Sunday

I love animals, and when our kids were at home, we had lots of animals.  We had horses,  goats,  llamas, a pig, dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, mice, snakes, fish, a tortoise, and birds.  Well, the kids all got married and moved away, and we were down to one animal...my cat, Liberty. 

Liberty's easy and when we're gone on buying trips, she roams freely around the house, has plenty of food and water, and is totally fine for a couple of days. Our daughters come by to check on her from time to time, and she's fine! I know it makes perfect sense to stick to one animal, but I've been longing for another one.  I've been wanting a dog, but that's totally out of the question...right now.  They're too deserving of time and attention and with the store and going on trips, we just couldn't devote much time to a dog.  So, then I've been thinking about a bunny.   I told my daughters I wanted to get another French Lop Bunny like we had years ago.  I love those big loveable bunnies with their floppy ears.  I even looked on line one day - they're not the easiest to find, but I figured I'd keep looking.  Maybe I would have some luck at the Orange County Fair or the Pet Expo. 

So, jump ahead a few weeks to Mother's Day.  My kids and grandkids said we were going to dinner, but before we left they wanted to open presents.  Tessa had just done a photo shoot with my grandkids and I was certain I'd thrown out enough hints saying I wanted framed copies of the photos.  Well, certain that's what was in the box, I almost fainted when I opened the box and saw a beautiful gray French Lop Bunny!!!!  She's soooo cute!  I was so excited and shocked they had remembered I'd mentioned that!  My daughters are so sneaky.  They didn't even let Don in on the secret, for fear he'd say no - they clinged to the addage, "It's better to ask for forgiveness, than for permission!"  So we have a bunny!  Everyone, meet Sunday!

I called her Sunday because I got her on Mother's Day Sunday, and I love the Lionel Ritchie song, "Easy like Sunday morning." I like to call her "Sunny Bunny."  I'm working on getting her potty trained to a litter box - she's doing really well!  She looks so cute hopping around the house! She fits right in to my country decorating! Thank you to my kids and grandkids!!!!  I adore each and every one of them!!!

All Four of Our Beautiful Grandkids with Don & I on Mother's Day!

I have the most wonderful family! And speaking of the family, welcome to the family Sunday!!!  Now, if I get a male, we can have baby bunnies!  How fun would that be????

New England Treasures

We had a fabulous time in New England!  We began our journey in Maine!  Traveling up the beautiful coast of Maine has got to be on everyone's list. 

Loved being on the coast and eating lobster and steamers! 

We had fun shopping in all the antique stores and small flea markets in the area!  Look at all these wonderful old buildings that house antique stores! 

One of the highlights of this trip was visiting friends, Michael and Lisa up in Cornish, Maine.  They have a beautiful store and home in Cornish, and we were so happy to finally see their store and spend time with them!  If you're ever in Maine, Cornish Trading Company is worth the drive!  I found some wonderful treasures to bring home with me!!!  Check out this church steeple!

We meandered around Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and made our way to Massachusetts for the big show, Brimfield!  We shopped everyday in Brimfield for 5 days and we have quite a load to bring home!  Of course, as soon as we get to Brimfield it starts raining! We ran to the nearest store and got rainboots - good thing, since it rained for 3 days!  But, that didn't stop us!  You thought it was just the mailmen, right?  Isn't their motto "through rain or snow or sleet or hail..." No, the motto applies to antiquers too!!!  We will do just about anything to find our treasures!  

I think my favorite piece is a folk art tree with hand carved flowers and birds - it's quite amazing and it may not find it's way into the store!  I always try to keep at least one "souvenir!" And, there's also a iron sculpture of a cat - he's so ugly, he's cute.  I named him "William." I might have to keep him too!

But, don't worry, there will be lots more treasures up for grabs in Down Home!  There's a beautiful miniature pie safe, teddy bears that are loved to near death, early pull toy horses, lots of early signs, cupboards, tables, iron pieces, braided and hooked rugs, blanket boxes, trunks, and all kinds of smalls just waiting to come in the store. 

We'll get it in the store ASAP!!!

xo, Peggy

Spring at Down Home!

I love Spring!  It signals the return of warm weather and I know summer is not far behind!  We've had a wonderful Spring.  We started with our Spring Open House on March 10th,  which was fabulous.  My dealers never fail to amaze me!  They brought in wonderful spring, garden, and Easter antiques along with their usual fabulous finds!

 

Then we headed to Round Top, Texas!  It's always fun to see our Texas friends and shop for lots of great pieces to bring back to Down Home!  We unloaded the container from Texas on a Wednesday, then loaded our trailer on Thursday and went to Three Speckled Hens on Friday to set up our space!  Yes, it was a bit of a whirlwind!  The show was on April 14th and 15th!  We had a great time in Paso Robles and enjoyed meeting lots of Central California friends and dealers! Since then we've been working hard  on loading the store with our Texas finds as we get them cleaned and priced!! 

And now as I write this, we are getting ready to go on another buying trip to Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts!  I'm so excited to start shopping and find some great New England pieces to bring back to California! I'll let you know when the load comes in!  But, until then, come on in and check out these great pieces that have recently come in the store!

Remnants of the Past

Remnants of the Past was AMAZING!!!  We have been so busy the last couple of months!  So busy that I haven't posted a blog for weeks!  I had good intentions for writing blogs: one about our buying trip to Brimfield, MA; one about our Harvest Open House at Down Home; one about our trip to Round Top, TX; and more recently,one about our trip to the Remnants of the Past Show in San Luis Obispo!  Since the others are so far in the past, I'm going straight to the Remnants of the Past Show since it was just this past weekend. 

We were so excited to be part of such a fun show!  I put my name on a waiting list a while back so when Judy Watkins called and said she had a space available, I jumped at the chance. (I was a bit concerned because my daughter, Mollee is due in the next couple of weeks and I was worried she could go into labor and I'd be scrambling to get home!  I told her to sit on a pillow the whole weekend and don't do anything that could nudge her into labor.  At this point, she still hasn't had our little blessing, so no worries!)  I've been to a couple of the Remnants shows in the past as a customer, but felt like I wanted to participate as a dealer and we're so happy we did!   We felt so blessed that our container from Texas arrived in time so we had plenty of fresh merchandise to bring!!!! My husband Don, my daughter, Tessa, and I loaded up our trailer and we made the 4 hour trek up the coast to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo! 

 

Our Load!

It was so exciting to see everyone's spaces coming together.  It was actually amazing!  All the dealers did a fabulous job!  There is alot of wonderful European, Industrial, and Re-purposed treasures at the show, but we stuck to what we do best - authentic early American Country! The great thing about antiquing is there are so many different styles, but it's all wonderful and so unique and inspiring and fun!!!  So many fun things and great display ideas. With the three of us working, we got our space together in no time, and we thought it looked great. We hoped the customers did too....and luckily they did!!!



This bottle cap chain from the 1930s is such a funky, fun piece!




A huge thank you to Judy Watkins and her team for promoting such a great show!



Judy & Me!

 We loved being part of Remnants of the Past and look forward to the next one so we can do it again!!!  Every aspect of the show was organized and top notch!!!  We enjoyed meeting some of the dealers, and saw some great old friends who came to enjoy the show!  Thank you also to all our great customers who shopped our space!!!  We loved meeting each and every one of you and appreciate your business!  Can't wait to see you all again soon!!!  Blessings!!!

Meet the Dealers of Down Home ~ Margaret and Monte

Our dealers at Down Home are the best ever!!!  I'm so blessed to have each and every one of them. Some have been with us since we first opened in Old Towne Orange in 1999.  Some are new to us this year!  I love how hard they work to bring the best in authentic early American antiques to Down Home.  Each one has their own niche, their own look, and their own specialty!  I'd like you to meet them and get to know a bit about them!

So, meet Margaret and Monte Helme, Dealers #12! 

Margaret & Monte

1.) Q   How did you get started in the antique business?
     A   My twin sister was a dealer in Sacramento and since
          I loved to collect and antique, she convinced me to
          be a dealer too. 

2.) Q  What do you specialize in?
     A  I love sewing, especially making pillows from vintage
         and antique fabrics.

3.) Q  What is you favorite collection?
     A  I have had many collections over the years but as of
         right now, I love looking for Teddy Roosevelt items,
         ruby flash glass, and antique quilts.  

4.) Q  What is your favorite piece?
     A  My Franciscan "Apple" pieces are some of my favorite
         things. My husband, who is always with me antiquing,
         loves collecting shot glasses and political items.

5.) Q   What do you like best about being a dealer?
     A   Looking for new things - traveling thru this country
          searching plus enjoying the travel. Getting to know so
          many nice dealers is great too!

6.) Q  What do you like best about being a dealer at Down Home?
     A  Down Home is wonderful!  Peggy and Don are the best
         owners ever!  The dealers here and the customers are great! 
         It is the very best mall to be a dealer in!

Thank you for those kind words, Margaret!! 

We are equally as fond of them and are so happy 

Margaret and Monte are part of our Down Home family!!!

Please come by Down Home and check out Space #12!!

Margaret's beautiful pillows made of vintage and antique fabric!

Monte always has plenty of political buttons for sale!

Margaret and Monte's Beautiful Space at Down Home!

xo, Peggy