Remember the
Harry Potter book (and movie) where Harry is about to walk into this very small shabby tent only to be stunned to find an entire house on the inside. Well... that's how I felt about the
Brimfield TweetUp Tent, designed by
Interior Designer Shane Inman, with the help of
HGTV Celebrity and Owner of Re-purpose Shop, Cari Cucksey, the folks at
Fashion & Decor,
Rue la la, and
Benjamin Moore Paints. There are lots people involved in making the event happen but Gretchen Aubuchon of Fashion & Decor, and Jen Hoyda, event manager, really rocked the show.
It was like I'd stepped into a magical place--with amazing and imaginative designs from rope chandeliers to upcycled furniture covered in
gorgeous Robert Allen fabrics, and of course, the stunning bar that was lined with dozens and dozens of bottles filled with
Benjamin Moore paint colors. With chair massages, a
master mixologist, Warren Bobrow, mixing amazing drinks, giveaways, goodie bags, and lots of lots very fun and personable people, it was really hard to say I was "working". (But when I called home, I managed to say the word "work" without giggling.)
 |
| I bought 8 turkey feeder lights here for an interior design project that I can't wait to share with you. |
And that was just the beginning! Then I got to go shopping, looking for amazing finds for two interior jobs I'm working on (and of course, if I spy something for myself...well...so be it). Hundreds and hundreds of tables and tents filled with antiques, vintage pieces, industrial and salvaged goods and more all line up on for almost a mile on the main drag in Brimfield, Massachusetts!
I picked up 8 light fixtures made from vintage turkey feeders that will be perfect for a redo of a Vermont Inn I'm working on (more about that later this month). Plus, a huge wooden egg laying box that will be perfect for the reception area of the Inn. A box full of old plumber handles (wait till you see what I do with those) and lots of hooks. I saw a dress which reminded me so much of the Little House on the Prairie and I had to buy it--for $5 I was willing to take a chance.
 |
| If I can zip this up, I'll be excited! |
But with all that, still the best thing about Brimfield were the people I met. I was a little nervous to head to this event alone (my dear friend, and
amazing stylist, Karin Lidbeck Brent, couldn't go last minute). Well, everyone made me feel so welcome and I made some new friends, Cari, Amanda, Jennifer...
 |
| Cari Cucksey and I hanging in the tent -- so fun to get to know her and her family better. |
After two days of magical fun, with a car full of stuff, I headed back home to a weekend of normal family life (you know, basketball games, laundry and getting the garden ready for planting). As I unpack the car, and thought about what I'm going to write in this post, I realized how happy I was and how blessed I am to call this "work."
Next stop,
Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, New York, June 7,8,9. At this fair, I'll be giving two demos and presentations as well as selling some vintage pieces at the
Five Corners Antique Shop booth. Good thing I emptied the car! Phew! Work, Work, Work :)
My best, Joanne
 |
| I wasn't drinking alone! I had Warren's gnome, Klaus, with me. |
 |
| Seriously! I'll take that and that and that and that. Vintage Leather Club Chairs from Europe! |
 |
| What a small world--the vendor, Textile Trunk, is owned by Wendy, who lives a town over from me! Can't wait to get together with her. Her vintage textiles are incredible. |
 |
| I bought 25 of these old metal plumbers handles and 36 cast iron hooks for an upcoming project! |
 |
| Cari's tent, the Re-Purpose shop was filled with vintage pieces as well as funky repurposed pieces. |
 |
| Came so close to buying the Farrah Fawcett bean bag chair. Brimfield has a little bit of everything. |
 |
| Before I left the tent for the final time, I won this vintage magazine rack painted by Cari in a Benjamin Moore paint color. I'm going to use it as a stand for my own Salvage Books. |