The Makeover

.
For months now I have been mentioning Curious Sofa was preparing for a Spring cleaning makeover. First there was the idea, then the wait on new floor samples, then the wait on back ordered wallpaper, then the wait on labor. Then two weeks ago we get the good news we will be featured in another national magazine this September, but... the shoot had to happen this week before I left for Round Top! Fast forward to a wonderful staff working late, climbing ladders and following my late night list of To Do's. Now picture the owner frantically fixing her workroom and office to be photo worthy (is yours?). Finally, I am happy to present a few pictures of what we have been planning and working on and finish up with a few shots of Elizabeth shooting pictures of the store for Where Women Create.

Our favorite: A touch of modern in out Black and White Living Room.

The new wallpaper: Barnwood wallpaper in all areas hung horizontally with contrasting borders.

The new awning

The bedding department wallpaper with cloud border.

The new Bella Notte bedding

The Boudoir

The roses border

The stationery geometric wallpaper

Grass cloth border in the kitchen. (Last minute addition, this will be changed.)

A new/old Scandinavian style dresser

A new raw wood end table (and sofa table to match not pictured.)

New pair of terra cotta lamps

Spring kitchen

Antique typewriter and old album pages SOLD

Lone Jack drop cloth bag SOLD

Roses Oil Painting

Vintage clocks SOLD

New script pillow

Crochet towels and cast iron towel ring

Old nine drawer dresser (new handles to come) SOLD

New custom pillows from $78

New earrings from $9.95

...And Elizabeth above shooting the story for Where Women Create:
A sneak peek of some of the smaller images below, I shot over her shoulder.

Please stop in this week and see all the new items. We're so happy with the .change!

Texas Shopping List

It's been exactly one year since I traveled to my favorite antique show in Round Top, Texas and this year I am chomping at the bit to return and see my friends and shop the many dealers that are getting ready for this twice-a-year extravaganza.

My friend Carol and I will fly into Austin, pick up Heather Bullard at the airport, rent the U-Haul truck, shop for four days and drive back with tons of goodies jammed and jury-rigged in the back end.

photo from Carol Spinski, aka Raised in Cotton

photo from Heather Bullard

We will shop all our favorite fields and tents, attend the popular blog party Theresa Cano has during every show and spend an evening with Linda and Ludmil of Willow Nest for dinner. Carol has a job shooting a few events for Where Women Create and of course pie will be consumed at Royers Cafe. (Every night if I have my way!) Four days will not be enough time but we are veterans now and know right where to find the stuff.

I cannot wait to see what Shelley Price of Sweet Pea's and Theresa Smith of Time Worn Interiors at Marburger and all the goods they have prepared and saved for this show...

photo from Shelley, aka Sweet Pea

photo from Theresa, aka Time Worn Interiors

...as well as Mike at Blue Hills, Peg and John (aka French Vanilla) and the boys from Leftovers plus soooo many more vendors not listed here.

photo from Leftovers Antiques in Brenham, Texas

I always have my laundry list of things we need for the shop: Spring items, garden furniture and statuary, dressers, cabinets and side tables, art, mirrors, chandeliers and of course I am always hunting for the unusual and unexpected.

And a side note, I am lucky to have Where Women Create coming to the shop next week to shoot the store, my office and workroom for their September issue. And guess who I asked to shoot it? Elizabeth Maxson! (Who is their featured cover story for May!) Batten down the hatches it should be one great spread if we can stop talking and laughing long enough to get a picture taken. Stay tuned!

Images taken by Elizabeth for her blog header.

But here is my question for all of you before I go:

What are you always looking for in antiques?
What do you want for your home?
Has your style changed? Are you kicking it up a notch, switching gears or staying true to the things you love? (FYI: you can send your list via this comment page, I do not have to post it.)

Send me your wants and I'll add your items to my list.
.

Save the Date

Dear Readers,
Have you heard about this wonderful event coming to Minneapolis? Creative Connection.

Former Editor of Country Living, Nancy Soriano and current Editor of Where Women Create, Jo Packman are giving birth (and feeling all the pains involved with that) to bring you one whopper of a weekend of endless inspiration.

Please read and read and read some more about all the happenings they have planned. There are SO many great teachers, artists, speakers and panelists that many of you know and many of you need to know (most of them featured in these pics)... and lastly, yours truly is humbled to be included in their retail forum.
This event takes place September 16-18, 2010 so plan ahead and book your hotel NOW. Also, it is a double whammy pleasure trip coinciding with the popular Junk Bonanza just 20 miles away.
Call your mom, book the sitter, throw your husband the laundry list and start saving and planning for a well deserved trip! This is the type of event we all need to support.