Gather & Collect

Yes, you read the title right and no, I'm not trying to be cool like that. If you've ever been to New Buffalo, MI then you know what I'm speaking of. Da Barn is one of the coolest vintage shops I have ever been to, hands down. Well, aside from our little shop, of course;).
I've spent nearly every summer/fall weekend in the area for the past 11 years and for some reason this past weekend was the first time I stepped into this place of awesomeness.
Unfortunately the prices were a bit higher than I'd like so I left empty handed. BUT, I left filled with inspiration.

I was utterly amazed by the beautiful organization and styling of this place. The owner is most definitely not only a great curator of all things vintage, but he also has a keen eye for design, which I definitely appreciate.
So, if your in the New Buffalo area this summer for a visit to the beach, stop by this shop for a visit. You won't be disappointed.

Let us know if there are any amazing vintage shops in the area that you think we should visit. Inspiration is everywhere!

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.
Jessica and Julie

I came across the cutest home tour that I completely appreciate.  If you've been to our store, you'll understand why.  And if you haven't and you're local, well that's just a shame;)

I'm more of a gatherer, not so much of a collector.  The clutter of a collection seems to unfortunately get the best of me.  I say unfortunately because I really want to be a collector of many things such as pottery, glassware, etc…it just doesn't seem to work out.  BUT, I have found new collection inspiration that i may be able to deal with (hint: last photo).  I seem to be alright with collections on walls (hence my growing gallery walls), so this just might work:)

(For a full home tour, click here)

What do you like to gather and collect???

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

I am a complete sucker for a beautiful piece of vintage art.  Nothing high end, in fact, just the opposite.  I love the lost, no-longer-appreciated art of the world.  The stuff people sell for a few bucks at local garage sales.  Everything from florals, pencil drawings, scenic watercolors, and paint by numbers.  I love them all and have a nice collection of most of the aforementioned in my own home.  Some pieces stay for a while, while others tend to move around the house.

Here's a few inspiration photos including vintage art to make a space feel cozier and more lived in:

(All images are via my pinterest)

Notice how most of the above images are gallery walls.  I guess you could say I'm sort of obsessed with large groupings of vintage artwork as well.  Which is why having a store filled with vintage art is a dream come true.  Here's a taste of what's in the store:

Come on in and start creating your own gallery wall.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Today I feel inspired by yellow and green.  So fresh, crisp and young feeling.  Take a look…

I mean really, wouldn't you agree.  We have lots of color in the store for you, but today I was in a yellow and green kind of mood.  Who knows what tomorrow may bring…

Cheer to a vintage life well lived.
Jessica and Julie

In the name of Independence Day, I am posting about all things Red, White and Blue.

When I first started my research for this post (and serious research was involved;), I had the obvious theme of the 4th of July in mind.  But as I started gathering more and more images of Red, White and Blue inspired interiors, I began to realized that this theme spreads far beyond the 4th.  The color combination in itself is clean, crisp and extremely complimentary.  I'm sure many of you have already been on this bandwagon, but it's new to me.  See, it's great to be inspired by something new every single day.

Here are a few images of Red, White and Blue inspired interiors:

NOW…here are a few things we have in the store to help you add those same colorful touches.

Happy Friday and Cheers to a vintage life well lived!

Jessica and Julie

Everybody loves a good before and after shot, right??!!  So, I thought we should start a new series called “Before and After”.  I know, i know…your wondering how i thought of such an incredibly original name.  Well, we wouldn't want to give away our secrets now, would we.

Onward.  The following post is brief and simple, but is not for the faint of heart.  All you natural wood lovers should probably not read on, and if you do, we can not be held responsible for any health risks the following photos may pose.

A simple chair make-over.

BEFORE:

I know what your thinking.  The wood and rush seating are in perfect shape.  Now why would I want to go and change anything.  Well, quite frankly I was bored…bored stiff, so i decided to add some color.

AFTER:

A little crazy, I know.  This color is obviously not for everyone, but boy do they look different, don't they.  A few bucks later and you've got some colorful, updated chairs that are ready for a new home.

And remember that little yellow outdoor set I posted about yesterday?  Well I snapped a photo of it in it's new home.  So happy and sun shiny.

So, hopefully I've motivated you to look at your old furniture in a new way.  A little bit of paint goes a long way.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Have you ever been??  I went for the first time this weekend and it was pure delight.

I'm sort of kicking myself for not taking more pictures because this sweet little town was worthy of a lengthy photo shoot.  Every store sign was distressed and vintage in character.  Even the local firetrucks had the town name hand painted on them.  If we were able to spend the night I definitely would have stayed at Camp Wandawega.  So much history in this little town.  I love rural America.  I guess all the more reason to return, right?!

The main reason for my visit was to visit the ever-so-famous Elkhorn Flea Market which is the mecca of all flea markets in the midwest.  There was no junk to be seen…only fantastic treasures to be found.  Here are a few iphone photos from the day.  Actually, my intention was to shoot beautiful photos of all the fantastic stuff I saw throughout the day, but when it came time to leave, i realized I hadn't taken any photos, so these were taken in the car, while my husband drove.  Still a great example of how fantastic the Elkhorn Flea Market is.

See that cute yellow vintage outdoor set?  That actually came home with us and is sitting on my back patio right now.  And I must say it's looking mighty swell in all of its vintage yellow glory.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived!

Jessica and Julie

Lately I've been obsessed with an online “pinning” community called Pinterest.  Are you in the know?

It's a great place to gather and collect images of anything you obsess/have interest in and share with others who are doing the same.  You can also follow other peoples “pins” and “repin” anything you fancy.

I'm a fanatic of all things design…mainly interior design scapes of any sort.

Here are a few of my recent “pins” i've categorized under “vintage spaces”.

I highly recommend checking out Pinterest, but just be careful…it's addicting.

If you don't currently Pinterest, but would like to, send me your email and i'll send you an invite.  You can go to the site directly and request a membership as well, but it can take a bit longer that way.

Happy Pinning and Cheers to a vintage life well pinned lived!

Jessica and Julie

At least in the form of mood lighting!  Check it out…

And if you've ever stepped into our store you know that things are constantly changing, and that includes the lighting as well.  No room is ever complete until you've added the essential element of lamps.  I have a slight lamp obsession (shhh, don't tell my husband), but i just feel that a room doesn't feel completely lived in and comfortable without a few good lamps.  Also, lamps are a quick, easy and inexpensive way to change the feel of a room (for those of you that get bored easily, like myself;).

But never fear!  There's still one more day of shopping left this week!

VIVA LA LAMP!!!

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie