Found it!!!

Since moving into my home almost 2 years ago, I have been looking for the 'perfect' piece to use as an entertainment centre.

I have a 10 foot length of wall that I wanted the piece to run the full space of and it had been a challenge finding exactly what I had envisioned.

My parent's neighbours are getting into the reclaimed wood business and I had planned on asking them to put something together for me....but....then Mom and I went on a shopping road trip to the town of Neustadt.

We frequent this small town quite a bit for their wonderful shops and the fantastic people who own/operate them. To our happy surprise, we found a new shop called Refurbishment and needless to say, I could have decorated my entire home with their reclaimed, up-cycled, refinished, refurbished and one-of-a-kind pieces!

I was walking around, letting it all soak in when I saw it...THE piece I had been looking for!!!

An 11foot length of aged, raw pine with gorgeous antique legs.....the word SOLD leaped out of my mouth so fast I couldn't believe it!

My heart almost broke when the shop owner said that another patron had been in earlier in the day and had asked her to 'hold' it until she could go home and do some measurements....

We left the shop, after giving he my contact information, with fingers and toes crossed that it would not fit in the other patron's home as I knew it would be perfect in mine....

About 45 minutes later I received a text....IT WAS MINE!!!! A short happy dance ensued and we set up a time for delivery (yes, she would deliver it to my home in Guelph....COULD THIS GET ANY BETTER?!?!)

After some major re-arranging at home....here it is installed! :)

I LOVE IT!!! 

These pictures were taken just shortly after getting it together and set up so I will likely still play with some of the styling and items located on/around it. We had to take a bit off the one end and I will turn that into a shelf, but other then that, it fit and works impeccably with the space!

Here's a close up of the raw, natural edge (I LOOOOVE, LOOOVE, LOOOVE it!), the unfinished wood and those gorgeous (and heavy) antique legs!

This piece has finally brought the room together and given it the look and feel I had been hoping for....it even makes the room and overall space seem bigger!

So...if you're on your way to lake Ontario from the GTA...detour through the cute lil town of Neustadt (just outside of Hanover)...it is WELL worth the trip!

RR

Small towns ARE the place to shop!

If you are a regular reader of my Blog, you know I'm a HUGE believer and supporter of shopping locally and supporting small businesses! I could name you a great lil shop, boutique or store in almost every small town listed on the map of Southern Ontario below. I love my road trips and finding these hidden gems, all within 1-2 hours of home!

My last post talked about some fabulous chairs I found a new a Market close to the small town where I grew up. I thought in this post I'd show you some more of the amazing offerings at this Market in Hanover, Ontario.

The first thing you saw when you walked into this vendor's shop was this Solid Oak Table set and China set...needless to say, I walked out with the table and the China (all for $100!!) Keep reading for the story behind the China set....

I loved how she displayed this collection of crystal S&P Shakers! I collect crystal candlesticks...maybe I should start a new collection!

I would have purchased every piece of glass in this display if I had a place for it at home...Milk glass, Amber glass, Emerald Glass, Crystal......

I was THIS CLOSE to getting the 2 Emerald Glass Candlesticks (Pantone's Colour for 2013) ...but..I left them behind for another day....If they're still there the next time I go, it'll be fate and I just might have to bring them home with me!

These Milk Glass vases/pedestal bowls with Floral Frogs caught my eye instantly! They would be perfect for wedding centerpieces or a Spring/Summer dinner party to help dress up the table! I just had to get one of the smaller ones (only $8.00!)

Then....there was this beauty! If I had an extra 100 sq feet, this would be sitting in my home as we speak! It was only $125 and in PERFECT condition...plus, I could use it to display my new China!

Speaking of my new China.....here it is! I LOVE everything about it...the colours, the pattern, the gold edges...its is the quintessential rustic beauty! The name is perfect too..."Canadian Wheat".

The story behind the China set makes me smile.....and makes me believe that everything really does happen for a reason! I had seen this set at a shop called the Neustadt Mill in Neustadt, Ontario (just outside of Hanover). I himmed and hawwed about getting the set and ended up walking away without it...I went back again and the set was gone. I was disappointed, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. 

So, as you can believe, when I walked in to that vendor's shop and saw the China...I was NOT going to leave without it! And, to make the story even better, she gave me an AMAZING deal on the set....it's a complete set for 8 (short of one tea cup)...complete with serving pieces....I wasn't going to let it get away twice!

As Spring is slowly starting to appear.....I strongly recommend heading out on the highway and get out and explore the small towns in your area....you never know what hidden gems you may find!!

RR

Hidden Gem

Let me introduce you to an amazing and very talented woman who I am sooo very lucky to call one of my best friends!

 

Kristy (Ireland) Zagorodny and I met in Grade 9 homeroom and the rest....well, the rest is history! Since I met Kristy, I have been absolutely amazed at her creative nature and her eye for attention to detail! In addition to being one of the most artistic people I know, she also has the biggest heart and welcoming/warm personality of anyone you will ever meet!

 

Kristy's Wedding - Kristy and I

 

Kristy lives outside a cute little town called Mildmay, the Lamplighter Town, in Southern Ontario. There is a beautiful old stone hotel in Mildmay which has been converted to a charming pub and coffee perk/shop called Harleys . The main floor of the hotel is the pub and perk, however, there are 2 floors above that when you climb the beautiful wooden stair cases, you feel like you have stepped back to 1827 when the hotel was built.

 

Kristy was commissioned to decorate the 2nd floor of the hotel for the local home holiday tour and the transformation was spectacular!....As I wandered from room to room, I felt as though I was transported into a story book from Christmases past....

 

As you came up the staircase, you were greeted by this beautiful tree done in golds, champagne and creams....

 

 

 The cozy and festive sitting area in front of the fireplace....

 

 

Sparkle and shine.... 

 

 



Greens, baubles, a wooden barrel and vintage windows.... 

 

 

 The fireplace...

 

 

Simple yet so very effective....greens, antlers and a bit of 'bling'..

 



The banisters, the chandelier, the antiques, the 14 foot ceilings.....stunning!

 

 

A little nook to sit, enjoy the holiday atmosphere and have a toddy...

 

The spectacular dining room....reds, black, silver....rustic chic! 

 

 

A window vignette in the dining room....

 

Seeing as this was a hotel, the rooms each had a sink to allow guests to 'freshen up'...Antique mirror and accessories...

 More modern colours used with a vintage feel....I LOVE this table from The Neustadt Mill Antiques

A perfect example of Kristy's creativity...an advent calendar from a gorgeous antique frame and Christmas baubles....

 

We called this the 'peacock corner. with the blues, turquoises and greens....the Sleigh was the perfect traditional touch (and can be found at Neustadt Mill Antiques)

 

 



 The local sponsorship and support was amazing....Small town Ontario really knows how to come together!

 

Not only does Kristy have a very talented 'eye', but so does her father, Bill Ireland...these two winterscapes are photos of his of the local landscape....

"Winter Wonderland"

 

 

This is a handdrawn sketch of the Hotel....a beautiful, historic building that continues to bring the community together!

Kristy has an obvious passion for decor and styling....and as you can see, she truly is a hidden gem in the home/floral decor world!

 

RR