Scenes from the Country Living Fair

Last weekend marked the third annual Country Living Fair here in Atlanta. The famed publication hosts the show in only two cities nationwide so I made sure to finally clear my calendar this year and hit it! We picked Friday and what a beautiful day it was!

What caught my eye...

Interesting...folded book art. Another new one for me. 

Letters adhered to old glass bottles. Spell something sweet.

sucka

Old dictionary pages. Like the old binder clips too!

I'll take the letter H Vanna...

Impressive Halloween display...

Equally impressive holiday display...

Oversize botanical charts = BIG LOVE.

But my "best in show" were these vintage Vogue dress patterns made into fashion art. The frames are perfection as well. 

Makes me want to paint all my gold ornate frames white...

Close second was the beautiful backdrop of Stone Mountain Park and seeing old friends and familiar faces from Lakewood and my days dealing at the Queen of Hearts.

Big love y'all! And big prayers to our Sisters and Brothers in the Northeast! 

xx

Jen

Beach Business

Hi friends!

How you all doing this FINE FALL day? 

FANNNtastic I hope! 

My heart is FULL this week (what's with the emphasis on f?) and I wanted to share what's been going on. For starters, I spent a chicken-soup-for-the-soul weekend with my high school girlfriends at the beach last weekend. Four days later and I'm still smiling ear to ear. BUT while I was down there, I made a very important discovery I want to share with you, especially my 30A beach readers... dealer "It Fits" at Lily Pads. 

Have I died and gone to heaven? 

He's located in the back right corner and did not have ONE thing in his booth I didn't need, want, love. I was so enamored with all his things, I barely took any pictures! I stood there in awe trying to soak it all in and get my mind right on which beach client needed what and where?! However I did manage to snap a few and picked up a little something something for my beach adobe that I think you will like, here goes!

Okay team, have I just missed the boat on this one? Or is this new for you too? Letters cut out of old books. I thought that was pretty special, considering how in the hay does he do it? But let's not stop there...check out the table they are sitting on (should of gotten a better shot, I know!), the sliver of the squared off block lamp to the left, the killer frame on that mirror top left...let's keep moving...next...

Contemplated this light for my client's powder room in Watersound, but then I remembered the mirror is going to be driftwood and we can't be all matchy matchy with our finishes. No ma'am.

Again, let's take a peek on what's going on in the background...another shot of that mirror bottom left and take a look at the oversized sconce wrapped in wrought iron branches. He had amazing sconces all over the place! If you look real hard bottom right corner, the arm artifact wall hanging, how cute would that be with a dish towel or hand towel hung over it? The brass port hole mirrors, perfect anywhere! And I know you can barely see it, I promise to take better pictures next time, but there was an old rope ladder with wooden steps that he had styled against the wall as shelves! Just as I was drooling over it, the lady came by to mark it sold. Lucky, lucky soul! She said he could probably get another one. FYI.

Another awesome pair of sconces. I'm going back for these! Just need to figure out if they'll be for moi or my clients? Love the branch hooks they hang from as well.

Are you kidding? I LOVE this guy! Reminds me of the sweet guy that gave Nemo and Dorie a ride. And I love to work in off beat whimsical one-of-a-kind finds like this into my client's decor. I texted it right away to my friends Julie and Anisa who are busting their bottoms to design the next big thing restaurant to hit Rosemary! SO HAPPY for them! That place is going to rock! And its a sushi restaurant. Talk. Dirty. Real quick, check out the big thick shelf, hung with those industrial brackets in the background and the white pendant on your right.

I took this pic, first and foremost, to show my design sister Lisa as I thought what a cool way to display her pendants for sale...from pallets? Yet another awesome use for pallets. We could totally do a whole post on pallet this and that just from Pinterest alone. Another time. Back to the lights, I'm digging the spotty sphere lights! I was dead set on doing something nautical (more like the ones you see in the background) for over my beach kitchen island but now I'm starting to think maybe something like these? Something different! Check out the mirror in the background too.

This gorgeous brass light was more along the lines of what I might hang over my kitchen island but now I'm not so sure. Regardless, its gorgeous and the bar stools are stout! Notice the basket back right, its a floor lamp! So awesome. I just love coming across talent and creativity like this. It sets me on fire.   I'll try to get the scoop on Mr. It Fits when I'm down in two weeks and maybe we can interview him for the road or see if he has a website or fan page.

You all remember my CRUSH on this vintage photograph from the Coastal Living Ultimate Beach house post HERE. I follow designer Erika Powell on Instagram and she was sweet enough to inform me it was no longer available  :-((((( because she was keeping it for herself! :-))))))) GOOD FOR HER!

So when I came across this pillow at Mr. It Fits, I gladly rewarded myself and thought this will do in satisfying my taste for vintage bathing beauties. You gotta love the fancy parasols they carried. Maybe we should bring those back...along with big hats and drive in movies. ;-)

There's a sweet little gift shop/home store that opened up across the street from our place, called Nuance Living. It's a husband and wife, she the designer, he the architect and they often have antique treasures mixed in with local art and jewelry. I purchased three of these antique fishing lures I'll be tying ribbon to and using as ornaments for this year's nautical Christmas tree at the beach. Probably a little too excited about that...

Another great find from Nuance I found on our anniversary weekend, is this vintage flask in its original leather case for my husband's someday, over the rainbow, bar and lounge. I hadn't even thought of a gift...saved by the bell!

There is a super fun children's store in Seaside called Duckies that I cannot wait to get some Santa shopping in over Thanksgiving. I try to buy all my baby gifts there too because its stuff you don't find elsewhere. Little Sienna Jane, newest to the party, will be getting something sweet as pie from her Aunt Jenny Jen soon. Meanwhile I picked up these garland letters for Soph. I thought we could spell her name or write U ARE MY SUNSHINE and drape them above her bed?

I was so impressed with their style and zeal, I looked up other items by Wendy Addison for Chronicle books HERE.

And what's a beach weekend without beach drinks overlooking the Gulf at Bud and Alleys!? Here's our "drink of the day" shot but more importantly, let's talk about that pinkish one on the left..."stoli stress reliever". It was tay-stee and I wanted to share the recipe with you right quick:

Stoli Vodka
Montego Bay Coconut Rum
Mix of cranberry and pineapple juice.

Keep it in mind for next Summer or when you're somewhere tropical!

And last but not least, my clients mirrors showed up this week, along with two new ditties for our master bath. I've come to realize I have decorating A.D.D. when it comes to my house.  I'm all over the place! I have so many projects to share with you all that have just one or two more tweaks before the big reveal (mudroom, pantry, office, loft photo walls and now master bath) if only I could just focus on one and get her done. I really need an assistant...

I'll be back real soon to share with you all the MAGIC at Room Service Atlanta this week. Working there has been such. a. gift! I didn't want to say goodbye yesterday :-((((. It was like being back in college with everyone decorating their dorm rooms. I've made so many great new friends and enriched the ones I already had. I cannot wait to fill you in on all the details. But for now I'm off to the Country Living Fair. Promise to take a lot of pictures of anything and everything beautiful, inspiring, fresh and interesting!

Big love to you all! Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Jenny from the rock
xx

Halloween at mi casa

At last, we've got our spook on at chez Schoenberger. Every year I have such high hopes and when push comes to shove, I just can't seem to get my ACT together. Time, money or in this year's case, the flu, gets in the way. But the nice thing about holidays, they keep coming around, for another shot at the title.

Here's this year's version. I hope you enjoy and maybe find a favorite to emulate in your haunted house.

The ole witch boots making a repeat performance and boy my door is looking awfully bright. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get that color to chill in photos. My big sister to the rescue! She was here last weekend and suggested Fall Harvest by Benjamin Moore. This will be my FOURTH and final attempt at the perfect shade of orange door. Endurance. 

Just inside, I put together this little vignette using some spooky ornaments I found at Pier One. There was something very Tim Burton, Nightmare Before Christmas about them so I bought one of each. My favorite being the Mummy with his eye popped out. Picked up the black urn at the Queen of Hearts for $12.99 and stuffed it with branches and moss. A skeleton hand bone would be the perfect compliment lying next to it don't you think? And maybe some bats hanging around too? Next year. 

The skeletal system was a $5 piece of wrapping paper. I had it dry mounted at Hob Lob for $15. The whole process took about ten minutes. I like it. 

(Had a little fun with the photoshop express phone app in some of these pics in case you were wondering why they all look so different).

Turning to your left, the mice have returned. Still trying to figure out who loves them best, the Hubs or Jack..."love the mouse house babe". 

Channeling Edgar Allen Poe in the dining room...

Because you can never have enough boots to go with your witch (I guess that witch would be me. I definitely qualify on occasion. Somewhere right now my Husband is nodding his head).  

This year's mantle consists of mercury glass, black netting, skulls and a pair of pumpkin topiaries. Its hard to get creative here with that damn television above. I considered the craft box letters from Michaels and spelling out BOO stacked vertically on one side and HISS horizontally across the bottom. Maybe next year. However, I'm in the process of convincing Mike to move the TV to the other wall. He's not aware of this latest scheme and has a hard time keeping track of them all...hee hee (in my best witch voice). 

Halloween is a great time of year to bust out all your tarnished silver and work it into your decor. 

The pumpkin topiaries consist of white craft pumpkins, more moss and a pair of concrete planters I had stashed. Pretty simple. 

When I'm not using them for plants, I flip em over as candle holders below (an old dining room vignette). Its been a long love affair with sticks and plate walls. 

Some Old Hagg Stew anyone? The jar is filled with water tinted by food coloring and pieces of "bones".   A shout out to the Trenton Street Fair, where I purchased it some Summers ago. 

Added some orange to my living room wall sconces. Next year I'm thinking black. 

Had a bunch of these stashed from last year and popped em all into the bird's nest on the console...gross.

Another old high school art project of mine (sorry for the glare) that I break out every Halloween.

More skulls and silver...

And lastly, so close! Yet so far in making the bats we talked about HERE. It's sitting on my office floor for when time and motivation strike. Wonder what the over/under on that is going to be? 

Happy Halloween you all! And happy hump day too! Tomorrow I pick up three of my dearest friends from home sweet home. We are beach bound and have been friends since the FOURTH grade!!! Back when Engrid was telling everyone to "cool their jets" and Tina and I were making shadow boxes out of shoe boxes while listening to records in her room (we've always been quite crafty, she and I). Almost 30 years now. If someone would of said, someday you'll have ten kids between you, will spend long weekends at the beach, sippin on sunshine, laughing until you cry... well damn we might not of drove so fast or got into so much trouble! And this is just the half of us. I need a bigger place to fit everyone. Next time we'll rent a big place - for sure - because these opportunities are truly once in a lifetime. You have to cherish, plan and jump on them when you can.

Love your friends and family all, make those calls, write those letters, take those pictures because Father Time digs the fast lane.
xx
Jenny from the rock

I forgot how much I love having a dog...

Big news at chez Schoenberger.  Meet the newest member of our family, Ripley!

Rip is a rescue pooch, year and half old. He was adopted from our neighbor and currently being loved on immensely by two very happy kids that had the surprise of their life last week. I must admit, I forgot how much I love having a little buddy, pitter patter, pitter patter paws everywhere I go. Someone to keep me company and watch me do laundry day in and day out, wax on, wax off. Someone to sit at my feet while I work away at my desk. 

Someone who jumps up in Daddy's chair the second he stands up, quickly curling into a ball to get cozy. Every. Single. Time. He definitely likes to be comfortable and quickly staked out his new bed in Papa Bear and Mama Bear's room...

Rip sleeps here

He listens well. Which is one thing our sweet Charlie did not. We'd call Chuck to come and he'd just look back at us and keep strolling along. Rip's the opposite. He comes TEARING around the corner whenever you call. However he can be a stinker. He likes to chew. Hello Kitty went down in flames this week along with the corner of one of my favorite design books. Riiiiiiippppley - shame on you boy!

But we love him. And he is a LOVER. He's chilled out right here next to me as I type this. A keeper for sure! And I'm really pleased with our children's involvement in helping out. Fingers crossed it doesn't fade.

BTW so much for finishing my Halloween decorating in one weekend. Hah! More like two weeks and we still don't have our pumpkins. Plans were to go tonight and have dinner out for the hubs's birthday (he rolled a pair of fours today ;-)) but our main man Jack is sick on the sofa. Boo hiss. Poor baby. Daddy and I are both home taking care of him today, which is a gift in itself. I'm hoping this weekend I'll finally have all our spook on, photographed and blogged. Oh yeah, and hopefully worth the wait! 

Oh happy day my friends! 

Jen

xx