Leftovers, Shabby Chic Texas Style

It wasn't the first time I had been there, but it still felt fresh, and fun.  I was visiting Leftovers in Brenham, Texas.  I love their casual, Country French style. 

In their words, 

Owners Ed Fulkerson and Michael Breddin shop extensively around the world to offer a unique mix of covetable items.  Savvy shoppers are invited to our awe-inspiring and ever-changing vast showroom. We represent a relaxed style and sophisticated charm to offer a memorable experience. 

Looking around the store, I could see that they love all things elegant, especially if they happen to be rusted or tarnished. I like to use the Texas French word for rust and tarnish, "PATINA", which according to  Dictionary.com means 

pat·i·na

–noun

1. a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.

2. a similar film or coloring appearing gradually on some other substance.

3. a surface calcification of implements, usually indicating great age.

Origin: 1740–50; < Italian: coating < Latin: pan. See paten

When I think patina, I think of beautiful old things that show their age in a slighter tattered fashion.  And that describes Leftovers.  If you are one of those people that only likes perfect, new items, this isn't the place for you.  But if you enjoy the look of a well-loved, well-used thing of beauty, then "Come on in!"

Here you will encounter linen mixed with burlap and feedsacks

Old tarnished silver, ironstone, and English Transferware displayed beautifully with rusted wrought iron and and old pine tables.  

Even old wine bottles take on an artistic, sculptural quality here.

And the bed linens are heavenly, in a fluffy, dreamy sort of way.

They also have loads of ironstone.  (Caroline, I feel a road trip coming on.)

I spoke with someone who works here, and she told me how her attitude about old things has changed.  Working there, has made her much more relaxed about keeping all the silver polished.  (I like that!!)  And she said that just because something isn't perfect or pristine any more, doesn't mean you have to throw it away.  That becomes obvious as you take a look around the place.

Leftovers even had some old plates that had been repaired (probably LONG ago) with what looked like iron staples.  The front just showed some hairline cracks, but the back was covered in rusted staples.  The plates were displayed backwards (with the front facing the wall) so that you could see the repair job in all its glory.  What an interesting display idea.  I didn't get a picture, but now I wish I had.

Rachel Ashwell was there recently for a book signing, and they still have autographed copies of her book, Shabby Chic.



FYI, If you follow Cote de Texas blog (and I highly recommend that you do) you might be aware that Rachel has just bought a ranch near Round Top, Click here.

And speaking of Texas, I just love it when I see elegant French pieces mixed with a little bit of Texas.  Here are some fun shutters I found. 



They also had shelves and shelves of glassware and dishes, dishes, dishes.   Be still my heart!



I love bringing the garden into the home, and they had lots of wonderful garden pieces you could use indoors or out.  



What a visual feast!  It's a lovely store, where I met some wonderful people.  They really are very friendly here.  I made a small purchase, an ironstone cream pitcher that was calling out to me.  Here is it, below.

And you know how THIS story goes.  One little purchase makes all your old stuff look dated, and out of place.  So here is my BEFORE picture.

After I added the new cream pitcher, I decided I needed to start over.  I was thinking of Caroline's shelf.  (Insert Cartoon Dream bubble here.)

I was wondering how I could recreate this look with my new pitcher.  I was at the ranch now, far from shopping, so I had to use just what I had on hand.  It reminded me of a cooking show, I used to watch, where the chefs were given three fresh ingredients and asked to create a dish, but the only other ingredients they were allowed to use were typical pantry items.  That pretty much summed up where I was, and this is what I came up with. 



The middle top bowl I had bought at Target to use as a water bowl for the dog.  (Don't judge me!!  You wouldn't have known if I hadn't told you!!)

Not bad for a throw-together, but I can now see that I need a few little ironstone pieces to spruce this up.  I'll show you the results when I get the new things.  Meanwhile, I think I will do a post on how and where to sell your old stuff.  I think I could really use that, since I now have several things I will be getting rid of selling to lucky people. 

Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I Corinthians 5:8