Surprise at Trina Turk Palm Springs,CA.

Trina Turk Palm Springs,CA.

While attending designer Trina Turk's 10th anniversary of her store in Palm Springs this summer, I met the wonderfully outrageous Mrs. Lilien ,blogger extraordinaire. A delight, and a surprise. My very dear friend, Tara drove from Malibu for the weekend, we enjoyed the festivities and meeting Mrs. Lilien and her friend Rory. I adore her blog, it's loaded with fancy frivolous findings that I love !
From Left to Right. Tara Sutphen, Shay Johnson, Rory Brown, and Mrs.Lilien (Kelley)
Cheers,
Shay

Our Home, Estate Sale Furnished !!!!

We are located in a wooded area filled with towering Fir trees, hence the name of our cedar clad rambling rambler "Tree House"It truly is an oasis in the heart of metropolis.
We purchased the home eight years ago, it is large, over 3000 sq.ft. and that was my challenge was, how was I going to fill the space ? The style of the home lends itself to a cozy, and warm, weathered, aged feel.
The home is similar to some of the homes in Europe where the feeling is a curated collection of decades of inherited furnishings and meaningful objects. Heart felt, soulful interior takes time.
99% of our interior is Estate Sale finds,thrift-ed, found, flea-ed. I call the style "European Farmhouse". The only problem I have is editing, I can't stop buying pieces, now that I am addicted to Estate Sale shopping.

Welcome to our Tree House....

Thank You, for stopping by. Please sign my guest book in the comments.
xo,
Shay
All photos by Fancy Farm Girl, Tiffany Dixon

Estate Sale 101..there will be disapointments

This past Friday, I jumped out of bed at 4:30, grabbed a PBJ, can of diet7up. With eager anticipation I hit the road headed to an Estate Sale across town. Scheduled to open at 8am. From the description on the web site, I felt this might be a super spectacular sale. The home 5000 sq feet located in a very swanky established area. I pulled up at 6:15 am,  there are a few people wandering around, I locate the sigh up sheet and I am shocked to see 24 names on it already. As I sit in my truck waiting, I make a list of the items I want.
1. 70's rad  Floor Lamp
2.  60's pair bucket leather chairs
3. Knoll wire chair

Shouldn't be a problem, as nobody really buys mid century modern furnishings in Seattle.
As I weave my way inside the house, I ask the the door man "where is the floor lamp" he points to the left, "up those stairs". As I walk in another woman is in there I see her grab the tags off the pair of black chairs, I look to the other corner and I see the floor lamp and the wire chair. I actually leaped through the air, across the room to the wire chair in the split second it took me to read $900. the tag was ripped of the groovy floor lamp. My heart sank. The wire chair was way overpriced, no way I was going to buy it.
There I was a pro, beat at her own game I was devastated, tired and sad.
At the other end of the house in the master, I spied a  beautiful Escada gray blazer. Marked at $15.00 I buy it as my consolation prize. It fits perfectly.

The competition at Estate Sales has increased dramatically, consequentially so have the prices. So my motto has always been '"Go EARLY" and now I am adding 'GO ON THE LAST DAY" when they open and everything is 50% off.(or more)
Happy Hunting, and remember this is suppose to be FUN !!!!
Shay

How To Find The Best Sales On Craigslist

Following these simple steps will save you a lot time when deciphering the "Craigslist Monster".
When looking for the best sales on Craigslist I follow these steps.

•  First click on Garage Sales

• Select the area of the city you would like to cover
• Fill in the Search For________. Located at the top of the page. Enter "antiques' or "Vintage" or " Estate Sales" or what ever you are looking for.
• Check the dates, because all of the sales with these tags, from the past will be in the list. Double check the date!!!!
• Only go to sales where photo's are listed. They will tell you volumes about the overall style, and quality.
• Google the address and zoom in to see the house.Address's that have cross streets and "near this or that" Proceed with caution!

Finding great sales on Craigslist  can be challenging, peruse the site for some practice, analyze the listings with discretion. This is, after all a treasure hunt, the clue's are in the listings. With practice you can spot the good sales in a minute. As always go early and carry cash.

I've had very good results finding large furniture pieces on Craigslist.
Click on Furniture and then in the Search For_______( type in what you are looking for.) Please follow the rules for buying on this site. Always buy from someone in person, never have anything shipped !

Some of my better furniture finds on Craigslist.

                   Unique, Mid Century Modern cabinet made in Germany.
                       Expensive , but cost much less than at a specialty store.

        White leather Natuzzi Sectional, out a model home and brand new.
                                    I paid $1900.       (Saved $7000.)

             Mid Century dining set bought from original owner for $295.
Happy Hunting !
Shay

Please leave a comment on your experience with Craigslist, good or bad.
Share if you found this post helpful.

Estate Sale Shopping 101

                           How To Find The Best Sales
For this series of Estate Sale 101, I am focusing on Estate Sales, where you can find vintage and antiques. The best place to find Estate Sales in your area is to subscribe to this weekly email. These listings are conducted by reputable  professional Estate Sale companies that focus on lifetime estates. And, some savvy independent sellers. These sales are a concentrated collection of a lifetime worth of home furnishings and assorted goods, held in the home where the people lived, most of the time at least 40 to 50 years of accumulation. The prices are generally very good, a lot of antique dealers attend these sales. Expect to pay sales tax, unless you have a resale certificate. Always carry cash, this is super important!! And arrive at least 90 minutes before opening.They will only let so many buyers in at one time depending on the size of the house and how many helpers they have. It is much better to wait before they open than after when the antique dealers have scooped up all the good stuff and you are still waiting to get in. Been there, done that and it kills me every time. Arrive early!!!!
I recommend Estate Sales.net over Craigslist, although I find plenty of sales on Craigslist, It's much more difficult to sift through 100's of listings to find "the right" sales to go to. In an upcoming blog post I will describe in detail what to look for and how to find the best sales on Craigslist. The reason I am not listing Craigslist as my first "go to" sale finder, is because I want to save you time ! And believe me, lots of aggravation !
Over the past 30 years of going to 1000's of fantastic sales and to some wrong (crappy) sales, and once to a spoof where I drove 50 miles in the early morning  to discover  it was a prank,  A phoney listing on Craigslist. I'll tell you how to avoid those too. And, which key words in ads to avoid when looking for cool vintage and antiques.
When attending Estate Sales held by professional companies, make sure you sign their mailing list (email). Usually when they hold a special sale they will send out their own email to people on their mailing list, sometimes early preview before the general public.
Listings for sales in the Seattle area alone this weekend.

 

This is my ideal setting, old home, good neighborhood, held by a reputable person that is known for reasonable pricing.

    This is some of what I found, 60's portraits at $3.00.

                      A fiberglass 60's school chair, $4.00
                                a cute blue bench $ 5.00.

                  Next Thursday, I will share my inside secrets on
                      "How to decipher the Craigslist Monster".

Carry cash and arrive early !
Happy Hunting !

Shay

Estate Sale 101 Insider Series

Estate Sale Shopping 101 series starts tomorrow. I will share the inside, best, and number one source to finding the best sales in your area. I am so excited to be writing this series, it will run for several weeks and I will include everything you ever wanted to know about the " fine art  " of the thrill of the find.
This series will teach you the " HOW TO"  save thousands of dollars, decorate and completely furnish your home like a professional designer.
The designers that use vintage and antiques, to make a home look UN-decorated the UN -formulated looks we all see on the trendy blogs and magazines.This way of design work is not easy, fast or slick. Curating a home filled with your unique style, your  spin and your hard work will be so satisfying, it will be worth every penny spent !

This is my  home " Tree House" decorated 99% thrifted, found, foraged with passion and love at Estate, Garage and Flea Market Sales.
Literally saving 1000's of dollars. I will show you How!!!


Plus,
How to:
*Find the BEST sales
*What to BUY
*Shop like a PRO
*Decorate with thrifty finds
*WHY shop Estate Sales
* My "Junk Finds"

Every Thursday a new topic will be discussed. Please comment , and Share this information.

For the love of Junk Finding !
xo
Shay 

Estate Sale Shopping 101

Happy Friday! I always get excited towards the end of the week, because this means Garage and Estate Sale time !!
I am an expert in this field and take it for granted that so is everybody else. But, the more I talk to people about how I do all my junk finding the more I hear questions like these.

*Where do you find out about Estate sales?
*How do you know which ones to go to ?
*How do you know what to buy?
*How do you know how much to spend on a certain item ?
*You are so lucky, how do you do it ?
*Why do you shop at Estate Sales?
*What is the difference between a Garage Sale and an Estate Sale?

I've  heard all kinds of really great questions. and I want to answer all of these, and a lot more. I want you to save time and money, so let's learn how to do it by shopping on the super cheap ! No compromising on style,value or quality.

I will give you all my tips and secrets upcoming in this blog, every Friday.( Or Thursday) because I'm usually out the door Friday mornings very early !
Can't wait to share !
xo,
Shay

For The Love Of Vintage

I loved everything in this vintage store Petaluma,Ca.

Great selection of whimsical objects.

Wouldn't this make a super fancy dog bed ?

Carousel Horse

 

Retro Swimsuits and Remembering

 Memorial weekend is when we officially declare the summer season, at least here in the Northwest. I realize in California it is year round.  A few months ago I was at the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art where they were having a Mid Century Exhibit, which was amazing. I snapped these iphone pics of these fabu swimsuits.. Does it inspire you to break out the bikini ?
This weekend when you are sunning by the pool drinking a cool beverage take a moment, raise your glass and remember the men and women who have served our country, who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so we can be free. Cheers to every single one,Thank YOU !


We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Palm Springs

Photo by Shay 

Mid Century Modern Palm Springs Style

Photo: Shay

Hilda Grahnat

.2588, a photo by hildagrahnat on Flickr.

Swedish photographer, Hilda Grahnat. Vintage by color series.

Colors of the Desert Run Deep in My Blood

Colors of the Desert, a photo by mckinleypoodle( Shay) on Flickr.

Idle time, soaking up the raw beauty of the AZ. desert. I resonate and love the texture,colors and light in the desert.I snapped this easel of an artist work while visiting the Arizona Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ.
(Side note: My GGG Grandfather, GG Grandfather,GF, and my father were all born in Mesa AZ. Dating back to the early 1880'sThey were one of the earliest
white settlers, and came in on horse and wagon.)
I am fifth generation Southwestern born ! )
Make it a meaningful day,
Shay

2008-03-12-1234-37, a photo by mckinleypoodle( Shay) on Flickr.

1966 Vintage Airstream American Style

A couple months ago Tiffany from the fancy farm girl came and photographed us at our home in Washington State. This is our 24 foot 1966 Vintage Airstream that I restored five years ago.

We travel from Washington to California with our three precious dogs twice a year. It's very cozy in the 24 foot trailer with all of us. We love meandering along the California coast and staying in the RV parks. It is a slice of the" Americana Lifestyle" we enjoy !! Roasted hot dogs, cinnamon buns and sodas.

                                                                      Our Gang.

Fabulous Friday Fun

Friday Fun, a photo by mckinleypoodle( Shay) on Flickr.

I'm looking forward to some Friday fun.
Make it a good one friends !!

Royal Blue Naturally Beautiful

Natural Beauty, a photo by mckinleypoodle( Shay) on Flickr.

Last year on our trip to California I snapped this gorgeous butterfly display,( This is not photo shop,although I did add a vignette frame around the image.)
Since I took this image I have been obsessed with royal blue.Why don't we see more of this color in decorating ? What do you think of royal blue ?

Autumn Is...

Autumn is....
Saying goodbye to our outdoor dining room under the canopy.
Cutting huge hydrangea flowers and drying them.

Spying beautiful and weird pumpkin's at our favorite grocery store.
Wearing my favorite cashmere shawl and then loosing it at the Alameda Flea Market .
A fire in the fireplace to warm our home and loving the smell of smoke.
Packing up for our trip to the desert.

To be really honest, Autumn is a sad time of the year for me. My Father and Mother both passed away in the month of October. I absolutely hate Halloween decorations because of this.

So, I am anxiously awaiting November in anticipation of Thanksgiving my favorite holiday. Gathering with friends, family and eating "over the top delicious" food, savoring every bite. Savoring every moment feeling blessed beyond words.
XO,
Shay

House Stuff by Elizabeth Maxson

House Stuff, a photo by Elizabeth's Point of View on Flickr.

Beautiful colors and texture of ordinary objects in sublime lighting .
The tone of color palette is soothing and rich,the texture soulful . Beautiful !!!

A coat of yellow paint

The Trollsta sideboard, a photo by Planet Fur on Flickr.

Old brown dated sideboard updated with happy fresh yellow paint. Take advantage of the sturdy well built furniture found at garage sales for a fraction of the cost of new.

Found via Interior Styling Flickr group.

Spring at Home

Spring at Home, a photo by sweet berry me on Flickr.

Magnolias

Magnolias, a photo by Machteld M on Flickr.

Blue Canoe at Farm Chicks

Blue Canoe at Farm Chicks, a photo by mckinleypoodle( Shay) on Flickr.

Brilliant display and re purposed zinc wash tub.