Well I think its pretty safe to say, Miss Spring is taking her time showing up around here. Its another cold day and I’m dreaming about birds chirping, the sound of lawn mowers and the smell of barbecue, not these flurries in March #overit
So I thought what a perfect time to visit all the fab finds I found on my antiquing and thrifting trevails last Summer in Michigan with a little bit of sunshine thrown in.
Its a sweet time of year for our family. No words for the mild slow Summer days, beautiful lake swimming and being with long-time friends and family.
A favorite turn on our way to Elk Rapids from Torch Lake, at the top of the hill, you can see the sun setting over the blue waters of Traverse Bay and acres of cherry tree orchards. Windows down, music loud and the breeze in your hair, it’s a moment.
Every year, the old fashioned candy shoppe in downtown Elk Rapids does such a nice job with their window boxes. I loved their muted color combo last year. Typically Geraniums reign in Michigan, but this year they did something a little different. I like it.
Every year I tell myself, this is it! This is the year I hitch a uhaul to the back of my truck and bring home all the great finds and tons of birch branches (maybe this Summer will finally be it).
What could of been with this large fabulous art deco chandelier. Its got ‘Cotton Club” written all over it…
A steal at $425…and you can always talk them down a good ten, fifteen percent. 😉
Or these Milo Baughman for Henredon olive burl nesting tables! Divine.
So many great signs…
ADORED this one…
This gothic brass picture frame caught my eye, a wonderful addition to a gallery wall…
But it was this fleur de lis number that made the cut. I have plans to fill it with a mirror and tie a pretty silk-dyed ribbon to it to hang.
A great old primitive cabinet to hang in an alcove or the bath.
The perfect Lake Michigan map.
1950’s wallpaper framed, so simple.
Picked up this fun dresser jar for $12 and filled it with strands of pearls
The vintage shopping up North is to die for, so the Summer birthday girls always luck out!
This one for Lisa…
A vintage necklace for Amanda…
This one for Lara (her closet is strictly black, white and gray, perfect aeh?) but I’ve yet to give it to her…surprise!
And this one for my downriver sister, Romi, because it has a special Michigan connection…
Jacobsens! Jake’s was a favorite local department store growing up that has since closed and now a distant, fond memory. Whenever Mom came to see me at school we always went to “Jakes” and she would treat me to something special (the black suede pants still my favorite). We buried Mom with her Jacobsen’s credit card. My Aunt thought it was kinda tacky, probably so, but I know Mom appreciated it! ;-))))) xoxoxoxo
And lastly, one for meeeeee
We discovered some great old barns, which might have required renovations from firms similar to OKIE Barndominiums. Oh, and we also came across acres of sunflower fields!
Taking over Papa Larry’s house, her “office”. With the dollar store around the corner, we’re never short on pink ponytails.
a dream rig
Mom had a great eye (understatement). A favorite display of hers in our kitchen growing up. I can remember the day I came home from school and she had just finished it. That confident look of a born artist, all proud. I often wonder what her design style would be like today.
One of her “five minute” jobs against a favorite ticking stripe wallpaper in our breakfast nook.
This one probably took a little longer than five minutes…
A few other favorite things from my childhood home. The swing door. Drove our parents crazy running through it…btw I’ve told Dad a 100 times to paint that white trim the same color as the walls…he doesn’t listen.
The enclosed stairway and how it turned in a spiral as you went up, kinda like Different Strokes, is what we thought as little kids. Even at a young age, I was obsessed with interiors on and off the t.v.
The alcove and trim ceiling detail throughout the dining and living rooms.
The glass knob hardware and interior doors detail
The clothes chute. Provided hours of fun for us and hours of headaches for Dad every time we clogged it up with wet towels. Sorry Pops.
I don’t know what it is about Dad’s Homegoods, but I make a point to hit it a few times while I’m there…the finds are so much better!
This was on clearance for like eight bucks…why I didn’t grab it, I’ll never know. Would of made such a great layering piece in a vignette.
When I was hot for chevron, so soft and in orange #nobrainer
Why I need the uhaul…I’ll take both.
Awesome selection of pillows to mix with any color palette.
I look forward to the day when I can design a navy and white space.
And here we are, at the end of our warm weather and shopping daydream. Thanks for coming along!
Stay warm and toasty,
Jennifer Sunshine
xoxo
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Dangity Dang….I need to get a truck and haul my ass up to that place! WOWZA.
It is nice to see an article dedicated to this important topic. Thank you for sharing.
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