A journal of our next big adventure...

Feb. 9-10: We are just starting to paint and get organized (and constantly remind ourselves that this isn't the dumbest thing we've ever done!) and I'll be posting our progress, in case anyone is interested in seeing what two crazy women will do to get out of housework.

This is Plantiques - the shop that will house Loverly. It's owned and operated by Pam Griffin.
Plantiques

A look down the sidewalk to more shops within historic Hilton Village.
Hilton Village

The future home of Loverly... which it ain't so much at this point.
Future home of Loverly

Ellen starts scraping the loose paint (or is that a glamour pose?).
Ellen scraping

Look ma, I can spell! First day is complete with a coat of paint on ceiling, walls and trim.
Kim painting

And on the second day, SOMEONE had the wonderful idea to remove the existing linoleum and clean up the hardwood floors to make them beee-u-tiful. Ha! Notice the look of "do we really know what we're getting ourselves into?" And the answer to that question? NO!

We made a tremendous mess and after an hour or so of sanding, two hours of cleaning, and another hour to put on the second coat of paint, we decided to go to plan B for the floor (next weekend!).
Kim sanding

But aren't we loverly?!
The Loverlies

Feb. 17: After last weekend's fun and games, Ellen and I headed to Lowe's to pick up vinyl flooring tiles and track lighting. The flooring was installed and my dad came down from Maryland to help us put up several slatwall units and picture moulding (yay for dads!!). Unfortunately, we were so caught up in the work, we neglected to take pictures.

Feb. 24-25: We're off to Warrenton, VA thisweekend to have a Girlie Art Weekend (GAW) with friends and family...we're playing with mosaics! Then we'll resume work on the shop the following weekend and soon be open for business (finger's crossed!). See recap and images from GAW III.

March 3-4: Oh my gosh, I'm tired! Last weekend was so much fun, it was hard going back to work. But work, we must. We've picked up several furniture pieces for the store, and more is being delivered next weekend, barring bad weather. This week I've been working on how to display the jewelry and Ellen is working HARD studying for her EMT class (like she doesn't have enough to do, she's in the middle of training to become a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician - wow!)

March 10: WE'RE IN!!! We moved in some really great pieces of furniture, half of which were dragged out of a barn and carted 4.5 hours from Maryland (thanks Jess!!!). We've put up all my jewelry and some really cool beads, a fabulous painting of Ellen's and some cool ceramic ware. Much more stuff to come, but at least we're open for business. (and paying rent now - so get in there and buy something!)

This is a wonderful walnut buffet that came from my step-father's mother's house, which she got after her wedding in 1928. Ellen's really good at polishing - I'm putting her in charge of that from now on. ;-)

As you can see, the place cleans up nicely! We've got a room full of furniture, jewelry, vintage linens, paintings, ceramics, and more just waiting to find a good home.

This was a wonderful find - a cherry china cabinet.

M'lady bedecked with beads.


jump to the top