Monday, November 21, 2011

Holiday Hours

Dwellings has settled into holiday hours. We will be open Thanksgiving week Wed., Fri., Sat. from 10:00-5:00 and Sunday from 1:00-5:00. Hope to see you there!

We have a limited number of these precious angels! Better drive like crazy to get one while they are still here!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

No Man Is An Island...Neither is a Woman

The above statement is more true than you know...there is absolutely NO way we could have opened and had a Holiday Open House in 3 1/2 weeks without help from our friends! Thanks to all who dropped by and shopped at Dwellings...Refined, this Saturday! The store was full of shoppers and well wishers and we are extremely appreciative to all who have supported and encouraged us in this endeavor!

This afternoon, in a few down minutes, we assembled an island for my kitchen using an old barn gate and a metal bottom from a work bench. I needed a very small "island-ette" for the center of the kitchen. I have no counter space by the refrigerator and I constantly have to walk back and forth taking items from the refrigerator when I am cooking. This solves the problem. The hardest part was picking from all our wood stash!

The old metal bottom was a work bench and we just removed the metal top and replaced it with the barn wood. It's very sturdy and I put two hooks at the ends so that I have a place to hand dish towels, etc. The bottom is sprayed with Rustoleum Hammered Brown.

The island measures 22 inches wide and 42 inches in length. It fits perfectly! After cleaning, waxing and polyurethane, I can't wait to use it!

Casters aid in moving and there is a lever that raises the legs so the casters can roll! This is one service we offer at Dwellings Refined...you find the bottom of your choice and we'll make you a top!

Our store hours have changed since we are finally moved in and somewhat settled:
Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. 'til 5 p.m.
Sunday from 1 p.m. 'til 5 p.m.
We are closed Monday and Tuesday.

We are located between Donna's #6 Produce and Magnolia Flea Market on Hwy. 49 South...on the right just past Jerry's Fish House (which is on the left.) When you pass Donna's turn on your blinker...or you will miss us! We are the little brick building. There is a flashing sign!!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Holiday Open House: Part II

I promised a few more pictures of our new shop...
Chalkboards are the rage...
This neutral one would look stylish with any kitchen decor.

Crystal, milk glass and depression glass are the ingredients for a light, shimmery table.
We have a very nice selection of all three.

I had this little old fashioned tree "planted" in an old brown crock...
and somebody bought the crock!
So I re-planted in a blue splatter ware crock.
The tree holds tiny vintage chocolate molds, dogwood berries,
feathers and assorted primitive ornaments.
The blanket chest with its beautiful burned poinsettias is the best buy in the house.
Of course, I just noticed that the flowers don't show up in the picture :(
I'm tempted to take it home, add casters and use it as a window seat or a coffee table.
Child's vintage chair to the right holds a Pottery Barnish book and old vintage speller.


I love the textures of Indian baskets.
This old mirror back lost its mirror long ago,
and someone covered the wooden back with a cloth picture.
Colors are beautiful.

I am a nut about bowls...all sizes and types.
I have a wonderful collection of yelloware bowls above my sink...
no matter what decor I use, they remain.
I found this group of wooden salad bowls at a yard sale,
brought them home, painted, distressed and waxed each one in a different color.
Mustard, navy, robin's egg, gray, black, green, and rusty red are my favorite colors.
They would look great with potpourri or wrapped candy in them year round.

Tools now hang on our barn wood wall. They look like pieces of art.

Hand-made crosses by my friend Wanda Pearson have a place of honor in our shop.
These make lovely gifts for teachers and special friends.

There is nothing more endearing than Blue Willow china.
The apple green interior of this old pantry adds mood to the blue and white selections.

This beautiful handcrafted antique door coffee table will be specially priced
for the Saturday Open House. Speak now, or forever hold your peace!

My son tried his hand making a coffee table from an old painted door.
He left the hinges on the door and faced it with genuine old barn wood. Love it!
Last but certainly not least is MY grand old hutch!
Look at how pretty she looks all dressed up for the holidays!!
She is finally residing INSIDE the shop
and every time I look at her, it makes me happy!

Ten until five, Saturday, Nov. 12...be there or be square!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Holiday Open House Preview Part I

Well, things are settling down at our new shop. I thought you might enjoy a preview of this weekend's Holiday Open House. You won't believe what my sister has helped us do with lots of vintage items! Here we go...

Very little has been purchased. We re-purposed and re-used what was on hand. That's the whole point of the shop...to give creative outlet to use what you already have.

This is our Welcome table. Love the feather candle rings!


I recently purchased this old chest and it's looking for a new home. Notice the little jute topped felt stockings...they have the prettiest tassels attached.

I had to have just a little corner for some of my art. My bird's nests are there, too. You know the lore, don't you? If you have a nest in your Christmas tree, you new year will be filled with great things. Now who doesn't need great things?

Babyland....and our white Idea Tree is filled with ornaments you can make! I'll tell you how.

Pink and turquoise...simply sparkly and bright!

Five old doors are awaiting your decorative touch...this is my favorite. It still has the lock attached.

How would you like this beauty under your tree? (Well, at least BY the tree!)Now, I'll show you one more tonight...I've got to save something for tomorrow.

For the fisherman in your life!


More pictures tomorrow night!


We will open at 10 am this Saturday. We hope you will join us then!

Monday, October 31, 2011

More Than Dwelling in Possibility

I have worked 38 years outside the home. Not because I wanted to but because finances demanded it. I went to college during the "budding" years of women's liberation. Most of the mothers of the girls with which I grew up were stay at home moms. That's all I ever wanted to do...be a stay at home mom. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

As I end my teaching career (31 years) and begin my "dream" job, I have a few thoughts to share. (I'll keep this short.) As much as I appreciate the jobs I've had...teacher, librarian, lighting & kitchen planning consultant & apartment manager...I've always felt unsettled...like there was a puzzle part missing. Teaching came close to the "best fit"...but even then, I knew there was a longing there that had not been fulfilled.

The past few weeks have revealed that missing piece. I will not lie, I am tired. Working seven days straight isn't the easiest thing I've ever done...HOWEVER...there is something about laboring at something that you truly love and want to do that helps you bypass a tired body. When you are excited about driving to work, never check the clock and don't even give Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies a thought..you know you are onto something BIG!

I have no idea how long this venture will last for me...maybe a short while or maybe for a reasonably long time...but no matter the length...I am extremely grateful for the chance to do something I've always dreamed of doing. I've been given an opportunity that some people never are given or maybe never take.

When my mother died, it shook me to my very core. I saw how fragile and fleeting this thing we call life really is. Her death helped nourish a desire in me and gave me the courage to "go out on a limb". When my son called and said, "I've found us a building", it was the push I needed. When the hubster "fronted" me the money to get going, it gave me a life preserver.

Now all I need are good customers and continued vision! May I encourage you with this thought? Don't wait until it's too late. Realize your dream if at all possible. "Dwell in possibility" and (with all due respect to Emily Dickinson) don't stop there...make possibility happen. If you succeed, hallelujah! If you don't score, at least you took the ball and ran with it!


"Dwellings" Holiday Open House

Saturday, November 12, 2011

10 A.M. until 5 P.M.

Please, join us!


I could have sold this hutch several times,

but it's the one item in the shop that I truly love.

The hutch is finally inside the shop and decorated for Christmas!

I can now die a happy woman.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

New Finds and Re-Fines at Dwellings...

Welcome to Dwellings Refined..this blog is intended to introduce you to the newest products and finds we will be stocking at our little shop, "Dwellings". The brick building is located on highway 49 south right outside of Florence, Mississippi.
Directions to the shop: If coming from Florence, stop at the intersection of hwy. 49 and 469 and turn right onto hwy. 49 (if coming from the Monterey area, turn left onto hwy. 49; if coming from Jackson, continue south on hwy. 49.) Pass the Jerry's Catfish igloo building on your left. Pass Donna's #6 Produce on your right. Our building has a blinking sign and is brick and is on the right. If you go to Magnolia or Hwy. 49 Flea Market, you have just passed us!

Holiday Store Hours:

M-Sat: 10 until 5
Sun: 1 until 5


We have just received our first piece of specialty furniture handcrafted by a Mississippi artisan. The antique solid wood door top is from St. Louis.
The dimensions are 28 1/2 inches deep and 63 inches wide.

The bottom has been gently distressed and is cream over a dark stain.

The legs gently curve inward. We have these made locally.

The apron and leg color can be your choice and the length can be varied according to your needs. What character!
Santa Claus left a note and said he thinks he can get several in his sleigh!
Another feature of the shop will be the re-purposing and re-fining of vintage items.
As an example, the old stools pictured below BEFORE rejuvenation...look at that drab color!

Now, see after! Cream and khaki floral combine to make a much cleaner look.

The taller stool would be especially nice in front of a dressing table.

The little footstool was also updated.
Both stools sport heavy fabrics and if you desire,
you could change the color of the legs.

Just a quick peek at what's going on at Dwellings...come see us soon.