Chocolate...it's not just for breakfast anymore!

I recently just finished painting my dining room...wanna see? Previously, it was two different shades of mossy green, divided by a chair rail. It was just okay. I had been thinking about a chocolate brown for some time. When I saw a room in the Bachman's Idea House painted brown, I decided to go for it!



You'll have to excuse my pictures....north facing window, dark color, glare, rookie camera, blah...blah...blah.....
I bought some Martha Stewart paintable bead-board wallpaper for below the chair rail and painted it Antique white to match the trim color. It's quite a sharp contrast with the brown, but I love it.


This is the front of a chippy vintage dresser drawer that I picked up from one of our JunkFest vendors this year.

During our visit to the Bachman's idea house we shopped the store, where I bought this cool bulk scale....now sitting on my dining room table.

I didn't even have to change my window treatments or slipcovers!

I have a collection (3 is a collection, right?) of chippy white columns standing in one corner, holding faux pumpkins that I painted white & stained.

My cream stoneware vases pop nicely against the brown too...

...as well as some architectural pieces that rest on top of some repurposed kitchen cabinets-turned china hutch. I guess I have a few cloches too....

The paint color is Valspar's Earthly Impressions, but it's exactly the color of a Hershey bar. Milk Chocolate.....ask me how I know...

Our Latest Adventure

Last week the Junk Fest girls ventured across the border to take in the Art & Architecture/Junk Market Style's kickoff charitable gala event in Minneapolis. As you may know, the JF girls are members of JunkMarketStyle, which is a site where like-minded junkers share their projects and photos of all things junk related! This site is spear-headed by one of the true junk pioneers of our time, Sue Whitney. It is through Junk Market Style that we've acquainted ourselves with, corrensponded with, and even junked with some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet!

What could be better than pairing creative junkers with incredible art, artchitectural elements and fabulous found items? Nothing!

Here we are (Lynette, Cassie, Missy, Andrea) at the gala, thoroughly surrounded by "junk" and loving every minute of it!

There was SO MUCH to take in that I couldn't possibly begin to show you all here! Below are just some of the things that made me ooh & ahhh....

Gorgeous chippy, white architectural pieces totally make me swoon!

Fun and funky tablescapes...

Didn't get a good shot of the bajillion (honest) clocks there, but here's a sampling of their related parts! Just as incredible, if you ask me!

Being the sweet-heart that she is (not to mention best-ever lamp shade re-cycler!) Missy offers to share her beverage with a thirsty shopper. This is why we call her Sweet Melissa.

The event was held at Minneapolis' Art & Architecure 2nd floor loft. Here's a shot of A & A as you walk in the door.

Yes, still enjoying ourselves! Look at those smiles.....how could you not have a good time in this beautifully historic building?!

We managed to gather as many as we could for an evening meal and share some great stories. This was our chance to visit with some of the JMS members who came from afar, and reconnect with the MN locals.

Laurel, JMS's "Chipping Charm" poses with Sweet Melissa.

All the way from Ohio by car, was Kathy of Sylvia's Vintage Daughter, and her partner in crime Terry. These two were also vendors at the event and brought the 750+ clocks!

Here we have Janis of junkdreams fame, all-time best junk supporter Caroline, and Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and junkologie. Janis traveled from Canada, and Amy came from Duluth.

Of course, no trip to the Twin Cities would be complete without a three hour stop at Hunt & Gather!

Andrea and Lynette peruse the rusty metal goods outside the store...

While I perch on chippy white bench we had ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM FOR!!

And now you see why! I think that luggage took up entirely too much room.

Well, there may not have been room for the bench, but we did manage to fit a few other treasures in! Swing out to JunkFest to see the goods!!

Inspired Living...It's More Than a Feeling

Week two of SYTYCD is up and running. Nine decorators left...who will YOU vote for? This week's theme is "Catalog Inspired".

What inspires you?


To join in on the fun, and check out the competition, head on over to "So You Think You Can Decorate" and see for yourself the awesome talent involved in the contest.

Comfortable, casual living...often inspired by mail order catalogs, is more than a feeling...it's a state of mind. Does your living room invite you to sit back, relax, maybe settle in with a good read? Are you surrounded by colors and textures that are pleasing to the eye, harmonious with your lifestyle? Here at JunkFest, it's about surrounding yourself with treasures you love, with an unexpected twist!

With just one living area in our home (many have both formal and informal living rooms) I wanted the furniture to be comfortable, inviting guests to sit back, kick up their feet and stay awhile. I like to incorporate some of my junk-style infused pieces for fun and interest, such as the small side table made from a rusty grate and a cream separator base. The rusted wall shelf, which holds portraits and empty frames was crafted from vintage tin crown moulding.

Unexpected textures such as rustic crates or primitive wood bowls, well-used in another era, evoke a casual feel.


Time-worn clock faces embellish these baskets, and help to anchor in the darker accessories in the room.

The vintage typewriter holds memories of ancestors and a simpler time. Architechtural elements and a perfectly patina'd wash stand-turned-table add character.

Catalogs, such as Sundance, Pottery Barn, or Ballards are now offering vintage replicated pieces at a premium....but comfortable, casual living doesn't have to cost much.

Has inspiration found you? Remember to vote for your favorite projects at SYTYCD.

(JunkFest is #5 on the vote box)

More than a Feeling. It's a State of Mind.

JunkFest




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