Time continues to fly by… when you are having fun.
Most of the work prepping the contents of the house is done, what’s left is to price everything for the sale. While they were fine-tuning the displays, I was busy re-organizing some of my spaces and doing Spring cleaning in my own rig. I have another sister-in-law meeting me near Seattle to travel up to Alaska with me. So I needed to free up a drawer or two. Still have a little bit more to do, but yesterday we all went to two fabulous places.
The first was the New Hope Mill store. No photos taken there, too busy checking out the store. The old mill is no longer used to make the flours, etc and I did not actually see it this trip, but the store was wonderfully full of all their flours, pancake mixes, grains, honeys, salad dressings, etc. For years, we were gifted New Hope pancakes mixes… always a welcomed gift, now to see the variety is pretty amazing.
Then we went to tour the MacKenzie-Childs estates.. Quite frankly, I had no idea what was in store for me there, so went along for the ride.
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Entrance |
As we walked thru this tunnel above – beautiful, stunning wicker furniture was visible, then into the courtyard… more elaborate wicker details. Distinctive structure, not normally seen in wicker. And I thought – so this is what they are known for. An understated beauty.
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Tulips? We just beginning to bloom here |
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Table, chairs were all wicker – this in courtyard |
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Wicker swing |
Then they took me into the store… oh my oh my oh my… brilliant colors, fabulous patterns, my eyes had way too much trouble seeing it all. Kept thinking my Mom would have loved to come into this place. They have it set up within the different patterns in pottery and wicker – such as the black and white checkered look, to butterflies. It was seemingly endless of the ways in which the patterns would and could be incorporated into things… but then they combined the patterns into one of a kind, amazing items. Such as a table leg could be turned upside down and then it became a lamp and each unique pattern was a circular strip around the leg/lamp base.
Did I take photos – of the huge barns (working studios), the lands or even the large 3 story home in which we had a walk-thru tour. I couldn’t help but say WOW at every turn… it was so amazing, simply amazing to see – no, it did not occur to me to take photos… just trying to absorb all the eye candy was overwhelming… wonderfully overwhelming. Highly recommend anyone visiting this area, to come see.
When we were done with the tour, it was pouring down rain… so went back to the store to dry out a a bit. A dangerous thing to do…. It was pointed out to me a doll house in a different room from the store. A doll house?!?….A doll house to die for… that was easily 6 feet tall…. I have collected miniatures for years, to see this captured my attention like no other. It was not lit up and I had no idea if it could be lit up, all behind glass too… so the following photos – click to enlarge and enjoy!
To my weaving friends… the rugs, bedspreads, towels, were all handwoven. Most of the furniture is wicker. I was told the entire doll house and each individual piece was hand made to exact scale, based on MacKenzie-Childs style.
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Two floors |
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Table on left is wicker |
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Wicker lounge chair on balcony, looking in |
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A “sitting or sun” room on top of doll house |
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Trying to get different views to show things |
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The “turtles” are soup tureens |
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Itty-bitty toilet paper roll.. |
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Wicker table, lamp, etc |
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Clothes line next to “Sun” room |
I neglected to mention that each and every piece of pottery is hand made, painted by artisans trained in each pattern, and they each have their own unique style that is incorporated. When watching how they make their pottery, the whole process from shaping to the final glaze. I realized none of this is ever mass produced, therefore I wanted one item to support my fellow artist. I bought a tea kettle. Its beautiful. I bought a size too big for my cooktop, so when I get it exchanged for a smaller 2 quart kettle, I will take a picture to share.
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Those are some beautiful items. I understand about being absorbed thus missing the photos. I was recently at Mount McKinley, tallest point in North America, yet neglected to get a photo. Duh?!
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You were recently in Alaska? Thought you said you have never been to Alaska. And its surprising you saw Denali, ere Mt. McKinley… but yes, when surrounded with all this, photos are the last thing I think about.
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