When I was in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago, you know the one thing I wanted to do! Of course I wanted to go poking thru antique shops. In Brainerd our gracious hostess took us to a wonderful consignment shop filled with regional treasures. Design and Consign. Swedish Cabinets, snow shoes, hide rugs and a carousel horse. Of course there were tons of things I would have loved to bring home, but I was on a mission.

My goal for this trip was to come home with an antique oil painting, something different from everything else I had, and something I could potentially use in a couple different locations. Though this wonderful shop had so many things, I didn’t find the dream painting. I did find a fabulous wool flat weave rug for my sister’s living room. At 10×14 it would fill her room nicely and ground her seating area. It took 4 of us to get it into M’s car and then we had to make the transfer to my car. Luckily the flat weave made it easier to fold. Otherwise we may have not gotten everything home. This is why I love road trips!!!

Stepping through this time capsule, I spied snow shoes I would have loved to have. Old with a nice patina they were over my price range and I didn’t know where they would land, so I unfortunately had to leave them behind. Nostalgic, I remember my grandpa’s snow shoes always hanging on the basement wall.

The Swedish Cabinets were a feast for the eyes. To see so many in one place was such a treat. Big, small, a cabinet where they had reversed the doors, so when the doors are open you could still see the beautiful hand painting.

I loved the bird cages. This one was exceptional. So much can be done with a birdcage besides a place to keep your bird! The sculptural aspect of them is exceptional and filled with a plant and a few antique books a small brass candlestick can do wonders in a birdcage.

This one I would probably leave alone and let its architecture speak the music.

The carousel horse was a show stopper. Huge, it seemed so much bigger than a normal carousel horse. Now that I think about it I’m not sure it had a hole for a pole. I think I just made that assumption! I envisioned it in a large sun room or green house with brick floors, herringbone of course, lots of beams, and a leaded glass bay window behind it. Floor to ceiling of course. Palms on either side! Can you see it? Oh, to have the endless funds to create on a whim!!! That’s what imagination is for. In your dreams!!!!!

Well that was just our first day. When we were done with our few days of relaxation we were off to the big city. Minneapolis here we come.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley