Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Lighting at The Vintage Bricoleur

Pin It
We have many options for lighting here at The Vintage Bricoleur.

Tea Pot Lamp. Unique.

Silver Chandelier dripping with vintage crystals.

Simple small 5-arm Chandelier.

Gold and Crystals.

Industrial Cage Light.

Vintage Crystal Lamp.

Metal Industrial Pendant.

Large Italian Chandelier.

Industrial Basket Light

Beauty reflected in a mirror.

Vintage 8-arm Chandelier.

Wow! Look at all those crystals!

Industrial Floor Lamp

Another beautiful reflection.

Industrial Table Lamp.

Which one do YOU like?  What one will complete your space?

Please visit our store:
3750 Taylor Road
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.

Tuesday - Saturday 10 -5
Sunday 10 -4.

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)


Friday, January 25, 2013

A Beautiful Sunny Morning in Penryn

Pin It
I could not resist taking a few pics on the way to the store today.  It is mid January here in Northern Ca. and we have had some very cold weather in the last few weeks.

This little bloom was waving at me as I walked down the sidewalk to the car.  A reminder that the cold will not last forever.

Mmm... Smells so good!

A little bit of verbena coming through the fallen leaves.

Bare branches reflecting off of the street after the night rain.

The sun was so bright I got a sun spot right in the middle of this photo.
(Old granite P.O.-1878 across the street from our house.)

The remains of the granite foundation of the original school house in Penryn.

The historical Palm trees that our town is known for.  These were used to line the  driveways leading to the estates in the area.

This small building just up the road from us, was the office for the Griffith Quarry that was in operation over one hundred years ago.  

The sun was so pretty reflecting off of the 110 year old High Hand fruit sheds where our store is.

And finally our store nestled against the back wall of these primitive sheds.

It's no wonder that I love antiques and vintage, living in this beautiful place.  I was raised in this historical town and I am blessed to be able to raise my children in the same town.

My Jr. Bricoleurs are growing up so fast!
(On our last family trip down to the Central Coast.)

3750 Taylor Road
Loomis Ca. 95650
Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.

Terry(one of the bricoleurs)


Friday, January 18, 2013

Unique & Useful Finds at The Vintage Bricoleur

Pin It
The Vintage Bricoleur offers a variety of unique and useful finds for your decorating needs.  Being the practical person that I am, I am always looking for items that can be both pretty and at the same time serve a purpose.

bricoleur
(Noun) French:
One who makes creative and resourceful use 
of whatever materials are at hand
 regardless of their original purpose.

How about a vintage door with a mirror in it for a backdrop to a dresser?  Or a basket to hold a collection of silver plate?

Pretty old jars are great for storing food in the pantry or for organizing threads and buttons in the craft room.

A chippy ladder is an excellent plant stand, works well for a book shelf, or quilt rack.

A metal stand paired with some primitive bead board make a perfect side table.

A long wood box with shelves built in to it is a great bookcase or display for small spaces.

This metal headboard/footboard hung side-by-side on the wall would be a great headboard for a bigger bed.  Love the color!

These rolls of burlap are so pretty draped around a window or used as a table runner.

Come get your "bricoleur" shirt.  Available at the store, both in Men & Women styles.

So...
 Have these photos inspired you to use something similar in your home?  Do you need something like this to complete a project?  Did you come up with a different idea than what I suggested?
Please share what you are thinking.  I love comments. :)

Visit us:
3750 Taylor Road
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.

Tuesday-Saturday 10 -5
Sunday 10-4

Follow us on Facebook!

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)


Friday, January 11, 2013

TVB @ Sacramento Antique Faire this Sunday

Pin It
Come visit us at The Sacramento Antique Faire
 this Sunday, January 13th. 

** These photos are from the last show that we did there.  **
Come see what we will have this time!







 This month the show will be in the original location on 21st between W & X streets.
6:30 am - 3:00pm.
Find us in space M-5&6.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The store will be OPEN as usual:
3750 Taylor Road
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)





Thursday, January 10, 2013

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial - Hutch

Pin It
This is a simple tutorial on how to use the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  

We sell the paint in our store and every day I am asked about this wonderful product.  We also offer a class once a month, the next one is to take place on
February 19, 2013
11:00 - 1:30
$95.
Call (916)663-4663 to reserve your seat.
(The January class is full.)

When we picked up this hutch at a little junk shop close by, and we knew that we would paint it.
This paint is great because there is no prep work that needs to be done before you paint. 
 NO priming,
 NO sanding,
 NO stripping.
We wiped it down with a clean rag to remove any dust and started painting.

We mixed the Antibes Green and the Aubusson Blue 50/50.

See? A shiny dark surface, no sanding.

Just paint it on.  It will dry fairly fast.


When the paint is dry, distress it by using a piece of sandpaper.  We like to hit the details of the piece, the edges and corners.


Put the Clear Wax on next with a wax brush.  Dab it into the wax and start pushing it into your paint by rubbing in circles or back and forth.  Whatever feels comfortable to you. Wipe off any excess with a clean rag.  Work in sections until your piece is covered completely.  The Clear Wax seals the piece and allows you to smooth the Dark Wax around.

Apply the Dark Wax next.  Work in sections, rub on with the wax brush, and wipe off any excess if it looks a little too dark for you.  The Dark Wax richens the color and gives the piece patina.

The final step is buffing the entire surface with a buff brush.  This is done by a fast high friction movement.  It will become very smooth and it shines it up a bit.

A close-up of the distressing details and patina.

Put the hardware back on.

The color mix turned out to be gorgeous!

Wow! What a difference!!!

We painted the inside of the top in Old White.

This photo is a little bright, but I had to share it with you to show you how great the hutch stores and holds things.  This piece would work great for a kitchen or dining room.

~Before~



~After~
And yes, this project was all done in the living room! 
 This paint is very low VOC.  This was done with 1 coat of paint and used about a 3rd of the quart of paint.
Clean up: We use warm water and dish soap to clean our paint brushes and a small cup of mineral spirits to clean our wax brushes.  Water and soap can be used on the wax brushes also. 

So do YOU have an ugly hutch, cabinet, desk, chair, dresser, or table that needs some TLC? Come on in to our store and get your paint!  There are 30 beautiful colors to choose from, and you can create your own colors by mixing a couple together.  It is an easy process.

What color will you choose?


3750 Taylor Road
Loomis, Ca 95650
Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.


This post is linked up to French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday.  Thank You Courtney!

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)