Alameda Estate Sale Aug 22nd, 23rd & 24th

If you love shopping flea markets, garage sales or estate sales get on www.lynnsofalameda.com mailing list for regular email updates of upcoming estate sales. They also have a shop at 2807 Encinal, Alameda.

Here's info on an upcoming estate sale this weekend:

622 Valle Vista, Oakland
Off Elwood and Grand by the Coffee Mill
August 22th , 23th, 24th
Friday noon-5pm
Sat. & Sun 10am4pm

A Gardeners Dream House! Very Large Collection of Plants, Pots, Soil, Statuary, Outdoor Patio Furniture, Decorative Mirror, Old Cameras, Photography Books, Crafts, Massive Iron 1900's Water Boiler, Professional PFAFF 335 Sewing Machine, Beautiful Bolts of Fabric, Cool Blonde Vintage Modern Eames Era Furniture: Credenza, Coffee Table, Corner Lamp Table & Dining Room Chairs Vintage Christmas, Danish Teak Tile Nesting Tables, Modern Side Table, Pair of Wing Chairs, Frames, Old Luggage, Vintage 60's Clothing, Shoes and Purses, Plant Stands, Collection of Costume Jewelry, Kennel Club Photo's & Ephemera, Kitchen Items, Pots, Pans, Glassware, Painted Antique Furniture, Framed Fabric Room Divider, Desk, Meito China, Sewing Patterns, Newer Vacuum Cleaner, Mask Collection, Cleaning Supplies, Upholstery Tools, Gardening Tools, Hand Tools, Paints & Solvents, Building Supplies.

SUNDAY noon everything is HALF OFF! Don't miss this one if you're an artist or a crafter! You'll kick yourself on Monday... No Early Sales.

Target and Dwell Studio Team Up

Target now offers a whole line of Dwell Studio. Mostly infant bedding as well as furniture and accessories, but they also offer adult bedding as well.

The Shade Store and Dwell Sudio Team Up

The Shade Store and modern fabrics from Dwell Studio partnered together to make some fun window treatments in some groovy fabrics. Check out Dwell Studio to finding matching bedding.

Tile Tatoos

2Jane gives your kitchen or bathroom a stylish makeover with these Tile Tattoos by Mibo. Impervious to water and moisture, these heavy duty stickers will add life to the wettest walls of the house. Completely opaque coverage hides any unwanted tiles. No glue required for application and no sticky residue if they're removed! Say good bye to blue and mauve, flower accent tiles from the 80's!!!

House Salvage Sale...What a Score!

Wholehouse Building Supply & Salvage offers quality building materials that have been donated or salvaged from area homes and businesses. They also conduct house salvage sales at homes that are slated for demolition. Call 650-856-0634 or go to their website for more details.
The pictures below shows one of two salvage sales this weekend. I'm highlighting this one in particular because it truly has nice windows, doors and cabinetry. See specific details below or go to their website for more details.

30 Cove Rd., Belvederre
Saturday & Sunday, August 9 & 10
10:00 to 5:00

Best quality Cabinets and Appliances, French Doors, True Divided Light Windows, Great Built-In Office & Entertainment Center

Built in the 1930's, the 2200 square foot house has been extensively remodeled. It features the highest quality windows and doors including some new Marvin windows, unusual multi-pane doors, wood casement windows and true divided light French doors. There are plenty of glass door knobs in this home as well.

You will find a free-standing fireplace with screen and gas stove. The modern bathrooms have oak vanities, Kohler sinks, solid brass towel bars, and cool lighting. Other goodies include a pull down attic staircase, nice oak flooring, copper light fixtures, vintage lights, a large (100 gallon?) water heater, oak columns and posts, and some furniture. Look at this great entertainment center and built in office!

The kitchen is the best of all. Natural wood cabinetry is complemented by leaded glass doors on the upper cabinets. It features a high-end gas cook top and fancy ceramic sink with brass gooseneck faucet.

Eco Shiek - Furniture Sources Vol. 2

Vivaterra or living earth is inspired by their dedication to living in harmony with nature - for a healthier life now and for future generations. All products reflect a commitment to: ecology and elegance; organic, sustainable sources; earth and people friendly;handcrafted by artisans; and celebrating life. (see example picture on right)

Nathan Anthony - classic furniture from beds to sofas

Madera Furniture - Fairfax, CA
All pieces are made out of recycled local wood and are finished with earth friendly top coats. Functional and one of a kind....Always. (see example on left)

Metro Furniture - They begin with recyclable or antique wood frames that would otherwise end up in a landfill. They make the piece new again. Carefully choosing paints, fabrics, cushions and finishes with green production and manufacturing in mind. You would never know these were reclaimed pieces. They make the old look new and hip with paint and modern fabrics. (see example at bottom). Additionally, check out Metro Shed, Cabin, Playhouse and Art for some interesting ideas and maybe a change in the way you think about things.

Other sources for finding green furniture makers:
Sustainable Furniture Council

Craigslist find, $60. DIY green project. Follow the concept of Metro Furniture above...a little paint and some groovy fabric...off you go!

Art Inspiration at Your Finger Tips

I'm constantly astounded by the creative talent out there! If you are looking for fun art for a room or wanting to give your hand at creating your own check out these resources. Also, think about using items in alternate ways, such as framing wrapping paper or using it as a back drop for a picture. Today I'm highlighting a few places to either buy art or get inspiration.

My Daughter's Wish - an art, paper, studio in Pleasant Hill, CA. This store is kind of tucked away and a bit of a 'best kept secret'. NOT just a scrapbooking store, but rather a very artsy store with lots of creative products, ideas, & classes. Their sight also has has loads of resources, ideas and class info. I just finished up a short summer watercolor class with a great watercolorist, Colleen L Gianatiempo. It was a beginner's class, a small group of 8 and I learned a ton. I also learned painting with watercolors is hard! I had a great time and can't wait to sign up again.

How about family photos? OK, don't get me wrong. I love my kids and love pictures of other kids too, but that doesn't mean you have to display every photo ever taken of your child. As a matter of fact, if you over display the eye no longer knows where to stop and look. Keep it simple by either displaying one or two photos in a vignette or if you plan to do a grouping then simplify by keeping the frames the same or at least the same color. Pick the best of the best and save the rest for the photo albums. I think this subject requires it's own topic of discussion. Laura Cottril is a local Bay Area, award-winning photographer. Her work is stunning, check her out! She's also teaching some basic photography classes at My Daughter's Wish (mentioned above.) I'm going to take both classes! Hey when you have a chance to learn from the best of the best it's a no brainer. I selected a couple of her photos and especially the one on left because it incorporated an interior as well as a child. What a wonderful way to catch MY attention! It made me think in a new and different way...interiors and portraits together as art. This could be a whole new way to bring in the right colors and feel into your decor.

Etsy a sight I've mentioned before and will mention again I'm sure! I love this site because it's an outlet for artist/artisans and consumers to sell and buy all things hand-made. This is an amazing site for ideas, inspiration, and to buy original creative art work at very affordable prices. I've highlighted three examples: Suzanna Anna, RozArt, and BS Art Studios.

Condé Nast’s iconic magazines--from Vogue and Vanity Fair to Gourmet and Golf Digest -- are known not only for the excellence of their editorial content but also for the high quality of their visual images. Reprints are not cheap, but wow a collection of these vintage prints...Fab-U-Lous!!! I like to look at them for color ideas, art inspiration, etc. This particular image is the April 1949 House & Garden, taken by Haanel Cassidy. Who looked at this and thought it could be a magazine cover today??? This image could be a decor today with it's hip & now bright yellow walls and the Asian influences. I'm reminded by this image to mention that we should all remember to include sculptural pieces as art too. Art isn't just what hangs on the wall.

Crafty Synergy is a collection of interviews with inspiring artists by Patricia Zapata a writer, artist & graphic designer. What a nice sight to highlight independent artist and small businesses as well as inspire artists, art lovers, and creative wannabes alike.

Here an interesting concept, short stories...every picture tells your story, original art etchings by Laura Zec.



Wallpaper Menagerie - Chimp #72, $79. Made by Inke Heiland in the Netherlands this chimp will bring any wall to life with a modern twist and retro charm. Hand-cut from vintage and reprinted wallpapers, each animal is available in several different patterns per animal. Mix and match to create your own zoo! Comes with wallpaper paste and brush for easy application!