MAGPIE FIELDS AT MARBURGER FARM

So it happened, Magpie Fields made it through it's first show - and not just any show, but Marburger Farm!  I was honored to be part of this world renowned antique show.  It was an incredible experience. Here is what went down ... 

Opening day was energy-filled. There was chatter all around and people were hungry to shop for antiques. Through our set-up, I realized pricing everything the night before was a bad idea. We were working on a few hours of sleep on the busiest day - hey, lesson learned!

Let's go back to the first day of set-up..When I arrived at Marburger Farm, it seemed surreal.  I was experiencing the antique show from a different perspective - a dealer instead of a shopper.  My good friend, Rachel, was sweet enough to take off work to go down to Round Top to help out with the initial stages of setting-up.  We arrived and we had a blank canvas - intimidating but at the same time extremely motivating - we could do whatever we wanted...a creative's dream really!

The first day of set-up we did the textured walls, the Magpie Fields logo to make it official and the lighting "T" beam. My dad was an all-star - he really brought my vision to life with this metal "T" he built.  He created the structure that was holding the lights and wired it to bring them to life - it really made the booth stand out. That extra touch brought it to the next level.   

Yeah, and that handsome guy below - he's my heart. He came to the rescue many of times - helping out on show days to coming after work to help us out with set-up to the wee hours of the night - he was there. 

A show takes a lot of hands and help from others - I honestly couldn't have done it without the support from family and friends - I'm truly blessed.

The second day was move-in day.  All hands on deck - we unloaded everything and started unpacking boxes ... After that, the next two days we spent merchandising/ pricing/ etc - the best part but a very time consuming part. It was awesome to have my mom to share this experience with - she's my ray of sunshine! A mother daughter duo that came ready to set-up shop and that we did!  

Mom and I rearranged the layout half way through the show to keep things fresh and make the booth more inviting.  I hadn't thought about how we would rearrange as things sold but it all worked out! The community of dealers here were amazing - everyone is willing to help out whether it be with advice or moving a couch!

It was amazing to meet all the friends of Magpie Fields - I loved being out from behind the computer screen and being able to bring the product to you guys and meet you as well! The encouragement I received was overwhelming - it really made my overall experience of the show a positive one.  The dream - as of now - is to open a brick and mortar and hearing all of you supporting that was unreal - thank you! 

It was so good to see Austin designers and friends at the show - especially Elizabeth from Stone Textile.  I met Elizabeth in the early stages of Magpie Fields and she has been a great friend/mentor through this journey! If you guys haven't checked out Stone Textile, you should - she is working on a new line being launched soon and has started instagramming sneak peeks! 

Accomplishing this filled my soul. I honestly thought getting everything together within a short six weeks notice while battling with anxiety on top of everything else was impossible. My family encouraged me to go for it and I knew deep down I needed to also, so I did. You guys I honestly believe it was the work of our gracious Savior that made all of this happen. I stood there on opening day and was shocked at how it all came together so smoothly and beautifully. It filled my heart with joy to see everything that is Magpie Fields in a small space...even if it was in the middle of a field! I hope you find this encouraging - to step out and go for it!

A big hug to everyone who helped and who came to visit - you guys are awesome!!

I'm looking forward to what lies ahead... Thanks again friends! xo, e

UPCYLCED: VINTAGE CHROME CHAIRS

After much trial and error, we have the finished product of the vintage chrome chairs and I couldn't be happier to reveal them to you. The reveal is of 4 vintage Milo Baughman style chairs , and they are absolutely stunning; seriously gorgeous. To really appreciate and soak up the goodness of these chrome beauties - I must uncover them when I found them...yeah, the before. 

Scary! Scary how these were probably sitting amongst a flea market for years in the corner, and they were just waiting to be given a little TLC. I did just that, a lot of that. Let me share with you the process ...

First I pulled inspiration for the chairs. What drew me to these chairs in the first place? The frame. I loved the curved shape of these chairs like the ones above. I sourced inspiration from various spots and was drawn to mostly dark textiles against shiny metal. So all there was to do, was put it all together.

So I set out to strip these chairs down to their original metal, which I thought was brass but quickly found out was not. To be honest, I really wasn't sure what it was, but I knew that simply stripping the layer of cream paint wasn't doing the trick. For the next attempt, I thought to paint them in a nice metallic paint. It seemed like a great idea, so I primed them and painted them a shiny gold metallic - no bueno. They looked bad, real bad. I knew these chairs were special so I wasn't trying to get them done to simply, get them done. 

So back I went to multiple hardware stores and scoured the web for helpful info and found the solution. I just needed a more aggressive way of stripping off the paint! There were multiple, and I mean multiple layers of paint on these chairs.  The gold that was initially under the cream paint was actually paint as well - like a gold plated film. So I went to town, and scrubbed like no other - you might have seen the vine video here or here earlier. 

And the outcome was gorgeous chrome!!

I remember thinking, whew! And wow, all at the same time. 

Next, the cushions had to be reupholstered. I was going to use this vintage deep blue velvet that I had in stock, but after finding out the frames were chrome I thought the best way to go would be a dark textile to really showcase the metal sheen.  

I set out to find a nice textured textile in black. I found this gold speckled fabric but there wasn't enough of it to cover all of the cushions. Good thing that didn't work out because after a little more scouting - I found the perfect ikat. Black - silver - gold - modern...the perfect fabric to compliment these vintage yet modern frames. 

Aren't they stunning?! Wouldn't they be great around a dining room table mixed with other chairs. It was so exciting to be able to debut them at our pop-up shop last week at Mockingbird Domestics, and paired with Stone Textile pillows - it was a match made in heaven.

A huge thanks to my husband, Josh, who was a really big help with finishing these pieces to be able to have them at the pop-up! 

I look forward to expanding Magpie Fields to showcase more furniture in the future. If you are interested in these chairs, check them out here! If you would like us to scout out that perfect piece for your space, give us a shout at hello@magpiefields.com - we would be happy to help you! Happy weekend everyone! xo, e

inspiration:

lonny magazine july/august 2011

here 

BAMBOO UP-CYCLED

Remember when I told you about that exciting find I found for a wedding project? Well, today I get to reveal the goods! I was asked by a client, which this time happened to be my lovely mother-in-law, to find the perfect wedding gift for a couple that is very dear to her, and also my husband and I. Needless to say, this was a very special project indeed!

Initially, she thought about a tumbler set - you know the fabulous highball sets that come with the brass holder? Well, little did we know we would be greeted by an unexpected surprise. I came across this unique bamboo piece and immediately I sent her a picture (the one below) in hopes she would think the same. I just knew it could be turned into such a delight + she was quick to agree. The vision? A modern lacquered cocktail corner...here is a before + after shot! 

It was THE combination we were looking for - feminine in shape but masculine in texture; rich vintage history but trendy modern aesthetic, an edgy unexpected delight that would satisfy the traditionalist at heart...I mean, we struck gold! I'm so glad I could finally share this piece with you - it's just so good! 

Once the piece arrived safe and sound in New Orleans, she was so kind and sent me some snap shots of her ideas - so creative and thoughtful! Don't you love the glass on top?! It was certainly a pleasure + inspiration working with her- thank you! xo

Packaged + sent with love - and a little canvas tote of birdseed:)

UPCYCLED: living room couch

  I've been so lucky to inherit this charming couch that once sat in my Mimi's formal room. The frame  

  on the couch has been one of my all time favorites + I adored her choice of ruby red fabric. After a   

  busted water pipe drenched the seat cushions, it was now time for me to face the facts - it needed a   

  makeover. 

   Coming back home from living in Prague, I began working on a project for a dear friend, and it got   

   me thinking about my own neglected treasure. I went and pulled this bad boy out of storage and got   

   to searching for fitting fabrics. Above, is a selection I came across early in my search - I was drawn to 

   the metallics in the cream, but it was a bit too formal for me. 

       I kept an eye out, but it wasn't until after moving home from Miami that we actually needed a 

      couch for our next apartment - I knew it was time to get moving on this makeover. I went with a 

      classic fabric for the cushion covering, like this one I had previously used for chairs.  Now, I'll be 

      able to change it up with different accent pillows throughout its lifetime.  I love our playful couch - 

      mixed with our quirky new + old collected pieces. It makes me smile. 

New Look...

One of my many blessings in life is knowing a very lovely lady who coordinates estate sales in my home town. She recently came across  a dining room set that she thought I would like or at least see potential in, and boy, did I!  I usually don't like sets, especially furniture sets, but this set could definitely be taken and broken up -- in order to feature each piece individually or as an actual set but transforming the pieces to look as though they were bought separately.

The set consists of a china cabinet, a table, and six chairs.  To begin the transformation process I started with the chairs.

Screaming 70's! But I love the geometric old school construction of this chair.

I found this undoubtably perfect ikat fabric in soothing neutral fibers to reupholster the chairs.  I love the neutral against the natural shade of the wood -- I am considering painting them in a high lacquer, but that's yet to be determined.

I'm lovin' the new look! I can't wait to see these chairs grouped around a table.

The china cabinet will definitely be painted in a blue lacquer, and I'll post the original pictures later of that and the table -- I have to leave something to the imagination!  I'll keep you updated...don't you fret!