New and Improved (at the antique mall)

Hello!

I've been seriously MIA on Mamma B's Attic with my hectic work schedule, graduations, weddings, etc. It's time to get back to what I love-talking (virtually of course) and vintage decorating!

I spent part of last week painting, prepping, and primping my new and improved booth at the antique mall. I was overdue upgrading my tiny wall space as it was constantly overflowing with treasures I just couldn't pass up at yard sales or while rummaging through the thrift stores. My son and his girlfriend are also helping me with the booth as they've caught the vintage bug.

Here's some pics of our new booth. Our goals was to make it fun and cheerful! Hope you enjoy it!

A child's shelf holds a pink phone, tap shoes, elephant planter, and charming little girl's head planter.

We painted the white chippy shelf with chalkboard paint on the drawer and top and included some pretty pastel chalk and a pink and blue flower button. So cute!

A vintage acrobat clown, baby dolls, and red polka-dot scarf sit on a white wicker shelf.

A yellow hand painted flower cabinet sits in the corner. Vintage black purses hang from an old sage green coatrack.

An expanded view of the booth. We painted the drab, brown walls a bright, cheerful yellow. You can see it from the distance while heading down the aisle!

We painted these white shutters a sunny yellow and then distressed them to have the white show through. They sit behind some chippy white and yellow candlestick holders.

We accented the drawers and top of this desk with black paint and a flower applique to match the black chair with flower pad. An Eiffel Tower tea light sits on top and a handmade (sewn by me) flower chenille pillow rests on the chair.

A romantic scroll tea light holder sits on top of a black pedestal with a white wicker planter (found for .25 at a yard sale) behind it.

This man-in-the-moon toaster cookie jar is adorable and my fav item in the booth!

A flowered chenille bedspread sits on a green high-back chair at a shabby white farm table (we found the farm table at a yard sale for $5. It had stuff sitting on it and the guy selling it didn't think it was worth putting in the sale.).

I painted a white window pane black and added a gingham curtain to the back and a pretty scroll applique on the glass.

We painted the edges of this yellow twin bed with black and added a rose applique to the headboard and foot board.

Take care,

Di

Antique World Mall-Boise, ID

Hello!

I've posted before about the Antique World Mall (and The Annex) in Boise, where I have a small booth, but I've never shared any pics with you of this fantastic store. It's filled to the rafters with row after row of fabulous treasures-everything from Shabby Chic to one-of-a-kind collectibles. You could spend many happy hours (I certainly have) treasure hunting while sipping complimentary coffee and munching on cookies. They were also the 2008 Boise Weekly "Best-of-Boise" Winner. I love being part of this mall-you would too!

In addition, every third Fri of the month is "Save After Six" where from 6-9pm participating dealers have additional discounts, there are drawings for Mall Money, and hot popcorn, cookies, and coffee are served. Here's the link to their website (I've also added them to the sidebar links) and a few pics to entice you to stop by the next time your in Boise:

http://www.antiqueworldmall.com/

Our super-sweet manager Sue who knows everything about antiques and dapper Dan can assist you with your every need.

My cute little spot.

A yellow hutch, old wire basket, and pretty blue-and-yellow glassware.

This fluffy bed makes me want to snuggle-up and take a nap!

I love this black room divider made from old french doors and the sparkly chandelier.

Frilly lampshades and linens fill this colorful booth.

A shabby white hutch filled with treasures and a white birdcage sits below chippy white garden lattice.

Sue always has a rotating display by the front door showcasing seasonal or special items.

A primitive pie-pan tier, worn egg holder, and old silver teapots show pretty patina.

Another wire birdcage and chalkware ducks sit on an old weathered green trunk.

Another one of my favorite booths. Wish I could buy it all!

We also have our 10th Anniversary Celebration coming up May 30th & 31st. There will be gift certification drawings, treats, special sales, and free appraisals to benefit the Idaho Food Bank. I'll post more pics in the coming months to keep you updated and inspired to decorate vintage!

Take care,

Di

Antique Mall Updates

Hello!

I've spent the last week updating my booth at the Antique World Mall in Boise. Over the last few Sat morning yard sales, I've found tons of treasures-a reward for venturing out in the freezing, rainy, cold Spring mornings. Here's a few pics of my loot:

A vintage "American in Paris" guide with Eiffel Tower on the front (you know I love Eiffel Towers-this one might end up at my house).

A vintage "French for Travelers" guide, Mother's Day plaque, and silver crown card holder.

A beautiful ceramic flower lamp with urn bottom-only ONE flower was damaged! A shabby blue baby doll crib, elephant child's planter, and pink ballerina birthday candles.

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. My son and girlfriend have started to go with me yard sale shopping. They are into "vintage" stuff and bought a few things to sell at the mall. It's so fun to have a common interest. They went "vintage style" to the Senior Prom this year. They looked so adorable!

Take care,

Di

Shabby French Door Divider

You can make a pretty room divider out of an old, weathered door. I made mine out of this adorable skinny french door I found at a sale last Spring. The old farmhouse it belonged to was being sold off (piece-by-piece) and then leveled to make way for a subdivision-what a shame! I arrived 5 minutes too late to snag a beautiful, crystal chandelier, but ran when I saw this treasure out in the yard.

To make the door sturdy, I bought black, metal shelf brackets from Home Depot and screwed them in to the bottom of the door on each side. This allows the door to stand upright and be moved anywhere in the room.

With the warmer weather finally arriving, I've moved mine outdoors. It sits between two chairs with a black tea light holder and sparkly crystals that give the patio a warm, inviting look after dark.

It's super easy. Why don't you give it a try?

On a side note, I have a new little buddy that follows me around the house and yard and jumps in my lap anytime he feels a little scared (like when the giant lab Alaiki walks by). His name is Jacks and he's my sons/girlfriends new miniature puppy who I occasionally "babysit" when they are out. He's such a cute little squirt!

Take care,

Di

Pretty Purple Pansies

Hello!

Spring has finally sprung here in Boise as tiny grape hyacinths and pretty pink tulips push through the cold, hard dirt. The first warm day sends us flocking to the local Home Improvement Store where we browse dreamily through the garden department-drooling over row after row of flowers and vegetables!

I spent a relaxing Sunday in my garden cleaning up the front bed and planting a few pretty purple pansies in urns and pots. Here's a few pics to brighten your day!

Strawberries start to green and spread beneath the Eiffel tower.

The Hollyhocks that will grow tall as the house by mid-June are now only a few inches tall.

The weathered arbor with its twinkling garden lights and Trumpet Creeper vine (that will bear beautiful orange blooms for the hummingbirds) beacons you up the walk for a visit.

Wish you were here!

Di

Shabby Decorating Down Mexico Way!

Hello!

My hubby and I just got back from spending seven wonderful days in Mexico with a few of our favorite friends. After the long, dreary winter in Boise, Idaho, the sights and colors of Mexico assaulted our senses! The turquoise water, lush green palm trees, and white beaches seemed unreal.

I also found romantic, shabby decorating everywhere we went-from the restaurant on the beach with its breezy, blue gauze drapes and pretty, pink tablecloths to the worn-down house painted bright pink with yellow flowers peeking out of a window box. I realized that all around the world there are woman who want to create beautiful, romantic spaces-no matter what their income or situation. They use what they have to make their house a home.

Here's a few pics. I wish I had one of the pink house, but we were flying by in a taxi and I couldn't get a good shot!

You could pull the blue gauze drapes shut for a romantic dinner.

Or chat with a girlfriend sitting at this pretty white iron garden table.

A sunny yellow building with white windows and white iron rails on the balcony.

Blue shabby shutters on the restaurant above the hut covered beach chairs.

Even downtown, beautiful iron scroll work in the form of lamps (like the one above this group pic) and gates with brightly painted buildings were everywhere.


Sweet dreams of paradise!

Di

Thrifty Thrift Store Finds

Hello,

I love the Thrift Store! Every day is a good day at the Thrift Store-you never know what treasure waits for you under a pile of old kitchenware, amongst the tattered used books, or out in the "yard" section. All it costs you is the time to rummage through the shelves and a couple of dollars-all for charity! Gals, if you don't frequent your local Thrift Store, you need to start!

Here's a few cute finds from the Deseret Industries Thrift Store I picked-up on my way home tonight:

An old chipped white window, a small aluminum watering can, and a black art deco birdcage-all for a song!
An old black and silver rotating display. I'm going to use this in my antique booth to hang vintage greeting cards and pretty linens and scarves.

Have a good night!

Di