Maria's Family Nest

Recently a dear friend of the Oddfellows family was featured in the July issue of WNC Magazine. Maria was sweet enough to mention the shop in the article, and I've already spotted a few items in the photos that once called our warehouse home.Maria, a decorator herself, has done a wonderful job in creating a comfy, inviting home. I really appreciate her eye, and I think you'll enjoy reading the full article here. Also be sure to check out Maria's blog, Vintage Simple for more design inspiration.

Photographs by Whitney and Dustin Deal of Oh Darling Photography

The Eagle Has Landed: Container Day July 2012

The eagle has landed indeed. Hopefully by now some of you have had the opportunity to stop by the shop to see what I mean, but if you haven't, let me just say every nook and cranny has been filled with new goodies fresh off the boat. We're filled to the brim with "new" antiques, including fresh pub signs, stained glass, chesterfield sofas, chests, cabinets, buffets, and even a World War II water tank! Part of what I love about my job at Oddfellows is getting to experience container days first hand. Each new addition that is carted off the container into the warehouse is a welcome surprise, and every box unpacked is truly like Christmas morning for me. Yesterday proved no exception. Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was a lot of work. But I cannot reiterate how much fun we have doing it! The energy is really awesome on container day, particularly when our customers are able to walk away with a new treasure. Here are a few pictures from yesterday for you to enjoy. Stop by or leave a comment letting me know what you think!

Here is a shot of 40 feet of furniture goodness. The container arrived right on time, and our helpers for the day began offloading right at 9AM.

Just before the blood, sweat, and tears began. These men are gazing fondly into the box thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" We have exactly two hours to get everything unloaded and into the warehouse and at times it can seem like a very daunting task figuring out where each and every item will be placed.

To the left is my friend Dennis, whose mirrors we carry in the shop. It was his first time helping unload and hopefully we didn't scare him off for the next one! To the right is my husband Ethan in action. Lots of sweat going on in these pictures. One of my favorite things to do at the end of container day is ask Ethan two questions. First, I like to know what his favorite item is. Second, I want to know the heaviest thing he lifted. The foundry part Dennis is scooting was, according to Ethan, the heaviest.

This is a shot toward the end of unloading and it just goes to show how quickly the front room can fill up despite emptying it out a couple days prior.

Donuts! I told you in my last blog post there would be donuts involved. I'm just checking to make sure you're all paying attention:)

A very foggy photo of the never-ending abyss. It's always amazing to see just how many things you can fit into one small space.

My favorite photo of the day! Everything you see in the warehouse in the next few days was literally brought to you by this handsome group of men. Left to Right: Dennis, Ethan, Mike, Adam, Chip, Mike, and our fearless leader Tom.

And here's a little sneak peek for you. By the end of the day I was able to assist Kelly as she styled the front room into place. An excellent job, and one of my favorite container days to date. A big thank you to all that were involved!

The container is coming!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The container will be on its way to Asheville tomorrow morning. In the meantime, have you ever wondered what our front room would look like if it was empty? It looks a little something like this! We've cleared almost everything out in preparation for the container's arrival tomorrow bright and early. Stop in today for some extra special deals, or just to try out the temporary roller rink. The goodies will be out on the floor for your viewing pleasure by about 12:30-1:00 tomorrow!!

Stay tuned for a behind the scenes look at what happens when a new shipment arrives (here's a hint: donuts and strong muscle men), and a new T's Ten will happen next week!

Ode to Carolina Beach!

Last weekend I was lucky enough to take a vacation! I had not had one in two years, minus our wedding last August, so it was time. I trekked six hours with five girlfriends to Carolina Beach and could not have asked for a better time. Sometimes vacations are necessary for relaxtion; for me, they are necessary for inspiration. What better place to be inspired than by the seaside? As I was looking through my photos, I noticed that there are a lot of the same elements in the shop right now, which is a big plus. Since I couldn't take the beach back to Asheville with me, I can just create one in my home!

 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, which we visited at night to fully take in all of the bright lights and colors. In the above photo, I was really taken with this amusement park ride for its graphic quality. I really wanted to take one of the rides home, but obviously that isn't feasible. Until I was reminded of this boat ride we've got at the shop.  Amusement Park Boat, Dealer #44, $750.

 Here's a shot of the girls trying their hand at skee ball. There's an arcade on the boardwalk, and we spent our tickets on Chinese yo-yos, mini dessert erasers, and neon vampire teeth, to name a few.

We didn't get to spend a whole lot of time in downtown Wilmington, but I enjoyed what time we had there. The above photo was taken on the boardwalk by the waterfront, and I was really taken with the industrial lights. We have plenty of them floating about the shop, but these are my favorite! Industrial lights, Dealer #44, $50-75.

 I love seashells, and when I was little my family and I would spend summers hunting for them at Emerald Ilse, NC. These clam and oyster shells I spotted by a restaurant in Southport did not fail to delight me. I love their rough texture and the large barnacle below mimics them nicely. Dealer #076, Large Barnacle, $48.

 This is my friend Erin, posing in front of a classic car we saw in Southport. Unfortunately there isn't a classic car in the warehouse right now, but I'm workin on it!

 

I really wanted to sneak the life preserver from the ferry boat into our car, but alas, my  fear of port authority hunting me down was greater. Luckily, we've still got a few life preservers of our own floating about the shop and I can snatch those up all day long without fear! Dealer #44, Life Preserver, $65-95.

 The above photo was taken on our first beach day (with instagram), and is one of my favorites. I have been looking at it off and on since the trip, trying to recall the sounds and smells of the beach. The oil seascape below only further awakens my senses, despite the fact that Carolina Beach had no mountains or palm trees (that I'm aware of). I love that it's tiny, and the colors in the oil are close enough to my photograph that I can recall the beach anytime I want! Dealer #44, Oil Painting, $28.

 On our way back to Asheville, we stopped in downtown Wilmington for some last minute shopping, and I'm really glad I stumbled upon The Wonder Shop. So many awesome vintage clothes and accessories to admire. I could have spent hours perusing, and I was really taken with this mannequin. Meaning I wanted to take her home with me as an added eclectic element to our decor. Much to my husband's chagrin, I have a second opportunity to do that with the mannequin to the right, since it's for sale in our shop. Dealer #44, Mannequin, $175.

 Here are a few more photos, including the marsh landscape we walked through in order to reach the beach. Thanks for indulging me, and be sure to stop by the shop this week. We are open despite the heat!

P.S. If any of you find yourselves in the Carolina Beach/Wilmington area, here are my top five things to do:
1. The Fat Pelican in Carolina Beach-Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of this place, and honestly, the picture would not have done it justice. The bar is floor to ceiling filled with beach ephemera and handwritten notes from its many patrons over the years. There is nothing better in this world than a good dive bar, and this one did not disappoint. Plus they keep a large refrigerator in the back stocked with hundreds of beers to choose from.
2. Carolina Beach Boardwalk At Night-Truly a must! I could have taken thousands more photos of the amusement park rides (some of them dating back to the 50s!), the old arcade games, and the tacky gift shops.
3. Britt's Donut Shop-Essential to your trip, and you won't regret it. The shop has been in business since 1939 serving up glazed donuts. They melt in your mouth. I brought some home for my husband, and let's just say they lasted less than a day.
4. Day Trip to Southport- A customer at the shop recommended that I visit Southport, and luckily my special tour guide for the weekend knew all of the right places to take us. We got there via ferry boat, which is always a delight, and indulged in good old fashion seafood from the Yacht Basin Provision Company.  I recommend the crab cakes and conch fritters, followed by a stroll through Southport's quaint downtown waterfront.
5. The Beach!-No brainer, right? Luckily the tide was pretty low the whole time we were there, although a wave or two did take me down and steal my sunglasses! No better place for inspiration than the beach, I say. I brought home a jar of seashells, and still keep finding sand in unusual places.

Oddfellows At Home

I know I always say I'm really excited to share posts with you, but I really am excited to share this post with you. After a little begging, one of my favorite customers was willing to share a photo of her home with us. I always refer to her as "Beveled Mirror Clare," and for good reason. Check out the room below, and how wonderfully Clare implemented the beveled mirrors she purchased from us. I love the elegance and simplicity of the mirrors juxtaposed with the dark buffet below. My guess is that the mirrors also help to make the room appear larger and airy. Excellent work, Beveled Mirror Clare!! xo

T's Ten, Week of 6/17

Welcome to a very exciting addition of T's Ten! But first, please allow me a few mushy moments of gratitude. I have been getting some great feedback from a few of you that have been following the blog. Every time I hear someone mention that they read a post, or really like a particular item showcased, it really puts a smile on my face. It is rewarding to know that I'm reaching an audience. I have a lot of plans in store for the blog, and this venture is certainly a process so any kind of feedback received warms my heart. So thank you for all of the encouragement.

And now for the housekeeping. We are anticipating the container with new goodies to arrive by the first week of July, fingers crossed. It's sometimes hard to predict exactly which day. The best way to keep in the know is via our email list, which you can join by sharing your email with us (leave it in the comments below, or shoot us a message on Facebook). Another really awesome thing about container time is that Tom and Kelly buy these really cute starburst neon tags and use them to mark down items throughout the store. There are some crazy good deals going on, so check in this week before I buy it all!

Ok, ok, less talk more pictures!

1. I know it looks like we've got snow hanging on our stair rail, but I'm here to inform you that this is a huge shag rug that looks like snow, but is softer and warmer than snow. I can't reiterate how soft this guy is, actually. It's 9 feet x 13 feet and yes, I am guilty. I've been running my fingers across it all day because it is a grownup's version of a stuffed animal. Dealer #83, 9x13 Shag Rug, $595.

2. This Rosewood chest by Drylund is too good to be true. The left and right sides have sliding tambour doors that hide away pull out drawers and shelving, and the middle has 7 pull out drawers. You won't have any trouble keeping organized with this guy in your home, that's for sure. I would personally implement it as a mid-century modern take on the lingerie chest. Dealer #123, Drylund Rosewood Chest, $950.
 

 3. I'm always in love with Eddison style bulbs and these do not fail. I would love to use these clustered above our dining table as pendant lights to mimic a tiered chandelier. Right now we just have a drab little light covering that makes me shake my head in disgust every time I see it. These bulbs would really do the trick! Dealer #03, Eddison style bulbs, $38 ea.

 4. Do you have twenty children? Then this is the table for you. It's 6 feet round and ready to host your brood. I love that the metal base brings in an industrial element while the table top is more rustic. You really can't go wrong with that kind of pairing. The only issue I see with this table is learning to politely pass the peas from 6 feet away! Dealer #150-c, Round Dining Table, $995.

 5. I love hooks. Have I told you that before? Hooks solve so many problems, even better if they are shaped like deer heads with awesome antlers. I would place all four of these in a row and hang zillions of things on them...purses, scarves, hats, the possibilities are endless. Dealer #AE1, Set of 4 Deer Head Hooks, $245.

 6. This wood toolbox is really great. I love the blue paint, and cast iron casters have been attached to the bottom for easy transport. The obvious choice is to use this toolbox as a coffee table. It's perfect for hiding away things like magazines and the tv remotes. I also think this would look nicely in a child's room. Dealer #05, Wood Toolbox, $345.

 7. I am trying really hard not to reference Game of Thrones too much in my life, because at the moment it's taken over in a big way. Have any of you read the series or watched the show? So addicting. Anyway, these Victorian tent pole bases are clearly bringing to mind some elements of the series for me. Maybe it's a long shot, but whenever I'm reading about a character pitching a tent in the middle of war, or in Dany's case because she hatches dragons, she's always under a tent of some kind, I assume they are using THESE EXACT bases. Geekiness aside, I really like what Kelly has done with them. While I would have put them in our back yard trying to erect a tent, she has cleverly decided they make great candle holders. Kudos to Kelly, I would've never thought to use them that way! Dealer #44, Victorian tent pole bases, $28 ea.

8. By now you all know that I really enjoy mixing eras when it comes to design. This chair is a great example of that. Its bones are Victorian, but its fabric is reptilian with a great set of nail heads to boot. It would really add some elegance and sophistication to any room. Dealer #FF, Victorian Chair, $350. 

 9. Remember how I said Kelly and Tom have been placing magical starbursts everywhere? I found said starburst on this little chest yesterday and the price attached is incredible. For a mere $150 you can own this great chest, complete with sweet Queen Anne legs and lion drawer pulls. Perfect for an entryway with a great floral arrangement on top. Dealer #44, English Chest, $150.

 10. I know in the past few weeks customers have been asking about beds. Well, we've certainly got a bed for you. This one is as beautiful as they get and fits a queen size mattress. Constructed from pine, the columns are from a late 1880s Pennsylvania train station. I sometimes joke that I am going to move into Oddfellows to save money and now that this bed is here, I think I'll do it! Dealer #150, Queen Bed, $2, 250.

New Dealer Sneak Peek

We've got a new dealer (AE1) joining us this month whose goods include decorative objects and industrial elements, fantastic antique doors, and a few amazing pine tables thrown in the mix for good measure. Let me just say that my wallet is feeling a lot lighter, and he just moved in Friday (not a good sign, people...I may go bankrupt before it's all said and done). Check out the photos below, and be sure to stop in to see his full collection of goodies.