49th Annual Dolly Johnson Antique Show Follow Up

Well, the month of March has come and almost gone and a lot has happened around Hill Country House. 

   First things first.

 It's only right that I follow up on the great antique show I did in Ft. Worth, the

 Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show.

Before I begin I want to say thank you to a few folks.
 The first morning I was sitting in my booth and two women came in to look around.
One asked "Are you Ann Williams?" When I replied yes, she said "Well, we read your blog and your kitchen turned out just great!"
 I was so surprised - I am not sure why, because of course I know anyone can read what I put out into the wild blue blogsophere - but I think more than anything, I was so humbled.
I am not a prolific blogger.

 I write when the spirit moves me. I know I have a few readers, but more than that, I have kind friends who read my blog.
 I do not think of myself as someone who has a big readership, though.
 So, I want to say thank you to those women in particular, and I am so sorry I did not ask your names!
The fact that you came by my booth at the show and mentioned my blog and my KITCHEN,
(which I am still loving sooo much!) meant so much to me.
So to the sweet ladies who came by that morning,  please leave me a comment here so I can properly meet you and  thank you!

Now, on with the show.......................

I might remind you here that I began as a passionate collector of antiques years ago.

 I loved and still love all kinds of folk art.

 I love ethnic things, colorful things, textiles, and quirky handmade objects.

 I am crazy for the patina of things well loved.

This is important because I think there are those who love old things and those who don't - it's just as simple as that. 

 I love OLD things.

 Over the years my collections began to take over my houses and my bank account. 

I needed to sell - sometimes to upgrade, sometimes to simply edit, and sometimes to move on from a particular collection completely.

I began by selling a few items in my friend, Barbara's, booth at Round Top a number of years ago.

Gradually, I filled her booth with more and more items, and she had less and less. 

She began to do more design work and less antique shows, and I began to do more antique shows. 

So, here we are today - I do shows and she sells a few items here and there in my booths!

Does Barbara still love antiques? 

Absolutely. 

Do we still have fun antiquing together? 

You bet!

I have loved this old handmade truck from North Carolina for years. 

My husband loved it too, and for a long time did not want me to sell it.
 He, too, realizes that we can't keep everything we love.....especially if we want to continue hunting treasure.

 I had a collection of fruit still life paintings for a while.

 This one was one of my best.
 Fortunately it went home with a friend.
 It's always good to know our favorites go to good homes!

 These old cigar tins crack me up!

 Of course, "between the acts" refers to an intermission of a live performance, as in a play or musical of some sort.....but some find an implied humor of other sorts in them. 

 I have also sold them to stamp collectors for the stamp that seals the box.

 I had three of these folded books on hand at the show, each folded in a different pattern.

The couple who bought them was going to use them at the table of their daughter's wedding. She was getting married in an old library and the table was to be decorated in flowers and old books. What a lovely idea. 

I was thrilled that they appreciated this old paper folding art form.

I began collecting old Mexican pottery many years ago.

 My best pieces were all found in the United States, as the pottery was made for tourists and many folks brought entire sets home from their travels back in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

 These folky pieces are from Tlaquepaque, near Guadalajara,  Mexico and are very recognizable by their scenes of every day life of the Mexican people.
The pattern is getting more and more difficult to find, and the large serving pieces are really rare, especially those in mint condition.

I love the pottery, but over time have realized that if I don't have room to display and enjoy my collections, I may as well move them on and let someone else enjoy them.
 I only sold a few pieces at the show, but interestingly, those who really expressed an interest in the pottery,  LOVED it, and already had large collections.
 One woman bought one special black bowl for her house in Santa Fe, where she already has every other piece in her collection.

 I fell in love with this white top hat in my friend, Stephanie's booth.

Why yes, so in love was I that I had to buy it!!
 The only person who would love it more is my daughter, who has been on the look out for a cool top hat for quite some time!

 Perfect for her 18th birthday, don't you think?

 I never could catch this dealer in his or her booth, but it was so amazingly clever and creative. These bracelets were made from baseballs!

Yes, baseballs!!
Aren't they so fun!

 The fun of this show was in the variety of objects shown and in the creativity of the booth set ups!
 I passed by this giant horn every time I walked to the front of the building and it made me smile every time!

 LOOK! there is my friend and neighbor at the show, Janet, of Talk Sweet Talk blog.

She is working hard back there in the corner, probably writing up sales tickets!

 Janet is one of the most clever dealers I know. 

She has the world's largest collection of word flash cards and picture flashcards, plus the best ironstone, butter pats, tea cups, dress forms, man forms, jewelry (more on that in a sec) .....just you name it, if it's clever and fun, Janet probably has it in her booth!

Incidentally, Janet took all the great photos of my booth that I have shared here!
 With  all the things I had to remember to get to Ft. Worth for the show, wouldn't you know my camera would be the one thing I'd forget!
Thank you Janet!

See the precious little girl statuary? 

She is holding a ton of ironstone butter pats. She had to unload them at some point on Saturday, though, because she sold and was going to a home in Dallas to live in a girl's bathroom. 

How cute must that be!??
 Can't you see the bowl filled with soaps and shampoos and other girl stuff?

The large cream pitcher, probably an advertising piece once upon a time, used to be mine.

It sold too.  It went to the same home as the concrete girl holding the bowl. 

 I wish I could see that house, filled with such unusual and fun treasures!

This, kind blog readers, is the piece de resistance!! 

Janet makes these charming necklaces and sells them individually at her shows. 

I walked into her booth during set up and fell head over heels in love with the whole lot of them!! 

All stacked up on the neck of this wonderful old dress form....well that thing  happened  where I can't help but grin from ear to ear,   smiling with humor and joy and excitement and  saying without even thinking  "I want it, I want it ALL!!"

Spoken like a true addict collector!!

No, I did not buy it all! 

I did not even buy one, thank you very much. 

But, I still think about the little coffee cup,  the whisk broom and the little green chair - after all, these are some of the things I love.......I think I should have them, don't you ?

49th Annual Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show

 I am beginning to count down the days until I load up my big old green Suburban and head for Ft. Worth, Texas! 

I will be setting up at the 49th Annual Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show, a show that has been an institution in the Dallas - Fort Worth area for, well, 49 years now!

 The Dolly Johnson Antique Show is one that I used to attend when I lived in Dallas years ago.

 In fact, long before my dear friend, Barbara, was my dear friend, I remember seeing her set up at the show,  and , and.....well let's just say I spent a little money with her in those days.

She exposed me to many fine antiques back then and continues to have a strong influence on me today. I have featured her home several times on Hill Country House.

In fact, we've even been known to sell each other antiques, only to buy them back from one another later on!
  Crazy?
 Yes, we know.

She was one of my, and many others,  favorite dealers back then and still, today, is my favorite antique loving friend!
 We have made many memories over the years in and around the antique business together!

So, the show was founded in 1963 by Dolly Johnson of Ft. Worth, Texas. 

During the 1990's Dolly's daughter,  JJ Frambes, joined her mother in running the show and eventually took over leadership.

In 2009 JJ sold the show to Jan Orr Harter, owner of Hot Tamale Antiques of Aledo, Texas.

Jan Orr-Harter

Jan has long been a favorite dealer of mine, as well.

 Her classic Southwestern style has always been complemented by the unique and quirky antiques she adds to the mix, which of course, have always spoken to me!

Jan has added art and a broader range of antiques to the show, making it a diverse and fun show in keeping with the times. 

I am excited to set up at this show next to my friend,

JANET

of

 SWEET TALK !!

I took these photos when I met Janet in 2009. 

We chatted for a while and I immediately was taken with her warmth and sincerity.

 I was amazed at her creativity and unique style!

I am still in awe of her creativity and style and it has been fun watch her as she has moved to Marburger Farms to a perfect spot in an old farmhouse where she can be found each spring and fall as a regular dealer, AND she writes the awesome blog,

Talk Sweet Talk!

Another dealer I am excited to be with is also Marburger regular, Stephanie, from Tyler, Texas.
 I have bought from Stephanie regularly over the years,but have never gotten to set up at a show with her.
 Looking forward to that, too!!

 I love the people in the antique business as much, if not MORE, than the antiques!

Photo Source

Also on the list of great dealers is my friend,

Steve Wiman, artist,
and
   owner of Uncommon Objects in Austin.

Steve has an artist's eye for the unique and interesting, both in single objects and in the fabulous ways he pulls objects together.

I can't wait to see his space at the show!


As you can see from the photos of past shows, there will be quite a variety of antiques and vintage treasure to see......

One might see everything from giant hands that must have been from a store display, to vintage western wear, to more traditional antique trunks with amazing early paint finishes.....

What a great show and I am honored and thrilled to be a part of it!

So, if you are anywhere near Ft. Worth, Texas next weekend, come see me and 74 other antique dealers. 

We promise not to disappoint!

Kitchen JOY!

The most comments I have ever received on this blog were when I asked for design help in trying to decide whether to paint my kitchen cabinets or not.

 I had already tried to brighten the kitchen with whitewashing the ceiling, painting the walls yellow, adding a new light fixture, and adding bright fabric window treatments. 

Still, nothing special. Nice, yes, but no pizazz.

The original light fixture - the light shone straight down on the island.

Many, many people said "PAINT !!!" with no hesitation whatsoever.

 Lots of people not only told me what color, but gave me step by step instructions on what color to paint the island, the bottom cabinets, the top cabinets, and what paints to use. 

My question stirred up lots of interest, and some controversy.

A few scolded me for even so much as thinking of painting the sacred antique long leaf pine.

In the end, I decided to wait.

New light fixture, Roman shades, bright walls.......still leaving me unfulfilled.

 Our house was for sale.

 One of the big selling points was, and still is, the long leaf pine and the natural stone used throughout the house.

 I agree that they are beautiful materials, but I also believe in a house reflecting the personality of those who make it their home.

 I decided to be conservative and leave the kitchen as it was.

Well, months have gone by and I have finally reached a point where I am just tired of living in a house where every decision is  based on whether we may or may not live here next month or next year.

I had been studying painted kitchens and painted floors for months on end,  pinning pictures on my Pinterest boards and searching madly through my design books and magazines for inspiration.

Finally,  I decided to GO FOR IT, with my husband's blessing.

I called my favorite, oh so talented painter, Tom Proch, and we put our heads together to do some magic in my kitchen. 

Oh boy did we do some magic!!

I could not be happier, and fortunately, my family loves it too!!

The best part was the process.

 In the beginning, I did not have a specific picture in mind of what the kitchen would look like when it was finished.

 I knew the color needed to flow with the rooms that the kitchen opened in to -  the dining room in particular. 

So, we started with the base color used in that room, Benjamin Moore Covington Blue, HC 138. 

Tom painted all of the cabinets that basic blue, and we decided to paint the surrounding area above the cabinetry blue as well. 

The rest of the way, we talked through the process.

 This is where Tom's mastery as an artist shines. 

He would say "What now?" and honestly, I'd stand and look and think and say "Hmmm....maybe a little deeper" and he would mix together some pigments from his magic tool box of paints and paint a cabinet door and say "how's this?" and I'd say "hhhhmmmmm.....maybe a little bit richer and a little more blue" and he'd nod and add a little more something......and so on and so on.

He worked magic at times with a dry brush, and he worked magic with a glaze, and the finished product is a paint finish that has depth and movement and a richness that my photos cannot possibly capture, but let me assure you, they are beautiful and I love them.

Another gift Tom has in his bag of tricks is a great plaster looking wall finish that works beautifully with the rock walls in my house. 

We never even discussed color.

 There is a finish in my entry hall that is similar, and when I said I wanted to get rid of the yellow, he asked if I would like the walls treated like the entry walls with the plaster look finish. 

Yep! 

......and off he went.

 Isn't it perfect?

And, uh, I decided to do something new with the floor as well. 

Did you notice?

So,  about that floor!!

Oh my, am I crazy about that floor! 

I looked and looked at painted floors!

 I considered all kinds of patterns.

 I needed something that did not have a real start and finish, though, because of the open ends of my kitchen; that is, the way my rooms flow openly from one to another.

I found these different patterns and finally adapted my floor from the last one:

 Still one of my all time favorite kitchens - not too trendy or fancy, but it just speaks to me. 

 Fun floor - kind of wild and colorful.

 I love this all over pattern.

It sort of reminds me of old linoleum, in a good way!

 This one is similar in feel to what I ended up with , especially with the dark, distressed wood like ours.

Love this as a variation of checker board.

This one was the final inspiration, although ours is really an adaptation.

 Ours is not quite as busy, in that we do not have an inside circle in the large circle, 

and our "fleur di lys - ish"

 shapes are bigger, and we left more floor space between all shapes.

 Looking towards the dining room......

 Looking from the dining room towards the end of the kitchen.

 Love how the stencil takes a little peek into the powder room!

 Looking down hallway from office towards TV room/den.....
We decided to leave all doors unpainted to remain consistent with the rest of the house. 

Looking from TV room into kitchen.......

Down the other side of kitchen towards dining room.....

 From the dining room looking into the kitchen.......showing some of the blue used originally in the dining room.

This picture shows how well the plaster wall color works with the rock walls. 

Tom, you are a genius!!

So,I think you get it now. 

I painted my kitchen and stenciled the floors and could not be more thrilled with it.

 It just proves once again what a reflection our homes are of us and our personalities. 

I hope your kitchen makes you as happy as mine does!

As always, thanks for reading Hill Country House!