patty's epiphanies

Thursday, August 2, 2012

"NOT" SO GENTLY USED

MC and I went off the Reservation! We had an Adventure!

We were headed, to Forsyth, a small town about 25 miles South.
A neighbor had told us about this fabulous place where she bought draperies and a great chair. This business buys items from High End hotels------and a lot from not so High End Hotels, when they are liquidating. The neighbor's finds were beautiful and cheap!! I really had high hopes we would find drapes for MC's Library and who knows what other goodies! Had dreams of sugar plums bouncing all over.....

MC decided to take Rt. 41 instead of I-75.    Thought it would be more enjoyable.....
I knew we were in trouble when I realized we had been driving for over an hour and the town didn't seem to be anywhere!    MC then realized.... we were no longer on Rt. 41!! He had no idea where we were!

I must stop the story here...... A little secret about MC. He's a great guy, I love him Dearly----   He has Groupies.......He's a MASTER Carpenter, Chef, Craftsman, Cameraman, Chauffeur.. BUT HE CAN NEVER FIND HIS WAY WHEN TRAVELING BY CAR!    I say this because he was a Navigator in the Air Force for almost 15 years and "Navigated" large cargo planes, C-124's and C-141's. But on the ground....He can't find diddly squat! We always get lost!!!

He has a GPS, but fails to use it, or bothers to get it updated! When we bought our new (used) car, he was delighted it didn't come with the Navigation System.... Go figure?

It was fortunate that my semi-smart phone has a navigation app. I think that's what it's called! Anyway, I figured out how to turn it on, after fumbling with the silly thing, and discovered we were 20 miles Southwest of where we wanted to be!!!!!

While finding our way back to I-75, he gave up on Rt. 41, we witnessed the strangest event either of us has EVER seen! On the left side of the road was a Sheriff's car. The Sheriff was standing, facing the woods down into a gully, his hand was on his gun, and he was in the "I'm ready to shoot you" position and then POW..... off it went. WOW...we couldn't believe what we were seeing!! I do not think I have ever seen someone actually shoot something ...live! It was surreal! We have no idea what or WHO he shot! Maybe there will be a story on the news about a Sheriff shooting some really bad guy on a country road? At least he didn't make a 180 and shoot at us!!!

Just a little diversion on our travels to this wonderful, good deal place!!!! We reached the "city" limits of Forsyth and MC drove around in circles looking for the address of this place. Then we saw it....OMG it was the huge building we have driven by hundreds of times when traveling South on I-75. Large signage, very clearly saying it was a LIQUIDATION WAREHOUSE. I have never on any of our previous trips thought I would go near this place. Now, my visions of sugar plums had turned to bed bugs and dust mites!!!   But we had traveled for so long, we decided to give the place a try. What did we have to loose?

Overall, I would give it a B-. I am not that much of a visionary, but lots of you are great at seeing hidden treasures! Took lots of pictures and you all can judge for yourselves. I could see some chairs that might be salvageable and spray paint would do wonders for everything in the building! There were pictures that were worth the frames alone, and mirrors all over. Lamps... I have never seen so many matching lamps in my life! Some only $10! Great finds. Again, spray paint!!! The High End pieces were marked as such and priced accordingly!

SCOTT'S IT AIN'T!

a bad, bad pink!

too green--very green

Need a lamp?

Great cocktail table..I think it was $200.... Probably a good deal I let go by!

Another $200 item that stayed!

I got my "pot head" at Tuesday Morning for $22.

This was a good deal. 6 pieces for $159. Some new fabric and spray paint and it would look like a million!

Not bad for $29

Just needs love!

Any love leftover for these?

I have no idea what you would do with these relief pieces, but there were many of all different sizes and subjects!

This is one huge floor mirror....couldn't find a price tag anywhere.....That triangle is not part of the mirror. It's a TV cabinet...see below!

Need a TV cabinet?....it's from Caesars!

Don't think I need it for that

I have no idea where this came from? It was a very old needlepoint settee.

I saved the best for last....12 seats--no waiting!

We ended the day driving a little further down the interstate to a Panera's! Coffee and cinnamon roll!
Perfect! I was in Heaven.

Made it home safe and sound.......

ANOTHER ADVENTURE WITH MC!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

9th SPOT Contest ALL THE INFO YOU NEED!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

HIGH POINT MARKET /OLIOBOARD "STYLE SPOTTER" CONTEST IS LIVE & ONE ROOM CHALLENGE REVEAL & A "GIVEAWAY" ALL IN ONE DAY!!!!!!

I am so excited to have my design board up for the High Point Furniture Market's Style Spotter Contest sponsored by the market and Olioboard!!!! I need your vote everyday if I stand a chance of winning at all. If you would post on your Facebook and ask your friends to vote for me too, that would be great! I would so appreciate any support you can give me! I don't care if it's a tweet, email or what....each one counts!!!! The contest started today and runs through August 21st!!!! The clock is ticking, so please go vote for me!!! Pretty please with sprinkles on top!!!! I think it would be so much fun to be a Style Spotter at market!
You can go vote for me by click on the text below:

http://olioboard.com/challenges/150

My board is called

Lisa Mende Design/Aqua Delight

GIVEAWAY!!!
In honor of the contest, I have decided I am going to have a giveaway at the end of the contest to thank my voters! Since you can vote daily, I will enter your name into the drawing each time you vote! The drawing will be on August 22, the day after the voting is over! Each tweet & vote (worth 1 entry) & if you post on Facebook with a link for your for your readers to be able to click and vote for me(worth 10 votes daily). Leave a comment with all the ways you got the word out there! The winner will receive a handblown Glassybaby candleholder! You get to choose the one you want!!! $44 value! If you don't have a glassy baby you don't know what you are missing. I light my almost daily! It is beautiful! Who knows, I may decide to have more than one prize and more than one winner, so get busy! Help me get the word out!!!!

"Gratitude"

And if you haven't ever been on Olioboard before, by all means check it out, while you are there! It is awesome! Just look at the fifteen boards that were created for the contest! Every board is different! Olioboard is an unique as you are! If you can't find what you want from their library, you can download your own items from your own pictures or the internet. It really is great fun!

I don't want to wear you out with asking for votes, but if you get tired of hearing it just remember it's only for 20 more days!!!!! Thanks in advance, I'll try not to be too obnoxious with it!!! I'm just really excited about it!

Please support Lisa. and WOW she's now offering a Prize!
Lisa has been a very loyal follower of Patty's Epiphanies and one of MC'S BIGGEST Groupies!!!! Lisa needs our support and we are here to have her go over the top!!!!

Thanks guys......
Patty

Saturday, July 28, 2012

INVITED THE FAMILY IN AND A LITTLE MC BRAG

A few days ago, I realized, that although I love my new Office, it was lacking something.....What?
Then it hit me......WARMTH!

I realized that I staged the space as I would if I were putting the house on the market! There weren't any real personal items that gave me that warm and cozy feeling! And I realized why!

I had been in the Real Estate world for years. I have known that the editing of "Personal" things is a must when staging a home. Without thinking, that's the way I accessorized my new Office! Except for the pictures of the Garden City Hotel, and the Johnny's Dock menu, there was nothing of Me in the space!

I held my breath and YES brought out the FAMILY!!! I knew I wouldn't hang them as a gallery or focal point. I'm of the old school that family pictures are best left in the private areas of a home. A Portrait of good ole "Uncle John" hanging over the fireplace looking down at everyone! No, no that's not what I wanted! That is why I didn't add them to begin with. My office is at the end of the kitchen and is visible from the front door!! NOT PRIVATE.

I rearranged the pretties, edited a few, and added small framed pictures I had of our family, in a subtle fashion. I think I got everyone in!!! Please no complaints!

I have a great view from my desk. I look out at a vista of trees and the Golf Course, when most of the trees loose their leaves. I was in love with the manner I had hung my Garden City Hotel pictures on the wall unit, and wanted to continue that design on the window wall. There is a 6 inch window frame separating the three windows. I discovered that if I was very careful I could hang three items that mean all the world to me on those two frames. One is a caricature drawn of my Dad and the other two are just as unique and very special. MC many Anniversaries ago gave me a print, by Robert Sexton, of an elderly couple walking hand and hand into the future. Oh I love that so, so much. My Brother, Bobby, loved it also and ordered one for his wife as a gift. But, he did more. He loves art and photography. In 2008 he was in a park, saw a couple walking and immediately snapped their picture. It was the COUPLE! He Photoshopped his picture, had it printed on canvas, and gave me the third treasure, as a gift!

What better place for Daddy's favorite caricature

that he drew of Harry Truman

I have not lost one speck of my view .....instead...the view is enhanced with my three treasures!

I have so many new readers and some might not realize the scope of MC's work. He has a growing following, Groupies, and they need to see all his work!!! No, he is not for hire, not yet anyhow!

Not sure you really want him!!!! He works in a very meticulous manner, at his own speed. He loves to create something out of nothing! Most of his work is done with what I call a MacGyver work style.

THIS IS HIS FIRST PIECE.

IT WAS BUILT AS A SOFA TABLE AND ACTUALLY HAS BEEN USED AS SUCH

THIS IS ACTUALLY AN 8' x30" DOOR

THAT HE MADE INTO A DINING ROOM TABLE.

IT'S NOW MY DESK!

THIS IS A MASTERPIECE

HE CONSTRUCTED THE ENTIRE WALL UNIT

AND

ADDED THE MIRROR

HE ALSO BUILT THE COFFEE TABLE WITH THE MIRROR TOP

He didn't build this chest (it was my Lane Hope Chest from 1956

BUT

HE DID REFINISH IT

A little more bragging! He has installed many, many Chandeliers!!! He's great at this and has it down to a science!

One thing he always keeps in mind while planning a project.......he builds it to be CHANGEABLE. He knows me all too well! Who knows when I will decide to use something in a different fashion!!!

I can't imagine the fireplace wall used in any other manner, but he did the Office wall unit with change possible!!!!

Lisa You Are A Winner

I want to let everyone out there in Blogsville be aware, that my new Blogger Friend has been nominated for position #9 for High Point Style Spotters & Olioboard !
This was the announcement Lisa made last Monday on her Blog, Lisa Mende Design.
http://lisamendedesign.blogspot.com/

Follow the instructions, not too difficult for all my smart :) readers. If I hear of more instructions I will keep you posted. THE VOTING begins this Wednesday, August 1st.

VOTE-VOTE-VOTE

Monday, July 23, 2012

High Point Style Spotters & Olioboard Contest....

Sorry, it took me all day to get my blog post done today!!! My twitter was going crazy this morning, my phone was ringing off the hook, my Facebook and emails were wild!!!!! While I am typically, not one to toot my own horn, I am "over the moon" excited about an email, I received notifying me, that I had been chosen as one of the lucky 15 nominated, to vie for the vacant spot # 9 on High Point Market's "Style Spotter" Group sponsored by Olioboard.

"What is a Style Spotter", you ask?

Here is High Point Furniture Market's official definition of a Style Spotter:

"Style Spotters are trendsetters that see ahead of the curve in home fashion trends. Watch for them at Market as they walk the show, capturing images of their favorite looks and on-trend products. The Style Spotters will pin those photos to their Pinterest board and will list the exhibitor’s name and showroom number. They will also present the exhibitor with a sign that highlights the Style Spotter’s name with a QR code and URL for the Pinterest board. You can be involved, too! Pin your own product images and vote for your favorite Style Spotter, using the instructions on the right."

What is the High Point Market Style Spotter/Olioboard Contest?

Direct from the horse's mouth.....
(since I couldn't have said it better myself, this copy was borrow from here)

The High Point Market reported that it has partnered with Olioboard.com, the interior design online 2D and 3D moodboard creator, to develop a new contest to select a ninth Style Spotter. This is the first time that Market has opened up the social media program to more than eight tastemakers.

“We wanted to have even more interaction with our home furnishings communities, and this crowdsourcing contest will allow the Market community to select our next Style Spotter,” says Cheminne Taylor-Smith, vice president of the High Point Market Authority. “Olioboard is a perfect site for this contest because it allows members to create 2D and 3D room designs, while highlighting their own style viewpoint. Voters will be able to vote daily for the person that really showcases an eye for design, which is what the Style Spotters are all about.”

Nominations for the ninth Style Spotter were accepted through July 23, when the finalist were announced. All nominees were required to have a social media presence, and had be a qualified attendee for the October High Point Market, such as an interior designer, a retailer, or a member of the media. Here is a list of the finalist:
Jennifer Reynolds Interiors
Aphrochic
Tamara Matthews-Stephensen, NestNestNest
Denise McGaha, Denise McGaha Interior Design
Ivey DeLeon, ID Home Decor
Joni Vanderslice, J Banks Design
Sarah Walker, Curated House
Niche By Design
Selma Hammer Designs
Laura van Zeyl, Residential Lighting
Carmen Christensen, Time2Design
Christy Davis, A Modern Housewife
Holly Phillips, The English Room
Kara Legako Interior Design

If you would like to follow any of these finalist on twitter go to

High Point Market's Facebook page. The twitter names are listed there!
A panel has selected 15 finalists who will now compete in an Olioboard contest to win a slot on the Style Spotters panel. Olioboard’s online moodboard application will allow these 15 finalists to create digital moodboards and room designs using a collection of product photos from the April Market.

Finalist now have one week to style their boards, and they can create multiple boards. Designs must be complete by July 31. Voting on the finalists’ boards will run Aug. 1 through Aug. 22. All High Point Market attendees will be able to vote for their favorite Olioboard. When voting closes on Aug. 22, the design with the most votes will win and the finalist will be named to the Style Spotters for the October Market.

The winner will join the fall roster of Style Spotters, which were announced last week:

Traci Zeller, Traci Zeller’s Blog, @TraciZeller (Spring 2012 winner)
Gretchen Aubuchon, Fashion + Decor, @fashionanddecor
Lori Dennis, DesignCamp.com, @loridennisinc
Julia Buckingham Edelmann, Material Girls, @buckinghamid
Janel Laban, Apartment Therapy, @AptTherapy
Cassandra LaValle, Coco + Kelley, @casslavalle
Stacy Naquin, Stacy Naquin blog, @StacyNaquin
Jason Oliver Nixon, Demystifying Design, @JOliverNixon

This panel of nine will compete to win "The Style Spotter" for the October 2012 Market based on pins and likes from the "High Point Style Spotter" Pinterest boards created on for them. Even though I was nominated, I still have a loooonnnng way to go til victory! I would like to ask for your support once the boards go live! Thanks for reading this and thanks in advance for your support once the contest begins August 1st!