american pickers - nashville style

When I took my trip to Nashville earlier this year, I made it a point to see the newly opened Antique Archaeology store owned by Frank and Mike of the TV show fame "American Pickers" on the History Channel. 

Last time I did a post on American Pickers, many of you commented you were not sure who they were, or had not seen the show...so let me give you a quick synopsis of Frank and Mike and what they do. 

Two guys. From small town Iowa. They travel around the country looking for what they call 'rusty gold'. Forgotten, cool old things they find by randomly (and sometimes not so randomly) stopping at houses and farms and buying the items from the owners. They sell these things to private collectors, online and in their shops, both in Iowa and now Nashville. This all started because Mike was posting videos of their 'picking adventures' on You-Tube years ago. Fast forward to today...and they have a hit TV show on the History channel. 

Boom. There you have it.

Amazing, isn't it??

My sister happens to live near them in Iowa...and I had a technician at my home last week trying to fix an internet problem, and somehow we got on the subject of the show and it turned out he was very good friends with Mike. They have known each other for many years, apparently they used to be in bike racing competitions together. (that explains Mike's love for bicycles that comes out on just about every episode!) Small world, no?? That conversation reminded me I had never posted the pics from there new store in Nashville...so here we are! 

It was dusk in early March when we were there, so I apologize my pics are a little dark. The building they are in just so awesome, I had to show you at least part of it! 

It is a huge industrial warehouse right off the freeway that runs through Nashville. It is an old motorcycle factory. Again, very fitting for these two since they constantly talk about their love for old motorcycles. This was a match made in heaven when they were looking for shop space in the Nashville area!

The moment I walked in the front door, you notice so many things for sale they have 'picked' on the show. I remember this red arrow from a very early episode....looooove it!

And the giant pig head?? How can you forget Frank putting that on and doing a little dance?

Signs...signs...everywhere a sign. They had some really cool ones!

I loved the 'feel' to the store. Exposed brick, wood floors, and I am a girl that loves an exposed beam ceiling, I tell ya! I was smitten with the 'industrial' feel their shop has. 

See the large sign of the woman in a swimsuit??...it was soooo pretty in person! The background was a faded, pale light blue and she was water-skiing. I remember that one from the show and fell in love with it  then, I so wanted to take it home. Wouldn't it be fabulous in a beach house?? I think it might have advertised a beach...super cool. I loved it.  

They had quite a few little cabinets with drawers...

But this one stopped me in my tracks. HUGE. Aqua. Chippy. 72 drawers. 

72 DRAWERS!!!!

{wow...}

{sigh...}

This was up by the checkout. That large sign against the back wall that says ENTRANCE WELCOME TO GILLEY'S...that was from the episode when they visited old-school country singer Mickey Gilley's house. He used to own a 'roadhouse' that was very famous, called Gilleys in Texas. This was the sign off the building. Super cool. 

But even more than the history of that huge sign, I loved the photo booth. And yes, it works!! 

Again, loved it. 

If you are ever in Nashville, the shop is so worth a visit. Honestly, there really wasn't anything I could buy. The prices were very high. I talked to the manager of the store for quite a while. She told me if anything comes in that is under $500 it is gone pretty much the same day. The rest are high dollar items, I would imagine they keep it that way for display purposed. It was fun to recognize things from the show, and remember where they came from. 

They have live music on the weekends...and have a lot of t-shirts for sale! Oh. and if you ask, they have a pre-printed list behind the counter they will give you, outlining the best antique shops to visit in the Nashville area. 

I am curious, has anyone else been to their shop...either in Iowa or Tennessee? I would love to know what you thought!

EAT...

I was just doing one of my fa-vo-rite things in the whole-wide world...crusising around Pinterest...and I found this. 

And I loved it. 

So I had to show you. 

(via my Pinterest board 'to create')

I think I just found some new inspiration for all that barn wood I have in the loft at my warehouse.

Ahhhhh.....I love you, Pinterest. 

looking for a new home...

Looking for a new, loving home...

one beautiful, brand new...Ralph Lauren quilt.

King Size...Maybrook pattern. 

Soft blues, white and pink.

{Perfect farmhouse style}

For some reason I took it out of the package, but never unfolded and it has never been used.

I love this pattern and colors so much...but the room I planned on using this in went a different direction the moment I found an antique dresser with chippy old paint that I just couldn't resist. I thought someone out in blog land would like to like to have the chance to own this one, as I think it is a discontinued pattern.

$80 includes shipping (within the continental US) if anyone would would like it!

{the quilt has been SOLD...a big thank you to all that responded! I will be posting more things in the next few days!}

Just drop me an email at urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com.

Today is the hub's birthday so we are off to celebrate! I have a fun day planned for him...but first I have a peanut butter cake to make. The hubs looooves peanut butter, so I hope it turns out yummy!

late to the party...Nada Barn Sale pics!

Ok, I am coming WAY late to the party showing my photos from the Nada Barn sale! I have seen so many wonderful photos on other blogs highlighting the sale, and well...I just didn't feel right not giving a shout out to the girls I shared my space with and to the always gracious Anne Marie for sharing her beautiful beautiful farm with us!

I should have posted these photos a week ago, but literally within minutes of running in the door after the sale was over I had to jump in the car and make a 12-hour drive to Oklahoma for my nephew's graduation. I am finally home, trying to get back to 'reality' again. 

{sigh...}

Does either setting really need words?

Everything was beautiful front he inside...to the outside. 

This farm girl felt right at home. 

I had the pleasure of sharing a space inside the barn with 4 bloggers that are such great friends! Our space was huge, and PACKED. I think if we added one more thing, no one would have been able to even get in our booth. But it was awesome! I laughed all weekend. I just love these girls. 

Stacey from A Sort of Fairytale

Susan from Maple & Magnolia

Anne & Julie from Tattered Tiques

I never, ever post photos of myself...{cringe...} I will let you guess which one I am in this photo. Not so anonymous with that shirt on, am I? {hee...hee!}

(a big thank you to Jen Rizzo for this photo!)

Stacey made the cutest pillows...I had to request a custom order for one that says "farmgirl"...

Indeed it was a happy day!!

I am noticing a pattern here...why do my signs always seem to involve food or eating??

Isn't the wagon just calling to be parked under a tree full of flowers?? I cannot believe no one took it home...so I am bringing it to the Kane County Flea this weekend! I hope someone there will give it a loving new home!

My beloved bistro chairs. I loved them so.

But I had to let them go. 

Heavy metal frames. Wood seats. And the BEST old & chippy white paint. 

{sigh...}

I miss them. But I know they went to a good home.

I wish I could have left the booth so I could get more photos of the other vendors and their spaces. It was like a tidal wave of people right at opening, so I had to just snap some quick pics in our space but there were so many other awesome vendors, too!

The next show is in October....so hope to see you there!

Until then...you can find us selling our wares online or through Tattered Tiques in Lake Barrington, IL!

Oh yes, and I will be selling at the Kane County Flea Market this weekend! The weather is going to be AWESOME so hope to see some of you there!

who is coming out to shop Nada???

I have been such an 'absent blogger' lately. 

Busy doesn't even begin to describe how I have been feeling. I went straight from the Kane County Flea two weekends ago to having contractors at my house every day working on the exterior. I will have to get you up to speed on what has been done around here. I am soooo excited with the changes. New roof...soffits, gutters and siding in the peaks above my painted brick.

{sigh...} I love change. 

So anyway...between all of the stuff going on at home and getting things ready for this FABULOUS show...

which is TOMORROW...and SATURDAY, too!

Need info on where to find it?? Check out Anne Marie's site here for the scoop. 

I am really, truly hoping to snap some pics as I am loading the truck later today. I admit, I have good intentions and then it doesn't always happen but I am going to do my best!!

BUT...JUST IN CASE I DON'T GET THEM UP TONIGHT...there are two ways you can follow along and get a sneak peek at our booth and our goods at the show!

You can follow along of my Facebook page here...or Twitter here. 

I will be posting as we set up! Check in to get a sneak peek at what we have so you can make a mad dash as soon as the gates open! I have a HUGE pile to load tonight...antique chandis, painted signs, cool furniture, white ironstone, old wood cubby drawers...farm finds....just about one of everything you can think of!

Hope to see you there tomorrow! 

finally! pics from the flea!

Ok, so I think I was going to post these photos last week...but as usual I had a million things going on and  it just never happened. I had contractors here all week working on the exterior of my house. YAY!!

The flea market last weekend was...well...interesting. Saturday rocked! We saw so many people, and sold our usual amount for a Saturday. But then Sunday rolled around, and some wicked weather came with it. Oh yeah, it was super fun -  thunder and lightening and some of the hardest rain I have seen in a while. Not exactly my favorite way to start off the flea market season. 

I snapped a few pics when I could. I just took them quick with my little point and shoot, so they are not the best...but I can at least show you some of my usual 'goods'. 

If I had a thousand of these tall cabinets at the show, I swear I could have sold every one! It was by far the  'most wanted' for the weekend. It is an old art deco vanity that I took apart and modified so I could stack it and make a tall cabinet. I have one similar to this coming to the Nada Barn Sale this weekend, too. 

Dressers with mirrors are always a hit...so perfect for a little girl's room!

I had a HUGE queen headboard, too...it is super tall and ornate. Just a cool piece for a bedroom. 

12 drawers...can you believe 12 drawers?? I don't think in 12 years of doing this I have ever had a piece with 12 drawers. Let's say the number 12 one more time, shall we?? 

Twelve. Frenchy. Curvy. Beautiful. Drawers. 

I had a few twin beds, gray and white dressers, nightstands and mirrors. (By the time I took this pic all the large frames had been picked off my back wall but I will bring more next month, I promise!)

This bench will be at the Nada Farm sale this weekend!

And just so you know, this is the heaviest dining room table I have ever, ever painted. Solid oak. Heavy.  Love those curvy legs. 

Next stop - NADA FARM SALE!!!! 

Anyone out there coming to shop?? I am SUPER excited to just have a fun weekend! The weather is going to be beautiful!

I will be working on getting everything ready this week. I hope I can squeeze in a few preview pics so those of you that are coming can get a little peek into what I am bringing! Today I have 200+ pieces of English ironstone to price today! That is...if I can part with them. 

{wink...}

Ok, I better get busy! I have a full day - and my contractors are coming back! Today is siding, soffit and gutter day! Who knew new gutters could make a girl so happy!

today...

Whew! What a looooong couple of weeks it has been! 

I know I haven't posted much lately. I was spinning in circles getting ready for my first show at the Kane County Flea. I had about 6214 pieces of furniture to paint (or so it seemed) and I gave myself about 2 1/2 weeks to get it done. Needless to say, they were some loooong days and blogging just wasn't happening for me!

But the show has come and gone and now I am in 'recovery' mode. 

The hubs is taking me to Chicago today to do a little shopping. We are going to hit all my favorite spots and have lunch at one of our favorite places. A little day spending time together for our Anniversary that was lost in the shuffle of the 'show weekend'. We spent out Anniversary loading furniture into big trucks for the show. Am I just full of fun, or what?

13 of the very best years of my life have been spent with this awesome man, so I figure we should squeeze one day doing something other than work, right?

13 years. Geesh. 

Where does the time go?? I don't feel old enough to have been married for 13 years!

(via my Pinterest boards. If you knew us, you would soooo get it.)

I'll be back tomorrow with some pics from the show. 

Happy Tuesday, girls!