brimfield or bust

Just returned from my maiden voyage to the famous Brimfield antiques show in western Mass. With the ever intrepid Sarah Hall Weigel and ever patient and entertaining Hadley Weigel (almost 1.5 yrs), we set off with a UHaul trailer in tow.

Both virgins to this massive treasure trove/flea market/dealer wonder world, we navigated well. With lists in mind and iphones ready to shoot pictures and quickly email to our tasteful mates ("Is this fabulous or hideous?," "Will it fit?, "Can we afford it?"), we scoured the fields and lots with cash in hand.

Hadie testing German bistro chairs.

Danish modern chair (one of a pair) in need of reupholstering.

An industrial oak topped, wheeled coffee table? Fits and a bargain. SOLD.

A plastic elephant salvaged from a baby carousel. No question. SOLD.

Rooster lamp. SOLD.

Pair of Danish modern chairs. In aqua vinyl, hmmm...? $75 for the pair. SOLD!

Vintage French black and white ribbon. SOLD. (Should've gotten more)

Toward the end of day two, exhaustion set in. Then we came across this amazing group of salvaged hardware and light fixtures. Outdoor lights perfect for Sarah's decks (yes - she has two decks!). Black doorknobs perfect for 44 Bradford.

We were re-invigorated.

salvaged doorknobs

The drive home was a bear, but we are already planning our May visit. Perfect timing for the finding all the final touches for 44 Bradford St. We think we will bring our mates next time. Now that we are professionals, we can show them how it's done. Thank you Sarah! Couldn't have done it with out you and Hads.

(Stay tuned for our before and after furniture rehab pics)

Gathering materials

First stop: Stone Source.
The polaroid does not accurately display the colors. Possibly Carrera counters in the kitchen and or bathroom. A nice driftwood-looking stone for the fireplace surround.

An apron sink perhaps?

(At Yale Electric)

Miles of glass tiles (Stone Source):

New cement

Today: new cement.

Our block.

Sun-dappled site.

The view.

Getting what you want

First step to getting what you want: know what you want.

Once you know what you want, convey clearly what you want.

Knowing what you don't want helps too.  It is good to be clear about the things that you do not want to see in your house.  No apologies.  It's your house.

Collect tear sheets, peruse design sites and blogs, organize those tear sheets & images, take notes.  A binder keeps me organized and is divided by room.  Post-its help.

note to self: discard dead flowers.

It starts with a hole in the ground

Ground broke at 44 Bradford Street in Boston's South End in August.  It will become our home.  I'll be  documenting the progress "from the ground up," so to speak.  As a designer, I am thrilled to show you the process of making house into home.  wish us luck.

The corner:

Here is the site: