Last night I was going through more old magazines
{it feels like a task that will never end ~ do they reproduce at night or what??} and I hit a pile from 2003 -2005.  It was interesting how many of the rooms were WHITE & SHABBY, even more interesting to realize how long that trend has hung on.  After about 1o magazines I thought that I’d never land on an image that I could post then I turned the page and did a little gasp at this photograph. 

{Country Home Magazine, July/Aug 2005, Photography by Maura McEvoy}

Here’s what I love about it… vintage rattan that has contemporary rustic feeling, antique shutters and accessories… and of course the mannequin heads which seem to be a requisite for authentic vintage style.  Here are a few sources for recreating this look in your own home…

Mountain Majesty Vintage Painting from Wolf House on ETSY

Blue Glass Vintage Ribbed Pitcher from Sage Olive on ETSY

Antique Mannequin Heads from Marge Crunkleton
Do these freak anyone else out??  What about the baby doll heads that you can find in every antique mall in the country??  It’s very odd to me ~ I don’t why.  But then I love big Longhorn and Elk mounts in a living room which most people find a bit crazy so I guess that’s what makes each of our spaces unique, finding and living with the things we love. 

Vintage Clover Cut-Out Shutters from Plum Tree Antiques
These babies are SOLD, but they were too perfect not to share!!  Check out the rest of this site for regular updates of new antique inventory in stock.

Split Reed Art Deco Chair from Objects in the Loft
What a great chair ~ it looks so modern and clean, but it’s actually from the 1930’s.  They have a great selection of vintage rattan that you’ll LOVE.

Savanna Tuscany Fabric from Full Swing Textiles

** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION Rooms **

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The idea of being a real life COWGIRL holds a tremendous amount of romance and intrigue.  For me it does, anyway… the idea of a hard day’s work out under a big blue sky, followed by an evening under the stars being serenaded by a rugged cowboy…  Now I know damn well that isn’t how it really works, but it’s definitely that notion that lures folks from every sort of life to want a little Western vibe in their homes.

Bedroom & Bath Magazine, Summer 2002

This vintage cowgirl room happens to be one of my favorites… more so because I actually slept in this room one night of my life.  It’s a long story of how that happened but imagine my surprise when a few years later I opened a magazine and saw that very same room where I had slept.  So I saved the pic & pulled it out today for a little INSPIRATION & sources for you to re-create this look and your own Vintage Cowgirl Bedroom…

Good Fortune Horseshoe Hooked Rug from Horse and Hound Gallery

 
Newfield Bed from Charles P. Rogers Direct

Double D Ranchwear Bedding from Frontier Outfitters

Star Curtain Rod

Antique Craftsman Table from Whitetrash Upcycle Recycle

 
Vintage Boots from The Lucky Star Gallery

I always say that I’m “all hat & no cow”… just a city girl livin’ a small town life who happens to appreciate the crazy hard work it takes to be a real life COWGIRL.  I’m not sure that my citified bones could what those women do day in and day out.  Either way, I sure love dressing and decorating the part, always paying homage to the girls who are really doing the nitty gritty day to day cowgirl stuff ~ hats off to you.

 ** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION **

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Earlier this month I posted a note about my friend Judy Hill and the Home Show that she was having at her house in Kilgore, Texas.  I was really disappointed that I wasn’t able to make it down there for the show but today I was THRILLED when I went to Theresa’s Garden Vintage Antqs WEBSITE and saw that she had posted 171 images from Judy Hill’s event.  171!!!  I’ve looked through all of the pictures twice and while it’s not the same as being there, I appreciate Judy’s talent so much, and also Theresa’s generosity to share her pictures!!

LOVED the way Judy displayed her BIRDCAGE…

 
… and her soaring tack of SUITCASES.

 
But it was definitely the BOAT~turned~Banquet Table that will keep me coming back to this pile of pictures for inspiration for months and years to come.

Thanks again, Judy & Theresa!!!  xo,fancy

** Click HERE for more from Judy Hill Designs **

** Click HERE for more from Garden Vintage Antqs **

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The Vintage Workshop is a great source for those of you working on DIY projects… my Mother-in-Law bought some images from them a couple years back and made some really cute custom cushions for the store… check it out, brainstorm, do something creative today.   This site offers images you can purchase, books & cds full of project ideas, plus the supplies you need to complete your projects.

It’s amazing how taking a break from the day to day chores of life, to do one thing that makes you think outside of the box, can turn your whole day around.  ENJOY!!!  lvya,fancy

** Click HERE for more VINTAGE Ideas **

** Click HER for VINTAGE MERCHANDISE!!! **

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About six months ago I was visiting with the Junk Mafia when we got the BIG IDEA that I start a new segment on their Junk in my Trunk {JIMT}Radio Show.  The idea for the segment was to take “junk” and talk about ways to re-use it in ways that are charming, functional, and unexpected, and thereby keep the dumpsters a little more empty, and the world a little more GREEN.

It has been a blast to watch the JIMT Segments take off, transform, and effectively work when it comes to thinking outside the box.  Not only are the ideas ENDLESS, but the sources that we are working with ~ from time-tested magazines to stay-at-home-mom-bloggers ~ are BRILLIANT and completely inspiring.

Today is all about BIRDCAGES. They are everywhere you go when you’re out junking, flea marketing, or shopping antique malls. Some are simple while others are more ornate, rustic and full of character. What to do with the BIRD CAGE?? Why oh why are they all the RAGE?? Here are a few ideas to inspire you and ensure that you never again pass up a bird cage when you’re out and about.

Chandelier on a BIRD CAGE STAND from Poetic Home
If you find a bird cage stand ~ anywhere, anytime ~ purchase it immediately. Do not pass it up, do not be a cheapskate, do not question your actions.  BUY IT.  Then you can use for hanging a fancy chandelier as seen above, hang a rustic lantern in your fishing cabin, hang wind chimes, hanging plant, or even a piece of art!!!

 
Birdcage Designs from AmourAmour.com via West Aussie Weddings

Birdcage Firewood Holder from Freshly Found

Birdcage Centerpiece from Boston Home

Birdcage Centerpiece from Good Housekeeping

Birdcage Centerpiece from Country Living

Soooo… DON’T leave behind the BIRDCAGES!!! 

For more items on our Flea Market Shopping List go HERE.

Do you have more ideas for Birdcages ~ be sure to leave a Comment & LINK with your ideas!!

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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I have always enjoyed looking at old pictures of people… I love to see the look in their eyes and to wonder what was happening that day that led to their picture being taken.  Were they happy or sad??  What were their struggles, their joys, their secrets??

Every time I peek into the world of artist Stephanie Rubiano I become lost and enchanted with the vintage photos and the art that she creates with the images.  Stephanie always sticks to images of people and gives each of the characters their own personalities using charming details such as wings, crowns & tiny words that might describe their disposition.

 We talk a lot about Re~Purpose * Re~Cycle * Re~LOVE ’round these parts… I do believe that Stephanie Rubiano has hit that nail directly on the head.  Click HERE to learn more about Stephanie and her Studio Rubiano.

** Click HERE for more ARTISTS **

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I hardly ever pass up an umbrella at an estate sale.  Last fall we went on a road trip & wandered into a store that just blew my mind ~ the selection, merchandising, the whole thing was phenomenal {I have no idea the name of the store, I have the one image BELOW but lost their card, shame on me.} Anyway, they had UMBRELLAS hanging from the ceiling and I thought it was very clever and colorful.   Thus began my collection of umbrellas ~ for someday when we were ready to reproduce the idea in our own Cactus Creek way.

Fast forward to last weekend when a gal bought one of our umbrellas at the Cactus Creek STORE & told me all about this DARLING umbrella she had seen decorated for spring in some magazine. That was all she knew ~ it was in a magazine and it was cute. Well I’ll be gosh-darned if I didn’t stumble on said cutie-patootie umbrella in the April 2010 issue of Midwest Living last weekend.  Check it out BELOW…

Produced by the brilliant Matthew Mead, Photographed by Jay Wilde ~ who I’m sure is equally brilliant.

So what other inspiration can we capture from UMBRELLAS?? Ideas for keeping them OUT of landfills, and instead filling our worlds with colorful whimsy?? Here are a few images to get you thinking out of the box…

Images ABOVE & BELOW from It’s a Jaime Thing from Amorology Weddings

Umbrella Chandelier by Shelly Sabel from Yanko Design

Umbrella Art Installation from Found Shit

Umbrellas as art & light… Flying Robert from Ali Siavoshi

SOURCES: Make UMBRELLA into a Bag * Recycle Umbrella IDEAS

** Click HERE for more from our **
FLEA MARKET SHOPPING LIST

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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Each week I post Junk In My Trunk {JIMT} Ideas to feature on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show when I call in every Thursday morning.  We discuss ITEMS that could be thrown into the trash heap ~ the goal is that instead you’ll take that would-be junk, flex your green muscle, and make them into treasure.  Normally we take on one item that you could find in your closet or garage, at a flea market or local sale, in an antique mall or at the 2nd Hand Store down the road, & post several options of creative uses for the item.  Here we’ve listed these items & put them into one POST that you can print off & take with you when you go on your next junkin’ trip…  ENJOY!!

25. Ladders

24. Glass Jars

23. Globes

22. Car Parts

21. Bullets & Casings

20. Galvanized Buckets + more

19. Bird Cages

18. Tires

17. Umbrellas

16. Keys

15. Blankets {even if they’re holey} & Fabric Scraps you love

14. Window Panes

13. Suitcases

12. CHIPPED Dishes & glassware

11. Rulers & Yardsticks

10. Drums

9. Wooden Crates

8. Picture Books & Postcards

7. Maps

6. Tractor Seats and other Barn & Farm Castoffs.

5. Bottle Caps.

4. License Plates.

3. Horn Ash Tray ~ any kind of Tobacciana relics.

2. Auto Creeper.

1. Random, rusty crusty recycled chairs.

** Click HERE to see ALL **
of our JIMT Ideas

Recycle * Repurpose * RE~LOVE

MOST of these ideas have been featured on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio to hear this week’s JIMT Idea.

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Our culture has found itself in a unique situation where our history and our future are colliding, and the trends and styles that are emerging are a juxtaposition of earthy, industrial, used, worn, and shiny new.

With our society’s trend of turning abandoned urban buildings into residential lofts and commercial properties, the lines between urban and vintage are blurring, stirring, and being re-produced in a style that has been described as Urban Country. It’s the idea of original brick and stone walls, industrial venting systems, and rustic leather sofas. The lifestyle is all about visiting Saturday morning markets for local farmer’s veggies, but spending the night in the city enjoying hip bands, art and fine dining.

Urban Country is a little bit cowboy {cause that’s an intrinsic part of American History}, a little bit industrial {cause that’s how we got to where we are}, and very in tune with nature {cause that’s the only way we will get to wherever we are headed}.

Our family is enjoying the concept of a Urban Country lifestyle with our plans to transform a 1910 building into not only the location for the Cactus Creek Store, but for the apartment above the store to be a home for our family.  We may live in a town of 1600 people, but we are still in the heart of downtown and we enjoy the amenities of being across the street from a hardware store, cafe and our very own recycling center.  There is a farmer’s market down the street during the summer, and artists in the house every 2nd Saturday, but we can be at the farm and fishing in less than 15 minutes.

{Images via Apartment Therapy}

It was the images of the loft {ABOVE} that got me thinking about these trends and how they have been slowly unfolding in magazines and on blogs everywhere.  What are ten things that define this Urban Country style?? 

{Available from Barn Light Electric Company}

{Available from Brumbaughs}

{Available from Serv ce Station}

{Available from Design Within Reach}

READ THE REST after the break below…

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I’ve been a fan of Lucky Star Gallery for a while now, their website is amazing, chock full of vintage Cowgirl goods that you’ll love. What really makes this mother-daughter team {Harriette & Missy Allison} so special is their authenticity and commitment to keeping the spirit of individuality, American pride and Wild West Fever ALIVE AND KICKIN’!! Here’s a little more about this dynamic duo…

CACTUS: Where is The Lucky Star Gallery located?

The Lucky Star Gallery is a web-based store. Our 3000 sq ft warehouse is located in Reno, NV and is chock full of our American antiques, western collectibles and our fabrication shop for our line of leather accessories/furnishings. We are open to the public by appointment, we work with decorators/designers and do prop rental, as well.

CACTUS: Have you always lived in Reno?

No. We (my mom and I) are from Bishop, CA. We are from a large Italian family base, there in the Owens Valley – cattle ranchers and cowboys! My mom has been in Reno for going on 20 years. I came to be near her after I graduated college in southern California in 1996, I left for San Francisco in 1998, moved to Hawaii in 2000, and have now been here in Reno again for almost 10 years. Reno is a convenient location for us, we are only 4 hours from our hometown and extended family.

CACTUS:  How does living in that region affect your style?

Four solid seasons makes for an extensive wardrobe! I think that our style has less to do with the region we live in and more to do with our passion for the west and for the past. We are inspired by vintage lifestyle, quality of craft and COLOR!

CACTUS: You own Lucky Star Gallery with your mom ~ how did you guys come upon the decision to open a business together?

My mom has always dabbled in antiques, as a collector. Following the death of my step-dad in 1996, she took a buying trip with some friends who were antique dealers. By the end of the trip my mom was officially on her way into the business. In 2001 I joined her on a cross-country buying trip and got hooked, myself. It was on that road trip that we conceptualized The Lucky Star Gallery.

CACTUS: What are the best and worst parts of working with your mom?

My mom and I enjoy lots of the same things, appreciate each others tastes and ideas, and have a good time! We created this business together and share a common vision for success… the challenges that come are sometimes difficult to navigate, our emotional attachment to the business and to each other makes it feel like we have more at stake.

CACTUS: What is the mission of Lucky Star Gallery?

The Lucky Star Gallery began as an American antiques business, and although we have diversified with our design work, our mission has stayed the same. We are dedicated to an active process of restore, reuse & recycle by utilizing American antiques. We believe in the handmade quality of products from yesterday, and in buying American made.

This philosophy continues through my mom’s designs. Her furniture designs all start with vintage pieces, rebuilt and restored she gives new life to those pieces and creates museum quality art furniture. Her handbag, wallet, belt & guitar strap lines all began as ways to use excess leather from her furniture making.

READ MORE After the Break >>>>>>>>>>>
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