The Glow of Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from the Shabby Old House!

There are new kids on the block.

 If you go to Renniger's in Mt Dora there is a perfect little village of buildings filled with antiques.  One of our favorite shops to visit was called "Better With Age."

 The owner of the shop was such a wonderful decorator and given that she wouldn't allow photography.  I certainly understood and so I was limited to the delightful gardens she had created outside her shop.  She kept them pristine and they beckoned  you to come inside. So there is something to be said about first appearances.

From bubbling fountains,  and rust touched  sconces and fences and tin panels on the building , birdcages that hang in the trees each filled with ferns and flowers perfectly placed so it looks like a well thought out garden created to give a sensory pleasing visual for those of us who enjoy the use of found objects.  If you peeked inside just beyond the open door to the porch you could see stain glass windows hanging and potting benches and more fountains with soothing sounds of water .  I always came away thinking what a fabulous place this would be in my own back yard and if I ever did do a she shed it would be such as this.

 Much like every visit before we left the  treasure filled field of dreams and heat to head to the village to visit this shop.  It always felt cooler in the shade of this garden but what was on the inside was not only pleasing to me but filled with everything a man would enjoy.

 This trip we found that the shop was under new ownership and called Ageless Antiques and Gardens.  The owner was happy to allow me to take pictures of the shop.  I only wish I had brought my camera so I could offer pictures better than those from my cellphone. 

 As you can see the fabulous strong pieces of  furniture perfect for any man's den or library.  You can almost smell the sweet aroma of a pipe and hear the crackle of a fire.  

 This shop is filled with treasures a man would love and a woman would enjoy working into the home.  The perfect win win for couples.

 Saddles, lassos, antlers, deer and fish mounts, vintage lures, pheasants, ducks and even a snakeskin are among just a few of the items so artfully displayed. 

With that said I was always inspired by this trim board of vintage lures thinking it perfect for over the window in my own fishing captain's man cave.

As luck would have it I have lost the business card that held the new owners names but I do wish you much success, Ageless Antiques and Gardens.  Your shop is amazing!

Mt. Dora Glamping Event

 This past week-end we drove to Mt. Dora, one of our favorite Florida get aways, to Stop in  Rennigers for  "Let's Go Glamping."  There was a large circle of Vintage travel trailers that had come from all over to open their tiny little traveling homes to view.

 This little Chalet travel trailer was so darn cute that it had me rethinking pop up campers and the way this couple camps is truly a Glamping experience.  This lady nailed it in every way, from the potted plants to her outside kitchen and her hubby was very happy to tell us all about their home on wheels and the fun they have had.

 It may seem like a sweet tiny house experience on the inside but this couple lives large on the out.  

 On the back of their little Gem is a sweet little kitchen and they have the whole area screened in.  From here the magic of camp style cooking takes place.  He shared several recipes of meals that we are going to have to try.  Have you ever made a cake inside of an orange peel on the fire?  Sounds delicious!

 And check out her cute custom cabinetry.  No need for granite or marble or wood when a lady knows how to cook.  That electric skillet sizzles with yummy food for the family. It must be the great outdoors that makes everything taste so good and with that said I too just might have a chance to thrill my family around the campfire.

 And the motto they live by is just this.  Sounds like a great plan to me!

 The next fabulous trailer we loved was this one.  Decorated to perfection was this 1972 Avion.  I thought it was an Airstream at first.  I loved the layout and it felt very spacious.

 It was in perfect condition.

 With the lines growing and the day getting hotter this cute little display made me laugh and consider  as we were quite spent by the time we made the rounds.  

 There were quite a few tiny trailers to view, each with its own personality.  This one was fun as mother and father and daughter were the team that created it just before their daughter left for college.

 The daughter did the artwork. 

 Didn't she do a great job?   After we made the circle of Glamping gems we quickly made a stop to cool off and enjoy another of our favorite shops in the Renniger village.  I say our, as my hubby especially loves this one and you'll soon see why.  Under new ownership I finally got the chance to take pictures of this fabulous shop.

You'll want to watch for my next post as this is a beautiful shop and definitely a must see should you visit Rennigers in Mt. Dora.  Mark your calendar as the Antique Extravaganza is coming up in November.  You'll want to wear comfortable shoes, water and layers of clothes and lots of money as you won't leave without a treasure!  Trust me, you'll thank me for that tip. 

Ready to go Glamping

Last year, after a continual Craigslist search we finally found our 1984 Scotty camper.   It was the usual cream, brown and somewhat golden color of that year.  Pretty bland, ok, ugly.  Although I really wanted to find an earlier vintage camper they were always somewhere too far away.   I knew we could achieve the look of one if we tried.  It took us over a year to finally get it done but we put our heart in to it a few weeks ago and I am so happy with the results.  It's like a little beach cottage on wheels.

 I call it the Mermaid Cottage.  

 As you can see I am not a Purest.  I couldn't wait to do away with the original faux wood, fabric, and flooring.    First on the list was painting the inside and new flooring.

 I did keep the handles to the cabinets though just adding the turquoise touch.  Hubby made the table top to go over an existing antique table top.  I love it when he makes my plans work.   I added a few shells to the light cover.  And then I had a ball  shopping for the beach themed tableware, bedding and decor.  

 I found a chenille shower curtain and I love the texture and how it really works well for keeping the sunlight out.  The bed is hardly a full so you have to like cuddling.   A Goose down mattress top and coverlet certainly helped make it cozy.

 My absolute favorite is the kitchen.  For some reason they had taken out the stove and counter so all that was there was an off centered range hood and one overhead cabinet.   Hubby did his woodworking magic and this is the finished look.

 I love it, I love it, I love it.  Since we love to cook outside on the grill the loss of the stove was no big deal.  I have my mini toaster oven, coffee pot and microwave so I am good.

 The Mermaid will be off on a camping trip soon and she has certainly made me a Very....

Think Spring!

 These beautiful pictures were taken by a friend of mine.   She is the daughter of one of my dearest friend and bless her heart she use to babysit for my children.  I think she captured the beauty of springtime don't you?

Thank you for sharing them with me Tina Salter.  Your photography and your eye for beauty is amazing!

Eufaula Pilgrimage

 The azalea's are blooming and you know what that means?