Patina General

What's Up, and A New Blogsite

Yep, we've been a little MIA lately on this old blogsite, for many different reasons. Life after PG is moving forward, which we knew it would around this time.

More Fall Decorating... at "R" House

I love decorating with "JUNK" all year round, but fall, rusty metal, and primitive wood just seem to go hand in hand.

Fall... It's Coming To "R" Home

Labor Day weekend is behind us, the kids are back to school, and the fall festivities have begun. Have you started your fall decorating?

Cameras: Some Things Old, Something New

I went to National Camera's annual tent sale last week in search of an SLR camera. I've blogged for 6 years now with a point and shoot Canon, and it's served me well, but the beautifully, clear images I'm seeing all over the internet made this vintage-paced lady decide I can't put the learning curve off any longer.

The Month of May: Always a Blur!

Getting to Memorial Day weekend feels like an accomplishment. The month of May is chocked full of end of the year concerts, recitals, tournaments, class parties, etc. etc. Plus the beginning of the year yardwork, getting the garden started, and filling those pots with pretty flowers. As I look back through my May pictures since we opened Patina General, I realized that in addition to all this (and spring junking), every year I had something else big going on...

Goodbye, Patina General in Bufflalo

The sun has set on Patina General in Buffalo. We had a great weekend of clearing out, and customers had fun with the rock bottom prices. It was kind of different being at the other end of "making piles". A lot of dealers and other customers went home with great projects, whether it was our backdrop fabrics and trims for children's clothes in Africa, or furniture and hardware in the rough that will be get repurposed and sold.

Sentimental Journey

These past few days have reminded me that this business is not about the junk...it's about the people. The junk will come and go, and the pretty will be made and then ripped apart and remade, but the relationships we've made will endure...and that's what we're celebrating.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

It was 6 years ago this coming Mother's Day that Cheryl and I, with our husbands, first looked inside this corner building in Buffalo. We had been selling in other people's stores for three years, and before that, had held 6 outside home sales. We knew it was sink or swim time for our junk business. We either had to take the leap and start our own store, or light a match.

Vintage Umbrellas...for April Showers!

We've had a week of April showers here in Minnesota! The fountains and birdbaths are overflowing, the ravine that wraps our property is rushing, and the worms are taking over the driveway! Glad I've got my mini collection of vintage umbrellas handy by the door...I've used them a lot this week!

Making a King Size Bedspread... From Two Full Size

My love for vintage linens kept me from caving to the idea of upgrading to a king size bed.