Fanciest Tag Sale in CT

 Today, I went to the ultimate tag sale.  This is the fanciest tag sale I've ever been to. 
Krystian Von Speidel and Nathan Frank live in the exclusive West End of Hartford, Connecticut.  It's lined with tree covered streets and acres of mansions.  Known as "Governor's Row" because it's where the Governor's mansion is located.  Each estate is more eye dropping than the next.  So yes, the idea of attending a "tag sale" among this "riff Raf",  well...I somehow found it within myself to show up. 

Greenhill Estate, Home of Krystian Von Speidel and Nathan Frank

I tweeted @kvonspeidel to let him know I was around the corner and upon my arrival he greeted me, "Vivid Hue!  Would you like a glass of wine?"  How's THAT for a top notch host?  As I walked up the gravel pathway, two finely dressed gentlemen were leaving in Italian custom tailored suits, one was navy with a fabulous pink pastel tie.  I'm telling ya'll.  This was a dapper tag sale.    

This Palm Beach Peacock Chair greeted me.  I wanted desperately to take it home with me...but my house is starting to burst at the seams.  I didn't  know where I'd put it.  So I had to admire it from afar.  What a beauty. 

Krystian gave me a tour of Greenhill.  This is what he calls his estate.  Uh...hello, Veranda, Vogue, House Beautiful, where are you?  This place is magazine worthy!  Yes, my boy Krystian is in the industry but this space is ready to be photographed!  CT Home and Garden, New England Home, At Home, et, al.  Seriously, it's no wonder why there were so many drool-worthy items outside for sale...the inside of the house is filled with gems! 

I bought this fabulous bamboo magazine holder for my sun room.  And the below mid-century magazine holder caught my eye.  It was sitting on a fabulous table that had potential.   A bit of paint and refurbishment and this could be a stunner!

And the bamboo easel...MINE!  I spotted one in Kennebunkport and desperately wanted it, but they wanted too much money for it.  When I saw it today, I knew it was meant to be.

 

These little Dalmatians would have made great little character accessories on bookshelf or nightstand. 

And here are the boys...(Krystian isn't pictured) but Nathan is on the far right.  These boys were having a blast, bargaining like crazy, making a celebration out of the day and having a good ole fashioned time.  What a way to throw a tag sale! 

Tag Sale Hosts

And I've saved the best for last...I drooled when I saw this Bamboo Bar Cart!  Perfection!

And then, I spotted this SOLD sign  "Sold, Governor Malloy."  Yes.  Our Connecticut Governor.  And when I told Krystian that I was dying for that cart, he offered it right up to me.  (Apparently, Mr. Malloy was willing to part with it if a desperate patron came along...and well, that would be me).  But, really, I decided to be a great Connecticut citizen and let the good ole Governor have it.  I'm looking for a bar cart that's a bit more formal for my dining room.

And wouldn't these bar accessories be great too!??

Lastly, even though everyone in the Connecticut and New York surrounding area may already know Mr. Krystian Von Speidel, I wanted to show the rest of my readers how handsome he is. 



Via @KvonSpeidel




 

 I had a ball stopping in to this tag sale.  This crew threw one heck of a party, er...I mean sale!  They had the perfect items to draw the right crowd.  The location was amazeballs.  The day couldn't have been a more perfect fall day in Connecticut.  I'm thrilled with my magazine rack and easel. 


By the way, the Lamps.com giveaway is OVER and the winner will be announced on Monday! September 16th! 

 

 

@VerandaMag, @voguemagazine, , @housebeautiful, @CTCottageGarden,  @NEHomeMagazine

Mirror Mirror in Bamboo Green

 I have a new addition to my mudroom bathroom.  I found this little gem on a recent trip to Antiques on the Farmington.  I'd never been to this two store antique barn house before (even though it's a mere twenty minute drive from my house).  I spotted this bamboo mirror and immediately thought of Parker Kennedy.  And Kelly Green.  And my mudroom bathroom.   For $80 bucks I knew I could turn this into something. 

 

 

I bought a sample size of Valspar Bright Parrot Satin Color ($2.98, can't go wrong!).  Ya'll know my DIY style by now...I don't prep or sand my projects.  I just jump right in.   I started sticking this paint right on top of the old gold paint.  Sure, it was tough to stick at first so I dabbed a rought version of a top coat and let it dry.  Then I went back with the brush and could get a smoother second and third coat of the green.  The sample sizes only come in limited finishes (satin) so I added an extra gloss with some clear polyurethane that I had from a previous DIY project.  This gave the finished green a shiny coat. 

 

 

Up close of the bamboo mirror in the mudroom bathroom.  Keep in mind, this bathroom has not been styled yet because I've been focusing so much on the mudroom itself.  But this Bright Parrot green is going to go great with the Meg Braff green from the wallpaper in the mudroom.  Eventually I'll think of something great for the wall in here (thinking a solid paint color other than beige). 

I borrowed my Gurglepot from Kennebunkport for this shot.  And the below view from the mudroom into the bathroom reminds me from a scene down the long narrow hotel hallway of The Shining or something!  Again, the bathroom is not styled yet except for the lone bamboo mirror so bear that in mind!  But you can see how the mirror now ties in with the green from the mudroom. 

 

And here's the lil ole mirror that was in there before.  (Along with a photobomb from the vivster in the below left part of the mirror). 

 

Entire project was under $85. 

Coming soon, I have received two grosgain ribbon trims for the nailhead ribbon project I'm going to do in the mudroom and I want your opinion on which color to use!  Get ready to vote, ya'll!

Hope you had a wonderful memoria day weekend!

xoxo

Finds on Craigslist

 

In case ya'll missed this on The Zhush...Sue gave Vivid Hue Home some props for mentioning The Zhush on our blog.  See that strip of lime green half way down the page?  Yep, that's us... So, here we are mentioning her again.  So, Sue, go ahead and "thank us for the thank you".  hahah.  Just kidding.  But it was cool to get the recognition and we thank you for that. 

One thing I've noticed in this blog world is that everyone is so quick to help a girl out. 

Case in point.  Linda from My Crafty Home Life is absolutely fabulously terrific about finding the best furniture on craigslist.  She finds many items in Palm Beach or parts of the South and these are items I would die to find in my lil old area in Connecticut.  Half the time, I'm tempted to hop on a jet and fly to the location and pick the items up and get them to my house.  They are that incredible.  So I happened to make a comment on one of her recent posts about a craig list find.  Next thing I know, I have an email from her.  She has found two incredible pieces of furniture within an hour of my home in Connecticut. 

 

 

This curio cabinet was $400 OBO.  I would love to have fun stripping this down and repainting!  The next, the bamboo chair was my ultimate favorite!  $70 OBO.  Reminds me of something from Society Social. 

 

 

 

 

It's in terrific shape.  For pick up only at the owner's house.  The ad stated that was being sold by a famous interior designer.  I half wanted to trek to the house just to see who owned the piece.  Soccer games and kids' schedules got in the way last weekend from me getting this chair and I'm sure it's already gone.  But if it's still around this weekend, I may take a drive out and pick it up! 

 

BTW, Linda and My Crafty Home Life is having a Lowe's $50 gift card Give-away right now, so head over there and enter for a chance to win!

 

Also, don't forget, you have until this Sunday to enter for Vivid Hue's Give-away. 

 

Meet Roxy and Society Social

I always have a serious design crush on someone in the design world...Remember my Massimo Vitali obsession?  (here).  Lately, I am *in love* with Roxy Owens, founder and mastermind behind Society Social. 

Roxy is a gal after my own heart. She left her corporate career several years ago and decided to follow her dream.  She opened her own online shop and called it Society Social (and it is not filled with just ANY ole stuff ...).   Check out these duchess pillows...

Remember Vivid Hue's post about the Art of the Bar Cart? (here)  That was all Roxy!

Last week, she was featured in Southern Living as the "leader in the bamboo furniture movement." 

 

HGTV has given a shout out to these Society Social colorful outdoor chairs

 

 

Adore Magazine Aug/Sept 2012 issue gave the Society Social bar cart serious props

 

 

It's clear that Roxy stays busy building Society Social's business.  So how on Earth does she have any fun?  One thing I love about Society is that they have a Signature Hostess Gown...Yes, it's for sale, and anyone can purchase it.  

Apparently, these gowns were popular between the 1930's-1970's and worn by the lady of the house during a house party when she would entertain in her home. I have to admit, Roxy, I can't get my head around this one because I would look like a Good Year blimp in this...one size fits *most*! It's fun and festive!  

 

Roxy's style is sassy, energetic and fun!

 

 

 

Society Social provides custom styles as well so you can personalize fun patterns on any chair style! 

 

 

 

And coming soon...a vintage shop...this means stylish one of a kind finds, can't wait. 

 

 

There's lot's of socializing going on around the Society...

 

 

 

 

 

There's just so much energy and spirit in everything that Society Social gets their hands on.  For Vivid Hue, that is right up our alley.  And I must give my usual disclaimer, I do not work for Society Social.  And, in fact, I don't even know Roxy (though I'd become her bestie in a New York minute).  So, in other words, I was not endorsed in any way to write this post.  I just know a good thing when I see it and I love to share it. 

 

 

Check out Roxy's blog 'My Cup of Te'

 {Photos Courtesy Society Social Facebook}

@MyCupofTe
#livesparkly

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