Anyhoo, the kitchen is as dreamy as can be ~ looks like the perfect space for making eggs & tortillas on Saturday mornings, margaritas with the girls, and finally taking a turn at making homemade tamales.

 If you are looking for a new spin on your cocina {kitchen}, here are a few ideas on where to get started.

Rancheros Handpainted Mexican Talavera Ceramic Tile Mural from Mexican Tiles.com

Kitchen Island with Copper from La Fuente Imports
We have a kitchen island similiar to this one {except the doors are covered with cowhide versus copper}.  It’s the focal point of our entire great room… we cook here, eat here, and spend time as a family ~ always around this big island that is really the heart of our home.

Native American Indian Pottery from Traditional Pueblo Arts

Rustic Beams from Arizona Faux Beams
Yep, they’re “faux”… actually they’re foam.  We would all love to have soaring ceilings with massive timbers aged perfectly over the last 100 years but sometimes we have to find another way to get the look we want for less.  That said, Faux Beams are a great solution for acquiring a rustic look for much less.

Talavera Flour Tortilla Holder
These are also great in bathrooms filled with cotton balls or to hold your jewelry…

Antique Metate Grinder from Tierra Dulce’s EBay Store
Lovely filled with fresh fruit, onions & peppers or lemons & limes. Or you can grind your own corn for fresh tortillas…

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Just out of curiosity… a TALAVERA TOILET.  Would you put it in your casa?? YES, NO or Maybe SO??

DEFINITION: Talavera [tah-lah-ve-rah] – Talavera pottery itself is a form of Majolica, which refers to all types of handmade enameled earthenware. It was first developed in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and was further refined in China where it became very popular. The craft came into use in Spain by the Thirteenth Century, where its development was heavily influenced by centuries of Moorish domination.

Within Mexico, this style dates back to the 16th century colonial era when it was first introduced to Mexico by Spanish guild artisans. Thus today, Mexican Talavera reflects the diverse cultural heritage inherited from the Orient, the Italian Renaissance, the Moors, Spain and the indigenous people of Mexico.
More HERE.

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BATHROOM ACCESSORIES

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Updating your front porch, your kitchen, your entire house?? Today’s your lucky day!!! Enter promo code FEB-SALE to take advantage of this GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!

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Rustic * Western * Vintage LIGHTING

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I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Tim and his wife Tiffany over the last couple of months… I think you’ll enjoy them too.

CACTUS: You currently live in Cody, Wyoming how did you come to live there and what is the best part of life in Cody??
TIM: I moved to Cody from Upper Mich. where I grew up. I have been here since 1989 and enjoyed the mountains and the pace of life so I stayed.

CACTUS: How did you begin making furniture and come to own your company, How Kola Furniture??
TIM: Due to medical issues my current job in the oil field was cancelled. Trying to find a new career I went back to my high school industrial arts background and started as a sander for Sweetwater Ranch. When they closed I went out on my own using what I had learned and added my own touches.

CACTUS: How did you come up with the name How Kola??
TIM: How Kola means “Welcome Friends” in Lakota Sioux.

CACTUS: How do you approach a new piece and infuse it with the ‘Elegant Rustic’ style you’re known for??
TIM: When I build I take into consideration the purpose of the piece and how it can bring life and elegance to the room. Each piece should be able to stand the test of time and be passed on for generations.

CACTUS:  Who are some other furniture makers that have affected your style??
TIM: As I’ve grown as a builder I’ve had many influences like Thomas Molseworth, and also artists like George Dabich who inspire me to push it to a higher level.

CACTUS: What is your process in creating a new piece of furniture??
TIM: I really have no process. It depends on the project or a great piece of wood that speaks to me. I will study the piece, for what seems like HOURS to my wife, before the inspiration hits.

CACTUS: Do have any particular music or time of day or other external factors that affect your creative process??
TIM: My process is continuous I’m always thinking of new pieces or different ways to enhance a old piece

CACTUS: What is your proudest achievement as a furniture maker??
TIM: I’ve been able to make dozens of beautiful pieces. My favorites are pieces are those that I can make for my family.  There is great gratification in giving someone you love a piece that was created just for them.

CACTUS: What percentage of your business is custom orders??
TIM: 90% of my work is custom. Be it changes in size or carving or adding a drawer, very rarely are any two pieces the same.

CACTUS: If somebody wants to purchase furniture from you how would they find your work??
TIM: Most days you can find me in the shop or by PHONE 307/250/0322. Thanks to the internet I can also be found at www.HowKola.com, on facebook at How Kola and onTwitter under HowKola. I’m also listed with Cactus Creek, Contemporary Western Design and Rustic West.

CACTUS: What shows do you attend??
TIM: Cody High Style Show and the Western Design Conference

CACTUS: What would be your advice to a young person who is interested in pursuing a career in making furniture??
TIM: As I have worked with my sons I have decided the best advice is safety, and trial and error. They have to learn to go with their own inspiration and gut feeling otherwise it isn’t your piece it’s someone else’s.

Great advice… BIG thanks to Tim & Tiffany!!  fancy

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Rustic * Western * Vintage Furniture

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Hi GIRLS!!! Just a note to let you know that Missouri Bluffs in Weston MO is having a Super Bowl Party this Sunday!!!!  

The Weston Brewing Company and Boulevard Brewery are furnishing cold brew and Missouri Bluffs will be providing the savories and sweets.

AND… you will be able to take an
Additional 50% OFF all sale prices!!!

Store hours on Sunday will be from noon until 6PM.

 So leave your sweetie behind in his man cave and head straight to Missouri Bluffs to hang with the girls!! 
** Be sure to stop by the Cactus Creek Store when you’re in town ~ open this Sunday from Noon till 4pm.

See y’all there… xo,fancy
p.s. I am LOVING this Double D Dress for spring ~ isn’t it just beautiful??

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION

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Earlier this week I had just that kind of experience when I picked up a car full of treasures, including the down pillows {BELOW}.  They are very old and somewhat simple with blue & white ticking ~ but they are clean & charming in a rough and primitive way.  When I got them back to the Cactus Creek Store I wondered what on earth to do to spice them up & saw visions of ribbon and flowers bloom in front of me. So off I ran to the hobby store seeking brown ribbon & whatever else might catch my eye.

I ended up going kinda’ girly on these pillows ~ brown and pink ribbon and a big pink flower.  But it fit into the Valentine thing we’ve got going on and the beauty is that the ribbons are just attached with safety pins, you could change them out as often as you like ~ for the seasons, for different rooms, or just for the helluvit.  Such a simple way to make some “old pillows” pretty and fresh. 

I also thought about attaching an old letterman’s letter onto one, covering them with patches of all the favorite places you’ve gone, or maybe add some leather fringe… The options are limitless!!

Recycle * Repurpose * RE~LOVE

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.

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I’m not a huge fan of pink. And Valentine’s Day has always seemed a tad hoakey to me… That said, I’m feeling the love this year so I decided to bite the bullet and pull off a Valentine’s GUIDE. It’s only a little bit cutie-patootie and there is no pink. So there.

Side Saddle Necklace: Lucky In Love
from OutWest Marketing

Cupid’s Arrow of Love Earrings
from ChristineDomanic’s Etsy Shop

Tin Hearts from Queenie Tin & Mirror Co.
These are super sweet for a baby girl gift…

Loving the West by Dave Newman

The Equestrian Prep Heart Locket
from Cosmic Girl’s Etsy Shop

Etta James – At Last – Typography Print
from Lyrics and Quote’s Etsy Shop
This one is for my hubs, ’cause he really loves this song and I really do love him most.

Kelly Buntin Johnson Winged Heart Necklace
available from Missouri Bluffs
Hand made by Kelly from leather that she paints and then beads. It is strung with glass chevron beads and other glass beads.  Kelly’s necklaces are truly one of a kind and will be a very special part of any Rustic * Western * Vintage Jewelry Collection. 

Cactus Dish Garden
Forget the roses, a diverse selection of succulents is all this girl needs. 
{NOTE: sunflowers & tulips are also a good way to get lucky}

Fly Me Away Mosaic Buckle from Whatta Waist

*** pssst… Whatta Waist is going to be at the Cactus Creek Store for a BIG-O Trunk Show on Feb. 20th!!!!!  {plus a couple more} wee-haw, be there or be square. ***

Tribute To Jack Briggs Blanket
from Pendleton

Wrapping this up with a classic blanket that will keep your Valentine wrapped in your love all year long…  Happy day!! xo,fancy

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 The best part… all of these can be ordered in MASSIVE size
{up to 5 feet ~ whoa!!}.

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The desktop calendar for January is from one of my favorite vintage postcards. Click on a link below to get your calendar {for free, of course}.

Right-click {or ctrl-click for some Mac users} on the image, and choose the option that says, “Set as Desktop Background”, “Use as Desktop Picture,” or something to that effect — the exact wording will depend on the browser you use. That’s it… Enjoy!! Have a lovely week. xo,fancy

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