*To get a ticket to the “StyleBlueprint Toasts a Year Well Blogged” cocktail party on February 4th, benefiting NCA, email liza.graves@styleblueprint.com and I’ll let you know if we have any tickets left. $60/ ticket $90/ patron ticket. Now, on with the post!:
I (Liza) miss my friends Rachel and Amy. When I found out Rachel was helping Amy design a new room, I knew I had to tag along on their trip to Franklin. Yep, Rachel’s the force behind NestEgg, a blog with which I know many of you are obsessed because you tell me that all the time! Here’s some things we scouted out in the amazing shops found in Franklin, TN. There is a reason this town was voted both the #1 small town in TN as well as a Top Five Place in America to antique shop. Welcome to Franklin:
Category #1:
Like things belong together. They look better together. Remember that for your bookcases and shelves. Here’s proof:
Clear glass jars at Scarlett Scales
Birch "books" at Scarlet Scales. She had birch wrapped glass vases as well. See Lonny online magazine p.163 of issue 2 for this look.
All three of us (that's Rachel in the background) noticed the purple glass and commented, "Hmmm, never seen purple glass..." Then we walked across the street to Arbor Antique Mall and found....
More purple glass! So, be on the lookout.
Concrete balls at PD's. I think they were $3.99 each...maybe $4.99. PD's has them in blue also.
After seeing local Nashville gal Genia Gilchrist's home in Southern Living (the owner of Gilchrist and Gilchrist over in Berry Hill) I have decided I need to collect mercury glass. If I bought ALL of this at Scarlett Scales, it would only set me back $170. Reader question please comment on this: do you think a display of mercury glass is only appropriate during Christmas time? I kinda like it all year but I certainly don't want to display it and have guests wondering if their coffee will also be in Reindeer mugs....
Category #2:
Rachel talked Amy and I into a stop by The Franklin Marketplace. I LOVED this store and I found a future blog post: The TN Barn Project. Check out these tables from the brothers who reclaim the wood from the falling barns. I love the old wood being made into a modern look.
Category #3:
When hitting antique stores, it’s sometimes like hitting your own attic. What do I do with THIS? Here are some ideas Rachel and I came up with:
Some of these could be made into stellar lamps. You could also line these up in a cupboard--love that look. See this picture of pottery laden shelves that Rachel took in Atlanta at Market:
love this look
Fill this antique wagon with garland, berries and pine cones and place it next to your front door (if it's a covered area) each December. You better get there quick, because I just may head down to the Arbor Antique Mall for this purchase.
How sweet would these old Watkins spice containers be filled with wild flowers for an outdoor party?
And while we all agreed that SOMEONE needs this antique typewriter for their little girl's room (an American Girl Kit fan?), we also agreed that no one on this earth needs the following:
You could use these old drawers as a home for potted herbs or simply place three mason jars inside and separate your silverware to place on your kitchen table, and eliminate the need for that drawer space. Perhaps a good mail catch by the front door.... Fill with apples on a mantel....you get the picture, endless possibilities.
Is this not the creepiest?
And, some misc pics from the day:
I read on NestEgg that one of Rachel’s clients has a thing for crowns. Check these out from The Iron Gate:
I, on the other hand, have a thing for coral. (BTW, have you all noticed all the seashell accessories lately? They are EVERYWHERE) The Iron Gate has the best selection of coral I’ve seen anywhere:
I don’t have a picture of me from this day, but you’ve seen Rachel, and here’s Amy. She’s too cute and pregnant with #4!
Amy at PD's. She's sitting in this chair that we all had a fit about...it's great.
We all had fun, got to hang out and “work” all at the same time. As most of these pictures posted today prove, similar things should be placed together to show off their best. Friends are like that too. We all shine a little brighter when together. Grab some friends and head to Franklin.
Remember my dilemma and comment if you have thoughts: Is a display of mercury glass only appropriate during Christmas time?
Stores we hit: Scarlet Scales, PD’s, Arbor Antiques, The Iron Gate, and The Franklin Marketplace and remember to check out Rachel’s blog: www.nestegg.typepad.com
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18 Responses to “Franklin: A Day with Rachel & Amy”
Elizabeth,
This site gets better every week. Turning fellow New Englanders on to Style Blueprint. It's a great way to promote Nashville, as most people up here have no idea how funky your city is. xxooxxjulie
Lucky girl! You got to play with Rachel ;-) I say go for the mercury glass year round. I see it in a grouping in a cool blue living room, light trim and lot's of windows. Light and airy dontcha' think?
Love all those stores! Franklin’s a great place to live too….and fabulous idea for the mason and ball jars I have from my grandmother and mom stuck in my cabinet. Thanks……………
Oops, should have added good post! Can’t wait on the next post!
My little girls remind me every day that we can all use a little more sparkle. I love mercury glass all year round!
Love all those stores! Franklin's a great place to live too….and fabulous idea for the mason and ball jars I have from my grandmother and mom stuck in my cabinet. Thanks……………
Thank you!
Mercury glass-have definitely seen it displayed all year. Also would mention the estate jewelry at Arbor Antiques can be exquisite and is very well priced. Love the posts. Have you done one on local chocolate shops. Just ordered some as quest gifts for girlfriend BD party-cute two piece boxes with pink straw ribbon from Hillsboro Chocolate Co. Try the black forest dark chocolate truffles with cherries-yum!
good idea…..
-Liza
Mercury glass – excellent at any time.
Love the blog, just came over from Mason Dixon Knitting. I have mercury glass up all year round, on the breakfront in my bedroom. Two footed globes, 2 candlesticks, 2 votives. I also have a shelf of antique mason jars as well, which I am using as vases for my wedding this summer, so I am loving this post. Can't wait to keep reading.
As a Nashville native (maybe I will be back one day) and a fan of Rachel I love this post. Oh no no no on the clown dress form, give me the chills. Yes, yes, yes on Mercury glass year around, most definitly. I need to go to Franklin ASAP!
Hey from Philadelphia!!!!
I have a good friend from College who lives in Franklin TN….I have been to these shops on the lookout for Siam Silver jewelry!!! Guess what i found some!
Franklin TN is a great place! Loved your blog!
I think mercury glass is beautiful year-round. In fact, I didn't realize people considered it "seasonal" until I read Genia's article and the ensuing debate.
I just found your blog off of Cote de Texas and I am so excited because I also live in Nashville. Your blog is amazing and I love love love it…. Keep it up! Thanks for all the great pics and info.
Thank you! So happy to have you here!
-Liza
I love mercury glass year-round. I don't consider it exclusively "holiday-ish" any more than silver or crystal would be.
Mercury Glass…both timeless and modern. Love it all year
Debby Mistler
Liza–I'm a little late on the reply apparently, but mercury glass in a 365-day adornment! Don't let anyone tell you any different. After all, it's been used for garden gazing globes since the 1800s when they were placed near garden gates so visitors could be seen before they entered; they were also used by servants in Victorian dining rooms to see which guest might need a glass refilled etc., without the servant having to stare. So, in light of those two historical notes, I say we need to know who is coming year-round and certainly our dinner guests have more fun when they have their glasses refilled as if by magic. Mercury glass, one of my all time favorite looks, goes from day into night and night into day, 24/7. Go for it!