joanna's beautiful home.

P.S. I love that they (the magazine) are posting paint colors in the features!

So whats in this sale?

2011-01-05T21:48:00.000-05:00

It's time for a S-A-L-E!!

2010-12-27T19:57:00.002-05:00

Our annual

AFTER CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

begins in-store

Wednesday January 5th

10 AM

Enjoy up to 70% off!!!

• HOLIDAY DECOR • LIGHTING • DECOR • TEXTILES • KITCHEN

• BATH & BODY • ACCESSORIES • JEWELRY

What if Christmas...

2010-12-25T20:20:00.001-05:00

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas. perhaps, means a little bit more?
~Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel

May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all through the year.
Merry Christmas
from all of us at urban farmhouse

Merry Christmas...

2010-12-23T16:24:00.006-05:00

Just locked the front door, literally and metaphorically, on the 2010 Christmas season and I must share with you what an amazing season it has been. I speak not of the cash register but of the meaningful moments and significant personal stories shared with me because of this store. Many have brought joyful tears to my eyes, like opening the door the night of my Christmas Gathering and seeing SO many people waiting to come in...an astounding moment for me and one I will not forget.

But there have been so many more that are, well, just humbling. A couple of weeks ago a young woman came in the front door and headed straight to me at the counter. She asked if I was the owner and I said yes. She said "I just want to tell you something...". She proceeded to tell me that a few nights before she brought her boyfriend home from the hospital after his latest chemo treatment. They were stopped at the traffic light out front. Understandably, this year has been especially difficult for this young man and she said he has not had anything positive to say for quite a while. She told me while they sat at the light he turned his head and saw the wintry windows of the store full of the lit-up snow covered trees and he said "Wow, that's really pretty." She just wanted me to know...and she turned and walked out. I stood there with tears streaming down my face and I said a prayer for that man. A man I have never met and will never forget. All of us have something to give, no matter how big or small and sometimes you never know when you're giving to someone who really needs it. Makes me think we should all wake up asking ourselves, what can I do for someone else today?

That is just one of a plethora of personal moments shared with me recently. And yes, while it's important that the cash register hums so I can keep the doors open...moments like these are the true reason and my motivation for creating urban farmhouse 5 years ago. All of you make these moments possible. Thank you.

Wishing you and yours the very best Christmas.

~~Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~Peg Bracken

My new truck

2010-12-22T13:38:00.002-05:00

Love this little lady! I picked her up down out the Olde Shoe Factory where I always be sure to visit Polly's booth As I was checking out I spied this rusty vintage aqua truck. I knew it would be lovely hauling around vintage ornaments and what fun to add a little Christmas time whimsy to a centerpiece! Bottle brush trees would be adorable as well. Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!

Just posted this lady on ebay...

2010-12-20T21:38:00.003-05:00

Isn't she adorable? Oh the dilemma of deciding what to keep and what to sell...always a toughie for me. If you decide to bid good luck! Go here to see more.

Avalon Rose Market Square...

2010-12-13T18:24:00.004-05:00

If you haven't heard of this yet make sure you visit soon! A collection of online boutiques all in one place, including urban farmhouse! We're also the featured business this week...check it out here You'll find loads of one of a kind items and unique finds that just cannot be found in the big box stores. Shopping here also helps out independent business owners! Enjoy!

Grandma Shamhart's Spiced Pecans

2010-12-10T15:14:00.004-05:00

This is one of those recipes that is so easy and good you wonder why you only make it during the holidays. My Grandma made these for years and the whole family is pretty addicted to them. Each pecan is like a crispy burst of pecan pie in your mouth!
Ingredients
1 egg white
1 t. water
4 c. pecan halves
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 250 degrees and generously spray a baking sheet with Pam. For easier clean up line the pan with foil first, then spray.
In a large mixing bowl mix egg white and water.
Beat the egg white and water until foamy but not stiff, not going for meringue here, just a nice airy glaze. Gently toss the pecans in the egg white foam.
Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. If you're feeling adventurous add some cayenne or crushed rosemary.
Toss the pecans with the dry ingredients until all are evenly coated.
Spread the pecans in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for one hour, stirring occasionally so that all sides of the pecans get their crispy goodness going on. Allow to cool, stirring while cooling keeps them from sticking to the pan too.
Here they are...ready to eat! They make a beautiful Christmas gift packaged in cellophane bags and tied with ribbon or sealed with monogrammed stickers (so the recipient know who's kitchen they came from!). Enjoy!

Am I gilding the lily?

2010-12-07T14:13:00.009-05:00

No, just frosting the cupboard...
I have these wonderful paper mache drippy icicles at the store and everyone is always asking me what to do with it and how to hang it. There are a few pieces hung in a cupboard at the shop but I thought I would do some at home on my beloved green cupboard in my dining room. I LOVE the way it turned out! I plan on keeping this up well past Christmas too.
The icicles are generously frosted with mica flakes that sparkle and glisten beautifully. I attached my pieces with spots of hot glue on the back. Now this is not something I would recommend to everyone unless you have a chippy, peely piece like mine. After the winter season when I remove them I am sure some paint will come with the glue but that will only add more farmhouse charm to this old girl.
If hot glue is not an option you can use velcro dots or 3M products. I also think you could use poster board fashioned into an 'L' bracket of sorts. Glue the snowy piece onto the poster board, to the bottom of the L if you will...then lay the large part of the L on your cupboard shelf. You would then need to anchor it with a heavy dish or prop.
I always fill the shelves with some of my vintage bulb collections. Last year I was inspired by Kevin Reiner's use of pink in his 2008 Country Living piece and my dining room was dripping with delicious Christmas candy pink from chandelier to table to cupboard. This year I decided pink would not be allowed as she stole the stage last year.
I let the cupboard choose what "dress" she wanted to put on for the party this year. While her main color is a sea foam green she has many layers. Gray, teal and cream all can be seen peeking out here and there so it was decided: silver, faded blues & greens, tarnished glitter and "dirty" ironstone. The petite ironstone teacup in the middle and on the right are sweet treasures I picked up from Linda Marcov at the 2009 Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio, the other from Lisa Marton of urban farmhouse. Each is holding a vintage feather tree glass ball.

I wish you all could stop by for a cup of steaming Christmas Coffee!!

Not a creature is stirring except my carved wooden mouse.

Time to preorder Jeanne d' Arc Living

2010-12-07T01:38:00.005-05:00

Expected to arrive January 14th...

Reserve your copy today, limited availability, available online only and not in store.

The next best thing to being here...

2010-11-29T08:02:00.003-05:00

Working fast and furious to put all the new arrivals on the website...we will be adding fresh finds daily, check back often as most are in limited quantities.

My Thanksgiving table

2010-11-25T23:23:00.005-05:00

While my fearless turkey frying husband braved the elements I ran up to my shop and grabbed a few things to set our table before our guests arrived. I have a collection of vintage pink glassware given to me by my mom that I have always wanted to pair with some brown transfer ware, which I happened to have at the shop.
I have been secretly hoping it would not sell before Thanksgiving so that I would have the pleasure of setting my table with it. I separated each dinner and dessert plates with one of my own ruffled salad plates.
Each place setting is then topped with a pink Fostoria Jamestown sherbet.
For a quick centerpiece I placed a trio of pitch pots on a bed of fall wheats and grasses. I wanted to have some mini white pumpkins spilling out then sprinkle it with cranberries but I forgot the pumpkins, oh well, have to enjoy the turkey without them, twist my arm.
See that cute little turkey in a vintage ironstone dish? He's made out of butter!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! On to Black Friday and the weekend (I am a retailer after all :-), our hours this weekend are:

Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday Noon to 4pm

To warm you up while you shop "the farmhouse" we'll be serving up steaming cups of Danish Christmas Coffee!!

A very happy thanksgiving to you and yours!

2010-11-25T10:23:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the day for all that it means to you. Whether it is laden with tradition, family, friends, a huge meal, take out food, parades, football or movies, whatever you choose, let your heart be filled with gratitude. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all of you. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, today and all days.

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." Arthur Ward

Before and After Christmas Ornament

2010-11-18T14:29:00.004-05:00

Why reserve makeovers for people and houses? How about for Christmas ornaments too? I purchased these very plain tree ornaments last year with plans of dressing these girls up. Finally, (12 months later) I did a few. I first asked my urban farmhouse Facebook friends for suggestions. Lots of great ideas were shared! Thanks everyone! I would really like to try a suggestion of putting monograms on them. If I can figure out how to stitch that on I am going to do it. I picture them looking like they were made out of European monogrammed linen bed sheets.I have a tote box full of these balls so I better get busy.
Here is the before:

With hot glue gun in hand and working with just what I had on hand (no runs for supplies as I was working the shop). I came up with these cuties. SOOOOOO much better!

Any other ideas out there? Leave your ideas in the comment sections. What else can we do with these?