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Saturday, March 30, 2013

What's new in the shop & online this week...

So much going on this week.  We received a new shipment in this past week (just in time to unpack and style for the April Design House, April, 5, 6 & 7).  This gives us about 7 days to get everything in place...not a lot of time when you are redoing an entirely new house each month!

Our dealers didn't disappoint this week, and brought in a ton of new goodies too this week, including chemistry supplies, an apothecary sideboard, and other fun accent pieces. 

Here's a little peek in to what's new this week at the shop & online...

Lots and lots of drawers are super-exciting to me.  Amy & Suzanne have a super fun apothecary sideboard for $1950 on the second floor.


Jenny brought in an awesome gold lion statement piece.  This looks like it was on a building at one time and it is super-heavy.  This regal carved lion is $398 firm from Jenny on the second floor.

Sarah & Amy on the third floor brought in some pieces full of glam, including this desk for $195, a heavy brass lamp fro $129, and ocean canvas prints for $49 each.  I love how they've mixed metals with the great patterned curtain.

Anne is known for her garden pieces.   This week, she's brought in a girly garden table in a blush pink.  The tables and all four chairs is on sale for $395.


And online....we are now starting to feature some new items that will be featured in our next Design House on April 5, 6 & 7.  We just got a new delivery at the shop for the April Design House.  We are bringing the garden indoors with these lovely pieces made from terra cotta with die for washes and finishes.

Our bull heads are 14" x 14" x 11" and $85 in our online store.


Who wouldn't want a Grecian goddess staring back at you?  This beauty has such a lovely patina and at 17" high, she's not fooling around.  She is also $85 online.


Our ram busts are perfect for those who love French, garden, or farmhouse decor.  They are 13" x 12" and are also $85 online.


We are so happy to be able to offer a pair of angel wings online.  Also made from terra cotta, this pair has a lovely shape and finish in distressed browns.  This pair is 24" high, and you can fly away with them for $75 online.

Thanks for checking out what's new this week.  We just shot some new photos of more items that will be in the April Design house and also online, so check back for those later this week.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!



image above via Dear Lillie


image via Southern Living


image via Country Living






image via Eddie Ross


image via decorpad


image via Country Living


image via hgtv


image via opulent cottage

Interior Decoration I'm A Photography!

Interior Decoration  I'm still reminiscing a bit about Liam. Several months ago, I noticed he started showing interest in using my camera. I'm sure it isn't because I carry it with me all the time! So, I hesitantly let him use it. I was surprised to see how wonderful his photos were! I mean his point of view is so different than anything I would imagine. His pics consist of his favorite things

Thursday, March 28, 2013

What's Cookin' (and a recipe for Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde)


Hello all,

This week was filled with crazy hours in the kitchen. Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself, which I did all week, cause I was a hot mess! During this week's cooking chores for the Cowbell, I'm sure you all have experienced this feeling, I spilled, dropped, forgot, almost burned the jelly, made the biggest giant messes.... you name it, I did it! The important thing that I realized was
it didn't matter because I'm so happy, joyful and content with doing what I'm doing that I just keep on cooking and cleaning with a big ole smile! I am living my own dream!!!!

In the midst of my disheveled mess it is springtime and this is when I start to gear up for the upcoming bounty of local vegetables and fruits. For now the veggie & fruit selection is slim pickens; winter squash, potatoes, apples but soon that will not be the case.

To get my jam making groove thing going I did break down and purchase a flat of blueberries, not local, and made blueberry jam for the weekend, yummy.   I also made a batch of pickled red onions which will be delicious on the ham & cheese biscuit sandwich. Oh how I love to pickle veggies....
On today's agenda, a root beer bundt cake, the rustic apple tarts and finishing up the soups which leads me to today's recipe and soup selection for tomorrow. Mexican local chicken Pozole Verde, this soup I was taught when I worked in Santa Cruz California, Kelly's French Bakery, from my amazing adorable Mexican kitchen staff.   They could cook! (recipe and notes are below)
Enough I have to get to work. Maybe today I should play soothing music and not listen to the Bestie Boys!!! hahaha
Happy cooking, pickling and jamming
Cher
Soup Selections for this Fri., Sat. & Sun:
Mexican local chicken Pozole Verde
Curry Red lentil & roasted local Squash
Other new treats:
Root beer chocolate bundt
Lemon olive oil cake
Blueberry jam
Pickled red onions
***************************


Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde
Serves 6-8
  • 7 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 chicken breast halves on the bone, with skin
  • 1 pound tomatillos, husked and halved
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 2 poblano chiles—cored, seeded and quartered
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and quartered
  • 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon oregano leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Three 15-ounce cans of hominy, drained
  • Finely shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced radishes, chopped onion, diced avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips and lime wedges, for serving
  1. In a large, enameled cast-iron casserole, bring the chicken stock and water to a boil. Add the chicken breasts, skin side down, cover and simmer over very low heat until they're tender and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and shred the meat; discard the bones and skin. Skim any fat from the cooking liquid and reserve.
  2. In a blender, combine the halved tomatillos with the quartered onion, poblanos and jalapeños, smashed garlic, chopped cilantro and oregano. Pulse until coarsely chopped, scraping down the side. With the machine on, add 1 cup of the cooking liquid and puree until smooth. Season the tomatillo puree with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large deep skillet, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Add the tomatillo puree and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce turns a deep green, about 12 minutes.
  4. Pour the green sauce into the cooking liquid in the casserole. Add the hominy and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Add the shredded chicken to the stew, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce turns a deep green, about 12 minutes.
  5. Pour the green sauce into the cooking liquid in the casserole. Add the hominy and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Add the shredded chicken to the stew, season with salt and pepper and cook just until heated through.
  6.  Serve the pozole in deep bowls, passing the lettuce, radishes, onion, avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips and lime wedges at the table.
 
The recipe I posted is from Epicuious, I do some things differently. To make it lighter I use vegetable stock and the vegetables for soups most often I roast, more flavor. So in the recipe I just chop all the veggies up toss with olive oil, salt & pepper and garlic then spread out evenly, not too thick on sheet pans and roast till soft and juicy then I use a wand to process the ingredients along with adding the fresh herbs and pretty much follow the recipe from that point. 
I almost forgot I roasted whole chickens, preheat your oven to 400 degrees, wash and pat dry your locally purchased organic chickens, the cavity I salt and pepper and stuff in 1 halved lemon along with a handful of Italian parsley next don't be shy salt and pepper the entire body of the chicken then place in a shallow baking dish or sheet pan breast side up. 
Place in oven for 20 minutes at 400 after 20 minutes flip over and roast another 40 minutes depending on size of bird. The best way to check is with a stem thermometer stuck into the thickest meatiest  part and when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees done. Cool a bit, then pull off the meat and is ready to add in the soup. 
Any questions email me cheryl.615@hotmail.com and I will try to help you.

Interior Decoration Carolina Eclectic 2011-03-28 16:30:00

Interior Decoration Last week, my little Liam turned 6 years old! He is so ready to be big, and ready to do big boy things. It has left me thinking about the days of Liam being a silly little toddler. Although, he could be a handful; he was a sweet little guy:) Why is it kids are always so ready to move forward and parents struggle to keep up? Lately, I've been reading several blogs that are

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Who's who - meet Pat

Today we are taking a look through Pat's space on the second floor (dealer code TWH).

Pat always has an eclectic mix, from antique prints and art, to mid-century modern furniture, and European antiques.

Pat owns Twig House and has been an antiques dealer for 22 years.  Here is a little bit more about her and her fabulous finds...


I spend a lot of time on the road traveling to auctions and estate sales to find the unique, cool and interesting items. My goal as an antique dealer is to buy things I think my customers would like and need.

I try to keep up with the latest trends and buy quality pieces that are versatile and will work with today's new look.

I'm always on the lookout for unusual objects, mirrors and art work.  These are the things that make our house a home and uniquely yours. 

Come see us soon!
Pat

A few photos from a recent auction that give you a sense of what catches Pat's eye.  Here is a gorgeous antique shell chandelier and a beautiful collection of shells and coral.

Pat often has an eclectic mix in her space, for example, mixing worn barn shutters with Italian gold sconces and mid-century Modern art.  She always makes it look effortless.

 
Where does Pat find her killer stuff?  Here is one of her secret locations.  And yes, that is a shark that's being auctioned off...go ahead, let your imagination run wild!


To give you an idea of Pat's aesthetic, here are a few more pictures featuring what she's had in her space over the last year.







Please be sure to visit Pat on the second floor of our shop. 
Look for dealer code TWH.
Here is a link to her Facebook Page.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Balance

As I sit here on the couch surrounded by file folders full of purchase orders, invoices, sketches, half empty cups of coffee, post it notes and small Snickers wrappers, I am struck yet again by how that whole BALANCE thing we work-from-home parents supposedly have really is bullshit.  I wrote a post about it last year but this year, it feels even more intense.  We are in a constant state of appreciation that we're blessed to be able to work the hours we want, answer to ourselves, our retailers,  and our clients, and take off for vacation when we need/want.  But with that said, we have a very hard time giving ourselves permission to STOP working, looking at the i-Phone, answering emails at all hours and talking about work in bed, God forbid.  It's really hard when you know your livelihood is all on your shoulders.  Balance seems to be what we strive for but in reality, we're just doing the best we can to keep all the balls in the air.  And lately, with increased workloads on both sides, busier kids and homework stacks, those balls are dropping. 

And then you throw in we have no after school care, support, nanny, or outside help and while sure, our kids are in school from 8:30 to 3:00, it sure isn't enough time to properly run an international furniture business.   It's just not.  Not in this age of OMG SHE DIDN'T GET BACK TO ME WITHIN AN HOUR SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG.

I'm guilty of looking at my i-Phone too much and saying "Uh huh" when the kids are talking because I'm not fully listening but rather I am reading a message that has to be returned ASAP.  And I know it's not OK but getting off this insanely fast, no-stop work train is harder than getting off caffeine.

When I think back to when I was in corporate our cell phones were just for phone calls and we couldn't even access our email from outside of our offices, I smile. I'm sure we were very productive yet we allowed ourselves time to be human.  To be engaged more as parents.  And because we worked outside the home, our kiddos were in daycare and preschool getting what they needed from engaged caregivers.

I hope at some point the pendulum swings back and I pledge to do what I can from here on out to make it swing back more in our household.  Well, right after I check this this message/text/FB message/tweet/blinking light.  Oh no.  I'm doomed.  :)

Monday, March 25, 2013

Giveaway Monday

In honor of our French Farmhouse sale online, we are offering a giveaway from our Shop Lucketts French Farmhouse collection this week on the blog.

Now through this Wednesday {3/27} you can use the  code "Paristen" at checkout for 10% off any item from our French Farmhouse collection online, which includes more than 60 French-inspired finds!

Psst...be sure to visit Melanie's blog post.  It was her very first painting project & she's so proud of it!  Now on to the giveaway...

Here's how you enter:
  1. Go to our online store, Shop Lucketts
  2. Browse our Farmhouse Collection and pick something you'd really like
  3. Come back to this blog post and leave a comment telling us (1) what the item is and (2) a creative idea for how / where you would use it in your home if you were to win.
  4. Check the blog next Monday to see if you've won! {We will use a random number generator to select the winner.  This giveaway closes at 12:01 a.m. on 4/1}

 ******************

The first coat of paint with a refinishing newbie

Our resident Texan is trying her {freshly manicured} hands at painting her very first piece of furniture!   Here is a little more about her adventure...

Hi y'all....my name is Melanie and I have worked at The Old Lucketts Store for goin' on two years now.  I have had the pleasure of watching these talented ladies bring in what I thought was "junk" and turn them into whimsical, beautiful one-of-a-kind treasures.

I sat back with wonder thinking "Ya think I could do that"? After many months, I finally got the nerve to ask my co-worker and friend Heather if she might be interested in "tutoring" me on how to paint furniture.  


Here's the little cupboard.  He was very dry from sitting in my sun room!  A perfect project for painting!


The paint aisle can be sooo intimidating for a first timer.  I won't lie, there were a few {okay many} calls about what paint color and type of paint to get. I am definitely a "question asker" and thought I just might drive Heather crazy!!


I settled on Butternut Squash by Behr in a semi-gloss finish for the top coat.  We're using Maison Blanche La Craie in Vanille as a base coat.


Thou Shalt Protect Thy New Manicure...


Look at the intense determination!  I'm removing the hardware before painting because I want to leave the hardware au natruale. 


Here goes the base coat.  What you can't see is me asking "Can I mess it up?  What if I do? Can it be fixed? Do you ALWAYS have to use a primer? Does it HAVE to be perfect?"

{First timer tip:  paint WITH the grain of the wood like Melanie is showing here.}


Drips worry me.  Oops, found some!  Catch them while they're wet and smooth them out --- and it's not a big deal!  Use long even strokes when painting and you'll limit drips.


Here comes the butternut squash top coat!  After the base coat dried, I added my semi-gloss paint on top.  Again, be sure to work with the wood grain.


After everything dried, I added a coat of clear wax and the original hardware was put back on.  I'm sure I had that same concentrated look I had while taking the hardware off  :  )  


With a bit of nudging and encouragement on this cold and wet day at the shop, Heather walked me through the process. Guess what? I did it!!!  And here the cupboard is out in my sun room.  Success!

Thanks for following along with me.  After years of being timid about trying a project like this....AND succeeding.....I am HOOKED!!!

Love,
Mel

Interior Decoration Crazy World

Interior Decoration  Happy Friday! My week has been pretty crazy and I'm ready to relax a bit. My guess, many of you are ready to do the same. If you are looking for a fun thing to do, check out Maira Kalman's, Illuminations of a Crazy World exhibit. Its being hosted by the Jewish Museum of New York. Just reading the website is fun. It shows many of her unique paintings along with a few narrated

Friday, March 22, 2013

Interior Decoration Counting The Minutes!

Interior Decoration I practically live and breathe Radiohead, and can hardly wait for their new album! For now, I have been watching this video over and over. Its fantastic!! The choreography is so outlandish, I can't turn away. I once went to a concert, where too much of the audience was sitting quietly, when they should have been on their feet dancing. Suddenly, a guy stands up and starts

What's new this week and online...

We have quite a few new pieces that rolled Fresh Off the Wagon this week at The Old Lucketts Store and online.

We have a killer bench, some green painted furniture, and some great favorites came back in stock this week for our online store.







This Cape May bench is on the porch, and runs about half the length of the porch.  It's around 10 feet long and would work wonderfully in a long narrow entryway, or as extra seating...wow!


Anne S. brought in a lovely green cupboard with a fantastic patina.  The marble top is removable.   I could see this in a kitchen or dining space for a vintage pop of color!


You know the weather is getting warmer when Ann starts to bring in swimsuits.  This is a vintage 1950's Jantzen suit.  Love the piping details!


**********NEW ONLINE***********


The hobnail jars that we had at the March Design House quickly sold out.  We are so happy we got them in online.   The 5" tall set of 4 jars with wire hangers is $22; the 10" tall set of 2 jars with hangers is $19.  So perfect for weddings, outdoor dinner parties, and decorating tables.


We love our new clay pots with wire baskets.  These look so cute in spring tablescapes.  They are 5 1/2" tall by 7" wide and $22 for a set of 2.



A few other favorites that we've waited a few months for are finally back in stock online this week.



1.  Postes France Pillow
2.  Linen Damask Curtain Panels
3.  Glass Dome Cloche
4.  Dark Marrakech Tray
5.  Light Marrakech Tray
6.  Paris Sap Bucket


Thanks for checking out what's new this week.  We hope to see you at the Shop in Leesburg, or online this weekend.  Our next Deign House is April 5, 6, & 7!

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