Raised In Cotton

Farmhouse Cellar

“Is that water running?” my question to Mr PracticalPants last night as we were looking over the days renovations.  Uh Oh, a trip to the cellar to investigate, “You first” as I motioned him ahead of me to pull open the cellar door.  I mean the door is heavy, notice the old window weight pulley…..

Would you be the first one down these stairs after dark?

 

Check out the stone foundation, great place for critters to hide don’t you think? I am not too scared of many things except I hate snakes! I grew up on a farm in Northern Arkansas and we were taught at an early age to respect all slithery things, trust me I do.  But, after finally getting the nerve to go down those steps, the only thing that was hissing at us was a leaking water heater. So I am sitting here waiting for the plumber and hoping he closes the cellar door for me. 

Thank You Layla and Kevin

One of things I love in our 140 year old farmhouse is the transom windows.

Can you imagine just taking a saw and deciding to cut into your wall and making your own? That is exactly what  Layla and Kevin did of The Lettered Cottage when they constructed  transom windows in their stunning home the other day. As a matter of fact, when Layla and Kevin have a creative design project they just don’t think about it, they DO IT! Of course with Layla’s attention to beautiful aesthetic details and Kevin’s craftsmanship, they make a delightful design team.  I just had to send a email congratulating them on their transom windows~PERFECT! Read more here. Thank You Layla and Kevin, count me as one of your many fans:) Also, Welcome to those of you who are visiting from The Lettered Cottage.

Not So Pretty Renovations

Mr. PracticalPants and I are smack dab in the middle of the not so pretty part of the farmhouse renovations. You know the type, when you rip off the floor and find that the supports holding the subfloor in the soon to be new master bathroom are rotted. By the way, add some extra zeros to cover fixing those newly found bad floor parts. What else did we find,well there is absolutely NO insulation at all in the walls, the previous owners assured us that they never had problems with frozen pipes~um right….and something about a 110 volt not mixing well with a with a 220 volt. So this is the nitty gritty of redoing a 140 year old farmhouse.  Even though we are finding a few surprises in our renovation journey,  it still has been fun. Today I took my design idea for the vanity  to a cabinet shop. I want the vanity to look like a piece of furniture with clean lines, painted white and a shelf on the bottom for baskets. The top and sinks will be white marble to resemble ironstone. I also selected Delta oil brushed faucets with a slight Victorian look. Timeless but true to the farmhouse style is my hope with the decor I am doing. Everything is going pretty well on the exterior of the farmhouse. Since the paint was in poor condition, we decided to go ahead and replace the peely million year wood lap boards to enhance the exterior . I was a little worried when the old boards came off wondering what the heck we would find underneath. But, wonder of wonders, everything looked pretty sturdy except for a few rotten boards. One of the porch columns had virtually disintegrated at the base and consequently was barely holding up the roof. Back to the siding,  Hardie Plank fiber cement siding in place of the wood is what we picked out. I did a ton of research to find just the right material that would replicate the authentic wood look with beauty and durability. Also, I wanted to use a healthy green product for the environment. Mr. PracticalPants really liked this choice, have I ever told you he was one of the pioneers of recycling?

I could not end my post without leaving you with a pretty picture, just did not seem right:))

Farmhouse Color Palette

   The objects in the photo above represent what I want the color palette to be for the farmhouse.  Instead of picking up a bunch of paint swatches, I have been gathering a collection of things that echo my color ideas.

  Cream, white, mixed tarnished metals, faded blue with a pop of deep purple will be my guiding palette of colors. I added the shell for the natural element which probably will change with the seasons. 

What is your favorite color palette? 

* My stock of the Jeanne d Arc Living Magazine Issue 5 is currently sold out! The response was wild, but I do have more on order. Thank You so much for your continued support.

Jeanne d Arc Living Magazine English Version Now Available

Since I introduced the Jeanne d Arc Living line to the US over two years ago, I have been encouraging the company to produce their books and magazines in English. When I interviewed Vivian a few weeks back, I knew then that they were close to making my request a reality.  I am excited to say that Issue #5 currently in stock on the website, is now available in English. The magazine has the same beautiful French~Nordic ambience that we have come to love and you can actually understand the articles!

Stay tuned for more great Jeanne d Arc Living news and products to come. 

Talented Amy Barickman

I think one of the secrets to being creative is to surround yourself with individuals that have a passion for loving what they do in life.  A circle of like minded souls that you can bounce off ideas and give you support to reach for those dreams is priceless.  In my life I have been fortunate to know many such inspiring talents that I consider true friends.  Today I thought I would share with you an interview I recently did with one of my mega talented friends, Amy Barickman who is the founder and creative director of Indygo Junction Inc and sister company The Vintage Workshop.  Amy combines her love of crafting, needle arts and sewing by producing printable digital art, patterns and fabric through both companies. As creative director she oversees a team of designers who are on the leading edge of the crafting and quilting industry.   Amy also a successful publisher, has written many popular books showcasing needle arts and sewing.  Did I mention she has also been featured on The Carol Duvall Show and QVC plus countless published magazine articles?  So let’s find out more about Amy and how she does it all.

photo courtesy of Country Living

Amy, please share with us how you started Indygo Junction Inc and The Vintage Workshop;

   I was fresh out of college and contemplating what I would do with my BFA in glassblowing. I had a business in high school marketing teddy bears I made from thrift shop finds, quilts, old coats and mink stoles. My mother had sold craft and sewing patterns by local designers in her retail store, Donna's in West Des Moines, IA.  Seeing the regional success of the patterns, I decided to market some of designs and designers to a national platform. I feel so fortunate to have been able to start my business at the age I did I had lots of energy and no family responsibilities.

  As a "serial entrepreneur”, after 12 years at Indygo Junction I was feeling complacent. Dreaming up new business concepts was always on my mind and I started playing around scanning some vintage artwork, printing on fabric with my home printer and the idea of images on CDs and a line of companion printables came to life.  I decided this needed to be a separate brand and website from Indygo Junction with the chance at some point in the future I may be able to sell one of the businesses.

Of the many roles that you have in regard to your business, which one has been the most rewarding;

   The role as product development director is most rewarding. To see a pattern or book move from concept to production, then to sell at the trade show and witness a shop owner's enthusiasm for the pattern or book is gratifying.  This role also involves scouting for and working with designers to create content suitable for publishing. I have been blessed with a great team of people with wonderful talent, and working to promote a designer's work and seeing their satisfaction in the products we produce is very rewarding.

 

On that same note, which one has been the most challenging for you; 

   I had to think about this one for a while, and actually came up with the same role, product development director. I am so motivated in this role that it is hard for me to slow down and make deliberate decisions vs diving in head first to my next "great" idea. I know this is a challenge for many creative entrepreneurs and can empathize with this daily struggle. I am now working with a brand manager who recently came on board to help me launch a new book. I am trying to embrace his advice "failing to plan is planning to fail", but it ain't easy!

You have a team of designers that work for you, how do you go about selecting new talent; 

  We want unique, trend-setting design with quality execution. Whether or not the design will work for our market, is often based on gut instinct and that is usually a good indicator, but not always. We try not to have two designers with a similar look or style, so they do not compete. We are looking for designers that compliment and grow our line.

Congratulations on being selected in 2007 as one of Country Living Magazines Women Entrepreneurs of the year. How did you prepare for the panel and the interview process;  

 We were given some questions to think about, but other than that it was a very relaxed forum of Q&A, and just being willing to answer questions honestly and openly share your experiences was what was expected. I did attend the event again this year and it was a wonderful experience. There was so much valuable knowledge shared, there is always more to learn!

I have always been impressed with your marketing plan for your brand, everything from television (Carol Duvuall Show and QVC) to a multitude of printed press and licensing agreements. Any tips on keeping your business name out front;  

A continual flow of new products has been the key to staying visible. We are producing around 20 new patterns for each Quilts Inc. trade show and several books each year. Having physical presence at the trade show is really important as well. We get a chance to meet with editors and buyers face-to-face to discuss key b-to-b initiatives.

Amy you founded your business in 1990, what have you learned over the years that you wish you knew in the beginning. 

I went straight from college graduation into business. So I feel like I have been working on my MBA for almost 20 years. Your mistakes are your greatest learning experiences…if you are lucky they won’t kill you or the business, they will make you and it stronger. This is hard to understand until you are on the other side of the challenge. I have finally got to a point where I embrace this concept, but I am more cautious and deliberate the older I get…

I have also learned its all about the people you surround yourself with and their interest in the business you are running. My current team all have a personal love for creative fabric and/or paper arts. Bringing that passion to their workplace,  the relationship becomes a win-win on so many levels. I am truly blessed to have a fun, talented, hardworking group that is supports me and has allowed me the freedom to work on new endeavors that will grow the business. This is a huge challenge for most small businesses where the principal/owner is wearing too many hats and does not have the necessary support staff to move to higher level strategy planning and implementation of those initiatives.

Any piece of advice for growing a creative business;

My previous answer would be a very important piece of advice to keep in mind.

Also, network with other creative people in business. Find a mentor or a group of fellow business owners to meet/consult, people who have similar situations and circumstances. I love to get together with Deb(Curious Sofa) and Carol for lunch, we bounce business ideas/opportunities off each other. Helping

each other with connections to business development leads. and discussing positives and negatives in our current business life is good for the soul.

This leads me to discuss a new venture I am developing amybarickman.com. We are launching the site soon and will create a platform for creative entrepreneurs with education and inspiration… we will be announcing plans on the launch of The Workshop Window, The Vintage Workshop’s blog..stay tuned!!

Lastly, tell us about your blog;

The blog, The Workshop Window has been extremely well received. I love this platform to communicate and share information. We also relish the timely feedback from our readers! Look for videos, guest designers, and more projects, contests and give-aways. Also look for Indygo Junction to launch a blog in late 2009.

Our 20^th anniversary year will bring a whirlwind of activity…We will be relaunching an expanded Vintage Workshop website in 2010 to offer a marketplace for original vintage artists to sell their wares, expanded instructional material, how-to videos and beyond, and a wider range of related crafting supplies. 

I will be hitting the road traveling to sewing and quilting expos teaching, speaking and promoting a new book Vintage Notions… modern inspiration for the creative woman and Hankie Style…fashions featuring vintage & reproduction hankies.  So please sign-up for our enewsletters and blog feed to keep up on the schedule and come visit me if I happen to visit your city.

I think you can understand why I formed an immediate kindred friendship with Amy.I hope you go visit Amy and find a new creative outlet to try for yourself.

*Book and patterns available from Indygo Junction and The Vintage Workshop. Also, check out Amy's blog to keep updated on her latest news and project ideas.

Window Seats

 

I thought today I would show you photos of the built in window seats at the end of the dining and family rooms. 

The windows have the same crown molding details with the seats made from beadboard paneling.  

Since I want to be able to see lots of natural light, the gauzy cheesecloth curtains are simple additions to the space.

 

This is the window seat in the family room off of the foyer. Easy seat cushions made from cotton material. Later on I plan on putting a few pillows on the seats using more natural blend fabrics~grain sacks maybe?

Don't you think Belle has already found a favorite place to sit and nap?

 

Kitchen

I thought I would jump right in and show you one of my favorite parts of the farm house~The Kitchen!  Facing east and flanked by two enclosed porches on the front and back, the kitchen is one of the main reasons I could not speak after seeing the house for the first time.  The bank of windows helps to keep the kitchen bright with lots of natural light streaming through the day. The pendant lights are great for the work area but do not hide the view. The walls above the sink and back splash are white laminate bead board which are very easy to clean. 

The countertops are ceramic stone and the center island is tumbled marble.

There are no upper cabinets which is fine by me since I plan on using free standing antique cupboards for storage.

  

The walls are painted a "cookie dough" color which has the faintest hint of yellow and is just enough contrast against the white molding.

 

There is not much in the house yet, but I hope to give you a "before" feel of what I am working with.  More photos next week:) Have a great weekend:)

Farmhouse Update

After many weeks of anticipation and waiting, Mr PracticalPants and I are finally the proud owners of this lovely Missouri treasure.  As promised, I will be taking you with me as we decorate and renovate my farmhouse.   So I thought we would just start our journey with the front of the house~

As you can see, the front has two entrances with the porch to the left and a enclosed porch on the right. There is a double brick walkway that surrounds a small garden by the center front window. Mr PracticalPants has already made plans to "get rid of all that crab grass in between those bricks" which is not a priority with me if you know what I mean:)

Window box filled with flowers which I adore. I can change the box out to go along with the seasons; Pumpkins for fall, fresh greens for winter and flowering plants for spring and summer.

This sweet little bike was left for me by the previous owners. Easy to do, find an old bike and paint it all white!

This is another view of the front porch. I think the shrubs hide the porch too much so those will be removed and will be replaced with perennials. The little front garden needs some major weed management.  I will put that on Mr PracticalPants list since he is already getting rid of the crab grass:)

Next up will be more of the porch and then inside!

*Congratulations goes to Jackie of Wrens Nest who won the watering can from Hudson Goods:) Thanks to everyone who visited and took part in the giveaway.