Our Antiquing Roadtrip North on I81

Antiquing roadtrip I81 - Chadds Ford - Brandywine River Antiques Market

Loading up your 76 year old mother and 19 month old toddler in an SUV and a trailer to hit the interstate antiquing sounds cuckoo, no? 9 tote boxes… 5 pieces of luggage… 4 rolls of bubble wrap… 2 ice chests… and 1 stroller later we made it through: 19+ hours of driving… 14 antique…

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Mushrooms & Oak Leaves: A Fall Mantel Garland

A close up view of the fall mantel garland made from oak leaves, bittersweet, magnolia, brown and white gingham ribbon, and glittered fern

Explore my autumn mantel decorated with golden oak leaves, bittersweet, glittered fern, velvet mushrooms, and one regal pheasant for a stunning fall mantel garland. Come trip along the oak leaves, Gathering glittering fern, And spring from cap to cap, Where field meets forest and the pheasants roam into the verge. Oh…me and my mushroom mantel…

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My Hello Fall Dinner Table

A so long summer, hello fall dinner table with copper, transferware, wildflowers, vintage glass, and Royal Tettau china.

Set your dinner table for fall with warm tones, glowing copper, vintage china, and whimsical decor. Don’t miss the fall menu at the end! I’ve been thinking about this tablescape as my “so long summer, hello fall” table, and around here September has been a lovely blend of both: waning temperatures, warm light, cool breezes,…

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The Fall Staples I’m Adding to My Wardrobe

Katherine in Scuba blazer, silk tank, and Bella jeans from Quince - fall staples

The fashion styles and brands I’m loving for fall! *Post contains affiliate links and gifted product.* There is just something necessary about buying new clothes in the fall. Every year growing up at the end of August or first of September my dad or aunt would take me back to school shopping, and it was…

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The Antique Collector’s Resource Library

Stacks of resource books for collecting antiques

You don’t have know everything about antiques and vintage curios, but you should know where to look for the answers! Whether you’ve spent years developing your knowledge base about decorative arts through formal education or you are new to the field, every collector and seller needs a group of resources to turn to when they…

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The Antique Collector’s Tool Kit

The antique collector's tool kit - magnifying loupe over engraving

Just 4 little things are essential to help you authenticate vintage and antiques! Sometimes our senses are not adequate to determine what a curio is, its date, or what it is made of, so we need the right tools to use when examining it. I recommend keeping a tool kit with you when you go…

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An Eye for the Good Stuff

Auction preview at Case Antiques

Tips to develop your eye to find quality antiques and vintage amongst the topsy-turvy hoard in thrifts, consignments, and estate sales! This can be such a frustrating maxim that experts in the antiques field throw out like confetti. As frustrating as it may be to hear when you start out collecting or selling antiques that…

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Nightstand Swap & Round-Up

Green and blue master bedroom with white nightstand

Check out my new nightstands in the master bedroom + I’m sharing a round-up of affordable nightstands! Nightstand Swap & Decorating Tip Ummmm….ick! Yep, that was my initial reaction to the new nightstands I put in our master bedroom. At first I was not happy with the swap. The description said “antique white” so I…

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2025 Summer Reading List

Katherine reading in bed - 2025 Summer Reading List

15 books to help you while away a summer afternoon from mysteries and romance to new parenting philosophies and historical deep dives! There is nothing I enjoy more than reading for some quiet “me” time. Getting lost in a good book is my ideal relaxation activity. I usually have more than one book going at…

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Setting the Table for Independence Day

A red, white, and blue floral tablescape for Independence Day. Set with Sarah Flint placemats, Wedgwood Queen's Ware, Mottahedeh blue lace, bamboo flatware, hydrangea, and flags.

Are you ready for some fireworks, BBQ, watermelon, and all the red, white, and blue? I sure am! It also feels like a particularly poignant moment to revisit and reflect on our nation’s founding. While it is our nation’s 249th birthday, marking the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted, it is not the 249th…

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