I painted this sign a year ago….because at the time it was what I needed to do…BE STILL.  Today is no different, and I smile at the slow lesson I am trying to learn.

I am humbled beyond belief to have been welcomed into Vintage Market Days and their Barn Dance to be held at the WNC Ag Center March 17-19, 2017.  No….H-U-M-B-L-E-D.  Wait…let me back up.

I knew that closing Burlap & Lace at the Tin Roof Antique Market was what I needed to do for a time, but I really didn’t know for how long, or why.  So on 11/30/16, I packed up my Highlander and drove away….from a place and from people that had inspired me, and that I loved.  But I knew that I knew that I knew I was following God’s lead.

So about a week ago, a friend sent me a Facebook link to the Vintage Market Days Barn Dance coming in March.  My love for Vintage overtook my senses and I went on line to apply for tickets for the weekend event.  But wait….what if….I applied as a vendor?  My fingers stopped their clicking for ticket sales and I went back to investigate applying to be a vendor.  Quickly I prayed, God, please don’t let me do anything that is not in keeping with Your will.  If this is not what You want, then please don’t open this door to me.

The application was 6 pages, and I was allowed only one photo to depict my style.  Are you kidding me?  One photo?  What is my style?!?  I chose one picture, put in my application and got an immediate response that my application would be reviewed and that I would be notified within 6 weeks.   I would have to wait….

But not 6 weeks!  Within a few hours, I had been accepted in as a vendor!  My head was spinning with excitement.

Well that one photo experience and my acceptance into the Market led my husband and I to our evening discussion topic as we sat by the fire….What is my style?

He grinned at me…and I thought of that old song, “I’m a little bit country; I’m a little bit rock and roll.”  Musing over the question, I could only come up with one word really…eclectic.  You see, my style is anything from vintage to farmhouse style to cottage living to industrial salvage.  It all really depends on the day and the item and my mood.  Let me illustrate….

This is our entry way into our living area.  Our home was originally designed to be a weekend cottage, and over the last 12 years we have left it as such.  But we have decided that 2017 is the year to renovate…at least partially.  And we have decided to start with our main living space.

I found this piece a year ago and knew it would basically fit our needs.  I have never liked the finish on it, but have had every intent to paint it.  This coming year is the year!  But that’s beside the point.  How would you term this piece?  Cottage?  Farmhouse? Vintage?

I am finding that those terms can be intermixed.  Whites generally flow into the cottage and farmhouse arena, whereas colored pieces more typically generate vintage appeal.

This is a wall shelf in my kitchen, complete with vintage canisters and cream pitchers.  Vintage all the way, yes?

Not by choice, I have orange counter tops.  So you see, when I began my decorating 12 years ago, I simply decided to work with what I had.  And I have loved it all!

Over the years I have found and added pieces that appeal to my cottage living style, such as the mirrored window and this cute table.

If you walk into our guest room, you will find touches of industrial salvage mixed in with cottage living pieces…and my office offers the same, but with a twist of color.

So what is my style?  It will be fun as we move forward with our decorating in 2017 to see what stays and what goes to Burlap &  Lace – the one other place that I can be as eclectic as I desire.

So as Vintage Market Days approach, stay tuned to see how my style is shaping up!  Certain things are for sure….I have already got plenty of architectural salvage and farmhouse finds on hand!

Can’t wait to see you at the Barn Dance in 2017!  Get your tickets today at https://vintagemarketdays.com/Market/asheville-metro/home.  Stop by Burlap & Lace for a special gift from me!

~Blessings,

Connie