Inspired by...SPRING

...I don't care what the groundhog said...he lied!!  But finally, spring is coming...the stores are filling up with swim suits, beach bags and all things summer...however, spring is my favorite and I don't want to miss a moment of it!!

Amanda and I did a quick trip through the aisles of Target yesterday (in the spirit of targetdoesitagain on Instagram...must follow!!)  for a shot of inspiration and we were not disappointed!!



 



 





 







The vibrant color is so refreshing after the months of dull winter vibes...the graphic patterns are fabulous accents...in the kitchen, for your wardrobe, on your table...anywhere that could benefit from a bold dose of "springness"!!  Go get your SPRING on!!!

Behind the scene's: Project "AHD Office" update

 

 

 

 

So the floors of our new office are painted, the walls are painted,  the new trim has been installed and  the fabulous wall sconces are in place...

Let the fun begin!!!  And just so you can see where we are headed on this project....

The aged brass sconces are already in place...eventually we want to do a wet bar with the reclaimed wood front as seen above...and our overall concept is light, bright with plenty of work space to spread out our latest project(s)!!

OF course what good is an office if you can't lounge a little...this area just begs for inspiration to hit!!

And as much as we love white...we need a few pops of bold color to make us smile!!

We will keep you posted on the progress!!

 

Round-top...or bust!!!

Has this ever happened to you??  You are paddling along blithely through the river of life and you hear about this amazing....something-or- other...and then all of a sudden, it's all you hear about or read about every time you turn on the TV or open a magazine???  Well, that's how Round Top, Texas was for me!!!  Just one year ago, I'd never even heard of this strange and mysterious place!!!  But after hearing about it time and again...and being told over and over how I "just had to go"  the plans for an antique adventure were hatched!!

With two dear friends and my brother riding shotgun...ok, not all at once, but you know...we hitched up our 29-foot trailer and headed south!

Giddy-up! With Lyle Lovett's, "That's Right, You're not from Texas, But Texas Wants You Anyway" as our anthem, we road tripped the 11 short (not really) hours to Round Top, Texas in search of treasures.

Of course no roadtrip is complete with out great food stops!!  And Fred's Cafe in Fort Worth did not disappoint!

There is a reason I make it a point to stop at as many roadside eateries featured on "Diners, Drive-in's & Dive's"!  If Guy endorses it, I'm all in!!

  In addition to the mouth-watering tex-mex and the country music, of course,  a trip to Texas isn't complete without extravagant local gas station purchase...the cowgirl hat!

After good food and fabulous treasures, another highlight of any great trip involves scoping out the perfect accomadations...and when you are antique-ing down the small back roads of Texas, this sweet little cottage was perfectly quaint!!

 

Let the shopping begin!!

Score, $45 pair

 

Where oh where could I use this...cool beyond belief!!!

 

Brass buckle and leather belt, Spanish origin, turn of the century. $15!

$90 super large globe for Eryn's patio!

One of our favorite finds? Cowhides! We bought five and have three more on order!

One full trailer! Tucked among the treasures were also a great 12-foot farm table and a uniquely beautiful wooden chest from Tibet. 

Oh Round Top, you didn't disappoint! We'll see you again!

Until next time...we will spread the word!!  Giddy-up!

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Oh the Places You'll Go....

The ladies of AsterHouse have always loved a good trip...big city; Kansas City, Dallas or small town; Sparks, Atchison...you name it, we're there!!  In travel you find it all...new sights, fabulous food, unique architecture, great bargains...amazing memories!  We know full well, that we are so privileged to be doing something that we love...and we don't take any chance at "on the job training" for granted!!

Annually, my (Eryn) husband attends a convention in a larger city and take me along...and this year was no exception.  But rather than Chicago (my favorite "little" big city) or San Diego (near the beach...need I say more??) we found ourselves destined for New Orleans!!  This was not our first trip to "NOLA"...so we were looking forward to further exploring some of the great finds from our last stopover in this city full of diversity and character!!  And we were not disappointed!! Let me take you on a "picture tour" beginning in the historic "French Quarter"...

The architecture is decidedly European...and renews my love for all things "aged and well-worn"...wouldn't you take some brick in this gorgeous pattern in your outdoor space??

Or how about bright green shutters??  Not to mention the precious balcony!!

Found!!  Perfect vintage lights for a friend...did you know Bevolo has a vintage line as well as reproduction line??  Now I do...and they are to. die. for.

Must refuel...leisurely meal on the quaint patio at the Napoleon House...Shrimp Remoulade Stuffed Avocado, anyone??  Or stroll down to Stanley and this is what you will see...

Soft shell crab Eggs Benedict??  (This is an actual picture of my plate...could it be any prettier??)

 Seriously, people...we are soooooo not in Kansas anymore!!

All shopping and no rest makes Eryn a very tired researcher...Plan: The Hotel Monteleone...has a great spa on the second floor...go there!!

Once re-energized on to Magazine Street...for boutiques and more boutiques...this street stretches to Texas, I'm pretty sure...but we covered alot of it and found some pretty awesome treasures....

Tara Shaw.....ummmmm.....can you say AMAZING???  Think Veranda magazine spread...French antiques with layers of rich patina...creamy white fabrics...I actually got to meet Tara...and her right hand gal, Linda!!  And toured her private to-the-trade showroom...right there on Camp Street!!  Of course, I had to buy something...and, since I do not have a "antique" budget, I settled for this gorgeous repro mirror....can't wait for it to be delivered!!

Then it was on to our next stop....

More jaw dropping antiques...but this shop had a crazy-fun mix...just daring you to forget any rules you ever knew...and surround yourself with what you love...

What speaks to you??  What inspires you??  Clean whites, creams, with a romantic finish??

Or geometric lines, loads of texture and happy, expressive color??

OH this tile...I might need a moment...could I buy the whole step please???

I wanted to take these guys home...for some reason, they were just calling my name???  Must be the influence of the "big easy"!!

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Let's go shopping....

Let’s just pretend, for kicks, that we lived in Centennial, Colorado…or maybe West Chester, Ohio…or suppose we moved down to Sunrise, Florida…if any of these were the case, then you would not be about to enjoy this blog post!!  But we do not live in Bloomington, Minnesota or Bolingbrook, Illinois…and so, we have to rely on friends!!  Friends who are true friends will go the extra mile, they will drive to the store they have never even been to, they will be overwhelmed by the massive hugeness of the task of finding the precious needed treasures on your list…and they will conquer…all because you do not live in Frisco, Texas…

Amanda and I love to high/low…this means mixing higher quality, and thus higher priced, items with off-the-shelf bargains from Target, IKEA…you name it!  Even our most discriminating clients appreciate that we can hunt down a bargain…even the largest budget hits a ceiling somewhere!!  And so it was with our own offices….and since we were not willing to sacrifice form for a functioning space….we brought in the cavalry!!

They scoured the aisles, filled up a cart, searched through the names no one outside of Norway...or is is Sweden can pronounce...a "KLIPPAN" what???  "EKENÄS" who??

Our loyal friend (and her lovely daughter) took on IKEA for us because we were desperate for some great pieces (read: cheap price but good quality…modern look but not modern price…fun and a little funky, but not expensive…is there a theme here???) for our recent office reno!!  (See the almost finished product here) 

Thanks again ladies!!  We appreciate it from the bottom of our "HOVÅS"...oops...getting a little carried away...

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Really???

There are days Amanda and I pinch ourselves...really?? ...we ask...really??  This is our job??  We get paid to do this??  Really???  On the days we find ourselves headed out on the open road....

....to fabulous destinations (complete with grain bins and "vintage" gas stations)...

 

(Please ignore my finger..new phone...camera is in a different spot!!)

...to rent trailers, that may or not be filled for the return trip home....
...ummm, did you print the directions?? 'Cause my cute new (very expensive) cell phone doesn't get a lick of service here and we are in the middle of NOWHERE and don't have a clue where to go...ok, let's pull over and get directions from...that cow...oh, I have a bar...oh, it's gone...oh now I've got two bars...google it quick!!...is that a map under the seat...what do you mean Sparks, Kansas isn't on the map...how big is this place anyway???...population; 9...is that for real??...oh, ok here we go...just a few more miles....

...and...here...we...are...don't hyperventilate, Amanda...each tent represents a possible find, a potential treasure,

a probable gem...
...MUST. STAY. FOCUSED....where do we begin???...Let's start at the back and work our way forward...oh did you see that??...let's go over there...oh, we said we were going to start there...Eryn, stay on track...

 

 ...where are we???...is this a barn???...in a forgotten town that has been brought to life by piles of junk, loads of treasure hunters, and rows of great finds...just waiting to be discovered...yep, it's a barn...and I'm feeling woozy from all this fun...time for a power-up visit to the food stands...

...when you travel to such exotic destinations as Sparks, Kansas, Population: 9,  you are not going to find a fabulous salad, gourmet anything...so, we committed fully to the experience...pulled-pork sandwich, hot dog, chips, iced tea and amazing home-made peach cobbler topped with fresh ice-cream!!!...back to work, folks...slave-driver, I know...but someone's gotta do it...

...a long list of clients...when inspiration hits you gotta go with it...

cause you can't come back, ya know...

...and who can pass up sturdy chairs for $7...for real, $7each...can you say "AsterHouse Pickers"...through the piles of trash, past the rows of tourist-y trap-y stuff, we came away with some great finds...my first McCoy pottery piece...a wooden dough bowl...metal signs...on these trips, you just never know what you are going to get...more flea, or more market??...but always worth it...somebody, please, pinch me!!

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