jvwbeach

austin cottage is now jvw home!!!

2009-11-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Just an update on my other blog: austin cottage & style....
I have now simplified my life & it takes me awhile to get this process down, but I'm learning!
As part of my simplification process, I've now changed the blog address of the austin cottage & style, to this new one with a new name:
jvw home

My website is also under the jvw home and so I felt that having the biz and blog all the same name , made the most sense.
I hope you'll continue to follow my blog, under this new address:
jvw home

And my logo will be switched back to the jvw home once I tell my sweet web designer Natalie of Modern Sugar. She has the patience of a saint working with the "always changing" me.......we will be tweeking the website as well this wk, cuz alot of changes will be happenin' on the site!

All the best on this new day of November!,
jvw

Austin Cottage is open!! Check out the blog and stay awhile!

2009-10-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

Austin Cottage & Style is up and a runnin'!!! I'm having those writing moments where I truly wish I had so many more hours in the day to share so many different stories on my new blog. But my poor hubbie and family are probably tired of me being glued to this computer....sooooooo, until then, please check out the new blog....oh, and do forgive me, if there are any errors cuz i'm writing at the speed of light!
I WILL get back to JVW BEACH eventually...promise! So, please keep me on your feeds....but I invite you to check out the new Austin blog too & add to your faves/feeds too! Keep in mind that I will have a huge VARIETY of homes/interiors/fashion,etc.....so, you never know what type of story you'll get!
We have a saying in Austin, "KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD"....
and now my blog motto is:
"KEEP AUSTIN IN STYLE"!

Check it out and holla back at me!
www.austincottagestyle.blogspot.com

All the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JVW

New blog update!!!!

2009-10-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm taking some time off from writing on my JVW BEACH blog, closing up the "beach umbrellas for the winter"
......but hope you'll keep "jvw beach" on your RSS feeds, etc. cuz you never know when the "beach bug" will hit me again and I'll throw in the occasional winter beach story!!.....
I'm focusing the next few months on my other, NEW blog:
www.austincottagestyle.blogspot.com

named: austin cottage & style

My new blog is about fashion & interior design in Austin, Texas, my hometown.
I do hope you'll check it out and pass the word.....I'm on a writing roll with this one and can't wait to start sharing our vibrant, creative town! I've got loads of great abodes to share cuz we have some really great houses here with incredible interiors of soooo many various styles.....and I love SO many styles, therefore I will be reporting on loads of variety.
Plus you will love the fashion & "happenin's" that Austin has to offer, and just some of the creative stuff my fellow Austinites come up with, wild !! Austin is this huge melting pot of incredibly talented artisans....whether their art is music,design, fashion, etc., there's lots to share about this interesting bohemian community......well, it did develop from some very interesting hippie types & great native Texans! Stick around and I hope you'll make my blog a fave....
Have a great weekend & all the best,

JEANETTE

Costa Rica Chica

2009-08-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back at the computer after a summer sabbatical! Well, it's been a full summer and it's the time of the year when I love spending time relaxing without schedules. Too many schedules during the school year lead Mom's to needing r & r....kind of like school teachers need a break, right?!
I'll start with the first part of our summer, our family vacation in Dominical, Costa Rica. We stayed at the beautiful and very chic Paradise Breezes. Later this week or next , I'll take you to other places we visited this summer.

First on Dominical: Our family loved this place because it's still laid back and not absorbed with hotels and commercialism, ...yet. The beauty of the gorgeous ocean against the lush green mountains is breathtaking. The whole feel of this place reminds me of Hawaii meets Mexico (before commercialism took over both). Dominical is a very bohemian, surfer town, just the place we love. The beaches are a grey sand with alot of ocean rock, but still beautiful in their unspoiled way.You can drive over to Manuel Antonio (about a 30 minute drive) for a day at the beach and it's a charming town as well. The beach on Manuel seems to be more white and smooth, not as many rocks and I preferred that beach. Here you can also rent a chair for the day and a waiter will stop by and offer you cocktails/drinks. Manuel is more populated but still quaint and close to the local airport. Many vendors are along the beach offering great souvenirs. You will find just a few vendors in Dominical but still in a very understated , charming way.
You can also rent surfboards in both towns, of course!A few restaurants offer this incredible view over Manuel Antonio.

Alot of Americans are moving to Costa Rica to enjoy a simpler life.
Here's a beautiful mountain side home of a real estate developer from the states.
(notice the beautiful rainy clouds coming in for the evening?)
Above is their gorgeous pool (pics don't do it justice).....notice the cabana with the hand carved posts? Costa Rica has many gifted artisans for unique building details.

We were pampered where we stayed though, in Dominical, and I highly recommend this compound of 3 villas: Paradise Breezes. Our villa was Villa Exotica and we coined it our "rock star villa" because it was beautiful and equivalent to any 5 star hotel.
Pictures don't do it justice on their website or on my blog, more beautiful and luxurious in person. Villa Exotica (and all the other villas on their compound) have an incredible sound system, modern furnishings, luscious bedding, great lighting systems in all rooms, private pools and outdoor jacuzzis, spectacular views from all rooms, and an incredible staff. You can also hire the private Chef for a wonderful dinner in your own villa. We loved this gated compound and would definitely recommend to anyone, Paradise Breezes is a sweet destination!
One thing about the area , is that some of the roads are still unimproved roads, making for a bumpy ride in an SUV daily. SUV being a must! The roads though have "character" and many potholes, so driving into town was always an adventure, but somehow you adore those roads when you're in a magical ,laid back place like this!

I love Costa Rica also for it's cleanliness. Even stopping in "divey" type towns, the bathrooms are always clean. The people are so welcoming and sweet also. Our family speaks Spanish so it definitely helps , but alot of places there do speak English.
Also, we were there during the rainy season, which I highly recommend. We had glorious sunshine everyday til usually 3-5 pm., then we'd have great clouds come in. Since we've had a parched , hot summer in Texas, seeing the pouring rain daily in Dominical was truly a treat for all of us. Plus, Villa Exotica has wonderful balconies to sit and enjoy the rain show.
You can view for more info on Dominical and Paradise Breezes by going to www.paradisebreezes.com. (beautiful sarongs for sale in Uvita, Costa Rica....but you can find these in all towns)

I'll be back soon for the next stop we made in our summer schedule. Not a beachy place , but a spot I want to share with you: Fredericksburg, Texas. (well, you know the "beach" girl in me has to have water around at least).....the place I'll show you next in Fredericksburg is one of the rare B & B places in "Fred" with a pool. The pool is beautiful and simple , built to resemble an old 1800's cistern, because this place is an old 1800's homestead turned into a B & B. Stay tuned to the next blog and I'll take you to Fred soon, to visit the charming "1865 Homestead" !

See ya soon, but please check out Paradise Breezes and let them know I sent you!
JVW

ON THE ROAD AGAIN.......

2009-05-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

jvw beach is on the road again....this time we've loaded up the truck and have taken our inventory to BRAXTON in Rockport, Texas! We feel our merchandise is better suited in a coastal town. We're excited about it too and look forward to being a part of the Rockport art community! BRAXTON is a great "antique mall". I love their store and chose it for our site, because it's a mix of antiques, reproductions & apparel. Braxton is owned by a charming Rockport decorator, named Braxton. Braxton has his own great selection of antiques that he's refinished with great paint finishes, but also features his own fun , custom creation reproduction furniture. He manages estate sales and therefore has first hand access to alot of great finds in the area. Rockport is a charming seaside community where artists have resided since the early 20th century , and has been rated one of the nation's 100 best small art towns. For that reason, you can stroll through many art galleries and creative boutiques. Rockport is also great for fishing too and hosts many fishing tournaments. This coming weekend is a FUN festival celebrating their 13th year, called the Rockport Festival of Wine and Food. You can stroll under the tents , just next to the Braxton store, on Austin Street , and sample wines and delicious foods. Check out this website for more info: www.texasfestivalofwines.com
Charming real estate in Rockport, along the historic older areas , bay or canals offer great places for vacation or retirement homes. We chose this charming town for our new store because of the quaint shopping it offers along the water, in the old "downtown " area on Austin Street. We just set up our store this past weekend & my husband Steven deserves the accolades because I couldn't do this type of work without his support and help. He is my creative genius who generously helped me set up the "shop" within Braxton's shop. Setting up this type of display looks easy, but it's actually alot of work...but we had a great time getting it all set up and then took a deserved break & kicked back in Port Aransas , just the 2 of us without kids , for a fun weekend in charming Port Aransas! I adore both Rockport and Port Aransas & they are approximately 15 minutes apart....you have to ride the ferry over to Port Aransas. You'll spot dolphins , large redfish, and entertaining coastal birds while riding the charming ferry.
When you're in the area, check out our shop within Braxton. We have our jvw beach banner displayed. And I've included some photos of what we currently have in the booth.
Also, check out the cute store down the way named Rockapulco (great apparel & home accessories). I hope to feature more Rockport stores with more photos, later in the summer......

My First Blogger Interview!

2009-04-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

I'm really thrilled because I was chosen for my first blogger interview. The VERY talented Annie Bierma, of Dot and Line Home, also a fellow blogger, asked if she could write about moi. From time to time, Annie chooses different artists/ designers in her blog , when she's not busy doing her lampshade & pillow design work. I first met Annie , when I commissioned her to make a lampshade for a project. Here are some pics of a lampshade she created with my custom fabric. I've attempted to cover lampshades myself with coordinating fabrics for a room, and never have gotten the craft perfected. As you can see in the next photo, her details of lining that shade were excellent quality. Annie has a BA in Theatre with an emphasis in Lighting Design & creates beautiful work. She will custom make lampshades, but also sells her own creations on Etsy.
Here are a few of Annie's other creations:
Thanks Annie for including me in your blog and I look forward to many more projects with you!!!
You can find the interview & more about Annie & her work, at www.dotandlinehome.blogspot.com
If you don't see it, then click on the area called "artists profiles".

"Beached" at Warrenton, Texas

2009-03-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

jvw home & jvw beach are now set up at the Texas Rose Show in Warrenton, Texas. (Read my older posts to find out about this FUN antique week in Texas!!)
Check out the sign above that we have displayed at the booth, created by our sweet Austin friend, Neville Stewart...he has an incredible CAD wood milling machine that makes the design...I wish you could see the detail of the engraving up close, it's beautiful work... love it!....Thanks Nev!!

My fave items at the show are the lighting. Here are a few examples and they will also be featured soon on the website, if not sold at the show. But if they do sell, we always find interesting different ones, so always check our website for updates.
Check out this one of a kind FAB, lighted, seahorse & starfish pot rack we have in our booth. Comes complete with yellow & white coral chandy sleeves(if you're interested, let me know & I can email measurements, pricing & shipping, before it sells at the show) ....too cute for that coastal cocina!

Also, we have , of course, our trademark turquoise chandy's with different colored sleeves. We also feature a CUTE vintage tole daisy chandelier with green & white polka dot sleeves, fab , again for a girls' room or a sunny kitchen.

We have our Deborah Cavenaugh art at the show, framed. You can see her art on our website, up close....it's really cute and colorful.We're also selling a great floor lamp (below) with a modern shade. You can barely see it through this picture, but I'll try to get a new picture this week. The lamp base is painted in Maine Cottage paints with a coordinating Maine Cottage fabric . The base is painted in the "porch" paint and the metal vine trailing around the base, is painted in "hot lime". The fabric is a bold rose print on a modern style shade. A crystal ball finial completes the modern lamp. The lampshade was custom made by the VERY talented Annie Bierma. Annie also has several premade CUTE shade on etsy.com.

This is our first time to be a seller at the show, and not a shopper! Business this past week has been SLOW because we've had weird ,typical, unpredicting, Texas weather. We've had hot & cold days , then VERY windy days to rainy, "tornado watch" days! Scary when you're under a huge tent with aluminum poles , in open farm fields, and the wind is whipping the tent, chandeliers are tingling their crystals and water is starting to drip through little holes in the tent like Green Acres....

and you're praying that the electric fixtures and the art don't get a drop of rain! You can't see the tarps we've had to race and throw above the chandy's to prevent this disaster or the heavy side flaps of the tent that go up and down depending on our weather !.....but the show is fun because of the great people you meet from all over & "die hard " shoppers trek through the muddy grounds in their "designer" rain boots .... I've been attending this show with my DH (dear husband) , Steven, for the last 10 years. DH has been my collaborative partner in many house remodels, design projects and home buildings . He has this great creative eye for design. DH and I always have a great time while at the show because we've always had a "project" to hunt for ....this is the first time we don't have some remodel going on, but we still enjoy walking the grounds looking for new treasures. If you read the blog: Cote de Texas, you'll see how the author mentions, "behind any designer, is a great DH" or something like that....and it's VERY true! Only DH's have the patience to persevere through design projects that are a constant. I'm sharing a booth with the cute & charming LeAnn Stephenson of Vintage Laundry. LeAnn too, has a great DH named Scott. Together, Scott and Steven have been an invaluable support to us throughout the show and we thank the great DH's for being there!

Back to the show....I'm sharing a few photos of our "store" out in Warrenton....and if you and your DH would like a romantic drive, then take a drive out this weekend, and check the internet for really romantic great inns such as The Outpost Inn , you will love all the varying cottages they have, all decorated with romance....the fields of wildflowers , bluebonnets and the Texas starry skies will awaken your senses!
Here's a tiny sampling of the cute cottages at the Inn.....
The Outpost Inn also has a very cool, vintage, Airstream Land Yacht....pictures do not do it justice....trust me, it looks like Ralph Lauren decorated the interior & yes, it's romantic too.

And speaking of romance...."Romantic Country" magazine came out a few days ago and shot photos of booths within our tent!

I do love a trip out there with DH but then I also LOVE to take at least one day trip out to the antique week with a good friend or group of girls....it's a GREAT girls' trip. Finding that precious time to gab with a GF (girl friend) is rare since most of us are busy with our families or careers. Driving out from Austin , it's a 1.5 hour drive and that gives you and your GF plenty of time to catch up on the latest gab, while driving to/fro the show....plus all that shop talk in between, it's just a great time to nurture those friendships. I know alot of girls that travel from all over and stay in the cute inns around there for several days . Seasoned antique week girls KNOW they need more than one day to cover the whole area. Alot of girls go early, to attend the Junk Gypsy's Prom Night party .....It's a crazy night where everyone wears crazy old prom stuff , favorite "gypsy" look, or just their colorful, "Round Top " look with loads of fun jewelry , a great hat and a great set of vintage boots!
Junk Gypsy's colorful booth of vintage finds mixed with cool t-shirts and of course, great boots.
Included in their great displays are 2 different old trucks. One is a pale pink old Suburban with "Junk Gypsy" painted on it....the other is this one pictured below....drive along the main highway that runs through the antique week and you'll be sure to spot their great old trucks!

..there are 1000's of booths up/down the main highway that runs between Round Top & Warrenton , Texas. The famous Marburger Farms starts today and most booths end either Saturday , April 4th or Sunday, April 5th. Marburger is just across the street from our tent, Texas Rose Show. Marburger carries a wide variety & it's all GOOD stuff! Be sure to check out the Country Living magazine booth . Marburger brings out the "beautiful women" of the Texas state.....seriously , stop while eating your lunch , look around and I know you'll agree....another reason our DH's love to join us, right? Seriously, there is "eye candy" all around, whether it's the pretty women or the treasure trove of goodies you'll encounter , there's something for everyone.

Whether you visit Marburger, Warrenton , Texas Rose Show or any of the umpteen booths all around, you will have a good time. Even if your budget is tight, just go to get out of the house, enjoy the beautiful farms in the area, take pictures in the bluebonnets, and witness this HUGE event, it grows every year . God's glorious landscape and being with other "creative" people is free & good for the soul. Get some inspiration on how to paint an old brown antique you have, or discover a new way to create a room....there are ideas all around....some booths are set up in little vignettes, like going into a model home.
You'll at least be inspired to go back home and recreate something you already have, even if you can't spend a dime right now.
Although you CAN find some great buys at alot of booths....I bought a GREAT vintage mexican dress from LeAnn & luxurious silky satin pillowcases (they're vintage ,but look like Bella Notte fine linens), & she has CUTE things & they're all priced right.

Kids have fun at the show too ! Bring the kids out and enjoy a different weekend outing....or come during the week when it's less crowded....most booths are open 9-6.

Oh, and those "designer" rain boots are above on moi! Mine are actually wild leopard ones that I found a few years back. The sun finally came out this day , but when it's rainy, those boots are a must! You can find other funky, cute rain boots down the road at the colorful, Pinky's! Pinky's is a fun , eclectic store from San Antonio that is a "must stop"...I'll try to remember later this week to shoot a photo of their store because it's a fun , colorful one.
I don't think you'll need the rain boots for the rest of the week, because they're predicting gorgeous Texas weather til the end of the show. But do wear comfortable shoes because you'll want to trek many miles because there are tooooo many great booths to check out. From the highway, look for the pink market umbrellas LeAnn puts out everyday.
Stop by our booth , we'd love to see you!
Or email me if you're interested in the pricing for anything you see pictured above!
info@jvwhome.com

The Old Ivy Cottage

2009-03-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

THE OLD IVY COTTAGE , a vintage beach cottage & garden compound.
.....I've visited and viewed many photos of fab beach places....but this one really captures my heart. Originally built in 1950, by silent motion picture star Ena Gregory, it still maintains the old Hollywood glamour. Located in Laguna Beach, California, yet it looks like the Italian Riviera. Situated on approx. 1 acre, right on the beach, between San Diego and Los Angeles (an hr. each way to either city)
Thought you'd enjoy the "eye candy" of this beautiful estate. A place that feels like sunshine even on a cloudy day.
The epitome of chic, "Hollywood vintage style" comfort in a beach dwelling. Perhaps a wedding here or just a glamorous holiday for the truly blessed. The view from each window is spectacular. Kudos to the interior & landscape designer. The ATTENTION to EVERY detail is wonderful. Love the manicured English gardens and the ivy covered walls etc...They've also covered every lighting detail for the interior and exterior. The interior decor is a mix of California Beach to English Traditional. Despite some of the formal English details, it still exudes comfort and grace.
I love all types of beach dwellings from large to small , but I felt this was something special to share: timeless & graceful.

View from the blue room..love how they built this daybed into this nook....great for siesta or reading. Elegant , comfortable decor. Love how the french doors open out to the beautiful garden and ocean view.

Lush green lawn , perfect for a garden party, maybe croquet, or laying out some long tables for a great dinner with family & friends. Wouldn't it be great fun to have Giada or Tyler come over and cook the dinner?

Picture perfect spot for a glass of wine , dinner with those you love, watching the sunset, or just simply reflecting on the day .

Subway tiles in white are always my fave choice. Love their simplicity, & this lil window allows the view to be the art in the room.

Looks like a nice spot to catch up with your family & friends or reading if it's still chilly outdoors.

Loggia looks like a peaceful spot to rest all day! Scroll back up to the top photo, you'll notice it's the same loggia. Notice how they added the chandelier and outdoor lamps to create an indoor feel to an outdoor area. Also notice the trickling fountain at the back of the loggia....I'm sure sitting there is so peaceful with the sounds of the ocean, fountain and birds all around. Also, in the top photo , you'll notice the ivy covered walls, hence the name: Old Ivy Cottage.

One of the bedrooms in the bungalow (guest cottage) . Love how they created the feeling of being cozy on a boat.
Peaceful, private beach for guests of The Old Ivy Cottage. Great for surfers too!

Creative use of space within little nooks,complete with privacy curtains. Great lil "cribs"!

The OLD IVY COTTAGE is available for rent through www.vrbo.com

Please email me if you have any photos or stories to share about great beach dwellings too! Would love to also feature them on my website.
info@jvwhome.com

All the best ,
J

Thibaut we go!

2009-03-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

Thibaut has a wonderful line of wallcoverings and fabrics. The price points are on the higher side but worth it for a special room. Thibaut (pronounced Tee-Bo) was established in 1886 and is the nation's oldest continuously operating wallpaper firm. Known for fresh & inspiring color palettes with classic style, Thibuaut offers unsurpassed quality and design in a variety of styles. Recently wallpaper has made a comeback and there are so many GREAT styles to choose from. Thibaut has some of the best on the market and appeals to all styles: traditional, modern, & coastal.

Notice in this photo (above), the beautiful damask print. Look closely and there's a seahorse hidden within the damask, subtle & beautiful. There are SO many beautiful styles that I can't post all my faves....there are umpteen choices in the "coastal" variety, and then too many to post for the urban home. Most fabrics and wallcoverings come in several different colorways too. Thibaut is sold through select retail stores and interior designers only.

Thibaut has many great palm tree wallpapers, like the (above) photos in many color schemes and designs.

Precious prints (above) for a beach house laundry room.

Love this seafoam aqua vignette (above). Although it's not necessarily a coastal motif, the colors are great for any coastal home.

Love this coral wallpaper (above). Serene and beautiful, for that morning coffee. In addition, this pattern comes in a variety of colors as well.

Again this fabric (above) isn't necessarily coastal, but the colors allow it to work in any beach house. Love the patina on the side table! The modern graphic print on the chaise along with the shaggy rug is a great mix!

This is an example of a classic, traditional wallpaper can be modernized with the chrome table, and retro bubble light fixture. (photo above)

Love the contrast of the black wicker against the seafoam aqua. The lamps and the coffee table give it a more updated and modern look.

These would be great in a powder room or any bathroom, reminds me of the Italian Riviera.

Dreaming of being on that boat, over crystal clear water, (top photo)........sailing thru the keys in the Bahamas , lounging on Thibaut .
....the water there and down in the Caribbean is so incredibly beautiful; eye candy in all shades of turquoise/blues/greens......

all the best,
J

inspiring new fabrics ....

2009-02-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

I'm LOVING the new hot colors for the Spring, from Duralee Fabrics.
Bergere chairs get a makeover with delicious melon mixed with bright rhubarb & lilac. On another Bergere chair, they show the contrast of a dark wood stain with a bold pop of turquoise & white bold motif, accented with a pillow of citron green & white. On the porch photo , I love the ever popular kiwi & white and turquoise & white graphic prints. Notice how they slipcoverd a weathered teak bench & added an upholstered cushion with pillows, great idea. Giving comfort to an otherwise ,uncomfortable bench.
All of these colors are faves of mine. But right now I'm loving the bright rhubarb look. Colors that are popping out right now are great for the soul , don't you agree? I personally think it's great to have colors like this coming back into urban homes right now. (they've always been great for the coastal home, but now we see urban dwellings bringing in the fresh new colors)
Anita Strods Dore is a talented designer for the Maine Cottage furniture & fabrics line. She has such a creative eye for picking colors for each line. You can see her very interesting video "finding rhubarb" by going to www.mainecottage/fresh ideas. Rhubarb is truly a luscious, yet hard to define color. Anita defines it by saying
" rhubarb,.. it's not red, coral or pink, it's all of those colors, both old and new but fresh...."
Take the time to check out the Maine Cottage site & watch Anita's video explaining how she achieves her color choices for fabrics & furniture. Anita has a true gift for finding color inspiration.
Right now I'm inspired to create or find a rhubarb chandelier for my store....thanks Anita for the inspiration!
If you have photos of fave "rhubarb decorating" or new apparel lines in rhubarb to share, email me!....
info@jvwhome.com

All the best,
jvw

Spring is right around the corner..

2009-02-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Wanted to share the peek of Spring coming into view...our blossom tree is just starting to bloom....i love it when it's full of white flowers. Does anyone know the name of this tree? Cherry blossom? Thought this pic during the sunset was nice..
Today was one of those picture perfect days in Austin....80 degree weather and gorgeous skies! Another beautiful sunset over the hills and the stars are big and bright tonight in Austin. As you'll see from our time out on the porch tonight, alot of us like to keep our Christmas lights on for the effect all year......makes it more festive at night!
Buenos noches!

Would love for you to send any of your fave design projects and we'll share them with others on this blog(small or large)....send your urban or beach interior photos to: info@jvwhome.com

If your beach dwelling is chosen, then we'll post your place onto our website, under the "beach dwelling of the month"! Love to hear from ya!

Warrenton

2009-02-24T19:37:00.001-08:00

IMG_0026, originally uploaded by mseratt99.

Warrenton is one of my favorite markets within the Round Top area...this booth always has a great assortment of the latest home accessories.

Antique Iron Beds

2009-02-24T19:35:00.001-08:00

Antique Iron Beds, originally uploaded by mseratt99.

Iron beds are always found in Warrenton.

Texas Fall 2008065

2009-02-24T19:34:00.001-08:00

Texas Fall 2008065, originally uploaded by mseratt99.

One of the many covered markets in the Round Top area.

Texas Bluebonnets - 2008

2009-02-24T19:33:00.001-08:00

Texas Bluebonnets - 2008, originally uploaded by hbgordon.

You'll see fields of bluebonnets during the spring show of the Round Top Antiques Week. Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas.

Round Top Antique Market

2009-02-24T19:32:00.001-08:00

Kathy at Round Top Antique Market, originally uploaded by hbgordon.

So excited because the FUN and always anticipated," Round Top Antique Week" is coming up the last week of March. Round Top is a precious lil town in the beautiful farming area of Lafayette County in Texas. There are several different markets up and down the highway and in varying little towns around Round Top. But most seasoned shoppers just refer to the whole experience (all the markets) as "Round Top"....
There are way too many different markets to mention in one post....but you can check the Round Top Chamber of Commerce site for all the market information. "Round Top", the "experience", is held two times a year: early Spring and early Fall.
This year I'm thrilled because I will be a vendor at the Texas Rose Market (within the Round Top area, just across from Marburger Farms). The gracious & charming LeAnn Stephenson of The Vintage Laundry (www.thevintagelaundry.biz) will share a booth with JVW BEACH (moi!).
The Vintage Laundry has great merchandise and we're excited about the mix of things we'll offer within our booth.
Thought it would be fun to share photos of the market for those that haven't been there ....it surprises me that each season I talk about Round Top, I find out that alot of locals in Texas still don't know about it or just haven't gone yet. Once you go, you get hooked if you're into decorating, antiques ( refined to shabby), fun apparel and great people...
there's such a camaraderie amongst all the vendors and their spirit makes it a fun place to shop. There are 1000's of booths up and down the main highway that runs from Warrenton down to Round Top and around Carmine and other lil towns....the scenery of the farms around the area is beautiful. The spring show is great because the Texas bluebonnets are all in bloom as well as many other pretty wildflowers. For the Fall show , there are different varieties of wildflowers as well.
Men also love the Round Top experience because there's something for everyone ....but I think they probably enjoy watching all the beautiful Texas women there! Food booths, wonderful sweet tea or sweet lemonade seem to be on every corner....oh, and try the fresh kettle corn made there!
Wear comfortable shoes, get there early and stay late.....too much territory to cover....and you will find out that you can't cover it all in one day anyways! Check the Round Top site as mentioned because some market dates vary. Another great idea is to bring a red wagon or, in Warrenton, you can buy cute market baskets on wheels.....but buy ones with liners or your merchandise may fall out.
Enjoy the photos and hope you'll make a trip to Round Top Antique Week one day.

San Miguel meets shabby on the Texas coast!

2009-02-13T18:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of a CUTE coastal cottage in Port Aransas, Texas. LOVE how the owners of this coastal cottage took a stucco abode, painted it a fun kiwi green, then added melon trim !! Notice the creative mix of the pink shutter propped on the front porch with the turquoise bench. Very creative!!

Check out the fun, various Calypso painted Adirondacks.

LOVE this shutter entertainment center!! JVW HOME sells a cabinet like this one in various colors/paint finishes. Notice how they mixed various bright colored frames with colored books. Mixed in an old crab trap for an end table! Fun paper cut-out banner hanging in the main room! Novel idea ,swaying above the fan , don't ya say?

Isn't this veranda great for entertaining or enjoying a nice coastal breeze ?..... great mix of potted plants and love the seguro cactus accent in the garden...makes ya feel like you're in Aruba , Anguilla??

Port Aransas, Texas is where my family has vacationed for many years . I grew up in San Antonio, Texas and now live in Austin, Texas. We'd always head to Port "A" because it was close, but years later I discovered Destin , where my southern "sistas" have "summa" places. LOVE that whole area, especially Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and the famous Seaside, Florida area. Just driving around the brick streets of Seaside and the Rosemary Beach area is eye candy for anyone appreciating unique coastal home design!! I love their mix because it's everything from a traditional beach cottage to a modern , urban loft. Owners "stamp" their abodes by tagging their places with creative names & showing where each owner is from, fun idea . I continued on for years vacationing in Destin , but eventually got tired of the summer traffic in Destin, making the quest even harder ,after the long journey.

Looking for an easier alternative to the coastal vacation close to home,we went back to Port Aransas one summer. We couldn't believe how charming the town had become!! We felt like Seaside had made it's way to the Texas coast because subdivisions were popping up everywhere in fun pastel or bright colors trimmed in white. The town was cleaning up and investors from far away states starting noticing this sleepy lil fishing town. New restaurants, several worthy of "Bon Appetit" credit, & cute shops have grown in Port A also. Even though there is growth, Port A will always stay quaint and charming because it is on an island, Mustang Island. Riding the old ferry to the island is always great fun too. The ferry is the first "window" to the coast and a delight to the senses! Dolphins frolic while the smell of the salt air & pelicans greet you. I love to watch newcomers and seasoned visitors getting out of their cars, on the ferry, enjoying it all. You never get too old to enjoy that ferry!

I will always LOVE Destin and the "Emerald Coast" area & visiting with my "sistas" there during the OFF season , but Port A is great , not congested & closer to home.
We have our 2nd home in Port A and share alot of fun time down there.
.........I still love to learn & experience other coastal destinations, especially the Bahamian islands and the Caribbean....but Port A is just great for that quick weekend fix when you're a Texan...or if you're a northern "snowbird" Port A is wonderful too....we get alot of "snowbirds" each winter in Port A and they're all nice & friendly people!!

All the photos above are pictures from a cute cottage that recently sold in Port A. I LOVE this cottage because it is a FUN eclectic mix of everything from shabby to San Miguel w/even a touch of Texas cowboy mixed in... Looks like they may have bought some things at CITA'S ? CITA'S is a FAB store in Port A that features home furnishings mixed w/great apparel and accessories. Alot of the items you see in the pictures are similar to what they offer in their store too.

I'll feature more about Port A in future blogs and many other fave coastal towns & cottages.....hope you'll pop in again for more coastal chat soon!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!!