The long-awaited moment finally arrived: the Benicia Historical Society Vintage Home Tour has at long last come...and gone. The sun-kissed, slightly breezy late spring day brought with it some surprises, some challenges, some priceless old friends, and many new friends.
Above all else, the big day brought fun times and some greatly needed funds for a very good cause. The Historical Society will be using the funds raised by the tour to rehabilitate and restore important Benicia and California State Landmarks - an effort I whole-heartedly support!
And now that it's over, I can share some of the projects I tackled and changes I made in the weeks leading up to the tour. I hope they give you tons of ideas and inspiration for your own home. Most, if not all, of the projects and ideas honor the Queen Without a Country philosophy of using handmade, homemade, hand-me-downs, and hand-me-overs. The ideas are also often dollar-wise and budget-friendly.
Please enjoy your private tour of the Henderson/Cullen Home...
Window boxes holding ruffly petunias were added to the dormer windows for a cottage-y look...
Sharing the original blueprints by Berkeley architect, Raymond F. De Sanno
A refreshed entertainment armoire...new paint; original doors reinstalled and sporting added mirrors instead of the plain glass; a thrift-store-find medallion replaces a run-of-the-mill wooden embellishment to provide a unique focal point...inexpensive Ikea curtains embellished by my talented seamstress daughter, Hilary...
Another thrift store discovery...a handmade, much-loved chair we affectionately call "the gnome throne"... one of my all-time favorite finds at only $50!... set off by the portrait painted of my mother by artist, Matt Decker (my favorite son-in-law!)...
New pillows found on clearance complete the reinvented throne...
A symbolic Mother's Day Tea to honor all mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters - really, anyone who "mothers" a child...
... but especially for my Mom...thanks for everything, Mom!...
Believe me, these were not just for looks... they did not go to waste...barely made it until the tour was over at 4pm before digging in...so yummy!...
Layer a wreath over an existing mirror...add inexpensive, in-season flowers to pitchers...
Have a curtain rod that's too wide for your window?... fill the leftover space with a decorative element like a table runner or old pictures or interesting jewelry...
I included this project in one of my tour preview posts (QWC, March 5, '12)... I had pictures I took in Santa Fe printed onto art canvas...here's the final version of the room...
Mr.Greenjeans found this rustic cross at a yard sale for $2, originally green, I painted it brown and wired a "milagro" with similar patina to it for a custom touch...
Another sneak peek project (see QWC, April 16, '12)...Clare's room, no more dark knotty pine...I'll do a "how-to" post next week for making The Judy Garland (I'm so clever!) shown here adorning Clare's built-in bed...
A new sign for the covered deck by Bay Area artist, Georgia Hanson..."Boom-Boom" was an old high school nickname given to me by friends...another was "Slick Vick"...much better than my elementary school nickname which will forever remain a secret...
Three of our awesome helpers...all smiles while serving up delicious goodies to guests...
Refreshing Jasmine tea coolers...oriental rice crackers served in seed starters...carrot cupcakes (semi-healthy!) ordered plain so I could add my own custom decorations...
So thrilled to have dear friends come by...thank you, Theresa, for asking Helper Anthony to scoop up the squashed squirrel you noticed in front of our next door neighbor's house...definitely not so good for business...the kids gave him a decent burial...goes to show, you have to be prepared for anything during a home tour...with a little help from friends...
Daughter, Hilary's "Mrs.Roper" shoes (remember Three's Company?)...fancy!...
More terrific helpers...ready for anything, including squashed squirrels...
SO GOOD!!!...
Here's an idea for you...cluster mismatched glass vessels together (such as mason jars, jam jars, dressing bottles, baby food jars, bud vases, whatever you've got)...adding a single bloom or two to each...placed atop a section of bamboo garden fencing...
Wish I could say this sweet ride was ours - a definite "hand-me-over"!... borrowed from our generous neighbors, Dennis and Leone...a bonus for the men who got dragged along on the home tour by their wives...not that there were many of those, everyone seemed to enjoy all of the houses, everyone was having a great time!
Endless thanks to:
The Benicia Historical Society
Jerry and MaryEllen Hayes
Yolanda Calderon
Kathy and Butch Griffin
Bob Johnson
Hilary Aitken-Decker
Dr. Tom Campbell
Dennis and Leone Lewis
Christine T, James M, Anthony R (Squirrel Man!), and Caroline C.
Elena B, Carly C, and Clare C.
And most especially to my hero, Mr. Greenjeans...couldn't have done it without you, hon...
Couldn't have pulled it off without every one of you!
Recent Comments