I have been to many antique shops and fairs with my mom beginning when I was a very little girl. Over the years I have seen various antiques and vintage items used in interesting displays and repurposed for modern living. While some were probably original ideas, most were inspired by another and improved upon. That is the American way - take an idea and make it better or as Paula Abdul would say "you took the song and made it your own."
While antique shopping in Comfort, Texas, where I bought the little chair that I previously blogged about, the clerk there told me to go to Blackbird Antiques and see the Pugs. "It's really cute," he said and the owner would even let me take pictures. It peaked my interest and since I had planned on stopping by anyway, I made it my next destination. I wondered why he thought the dogs would be so interesting.
When I walked in, I was warmly greeted by Karen, the shop owner. I was immediately drawn to her comfortable store and beautiful antique pieces. Her natural talent for display and decorating quickly caught my attention. As I looked up to say hello, I saw beyond her a bit and my eye landed on the dogs. It stopped me in my tracks and then begged me to go investigate.
It was the cutest and most original thing I had ever seen... A room in the middle of the store all set up for the entertainment of her two Pugs, Molly and Hudson. I found them sitting on their dog beds almost looking like statues. These weren't just any dog beds either. These were vintage and antique pieces all artfully displayed in vignettes. Karen has been collecting salesman sample furniture for a long time and has some beautiful pieces. Their scale fits the dogs perfectly.

She paid attention to every detail and made it so fun to really study the room. In the dog's living room they could relax on the leather couch accented with comfy vintage pillows and quilts and watch t.v.
A trunk decorated with interesting items was being put to use as a coffee table. These dogs lead quite the life. Is this not the sweetest thing?

The beds are hard-to-find salesman samples that have been fitted with custom ticking stripe mattresses and topped with colorful quilts and pillows.
You know what I have been keeping my eye out for since I returned from Texas!
The bedside table is displayed with a vintage toy phone, cap guns, books with cowboy boot bookends, vintage clocks and a lamp. Above Molly's bed hangs her purses and on the floor beside her are cute slippers on a vintage braided rug. In front of the bed is where they park their car, a Volkswagen beetle.

On the other side of their room and closest to Molly were the dressers. Molly's was a beautiful green color with glass knobs and topped with perfume bottles, vintage brushes and other toys. To the right of it you can see a miniature laundry basket filled with dog bones - so clever.

Next to the dresser is Hudson's armoire and their piano. On top of the armoire is a toy slot machine, oil lamp and more toys. Trae enjoyed playing the slot machine among other things. It's a good thing the dogs were friendly and knew how to share. Trae man tried out all of the toys and couldn't get enough of Hudson. I think he had enough of Trae man but was such a patient puppy.


The kids went crazy for the dogs and loved each and every display piece. We talked for days about how they wanted to make a room for our dog this way.

I wonder if Hudson appreciates humans on his couch??

Karen was so gracious to let my children look at every interesting article and play with the dogs. They have been receiving mail from customers who were inspired to create spaces for their dogs and have sent Karen pictures of their finished product.
She displays all of the letters and pictures in the room above the two dressers. Local children like to come visit and send pictures for both Molly and Hudson. With sincere humility, Karen said she had no idea that this would be a hit with customers or that she was starting a trend in antiques for pets. If you are ever in the Texas Hill country, make it a point to visit Karen in her delightful shop. Besides this wonderful display, she really has some great antiques, artisan jewelry, beautiful bedding and more.

So tell your friends, stop by for a visit and give our best to Molly and Hudson!

What are some of your favorite items you see in the pictures? Do tell. I'm sure Karen would love to know!

Blackbird Antiques

509 7th Street

Comfort, Texas 78013

830-995-2550

Cue Spring

This morning I received a call from my neighbor who had moved out of the beautiful farmhouse across the street. They moved to an even lovelier and larger farmhouse a few miles away. She was calling me back because I wanted her permission to hack away at the Forsythia flowers on her property. Her response was, "Hack away Laura! And while you're at it, take the Magnolia when it blooms." Music to my ears.

After chatting with her for a bit, I grabbed a knife, threw on Jon's coat and headed out the door. The brisk air this morning made me wince. I had a look of determination on my face as I marched down the street. Then the thought crossed my mind that I may look like a serial killer - serious face, dwarfed by a big coat and a shiny knife in hand. So I thought I should put a happy step in my walk so I wouldn't scare anyone. Although the thought of a smiling person wielding a knife is a little scary as well. Anyway...

The branches were wild and unruly so I just took them at random. I had my tall Homegoods vase in mind so all I needed were the stems to be long and thick enough to fill the large space on the wall.

I didn't pay much attention to form except that I wanted single branches to stay in line with the side shape of the vase. The rest of them in the middle could just go crazy and do their thing. And then as the sun started peeking through the window and the Forsythia livened up their little corner in the entry, they did do their thing...cue Spring!

Coffee shops and a thrift store find

Last night Jon and I snuck out for a date to the coffee shop.

We go between a couple of them but when we want to sit down in a quiet area and talk politics or everything else under the sun, we go to the most eclectic place in town. It's in a former old Victorian so there are lots of angular rooms, each with stacks of games and books on tables and old photos on the walls.

We found our usual table in one of the outermost rooms and split a cinnamon roll and brownie while sipping on Chamomile tea.

There was a hot wheels car on each table so we rolled the cars around as we talked. We looked over the wall of post-it notes where you can leave any kind of message you want. I checked to see if ours were still up there from last year. Back then the friendly clerk handed out the notes to us and said in an age where we e-mail, text and call, the written note has been forgotten. So we were to write something down for someone to see and enjoy. My kind of girl.

I mean what kind of place does that? Only quirky ones that's what.

I am drawn to those types of places for some reason and so is Jon. We are from (near to) one of the wierdest cities on earth so that may explain my affinity for an interesting something or another.

So when I'm at the thrift shop, it seems my eye wanders for the quirky and cute, like these little guys. A set of vintage glossy wooden salt and pepper shakers (paid $1.99 at the thrift, saw them on Etsy for $17.50) in one of my favorite colors. Perfect for the spring and summer picnic table.

I can hardly wait!

What types of things are you drawn to? Any particular color?

Have a great weekend - so glad it's Friday!

Corners - Wednesday quotes

Two things I couldn't resist today: Orange tulips and new artwork

One thing that we have tried to teach our children is to "look back around the corner." It sounds strange but they have often heard this phrase. Although we stress working hard for good grades, I am more overjoyed when I receive a note from their teacher telling me that they observed one of my children showing compassion during school.

So when I say the phrase "look back around the corner" I mean to run a range of scenarios through their mind before judging another so they'll think before they speak; to see something that maybe others don't and go from there.

Maybe that disheveled kid at school has to get himself ready every morning because his exhausted parent(s) are working second jobs to make ends meet, maybe that girl who is always so negative in class has never had any positive reinforcement at home. You get the idea.

This is true for adults as well.

I remember when the area around my hometown was experiencing urban sprawl and quick growth and I was home to attend my dad's funeral. I was driving in a formerly familiar area but because of its growth, it became suddenly unfamiliar to me. I was following my brother to the viewing and the gloomy January sky loomed low and heavy on me.

While driving, my brother was quick to turn this way and that without much warning. He had a lot on his mind that day too but I was keeping up so it was no bother. But it did bother the person behind me and he let me know as I quickly flipped my turn signal and darted left into the convenience store where my brother needed to buy gasoline. The driver had to brake quickly and yelled at me as he couldn't make it through the stop light.

The day had just kicked me down and that guy was its final blow. At first I thought, "If he only knew..." and then the thought occurred to me that he really didn't know my situation but I didn't know his either. I was too consumed with my needs and wasn't looking back around the corner. Maybe he was having just as bad a day as me but we were dealing with it differently. Maybe he just lost his job, who knows. I felt embarrassed thinking that his priority at that moment was to make my day better. So I waved my arm in apology. He was still at the light and gave me a nicer wave back.

The other day my son was complaining about some kids at school who took over the younger boys' kickball game. I overheard my oldest daughter telling him that maybe that boy wasn't wanted in the older boys' game so with hurt feelings, he went to take over another game. Although not right, maybe that's what happened and next time he could invite him to play first.

So they have been listening.

That moment was a great reminder for me to do better at practicing what I preach because I'll be the first one to break my own rules. I am so far from perfect it's not even funny.

And I sometimes forget I have 5 pairs of eyes watching my daily interactions.

Some situations may call for something to be said but it depends on that situation, person and delivery. If I first stop and form those scenarios in my mind, it often results in realizing that what I may have wanted to say isn't that important after all.

Have a great Wednesday, peeps! I appreciate you.

Weekend recap - A class reunion themed party

Last Friday I was helping put together a church party. It may sound like it wouldn't be that exciting but this wasn't going to be just any church get-together, this was going to be loud and fun...this was for adults and the theme was "Class Reunion." When we sent out reminders for it, I made these little hand-outs and upon seeing them, someone said, "You should put these on your blog." It hadn't crossed my mind but since it's late Monday night, a weekend recap is in order.

What's the big deal, right? Just a quickly typed up reminder.

But turn it to the side and you have yourself a graduation cap complete with tassel. I just used a brad, embroidery floss and black cardstock.
A tip: When making invitations and if possible, send out something dimensional rather than flat. It will be better remembered - I guarantee it or my name isn't Laura Montgomery (said pointing to myself.)

I was still deciding on table centerpieces at the 11Th hour. Some of my best inspiration comes at that time for some reason. I had originally planned on making floral arrangements but time was quickly eluding me and when I realized I was short on vases and would have to get more, I nixed that idea. I was thinking of a more casual setting anyway. And easy. And cheap. What to do...

Since the theme was about school, I pulled off the vintage globes and books from my shelves, grabbed a box of new pencils and a stash of 45 records I purchased (with this party in mind) and put them in a box to take with me. On each table we set out a white tablecloth, stacked the books in the center, topped them with pencils, tied balloons that Jaime brought to the 45's and set out tea lights that Debra donated to the cause.

A few weeks prior we had put out a request for submissions of school photos so I was busy getting the last of those. I took every single frame I owned (which surprised me and was slightly embarrassed that there were around 40 - you know I like salon style gallery walls, right??) and framed every one's pictures. My friend and fellow party planner, Panda, suggested placing them across the stage so every one could walk up and see them. Genius.

So with the globes in the middle, we staged all of the pictures and loved looking back at every one's school days. You know...80's and 90's hair, cheesy poses, the 70's look, West coast grunge and mid century cool. This picture was one of the night's favorite photos. We called it "American Graffiti."

During a round of the game "Two truths and a lie" which was a bunch o' fun, we learned that someone got their skis run over by the rapper Coolio, one was in a hilariously named music band, one was the State trombone Band champion in Texas, there was a debate team member, another an ASB President, one a State FHA president, and someone who we know as being outgoing and friendly was terribly shy in high school. Those are just a few examples of the true funny facts about people. We also had a celebrity match game where you had to identify the celebrity in their high school photo which was fabulously put together by another friend. Note: Brad Pitt looks exactly the same.

And after all that we got to eating and dancing to Nate's great playlist for the next few hours. My feet hurt afterward which was just how it should be - evidence of a good time. Either that or maybe wrong shoes... Whatever the case, it was fun and the turn-out was great!

And who says church people don't know how to party???

Home confusion

One thing that I really enjoy when I look at interior spaces is a good mix of vintage and contemporary design. By contemporary, I mean current times. And vintage can be your choice of antique from whatever year or design style that you enjoy.
As long as it's adds character to a room and is something you like, then who cares about "rules."

Nice legs.

Cleared for Craig

Original hardware

Now, I have a lot of different tastes which can be tricky when you don't have the space for it all. It looks a little less thought out and more like Sanford & Son when you try to cram it all in one space.

Which reminds me of the time when I lived in SC and my mom was visiting. We went to the thrift shop and I found an awesome round dinner table but we couldn't get it into my Jeep. We tried every which way and had the chairs sticking out all over. I was tying rope around everything trying to keep it from falling out on the main road. We packed and repacked. Then my mom, who was just 5'2", opened the passenger side door, stepped up so she could see over the car and said, "Why do I suddenly feel like we are Sanford & Son?" To which I busted out laughing. And then every time I tried to rearrange something, I would hum the tune of the show, do a dance and we'd laughed until our sides ached.

Anyway, sorry - I love to remember funny things...

Because our house is small and to keep it from being "home confused" - is it a home or a thrift shop? I have to rotate items and part with some like the dresser pictured which has a huge detached mirror. Although I would love to keep it, there is just no space. Insert sad face moment.

Dressers are not just for clothes anymore either. They are being used as sofa tables and office storage. I think they are even better than sofa tables because you have a place to stash all of the stuff that finds its way onto your couch. Like at my house you can find toys, parts to a game, books, magazines, play make-up, and anything that isn't supposed to be on the couch, on the couch. The list goes on. Right now I have a large ottoman that hides all that but I would love to throw a dresser in the mix - dang that space issue...

So I better quit talking (typing rather) and get this dresser up on Craig and his list before I change my mind.

Have a good day!

***no turning back. Within minutes of posting on Craigslist, the e-mails started coming in.***

****Update: Kent the dresser was sold tonight. It's nice to have some space back!****

Wednesday quotes - Spring

“In the spring, at the end of the day,

you should smell like dirt.”

Margaret Atwood (Canadian Writer, b.1939)

Come on Spring, I'm ready to plant some flowers. I love digging up the earth and then seeing beauty emerge. Filling the house with flowers is one of the best things about the season.

I don't mind getting my hands a little dirty, do you?