Four Auctions in One Week

I've been to four auctions in seven days...Saturday night was a good truck load. My husband was with me that evening which is always a treat, a driver, good company and a man to load the truck at midnight.( he even washed the truck before we left!)

THE HIHO TRUCK

A lot of times,Auctions can disappoint you. I go with the list in my head and often nothing fits with the list. That's where visiting with friends, Humphrey, my sketch book, food and retail catalogs come into play. A few auctions have amazing homemade food. ( I'll have to do a blog on that.) You have to sit for at least four hours at Auction even if you only for one thing. There is always the item you never saw during preview and the item you previewed and changed your mind about. Oh yes, I bring gloves for cold nights, a wrap for my legs, cell phone for texting, my box and bubble wrap for transporting purchased smalls, my camera...well my big bag of stuff. Blankets to wrap furniture are always waiting in the truck. Why am I sharing all this information with you? Just in case you were under the impression that I've been living the high life out late on the town four nights this week. HaHa Ha.... The shop is really coming along, mostly because of all the new goodies bought a auction. Thank God for my truck and cushions on the metal chairs at auctions. Oh yeah, and Richard.

One Room at a Time

I continue reworking each of the rooms... I went with a book/library theme in the Hemingway area. Rich warm colors and of course lots of books.
At auction last night I was able to get a great barrel table and a few deep tone small items to help with the theme . Although the cougar or the bear skin rug that sold would have really given the room a Roosevelt feel....I resisted.

STUFFED COUGAR NEARLY FIVE FEET LONG

As usual an item sold before I took the photo of it...sorry. The item that sold so fast was a large clock I hung above the mantle. It gave the look of a gentleman's den to the room. I'm sure I'll get something else to put there before the week is out.

FOOT STOOL SOLD

THE HEMINGWAY ROOM WITHOUT A CLOCK OVER THE MANTLE

With all these books in the front of the shop, it might just put you in the mood to do some reading. Be sure to page through our loan library of decorator books.

The HiHo Brand

Brand is a style promise, a quality promise, it keeps us separate from the largest competitors. I don't know if we truly have competitors, but customers do have other choices. Making a clear picture of who we are and what we are selling, brands who we are in the customers mind. I'm not sure I can put my vision of the HiHo brand into words.... I know it's a mix of old and new, it's a feeling of comfort, it's affordable price points, it should inspire, evoke nostalgia and most often be utilitarian. My goal has always been to offer merchandise that gives our customers lots of options to express their own personal style in their home. I have all sorts of criteria for buying, some for auction, some for new goods, but mostly does it look like it belongs at HiHo? As the New York Show approaches and I prepare for my annual buying trip, I would love to hear what you think of when you think of HiHo, let me know.

CHANGES

While the shop is getting refreshed for the new year so is my blog! Notice the blog is now open for comments...and I'm sure to continue updates over the next few weeks.
I spent today doing the dreaded, take down the Christmas decor.( wish it was that easy) I am all too well aware that this is just the first of many, many days of packing greens, untangling lights, sucking up weeks of dust bunnies, struggling with Rubbermaid containers and running the stairs to the Christmas room. That being said, I reward myself by doing over rooms in new colors and themes, as each sheds it's holiday luster. Now I don't want you to run over right away thinking the shop is all fresh and new after only one day....however I'm very pleased to be able to tease you with the beginnings of things to come.

IN THE MAIN ROOM (HEADLINER) WE ARE GOING TO FEATURE BLACK AND WHITE, THE THEME IS... READ ALL ABOUT IT!

THE HOTHOUSE AREA FEATURES WARM GREEN HUES IN A SETTING PERFECT FOR WINTER ENTERTAINING

Well wish me luck as I continue on my quest for a refreshed shop. I know many of you are working at home to take back your living spaces from the holiday season and I applaud your efforts. I would like to leave you with one of my HiHo Hints...pizza boxes work wonderfully for ornament storage.

Missing Claudia Already

The new year is bitter sweet here at HiHo. A member of our family is leaving. Claudia is going to San Diego for the remainder of this winter season and through the spring. All is well, she is going on business and will be working in lots of sunshine. However we will miss her terribly. She promises to return to her HiHo family in July.

CLAUDIA AT THE FLEA MARKET

THIS PAST FALL

In her absence I will like to envision her hunting McCoy pottery at flea markets on the West Coast. I hope the time passes quickly. Love you!

Always Thinking

Well new ideas for themes in each of the rooms are running in my head around the clock now. I had my notebook out most of the day designing new floor plans and jotting down prop ideas. Claudia even spent part of the day preparing props for the Hemingway Room. I have always been a list maker, but when it comes to changing the shop around there can never be too many lists. I never move a piece of furniture without a complete plan for the move.... usually one move turns into five hundred moves, just ask Susan.
I'm very excited about the plans for the winter season. I believe we will be giving you a warm and cozy shopping experience, that will inspire you in your own home. I can't touch the shop till after the first of the year, that gives you a last chance to take in this years holiday decor, but about one week later expect changes. I will be sure to post pictures!

Always Grateful

I just want to express my gratitude to all that supported us by shopping at HiHo throughout the holiday season. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You! Despite the media and bad weather we had a great season...I'm glad to say we did just fine, thanks to you.

Photo credit to Aubrey, October 2008, Springtown Road, New Paltz, N.Y.