VINTAGE HOME Lifestyle's Barn Sale

Cathleen at VINTAGE HOME Lifestyle in Healdsburg had a barn sale this weekend and we stopped in to introduce ourselves and do some shopping. She is a fellow blogger, and we have been communicating with each other. It was nice to finally meet her.

Here is her barn behind her 100 year old farmhouse. It was just begging to be explored!

Inside was filled with wonderful vintage treasures, like painted furniture, candles, soaps, plants, and accessories. Cathleen refinishes all the furniture herself. She is also a genius at merchandising her store. Everywhere I looked, I discovered something special.

Like this candle that she wrapped in upholstery webbing and tied with an old skeleton key. How cool is that? I loved it so much, I bought them all!

And these bottles that she labeled with old French paper and tied with a crystal prism. She has her own line of soy candles and bath and body products that she originated in her Farmhouse kitchen!

How adorable is this wreath?

Cathleen made this bulletin board. I love the hotel silverware and bistro dishes.

Another inside shot of the barn.

Outside, this old bicycle has been re-purposed as a planter.

Cathleen and Mr. A trying to get two tables in an SUV for a customer. Believe it or not, they did it. It's a good thing we showed up when we did!

Cathleen and I posing in front of a beautiful painted china cabinet.

It was so much fun meeting her. I plan to visit again when she has the next barn sale in February. No doubt the barn will be filled again with more great old painted pieces and found objects.

Be sure to check out Cathleen's blog here and her online store here.

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Antiquing on New Year's Day in the Wine Country

It was a dreary, rainy day in the wine country today. All the stores were closed, except the three antique collectives in Healdsburg. It just felt like the right thing to do - hunting and gathering. We started out with an old fashioned breakfast at a local diner, then on to exploring every nook and cranny at "Healdsburg Classics".

As soon as we walked in the door, we saw Mike, the owner. He is always good for a story or two. I love his Irish brogue.

The inside is enormous and filled with collectibles, antiques and just plain junk. But one man's junk is another man's treasure!

I especially loved these weathered columns. I passed them up though, but found a wonderful hanging lantern and eight dinner plates from the same dealer.

I love this crystal sconce.

On the way out, I admired this lovely old fountain. Wish I had a place for it.

Across the street is the Antique Harvest Antique Collective.

It was much warmer in here, thanks to this wonderful pot belly stove.

A little chicken wire cage filled with herbs from Ron Morgan Antiques. He has a space in this collective and is well known around the Bay Area.

He even has his own book!

Down the street is Myra Hoefer Design, a very upscale shop specializing in French antiques. Unfortunately, it was closed. Myra is the wife of Wade Hoefer, a very talented artist.

I'm crazy for these Anduze pots and have tried to buy them from her, but they're not for sale! The painting on the burlap chair is an original buy Wade.

Inside the store.

Over to Mill Street Antiques. It's more like a garage sale in here. Although, we have found some wonderful treasures here. Like a matching pair of cement columns we now have sitting outside our living room in Asti.

On our way back home we passed by lots of vineyards. The fog on the hills was so moody, I had to stop and take a picture.

This old sign is so retro!

Back home, we admired our finds. I bought these plates--perfect in the wine country with the grape pattern. As if I need another plate!

This lantern may go in our entry at home. Otherwise, I'll have to add it to my "collection" of light fixtures. Another weakness!

What a great way to spend New Year's Day.

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