Check out my first guest posting!!

A few weeks ago Tina at Living Fresh wrote a fabulous guest posting for me on how to make a beautiful floral arrangement with flowers from your own garden.  To read the tutorial, click here.

I returned the favour by writing a post for Tina's blog all about wooden furniture and my latest trip to Aberfoyle Antique Market.  It's been a while since I wrote a post about furniture and Aberfoyle so to get your fix, please click on the link below and happy reading!

Guest blog post:   Who wooden't love this old furniture?

Hope you are enjoying the final week of summer before the kids go back to school!  Can't believe the summer is nearly over, where does the time go?!!

Pretty Patios for Summer

With summer just around the corner, tis' the season of wining & dining on the patio -woo hoo! I truly admire & appreciate the look of a well put together garden patio design.  Mine never seems to be quite as glamorous (or as tidy) as I'd like it to be, but each year we are slowly making progress. If I had my way, we would have a separate space at the end of our yard that looked like this....

Pottery Barn - Organic greens and muted yellows are a great combination for a fresh feel.

Whether it be at home or at the cottage, with so many ways to give your patio a personality, there are no more excuses for dull and uninspiring outdoor settings. 

Ceramic Garden Stools are one of the many fabulous & functional accessories to choose from when searching for summer decor.  They are available in different patterns, an abundance of colours and can vary considerably in pricing depending on where you choose to shop.

If you can, I suggest purchasing more than one for your outdoor space.

These garden stools are versatile pieces that can be used in various spaces.  To get the most bang for your buck,  purchase stool styles that will work with your interior decor as well as your outdoor colour scheme. This way you can appreciate them year round and changing things up often means that you will be less likely to tire of your decor.

I like how the lazy lying pillows relax the look of the room

Depending on where you reside,  your outdoor living space may not have as much greenery as you would like.  Potting large plants and trees will help fill the void of this missing natural element required to transform your space into a dreamy oasis. 

Imagine how sterile and cold this rooftop would look without all the beautiful greenery that brings it to life.

Lighting is also a 'must have' and plays a big part in completing the look of any living area.  In the above photograph the soft glow from the candles exudes a feeling of warmth and coziness.  Here are some more pictures that I was drawn to that utilise simple and decorative lighting ideas.

Oh how I love the look of Pottery Barn

These lights remind me of little honey bee hives.

I snapped some pictures of lanterns I saw at the Aberfoyle market this past weekend.  They could be included in your design to give an industrial or rustic edge to your look - either inside or out.

Below (left), this pair of metal trellis's were also up for grabs at the market. All you would need to do is rub them down gently, paint them in your desired colour and add a quick climbing plant. Easy, peasy!

I also found a metal bird bath - the perfect invitation to getting more wildlife to visit your garden.



We just adore having feathered friends around.

So, what are you doing to your backyard to make it look more pretty this year? We've purchased  maple trees & will be planting them Saturday.  The trees will fill up some of the space left by a neighbour who last summer cut down a lovely 40 year old tree (grrr...) that bordered our property.  We've never planted trees, so if you have any advice - it would be much appreciated!

Impress your guests with fab finds from Aberfoyle

I finally made it to the Aberfoyle Antique Market for the first time this year a couple of weeks ago and I was NOT disappointed.  The weather has been fantastic for searching out hidden treasures and people are buying! 

This is good news all round - for the environment, the dealers, the reputation of the market itself and especially for the attendees.  When the market gets lots of traffic it means that the vendors are tuning in to what people want and are offering various sought after items at fair prices.

Aberfoyle Market - All photos by Claire Jefford

TAKE A SEAT....

While touring the market I saw plenty of chairs, benches & stools that definitely grabbed my attention.  I found a good mix of seating options that would work well with  current decor trends.  Check out some of these stools and chairs with vibrant splashes of colour - such a fabulous way to incorporate bold hues into a living area or kitchen.

Sexy red vinyl pops on these black stools with brass coloured tipped legs.

When assessing furniture requirements within a main living space, many times we require the option of having extra seating. Gathering with family and friends for special occasions can be a great opportunity to show your guests that you are anything but ordinary. Why not make a statement with your choice of seating? 

Orange tops with chrome legs

This blue is fresh and the seat covers were in great shape. 

When looking at items covered with vinyl, make sure there are no tears in the fabric.  Unless you are prepared to mend a seat cushion or are experienced with reupholstering, the 'bargain of the buy' may be lost in the work required to fix it up.  To get an idea of the work involved to repair torn vinyl, watch this video.

Cantilever chairs (pictured below) are making a huge comeback. 

Although they are not my personal style, I appreciate their design and love their sleek look. 

So sharp in yellow and black.

Helpful Hint- use a chrome cleaner with steel wool to remove any dirt or rust from chrome furniture. Once this has been done, use a flannel rag to wipe clean and see it shine!

BENCH MARKING

Great for entryways; propped up against a wall; or as an alternative to chairs at a dining table, benches can be fun and functional.  Add cushions and switch them up when the seasons change to keep your look fresh.

Scrolled arms and other curved details soften the look of this bench

So cute for the garden! 

If you are taking furnishings outdoors be sure to properly treat and look after items so they are able to withstand the change in weather conditions.  For soft furnishings, choose fabrics that are durable.  Outdoor furniture retailers sell cushions and rugs that can be left to the elements and come in various patterns and colours. 

Want to see more of Aberfoyle?  Plan a visit soon, inventory changes weekly!  The market is open every Sunday from 8am - 4pm now until the end of October.  http://www.aberfoyle-antiques.com/

Past postings on Aberfoyle:

Read this before venturing out to a Local Antique Market

Antique Market Season is upon us, Rejoice!

Subscribe to ~delicious decor~ before May 31st & I'll send you my 'Decor Tips to help you create a beautifully designed space'.  Enter your e-mail address at the top right side of my blog so you never miss a post!

Antique Market Season is upon us, rejoice!

Wow, where does the time go?  This Sunday, April 29th is the opening weekend of one of my absolute favourite places in the world.  Aberfoyle Antique Market is located just off Highway 6 heading towards Guelph and is definitely worth the trip.  If the thought of hunting for unique treasures and fab finds gets your adrenaline pumping then I have good news for you...the wait is over!

My parents booth last year at the market.  So many goodies just waiting to be had.

 The Aberfoyle market is open every Sunday now until October 28th and there are also 2 special Saturday shows throughout the season.  Check out their website for more information.

These old laundry tubs were picked up last year by a couple who wanted to use them when entertaining friends.  The tubs would be the 'drinks station' and hold ice, beer, wine and champagne.  Sounds like a fun place to be,  I wish I was invited!

A definite conversation piece and functional too. Bonus!

Fenton Milk glass (with or without hobnails) are still popular and make great little accent items for a vignette.

I love digging through s a hodge podge of items such as these to see what I can find

Empire, French Provincial and Victorian furniture are always prevalent as many people still like the beauty and quality of this curved, classic furniture.  However, I am curious to see how today's modern trends will affect the styles of furnishings we will see at the market this year.

Country living inspired furniture is always a hit at Aberfoyle too

If you missed my post last year about 'What to know before Venturing out to your local Antique Market' , click here and you may find some helpful hints to make your experience more enjoyable. 

I have already had a sneak peak of some of the items my parents are taking up and I can't wait to see more from other vendors.  Let the season of searching for unusual and one of a kind items in home decor begin!!  (Can ya tell I'm excited?!!) 

Call me if you are looking for something specific or have something to sell.  My new cell number is 905-599-2588.

Read this before venturing out to a local Antique Market

There is such a variety of old and often quirky items at an Antique Market that you will be spoiled for choice.    I have been attending the Aberfoyle Antique Market for nearly 20 years and I never tire of strolling by each vendor’s stall to peruse the goods. 

The inventory is constantly changing (a bit like Home Sense) so you will always have different   treasures to set your eyes upon.  My suggestion is to arrive early because those that are serious about antique hunting, know that if you leave it too late all the best stuff will be gone.

Aberfoyle Antique Market

I recommend that you have an idea of the type of items you are looking for or what room you may be thinking of furnishing while on your hunt.  Otherwise you may come home either overloaded or overwhelmed. 

If you see something that is a must have, make an offer and purchase the piece straight away.  Many times I have seen, or I myself have missed out when someone else was quicker at making the deal and walked away with what I had hoped would be mine.  It can be heart breaking!

One thing to always bear in mind is that when you are looking at older furniture, although it may require some work (which is what I think is half the fun!) the majority of the time you are still getting a bargain. 

If you compare a dresser like the one in the above picture to a dresser in the IKEA catalogue, I can tell you something right now…THERE IS NO COMAPARISON!!  I’m not knocking IKEA, but I think you would agree that its like comparing apples to oranges. You are more than likely getting better quality, more value for your money and something that is one of a kind to boot.

Mirrored trays are perfect for displaying your perfumes or as platform for your latest tablescape

 

Spray paint one or two of these to match your colour scheme for great little accessories.

I just loved this old barn filled with so much stuff! From antique hats in their boxes, to frilly lamp shades and old toys, even if you don’t want to buy you can’t help but want to look.

Great vintage fashion accessories

My other bit of advice when touring an Antique Market for the day – and I urge you to make a day of it – is to carry cash.  If you are going to barter on prices, be sure not to insult the dealers.  Many dealers price items with the intent of maybe taking slightly less, but that doesn’t mean half the listed price. Some dealers may mark items as ‘firm’ and this means there is little to no room for negotiating. I would walk away if you don’t want to pay what they are asking.



Outdoor ornaments, gates and birdbaths too



Bring a big van or truck to take your new purchases away in, otherwise most dealers should offer delivery for an extra fee.  The Aberfoyle Antique Market is open  Sundays until October 30th from 8am - 4pm and only costs $2.00 per adult.  For directions and more information, check out their website at:  http://www.aberfoyle-antiques.com.  

You may already have some older or unique pieces of furniture, but just aren't sure how to work them into your homes' decor. If this is the case, please contact me and  I will be happy to help create a place that you are happy to come home to, share with your family and entertain with friends.  My e-mail is claire@creatingcontrastdesigns.com. 

Write a comment on my post with your Antique Market Experience or after you’ve visited one let me know how you got on.  Happy Hunting!