Saturday, October 11, 2014

It's Fall, Y'all! Get the front of your home ready! Guest blog from Lula Belle Interiors



I'm Jody Tirone from Lula Belle Interiors and I am a holiday-aholic. I admit it! I am obsessed with holiday decorating. My house goes through several different transitions through the fall. I start with gorgeous fall decorations, and then I bring out the scary for Halloween, and finish with thankful decorations of the Thanksgiving season. My addiction is your advantage because through the years I’ve learned some dos and don’ts of getting your house ready for the holidays.

I truly believe the outside of your house sets the tone for what’s happening on the inside. It is the first impression, whether it is brightening the day of those passing by or creating a welcoming space for those visiting. There are a few tricks of the trade to ensure your house looks like Southern Living and not the Griswold’s!

Tip #1: Remember the Scale & Color of your door
There is nothing worse than a wimpy wreath that is dwarfed by a beautiful front door. Color can also be a problem. Pick a wreath with a color that will pop against your door, not blend.

Tip #2: How does it look from the road?
I’ve seen some wreaths or decorations with details so small that you can’t see them from the road. Sometimes I couldn’t even tell what was on the door. It is always better to pick a wreath that is simple with large details.


Tip #3: Making Your Own Wreath
When making your own wreath, always make the wreath while hanging on a door or wall. If you make a wreath flat on a table the flowers or pumpkins may not be in the right direction after hanging.

Tip #4: Consider the Color of Your House.
If you have a house with pink brick the fall colors might clash. Instead consider non-traditional colors that would complement your house.

Here are all the tips combined into fall perfection!


So, now that you know the basics, where do you begin? Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors! Queen has custom wreaths that will set your door apart from your neighbor. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find at Queen of Hearts this fall.


This blog was written by dealer Jody Tirone, of Lula Belle Interiors (LULAB) on E Bay St in Alphaetta - like her page on Facebook to see all of her fabulous finds!

https://www.facebook.com/lulabelleinteriors 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Decorating your Home for FALL! Guest blog from A Bit of Décor

When we think about decorating our homes for fall, we think of heavy fabrics and darker colors. When we come out of the summer heat, we want to cool down; we want to change things up.  Don’t get me wrong we love the summer and the bright colors, but there is something about fall that makes us want to change it up and bring that sense of home and comfort back into our lives. So what do we do it? How can we make our homes reflect ourselves and the themes for the fall?

Darker fall colors can be added in the throws or pillows that you use, or through decorative accents you might add to your home. Throws can add texture through knits like cable, faux fur, or even a depth in the nap of the fabric. A pillow can be something that you can throw on a chair, or on the floor even, close to the fireplace. Look at the basic colors that you have throughout your home, and pick a darker color to coordinate with those colors in your rooms. Many decorate or update just a room, or a few rooms, you can easily do it throughout your whole home. Think about it – add a throw to your bed, or the chair in your room, or even in your home office. Just add one ruby red, mustard yellow, bright orange or deep purple fall colored pillow or set of decorative items on your end tables.

Many of the decorating books and magazines serve up examples with each season. There are always the predictable, but use your creative side and sense of whimsy to update your home. It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to do, especially if you know what you're looking for. Here are some ideas:


Better Homes and Gardens presents this view with the addition of fabrics, throws and pillows.


Adding just a fall themed pillow will add that sense of whimsy and accent for your home. Check out the dark colored ruby red chair and we LOVE this acorn pillow!




A Bit of Décor at Queen of Hearts – Antiques & Interiors in Marietta, GA offers a variety of throws, accents, along with pillows and general ideas to help with your decorating for fall.  All of the dealers at Queen of Hearts have many things available as well to accent your home for fall and the upcoming holidays - come in and take a look!

This blog was written by dealer Amy Ahrens, of A Bit of Décor (WACL) on Calhoun St in Marietta - like her page on Facebook to see all of her fabulous finds!



Saturday, June 28, 2014

Dealer Feature: The Painted Hammer, Audrey Wood & Shane Levin

Each month we featured our great dealers in our blog, to give a little background on them, how they got started at The Queen, and what trends they are seeing! Meet Audrey Wood and Shane Levin, siblings who just became dealers at the Alpharetta Queen of hearts in January. They are located on S. Battery St, dealer code SLAW. Visit their Facebook page The Painted Hammer, to see all of their amazing items!


The sibling team behind The Painted Hammer, Audrey & Shane, has always had talent. One day, Audrey asked Shane to build a bookshelf she had sketched out. He did, then she painted it. Then she asked him to build another, which she also painted. Then she asked for a set of wooden blocks. All of these things were for her kids, and Uncle Shane happily complied. He then took on larger projects and built a mini kitchen, a play table, and a Lego table. Another set of blocks too.


At some point late in 2013, Audrey started thinking about their talents, how amazing things happened when they paired up, and what if they investigated going in on a booth at the Alpharetta Queen of Hearts? She had been shopping at The Queen for 15 years, she knows how to merchandise & style, Shane can build her designs, and so on. And then 30 seconds later (it seemed), they were set to move into their space on S. Battery Street!


Audrey treats the space at the Queen the same way she treats every space she works with, in her own home and for clients. She has a defined core color palette: black, white/cream, brown, blue, and red. She has a defined style as well, which influences all of her purchases and designs: eclectic bohemian vintage chic. Audrey also has a magical sense of styling, so she places and groups items in a way that allows browsers to see items and imagine them in their own home.



When Audrey is asked how others can define their own color palette and style, she always suggests taking an adored pillow or painting, and using the colors and style from there to get started!

Stop by and visit them at the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta, dealer code SLAW on S Battery St, and Like their page The Painted Hammer! You can also visit their blog The Painted Hammer or follow them on Instagram.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Fascinating Finds & Tremendous Treasures - MARIETTA

This guest blog is by Cindy Rich, a third generation picker of antiques/appraiser and loves all things vintage. She has been interested in antiques for as long as she can remember, and feels that every piece she finds comes from somewhere and was loved by someone! She will be visiting each store once a month for an Appraisal Night With Cindy Rich from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your treasures and meet Cindy Rich, a certified appraiser. Please limit your items to 3 items and a voluntary $5 charity donation is requested for each item!

Upcoming Dates are:

  • Marietta: SECOND THURSDAY of each month - July 10 - August 14
  • Alpharetta: THIRD THURSDAY of each month - June 19 - July 17 - August 21
  • Buford: LAST THURSDAY of each month - July 31 - August 28
Thursday night at the Queen in Marietta was nothing short of a "take my breath away" visit. I was blessed with so many smiling faces, and beautiful things, I was in awe. My time began a bit early at 5:15 PM and stayed on 'til the last customer just before 7:45pm.

I saw some vintage rugs that were easily over 80 years old, and while one was a bit more "cherished" than the other, both were spread out on the floor, and everyone who saw them were amazed, and appreciated the fine quality, texture, and life that each of them brought to the room. You could just imagine the space it took up, those who walked upon it, and how many holiday gatherings it saw.


I also had a gentleman who brought in a Tiffany piece that was an old bowl from the 40's and it was well worth the $6 find he brought to me.. I had done a bit more research when i returned home, and found it right in the amount i shared with him - which was approximately $250 - 350. Given time, it could well command a prettier penny. Although, I think he will be holding on to that one with both hands.

I had some gorgeous paintings, some pencil charcoal drawings, and even a bit of ivory jewelry. I was pleased to see a piece of Gorham silver from early 40's - 50's... it was a child's yoyo. Yes, I said, yoyo. It held up its beauty and stood the test of time. That gentleman had a wonderful eye, and a heart of true gold - he is one who treasures the past, and stops his finds from finding their way to the scrap yard. He is truly a preservationist of History.


As my night ended, I listened as the folks left me, and i was taken aback in how much i love what i do, how much i enjoyed my first time in Marietta, and just how much i love seeing the people come out and share with me all their findings... It is my pleasure to be able to touch pieces of the past, learn from the people, listen to the stories, and treasure all they have for me. It is truly a precious gift.


I have always enjoyed my trips as a customer to the Queen, and have purchased many items lately from the various stores to add the beauty of the rejuvenation of my kid's rooms. Each piece we have hand-selected tells a story all it's own, and now, it will include its time in our home.

What does the Queen of Hearts provide it's customers Pleasant shopping, fabulous finds, and tremendous treasures.

What does the customer gain from those pieces? A new piece of history for their family and added warmth and charm for their home.

See you next month! - Cindyanna

Fabulous Finds, Tremendous Treasures - ALPHARETTA

This guest blog is by Cindy Rich, a third generation picker of antiques/appraiser and loves all things vintage. She has been interested in antiques for as long as she can remember, and feels that every piece she finds comes from somewhere and was loved by someone! She will be visiting each store once a month for an Appraisal Night With Cindy Rich from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your treasures and meet Cindy Rich, a certified appraiser. A voluntary $5 charity donation is requested for each item!

Upcoming Dates are:

  • Marietta: SECOND THURSDAY of each month - July 10 - August 14
  • Alpharetta: THIRD THURSDAY of each month - June 19 - July 17 - August 21
  • Buford: LAST THURSDAY of each month - July 31 - August 28
My first visit to the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta this past Thursday Night for the monthly Meet the Appraiser Night gave me pause to see all that their customers and patrons of the store had to offer.

My evening began with a lady, who had lost her mom and grandmother over 10 years ago, and had some (20) items for me to look at that she feels she needs to "rehome" ... I saw gorgeous vintage enamel tea pots, crystal dishes, vintage serving trays, a beautiful vintage quilt over 80 years old, and a few pieces of vintage pottery - each one any collector would be proud to display, use, or just have as their "go to" items for the holidays.



I then met a gal from Suwanee that brought me some very old pieces that she is in the process of selling to collectors - paintings with hand-carved frames, a 100 year old map that has been given new life and matted and give a place of honor in her home, and vintage carvings of wood that would be a privilege to own and display in anyone's home. Their obvious Roman flair with the meticulous hand - carving rivals anything we'd mass produce today, and the hand-painting with original paint, made these true treasures that will be envied for time and eternity.

I had a gentleman who had a painted "tin" painting that was framed in a hand-carved, hand- painted frame that was in his family for over 80 years, and continues to retain that something special" persona about it... It is something that he will hang in his home and pass along to his daughter when she marries someday.

Finally, I had the pleasure to meet a young lady that showed me a table with chairs that she gave "new life" to while keeping the original tapestry fabric of linen. The roman-style chair that she showed me has the realm of strength, family, and health... she is going to find this treasure a new "home" and now has a story to pass down along with this lovely.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening that came to an end all too soon, and i left with the knowledge that everyone i had the pleasure to meet went away with a smile, a story, and a love for their pieces in ways they never expected...it's what brings them back to the Queen... "it's that something-different" that the store and its vendors offer..."history for the home."

See you next month! - Cindyanna

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Fabulous Finds, Tremendous Treasures

This guest blog is by Cindy Rich, a third generation picker of antiques/appraiser and loves all things vintage. She has been interested in antiques for as long as she can remember, and feels that every piece she finds comes from somewhere and was loved by someone!


I started my adventures earlier than expected with some wonderful ladies, who are also vendors there and saw a primitive step-back cabinet that was given "new life" and shown much respect with a new coat of paint and an old trunk that had beautiful finishings and pretty patina on it. I would use it in my daughter's room with some old vintage quilts and pillows pouring out the top.

Another lady showed me a beauty of a chest embellished in hand-stamped brass that can be used as a hope chest for a young couple, or to store vintage pieces that are precious to you.




I had the pleasure of talking with a lady that found a picture behind another picture in a frame that was from the 1920's and was a print that she was wanting to know the value - it was worth approximately $125. She went on to tell me it belonged to her aunt and she had always admired it from when she was a child and was blessed to have it given to her when her aunt passed. You could see the love in her eyes and the humble heart she had when talking about her. I was just in awe of the simple beauty of the piece.



Finally, I had the joy of meeting another vendor who had some pieces of lighting from the 1920's that were hand-crafted, hand-forged, and heard stories of her mom and how she loved these pieces and to her surprise - they were worth quite a bit, as they are no longer made. They hung in a nightclub for many years and were items she truly cherished. 


All in all, it was a night for me to remember, to take a walk through time with each and every customer, and receive donations of over $100 that goes to charity.

Thank you for another fantastic time at the Queen of Hearts. See you next month!

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Budding Inspiration: Spring at the Queen! Guest Post from Appalachian Vintiques

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The earth laughs in flowers.” After a very long, hard winter in the mountains of North Carolina, I am embracing spring with lots of laughter and looking to flowers for inspiration in decorating my home. With our recent Spring Fling, we saw many unique ways to incorporate pops of pastels, floral prints, colors inspired by nature and ways to bring sunshine and laughter into your home. And don't forget the Pantone color of the year, Radiant orchid, is a bright burst of Spring color for your home, and goes great with floral prints.



The Spring brings opportunities for entertaining - look for creative ways to display flowers. Take these ideas from the Queen, using vases, mason jars, teacups, or vintage bud vases for traditional and non-traditional floral displays. 


Vintage bottles would be perfect for displaying, with or without flowers. The fact that these bottles tell their own unique story make them a unique conversation starter. The two pictures below are bottles from our booth in Buford at Appalachian Vintiques. 
Love old Mason Jars? You can find a great selection of Ball Mason jars that are clear or you can opt for the older blue jars that are quite valuable. 
Spring entertaining (especailly in the South) isn't complete without an afternoon glass of tea. Our dealers have a large variety of tea sets to fit just about any taste or style. This floral display would be perfect for décor but can pull double duty because you can actually use the tea sets later in the afternoon!
The great thing about Spring is that there is a flower for every personality and style. Be sure to stop in at the Queen of Hearts and find the perfect piece to display your flowers, or  your Spring floral accents!

This blog was written by dealer Jennifer Turner, of Appalachian Vintiques (LIVJC) on Court St in Buford - like her on Facebook to see all of her fabulous finds!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Dealer Feature: DPC Marietta, Debbie Camp

Each month we feature our great dealers in our blog, to give a little background on them, how they got started at The Queen, and what trends they are seeing! Meet Debbie Camp, a dealer who has been at the Marietta Queen of Hearts for almost a year, and is located on East Bay Street, dealer code DPC. Visit her Facebook page DPC Queen of Hearts, to see all of her gorgeous items and Like her page to be updated on new arrivals!
 
 
A little over a year ago I retired from Delta Airlines after a 34-year career as a flight attendant. Everyone kept asking me, "So now what?" I really did not have any concrete plans to have another career. I enjoy volunteering, gardening, re-purposing things and thought, "hmmm, what can I do with those interests?" One day I was at the Queen in Alpharetta and I ran into a friend who has two booths there. She spoke very highly of the owners and the staff and suggested I might like to join the team. I began praying about it, and plugged away preparing for a booth to become available. In July I moved into the Marietta location on East Bay St.
 
 
Coincidentally, my inlaws were downsizing and planning to move into an assisted living. Their basement was full of vintage treasures. I got busy cleaning up, painting, and re-purposing items, and low and behold I had a plethora of furniture and fun treasures. They were both raised in Paulding County (West Cobb) on farms. They had furniture, tools, dishes, and garden accessories stored in their basement from their parent's homes. My husband would say,"You are not selling Mama's favorite yada yada!" Oh we had numerous discussions about those forgotten treasures. I must admit he and my son have been very supportive helping me repair and haul "Mama's treasures" and my husband has a workshop in our basement that has now become "ours" (and has created more discussions!)
 
 
I moved into my booth in Marietta on East Bay last July. It has been a "stepping out of the box" experience for me working in a retail setting. The creative part of having a booth is totally up my alley. I enjoy the hunt for vintage treasures as much as the re-purposing, and helping people find something they love. Yes, I have been known to go into dumpsters looking for old windows being discarded, and you fellow dumpster divers are probably nodding your heads. I have enjoyed going to auctions and estate sales collecting antiques and picking through vintage items - you never know who's trash might be someone's treasure.
 
 
Furniture has a great story to tell with it's finishes, lines, and character marks. I just like to add more to its story with my creative flair. Stop by and visit me at the Queen of Hearts in Marietta, dealer code DPC on E Bay St, and Like my page DPC Queen of Hearts! I'm always refreshing my booth and filling it with vintage treasures for your home. I'd love to help you find what you're looking for. - Debbie

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Dealer Feature: Odds & Ends, Lesia Williams

Each month we feature our great dealers in our blog, to give a little background on them, how they got started at The Queen, and what trends they are seeing! Meet Lesia Williams, a dealer who has been at the Marietta Queen of Hearts for one and a half years, and is located on Meeting Street, dealer code ODDS. Visit her Facebook page Odds & Ends at Queen of Hearts, to see all of her gorgeous items and Like her page to be updated on new arrivals!


Being a small business is hard in today's retail climate. Being a tiny business is even harder. But at the Queen, sometimes tiny is better and can be a lot of fun! It's very fulfilling to purchase an item to resell and then have a customer buy it, leaving happy and satisfied. It makes me proud to make an item from scratch and have a customer take that home, or better yet give as a gift to a good friend or relative. I love to create and make items for Odds & Ends that others may want to own. I love to search out discards, rejects, and unwanteds to give them a new life. I am fulfilled and proud and get to do what I love. My tiny business lets me do all this. The Queen of Hearts makes it possible for me to have this tiny business, and those are the reasons I love being a dealer.


I became familiar with the Queen from selling vintage jewelry at the East Cobb location, then I was persuaded into becoming a dealer again by a friend. We partnered for a few months until she moved to an antique market closer to her home. Odds & Ends has become my tiny business to run and lots of decisions have to be made all the time, like what types of items to offer - as long as the quality is good, then I like to offer them. I also think it's important to offer a variety - new lines, as well as those that have a "vintage vibe." It's fun to see what works for my customers and what doesn't, and to bring in more of what they like.


I have spent most of my working life in the retail environment and enjoy talking to customers when I come in to add new items. Resale is a wonderful business, as you are reusing and repurposing items that might just be thrown out. Recycling is very important in our environment and I like to reuse instead of having to purchase a brand new item. What I love about the Queen is you can save money on quality items shopping here, it's not just a flea market or junk to sort through. The dealers care about the quality of items they bring in, and making them feel like brand new - we hope our customers feel this way also. My best advice to customers is to try to be a savvy shopper. Buy what you like and make sure it is of good quality and a design that suits you. I like the furniture items I sell to be sturdy, made well and have a stylish look, and am constantly changing and filling my booth.


Stop by and visit me at the Queen of Hearts in Marietta, dealer code ODDS on Meeting St, and Like my page Odds & Ends at Queen of Hearts! I'm always refreshing my booth and filling it with things like vintage jewelry, antiques, and modern items for your home. I'd love to help you find what you're looking for and give these recycled items a new home. - Lesia

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Modular Shelving: Feature on dealer SLAW, The Painted Hammer

The dealer-merchants at all three Queen of Hearts locations are overflowing with talent that goes beyond what they have in their booths. Some are skilled at locating must-have pieces in remote locations. Some are designers that anticipate what’s hot, shop often, find great deals, make alterations, and display finds in an irresistible way. Some make unique things, in all sizes, styles, and colors that can’t be found anywhere else. Some are amazing at appraising items like sports memorabilia, coins, china, and silver. If you ever want to find out about other services that our dealer-merchants offer, check it out here on our website.

At The Painted Hammer located on S Battery St in the Alpharetta Queen of Hearts (dealer code SLAW), the talent is shared between the co-owners, like a one-two punch. The designer, Audrey, has a dazzling imagination & finishing skills, and her partner Shane can make anything Audrey can sketch on a cocktail napkin. When they work together, it goes something like this:

Their booth in Alpharetta was in need of some serious shelving. Shane saw something on his wife’s Pinterest feed that looked like a good starting point. 



The one on Pinterest was made from salvaged pallet wood, and was meant to go against a wall. The booth needed something bigger, more grand, that could stand on it’s own. So they designed it, and Shane headed to the workshop. Several hours or days later, he showed Audrey a prototype.



Audrey loved it (and occasionally suggested tweaks), as Shane did final assembly. 


Audrey finished the piece, then they worked together to price it and add it to the booth on S. Battery St in the Alpharetta location.


Seems easy, right? For these two, it is as natural and necessary as breathing, but it isn’t easy. It takes a lot of hard work, trial and error, and experience to get to where they are now. However, now that they have arrived to this level of teamwork, refinement, and expertise, they are excited to make the final results available to you for purchase via their booth at the Alpharetta Queen of Hearts.

Make sure to follow the Queen on Pinterest to get inspired for your own DIY ideas. Or bring in something that you want to re-create that you found, and our staff and talented dealers can sure enough help you recreate it or show you how!

Next time you wander The Queen, remember Audrey & Shane at The Painted Hammer, and the many other amazing dealer-merchants. They certainly think of you when they call on their talents to fill their booth with the amazingness that is The Queen!

Like The Painted Hammer at https://www.facebook.com/thepaintedhammer to see more gorgeous finds!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Dealer Feature: Romancing the Home, Cindy Collins

Each month we are featuring our great dealers in our blog, to give a little background on them, how they got started at The Queen, and what trends they are seeing! Meet Cindy Collins, a dealer who has been at the Buford Queen of Hearts for three years, and is located on Broad St, dealer code RHT1. Visit her Facebook page Romancing the Home at the Queen of Hearts, to see all of her gorgeous items and Like her to be updated on new arrivals!


As an interior designer, I always enjoyed the pursuit of “the look” as much as the finished project. Room by room, house by house, it was a quest...a quest to match client lifestyles and personalities with uniquely designed interiors. After years in the field, I took a long sabbatical to care for my seriously ill, teenaged daughter. After eight long years, a few trips to the Mayo Clinic, and the Grace of God, she got her life back and so did I.

I wasn’t sure how to get back into the game, but strangely enough, the game found me. I was asked by my church to join the building committee to advise and consult on our new three-story addition. Suddenly, I found myself entrenched in carpet and tile samples, paint chips, fabric swatches and 3,000 opinions. Serving on a church committee means three things. No pay, long hours and a tight budget (and did I mention 3,000 opinions?). Working under these conditions made me realize how much I enjoyed the pursuit (again) but this time, the challenge was finding the “look” and being frugal at the same time. It takes a lot more creativity to do more with less and I was loving it! As the church project neared completion, I was well on my way to becoming a dealer/merchant at Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors in Buford. I had a short stint with a partner, then expanded to two booths, and ultimately in my current location at the front of the store. 


Combining my experience as an interior designer and picker, I have found my passion for painting and repurposing furniture, creating that “one-of-a-kind find”. Often times, I paint furniture that some revere as blasphemy. Yes, I paint antiques. Is there a support group for this? “My name is Cindy and I paint antique furniture.” I also “saved” a lot of pieces that were so far gone, refinishing was out of the question, but a coat of paint breathed new life into it. Painting can transform furniture from the ordinary to the extraordinary and most assuredly making it unique. 

               

When asked what’s trending today in furnishings and design, my best answer is the “pursuit of unique”. Seek that one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personality and lifestyle. Shop vintage and antique. Don’t be afraid to mix finishes, stained with painted, old with new. If you love it, that’s reason enough!


Visit me at the Queen of Hearts in Buford, dealer code RHT1 on Broad St, and Like my page Romancing the Home at the Queen of Hearts! I'd love to help you find the perfect piece for your home and help you find your "look." - Cindy