When you are in this crazy world of buying and selling furniture, sometimes you need a plan B...or C...
When we bought this cute coffee table a couple of years ago at the Long Beach Flea Market it had the original pink paint distressed to perfection. Before we got to the parking lot, 3 people wanted to buy it... 3!! Of course, we didn't sell it. We took it to the store and worked in a beautiful display featuring our new treasure.
We don't have pictures of the pink finish, but trust us...it was dreamy! After a few months, we realized that NOBODY was interested in a pink coffee table...where are those 3 people now???? Not in our store!!!
Here's when plan B was put in motion... a coat of 2 of white paint...
and back to the store...
long enough to know that NOBODY wants to buy coffee tables anymore...or at least not THIS coffee table! Back to the garage.
After months of table seclusion, a little voice whispered in our ear..."3's a charm" It's time for Plan C. 3 inch foam...
a cover and trim...
same wonderful details...
and our vintage coffee table....ottoman is ready to be adopted...
In the meantime, we'll think of Plan D just in case!
"When you are through changing, you are through" ~Bruce Barton~
If you need a Plan B, don't miss Faded Charm The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thursday was my day to drive to Orange to fluff the space. I do this about 2 or 3 times a week and I'm always pleasantly surprised to see that our goodies find their way to new homes. I also take a few minutes to walk the store and check out the new merchandise and the wonderful displays...lots of talented dealers here!
Yesterday, I noticed that many spaces were already getting ready for Spring and Easter...soft colors, beautiful florals...couldn't wait to get home and work on some pieces of my own...
I like how the first two candles turned out...
I like being inspired...
The new season, I know, has much to offer.
I hope you are ready to receive it!
If you are in need of some Spring inspiration, spend an afternoon at "Country Roads" 204 W. Chapman Old Towne Orange, Ca 92866
You'll love it!
You probably guessed... graphics from HERE and some Photoshop fun make our projects possible.
That we have always loved antiques and chippy paint, is nothing new.
For years we have admired, and still do!, rooms like these... full of architectural pieces, collections and white goodness....
warmed up with the coziness that only wood grain can give...
Customers always asked: Do you keep a lot of what you buy? I didn't keep a lot but I sure kept enough!
But lately, in my own life, I have been in a less-is-more frame of mind.
I've been un-cluttering spaces, specially the garage. Projects collected over time are being finished and moved to the Country Roads space. Fabric, trims, vintage jewelry are finally being used...I had a tendency of buying it and saving it for something better, some project that some day I'll tackle...(well, those days are finally here!)
I have been extremely selective in what I buy with intentions of resale:
If something is brought in, it has to be in the way out in less than 2 days. Paint, repair, re do in less than 2 days or it's not coming in! Since I implemented this rule, only 3 pieces made it to the back of my truck: 2 of them have already sold,
the third piece, the old door is being done today since I'm feeling 100 times better!
The less is more rule applies also to my home decor. No, I'm not going for this...
But lately, I have been very inspired by rooms like this: Simpler, cleaner spaces
Less cluttered but with the same warmth.
My love affair with vintage still the same. Crackled paint still makes my heart skip a beat and my collections still make me happy, but I don't think I need to own more.
I never thought I will get to this point, but: My relationship with the white goodness is, from now on, strictly business!
It was time for us to get a new look. So we became "Three Column Bloggers"....Exciting uh?...No, not really, but we needed just a little more breathing room in our page to make it easier for readers to navigate our blog.
So there you have it, a Three Column Blog... Hope you like our new, cleaner, simpler look!
Talking about looks, here's a sample of what you can find at our Country Roads space.
Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed. ~Irene Peter~
The first time we visited Country Roads about eight years ago, we thought we had died and gone to Shabby Heaven...
Full of wonderful architectural pieces, 2DIE4 white chippy furniture, out of this world displays and tons of rusted to perfection garden furniture, Sue's store became right away our favorite place to shop .
With time, we fantasied with the idea of having a space there but it seemed like it was never the right time... busy with our own store... not the right space available... not enough merchandise... the economy sucks.... you know, just life!
But a few weeks back, we decided: no more excuses and let's give it a try... We are going for a farm-chic look...
a little bit of country...
a little bit of gold...
some altered pieces....
lots of vintage findings ....
and our favorite whites!
It's a small space, but we hope to make it big in charm...
stop by and visit our new adventure...
Ask for Space #135 and the cool girls from Country Roads will show you the way!
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" ~Confucius~
We hope this is a white enough post, because today is White Wednesday! For more inspiring white treasures visit Katherine at Faded Charm and all her lovely guests!
We are looking for one more person to join our Nice & Easy Family...!
If you have a cute line, love retail and crave having your own business without a huge investment, you could be the one! Our "Dream Person" has some or all of these...
Beautiful soaps with yummy scents that every woman would love to have....
Candles that make the perfect "Girlfriend Gift"...
Tea Towels too cute to resist....
Dreamy chandeliers...
Adorable aprons...
Killer pillows...
The ability to surprise us with something we haven't dreamed of yet....
And needs to be able to work once a week.
If you or someone you know is interested on join us, please let us know. This is what we offer:
Great location in San Clemente, CA Established clientele 5 1/2 years at the same location Low rent No commission Fun and creative environment
We'd love to have you!! Clara, Marcela and the rest of the gang...
NEWS UPDATE: WE HAVE BEEN NOMINATED AS ONE OF OC BEST! NOW WE NEED TO ASK OUR WONDERFUL CUSTOMERS AND FOLLOWERS TO PLEASE VOTE FOR US BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTON ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE TO HELP US WIN!
We share a passion for all things old, cottage and chic! After 10 years of retailing, we have closed our San Clemente store but you can find us now at our Space in Country Roads, Orange, CA (Space #135)
We are constantly shopping for vintage and antique treasures: ironstone, china, linens, accessories and small pieces of furniture that we can rescue and give a new life to, so don't be surprised to see at the Flea Market on Sundays mornings!
Thank you for visiting us,
Clara & Marcela
Just the perfect size.
My second (and last!, I promise) space at Country Roads.
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