The Country Living Fair 2011-Vintage Fabrics and Natural Materials

Today's Post continues the series from The Country Living Fair 2011!  Some of the most interesting and beautiful items at the Fair this year were those made from vintage fabrics and  natural materials.  As you will see in this first image, there is nothing more luxurious than layers of tone on tone vintage fabrics and pillows.

This vignette has great impact, and notice the large container filled with bleached peacock feathers... one of my favorite elements for floral designs and one I used recently in an arrangement for a client!  There is nothing complicated about this beautiful combination, and in fact, its success lies within its simplicity.  If you are wanting to make your bedding more interesting and layered, but feel overwhelmed, then start with a solid coverlet in a "favorite" color and begin searching for throws, pillows, crocheted blankets etc. in different tones and textures of the same color.   You will be shocked at the beauty of all of the elements combined.


Some other interesting and fun creations from fabrics are shown below. These display the fun and whimsy that was also present in many spaces at the Fair.  Also, notice the great distressed, painted wood christmas trees in the background, these were very well done and different from anything I have seen before.

Notice the houndstooth black and white wreath!

There were some items that stood out to me that were made of burlap, wicker, and grapevine!  Take a look at them below...

These baskets would look great hung on a small section of wall that could normally be forgotten, such as a small wall in a laundry room or in between two doors in a hallway.  Imagine the wall covered in vintage, muted newsprint wallpaper and then the wall covered in all sizes of these baskets from top to bottom!

These burlap poinsettias were one of my favorite discoveries at the Fair.  I plan on ordering these for some creations, because there are so many different ways to use these.

And I loved this sweet display!  Who would have thought....a vintage baby carriage with some burlap and mums and voila!  Imagine this by your back door!  Very simple, natural materials can make quite a statement.

Well, I hope that you feel like you visited the Country Living Fair as well this year!  I have some more to share, including 2 of the "Best Displays" at the Fair,(in my opinion) and 2 artist features whose work will blow you away!  Stay tuned for these stories in the next few days!  Have a great weekend and ....create something!