Meet Blaze and Bloom

 

I am thrilled to share an exciting event I went to this weekend in good ole Hartford, Connecticut.  No, that's not a typo...I actually meant HARTFORD! 

 

Blaze and Bloom opened it's new showroom in a hip and artsy location in downtown Hartford this weekend.  They sell vintage and re purposed furniture and home accessories. 

 

Blaze and Bloom is the mastermind of four lovely ladies: Tracey George, Julie Jones, Jennifer O'Connell, and Katie Wickham who, up until now, have sold their brilliant specialty items at Brimfield and special events around the Connecticut area.   They are now permanently situated at

50 Bartholomew Avenue, Hartford, CT

 

You'll drool when you see the items I spotted during my visit:

 

 

 

I fell in love with this mid-century dresser.  The teak drawers were restored to their original finish with the outer edges of the dresser painted a fresh white.  It was such a fun contrast and for only $275 I considered it for my guest bedroom makeover.  But, alas, I passed because I'm not ready to make up my mind yet. 

 

 

We were welcomed with a fresh pitcher of lemonade with mint leaves. Yum. 

 

 

The showroom is located in a loft warehouse type building.  It has a ton of character.  And they have further decorated with whimsical accessories that enhance the space.   There was so much eye-candy that I circled the space multiple times to make sure I didn't miss anything. 

 

 

 I wish I'd had a home for this nautical chair pair.  These rattan chairs had a cheery navy and sailing print paired with a bright mod flowered fabric. 

I loved this sunshine yellow cabinet with the quirky wallpapered backing.  It would be fantastic in a dining room or a kitchen holding cookbooks. 

These pillows just popped with character.  I went home with the fuchsia and tangerine pillow with the grosgrain ribbon trim.  Some of the pillows were trimmed with cable stitch sweater patches.  Others had remnants of men's ties.  They were all vibrant and cheery and I wish I could have purchased them all for a sofa or bedroom.

 

 Lucy scored the 'love' pillow for her office / guest bedroom we've been working on!  Love it and it's got a wonderful tweed backing. 

 

 

This little chair was miniature and the cushion was made from men's ties.  Wonderfully unique and would look fantastic sitting in the corner of a men's dressing area or study. 

 

 

This 5 drawer chest was a fire engine red with a distressed finish.  Four of the drawers had chalkboard panels added to the fronts so the owner could label the inside contents. 

 

They also had unique jewelry and handbags to accessorize an outfit.  Loved this necklace!

These letters sent a great marketing message to shoppers upon entering the marketplace.  I know I had no problem buying items...my problem was limiting myself! 

 

Here are the items I managed to score during my excursion this weekend:

1. The fuchsia and tangerine pillow for $55.  I absolutely LOVE the pop of pink.  It ties in the pink chair in the room (see here). 

2.  A new Crane for my Master Bedroom!  This tall beauty was the first thing I spotted when I walked into Blaze and Bloom and my heart raced with excitement to snatch it up in time!  I absolutely love cranes.  I already have two on my nightstand (see here) and I knew I'd find a home for this additional guy.  I paid $35. 

3. And, Lucy's "Love" pillow found it's way into the office/ guest bedroom that we've been working on. 

Blaze and Bloom will be opening monthly and for appointments.  Their inventory is constantly changing and they are gearing up for a big launch party in the fall.  If you are interested in seeing the space or being invited to the monthly openings, please call or email Julie Jones.

Contact information:  Julie Jones phone 860-888-2087 | email blaze.bloom@yahoo.com

And of course I'd suggest ya'll follow them on their social media outlets:

Follow Blaze and Bloom Facebook

Follow Blaze and Bloom Pinterest

Check out Blaze and Bloom on Etsy Here!



Do you see anything in particular that you just love? 

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Home Office Makeover Update

I thought it was time I give ya'll progress on one of the projects I've been working on.  Several weeks ago, my friend Lucy asked me to help her update her home office before starting her new job.  She wanted a major face lift that would inspire her and make her happy while doing her new power job from home.  Of course, I immediately looked to my design crush, Maria Barros, for inspiration.   Lucy took one look at the fabulous Portuguese designer's work and agreed that this would be our inspiration for the job. 

We wanted a light blue palette on the walls with white office essentials accessorized with bright cheery pops of color. 

I created this design board and we were off! 

 The original room color was a dark dusty blue color and required a primer before we painted the room with HGTV's Sherwin William's Lauren's Surprise in Flat.    You can recall the original post where I showed us painting the room...

AFTER:  A much lighter base for the room!

Here is another photo of the room "before."  It was decorated in very earthy tones with neutral colors.  (There's my Vivster...she's been a tremendous design expert on this project). 

Previously, the desk was positioned by the window.  Lucy has a guest bed in the room for her occasional weekend guests.  I reconsidered the layout and thought it may be nice to position the bed against the window (as a daybed) and put the new desk across the room facing the window looking out. 

Here's a shot of the room after the painting was done before we'd found any of the bedding.  It definitely is lighter in the room even with the old bedding.   We also painted all of the wood trim to white--this gave the room an immediate face lift! 

Pictured below is the vintage flower painting that Lucy's parent's have had in the family for years!  I was determined to find a place in the room for that!  I instantly fell in love with it when I spotted it sitting in Lucy's unfinished basement!  It's to die for...It has so much character and you just can't find that in artwork that is purchased *new* from a store. 

 

Another BEFORE shot of the room before we got our hands on it.  Originally we considered repurposing Lucy's "Mork and Mindy" egg chair (I'm dating myself) but in the end...this white egg chair got the boot and got replaced by an excellent Lucite Louis Armless Chair that Lucy scored for a steal (more on that later). 

The pink dots indicate our plans for the room....

I was shopping in Home Goods one day and came across this bedding...it was fun and cheery and had our colors in it.  I loved it instantly and wanted it for my own (which is a "test" I use to gauge my confidence level with how something will work in a room.  ha.  Corny, I know.  But if I *really* want something for myself, then I feel confident enough to give it as a gift or buy it for someone else.

In fact, I scoured all of Home Goods that day and here's a glimpse of some of my findings.  Ikat, Chevron, basket weave, colors, guest towels, storage baskets, throw pillows, duvets, trash baskets, you name it...I bought it! 

And here is a little peak into how we're coming along with the room! 
Better photos and more styling and a better finished product to follow....This snapshot just gives you an idea of the path that we're on!  We've got to tend to some finishing touches and details so don't judge!!! 

 

 

And this is definitely still in progress...chords are showing, lamp shade liners are pointing the wrong way and book shelves aren't styled.  But you can see an idea of where this is going. 

I will share product sources in the final room reveal!  We've been so resourceful in this room remodel and have managed to find these items on a great budget.  Many of the items are from Home Goods or Overstock and they're less money than you can imagine!   (Course I can say that because it's not *my* money)! 

Check out other Projects here...

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Also, Don't forget, there's still time to enter Giveaway #3 for the DaVinci Crib (which is the Miami style baby Nursery I styled for Baby Café!)  Enter Here.