You Are All Invited To My Fox Den Grand Opening!

Hello friends...I feel as though I have been missing in action lately. 

I have been super busy since securing a spot at The Fox Den Antiques Mall. I had a lot of work to do in getting my space Empty Nest worthy.

Remember, I showed you how it looked when I first saw it.

Well here she is now...

Out with the Tuscan walls and in with the lights and brights!

I painted the back wall a pale blue/grey.

I hung a king sized white sheet on one wall and a smaller sheet on the opposite wall.

I laid a synthetic canvas material on the floor and secured it with white duck tape.

I would love to eventually paint it or at least stencil some stars.

Another job for another day...

OK....ready for a tour?

I needed a piece of furniture that I could keep in my booth to display my small items.

The nice ladies at The Fox Den sold me this vanity table for a song.

It needed a lot of work...

It had flannel fabric stapled to the top and these funky and very sharp (metal) swing out arms screwed onto the front.

What seemed like miles of old velcro and staples had to be removed.

So sorry for not having photos of the true B4 vanity.

I also scrubbed with hot soap, bleach and water, years of bug residue...yuck!

However, once stripped down to her undies...she was beautiful!

A couple of coats of Paris Grey chalk paint on her base and Provence on the draw fronts.

Some distressing and few coats of wax with lots of buffing (more Popeye muscles!)

Every gal needs a little jewelry...pretty glass knobs and she is ready to meet her public!

I really love how she turned out.

I can almost see her smiling

;->

Mr. Secret Agent has this very old wooden ladder and I convinced him to let me have it.

I slip-slapped some robins egg blue (remember the Valspar paint giveaway?)

LOVE!!!!

The smaller ladder secured across the top is one I have had for a while.

It used to lean against a kitchen wall and I would hang my magazines on it.

Now it makes a great clothes rack for my vintage wool felted sweaters and my couture aprons.

While I was in New York last weekend, I hit a few yard sales and found this huge and very old, dark wooden picture frame.

Now it is a gorgeous chalk board.

I painted it A.S. Old White and waxed with clear and dark wax.

Cut a piece of MDF which I painted with black chalkboard paint.

Now it is a wonderful and functional home decor item.

Remember my French tiered table?

The apron with my shop name was painted by me.

I thought this idea would be prettier than a paper sign.

sorry for the yellow tinge..flourescent ceiling lights

I finally get to show off and hopefully sell, my collection of tea cups..porcelain..linens and such.

Time to share them with the world.

My pair of cut crystal lamps really brighten up my space.

Still lovin my vanity!!

This piece is a very old sewing machine table.

The top is removable and the doors swing open for your knees while sewing.

When I found it, it was a putrid green and slightly taller.

I removed the bottom feet, cut the side panels down a few inches and reattached the feet.

She is now the perfect height for a tea table or end table.

Again..A.S. chalk paint in Louis Blue with Old White trim.

My brother Rick lives in a very old , but lovely cottage in New York.

When he recently renovated his kitchen, he saved the old wooden windows for me (thanks Rick).

They are a pretty creamy white (no lead) and the working latches are a gorgeous aqua blue.

I guess they were into shabby chic 100 years ago also, sorry Ms Ashwell, you weren't the first.

I used dozens of beautiful and delicate antique hankies and cut linens to create unique bunting.

I love them draped on these old windows...so much that I attached some permanently as part of the window decor.

How great would these be in a kitchen or sitting on a mantel? 

Collecting NIPPON china has been a love of mine for over 30 years...I have many pieces.

These cups are so delicate, you can see through them...gorgeous!

Stunning large hand painted Rosenthal bowl.

My little porcelain planter makes a perfect business card holder.

I had fun creating my tags for my items.

It's hard to see, but I even painted little wooden clothespins with chalk paint and use them to secure my bunting to the fabric.

Pretty little touches count.

Sorry no before photo, but this sweet bookcase table was in need of some TLC.

She now is very happy wearing A.S. Old White and Duck Egg Blue edges.

She didn't even complain when I distressed her.

A very pretty accent piece now.

I love what a little paint can do to a tired piece of furniture. 

So that's my shop at  Fox Den Antique & Collectibles. 

I will be adding many more items very soon.

Be sure to check the blog for new additions to my shop.

If you are ever near Warrenton, Virginia, be sure to stop by and visit The Empty Nest and the many other fabulous vendors.

The Empty Nest is officially OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!

*

DREAM INDEED! 

Update:

Before I even finished setting up my space, I sold one of my vintage pedestal cake plates to a lovely lady!

I'll take that as a good sign.

Until next time...be kind and stay creative.