All About Mom

Why is it Mother's Day seems to creep up on us? We know it's coming, we may even mark it on our calendar, but not until the week (the day) before do we decide to go shopping. No pressure here as we try and find something special for mom in the eleventh hour. This is when I think Curious Sofa really shines. We hear over and over- this is where you like to shop to find the unusual gift and we think mom's of all ages deserve that. You won't find pantyhose or talcum powder here- but take a look at some of the new antiques we got this week as well as our popular consumable items.

Vintage Mother poem.

Collage art print from Sally Jean. (New charms from her are on the way!)

Lovely floral oil painting.

Something cute for the young mother: vintage inspired floral aprons.

Fancy French soaps, lotions and candle diffusers from Durance, Lepi de Provence and Cote Bastide. This is what a special gift is all about, something decadent we all want but would rarely buy for ourselves. $5.95 - $48.50.

We always have a large range of jewelry from new to antique: tiny chains, lockets, crosses, china pendants, beaded chokers, rhinestones, bangles and rings- and always a large selection of vintage clip-on earrings.

I looked around this week and noticed what a great selection of handmade textiles we have.

Above, a Victorian style door valance.

Hanging from this antique drying rack are a few of our lace tablecloths.

From above- our Santos hold our popular crochet towels, in white or ivory. $9.95

This crochet bedspread was a rare find.

I have heard these called snowball or popcorn coverlets. This one is a bit worn but with the pointed edges would make a great dust ruffle by laying it over the box springs.

Round lace tablecloth.

Another crochet coverlet in excellent condition.

And some other merchandise and new antiques just in:

Painted nesting tables.

Florentine music box and frame.

Burlap seat cushion.

Blue and red paisley quilt.

More blue transferware.

Our ever-growing silver collection.

New grey-wash pots and galvanized pedestals.

Brown transferware and canvas print.

Grey pearl frames.

A wire fragment good for displaying just about anything.

Old light fixture with frosted glass shades.

And finally, my favorite item of the week: this tiny ruffled child's slip.

Keep watching this month as we bring out the red, white and blue for Memorial Day, seashells for summer and prepare for our first Insider Art Show during the Prairie Village Art Fair, May 30, 31 and June 1. Details soon.

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Pretty Good Goods

Our newest Mother's Day window with aprons, floral arrangements and laundry products.

I have learned when I post a few photos of new antique pieces on this little blog, it can really bring the customers (and phone calls) into the store. And why not? Who doesn't want one-of-a-kind goods? I know my house is full of them (as only my TV is new).

A new/old slatted lawn chair painted rusty red.

Business was great again this weekend because the weather is starting to cooperate and look more like Spring- which means people are sweeping the porch and getting their yards ready for a few things: arbors, lawn chairs, pots and urns have sold this week to get people in the gardening spirit. See below, some of the new and old goods that are featured this week.

My favorite style of lawn chair above, we have a pair of these.

Giant, lightweight garden pots.

Another indoor/outdoor style.

Concrete patio table.

Our growing and replenished collection of matte white McCoy, Hull and odd planters.

Majolica inspired vases.

A new/old bucket bench with scalloped edge.

Three sizes of hand carved wooded birds.

Votivo's Purple Basil and Lime candles- a real kick of Spring fragrance.

A fun collection for the garden shed or office shelf: painted oil cans.

...and another collection, faucet handles. Why not frame them all to add importance.

Button collections on old paper plates.

Bingo cards in all colors and styles, great for collage.

A partial view of our vintage globe collection.

I love the shades of green on this vintage office chair.

Last week a photo shoot took place at my house which is fine for me as long as it is a still-shoot. Look out when the moving picture crews come in, it can look like the east lot of Paramount up and down the block, but still-cameras are usually a piece of cake. Seems my old production friends were scouting for a background for the newest Silpada catalog. (A local K.C. phenomenon business- thank you.) I made the bed, said hello to all nine of the crew members and headed out the door. I trusted them to do their job and be on their way. This may be the last time my current paint colors and wallpaper will be seen as I am ready for an extreme makeover. More on that in future blogs.

More neutral colored rayon ribbon has arrived.

Now selling good burlap by the yard.

A painted white trunk. We love these for coffee tables.

Full size iron bed.

I don't know what the attraction is, but I love the simplicity of rural prints and paintings.

Our third set of zebra chairs shown with a brown transfer bowl, vintage cross stitch quilt and iron birds.

This painted table is perfect for the porch or a nice height for the side of the bed.

I love this giant humpback trunk for the end of the bed. (I used to have one on my porch I would store the weekly trash in!)

Linen embroidered shams from Matteo.

I love these hippie Kalamakari throws and buy them in all colors whenever I can- a perfect dog proof cover for the sofa.

New pendant mercury lights.

Vintage brass coat rack.

Vintage scarves in the Curious palette.

Metal side table and red and white vintage quilt.

Odd but cool 'ribbon' trimmed wooden side tables.

Birds-eye maple serpentine dresser with ivory knobs.

I love the mix of painted and raw wood like this one above.

My favorite style vintage dresser.

Our next door neighbor here in the center, Natural Wear, went out of business this month and had an estate sale to clear out their final display pieces and last bits of merchandise. Frenzy ran amuck for about three hours Thursday morning as the usual suspects lined up outside to be the first to buy the leftovers. We opened early to take advantage of the crowds and it was a good thing. Although items were not priced to resell, I did manage to grab this great shopping cart and some iron hangers. There were many fantastic antique clothing racks and dress forms sold for over $350 each.

And other goods:

Painted laundry signs. (please read the fine print).

Painted tole tray.

Frenchy style side chair.

I am on a mission to collect lots of old lamps. Our back room is full of bases and shades but rarely do any work together- the above was one set that did. Watch for many interesting styles coming soon. Always rewired and ready to use.

Lots of new books and paper items arrived this week.

Kraft journals and silver letter clip.

Vintage animal images as new postcards.

And ON SALE this week:

This fabulous Lola, french grey tufted chenille sofa was $3,100 Now $1,750.

Golden quilted coverlets and one pair or Bella Notte embroidered curtain panels in brown.

Our last cotton utility jacket.

A wonderful framed print on canvas board.

Our final sets of navy Bella Notte pillows: Tennyson print and velvet satin.

Paper mache crowned birds with nest on cardboard box from Bethany Lowe.

Now on the silly side, Sunday night, after our staff meeting, the gals and I went bowling! What a hoot for all of us as we striked and guttered out way through the First Curious Sofa International Bowling Tournament. And, as expected, the vintage bowling gal trophy I had found went to Angie as she was the only one of us who has bowled within the last 10 years!

As May approaches we are preparing for our Art Show May 30, 31 and June 1. I am excited to share more of that in the coming weeks. May also means the antique flags and seashells start to make an appearance as we prepare for Memorial Day and the warm summer months. Stay tuned.

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On A Roll

.Bent twig branches and stems spell out 'garden' behind our counter.

There is something about going to the worlds biggest antique show that isn't easily shaken. Since I have been back from Round Top- I can't stop antiquing! Not only is the store doing well, which means I have to keep replenishing, but the the junkin' bug is not leaving anytime soon.

As you enter the store: Twig wall baskets with old album pages and bird prints.

An arrangement of branches, rakes and garden ribbon outside.

I hadn't rested more than 48 hours when I was back at it again. After our successful Garden Party, I was out all day Sunday and Monday and I am still unpacking. I am even bringing in things from home! Local customers and true-blue fans of the Sofa can certainly see the difference. (This is what they have always wanted!) "Give me your old, your rusty, your tired, your weather-beaten".

A collection of Oaxacan Day of the Dead altar crosses.

A collection of blue transferware is slowly building in the store. New rings just in.

Cody Foster came by this weekend and he and fellow designer Larry Buller both said the store looked great and completely different than the last time they had seen it. They were stunned. (and keep your fingers crossed as I am trying to get them both to do the Art Show- (Now are you going to make the trip?)We get a lot of emails and calls about the products pictured and YES- we do ship. But one disclaimer: We are not set up for this. So we have put a minimum on your online purchases (sorry!) $100 total of products, $10 handling + actual postage charged. Someday we may be able to just ship a little something, but not now.

I started this blog as an online newsletter to show the locals what we had going on. But thanks to our press it has become national so now people are a little, well- agitated- that we do not have a full-on e-commerce business. Until then, I hope these images entice you enough to venture in. Take a look at some of the goods I am still uncovering from Round Top and beyond:

Czechoslovakian school room posters.

Just found: a pair of metal slated porch chairs

Outside our shed, this fringed roller shade.

Victorian velvet double picture frame in green (one in blue, too.)

70's cross stitch sampler.

Metallic embroidered clutch, celluloid album cover, painted tole table and iron hand tray.

Glitz and glamor for prom night- we have tons of vintage jewelry.

Set of four President portraits.

Vintage medical cabinet, wood and glass with black hardware.

Garden concrete doe.

Painted floral tole tray, rhinestone vanity clock, vintage corset.

Preparing for Mothers Day with cards, aprons and framed poems.

One of my favorite finds: a roll up silver storage holder hung as art.

Just in: This new heavy metal armoire locker.

Pretty blush colored sheet set with tiny crochet lace trim.

Boxes of white clip-on butterflies, paper corsage flowers and embossed planters.

JUST IN! Our newest slipcovered sofa shown in washable Belgium linen with box pleated skirt. (Matching chair not shown).

My favorite rouched pillows from Bella Notte in washed grey.

Did you know that Curious Sofa ALWAYS has a SALE area? Located to the back of the store, down our narrow hallway. We fill five shelving units weekly with great bargains: Holiday, bath, bedding and more. Larger items are marked with red bows and left on the floor:

This $2,200 armoire now marked down to $795!

This leather recliner was $1,455 now $695.

And finally, just for grins... we get a lot of comments on our bathrooms so I thought the out-of-towners might want to take a look. (Isn't it the one place you can see if a business cares about the details?!) Shown below, the women's:

The men's:Also, for anyone who has even shopped our store and had a good experience, please leave a positive comment on the City Search site for travelers coming to K.C. Thanks!

Great Idea #6 (Rated X)

Sent to me today via Daily Candy. This article is for a promo ad campaign. Of course, the images are right up my alley. Click on their site and look at the invitation idea they have. Really clever!

Garden Party

Please join us this weekend for our annual

Spring Open House
Friday & Saturday 10-6 • Sunday 12-5
April 11, 12 & 13

Take a look at what we have ready for you:

Just a few pics of Deb's new goods from Round Top-Giant antique birdcage from India

An old jewelry display holds dried florals.

Tiny grammar pictures and old lock plates from the fields of Warrenton.

An old portrait tin rests inside a damask French style satin tufted chair.

Two matching ticking pillows (found 6 hours from each other) inside an old porch swing.

A velvet Victorian photo holder from Marburger.

Plastic and metals letters buried in a field at Warrenton.

One of my favorite finds: Old bird decoys painted silver with a bit of glitter.

Dusty beaded necklaces in various sea glass colors found outside Zapp Hall.

These chalky composer figures from French Vanilla at Marburger Farms.

New Katie Brown designs and other garden accessories:I stopped in my tracks when I discovered Katie Brown's designs
at the last Atlanta market: Halter style garden aprons, galvanized walkway tea light cones,
burlap tablecloths, floppy canvas hats and willow fencing sections.

Another one of my late night paper projects: old album pages used to frame flashcard style signage.

These rubber mats printed with old barnwood have everyone fooled it is the real thing.

My new favorite item above: Hand cut plant markers. (But think of all the other possibilities!)

Succulent plant candles, large and small.

Another favorite item: Our Spoondelier! Hang from a tree outside or electrify for the kitchen.

This wonderful yard long was found on my trip but the new linen bedding just arrived in time for Spring. A great match.

This new style of slipcover chair also just arrived and this is my new favorite fabric of the moment.

We always have something white:Our giant patio umbrella fit perfectly inside this antique wicker dress form!
Now that's a centerpiece. White paper butterflies hang from the umbrella skeleton.

This new antique French sofa just arrived from the upholsterer- covered in a hemp-like fabric with exposed tacks.

These waffle towels with crochet edges are our customers favorite.

I also love these china cups made to look dented. Great for an informal flower arrangement.

Tons of butter pats also found on my trip. A friend of mine collects these and has a giant urn full- the colors are amazing!

And loads of new jewelry have also arrived (lots of old too!)
I wrote about this jewelry line two years ago when I went to the New York show and finally invested in it.
Wonderful, dark metals, irregular pearls and thin rings.

Hope to see you!

Round Top

Greetings y’all!
I am writing from Texas as Sandee and I wrap up our Round Top trip. Our two days in Warrenton and Marburger were not nearly enough but I think we did pretty good considering how fast and furious we went though it. It was Sandee’s first time so it was fun watching it through h