Recently, I was allowed to pre-sale shop at an amazing estate sale right here in Illinois. The lady who had owned the house had created the type of home and gardens that I aspire to one day. From the moment that I walked down the crushed stone drive and through the brick walled gates, I would have sworn that I'd finally made it to France.
There were so many beautiful things that I had a hard time walking away from many of them but these things came home with me for my new yard and gardens before I ever made it to the door of the house or the coach house!
I fell in love with this 34 inch tall lead pond spitter (above). His base is bent and he'll need some work but he should be able to be repaired by the time that I have a home for him.
This great iron lavabo will surely find a spot in the court yard as will this patio table and chairs.
This tea cart will probably end up on the patio in the rear yard.
and so will this formerly lonely chair...it was the only one of it's kind....trust me, I looked. I couldn't walk away and leave it all alone after purchasing the rest of the items that were on the patio with it...could I?! Of course NOT!
Even though we'll spend all of next summer under construction, I'm excited to have finally found a few things to add to my yard when I can finally landscape!. Now that the Phase 2 plans are nearing completion, I can begin collecting the French Farmhouse in earnest but I'm not in any hurry since for me, the hunt is the best part of the project!
I've also begun looking into a long overdue trip to France in Summer, 2014! If you have places that you'd suggest that I shop or the name of a host who accommodates private/semi private shopping tours, please message me.
I'll share my finds from inside the estate and coach house soon!
