Nellie's Barn Sale

07/18/2024

THIS IS WHAT NO HUMIDITY LOOKS LIKE.

07/06/2024

SAVE THE DATE!

Shoppers--add these dates to your road trip calendar!

Shop Owners--registration for the fall event begins August 1-September 22 at 5pm. Check back to the Vintage Shop Hop page on August 1 for the link to register.

Shop owners who have never participated--we allow 5 types of shops to participate: Vintage Shop/Antique Mall; Ladies Boutique; Home Decor (mix of vintage/new); Upscale Consignment; and Vintage/Antique Barn Sale or Pop Up. If you aren't sure you'd fit into these five categories, jump over to the Vintage Shop Hop page and send a private message with a link to your page for approval.

06/29/2024

FLAGS...and a BLOODY with a CHASER...

What could be better on a Saturday afternoon at the lake?

Absolutely nothing. Except the boat ride that came after!

06/28/2024

WHAT VENDORS WANT YOU TO KNOW...

Flea market and Vintage Market season is in full swing. One of my all-time favorite markets is the Elkhorn flea market in Elkhorn Wisconsin. This weekend is the second of four markets at this clean and organized fairgrounds.

I recently ran across an article in an old issue of 'Flea Market Home & Living' magazine outlining the Top 10 Commandments for buyers.

1. Be nice, that used to belong to someone special. Even if the seller doesn't know the person personally, he or she still carted that item around and woke up at the crack of dawn to set it out for your browsing pleasure.

2. Bargain within reason. Vendors know their vintage items are imperfect. Charm comes from years of use and love. Mild haggling is usually part of the game.

3. Ask before you try it on or take photos. In most cases, vendors are happy for you to post a chandelier on IG, or try on a vintage skirt. But it's polite to ask and it's appreciated.

4. Be careful, be gentle and put it back where you found it. Vintage goodies can be fragile. Use a light touch.

5. Return policy? Probably not.

6. Hold policy: only if you paid for it. Vendors will often hold both the item until the Days end if you've already purchased it.

7. Not every beauty has a tail to tell. Sellers may not know the story behind every piece, but they're often happy to share if they do.

8. Beware of Front Loaded Shopping Syndrome. If you fall in love with five items in the first 15 minutes, you might have FLSS. Hours later you may regret snatching those things up when you see other items you like more or have a lower price tag.

9. Knowledge is power. Vintage-inspired design has flooded the commercial market. In turn, those not-so-vintage home accessories have seeped into the markets. Don't be afraid to check prices online or do on-the-spot research.

10. We're a friendly face and have fun. Flea markets are a micro cosm of life in some ways. You get back what you put in.

06/26/2024

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW...

When it comes to Flag etiquette. Yes. Flag etiquette.

There is a code for displaying Old Glory. In addition to the common codes of not letting our flag touch the ground and keeping it illuminated at night, here in the decorating world there are a few flag codes that many might not know about.

💙 The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Instead, bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.

♥️ The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

🤍 No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

I know it's hard to not drape a vintage flag in your staged vignettes. It takes restraint. But you certainly can use parade flags on sticks and full size flags hanging on the wall (with blue field top left always) or on a full pole.

Go forth. Wear your lapel pin over your heart. And fly Old Glory proudly...and correctly. 😉 😉

06/21/2024

LOOK WHAT I JUST SCORED....

Yes. What could be better? I'll tell you what...the fact that it's a futon sleeper and it was free. Technically, I don't even know if futon was a word back when the couch was made! But now it belongs to me. I just have to figure out where I'm going to put it. Lol.

06/07/2024

WHO'S AFRAID OF COLOR? NOT ME!!

Spent a fun afternoon was two girlfriends at the Funky Farm Sale in Lake Mills, Wisconsin today. A sweet sale on a gorgeous piece of property with great prices. I got this sweet lime green gingham check tablecloth for $5. And even though it's not old, the orange 'Let the Sunshine In' sign had to come home with me. The fact that it's hanging on a vintage swinging curtain arm made it even better. Sign and curtain arm or $10. I also got a beautiful hand crochet doily for $2.50. All in all a good little outing don't you think?

(Not to mention my fun bright colorful jute rug that came all the way from India)!!

Don't be afraid of fun color!! It's perfectly perfect for summer!

Follow me for more maximalist vintage and colorful quirky vintage cottage decor.

05/30/2024

Reality is setting in. My childhood home is for sale. We moved here in 1966 when no one lived in Roscoe. If you or someone you know is wanting to move to Roscoe to a secluded, private piece of land this is it. It's the only acreage for sale in Roscoe. The creek runs through the lower part of the backyard, and it's a private dead end road from their driveway up. If you're looking for a lifetime of serenity and nature give my niece Brittany a call.

This 1712 square feet Single Family home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 8724 Burr Oak Rd, Roscoe, IL.

05/19/2024

COFFEE WITH MR. FEENEY...

Follow for vintage decor...and sporadic cute dog shots!

05/14/2024

I STILL WANT TO PICK UP THE PHONE TO CALL HER...

I'm a little late on celebrating Mother's Day. I put this arrangement together last week as an ode to my mom and then forgot to post it. So typical.

She started painting in the 1960s and flowers were her favorite thing to paint especially roses. In recent years, for my birthday, I would get a hand-painted card along with a bouquet of lilacs. Her paint brushes and paintings dot my house. The swan candy dish sat on the end table in my childhood home my whole life.

I miss her everyday. Love you Mom.

05/09/2024

HOW TO ACHIEVE THAT ONE-OF-A-KIND DECOR LOOK...

⭐ Shop antique stores, vintage shops, thrift & charity shops, garage and estate sales, flea markets and FB Marketplace for unique treasures.
⭐ Hobby Lobby, Target, Restoration Hardware, Ikea and similar chain box stores are not where you will find curated, one of a kind decor where your friends will ask "where did you get that?"
⭐ When it comes to seasonal decor don't feel like every room has to feature a display. For upcoming Memorial Day and again on the 4th of July the only red white and blue in my house is on the top of the dining room buffet. (Swipe to see more).
⭐ Patriotic holiday decor can include parade flags on a stick or full size flags ( but please educate yourself on flag etiquette first). Vintage flags can still be found without putting a big dent in your pocketbook. However 48 star flags are getting harder to find. Vintage books, especially children's books, featuring presidents, flags, Constitution etc. can be found in almost any vintage store or antique mall. Portraits of presidents or military personnel is a bonus if you can find them. I prefer small ones that can be tucked in versus large portraits that have to be hung on the wall. For a personal touch add in a photo of a family member who served in the military. Vintage postcards are fairly plentiful and you can find almost every season and Holiday for just a few dollars.
⭐ When hunting for your treasures keep your eyes open and look above the shelves and under the shelves. My large 48 star parade flags (shown above) were found at a garage sale rolled up in paper with no price tag on them.
⭐ Tag a friend or SAVE this post in your idea file.

You still have a few weeks before the red white and blue season is upon us. Get out to shop this weekend. It's all about the hunt!!!

05/05/2024

THE. SUMMER. COCKTAIL. LOUNGE. IS. READY.

I live in a typical 1970s ranch. There's no real exciting architecture, unique features, or wow factor to the house itself. When it comes to decorating that's my chance to shine. This little 'porch' it's one of my favorite spots. For years it was jammed full of garden items with no assemblance or organization. Last year I cleaned it all out, painted the wall, added a fun wire chandelier, clay pots and wrought iron tidbits, and leftover vintage artwork that didn't fit in the house. It is reborn as a cocktail lounge for anybody that would like to stop by and have a cold beer or an Old Fashioned. As you can see in the photos, my backyard drops off on a hill so it's a great place to sit to overlook the yard and flower beds (and weeds) and watch the world go by..

Bartender... I'll have another...

05/04/2024

For any of you who collect items from the famous Wagon Wheel Resort that was in Rockton illinois, here's a gorgeous Chesterfield sofa that once belonged to Walt Williamson. My friends family ended up with the cottage on the private island and this sofa was inside the cottage.

https://www.facebook.com/share/JDyBcGsxmKKrT3AE/?mibextid=kL3p88

05/02/2024

THE OTHER MAXIMALIST CORNER...

Here's the opposing corner of my 'Frunch' room which is overflowing with vintage. I am a maximalist at heart. I'm assuming you are too since you follow along. If you know another maximalist, share the goodness.

I love marble top tables. I love leopard print. I love things that remind me of my pet hence the dog pillow. I love hometown postcards. I love wood cigar boxes. I love bookends. I love vintage books with gold etching. I love tassels. I love antlers. I love pheasant feathers. I love a taxidermy.

Some might wonder what the tall blue piece of wood with a tassel is. Several years ago we visited a farm field in Wisconsin where my husband picked crops as a child with his family. On the edge of the farm field was tenement housing for the workers. The only duplex still standing was the one he lived in, be it trees growing through the roof, the front door standing a jar and falling off, devoid of anything worthy on the inside except a few items. Eventually mother nature would take over completely. So my husband pulled at the front door until this piece of wood frame came off. It still has the door handle on both sides with the latch. It's the prettiest blue in a perfect patina. For years it stood in the corner of my garage as I didn't know what to do with it. I finally brought it in and just tipped it against the wall and added the tassel. It's a great conversation piece. (Jump to my page and scroll back a post if you'd like to see the other maximalist corner).

One of a kind decor sources:
-Dog pillow, Spruce in Lake Barrington, Illinois
-leopard print chair, in St Charles Illinois
-Martha Washington print, $1 at the flea market in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.
-piano stool, hiding behind the chair, $10 at the Funky Farm sale in Lake Mills Wisconsin
-almost everything else is from garage sales and estate sales.

04/28/2024

MAXIMALISM IS GOOD.

You probably aren't going to follow my page if you're a minimalist. I like things. I like antique things. I like vintage things. I like gold gilded lusciousness. I like Hollywood Regency. I like leopard print. I like cement statuettes. I like marble top tables. I like crucifixes, rosaries and Mother Mary. I like antique books and Bibles. I like velvet furniture. I like unique light fixtures. I like antique cigar boxes. I like dried flowers.

Everything mentioned above is in this corner of my home! And every corner of my home is similar. If you like maximalist interiors, be sure to follow.

Have a great Sunday.

04/27/2024

Brewiana show in Oshkosh today...

04/19/2024

MORNING LIGHT. Stewart is quite fond of it.

Stewart? Yes, he's the racoon. Why Stewart? Because when I was hunting for the perfect hat for him at a flea market I came across this fabulous, vintage VFW cap that once belonged to Stewart Turczyn, a lifetime member of Post 3742 in Wisconsin.

Have fun with your vintage decor.

decor

04/19/2024

Stop by our family estate sale at my childhood home today and tomorrow from 9:00 to 4:00. Property is at 8724 Burr Oak Road in Roscoe Illinois.

04/17/2024

This estate sale is my parent's home where I grew up. It's this weekend in Roscoe, IL.

03/15/2024

Rockton, IL estate sale...

This beautiful two-story home in Rockton is full and waiting for you! It includes furniture, clothing, holiday and yard decor, small kitchen appliances, and so much more. We can't wait to see you this weekend!

https://www.estatesales.net/IL/Rockton/61072/3935091

03/14/2024

Rockford, IL estate sale...

03/12/2024

Rockford, IL estate sale...

03/05/2024

Great MCM estate sale in Loves Park, IL this weekend!!!

03/02/2024

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR VINTAGE SHOP HOP...

Here's the map link...just CLICK THE IMAGE below to jump to map.

1) Be sure you already have Google Map App on your device. Then be logged in to a Google account, like your gmail account, then open this map. Zoom in to see more shops in the area you're traveling. You can't SEE them all without zooming in.

2) Here's the link to the Google doc showing all shops in list format.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hp1yobMncSot4a7hdvb3XVbyxseNJAOk2ek0YXWmFtw/edit?usp=sharing

3) Leave me a comment if you have a question.

4) TAG my page and the shop page. I love photos!

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...

03/01/2024

TODAY IS THE DAY...FOR...
THE MOTHERLODE OF ALL ROAD TRIPS...

Vintage Shop Hop
this Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2

400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies' boutiques, home decor stores, upscale consignment, and BARN SALES & pop-ups...all rolling out the red carpet for you. All the shops are open 10am to 5pm...some earlier and some later.

Direct link to map--just click image below.
OR
Find the map and list here: https://bit.ly/GetTheList_and_Map

Get out there and have some fun!

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...

03/01/2024

TIPS ON HAVING THE BEST. ROAD TRIP. EVER. TODAY!!

The Vintage Shop Hop begins today through tomorrow. Here's the creator giving her best tips for using the map and having a good experience at the shops.

Vintage Shop Hop
this Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2
10am to 5pm...some earlier and some later.

400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies' boutiques, home decor stores, upscale consignment, and BARN SALES & pop-ups...all rolling out the red carpet for you.

Find the map and list here: https://bit.ly/GetTheList_and_Map

Get out there and have some fun!

03/01/2024

TODAY IS THE DAY FOR VINTAGE SHOP HOP!!!
CHECKLIST FOR A GREAT ROAD TRIP!

Vintage Shop Hop
this Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2
10am to 5pm...some earlier and some later.

400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies' boutiques, home decor stores, upscale consignment, and BARN SALES & pop-ups...all rolling out the red carpet for you.

Find the map and list here: https://bit.ly/GetTheList_and_Map

Get out there and have some fun!

02/28/2024

Shop small. Shop the Vintage Shop Hop.

IT'S THE MOTHERLODE OF ALL ROAD TRIPS...

Vintage Shop Hop
this Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2

400 vintage shops, antique malls, ladies' boutiques, home decor stores, upscale consignment, and BARN SALES & pop-ups...all rolling out the red carpet for you. All the shops are open 10am to 5pm...some earlier and some later.

Find the map and list here: https://bit.ly/GetTheList_and_Map

Get out there and have some fun!

02/28/2024

Have you planned your road trip?

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...