Month: February 2016

Carly Hardy
by

Carly Hardy

Atlanta-20111215-00157I get the pleasure of introducing you to Carly Hardy because she’s a very dear friend!  We met years ago in Atlanta – and when she moved to coastal Ga (Darien to be exact) I began visiting.  I fell in love with Carly’s art and our friendship!

Her marsh paintings speak to me on a level of contentment and serene marsh.  I love coastal Ga and Darien in particular.   I have a treasured marsh painting placed in the dining area of our home here in Birmingham.  It takes me immediately to salty marsh air – breezes through the reeds – and bliss.   Carly’s art is collected world wide!

P. Buckley Moss
by

P. Buckley Moss

asa fire drill

I first came across P. Buckley Moss at one of my estate sales (when I owned Peachtree Estate Sales in ATL).  This was a home in N. Atlanta – the lady of the house was from Connecticut.  The house had an upper East Coast feel.  She collected P. Buckley Moss – and she had  A LOT of her prints and a few original pieces.   I spent a lot of time in the home preparing for the upcoming sale.  The family members didn’t want much of what was in the home – so the home had a very lived in feel – as if the occupants had gone to the grocery store and were coming back at any moment – even though she had been gone for almost two years.  I’ve seen P Buckley Moss art off and on — but never on this scale.  I became very fond of many of the pieces.  And found myself sitting and smiling as I went over the extensive collection.  They are very peaceful works of art.

You can read about the artist >HERE<.     

Art is such a personal journey —  it’s interesting what you find pleasing and what moves you.  — Kimy Stewart

And the WINNER of the LITTLE FREE LIBRARY is?!!!
by

And the WINNER of the LITTLE FREE LIBRARY is?!!!

IMG_3262First of all — we had a BLAST at the Birmingham Home & Garden Show at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.   We felt VERY welcomed by all of Birmingham!  Moooowah!!  We met some incredible people!  Thank you all!

We built and gave away a lovely Little Free Library!  The WINNER of this magical creation is the precious COLE Family who live in Homewood.   If you want to find all the Little Free Libraries in your neck of the woods, go the world map on LittleFreeLibrary.org.  

Have a wonderful 2016 Alabama!  We’ll see you around town and next year at the Birmingham Home and Garden Show! Woot!

by

Sisal Rugs

12508733_10207369537908743_8954967296982996387_nI love the look and feel of sisal area rugs.  They remind me of summers and the beach.  Long-lasting natural material that gives any room that instant comfortable feel.

For more information : Sisal and just one of many online rug sources Sisal Rugs

A great way to purchase sisal rugs at a great discount would be at estate sales!

Sterling Silver – What to look for
by

Sterling Silver – What to look for

12508733_10207369537908743_8954967296982996387_nI have clients and customers who ‘think’ they come across sterling silver pieces, but alas—  it’s about half and half on the finds.  Recently, a client came across many pieces with an interesting story.  Someone in her family had been a naval officer (they are in their 90’s now I believe).

This particular naval officer had somehow come in possession of navy platters which appeared for all purposes to be sterling silver.  They had good weight, although very tarnished and not able to read the back, I began my research which first entailed cleaning the pieces.  This is always fun and interesting work (that was a joke by the way).  To take something that is so ugly in appearance, and then bringing it back to life is tremendously pleasing to say the least (that is fun actually –I’m a nerd….what can I say).

It turned out that the platters were NOT sterling, but very handsome pieces and had sentimental value.  At our estate sales, when we come across SS pieces, we tell you to take them to someone who buys gold/silver — you’ll get much more value for the pieces than I can sell them for an an estate sale.   On how to identify SS —View this video—-> HERE 

 

Here’s another link to identifying MARKS — Click HERE

 

Happy treasure hunting!

Lustres –
by

Lustres –

12508733_10207369537908743_8954967296982996387_nLUSTRES — These are wonderful additions to any home — especially if you enjoy vintage glass candle holders and throwing cool cocktail parties (I speak from experience he he he).

Ok. So.  Last night I sat in a dear friend and neighbors home to share in cocktails (yes it was after 5pm), nibbles and girl talk.  We are both experts in all of these three things.  On her mantle are two glorious LUSTRES.  photo (91) She also has a third milky green glass Lustres on her dining room table.  She began to tell me the story behind these wonderful creations —  I just LOVE the name Lustres.   These particular Lustres sat in her Aunt Elisabeth’s home (Elisabeth with an S because she’s special!) in Greensboro, Ga.  That’s located down by Lake Oconee.  The home was built in 1890.  A Victorian Farmhouse to be exact.  Grand, sprawling, with a large covered front porch.  In this home, my neighbor and her sister spent many summers with her cousin (Petula — don’t you love that name!  They call her Pet -).   They had Prom Parties  on the front porch –this is in the 1950’s meaning boys and girls wore their best, walked around the block in pairs then went back to the front porch.  What a wonderful image.  These Lustres sat on the mantle and were all through the house lit when they would arrive.

So — when you come across these fanciful glass candle holders at an estate sale/yard sale/garage sale you’ll know what they are.  Think about all the wonderful memories it has been lit for.  All the parties, holidays and cocktail gatherings.

Cheers! Happy collecting!

Portmeirion – Botanic Garden
by

Portmeirion – Botanic Garden

cbbe96a29a8eef2b29b93537c588dbd9Hi – My name is Kimy Stewart and I have a dish fetish.  I know…I know…. there could be worse things in life than a dish fetish.  So let’s just roll with it baby.  ::::::turning cartwheels:::::

One of my VERY favorite patterns is Portmeirion Botanic Garden.  Introduced in 1972 it’s a favorite of many.   The appeal of this patterns hits so many different levels of ‘like’ for me — let’s see.  They are colorful and interesting.  You’ll find insects and flowers all different from piece to piece.  A true British classic. They are whimsical and make me want to eat scones and crumpets immediately and talk like Queen Elizabeth all day.  They are the creation of Susan Williams-Ellis who used early 19th Century illustrations as inspiration for these delightful dishes.  She was born in Surrey England – a completely magical place I’m certain.

Now go make me some scones.

 

BIRMINGHAM ESTATE SALES says come by our booth at the Home & Garden Show!
by

BIRMINGHAM ESTATE SALES says come by our booth at the Home & Garden Show!

cbbe96a29a8eef2b29b93537c588dbd9You’ll have a chance to win some uber cool things!  FOR INSTANCE!!!

Birmingham Home & Garden Show Feb 18-21 2016

You’ll enter to win a Little Free Library!  Just magical I know!  We look forward to meeting you! Come on over to booth 634!  Woot!

We are just about to paint the one below —   pretty neat -o…..

 

BIRMINGHAM ESTATE SALES is in HOOVER for a ONE DAY SALE! Join us!
by

BIRMINGHAM ESTATE SALES is in HOOVER for a ONE DAY SALE! Join us!

vdayHappy Valentines Day Alabama! My heart is yours!

Join us for a ONE DAY SALE in Hoover!

<<<<<CLICK HERE FOR ALL PHOTOS>>>>>>>>

Sat Feb 20 2016

9-4pm – all MUST GO! 

1800 Pinehurst Lane

Hoover AL 35226

*This house is FOR SALE! Contact the agent (pic of card in the photos)

For our customers — please read below!

You know the drill.

_____________________________________________________

Please READ BELOW:

** ALL SALES ARE FINAL!***  It’s up to YOU to plug something in, try it out, etc.  This is not kindergarten friends. (Although I really did love kindergarten.  Just sayin’)

NO PRESALES over the PHONE unless OTHERWISE STATED:

HOW TO SHOP THIS SALE:

*Keep our sales orderly! Do not ‘dump’ items out of things, if you move something put it back!

BE RESPECTFUL to one another — it’s just ‘stuff’.  No need to be ugly or rude to another customer. If we feel you continue to have aggressive behavior or don’t use your ‘MANNERS’ we will ask you to leave.

All LARGE items are priced, and smaller ones of significant monetary value.  All smaller items are priced in a ‘group’ pricing.  Make a stack of all items at check out and we will give you a price on your group of items.  Happy Treasure Hunting! Woot Woot!

**Parking — Can only park on ONE side of the street ONLY!  Park on side of street that house is located on.  Do not block driveways or mailboxes please.  Thanks!

ALL SALES FINAL

NO CHECKS ACCEPTED – CASH OR CREDIT/DEBIT ONLY (3% added for all cards)

*Because of the many people who attend our sales, questions re: individual items are very hard to answer —- just come to the sale!

We accept CASH/CREDIT – Debit run as credit (add 3% on all cards)

Come prepared to take your items home SAME DAY.

For insurance purposes, staff members are not able to carry heavy/large items for you.

You must arrange for your own people to carry/load/deliver your items.

We price ‘to sell’ first day and throughout the length of the sale.

We have the ‘right’ to go through any bags you bring into the sale.

Birmingham Estate Sales is not responsible for accidents nor is the home owner. You enter at your own risk, and in doing this, we have no liability for injury or damage to your or any items on you.

**Children must remain with parents at ALL times. We will tag those small people, give them a puppy a double esspresso and send them on their way!

Bring bags/totes/boxes/newspapers for wrapping —  to help with your items.  We do not provide these.

If we SELL OUT of items before end of sale time, we will close the sale down early.

We APPRECIATE our customers – and thank you for coming to our estate sales!
Please note – owners may remove items that were originally to be part of the sale for whatever reason.  We apologize if this happens.  We know you come for certain items.  We try our best to make sure we are as accurate as possible with our photos and advertising.