Greetings on a Sunday morning from one exhausted fair goer.
Two days at the Country Living Fair is about one more than I could handle. I ended up going twice because I wanted to see my friends’ presentations (more on that tomorrow) yesterday. If I could do it all over again, I would have combined everything into one day. On the other hand, going back enabled me to get the lamp you see in this photo. There were two small pottery lamps in aqua that I loved. They are hard to find. I kind of loved the other lamp even more than this one, but it was gone when I returned to the booth yesterday. But I’m very happy with this beauty.
If you snooze, you lose. I lost out on two things I had my eye on. On the first day, I saw a Nelson McCoy piece with a parrot that I’d never seen before (in aqua), at a very reasonable price. I held off for an hour or so and when I returned to that booth? Gone. Sob. Same thing with the other lamp. Attending for two days really enabled me to see what pieces had been sold – especially by viewing my photos this morning. I look at them and think “Oh, that piece was gone by yesterday.”
I’m dubbing this year’s Fair as the Olive Bucket Fair. They were everywhere and the prices varied depending on the age and condition. If any attendee was in the market for an olive bucket, he/she certainly hit the mother lode this weekend.
Be still my heart. What is it about little drawers or cubbies? Add the chippy paint and, my goodness, this is gorgeous.
Earth Angels Studios showcased a lot of their artists, including Jennifer Lanne. I love her paintings.
Also from Earth Angels – Nancy Wiley’s exquisite Art Dolls. This Alice In Wonderland piece was so beautifully done.
Hello chairs. These Tolix-style chairs were hugely popular and many of them were gone early on during the first day. Clearly painted and ‘aged’ for the CL audience.
This gorgeous zinc double sink was gone by yesterday. Sigh.
This religious statuary reminded me of my friend, Donna. She collects them.
Doesn’t this potting bench with the sink remind you of the one in my dollhouse? I guess I’m more in tune with what’s in style than I thought!
I loved these and saw them in at least 3 different booths.
Be still my heart – again. This was a four-piece set consisting of four chairs and the table. Vintage, original paint, fantastic condition, cushions recently redone in Ralph Lauren fabric. $1800.00
Why am I not wealthy?
Oilcloth creations in Modern June’s booth.
Mason jars and galvanized anything were everywhere.
This exhibitor created the most beautiful Fairy Gardens, all of them set in aged metal containers. I’ve been suffering from a case of fairy garden fatigue – I see them everywhere. But these beauties made me rethink my fatigue. Here’s another one:
Works of art.
There was even a booth that sold miniature supplies for fairy gardens.
Would I like this in my house? An emphatic yes.
I was tempted to buy this poster, but wall space is extremely limited here. Isn’t it lovely?
Yes, more olive buckets.
Hope this gives you an idea of what was on display this year. Lots of the industrial, rustic, wood-and-metal look. Lots of fairy gardens. Lots of garden things; seeds, plants, tools, vintage tools. Lots of architectural salvage. Lots of antiques and vintage. Lots of vintage fabric and sewing notions. Lots of birds/nests/faux eggs. You can tell that the exhibitors know what is on trend and they understand the kind of person that is drawn to the Country Living Fair. They know their audience.
It was a visual treat, that’s for sure. But, boy did it get crowded! Yesterday was hotter than Friday and I was wilting by about 11:00. I stayed to watch Heidi and Elyse give their presentations and meet up with some of the bloggers from Hometalk, where I got the opportunity to chat with Country Living’s new editor. Then I came home and collapsed.
More on all of that tomorrow.
My dear friend and colleague Darko Tresnjak is up for a Tony for Best Director of a Musical (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) tonight. I’m so hoping he wins!!
Don’t forget to visit my post on Gardening with Hydrangeas from the Endless Summer® Collection for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Happy Sunday.
Good Morning Claudia, I enjoyed my visit to the fair. My heart went a flutter at all the blue ball jars!! Have a restful Sunday, Doris
So pretty, aren’t they?
Oh my word! What lovely, lovely goodies. That Lloyd Loom set is simply stunning! Swoon.
It was indeed stunning!
Love your lamp and the pics. All trends were covered!
Yes, they were!
I was not able to attend the fair, but your wonderful pictures made me feel like I was there.
Thanks for the tour.
Mary
You are most welcome.
Lot’s of goodies there..I’d definitely miss half of it the first go round..Great way to spend the day..Yup..it’s getting hot..78 and it’s only 10AM..Maybe we’ll have some T Storms this afternoon..saves me from watering..
It’s going to be 86 today!
So nice to get a glimpse of the fair! Your picture with Elyse is just darling! Love your lamp.
Thanks so much, Jacqueline!
OMG so many lovely things. I would be hard to resist making several purchases. I have always said if you have to think about a purchase and pass it up, when you return if its not there it wasn’t meant to be yours. So that being said I bet what you did get will suit you much better anyway. Lovely photos. I will be Pinning several!!
I think I’m liking this particular lamp more and more, Dawn! Thanks for the pins!
You are over fairy gardens? Don’t say that where the owner of the doll house can hear you! I think she would love a “regular size” garden outside somewhere.
Tana
Dollhouse gardens are a whole other story, Tana.
Oh it looked like so much fun! I don’t mind the crowds. Being short has never been a problem for me. It is easier to maneuver to the front of a crowd. I would have been there from start to finish. Do you know if they have have this fair in other states? Such as Minnesota?
I’m glad you found a couple of treasures. And that you can now relax.
They have it in Ohio (Columbus) and Georgia (Atlanta.) But Minnesota has all sorts of great fairs, Trudy!
I am thrilled for you that you got at least one of those lamps….they were both gorgeous! Thanks for the tour…I ‘m curious…are the tolix chairs comfortable to sit in? Or, are they just for the look? I’m all about comfort…and I’ve never sat in one. Rest up today if you can…that’s what I’m doing! ;)
I don’t think they’re very comfortable. I wouldn’t buy them!
Simply beautiful… Thanks for letting us stroll through the fair too:-) Sounds like the perfect day to me:-)
A very nice time was had by all, Sondra!
You scored on that lamp! So pretty! I have waited many times on a purchase only to be sorely disappointed that it was sold. But thankfully your lamp was still there.
Looks like a fun show! I REALLY like that wheel! Have you seen last months Cottage Of The Month at Jennifer’s blog, The Old Painted Cottage? It is amazing and she has large key pieces displayed in her home.
Enjoy your day!!!
Becky
Oh, I know, Becky – that wheel is incredible. I can just see it over the sofa in the den. I’ll go check out The Cottage of the Month, Becky!
The Country Living Fair is the best! I went to it is Georgia last fall and it will be not too far from me in Sept. in Ohio. Yippee. I had never seen olive buckets and wouldn’t have known what they were. I imagine I’ll see some in Ohio! Love your lamp! It will be beautiful in your home!
I can almost guarantee you’ll see some in Ohio, Patty!
I know what you mean, Claudia. Even though I don’t have the space, or even the need, I still want almost every “cubby” type item I see, regardless of size. Especially love old card catalogs from libraries. Oh boy. I think I must have one heckuva titanium “organizational” gene. Of course, then I go home where all my silk flowers, stamping, crafting and sewing things are stored in nicely-sized clear plastic boxes. And I can see whatever I need easily. And I don’t have a project to strip, sand and refinish. And I don’t have to make labels for cubby drawers etc. That’s when I realize it’s better this way, and I’m not meant to have antique cubby furniture. But I still WANT it. And wow – those turquoise wicker chairs. I would have had a LOT of trouble walking past them… :>)
I have no room for anything like that, yet I dream of having something with lots of tiny drawers and cubbies!
I am so happy that you got one of those lamps..please let us see where you put it in the cottage if possible..The Alice in Wonderland is amazing..Love those colorful tops..they look so comfy..and the aqua wicker..swoon..I am searching for a galvanized tub to plant in like Brenda Kula does..hers are so pretty..I don’t think I will ever tire of my fairy garden..it’s just another way to enjoy miniatures to me..and this year I am going to do a miniature gnome garden too..You know I love that game wheel..Beautiful birds & eggs poster..I have wanted to go to this fair for years now..Thanks for taking me there my friend..
I like Fairy Gardens, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I’ve seen so many of them lately in the blogosphere! But they are adorable.
I know what you mean Claudia..some things get so popular that you get tired of seeing them..I get the same way at times..
I think bloggers, in particular, get so into something that there ends up being a glut of popular trends, i.e., burlap, chevron, faux animal heads….I could go on and on.
I was trying to zoom in and see the prices of the items. I’m always interested to see if prices are the same across the country. From what I could tell, things were about the same there as they are here on the Gulf Coast. So many things to see! I love going to shows like this.
It was a lot of fun, Leslie Anne.
I have learnt at yard sales and fairs, buy when you see it!. If you get home and think why? Put it in ebay or in our home town we have buy swap and sell facebook for our area, it is great for when you are on a budget and manage to pick up little treasures along the way. I am sure that you are the Queen of maximising small cottage living and your excellent organising skills you could fit half the fair inside LOL! Janine, South Australia
Wow, lots of eye candy! Looks like you had a great time looking. Too bad it gets so crowded.
I love the CL Fair. Can’t wait til it comes in the fall to Ohio. We have a lot of fall things at that time. Oh my, don’t be tired of fairy gardens. They are my favorite. actually I kill everything else. I agree, if you snooze you loose. Most likely you won’t find your way back to the booth. Love Modern June.
Love Earth Angels as well but they are pricey.
I hope you told the CL editor that we want them to feature your cottage.
Thanks for sharing.
So much to see! It is kind of sensory overload! The lamp is gorgeous! I want to find a vintage lamp that I love…I’ll know it when I see it! Love the bird nest poster….I would have been tempted to buy that also. Beautiful photos!
hugs,
Linda
I live in a 55+ community, so every Thursday, Friday and Saturday they have Estate Sales.
I lock my doors and windows so I can’t leave the house! I want this… I want that.
The lamp is my favorite. Glad it went home with you and will be loved forever.
I went to the Atlanta CLF a few years back and really enjoyed it. It’s actually held at Stone Mountain, a lovely wooded area so that moderated the heat. I’m hoping to get to the Ohio event this year and then visit Ohio relatives at the same time. Thanks for fueling my desire to go!