Green and Shabby Shopping

(A 2015 post revisit...I just need an Antique show right now!)

ANTIQUE GARDEN SHOW ~ Northwind Perennial Farm, Wisconsin

Fabulous shopping at the Northwind Perennial Farms Antique Garden Show  

Nestled between Burlington and Lake Geneva in southern Wisconsin was this wonderful shabby chic garden show on the weekend of June 10--12, 2015 We arrived about 2pm on Saturday to cars and pickups lining the sides of the country road and the anticipation only grew as we watched people loading their cars with GREAT STUFF!

The perennial farm itself was gorgeous--in full late spring bloom with iris, campanula, and flowering trees and bushes. Winter was hideous in the midwest and this Spring, she dragged her cold wet feet into early June. Everything was at least 2-3 weeks behind in blooming.

 

ANTIQUE GARDEN SHOW ~ Northwind Perennial Farm, Burlington, Wisconsin

Each of the farm buildings displayed unique country farm and garden antiques, as well as vintage and new gift items. These are available all the time. Vignettes were accented with plantings and pots filled with their huge varieties of perennial plants. 

Here, two vintage concrete chickens share the front of the coop with real chickens, while real ducks wandered here and there, sometimes beneath your feet or hiding under the huge hostas. Cats, goats, and a goose here and there added to the authentic OLD FARM atmosphere. 

 Down winding paths of crushed rock or laid brick were magnificent perrenial plantings mixed with vintage accents such as this lovely maiden calmly feeding imaginary, or maybe not, chickens!

 We lost track of how many ponds and pools dotted the landscaped grounds. The paths went on forever and were landscaped to show Northwind's fabulous design skills as well as their plants. Every peek around a corner was breath-taking and natural. Careful selections showed these perennials thrive in the hard midwest winters and almost all were mature with not a bare spot to be seen.

 

This dry river bed lined with rocks went on forever laced with three foot tall Iris and clumps of blooming chives, along its path edged exhibitors of shabby, garden and farm antiques and collectibles.  

Here is the link  The Northwind Perennial Farm website:

One of the many great booths was Diane Passi -Floral Designs and Antiques. Here is here simple display of Porch Pole Candle holders or simply artifacts. Nestled between them are Northwind's rosemary plants and a potted succulent. Simply staged in front of old shutters, the candles and original paint on the posts was most inviting. I snagged my shelf here.

You can reach her at https://www.facebook.com/diane.passi and she has some great pictures of this show posted.

My original source for this fabulous show was this exhibitor, Jeanine with more wonderful pictures of the show. HER booth was fabulous as were all the booths. 

Check out her blog with pics http://chippyshabby.blogspot.com/2010/06/antique-garden-show-northwind-perennial.html

My finds: a unique wire basket, a really kitschy three tiered metal shelf from the 50's, a heavy grain scoop. Sorry nothing that will land in my shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane

E found several items, including a mounted horse head plaque and more. A successful and wonderful day in the country---worth the 150 miles round-trip wandering the Midwest Wisconsin roads. There are rumblings of another show in fall…sign up at Northwinds for an event calendar or visit them The Northwind Perennial Farm website:

Thanks for looking 

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!

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Sandi

Somethings Old, New, Green, Redo!

Church Pew Redo

I found this wonderful church pew with at least five coats of paint at the Lake County Fairgrounds Antique Fair. The seven-foot length will be perfect extra seating on the backyard deck. I just loved the funky layers, two shades of brown-tan, the varnished oak, a cream, a turquoise and the country blue.

oldnewgreenredo

Let's get started on the redo. DIY Ladies, this will be totally doable on your own, except for moving the pew, as oak anything weighs a ton. 

The pew was sound, but I reinforced the legs by pre-drilling holes and inserting deck screws and wood glue from the inside out to keep the wood from splitting at the seams. I drilled a series of holes for drainage in the rear of the seat.

oldnewgreenredo

It's wise to use a mask and gloves when working on old finishes, many before the seventies contained lead and other harmful substances. Chipping paint, while a romantic 'shabby chic'

look, is a true hazard to a curious toddler. 

After a vigorous scrubbing with Murphy's wood soap and hot water, I scraped and then I orbital sanded with 60 grit to remove all the loose paint layers and even out the finish. The  shop vac and a damp cloth removed all traces of dust and debris. The surface is  finally ready. Tip: remember to wear a mask when emptying your vac and change the filter before using it again.

I applied two sparse coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane-clear semi-gloss (indoor/outdoor) varnish. We intend to use this on the back deck for extra seating--so much nicer than tripping over folding chair legs.

oldnewgreenredo

Ready for sealing.

oldnewgreenredo

Church pew seat and Helmsman Varnish with sponge brush

The Helmsman varnish is very runny, and needs to applied quickly in thin coats. I used sponge brushes (not recommended on the label) to avoid carrying too much varnish on the tilted surfaces. Sponge brushes help to soak up excesses instead of pushing it around. I had no significant deterioration of the sponges, other than normal wear from an irregular surface. I used two sponge brushes for the two coats. They don't last long, but I save the handles to use as dowels for other projects. 

Some drips occurred, but this can be brushed out in the next coat. I only waited two hours between coats, as it was a very warm and low humidity. After curing the two coats for a week, the finish is very tight and very shiny. 

oldnewgreenredo

Waterproofing the legs

Tip: Weather proof the legs by submerging the wood into large oil drain pans of  Cabot's Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain, 19200 Natural. This soaked in nicely and used almost a full quart of stain/sealer. This project will be on a raised deck, but this step is absolutely necessary for furniture in contact with dirt or grass.

My husband and I have a difference of opinion on the 'look' of vintage furniture. While I'm thrilled with the existing patina, he would like to see this pew solid country red to match the doors on the shed. Temporary compromise; the existing finish has to be stabilized, so he has agreed to give it a chance as is and it can always be painted in the future.

This is just one of a history of marriage challenges between a pocket-protector husband and an artist wife, LOL.

oldnewgreenredo

PS: After a month the finish has mellowed and the shine has gone way down. 

I can't wait to use it every day, come join me for a cup of your favorite!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi

My shop is at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane

Thanks for stopping by, I love all your comments and questions and will try and answer them all.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

 I'll be sharing at these fine blog parties:

Sandi

 

Revamping Wicker!

Revamping Wicker! 

Good Morning! I thought I would share my favorite place, my spot in my house…on my back enclosed porch.

My Mom was a bit of a nut in the 1960s and collected wicker --just about anything. I followed suit and picked up many pieces, some which I have left go and some I have kept.

I picked up this lounge chair (the last piece~~I swear on my 'junker bible') to finish off the back porch which is full of inherited, scrounged and resale finds. One of the reasons wicker is so enduring and stays popular is it is light and airy, and so comfortable in summer.

REDO~~~Wicker is an easy and low cost fix, just a bit of elbow grease and endurance.

All my wicker has been wire brushed to remove the loose dirt and paint, extensively soap/washed and hosed down, then dried completely.

To paint: Use a spray gun or a heavy bristle brush with a good quality white latex indoor/outdoor paint to completely cover every nook and cranny. A final spray of white acrylic enamel will give the surfaces a tight finish for cleaning, this can be canned or spray-gunned. This technique saves on the amount of aerosol paint needed for a good finish.

This paint combo has stood up to years of wear and had to be refreshed only after forty years on my older pieces. Some yellowing may occur on older pieces.

The cushion cover is a heavy triple-weave, all cotton table cloth.

The pillows are: ticking covered, the plaid is two summer napkins with fringed edges. The blue tablecloth on the round wicker table is a family piece of Hardanger embroidery from Denmark. I use a sister piece of this as a backdrop for pictures in my shop.

A silk fern is used in the lamp because the lamp is too top heavy with a pot. The rewired lamp is from the early 20th century and small IKEA bulbs cast a soft glow. I have resisted re-adding the six inch fringe that was on this lamp when my mom found it, as it really makes it ~~~just too much.

This is a Sweet spot to read, blog, list times in my shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane or cuddle a grand-baby and read a book.

 LOVE IT~~~THIS IS MY SPOT!

 

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle