That's a Wrap + A Little R&R

I'm happy to share the Dallas Market event is over and was a huge success.  Here I am at the main entrance of the World Trade Center in Dallas.  You may recall the blue receiving desk I'm standing beside ~ I posted about it here.  The market wanted to use it and the yellow signage (read about it here) as part of a display promoting the Vintage Home FINDS venue.  I was happy the two pieces made the cut!

A highlight of market week was the guest appearance of acclaimed chef ~ Curtis Stone.  He gave a lively and most entertaining cooking demonstration ~ and that Aussie accent made it all the more enjoyable.  My only disappointment ~ I didn't get chosen from the crowd to help assist him with a cooking demo ~ RATS!

I have to admit though, after an eventful few weeks of preparation for the show and the actual event itself, I was pooped!  So Tattered Style has been silent as I have regrouped and most importantly spent time with my family.

It's been a welcomed time of rest and relaxation and even included a mini vacation to Austin ~ more about that later.  Our mini getaway was extra special because it was the only time our family could coordinate schedules to get together over the summer.  The photo above was taken at Horseshoe Bay ~ it was the perfect day.

 

To end this post I would like to share this photo of Pinocchio with you.  He was one of the first items to sell from our space (collectively referred to as Stash) at the Dallas Market.  Gloria ~ my friend from A Modern Glo, found him at a literal fire sale.  He was wonderfully tattered and scooped up almost immediately to be used as part of a necklace by jewelry designer, Janet Waldrop of Skip 2 My Lou.  On a whim, as we were staging our place, I plopped him in this molded hand as if he were taking a rest.  I'm going to take my cues from Pinocchio and continue with my rest for a few more days, then I'll be back here sharing more on Tattered Style!  See you soon.  :)

Sleepy Bear

This giant Sleepy Bear looks like he may be headed for hibernation.  One might think that's what I've been up to here of late.  But in reality, I took a break and have been vacationing in Paris with my hubby and some dear friends.  It was a much needed and welcomed reprieve from life.  

One day of the trip, I actually attempted to post a blog ~ then asked myself, "What on earth am I doing...I'm in Paris for crying out loud!"  I decided, understandably, it could wait until I returned home.   

Back to Sleepy Bear, I found him at Round Top last fall but had to wait patiently until late January for him to be delivered to me.  I think he's the epitome of the tattered style, wouldn't you agree?

 

 

As you may have guessed by now, he's part of an old hotel sign from the 50's.  My original intention was to sell him at the Dallas Market, but occasionally, some treasures I find are a little more difficult to part with than others.  Once I got Sleepy Bear home, I couldn't pass him off so easily. 

I think it was destined for him to have a nice long nap at my place.  As oversized as he may be, he's now a permanent fixture on my guest room wall and is likely to be hanging around for awhile.

As for me, I'm currently getting back into the groove of things and overcoming jet lag.  My friend, Alison, and I enjoyed a day perusing the Le marche aux Puces (the Paris flea market).  My plans are to share some photos soon of Paris in the spring.  It was magnifique!  I hope you have a good week ~ Au revoir!

One Year Anniversary + Signage

On February 2nd (one year ago) I put out my first post for Tattered Style.  I can't believe that was over 100 posts ago.  In my naivety, I had no idea how much time was involved with writing a blog.  I must admit, there were occasions when balancing family, work, etc. and blogging has been a real challenge.  Somehow, I've bumbled my way through and I've learned a lot along the way.  I appreciate your patience with me as I continue to pursue this venture.

As I peruse the many other blogs out there, I realize there is much room for growth.  In my attempt at blogging, I have enjoyed sharing my love for design and the Tattered Style ~ the art of living with the not so perfect.  I want to take a moment to say, "Thank you," for actually taking time to read Tattered Style.  I know there are countless other blogs out there and I'm honored you would take the time to read mine.  That's enough of me being sappy.  Today, I'm sharing my favorite thing I landed at the Dallas Market Vintage FINDS.



I snagged this one of a kind sign from The Seed Box Antiques.  Owners, Brian and Meloney Russell are so talented ~ no wonder, their space won Best Display at the show.  They have an amazing gift for pulling things together and stylizing the in the most magnificent way.  Be sure to check at their blog here.  Meloney told me she acquired the sign in San Antonio, Texas.  I believe it to be a directional sign for various family homeplaces out in the country.

The shades and tones of the sign are the perfect combination ~ subtle and sophisticated.  I love this new addition so much it now hangs in my guest room.

It's quite a statement piece for the room and definitely a keeper!

It's been so much fun getting to make new friends through Tattered Style this past year.  I would love to have your opinion regarding what you would like to see more or less of (as painful as it may be ~ so please be gentle).  You can drop me a line here.  Have a great Super Bowl weekend.  XO ~ Dana

Flea Market Favorites

On my recent trip to Round Top, one of my favorite days was at Marburger Farm.  There were several dealers who really grabbed my attention.  The first was Becki and Jur van der Oord, of Installations Antiques, they have incredible style and taste. I truly wish I could have made it back with their great "House" sign.

They also carried these unique pendant lights ~ I think they would be a standout fixture whether used singly or in a cluster.  And notice the round, red shutter ~ it would be a solid design statement in any room.

Secondly, I thought Utopia Antiques carried some very impressive pieces.  This cow is one of them and reminds me of our favorite car game, "Hey Cow," (thanks Sydney).  I do think this concrete variety would make for a clever install ~ inside or out.

I have a fascination for orbs ~ especially ones of this size and scale.  I'm pretty sure in its former life, this one was an old wrecking ball ~ whatever the case ~ wouldn't it be great in a garden? 

The giant star was another favorite of mine ~ also carried by Utopia.  I would love to have it hanging on a living room wall ~ but really it would serve as instant art most anywhere.  

And lastly, I had to snap of photo of this orange chest ~ the chippy patina was perfection.  I found it here.  I think it would make a great bedside or end table.  It would also provide great storage in a bathroom ~ a handy spot for rolled up towels.  I'm pretty crazy about the oversized glass container holding the dried hydrangeas.  This too ~ is one of those accessories that could easily move all over the house.

Thanks for letting me share some favorite finds from Marburger Farm.  I hope you enjoy your weekend.  :) 

Letters Galore

Lonely Letters

I begin this post with mixed emotions ~ a little bit of distress fused with a little enthusiasm as well.  Sorrowful, that I just dropped my camera and am unable to finish shooting photos for this post but on the other hand, exhilarated because now I am forced into purchasing a new camera ~ something I've been meaning to do for quite some time.

In spite of my most recent setback with my camera, I do want to share the photos that I was fortunate enough to capture prior to the mishap.

Last spring I made a trip to Round Top and stumbled upon a graveyard of old signage letters (see above).  Who knew what might be lurking in this dismal heap of mangled-up metal?  My hope was to unearth a "d" or a "p" or possibly the initial of one of my kiddos ~ and luckily enough I found this guy.

Simple and imperfect in every way ~ just what I was looking for.

Who knows?  It might end up here ~ resting on the floor...

OR...maybe here ~ on this bookcase.  I have a feeling this is one of those pieces, that will frequently rotate from room to room.  For now, I think I like it positioned atop this weathered bookshelf, standing watch over numerous design books.  The pretty flowers ~ courtesy of the mister. 

The generously sized letter "d", with its muted shade of gray, blends in seamlessly with my color palette.  And the beauty of it is ~ it does double duty as a "d" or a "p" depending on which way I flip it or whatever suits my fancy for the day.

On another note, I thought I would share my latest read with you ~ a little gift my husband recently presented to me.  He knows of my love for beautiful design books.  I was happy to be introduced to Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti.  I promise this book will not disappoint and is chocked full of wonderful old patina styled furnishings and rooms.  I'm a little embarrassed to say, this was my first introduction to these wonderful designers ~ read more about them here on their blog, Velvet and Linen.  You will be taken away by their beautiful stylizing. 

P.S.  Farewell to my faithful little Samsung point-and-shoot who has been a loyal cohort for the past couple of years. You will be missed.  On the other hand, that means new and improved photos for Tattered Style. :)