The Agoura Antique Mart..

Be sure and check out the best antique mart in town.  The Agoura Antique Mart.

Check out their latest booth..here

Have a great weekend!

Donatella

What a neat little thing, this 101 thing... When I posted a 'thank you' to Julie yesterday I wasn't even aware of the tradition, or the pattern that exists for doing the little list of those ten things that make you happy, that you're grateful for!  Well, now I know (I learned see, being new-er means you get to learn and pick-up on so much neat new stuff)!

Here we go:

1.) An ever-growing, often changing and sometimes mystifying relationship with my Maker- God in Heaven above (thank you Jesus...)

                                                                     

2.) My Dear Husband (my patriot in a lighthearted moment!)

3.) My Lovely Daughter

 4.) My Sweet & Loving Family of Origin

5.) America the Beautiful ( and those who protect her!)

6.)  My country of Origin (...and my wonderful Naples!)

7.) Those Who Serve

8.) Some Good Wine and a Big Bowl of Pasta : )

                 

9.) Blogger Friends & Followers ; )

10.) I Need Another List of Ten!!!

What fun! Now it's your turn:

1.) Auntie Cakes

2.) Cheryl's Fascinating Finds

3.) Rosewood Cottage

4.) The Prairie Pathway

5.) The Beautiful Life

6.) Claire B

7.) Loving Pretty Things

8.) A Cottage in the Woods

9.) Bonjour Romance

10.) Sassafras Stuff

The Little Things do Matter...

Take a moment when you can and pay a trip to It's the Little Things; I was so heart-warmed recently when Ms. Julie there created a neat little post that highlighted ten blogs she has interest in, and discovered mine therein!


While I am still fairly new at 'Blogging' I never cease to be amazed at the kindness and sincerity I've discovered here with so many of you; thank you, and a special 'thank you' to Julie!  Your Blogs and your profiles, you posts and your ideas are not only inspiring and fun, they are so genuine.

Vintage scales are my favorite! Off to find more of these great finds this weekend! I'll be in hope of no rain (well, not too much- some is always nice...)!

photos by homeshoppingspy

Happy Friday

Love,

Donatella

Renowned; The Agoura Antique Mart, Part II

A slightly different view, and,

 some additional items that I have added into the "For Sale" column!

Handsome buffet, with original doors from the mid 1800's~

And- soon to be added...

Renowned; The Agoura Antique Mart

The Agoura Antique Mart is a special place here in Southern California who's goods are not only well-known, but well-respected and highly sought after.  Booths are (for the most part) reserved so far in advance that you're lucky just to get onto the waiting list...!

From the warm and friendly service, knowledgeable staff and a most fantatsic depth and breadth of inventory, if you are ever in the area, you simply cannot miss it!  Don't be surprised if you come across a favorite movie star, model or other celebrity type either, as the shop is just a short drive from Malibu- home to numerous Hollywood elite (!); they often come incgnito, but love the gorgeous, expansive showroom nonetheless.

You may have seen visions of it here too, or, if you have ever traveled to my sweet little sister LuLu's blog DustyLu Interiors (it was she- designer LuLu- after all, who helped influence me to begin blogging in the first place she and I have been going antiquing together for years...).

In any event- the proprietor of The Agoura Antique Mart is named Maria, and she has been a great help and excellent source inspiration not only to LuLu and I, but to countless others as well.  She is kind, sweet, and an excellent businesswoman too. If/ when you get a chance to drop by, I am sure you will be pleasantly astonished! 

Here are some of the most recent displays that I am so pleased (and priviliged) to share, and to have up for sale there.

Magazine Rack: SOLD

Thanks for taking a peek! More to come!

Harvest of Hearts

I love hearts and heart-shapes (and have always loved Valentine's Day- I suppose though- what woman doesn't!), and decided to share some things that I've known, or found that represent them, or warm them.

Duplicated in nature and generated by the creativity of the artist and photographer alike.

                                            

Some whose shapes tend this way often,

...and some so often not....

Did you know the interesting aspects described in some Nordic Mythology that reference heart-shapes in the beuaty of a woman's physique?  Stories of The Vikings are one of my husband's favorites (as his German and English heritage inspire him in there); I've enjoyed learning about their association of hearts with the female anatomy, and their passion...

Speaking of passion; a poem (what a Valentine! I received this in the mail shortly after my husband and I first met):

                                      

And the sexy Viking author...

             

Heart-to-heart and hand-in-hand...

                                    

Loving Gesture

I came home from running some errands yesterday and found this bowl filled with some fruit that had just earlier been purchased from a nearby Trader Joe's (do you have those where you are?  Great little grocery marts, great values, such good organic/ and wonderful natural things to choose from... Sort of like a small-scale Whole Foods Market...).  They were originally package in this funky blue box, and my husband's so cute, he put them in the thick crystal bowl, exactly the way they are- he said 'Just for Me'...

Such a loving little gesture; I thought it looked so pretty, and wanted to share.

Garage Sale Find; Before and After

Making some rounds to several garage sales during the end of this last month I came across this kitchen hutch that was the right price, but that needed a little makeover (not that it wasn't handsome as it was...).  Just minor changes- nothing extensive, some costmetic adjustments that would allow it to blend in a bit better with my current arrangment(s).

After a little bargaining a price was arrived at that made everyone happy (things started just north of $125.00, but ended at $100) and away I went.  Once home the two pieces were separated and lightly sanded.

Though it isn't obvious in this photo, the existing backing from the hutch's top-half was flimsy, stained and worn; in need of replacement and removed.

A quick coat of water-based primer on everything is next followed by two coats of a low sheen, water-based enamel (often called an 'Eggshell' finish, some prefer 'Satin' though the 'Eggshell' is just slightly more durable I believe)...

Two sections of some leftover 3/16ths in.'wainscotting-board' were measured,  cut and prepared for the hutch's top-half new backing (creating a more stately look while adding stability/ rigidity). 

Using small steel zinc-coated finishing nails versus even a medium-duty staple is more precise and yields not only a more sturdy, but a more lasting result. I used the smaller size in each of the corners, and to 'place' the backing, then the slightly larger size for the securing the ramaining area (one nail every 8 inches is adequate), following the pattern made by the back of the upper piece's frame, and the rear edge of each shelf.

Once the backing is attached it's time to see what they look like after being taken inside and 're-assembled'!

The intent of the second image here, was to try and show a little more of the linear texture of the 'wainscotting-board', the new backing...

And finally, viola, all done (finito!).