These sweet little chairs take on an sculptural appeal in the garden.  The green chest adds just the right punch of color.

In the little spring house, which the new landscaping surrounds, has a fresh look, too.  This pie chest and its topiaries are just the right balance for the weathered door and walls of this beautiful space.

Vintage trellis growing out of our boxwoods – which we planted in an old, concrete water trough.

I love how this vintage bottle reflects the soft light of the stone house

This exceptional, hybrid wisteria was just planted in March.  It’s been trained to grow along the ‘new’ stone and brick wall – created as a ruin from salvaged, vintage materials.

These ‘ruins’ are brand new – just constructed in March.  They comprise the main structure of our new patio area.  This wall continues to the left to our outdoor fireplace.

Looking back at the stone house from the fireplace area, these vintage furnishings invite you to linger a while.

And yes, I just had to share this image one my time.  I just love the magnolia playing off the rough, old silo.

Hope you enjoyed this look into our garden. What part is your favorite?

Thanks for reading,
Virginia

We’re getting ready, and so many fabulous things are already coming in. We have 2 new dealers to introduce: Squirrel Hill Designs  (upstairs in the Main Barn) and The Spring House (in, you guessed it, the Spring House – with the water wheel).

And here’s some pictures of what’s already going on in and around the barns, as we get ready for you May 17-19:

I just loved these darling little 1920s shoes.  They’re the perfect shade of sea shell pink.

Set of 4 Danish modern chairs – straight out of one of Leona Helmsley’s hotels.  Love the fresh paint job.

Heather Grey Decor has an entire set of these vintage office clocks.  This one was custom made for IBM.

The ultimate locker room chair, huh?

The perfect island/table for your beach-house crowd!

LOVE suitcases with their original tags.

Great selection of old metal globes this month.

Oh, that color!

Don’t you just love the contrast of the gilded glasses and the industrial bar cart?

Some great vintage concrete throughout the Chartreuse & co right now

This large cabinet is the perfect size for your mudroom supplies.

A couple of really cool, vintage, toy boats upstairs this month.

Jennifer, owner of Squirrel Hill Designs, just brought this armoir in – still has the hauling rope around it!

This pair of caned chairs is comfortable, and summer-ready.

Perfect softball accessories.

German Favorite Antiques and Bella Villa have moved from the Garden House into the upstairs of the main barn – under THE chandelier.

Love this magnolia against the rough silos.

I’d love to know which picture/item is your favorite so far . . .

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

I had a blast today chatting with everyone and oohing and aahing over their great stuff. Here are some of my favorites:

Here’s some highlights from the temporary dealers’ tents:

And great stuff in the barns, too:

Hope to see you Saturday and/or Sunday!

Thanks for reading,
Virginia

Here are some highlights of what’s here so far:

Our new patio has become a favorite gathering space.  We’ve got a nearly 10′ long farm table we’re placing outside this weekend, with an iron chandelier for above.  It’ll be irresistible.  You’ll just have to sit down and enjoy – you’ll see.

These dazzlingly graphic rugs are made of recycled plastic – and perk up spaces inside and out.  I love this one with the pretty, vintage iron seating.

Pretty metal details made outdoor spaces more inviting.

Hard to believe that these aren’t real.  I love to use these branches because, real as they look, they are completely pose-able.  So I can make them go exactly where I want them.

I have a set of these sweet chairs – all upholstered to match, but each one a little different.

Vintage concrete is so much better than new.  The sharp edges of this fruit urn were worn down decades ago, leaving the perfect shape and color.

I felt hip just walking into this space.  Martini anyone?

The color of these pretty french tables is a fresh, happy aqua.  Just the thing to perk up your indoor space.

Yes, these are bags!  How pretty and fun!  Just the thing for a day at the beach, or a quick overnight.

More urns and greenery.  This one is getting that patina I love.  You can see the old grey peaking out on top.  Over time, the whole urn will have that lovely hue.

I just love the color and shapes combined here.  When putting together a display, keep in mind color, of course, but also shape and texture.  The graphics on the game boards playoff against those on the cash register, and all of that sharpness contrasts so nicely with the tattered vintage books.

Don’t you just love the play of the utilitarian jars and scale in contrast to the ornate, gold frame?

I just LOVE this chair.  The nail head trim, the graphics, and of course the pretty french lines.

Color!  I just love it.

Vintage wicker sofa with freshly-made cushion, covered in a pristine piece of vintage bark cloth.  So pretty.

Here’s a detail of the bark cloth.  Just lovely.

Truckloads of great things are coming in every day.  Our facebook page and website are getting updates almost daily now.

Great architectural salvage is everywhere at Chartreuse & co right now!

I just love the lines and the details of this beautiful French cabinet.

And our gardens, planted through our new patio area, are coming out.  It’s such a delight to watch.

We have dozens of temporary dealers joining us this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.  They specialize in everything from handpainted furniture to mid-century decor to handmade, industrial lighting.

Some pictures of these one-weekend-only dealers’ items will be coming soon!

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

This Spring is bringing me the most spectacular garden I’ve ever had.  And it’s been such a rewarding lesson in being faithful to a vision.

Here’s some befores, some durings, and you’ll just have to wait a little on the full-on afters:

Beginning the Monday after our February sale, Jared Herman and his team from Old Towne Historic Landscapes arrived and began the earth moving.

As the footers were poured, I began to see Jared’s 2-dimensional design come to life.

I had tried over the years to create a pretty little shade garden along this wall. The only thing that thrived was poison ivy. Solution? A water feature!

The brick paving throughout is artwork, but what I really can’t wait to see is the water wheel that’s going to be hinged on the iron frame built into the pond’s coping.

The irrepressible crew, who worked through wind, rain, and snow to finish this huge job inside of a month.

The crumbling wall.

From inside the planting beds, accented with ‘windows’.

The crumbling walls on the north side of the entry.

The plants are coming in this week. Can’t wait to see! I’ll be shooting pictures all summer long . . .

This one’s of Jared, the mastermind and creative genius who saw our barns and could see the gardens they needed.

So there you have it.  Our work in progress is becoming pretty spectacular.  Jared’s planting a beautiful wisteria in that picture of him.  He planted it and trained it’s branches over the ‘ruins’ and up the fireplace.  The other plant he’s featuring?  Hydrangeas.  I almost cried when he told me.  I absolutely LOVE them.  And dogwoods, and magnolias.  Historic, timeless plants to complete the vision.

But what do I love most about the whole construction?  The stone and brick used in the walls and fireplace is all salvaged from toppling farm buildings right here in Frederick County, Maryland.  So in our own little way, we’re preserving something of those other barns that couldn’t be saved.

Happy Spring!  Hope you’re inspired to go out and create something wonderful in your yard.

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

1.  Brass is in

After years of silver being the hip, fresh metal, gold tones had to make a come back.  In contrast, brass now looks so new and unexpected.  Truth be told, this trend has been developing of a while.

I do like how the gold accents warm the space.  Not loving the walls and rug with it (or the lamp for that matter).  This room still needs some life . . .

Here’s an example I love from the Atlanta market I just attended.  The charmingly curvy legs on this pretty metal table make me happy.  I think I have just the spot for it.  The warm gold is just right for it, too.  It wouldn’t work at all in the shiny silver we’ve seen so much of over the past 5 years.

2.  Green is in.

This one I totally applaud!  As you probably know, green is my favorite color, and I just can’t decorate without it in one shade or another.  Pantone has declared Emerald Green the color of the year.  We’ll see.  But green in general is a must-have color.

I’m not one for pure modern (there’s a nice nod to history with the french chairs), but I just love this space.  And what makes it pop?  Why that fabulous chartreuse pear lamp, of course.  A continuing trend I’m predicting for this year:  lucite furniture.  That invisible little end table is perfect.

3.  Embellished walls

According to Elle Decor this means anything from full-on trompe l’oeil to sea-grass wall paper (a pretty broad category, if you ask me).  However broad, I love the trend.

Ahhh, my two favorite trends in one – embellished green walls.  To die for . . .

Here’s a great example from the Atlanta market I just attended.  This compelling Paris street scene was drawn with charcoal on a drop cloth, and put up as a temporary wall in the High Design hall of the market.  The image drew you straight into the ‘room’.

Absolutely love this space!  These ‘walls’ are also hand-drawn on drop cloth.  The ‘french moldings’ appeared to have been created with a Sharpie!  So clever.  And if you have a sure hand, so easy!  (The russet silk sofa is pretty awesome, too.  Love the perky, striped pillow with is.)

4.  Lace

This is one I’m not so sure about because, frankly, I don’t love lace.  But here’s a pretty use of it:

Lace accents on textiles is something I was definitely seeing in Atlanta, too.

5.  Beige is big.

Somehow ‘Beige’ as  a trend is a little silly to me.  I mean, isn’t Beige just always a go-to in interior design.  It’s almost cliché.  But they say it’s trending for 2013, and I’m not going to argue with the loveliness of these rooms:

And what makes Beige a workable, interesting design choice?  Use of texture.  Look at all three of these rooms, and you’ll see that it’s the variety and play of texture that makes them great.

What trends do you see evolving out there for 2013 and the future?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations.

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

Two days ago I made plans to pick up a large hutch that the owner told me was in two pieces, the larger of which was 5’3″ x 4’11″ x 18″ deep. She didn’t think it would fit in my Suburban. “Of course it will,” I thought blithely.

But I was wrong.

So yesterday, upon returning without the hutch from her home, I ordered a rental truck from Home Depot. “I’ve got a 16-footer for you, mam,” replied the nice young man on the phone. “Oh, no. I just need a cargo van; I don’t want a box truck!”

Later that day, we made our second trip to pick up the hutch.  It took engineering and muscle power that, honestly, neither the homeowner, my daughter, nor I had just to get the thing out of the house and to the back of the waiting van.  With my dear daughter on one end, the very kind furniture-owner on the other, and me at the end, we realized that, in fact, I needed a box truck.

So, back to Home Depot we went.  I would like to publicly acknowledge my gratitude to the young man who helped us.  He was very efficient, and didn’t once say, “I told you so.”

On our third attempt to retrieve this hulking, impossibly heavy piece of furniture from it’s former residence, we finally succeeded. Plus, into that great big truck went an oak chest, a drop-leaf pedestal table, 3 wicker chairs, a desk, a vase and a can of paint.

Next time I’ll start with the box truck.

Here are some photos of what’s at Chartreuse & co right now (including the infamous hutch).

Thanks for reading,
Virginia

Chartreuse & co is listed as a great source for vintage wedding decor.  We think they’re right.

Here’s a sampling of some of the great wedding decor, gifts, and bling we’ve had here at Chartreuse & co:

Love these little martini glasses!  They were just $10 for the entire set.  The tray was pretty spectacular, too.

Bridal bling doesn’t get any better than this!  And what bridesmaid wouldn’t cherish one of these as her gift from the bride?

Don’t forget the vintage barware.  Just the thing to get the party started.

Love these transferware cups and saucers.  There are still 4 or 6 sets in the barn.  Maybe I need these myself . . .

These vintage insulators make great table-top decor.  A grouping of these with a garland and votives winding through them would be lovely.  Also nice as place-card holders for the head table.

And what’s a wedding without pretty silver serving pieces?

And a festive punchbowl?

Got candlesticks?

I’m loving the use of burlap as a foil to the formality of silver, crystal, and glitter.  These paper roses are a perfect complement.

Vintage silverware-turned-cheese tags.  Love it.

Pretty vintage gift for the bridesmaids – bath salts in a ball jar, complete with a vintage, silver-spoon scoop.

Go vintage for your dresses, too.

Nothing beats vintage bling!

Go a little unconventional in your candle choice.  These  soy candles are wine-scented and poured into re-purposed wine bottles.

Perfect way to preserve your wedding memories.

Love these charming little cards, just $2, each, yet they say so much.

Ball jars are perfect for the vintage wedding.  And we’ve got all sorts of accessories fro them:  flower-frog lids, solar light lids, taper holders, the list is endless.  Or you can fill one with wildflowers, and place tea lights in the  rest and have a simply charming wedding evening.

More inspired candle options

vintage doorknob stoppers, wine-inspired coasters

silver bottle coasters

vintage restaurant coffee maker – the best!

Light your candles in style – vintage lighters

The quintessential Ball jar

pretty vintage salt and pepper shakers

And, of course, crystal and silver candleabras.

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of inspiration!

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

VINTAGE:

Here’s a look at the highlights of a buying trip to the Roundtop, Texas Antiques Week:

AND NEW:

But we also bring you great new things.  And this month a group of us are heading down south to Atlanta to attend the huge Home and Gift Market in Atlanta, GA, America’s Mart.  It’s three 18+story buildings completely filled with showrooms and temporary booths of the coolest, newest, hottest, best finds for your home and garden.

Here’s a few tiny images from their website (we’re not allowed to take photographs while we’re there, sadly . . .)

All the buyers are like so many hamsters in a habi-trail seeking that elusive perfect item.

Here’s a peak at what kind of things we’ll see:

It’s showroom after showroom of inspiration.

Aren’t these cool?  I just love the trends in lucite.

Yes, the whole complex will be dripping with Christmas!  This is where (and when) we order all that great Holiday decor each year.

I just love how antlers have become such a huge design element.  These lucite ones are fabulous!!

The blend of fabulous vintage with carefully-edited new is what Chartreuse & co is.  It’s how we all decorate.

We’ll be heading down to Atlanta in a week – what would you like us to be looking for?  Let m know.

Thanks for reading,

Virginia