The First Boutique

After living in "Nineveh" for a short time and then figuring out I didn't have to live in black and white, or even beige...I met these awesome new friends at a craft faire that were opening a new boutique. It was a boutique called Creme de la Creme...the best of the best and their goal was to have individual artisans make up this boutique by renting out "booth space" to sell their wares. They've popped up everywhere now but five years ago it was completely unique and I was super excited about it. (P.S...they're still going strong where others have had to close; coincidence? I don't think so)

Luckily, I secured the biggest "booth" in the bunch since it was the early stages when I found out about it. This is also when the bug to build and create booths started and only got stronger after it was complete. It's no secret to my friends that I probably have the craziest imagination between us; it's always in overload really and I am constantly being snapped back into reality because I look "dazed and confused" in middle of conversations...often. I can't go into a restaurant and not imagine a different way to design it or a diner and think "If I just had an afternoon and a gallon of paint, I could really do something in here." Soooo, when I got the biggest booth allowed, I immediately went to work planning the best space possible.

I imagined a dollhouse but, not wanting to be a giant room at the back of the boutique, I thought it would look awesome if the room was built with 2x4s like we were going to frame a room but leave it open. I was even going to make an awning and install a window or two; hand paint a rug on the floor of my space, and voila...this would be a booth like no other.

I've included some pictures of what my imagination looks like in action... warning, it could be a little much...and this was just the beginning. You're welcome.

The first step was defining my space with paint...and stripes of course

Started with a yellow square and stencils to do the base of rug

Then a border and hand painting the fringe...yes, I have LOTS of patience

Ta Da...the walls going up and window frames in place

Vintage windows add the perfect touch

No room would be complete without a roof and eaves on the outside

Branches and flowers made of napkins add whimsy to an otherwise fluorescent sky

A free 1980s entertainment center refashioned to a display case

Because every vintage armoire needs to be purple striped and yellow plaid

Queen Anne feet are my favorite for this EXACT reason...ballet slippers

Comments

The Chrome Cottage

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Let's Get Social

Social: [soh-sh uh l] Adjective: of, relating to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event. Noun: a social gathering or party, especially of or as given by an organized group: a church social When the Traveling Kates host events, we’ve decided they must be called socials for the two very specific reasons listed above, as found in the dictionary. We think that having the Kates anywhere could be very fashionable and what could be more fashionable and fun, than a gathering of friends to shop and socialize with? As much as we would love to have the Kates ready to roll for Mother’s Day and graduation parties now, we know that waiting and doing everything right…is the better choice for us, as well as those looking to host socials straight away; we get to design her with just the right finishes and displays, get THE best products t...

The Rolling Cottage

Fast forward a couple years; the boutique is fabulous and constantly evolving to include new artisans, the tea party space is booked nearly every weekend, Holly Goes Lightly is more popular than any person on Main Street and then…hubby said he was ready to retire. What did that mean? Retire into our little life on Main Street or take on a whole new adventure? After talking about our options and love for living tiny, I made the craziest of suggestions…what if we sold it all, bought a travel trailer, and traveled the country? Mind you, I’ve never camped and thought moving into our 500sq ft was tiny but was now suggesting to go uber tiny and travel around despite not ever actually being in a travel trailer before. Again…I found myself letting my fingers do the walking over my laptop keys to Craigslist; searching for a new adventure…one that had never been uttered or even thought of before. Things happened quickly after that; I mentioned the idea to a few people and just like t...

Traveling Kates

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