Human Lifestyle: Pickwick House

Showing posts with label Pickwick House. Show all posts

Guest Post w/Kendra

Hi all! Kendra and I put together a "Summer Lovin" party shoot. Janae Hardy, an amazing photog, neighbor, friend, blogger, and mom photographed the set-up for us. We had so much fun! Thanks Janae! Be sure to pop over to Elsie's blog this afternoon to see that Summer Lovin guest post we did for Elsie, who is still away "honey-ing and moon-dancing" with her new hubby. Congrats, Elsie and Jeremy!

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For those who took a hop over from Elsie's blog, HELLO, And welcome to MO stuff.

I just opened Picwick House, here in Springfield, MO, a little over three months ago. It was a long time dream. It's so great to finally have a space to think clearly and to meet with new clients outside my home, where I formerly worked under the name, sharon taylor designs. Anyway, Pickwick House serves as a mini-showroom where I sell "finds" that I simply fall in love with and can't resist...mostly refurbished vintage pieces/antiques, one of a kind items, and art. I also use it as a design house for working on my commercial and residential design projects, events, and weddings. I host monthly workshops, and also love to host private parties for people at the store.

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Me {30 weeks along}{source Janae Hardy}

{source}

A Picture of The Shop {snapshot by iphone}

My Home Designs {source nathaliebeardenphotography.com/}

Summer Cocktail-ing by the Pool {source Twin Town Studios}

Summer Dining {source Twin Town Studios}

Last Summer Wedding {Kendra and I designed with LA event designer, JL Designs} {source gabriel ryan}

A Dining Room I Designed for a Client {photo by Sesha of Convey Studios}

Thanks for stoppin in! Hope you're having a lovely, sunshine day!

sharon

Sweet Red Velvet

The wedding season has ushered in. Last Sunday, a special girl got married. Elsie Flannigan of Red Velvet Art. Kendra and I had the best time collaborating with her. Boy, was it ever a fun and different and sweet experience of a wedding??!! Unlike any we've done before. We can't say enough good things about Elsie. She's queen of inventions and talented in many areas: fashion, style, DIY, and entrepreneurship. She's humble, kind, sweet, relaxed and open. This picture above is just a snapshot from her good friend. You can read and feel Elsie's excitement here in this...blog post. The professional photographer was Anna of Arrow and Apple. of Seattle, WA. She was super sweet to work with, too. More to come on this very soon, we hope.

Next week, we'll share what we {kendra, myself, and interns} have been busy, busy working on. Excited to share some sweet posts and also let you in on the interior design plans I'm preparing for a much anticipated coffee bar/cafe that will be opening in July.

What plans do you have for the weekend?

xo
sharon

Take a Load Off and Could You, Would You?

One of the main questions I hear when customers walk into the store, is "What do you do?". The phrase I also hear in response to their walk-thru is..."Cute Store." Thank you so much for that. But did you know I offer more than just a little shopping experience?

I just found out this morning, that one of my interior projects is going to be published in book form. That's a first for me...and I'm pretty proud. But what me makes me most proud is that it's not just about a good looking space. It's about building a trusting relationship where we {me and you, the client} hit the goal together. I hope to do this and that with a lot more of you. Opening the store is sort of like a first step towards building new solution-solving relationships, trust, and de-mystifying the myth that decorators can be snobbish and/or not real.

For those of you who know me, you know I'm far from putting on airs. I'm the first to tell you that I haven't cleaned my house in weeks, I hardly have a social life, and that my back room is pretty much a day-care for Sylvie and baby-on-the-way.

That said....Take a load off, browse my work, visit with me, and ask yourself.

Could you? Would you? Let me do these things for you?

1. Design a Space You LOVE

2. Find "Unique-ness that reflects YOU"

3. Plan It and Make It Happen for you.

{photo source: }

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

Big wedding decorating weekend in store for me. Can't wait to share this "famous girl's" wedding with you. She's so sweet, real, and fun.

sharon

Spring In My Step

Hi Guys! Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the Mothers Day giveaway. The winner is...........Nicole Chilton. Yay, Nicole!! AND, Thanks to all of you who signed up for the giveaway and shared sweet little stories about your inspiring moms. I LOVED hearing all of them!!

So, movin on into spring...The roses are blooming at my house on Pickwick Street, and the sight and smell of them are putting an extra spring in my step. There is also a fresh scent of herbs filling the store at Pickwick House. By the way, the roses are called Zephrine Drouhin. A sweet farmers market farmer told me about them years ago. They are a thorn-free, new/antique hybrid that grow in the shade or sun, bloom all season long, and are maintenance free. They grow fast too.

This past week, I needed to have 90 favors ready for a local fundraiser benefitting The Developmental Center of The Ozarks. I wanted to use something that cost virtually nothing, but that also reflects the unique services and style we offer at the store. I came up with the idea of using vintage books and stamped them with my logo and then added sprigs of fresh Rosemary.

I have a set of sweet, sweet vintage-french-reproduction twin headboards in the back storage room. I haven't brought them out to the floor because they are waiting for the perfect client or customer to put some tender loving care towards them. If I could, I would cover them in a soft velvet, or creamy linen.

Gotta run. Have a Slap Happy Day!!

sharon

Antique Roses, Pickwick House, Spring |

Mothers Day Giveaway + Gift Guide {Day 1}

At Pickwick House, I'm getting ready for Mothers Day + I'm giving away something I reeeaaallly adore. A pretty little candle made of soy, hand-poured, and smells of orange blossom. It makes me happy and it comes packaged in a darling white box with a gold wax seal!

To enter the give-away, just share a sweet little memory or a testimony below on how your mom has influenced your life. Be sure to leave your email address. If you blog, or tweet, or facebook a link to my blog and/or Pickwick House, you'll be entered again. I'll announce a winner on Mothers Day. Hearing stories from you will make my day! {I didn't think I'd share my own testimony, but I did at the bottom.}

AND, to my dear sweet local followers: Come into the store today thru Saturday....mention that you are a blog follower, and you'll receive a 10% discount. In addition if you are a facebook fan...post a note or link about Pickwick House' to your page, we'll give you a free gift that will be on hand this weekend for you to pick up and give to your mom. I do hope you'll come in.

A Mom's Day Gift Guide from Pickwick House:

Soy-Based, Hand-Poured into Pretty Glass + Darling Box {$32}

Custom Made Lonie Mae Pillow with Down Insert {$58}

Rosemary in a Metal Pot {$35}

Framed Jane Troup Print {$55 & $65}

Victoria Hagan Book {$58}

Butterfly kisses to my mom up in heaven. Mom: Thanks for making the ordinary pretty extra-ordinary. What did you do when handed some lemons? You not only made The Lemonade, but you made Cute Lemonade Stands everywhere...on anything and everything you touched...all out of Trash Piles. Wish you were still here and could see all your lemonade coins. Love you!

sharon

NEW things

May is Here! And with it, a lot of new things.

This Friday, we will be open for artwalk and highlighting several artists, sipping some bubbly, and lighting some candles. The last artwalk around Pickwick Place was all abuzz and really fun!

{If you are a local artist, and are interested in being showcased, please email me. We love promoting local artists}

Also, Artsfest, Mothers Day, and a Giveaway coming up soon! Stop in the store to see our new finds and new lay-out, and say hello to me and our new interns. We've been working hard at finding new and cool things and would love to hear what things are looking for in your home and outdoor patios. We also love to hear of any suggestions you might have! We LOVE feedback!!

The image above is from the Sonia Delaunay exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt. Delauney was a painter and a fabric designer and clothing designer. I found this via Ms Blandings blog. Check it out!

Have a great week everyone!

xo
sharon

Unclouded Skies

Happy Good Friday, Happy Earth Day, and Happy Easter to you all! I'm wide awake at three in the morning thinking about food, tables, and food. I need to be sleeping so I won't look like racoon eyes in the morning for the rolling camera.

Come into the store today and pick up some earth friendly things. At Pickwick House, we feel good when we can give high-fives to the earth and/or cheap-champagne-like-toasts {my new phrase for DIY} to the earth....like repurposing flea market finds, supporting artists who make the handmade things we carry, refurbing, and also selling sustainable products. Come get a soy-based candle to take as a hostess gift or if you're running last minute on Easter basket and table scape ideas, we have got just the thing. Also, tell me what cool earth friendly things you're seeing done out there. I'm inspired today by poppytalk's earthday post...to see it go here.

(all images from Pinterest)

I'm off! Happy Celebrations with your families. ta-ta!

xo
sharon

Spring Table-Tops

My uncle just sent me this little picture and verse that my great, great grandmother Pauline Frances Camp made over 100 years ago. She would make these as favors for their many party guests that they would entertain-for in their big, beautiful Victorian home on Walnut Street. Pauline's husband, Walter, commented to his mother that Pauline would make things like this "so quickly, that the expense and passing of time was of no consequence."

Poems and sketches. So sweet.

I thought that this would make a sweet addition to a table I just put together here, at the store. The spirea flower is one of my favorites. Reminds me of mom, because mom battled hard with my dad over these bushes in our own yard, growing up. Dad loved hedge trimming with his long-corded electric hedge-trimmers and took pride in making a tight-bowled shape bush, while mom loved the free flowing branched bushes. I have to agree with mom. Free flowing is much dreamier. What would you say?

These spirea branches are from a bush from my childhood home, which my brother Philip lives in now. We live next door and share this one bush that I love. I loved picking them today. What's popping up in your yard? No other bouquet like one from your own yard, is there?

This Friday, on the KY3 News early morning show with Maria Neider, I will be sharing some entertaining ideas for Easter Tables and Baskets. I'll try to share a link then.

Have a good rest of your week!

xo
sharon

Easter Workshop at Pickwick House

{All images by Adie Gately of twintownstudios.com/. Place Settings for Workshop}

Designed and Created by Anna Bolt-Ezell

Fresh, Homegrown Carrots on the Chandelier

Mint-Lemon Iced Tea

Galvanized Pail for an alternative Easter Basket: Chalkboard Paint Strip + Personalized Name

Raw Silk Bow + Materials for Pysanky Egg Creation

Pysanky Dye in Beautiful Colors created by Katie Kring

Katie's Amazing Pysanky Eggs {These Eggs are Museum Worthy}

Our Basket-Filling Station

My raw silk hand-made bows + cute brooches

Easter Basket Goodies

Millie Dolls {Selling Out FAST!}

Me, Guest Artist Katie Kring, and Kendra

Harvest Table w/Potted Lavender set inside Vintage Punch Bowls {SOLD out}
We also hung fresh, homegrown carrots on the chiavari chairs

Hi All! This past workshop was so much fun! Can't wait to share what the next one will be. Meanwhile, we're busy preparing for the SLOW Foods dinner that I will be hosting/designing at Pickwick House. I couldn't be happier to be helping them kick off their season of taking fresh, local food from Farm to Table this year! We are clearing out the entire store for this special event to make way for something very authentic. Guest chef is Vito Palmietto...

In April's workshop, I demonstrated how to create pretty embellishments for an "urban-cottage" Easter basket, and guest artist, Katie Kring, showed the inspiring history behind pysanky artistry for eggs. Katie also demonstrated a how-to on making a simple pysanky egg {a long-held custom from the Ukraine}. Then, each guest chose a basket to purchase and filled their baskets with unique, one-of-a-kind items that were exclusively selected and made by local artists for this event. Hors' d'oeuvres were cucumber sandwiches, coconut cupcakes, and iced mint-lemon tea served in vintage punch bowl cups.

Each class participant's place setting included:

*one of my taylor-made overside bows made with strips of raw silk and antique brooches {the pre-waxed and dyed tutorial pysanky egg was placed on top of bow for a strikingly sweet effect on their favors}. These bows were later used to adorn the baskets each guest went home with. The bows were multi-purpose as well...they could be worn as lapel pins.

*One duck egg that Katie collected from her ducks that she raises on her farm. She prepared these ahead of time{blew out the yokes and sketched each one with her unique designs}

* stylus {known as a kistka)

* beeswax

* candle

* pencil and paper for note-taking

* cupcake {hors' d'oeuvre}

* Each chiavari chair was embellished with a homegrown carrot {so simple and sweet}

* Chandelier was also embellished with the carrots

* Small side table was covered in white craft paper and used for dying the eggs. Mason jars held the beautiful dyes.

Easter Basket Table Included Choices of:

*Three different colored grass stuffings displayed in an antique hardware box

*baskets and galvanized pails {painted a strip of chalkboard paint on the side to add a customized touch for personalizing with a child's name}in all shapes and sizes

*personalized Easter cards

*Urn filled with extra-large raw-silk bows

Specialty Items for Easter Basket-Filling:

Lavender Potted Centerpieces placed in Vintage Punch Bowls with 12 cups {sold out}

Yarn-knit wreaths designed and created by local artist Anna Bolt-Ezell

Millie Dolls {sold-out...These are my sisters dolls and can be ordered}

Oversized ribbons made of strips of raw silk and antique brooches {these were demonstrated by me}

Naturally-flavored jellybeans w/customized wrappings and flowers

Truffles & Chocolate Bunnies made locally by Elle's Patisserie

Vintage Labeled Candies

Wooden Toys/yo-yos for

Hand-made Headbands by Hillary Fisk {proceeds go to relay for life}

Metal and Wooden Children's Gardening Tools

Madeline and Curious George Books & Puzzles

Colored Pencils wrapped in cute papers

Special Thanks to Adie of twintownstudios.com/, the AMAZING Katie Kring, Kendra of loniemae.blogspot.com/, Anna Bolt-Ezell, Millie Johnson, Eleanor Taylor {my daughter} for her sugar cookies that she makes and sells @Tea Bar and Bites.

Frolicking Equestrian Fest

All images by Amy Pennington Photography

Back in January, 417 Magazine asked me to put together a birthday shoot showcasing unique party planning ideas. It was a crazy time as I was trying to get the store open, and I was also newly pregnant among other things going on, but I never turn down exposure and press...and, I/you could say that party design/planning is in my blood. Looking back, I can't believe I pulled it off or that I even made it thru that crazy time. {Second trimester is ten million times better!}

After weeks of giving the "unique party concept" some thought, and many hours spent with Kendra's husband on the invitation design, sourcing items, scouting shoot locations, negotiating with owners, sourcing costuming & props, pretzel & treat design, favor creations, and finally loading and unloading everything...it all came together, as it somehow always does. We have one big photograph feature in the magazine, and we think it represents uniqueness, adventure and simplicity. Hope you enjoy~

Need some design/party planning help? You know what I'm gonna say?? Call today!

I was happy to see the work in the magazine, but would like to thank the following people and companies for donating time, and talent.

Amy Pennington Photography

Libby Ferguson Equestrian Center

Justin Skinner {graphic design}, Kendra's {of Lonie Mae's blog} husband

ATC Theatrical {authentic costuming...vintage hats, ties, over-coats, suspenders}

Auntie Annes Pretzels: Custom-made horseshoe pretzels

Eleanor's macaroons and cupcakes

Creative Direction: Kendra of Lonie Mae

Furniture Props and Favors: Pickwick House {my store}

Brave Models: Sophie, Graham, Mabel, Ralph, Goldie, Albert, Harper, and Wilson

Shoot Day:

Of course, it was a freezing cold, grey, windy, sleeting day. I wasn't prepared for the muddy, horse-manured ground either. Before we placed the long harvest table for the backdrop, Kendra and I {bare handedly} grabbed handfuls of frozen hay clumps to spread on the nasty ground to prepare a set-up worthy of a shoot.

The invites were made for "Sylvia Nell's third birthday party". Sylvie actually ended up being sick the day of the her fake birthday shoot....which was a good thing, as I wouldn't have been able to keep a watchful eye on her while doing the set-up. Will kept care of big girl and for consolation for big girl ...he's planning her real birthday party for next month...which I can't wait for you to see what he's been up to on that end!

Sylvia Nell's Third Birthday Party Invite

The backdrop was a quaint, chippy-white stable in the midst of a big corral of roaming horses at the equestrian center. Not knowing anything at all about horses, I mistakingly set up all the cupcakes and candy on the table before everything else was unloaded. So....while I continued going back and forth to unload the truck, I heard a loud glass-sounding breakage/crash. When I heard it, all I could do was imagine the set-up of precious goods in total ruin. Slight panic and deep-breathing, I rounded the corner to see that what had happened was that the horses must've instantly smelled the sugared orange slices and cupcakes and roamed directly to the set-up while I was out of sight. Thankfully only a few vintage punch cups broke and a glass cylinder full of orange slices. Running short on time, we barely pulled everything together before the photographer arrived.

The kids were great. Shoot went fast, and we loaded everything back in a flurry as it began to snow. I think I left everything in the truck and van for a solid week after that out of exhaustion.