Sunday, February 15, 2009

New Arrivals at the Pink Pig

With the long winter days I have been working hard and searching for new items to introduce to the store. I am excited to mention some new arrivals at the Pink Pig!
Cori Dantini, who is responsible for the new pig illustrations, has agreed to do some original works for the store. Her talent is amazing and I will be featuring more of her works in the near future.

I also found a fabulous new line by Biggs & Featherbelle! This is a health conscious company that promotes the healing elements of Mother Nature by creating body care products free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and additives. Yummy soaps and their Sugary Nut Scrub with raw sugar and almonds - perfect for that dry winter skin!
This company was created by two sisters, Kelly & Kasey Evick, in January 2003. Today, armed with the collected experience and knowledge of essential oils, their mission is to create products with a purpose. Their great attention to detail and packaging make their products a perfect gift for anyone on your list!

I am also excited about a new line for the store by Sweet Grass Farms. This is a company focused on creating natural, useful and affordable products for everyday life. Products I have recently added to the store are their Farmhouse Shea Butter Lotion & Soap and their natural soy candle both in a wonderful clean Lemon Verbena scent. Also, their Farm Baby line features a gift caddy set with natural products. Treat your little treasure to a nurturing and wholesome bath time.

Pretty new heart charms by Cathy Penton are now in the store and I am such a big fan of her work. Her sweet little inspirations in glass, using old linens and paper, are unique and one-of-a kind.

Spring is near ( I think) and the store will be featuring more new goodies soon including a new apparel line that I am very excited about. Take a peek in my store and let me know your thoughts on all my new products.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Farmhouse Style Living Simple and Easy


Few dreams of home are as pure and sweet as life in the country. Casual does not have to mean sloppy and beautiful "country" design depends on
the country you're talking about. A well designed anything, made by hand with care, beats out everything made any other way.

I took a few more photos of the barn and an inside peek of what the carriage house, which is the Pink Pig, looked like this past season.




I love mirrors! The larger the better! So we placed this large 7x5 foot mirror against the far wall to capture some of the old with the new. This charming sofa was new, but I found a way to surround it with old pieces we found at a nearby farmhouse which was filled with treasures of the past. I love the old coffee table with it's old chair rail legs and painted green top.



























Morning sun pours through the windows of the second floor of the carriage house which is filled with antique iron beds with wonderful vintage quilts that sing to each other across the room and are cherished by me for the graceful connection to the past.












My favorite barn is this small yellow barn which originally was a Blacksmith Shop on the property. In the summer months it is surrounded by beautiful wild flowers which grow taller year after year.

I have been busy this month searching for new items of interest for the stores so I hope you will visit again soon as I am just finishing up some wonderful pieces of Victorian Wicker which will be on the site soon!


Sunday, February 1, 2009

Antique Ceiling Tin - Fabulous Tin Whimsies


I love old ceiling tin found in many old homes here in upstate New York. During the Victorian era ceiling tin became very popular with the initial design style taken from Europe to emulate the look of sculpted plaster without the high cost. In the early to mid 1900's there were eventually 45 companies located mostly in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, most located near railroad lines that served as main routes for delivering their pressed product directly to their customers.

At the Pink Pig we have found some unique ways to make use of antique ceiling tin and I thought I would share with you.

These tin whimsies are a popular item at the stores and I decided to do a few in pink and white for Valentine's Day. After painting these tin hearts, we finished with a pearl glaze and then hung vintage chandelier prisms to give them that extra special touch.


These decorative hooks were featured in Romantic Homes Bed & Bath issue and were simply cut and adhered to wood with some old decorative hooks with a little patina of their own. Perfect bath decor and they are available in soft shades of green, pink and white.

During the summer we had fun making these decorative shelves in three sizes. Perfect for displaying photos! Our latest project was taking old recessed doors panels and adding a bit of character to small cabinets.




We are in the process of renovating our kitchen in our old farmhouse, so stayed tuned as I show you ways I have decided to use these old tiles with a bit of history in my old, but soon to be new, kitchen.


Remember at the Pink Pig... It's a Stylish Blend of Old and New!