Light Bulbs

I don’t normally let my mother buy things from my shop.  First of all - she has way too much stuff in her house already and second of all, I don’t condone cherry picking ....

BUT ...

Last week, she called me up... or placed a call to me ... as she would say, and quietly inquired about a certain lightbulb decoration that’s been bouncing around the shop for months.  As if it were a national security issue, she demanded that I remove the lightbulb from the 40% off sale shelf, carefully wrap it in tissue and protect that with some cardboard.  Then she asked me to place it behind my desk for safe keeping.

I could tell that she was on the trail of something big.

It turns out that on September 23rd, our big national news folks reported that GE had just pumped out the last incandescent light bulb ever to be pumped out of the GE lightbulb plant.  No more GE incandescent light bulbs, nor any other brand in the USA, will be manufactured, distributed or sold again.  Never.  No where, no how, no way.  Notta!  They will be obsolete AND illegal!  

Mom prefers that kind of light bulb and now has reason to believe that they will become collectors items by the end of the month, so she is buying them up by the truckload.

All I can say is .... {{{ What next? }}}

I hope she is right on this collectors item thing, however, I have a visual of her arguing with the Light Bulb Police when they come checking door-to-door for offenders.  But if she’s not right, it’s re-assuring to know that we have an outlet to sell HER collection.  Hmmm ... Echo - Home Furnishings and Vintage Light-bulbs kind of has a nice ring to it.

I have to admit, this one does look kind of sweet gracing her dining room table and being the showpiece of her new light bulb decor!

It's a wrap!

I’m back!!  Did you miss me last week?

Well, as you know, I’ve been busy “representing” at this year’s Parade of Homes and I’m happy to report that gently used, functional, affordable, time-worn decorating is “IN”!!

Edgell Building and Development was honored for Affordable Family Innovative Design while Jackie Johnson, the Realtor / Designer, was given an award for Memorable Decor.  I, of course, was honored to have tons of people walk through the doors and comment on how  appropriate our "Echo-echo" furnishings looked.  Thanks to all my supporters and welcome to all of you who just discovered Missoula's fanciest funnest used furniture store - out by the big box guys.

Oh ... is there a football game tomorrow??

I hope all of your "coming home" events are memorable and comfortably appointed!

Here is a photo of my furniture homecoming on Tuesday!  A perfect "before" shot!

My Big News!

Here is my big news for the month ---- and the reason why you will not be receiving a Friday Note next week.

Echo echo has joined the big boys and is lined up next to them in this year’s Parade of Homes! 

I was invited to help furnish a home in the new energy efficient community at River Place.  This home was Built by Edgell Building and Development to be lean and green and I’ve been working with Jackie Johnson, the Realtor / Designer from Windermere Real Estate to continue the sustainability theme throughout.

For me, the fun part about this project is to pioneer some new territory and show that not only is it possible, but it’s also cool being green from head to toe (or in this case - roof to sub-flooring)!

Swing by and see our finished product!  

September 16th - 19th

845 River Place - Just off River Road

You can buy tickets at the home.  Oh ... and wear your cute socks because you have to take your shoes off!

Hope to see you there!

I get to say it again ... "Green is the new Black!"  Here is a photo of a green coffee table - so you can remember!

Shabby Chic Dining!

Time for this weeks installment of budget decorating ... We’ll call this one .. The REAL Shabby Chic!

Seems like every time I turn around, there is a shabby chic this or a shabby chic that.  People buy new furniture and “shabby chic” it.  They buy old furniture, scrape it up a bit more, paint over the scrape ups and turn it into a nice clean shabby chic.  Don’t get me wrong --- I love it too.   More and more however, I find myself falling in love with the originals.

These are the guys that have years of real paint, scratched and scraped to reveal several layers, eras and stages of development.  The guys that might have one foot just a quarter of an inch shorter than the rest.  The real men of the furniture world who might have a spot of wood glue here and there to repair an old battle wound.  The fellows who lost a knob, but acquired an equally old new one.

These are the pieces I consider pioneers in the world of Shabby Chic!  One of the joys in budget decorating is being able to take these finds, put them together with other similar pieces and create a very special space.

What brought this all to mind is this little set of over-loved pieces I was able to introduce to each other in hopes they could hit it off and ride into the sunset together.

Budget Decorating!

I’m back on track .... the budget decorating track, that is.  Seems like a perfect topic for today!

As you might recall -- a few Friday Note’s back, I intended to dedicate the whole month to this topic ... but then ... company came, I decided to have a sale, and as usual other business got in the way.  Now I’m back to thinking about budget decorating, so here we go!

We’ve got ourselves a housing crisis, reports on a double dip recession and a lot of gloom and doom every time we tune in to the news.

But wait ... what’s that? ... do I hear cheerful noises in the back ground??  What is this? 

Why, that’s the sound of refinishers, re-users, and do-it-your-selfers;  paint brushes splashing, creative minds spinning and people having fun as they go about their business of making something out of nothing.   Seems that buying old used nothings and turning them into kitschy new somethings is a new favorite past time!

Here is some homework for you.  Go to my new favorite web-site ...

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

Type “before and after” into the search box and be inspired!

After that, I would like for you to pack up all your inspiration and drive it to Echo where we’ll help you find the perfect clever nothing to transform!

Here is what Duncan decided to work on ...

He is hoping to take THIS (photo one)  .. Bang out the dents, add some paint and a hard hat and turn it into ...  THIS (photo two)

Sandi Henderson Pillows!

Does anyone remember the drafting table I had in my shop for a brief stay?   

I am pleased to report .... it found a job!  In my opinion, probably the best job a drafting table could hope for in our dear city.  

It’s not working out difficult mathematical angles and formulas in an engineer or architects office ... The job it landed is more delicate than that.  It’s not just sitting around looking pretty, paying bills in a home office ... its’ job is much more involved than that.

What is it, what is it ????

Well ... my drafting table now works in the studio of Missoula fabric designer Sandi Henderson.  Click on the link below and treat yourself to a viewing of her Farmers Market collection inspired by our very own farmers market of course!   

http://www.sandihendersondesign.com/category-s/86.htm

Incidentally, my shop has found itself sprinkled with a few of her “sample” pillows!  Pillows that she makes up to showcase some of her fun fabrics.  

This Saturday, treat yourself to a trip to the Farmers Market for inspiration, a trip to Selvage Studio where you can find her fabric, and a trip to my shop to see her cute pillows!

Happy shopping!

Souviners!

Oh no ... Just when I was all lined out and ready to spend my Friday Note month discussing decorating on a budget, we got the phone call ...

Companies coming!!

Just like that, everything changed.  My little nine month old second cousin is coming and it’s been a LONG, LONG time since we’ve had a baby run through our family for a visit at the folks’ house!

       Costco baby food -- check --- wait a second, no baby food at Costco.

       Walmart baby food, --- check

       Photo album ready -- check

       Film --- check

       Crib --- no --- wait --- I’ll bring one from the shop --- check

       Car seat --- no --- her mom will probably have one.

       Baby sun block ---check

       Baby mosquito block --- hummm -- do they make such a thing?? We’ll check

On and on the list goes, but when it came right down to it ... our little visitor was actually quite self reliant and well prepared for her journey.

Today, Molly came to Echo to do a little souvenir shopping.  She was searching for something small, something local and something that matched her pretty sunflower dress.  Low and behold --- the sunflower lamp was perfect!

The lesson in this Friday Note:

This is the time of year that plans often run amuck, but one thing you can count on - souvenirs at Echo!  Put me on your check list as a must do with your guests!