Epic Estate Sale in CT this Thursday!

Connecticut readers, get ready for the most epic estate sale.

Remember my post about the fanciest tag sale in Connecticut?   Well get ready because Greenhill House is at it again.  This time, with an estate sale.  Krystian is  relocating to Palm Beach and, while I'm selfishly sad to see him go, he is leaving plenty of fabulous finds behind for all of us!

This sale is THURSDAY August 27th, 2015 starting at 8am.  And plan to get there early because there are sure to be crowds.

Greenhill House Estate Sale

1210 Prospect Avenue

West End Hartford, Connecticut

8am Start

Cash, Check + Credit Cards accepted

Sale runs from Thursday thru Sunday!

Krystian was kind enough to give me a sneak peak of the sale items today.  Check out below for a preview into some of the goodies you'll find.  

Krystian has hired a professional event company to orchestrate the entire event.  This is sure to be an "event" you won't want to miss.  I love this Chippendale arm chair.

And this marigold bamboo umbrella stand is to die for!

There is an entire bed of throw pillows--everything from custom to needlepoint to one of a kind to floral...You name it.  All unique in style and would seriously up the glam factor of a sofa or side chair.

There are wonderful pieces of furniture including this studded dresser.

 I was drooling over this bamboo etagere.  Sadly, I left it behind because I don't currently have a place for it.

There are table lamps and fine art (some originally $600 and up now selling for $250).  You can spend some serious time going through the many art books and coffee table books.

The views of the estate are exquisite.  Located on Governor's Row, there are mansions after mansions all finely manicured and kept.

I have always loved Krystian's sense of style.  He dresses impeccably well and his is allowing shoppers access to an entire roomful of his tailored jackets, ties, dress shirts, dress shoes, pants.  It would be a gentleman's dream!   There are remnant fabrics and fur throws and Staffordshire Dogs.

If you live in Connecticut I highly recommend you fit this into your schedule tomorrow.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Krystian is now a contributor for House Beautiful magazine.  I am so envious of the fun projects he'll get to work on in the Palm Beach area!  It will be sad not to have him  close by in Connecticut anymore, but this just means a road trip to Palm Beach is in order!

Wishing KvS the best of travels during the next week.
Cheers and martinis!  Until next time.

Heather

Hillstead May Market Event in Connecticut!

Today, I'd like to invite my local Central Connecticut friends to a fun event scheduled for May 9th and 10th.   

I am fortunate to live right in Farmington, Connecticut, the home of many historical landmarks, including the Hill-Stead Museum.  (For more on Farmington, read Farmington Dawn Lombardi Style ) 

Courtesy of Design Megillah

Each year, the Hill-Stead Museum welcomes the arrival of spring with a two-day gardening and crafts event.  More than 75 exhibitors set up booths all throughout the beautiful grounds of the Hillstead.  They offer amazing antiques and hand-made arts and crafts for the home as well as exquisite flowers, plants and trees for the garden.

Courtesy of Design Megillah

Courtesy of Design Megillah

While this in itself is enough to attend this event,  I am pleased to share that this year's keynote speaker is the wonderfully fabulous interior designer, Holly Holden!  Recall my previous post about Holly here. 

Courtesy of Holly Holden

Holly is a local Farmington, Connecticut resident (in fact she lives in my FAVORITE historical mansion on Main Street, Fox Hall).  I connected with Holly through my fab friend, Krystian Von Speidel (The Fanciest Tag Sale In Connecticut). 

At 11am on Friday and Saturday (May 9th and 10th), Holly will be sharing secrets from her newly published book The Pretty and Proper Living Room, A Guide to Timeless and Elegant Design in a talk titled "Six Secrets for Inviting Interiors," followed by a book signing and a la carte lunch in the Makeshift Theater. 

I would love for any and all of my local friends to join me for Holly's talk (and to enjoy a wonderful spring day on the Hillstead Grounds perusing the wares).  Admission to hear Holly Holden speak is $50 and includes admission to the May Market (all of the exhibitors) as well as lunch!


I will be attending with a few friends on Friday May 9th.  I'd love to have your company, too!
You can purchase tickets here.  I promise you won't be disappointed.   


Additional Information about the event directly from the Hillstead Website:

ADMISSION: $12 general admission; $10 museum members; free to children 12 and under, prior to May 4. $15 day of event. General admission includes entrance to all arts & crafts, home & garden exhibitors, daily demonstrations, live music, children's activities, self-guided tours of Hill-Stead Museum with its renowned Impressionist art collection, enjoyment of the museum's historic grounds and Sunken Garden. Fee for the May Market keynote speaker, Holly Holden, is $50 (includes general admission). SEE BELOW for details on all of the above.


Throughout the two days, visitors will experience gardening experts presenting seasonal demonstrations, knowledgeable Master Gardeners providing advice, musicians and dancers entertaining in the food court, and Monet’s Café and Bakery offering delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweet treats. Additionally, treasure hunters will want to arrive early to be the first to Theodate’s Attic, where they will find a large selection of collectibles, linens, artwork, glassware, gardening books, jewelry, and more for sale.  Organized and presented by the museum’s dedicated Hill-Steaders volunteers, May Market includes self-guided museum tours of Theodate Pope’s 1901 Colonial Revival mansion.  Presenting Sponsor: Simsbury Bank.

All names will be kept on a reservation list for check-in at the event. THANK YOU!
To buy tickets by phone, contact Becky Trutter at 860.677.4787 ext 132 or trutterb@hillstead.org.

This major benefit event is organized by The Hill-Steaders, the museum's core volunteer group.

Vivid Hue Print Debut in Detail

 Yesterday I could hardly contain my excitement that the February 2014 article about my venture with Vivid Hue Home was out in pre-release.  I shared that this was my first time in "print" but didn't give many more details other than that!  Today, I'm dishing more about the article, including a link to the online version in its entirety (here). 

In the Farmington dining room of Heather Grahling—author of the Vivid Hue Home blog—a bronze convex sunburst mirror reflects a table set for a Valentine’s Day luncheon. Crate & Barrel Libations bar cart; faux snakeskin lamp from Target; peony arrangement from One Kings Lane. Phillip Jeffries’ green Moroccan grasscloth wallpaper.- Hartford Magazine, Feburary 2014 by Krystian Von Speidel

Hartford Magazine writer and contributor, Krystian Von Speidel contacted me about six months ago about doing a feature on my home and my blog.  (You may recall Krystian as host of The Fanciest Tag Sale in Connecticut).  He'd come across my blog awhile ago and said he'd filed in the back of his head the idea of doing a story about Vivid Hue Home.  He envisioned a potential Valentine's day "tea party" setting where I set the table in preparation for a brunch with my girlfriends.  Of course, I was completely in love with this idea!  The result was this article, "Heather Grahling's Vivid Hues- A Popular Blog on Decorating." 

I never dreamed my fourteen dollar Target snake skin lamp could look so good in print!  Huge thanks to Mark Mirko, the photographer for this shoot, for making my home look so wonderful.  He really has skill in manipulating himself and his camera to identify the best way to portray his art and subjects.   

 

 ".....One of these inspirational bloggers lives just down the road in Farmington. In the (two) short years since launching her blog, Vivid Hue Home, Heather Moore Grahling has evolved from a wary observer of the remodel of her home into a savvy consumer and, by turns, decorator of sophisticated interiors. "

 

 

 

 "....My sister and I always grew up loving decorating and imagined ourselves opening a furniture store,” says Heather, who yearned for a creative outlet. “I thought a blog was the best way to apply my passion and showcase what I was doing in my house.”

So, Vivid Hue Home was born, and blogging became an ideal way to learn more about the marketplace.

“I became more familiar with luxury brands while researching them for my blog posts,” says Heather, who soon gained a national following on her blog, where readers can get Heather’s tips on everything from the right trim for a window treatment to family arts and crafts. Heather credits Erin Moser’s House of Turquoise as catapulting Vivid Hue Home’s readership after Heather’s sunroom was featured on Moser’s blog..."

 

"Of course, she’s always trying something new, updating her home’s décor, which she chronicles in an infectiously enthusiastic voice that has made Vivid Hue Home notorious among dedicated followers. Unafraid of manipulating a room whose decoration is “finished,” Heather encourages her readers to offer opinions on design aspects both completed and contemplated.

“Everything is a blog-able moment,” says Heather, which is something that Eric’s gotten more comfortable with over time."

 

Guestroom: Grahling participated in a One Room Challenge sponsored by the blog Calling It Home that documented the guestroom’s transformation over six weeks. The final result—Bohemian Chic meets Palm Beach Glam—allowed Vivid Hue Home readers an inside look into Grahling’s design philosophy. Turquoise nightstand from Parker Kennedy Living; headboard, Ballard Designs; brass crane from Blaze and Bloom; vintage bedspread from Antiques on Farmington; bed linens are Serena & Lily. The walls are painted in Sherwin Williams’ Loyal Blue and the ceiling features Tempaper turquoise wallpaper Grahling cut into strips.

 There are many more juicy details in the article itself.  Please visit here for the entire feature. 

 

I am over-the-moon thrilled to have had this opportunity.  Check back soon for additional details in the preparation involved for this photo shoot.  I will also share additional photos (of my own) that weren't shared in this article! 

 

If you are a new visitor to my blog and you like Vivid Hue Home, please follow me on one of my social media outlets to receive updates on future posts! 

ALL Photos in this post are courtesy of the Hartford Magazine.  All photography by Mark Mirko. 

 

 

Vivid Hue debuts in Print

I have exciting news to share!  I'm in print!  I'm being featured in the February 2014 Hartford Magazine! 

I have more to share about this, including a link to the actual feature when it becomes available! (and more photos)   I will also dish about the fabulous photo shoot that took place back in December to prepare for this.

In the meantime, you can check out more of my house under house tour and Vivid Hue Home projects here.   

Thank you to Krystian Von Speidel for this wonderfully written article and to Mark Mirko for the amazing photographs.  It was a pleasure to work with both of you (and what a terrific experience!) 

Cheers!
Heather | Vivid Hue Home

Chance to Attend CT Historical Society Home Tour Event!

Ya'll  remember my visit to the Fanciest Tag Sale in Connecticut?   Well it turns out if you're a Vivid Hue follower that lives in the Central Connecticut area, you have a chance to visit this mansion on Governor's row for a very special event next weekend, Oct 25th!  That's right, this is no joke.  You can find yourself here, at Greenhill, in the company of Krystian von Speidel and Nathan Frank...and not even be escorted out by the security! 

In conjunction with the Connecticut Historical Society, you are invited to attend this fabulous event next Friday, October 25th at 5:30pm to mingle with members of the Connecticut Historical Society, meet the new Executive Director of the Society; Jody Blankenship, and best of all...

View mid-century items from the Connecticut Historical Society collection and tour the home of Krystian and Nathan.  (Let you remind you that this home is uber fantastic.  It deserves to be in every home decor magazine imaginable but the fact that Krystian produces stories for many of these major publications may explain why Greenhill remains unpublished due to conflict of interest).  I'm telling you I was DROOLING.  There's gallery-worthy artwork and an umbrella stand styled with vintage walking canes.  If the bamboo bar cart, bamboo palm beach regency fan chair and easel were their "scraps" at the tag sale, you can imagine the eye candy in this place. 

Below is the invitation for this fabulous event and how you can attend.  Tickets are only $50 per person and this is sure to be an event worth talking about.  (Let me assure you that Krystian and Nathan throw one heck of a party). 

The RSVP states that you must reply by October 17th, but this date has been lifted. 

Please plan to attend if you're in the area.  The proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Historical Society (yes, it goes to a great cause). 

You'll love the drive through the neighborhood and you'll be sure to have a wonderful time at the event as you'll be hosted by the best hosts in town. 

RSVP by emailing rsvp@chs.org or calling 860-236-5621 x 238

 

 

Fanciest Tag Sale in CT

 Today, I went to the ultimate tag sale.  This is the fanciest tag sale I've ever been to. 
Krystian Von Speidel and Nathan Frank live in the exclusive West End of Hartford, Connecticut.  It's lined with tree covered streets and acres of mansions.  Known as "Governor's Row" because it's where the Governor's mansion is located.  Each estate is more eye dropping than the next.  So yes, the idea of attending a "tag sale" among this "riff Raf",  well...I somehow found it within myself to show up. 

Greenhill Estate, Home of Krystian Von Speidel and Nathan Frank

I tweeted @kvonspeidel to let him know I was around the corner and upon my arrival he greeted me, "Vivid Hue!  Would you like a glass of wine?"  How's THAT for a top notch host?  As I walked up the gravel pathway, two finely dressed gentlemen were leaving in Italian custom tailored suits, one was navy with a fabulous pink pastel tie.  I'm telling ya'll.  This was a dapper tag sale.    

This Palm Beach Peacock Chair greeted me.  I wanted desperately to take it home with me...but my house is starting to burst at the seams.  I didn't  know where I'd put it.  So I had to admire it from afar.  What a beauty. 

Krystian gave me a tour of Greenhill.  This is what he calls his estate.  Uh...hello, Veranda, Vogue, House Beautiful, where are you?  This place is magazine worthy!  Yes, my boy Krystian is in the industry but this space is ready to be photographed!  CT Home and Garden, New England Home, At Home, et, al.  Seriously, it's no wonder why there were so many drool-worthy items outside for sale...the inside of the house is filled with gems! 

I bought this fabulous bamboo magazine holder for my sun room.  And the below mid-century magazine holder caught my eye.  It was sitting on a fabulous table that had potential.   A bit of paint and refurbishment and this could be a stunner!

And the bamboo easel...MINE!  I spotted one in Kennebunkport and desperately wanted it, but they wanted too much money for it.  When I saw it today, I knew it was meant to be.

 

These little Dalmatians would have made great little character accessories on bookshelf or nightstand. 

And here are the boys...(Krystian isn't pictured) but Nathan is on the far right.  These boys were having a blast, bargaining like crazy, making a celebration out of the day and having a good ole fashioned time.  What a way to throw a tag sale! 

Tag Sale Hosts

And I've saved the best for last...I drooled when I saw this Bamboo Bar Cart!  Perfection!

And then, I spotted this SOLD sign  "Sold, Governor Malloy."  Yes.  Our Connecticut Governor.  And when I told Krystian that I was dying for that cart, he offered it right up to me.  (Apparently, Mr. Malloy was willing to part with it if a desperate patron came along...and well, that would be me).  But, really, I decided to be a great Connecticut citizen and let the good ole Governor have it.  I'm looking for a bar cart that's a bit more formal for my dining room.

And wouldn't these bar accessories be great too!??

Lastly, even though everyone in the Connecticut and New York surrounding area may already know Mr. Krystian Von Speidel, I wanted to show the rest of my readers how handsome he is. 



Via @KvonSpeidel




 

 I had a ball stopping in to this tag sale.  This crew threw one heck of a party, er...I mean sale!  They had the perfect items to draw the right crowd.  The location was amazeballs.  The day couldn't have been a more perfect fall day in Connecticut.  I'm thrilled with my magazine rack and easel. 


By the way, the Lamps.com giveaway is OVER and the winner will be announced on Monday! September 16th! 

 

 

@VerandaMag, @voguemagazine, , @housebeautiful, @CTCottageGarden,  @NEHomeMagazine