Barn House 2009 Flea Market - The Lineup...

"You know, every now and then I think you might like to hear something from us...nice & easy. BUT there's just one thing, you see. We NEVER-EVER do nothin' Nice & Easy...we always do it Nice & and Rough!" ;o)

It would be very hard for me to say we started our season "nice and easy." Especially considering it was our best, yet most difficult "production" to date...including all of the theatrics/drama leading up to the opening. But guess what?!?!? Our BIGGEST venture just is right around the corner!!! Over TWENTY of THE BEST collectors/designers/artists/friends inside and outside of The Barn. And how could we not include The Barn House Layering Effect (Bake Off, Cook Off and tent decorating contest for some friends/family/dealers that are staying with us (15+), The Barn People Pre & After Party, etc). And there's more....

So of course we have been adding more layers...building picket fences, building a new structure for The Boys of BH, landscaping new territories, cleaning up all of the trifling chaos in The Barn, taming a wild baby goat and 3 new kittens, ETC, ETC, ETC. Stuff is getting done, but it's going to be a mad dash to the finish line (to say the least).


We are soooo excited to announce our lineup for The 2009 Barn House Flea Market. I can't say enough about how special these folks are to us...
Tarte (aka The Queen of Tarte, The King of Tarte and The Barn People)
Sparrow (Natalie - aka worse than us for not updating her blog)
Little Cottage (Sylvi)
Aunties (aka Auntie Joy - A Day in the Life)
Worthy Goods (Laurie & Debbie)
Little Byrd (Rebekah)
Calamity Jane's Antiques (aka Joyce from Monticello Antique Marketplace)
Lynne Gunderson (no blog having person)
The Withies (Julie)
2nd Childhood Girlfriends (Corrine & Karen) no blog having people)
Molly Mo's (Diane)
Aleta (Aleta & Bill)
Luluz (Lulu aka Linda)
Julie & Jeff Brough (no blog having people)

And new to Barn House as dealers...
Tickled Pink (Isabel & Lisa aka Maison Douce and A Thing for Roses)
June Bug (Gladys & Celia)
Katherine & Carrie (aka Katherine's Folie and Bertha)
Retreat (Deb & Bob Kennedy)
Ormolulu (Debi)
Bella Shabby (Sue & Joe)
Terri Bayer (no blog having person--BUT, Auntie Joy's beautiful sister)
Duchess (JoDee & Kat -- aka no blog having people)

The Barn is already humming with activity...Natalie, Julie, Joyce and Corrine have already starting bringing a few of their treasures...here is what we have been up to this weekend...






The rush is upon us...stay tuned for more sneak peaks and SPECIAL DIRECTIONS (there is a road closure nearby on Ward so you will NEED new directions--even if you have been here several times).

For pix of last year's Flea Mkt, check out our posts here and here.

And we're rollin'...rollin'...rollin' on a river...See you soon!!!

J & J

P.S. -- The Boys are trying to find time to rehearse our rendition of Tina & Ike's Proud Mary for The Flea...The Barn House Layering Effect at its finest. The BIG BATTLE now is who gets to be Tina. LOL ;o)

Why we haven't blogged?

I am embarrassed by how long it has been since our last post. Then, as the weeks have gone by, the shame has set in. And on top of that, the magnitude of the stress related to our Flea Market (July 18th) preparations has crippled me...resulting in severe case of blog neglect (not to mention how long it's taken us to return phone calls, e-mails and blog comments). There is so much to share on our opening, our Barn People Party in Spokane (and goodness this party was something else--and will be certainly be getting it's own post), and what has transpired here on our little farm over the past couple of months. Yes, this may sound a bit dramatic...but The Barn House Layering Effect is in high gear!!! I need to share this in small, very manageable portions to prevent an anxiety attack...so bare with me over the next week or so as I try to get you caught up. ;o)

OK...so when one old barn collapses, most sane people would would take on this task right before their next show...



In addition to that, most people would layer on some new animals to take care of in all of the free time they have, right?? Animals that need love, attention, care and THE BIGGEST SH*T IN THE WORLD to be shoveled out of the barn...right???


Along with some other cuties who need special loving or they just might SPIT on you...

And our newest babies who just make our hearts ache...


Did I mention we have several acres to try to keep up with in this crazy growing spell?? We made a promise to ourselves to also spend a little time enjoying the pockets of magic here on our little farm..."Enjoy the Journey!" is how the saying goes around here...




And on top of it all, EVERY SANE person in the midst of all this complete madness would be planning their BIGGEST, MOST COMPLEX show to date, right???

Over 20 of THE BEST Collectors/Designers/Artists in the NW (way more than we have ever had), a fancy Magazine shoot with a very beautiful and fancy Magazine Photographer, a BH Family Bake-Off Competition, a BH Family Cook-Off Competition, a BH Family Camp out / Tent Decorating Contest, The Queen and an Elephant (?), another Barn People Party is bound to happen, and much more! The Barn House Layering Effect is out of control...WE NEED AN INTERVENTION (note this as our official cry for help!)...

Check back soon (and I promise soon) for a complete listing of our featured guests and more of the madness that is upon us...

J & J
Barn House

P.S. - Thank you for all of your kind comments and e-mails!! AND thank you to the few folks I asked to send some positive blog energy my way so I could FINALLY post something new. IT WORKED! :o) Much Love...we will be back soon...

The Farm Chicks - Absolute Perfection!!!

It was our first time at the show, but we can certainly see why people travel from all over the world for The Farm Chicks!!! The show was absolutely incredible, to say the least. Terri and Serena were everything you could imagine them to be...and even more beautiful in person than the lovely pictures in their books/blog/website. We can't imagine how they have managed to pick 139 of the most creative, wonderful and inspiring vendors this side of the Mississippi. It was such an honor to be a part of this show. It was almost TOO MUCH to handle! Thank you Terri and Serena for inviting us!!! :o)











OK..we are completely exhausted from all of the fun we had (like everyone seems to be)...so I will have to share more pix (we have tons) and tell you about our Caravan to/from Spokane with The King and Queen, the Caravan Walkie-Talkie nightmare for Cindy (trucker-talk b/t the boys...poor Cindy), show set-up drama and...THE BARN PEOPLE PARTY (BH, Tarte and Chaps) we hosted for 150+ of our closest friends/family/customers. Yes, we are out of control!!!! And it's why I absolutely must get some hammock time today--we had waaaaaaaaaay too much fun @ The Farm Chicks!!


More to come...

J & J
Barn House
The Barn People
The Boys of Barn House
After-Party Specialists

The Boys of BH - On our way to Farm Chicks!!!

Sorry we have been MIA the past few weeks. Please forgive me, but I am waaaaay behind on blogging--it's awful, I know. The past couple of months have been a whirlwind of activity!! After our Season Opening, we had two of our very dearest/closest friends in the entire world here from New Mexico for over a week (Brenda and Roseanne). We just had to get that vegetable garden planted. We have been tending to our new (very high maintenance) children. We have been spending HOURS AND HOURS filling countless water containers for those stinky/messy/mud-loving ducks (who can't seem to remember all the love they received living in our warm living room as tots--heavy sigh). We also spent a couple of days lolly gagging in The Land of Tarte. But really have been spending most of our time preparing for what is the most anticipated show West of the Mississippi -- The Farm Chicks!!! We have been SOOOOOO excited about doing this show for over a year. We couldn't make it last year, but planned our 2009 calendar so we could be a part of this show. So, in true Barn House Style, we decided to layer on a couple of HUGE projects (in addition to everything else going on). #1 Now that we think we are carpenters, we decided to build a little something for the show. #2 Is something extremely close to our hearts planned especially some friends of The Barn People who will be at the show (more to come). Now I know I still have to share the behind the scenes d-r-a-m-a before and during our opening...and I promise to do so (I really promise and have been practicing my "monologue")!! BUT, it's almost 1:00 am and I have to get up at 5 am to get ready (we still haven't packed our clothes to meet the other Barn People -- The Queen and King of Tarte -- for our little caravan to Spokane. The team that is late at our meeting place loses a terrible-terrible-TERRIBLE bet and will certainly be humiliated in front of a LOT of people this weekend. So, with that, I must be a good boy and get some ZZZs so I can wake up. But, we will leave you with a few pix of what we have been up to on our Little farm. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE FARM CHICKS SHOW THIS WEEKEND!!! If you are going, please stop by our space and say hello!

J & J
Joe and Jermonne
The Boys of Barn House
Barn People
Prisoners of "The Ducks"






***sorry for any grammatical/spelling mistakes...ain't had much sleep in weeks!!!

Off to The Land of Tarte...

We are off to one of our favorite places...The Land of Tarte!!! The Queen and The Twins (Donna & Diana - Annie, Fannie & Abigail) have again created something magical, beautiful and special. The Boys of BH will be there shopping and lolly gagging. We hope you can join us for a lovely adventure in The Land of Tarte! These are a few pix we took from their show in April...






Oh, and don't think I have forgotten about dishing "The Dirt" on the behind the scene drama before our opening. It's coming! There is also some other news we can't wait to share about the new additions to our little familia...we are a bit out of control!!! HEE HAW!!!!!!

The Boys

Barn House 2009 Season Opening - The Love!

The preparation for our 2nd Season Opening was certainly the most difficult of any show we have EVER done. To say the stress was intense would be an understatement. But even in the most challenging times, an undercurrent of love was at the core of the experience. "Enjoy the journey! Yes, we MUST enjoy the journey!" Without a doubt, the journey was worth the end result. "Love, Friendship & Family" was the theme of the day and it was so dense in the air, you could cut it with a knife. There is something amazing about this community we have stumbled upon in the Pacific NW. So far away from our own families, we have been embraced in ways we could have never imagined by so many wonderful people here. It is absolutely AMAZING! We feel very honored and privileged to call so many of you friends and family. Thank you for taking us in...

As most of you know, this show couldn't have happened with the talent and hard work of many, many folks, aka The BH Family. We had almost TWENTY people working hard before and during the show to pull this all off!! The Boys of BH must first thank our dealers & friends for all of their hard work and dedication: Natalie (Sparrow), Slyvi (Little Cottage), Cindy (Tarte), Debbie & Laurie (Worthy Goods), Julie (The Withies) and new to the BH familia is Leah (Art by Leah -- weren't her paintings beautiful??).

And then there were all of the additional Friends/BH Angels that ran around like crazies with the rest of us - Diana & Donna (Annie, Fannie & Abigail), Rebekah (Little Byrd), Robin (Bird Tweets), Kathy (Katherine's Folie) and her lovely sister Carrie (aka, "Bertha"--lol), Florence (Essences of the Past) and our 4 Road Warrior Parking Gents (Patrick's Parking Crew). Oh...and I MUST thank Sylvi's husband Wade for coming through on all the extra lighting for us (we owe you big!). The only person not able to make it was The King of Tarte...we missed you B!!!
Have you ever just been just filled to the brim in your heart with so much love that you just don't know what to do with it all?? That's how I have been feeling lately. It typically overflows out of my eyeballs when I think about how lucky we are, or when I look at, hug or talk to certain people. For a while I thought maybe this whole BH Experience was causing a few screws to come loose in my head (which may really be the case)...but I truly feel so much L-O-V-E all around us that I just don't know what to do with it all, resulting in my new nickname "Cry-Baby J."
Saturday was incredible!! We are so thankful to EVERYone who came out to support us...even the people in the hills who just came down to eat our cake and leave. We appreciate you from the bottoms of our hearts.
Thank you for the hugs, kisses and well wishes.
Thank you for waiting patiently in the warm sunshine for us tally up your treasures.
Thank you for smiling and shining your light upon us.
Thank you for being here with us when you really didn't have to be.
Thank you for being apart of The Barn House Experience -- even when it gets a little crazy.
Thank you for your generosity.
And we must thank those of you out in blogland for sending your love and positive energy our way. We don't know all of you, but we feel you here even though you can't make it!
We love our lives!!! This final picture is one that our friend Robin took that I feel really captures a very special moment...a moment that was happening it seemed like every minute of the day with our customers/friends/dealers...she appropriately named the picture "BH Sisters"--yes, it makes the love spill out of my eyeballs! Thank you, Robin!!


The Boys of Barn House and The Barn House Family

P.S. - Once I dry my eyes, I can't wait to share some stuff that really shouldn't be shared (The BH DRAMA!). "What goes on in this-here house, needs to stay in this house!" BUT, since I cancelled my subscription/prescription to US Weekly, I look forward to our BH Friday Moonshine Happy Hour and spilling the beans about Natalie's meltdown, Sylvi's tirade about "The Boys" stealing her light bulbs over-and-over, Joe's "Big Talk" with Debbie & Laurie, our big "trick" on Kathy & Carrie (including Carrie's horrible job the day of the event) , Cindy (they don't call her The Queen of Tarte for nothing) painting signs at 2 am a few hours before the event in her new line of NW Junkers Lingerie...and you won't want to miss what I am pretty sure I heard our Auntie Joy say as she was walking out the doors--did anyone else hear it or am I crazy??) WE LOVE OUR LIVES! HEE HAAAAAAAAW!!

Barn House - 2009 Season Opening (Sneek Peek)

Lordy...If we look a mess in the morning, you will know why...we are just going to bed...

May 9th - Peek and Directions...

YES, IT'S 2 AM AND I AM BLOGGING!!! We just came in from The Barn. Our hearts could have exploded this week from all of the love and positive energy being sent our way. I was actually at my other gig today thinking of seeing everyone this weekend and had to pat my eyes dry. I HAVE NO IDEA at what point I became so emotionally unstable with this-here cry baby syndrome -- but I am sure it has everything to do with BH...and why I would be up at midnight building our new check-out counter and then coming in and loading a few pix to share...
Our dealers are amazing!! We really love them. Although there were a few meltdown moments that I can't wait to share (especially b/c it wasn't me or Joe having the meltdown - hahahahaha), everything is coming together beautifully. It IS really worth all of the blood, sweat, tears and blisters (and potty-mouth-meltdowns).
OK...the clock just struck 3 am...got to run...but will do my best to post more preview pix tomorrow night (i guess in reality that is really tonight).

Y'all best come and see us!

Under Construction - Part 2

(photo courtesy of Rob "JA" Kennedy)

We use to have two barns...but now there is only one. Last November during the first crazy storm of the season, the original barn on our property completely collapsed. So we decided to do a little recycling/reusing for our "big elaborate structures."
Well, I am normally a pretty nice guy...and so is Joe. BUT, I have to admit that the stress of building these structures (and everything else we have on our plates) got the best of me this week. At times, my mouth overflowed with so much "potty" that if Sylvi was here she would have certainly washed my mouth out with soap. Poor, poor, poooor Joe...he deserves an award for putting up all of my "stuff" this week. I HAD ISSUES, to say the least! BUT, all is good now. We didn't kill each other. The weekend was VERY productive. The Big/Elaborate structures are awesome! The Barn is ready for Sylvi, Natalie, Laurie, Debbie, Cindy, and Julie.

This is is our clean slate...now it's time bring in all of the treasures and put all the pieces to the puzzle together. The mantra for the weekend was, "Enjoy the journey. Yes, enjoy the 'gosh darn' journey!" Although there were a few rather challenging moments, the hard work has definitely paid off. We are so excited and honestly feel this will be our best show yet!! There is soooo much to share, and still LOTS to do. But I best get to bed so I can be as sweet as pie at my other gig tomorrow.

We hope you can join us next Saturday. Are you coming???

J & J
Barn House

P.S. - Aren't our babies getting so big?!

Under Construction - Part 1

Drastic times call for drastic measures! Over a month ago, we knew the clock was ticking on our opening and we had to cut out some of our guilty pleasures (aka, time wasters). We actually turned off ALL 200+ channels (many in HD) of our satellite TV so that we could focus more on BH. Now, the biggest, most beautiful, gorgeous and nurturing TV in the world sits with a very blank stare on her facing asking "Where did our love go?" I also went as far as canceling my subscription to US Weekly (and how I looked forward to checking the mailbox every Friday for that absolute garbage). You would think getting rid of these two things alone over a month ago would have allowed us to be on schedule. Not exactly... We ended up falling in love with our little duckies and did a lot of duck watching...I got "bullied" (by Lynne G.--Yes, I am calling you out!) into joining Facebook and got caught up in a web of family and friends I haven't heard from in decades...AND we decided we reeaallly needed an iPOD (since we don't have TV). Now, we have been spending time downloading music (it's really for the shows, right!?)

After realizing the clock was ticking and the show was REALLY just around the corner, we ran into another issue. We had been away from The Barn (watching TV) for a long time and really had not just sat and listened to what "she" wanted for her big transformation and debut into the 2009 BH Season (she doesn't like wearing the same thing twice, you know). So there we sat...thinking our thoughts...waiting for a sign...sipping on a little moonshine maybe at times...arguing about whose fault it was as to why we weren't hearing anything yet...having staring contests...etc. Well, apparently "she" decided at the 3 week mark before the season opening that all would be revealed. So, here we are...SCRAMBLING!

The Barn wanted a bigger entry/welcoming area equipped with a Big & Elaborate Structure, new fence and a ton of gravel for flooring. The Barn also wanted a new back drop...and additional lighting. She also wanted Big & Elaborate Structure inside...a new check out area and a new check out counter. AND she wanted us to finish a bunch of other stuff that slipped through the cracks last year. She ALSO asked for wood floors for the interior, but that's where we had to draw the line. SHE'S GREEDY ONCE SHE STARTS TALKING!!!!
Here we go again!!!!
Don't worry...we WILL be ready!!! Just light a candle for us, in the meantime. ;o)

The goods are piled up everywhere!!

Joe and I hit a JACKPOT this weekend...one of those JACKPOTS that requires 2-3 trips to pick it all up...one of those JACKPOTS you wouldn't tell ANYone the address because the stuff is sooooo good! We were giddy all day!!!


Oh, and I can't forget to mention our Featured Dealers!!! They will be bringing their treasures for the next week filling the joint to the brim...

Sylvi - Little Cottage
Natalie - Sparrow
Debbie & Laurie - Worthy Goods
Cindy - The Queen of Tarte
Julie - The Withies
and new to The BH Family, Leah - Art by Leah

I will be talking about them more this week...but it's after midnight and I have to be somewhat presentable at The Torture Chamber tomorrow.

OH...and THANKS to all of the folks that have left such warm and encouraging comments. I am REAAAALLY behind on getting back to everyone...I hope you understand. We have a very greedy barn...

J & J
The Boys of BH / Barn People / Barn Enablers

Barn House Angels...

This is an impromptu post, inspired by a visit over to Robin's Bird Tweets Blog. Oh how my little heart is aching something terrible (in a really good way)! I have said this before, but I really don't know what we did in our previous lives to be rewarded so abundantly in this life. Visiting Robin's blog today was a reminder of this. Being the cry-baby that I am, I was instantly teary-eyed and emotional about the very simple and pure things that bring so much happiness into our lives. The House, the BH Home Collection of "stuff" inside The House, the abundance of "stuff" surrounding The House, The Barn...all of this is wonderful. But it has really been the friendships that have developed and evolved along the way that make it all so special. We call these friends "The Barn House Angels." Well, imagine me sitting on the sofa "in the moment" of reflecting on all of the many things I am so thankful for...and in barges the Tasmanian Devil (Joe). "OMG, are you crying about how happy you are, AGAIN??? Snap out of it! I need you to help me lift "this-and-that" and move it "here-and-there!" I politely replied, "Well, excuuuuuuse me for being happy! I will be right out to help you, You Bubble-Popper!" I was too emotionally drained to wrestle him about it (being too happy can be exhausting sometimes)...not to mention I didn't want to scare my duckies who are still enjoying their last few days of living in the house with us. I certainly don't want my newest "children" growing up thinking their parents are heathens...no way!! Unfortunately, their older siblings may one day enjoy popping their bubbles about us...I wonder where they learned that from.
Sorry, back to the ever so talented Robin! Her pictures and stories are beautiful art! Every time I visit her blog I am amazed in one way or another. I am sure this is why Somerset Life Magazine snatched her up!!! You can see her spread in the Jan-Mar issue. We feel so honored to know her...a real life fancy photographer in magazines!!! There are even two pictures from the Barn House and Willow Nest show last August here at our place!! :o) And I will be forever thankful to her for airbrushing the wrinkles & acne off of my face and the gray out of my hair from the pictures she posted on her blog!!! Thank you, Robin...you are a true professional!!! But more important than the fancy photographs and magazines, we really feel she is becoming part of our extended family here in Washington. We can't wait to send our friends and family back home to her blog. :o) Have you checked the mail today??? Some of you will be receiving our first postcard. This one will always be very special because it features Celie (left) & Nettie (right). It was taken at our "Grand Opening" last May by our friend Rob "J-A" Kennedy (another great photographer friend). As some of you know, Sweet Nettie died last October after our Season Finale -- so this series is really in honor of her. Thanks Robbie for catching our twin goats at the perfect moment, guarding The BH Familia! In the future, we will feature something special about each individual event. If you would like to be added to your mailing list, send us a comment or an e-mail with your address (barnhousebh@yahoo.com).OK...the Tasmanian Devil is back and I really have to run. He just got back from treasure hunting and is really PO'd I have been blogging and watching the chickens through the window mess up the newly planted vegetable garden. Sorry, but my babies just can't do no wrong in my eyes!! BUT, before I go...let me talk a little bit more smack about "Joey Drama" before he comes back into the house. (We've known each other for almost 20 years, so I can do that) See all that stuff in the picture above?Well, I am sure our neighbors drive by and think that Sand ford (Joe) & Son (me, because I am waaay younger) are completely out of control. It has been said (by unknown sources) that Joe is VERY proud of his stuff...kind of like a little boy is proud of his new truck or new army army figures. SOOOO, what he does (Proud Joe) is not only bring stuff inside the house and literally surround himself with it, but he also displays the big stuff outside so that everybody and their mamas can see it all when they drive by. I guess it's the Hunter/Gatherer in him. (another scenario The Barn People got in trouble for re-enacting in Seattle). Most neighbors smile and wave...but some of the others just glare and snarl. Good thing we live in the country...this here land is ours...treasures (junk) and all!!!! HEE HAW ;o)

Goodness, I should call in sick to work more often. I really needed to get that off my chest! Can I get a witness??

J & J / The Boys of Barn House / Barn People / Happy Folks(!) / Cry Babies

P.S. - We will be acting like fools in The Land of Tarte on Saturday (if I am still not sick, of course). Hope you can join The Queen and Annie, Fannie & Abigail for one of the best shows in Oregon!!!

"Barn People" Sighting...

A couple of weeks ago, The Boys of BH and The Queen of Tarte headed up to Seattle for what turned out to be quite an adventure. In true Hillbilly style, we had stuff stacked high on the roof of the truck...the trailer was filled to the brim...and poor Cindy had only a few inches to move in the back seat b/c we had so much stuff inside the truck too. In hindsight, we were dangerously filled with stuff...but that didn't seem to matter at the time. We were going to the big city to make our "debut" at the Sand Point Antique & Design Market!!

But let me tell you how our trip started -- Already running a few minutes late on the first day of our trip, we get in the truck to find out it won't start. Now I have mentioned we were dangerously packed to the brim, right?? I just about had an anxiety attack right there in the driveway! The thought of having to UNpack the truck before we even left started the wheels in my head to spin out of control. Fortunately, Joe and Cindy know the look of panic in my eyes and took control of the situation. Turned out the battery was dead and needed a jump. So off we went to the auto store for a new battery, rope and heavy-duty tie-downs to make sure our stuff didn't fly off the roof on the highway.

A couple of hours later, we finally get on the road. We laughed hysterically about the looks & comments we got in town with all that stuff. Everything is wonderful...until it starts SNOWING. What the heck! We are on our way to Seattle to do a show in an UNheated building and it is SNOWING. This time it was Joe who panicked. He had already declared that he was "crippled" to the battery installer and couldn't get out of the truck (really b/c he was already frozen and could barely move before we officially left town). "What kind of "stuff" is this?? Who lives like this!" he yelled. (He doesn't deal too well with the Spring snow/cold of the NW)

It's not snowing when we arrive in Seattle, but it's still in the 30s. To say the least, none of us was looking forward to unpacking and setting up. I am sure we were all regretting bringing so much stuff. So we pull up to the building we were in and Joe and Cindy leave me in the truck to go "find our space." Uh huh! 20 minutes later, I come to realization that they are not only "finding our space," but have already started shopping from the other vendors too! I won't bore you with all the details (and expletives) of unloading and setting up in the freezing rain, but I bet you can imagine. What I will say is that there are some very special people in this business. The camaraderie between the dealers makes some of the more challenging situations enjoyable. Who wouldn't want to hang out (even in the cold) with with the fabulous Lulu (Luluz), Deb & Bob (Retreat), Debi (Ormolulu), and JOHN/BOB just to name a few. We will be forever in debt to Bob (Retreat) for helping me and Joe get those farm tables down from the roof of the Suburban!! What on earth were we thinking???!!

If you are wondering why this post is not filled with pictures from the show, it's because I caught a serious case of the vapors resulting in severe brain-freeze, Joe was crippled by the shakes and Cindy's shivers were debilitating. By the time I remembered to take pictures, I only took these two of Cindy's space before the rush.
The rest of the time we were chit-chatting with Seattle's finest...La . Te . Da Love (she has pix on her blog), Mimi Charmante (also has pix on her blog), The Salvage Sisters, Todd from Bountiful Home, Lisa Call and many others. One lady came into our space and said, "Oh, you are 'Those Barn People'." Something sounded really creepy the way she said it..."Those Barn People" -- kind of like "Children of The Corn" or something. At first, I was mildly offended. But back at the hotel lounge, we discussed it in detail over some moonshine. There was something terribly eccentric about it..."Barn People." Oh what fun this could be!!!! The more moonshine that was poured, the more possibilities were concocted up in our crazy heads. The costumes, wigs, dialects and characters were endless...yes, in the lounge at Hotel Deca, "The Barn People" were born!! Barn People around the world...Stand Up and Unite!! Boy, we caused such a scene in the lounge that night getting into character that the bartender cut us off and brought us a coulple of rounds of water. "Those Barn People" just don't have any sense! ;o)

OK...off to celebrate Easter. We still have lots more to share about Joe's face plastered in Old Stuff, Robin in Somerset Life, Susan in Romantic Country, The Land of Tarte event next Saturday in Oregon City, The BH Season opening and our 10 new ducklings (see a video of them on Robin's BirdTweets blog)!

J & J
Barn People

We couldn't wait any longer...

We have SOOOO much to update you on about the happenings at BH! Unfortunately, most of it is going to have to wait a few more days. We are absolutely swamped right now...there are only four short weeks until our opening and things are a bit C-R-A-Z-Y, to say the least. But the day I have been waiting for (forever, it seems) finally came today and I had to share...
OUR BABY DUCKS ARRIVED!!! HEE HAW!!!! More to come on our ducklings, the Sandpoint show in Seattle, our Shenanigans in the Hotel Lounge with The Queen in Seattle, Joe's picture in Old Stuff Magazine, Robin's (Bird Tweets) spread in Somerset Life Magazine, our friend Susan's spread in Romantic County Magazine and The Barn House Season Opening (May 9th)!!!! Is anyone else happy that Spring is FINALLY here??
We miss you!

The Boys of Barn House

We Are Two Very Lucky Men - Part 2...

OK, Joe got home last night and had to talk me down...I lost hours of work due to Blogger issues. But I took several hundred very deep breathes and counted to 10,717. Now I am ready to tell the rest of the story...

Saturday was all about The Fab 4 Sale -- Tarte, Auntie Joy, Molly Mo and Vintage Trifles. BUT, there were also "The Others." The other three of us who snuck in the back door at Tarte: Barn House, Sparrow, and Annie, Fannie & Abigail!! Let me start with Natalie from The Vintage Sparrow, aka The Master Primitive Finder. She is also one of Joe's "enablers"...meaning she is one of the people he calls right after one of our shows (when he has a pocket full of $$$) to travel to far away places with him to shop for the next show. She is beautiful, lovely, funny and probably one of the most giving people we have ever met. AND she makes the most delicious baked treats...I still really haven't forgiven her for beating us at our own Bake-Off at last year's BH Flea Market. As much as I try not to like her for "stealing" all the best primitives and "stealing" our bake-off award, I secretly love her (Joe very openly loves her). But she is a married woman, so enough about her before her husband comes knocking at our door...

Goodness...then there are The Twins, Donna and Diana...The Legendary Annie, Fannie & Abigail...Being the BH Hermit that I am, I haven't had much "face-time" with Diana & Donna. I have seen their beautiful space at Expo which is always packed with people in a buying frenzy. But yesterday was the first time I got to really spend time with them. I am usually not immediately enamoured with folks (call it my L.A. "watch your back" up-bringing), BUT, Donna and Diana are something else! Genuine, Honest and Amazingly Talented. All day, I kept telling "The Crew" how much I really, really, REALLY liked them. Sometimes you don't know how the new ingredient in the recipe is going to taste...but The Twins were DEEEELICIOUS!!! ;o)
Then there was little ol us...in the company of soooo many remarkable women...trying to be on our best behavior. "Yes Ma'am. Thank You, Ma'am." Cindy told us that no wrestling was allowed, because if we knocked over any more of her delicate treasures we wouldn't be invited back. "Yes Ma'am, we promise to not wrestle. We would like to be invited back. Thank You, Ma'am."Joe really did Job Fantastico with the Barn House space!! I will even go as far to say he REALLY put his foot in it this time...When I am sitting on the porch alone...just me and my thoughts...I wonder how the universe has squeezed sooooo much talent into such a tiny-petite-little man. It's absolutely mind boggling!! And if there is any moonshine involved, I sometimes even draw myself a diagram of how this phenomenon just might have happened. I aspire to one day publish my series, "The Barn House Porch Drawings"...just putting it out there in case someone can help me with this...Needless to say, we had a magical day in The Land of Tarte!! We are very honored to be surrounded by so many inspiring women. Did I mention we are two very lucky men???

The Boys of Barn House

P.S. -- Tarte and Barn House are taking our shows on the road!! If you are anywhere near Seattle, please come by and visit us! We will be at the Sand Point Antique & Design Market on March 29th!!!

We Are Two Very Lucky Men - Part 1...

It was this time last year when Joe and I ventured out to the "3 Friends - 3 Sales - 3 Locations" Event. We were casually acquainted with Cindy, Joy and Diane back then, but didn't know them well. We are certainly not known for our stellar memories (by any means), but this day was VERY memorable for many (many) reasons. It was our "break-through" with these ladies...our "you don't really know us but you are going to like us whether you like it or not" moment with these ladies. It was one of the first times we really got to visit with them and tour their stores and homes. We were totally inspired by their talent!! And as it was a couple of months before our own "Grand Opening," it was a big kick in the butt that we had a LOT of work to do! These were grown-folks doing big things...Inspiration was upon us to say the least. Over the past year, they have become the kind of friends you get that warm and fuzzy feeling on the inside when you see them or even hear their names.
With that, I would like to dedicate our first ever photo collage to our Auntie Joy!!! It seems appropriate not only because we love her so much, but also because it's all her stuff in the photos. Well, some of it came home with Joe at the "Pre-Sale" so technically a little bit of it is ours now. The Pre-Sale (aka Party Bus) was a little tour that the 4 Friends orchestrated the night before the show. I didn't get to go (yes, I am still bitter). Basically, it was a shopping excursion for everyone. And apparently Joe found some wine at one (or maybe more) of the stops, resulting in the lack of pictures at Diane and Martha's. I wasn't there to make sure he was acting like he had some sense. I told Cindy to wrestle him down to the ground if he didn't act right, but I still don't have the pictures. ;o) Speaking of The Queen of Tarte...it goes without saying we have a very special love for The Tarte Familia - The ("Let Them Eat Cake") Queen, The King of Tarte, The Posh Princess of Tarte and The Dog of Tarte.
Our hearts might just explode talking too much about them...but we are so honored they invited us into The Land of Tarte -- it is an enchanting place to be! In This Land, there is Pate & Cornichons, Ship-Lap, Micro-Climates and French XY&Z (a separate post is needed for decoding what this really means to us).
We have a lot more to share, but I think Blogger is having some trouble. I keep making changes, adding more pictures and talking all about Natalie, Diana & Donna, and our next venture, BUT, it would not save and publish properly...I will save the rest for tomorrow before I throw this computer out in the rain...

4 Friends Sale...

Some of our favorite folks are having a "4 Friends / 4 Locations" sale this weekend!!

Aunties 859 Railway, Silverton

Molly Mo's 440 NE Cherry St., Sublimity

Tarte 20131 South End Rd., Oregon City

Vintage Trifles 5020 Daniel St., S. Salem


A few of us (Barn House, Sparrow and The Twins) are crashing the party and have brought tons of stuff over to Tarte...but, she doesn't know so don't say anything!!

Hope to see you Saturday!!!

J & J

For the Love of Yakima...

Last weekend, Joe and I decided to head out on a little road trip to The Yakima Valley in search of treasures and inspiration. Also, as the BH Season Opening is only two months away, we really needed to do a lot of planning, prioritizing and strategizing on how we are going to get everything done in time. And there is nothing like locking yourself in a car with someone for many, many, many hours to talk about things that neither party is really quite ready to talk about. We invite you to try this experiment! You will either end up having really productive and fruitful discussions that result in a solid plan of attack...OR, you will end up just about killing each other. Can you guess what happened on our trip???? (for the answer, please see "the conclusion" below)

Let me start by saying that Yakima has some gorgeous places to shop! I don't know if we hit them all, but the shops we visited were Fantastique! We started our little adventure at The French Hen.
Kaye's store is one of the few located in Yakima's Historic Opera House and it is absolutely stunning!
We met Kaye last year at Leslee & Mark's Clayson Farm's American Primitives Show (another great reason to visit Yakima).
We have heard so many wonderful things about her store over the past year and visiting it was certainly a great way to kick off our Yakima tour.
Next we were off to visit the Garden Girl's shop...also located in the Opera House.
The minute we walked in, I was hit by one of my favorite smells...Jasmine vines in full bloom all over the store. THEN, everywhere we looked there were the most beautiful flowers in bloom...
We don't know how Lenette did it, but she had somehow orchestrated the most beautiful Spring displays throughout the shop...it was VERY magical...
and something tells us she must put on this show daily because her store was packed from the minute we walked in until the time we left.We have to admit, being there gave us a bit of anxiety about all of the work we need to do in our gardens over the next couple of months. Lenette, we may be calling to borrow that magic wand of yours!
After leaving the Garden Girl, we decided to find our way over to visit the Flutterby girls...where I fell in love with a Duck...
See, it's giving me "that look." I don't think I realized it when we were there, but when I saw the picture I knew this duck was meant for the BH Home Collection. And now I want to kick myself in the a$$ for leaving MY duck sitting there on that VERY cute rusty-iron-chippy-white rack. I will refrain from saying anything else about this very pretty duck because it may sound wierd...
BUT, I bet "my" duck loves this display as much as I do. ;o)
At every turn, there were beautiful vignettes...
We probably overstayed our welcome chatting with Denise, snapping pictures and asking a ton of questions about where to eat/shop/sleep in Yakima.
She eventually pushed us out the door so she could tend to her many real customers. Leaving us no choice but to finally find our way over to Pam's shop...There were so many beautiful things to see!!
Sylvi is probably going to kill us for not bringing this pink treasure back for her. No Duck for me, no Pink treasures for you, Sylvi!!
Like everywhere else we visited that day in Yakima, we found ourselves in the midst of many customers on the hunt.
It was a great pleasure chatting with Pam and taking in all that her store had to offer...
After all of that shopping and visiting, we found a place to stay and caused a little havoc on the Yakima night life!! HEE HAW! Well, I should really say the Yakima "late-afternoon life" because we called it quits by about 9pm. The older we get, the more more we realize..."It don't shake quite like it used to" (to say the least).

The conclusion: When the pressure is on, lock yourself in the car with your best friend and go on a road trip. We had several hours to discuss and process "The Purple Elephant" in the room (our seaon opening event). And yes, our discussions were very positive and productive! We only had to pull over and wrestle one time...and that was about the new "big elaborate structureS" Joe plans on having us build in AND around the barn. BUT, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY (Jermonne)so I would prefer not to discuss who won the road-side wrestling match!

More to come on what's next for BH...

J & J

The Queen, The Queen, The Queen!!

Have you ever been emotional right before putting on a show or even going to a show to shop?? This was not our show, but The Boys of BH had that same rush of excitement knowing what this opening had to mean to Cindy. I am known in The BH Family as a bit of a cry-baby...always trying to hold back some tears right before our shows. I had a similar moment before Cindy opened her doors for the first time...
It was beautiful and magical and inspiring and FUN...Tartalicious Cindy has sooooo much talent. She is an incredible artist, designer, seamstress, wedding planner, mom and friend. Did you know she can ALSO sing, dance and play the violin?? We didn't know either, but found out at the "QoT After-Party & Recital." ;o) I can't share all the pictures. I have been waiting all day for Cindy to spill her own beans. We know she is recovering from being up all week pulling off such a special event. But we have to thank Sylvi, Natalie, Katherine AND Katherine's sister Carrie who thought she was coming from Tacoma just to shop but ended up working her tail off. Katherine not only worked all day, but was up the night before making a million of the most delicious cupcakes and Tarte Art for our customers...
We were VERY honored to be the first featured guest at Tarte!! Here are some photos of our little area...


We would like to thank all of our friends that came out to support, hug and smile upon us yesterday!
And guess what, we will be back as the featured guest for Cindy's second event on March 21st!! Hope you can join us...

J & J

Oh...we will certainly will have more pictures and funny show stories to share soon.

Tarte Opening - Tiny Preview...

Just a little vignette teaser...please visit The Queen of Tarte's blog for all the details, directions and more pix...
Joe has been down in Oregon City all week helping Cindy and getting the BH space pulled together. I originally was VERY suspicious and thought they have been down there laughing, lolly-gagging, shopping, lunching and reading their favorite magazines (what they usually do when they are together). BUT, Joe has been coming home everyday looking like $%*#...and completely exhausted. I can only imagine what Cindy has been looking like when she got home. (Barry, give me a ringy-dingy to discuss the details and pictures you sent me)



We can't share all the goodies...we will have to leave that to Miss Tarte's discretion. The Boys of BH hope you can join us to celebrate Tarte's Grand Opening on Saturday! If you can't make it, we are sure to have some great pix and really good stories to share after The Party. ;o)

Joe and Jermonne
Barn House

Tarte Grand Opening - Oregon City!

We hope you have already heard the good news, but in case you haven't, Cindy (Tarte) is having her Grand Opening next weekend! AND, Barn House is going to be her very first featured guest!! Cindy has rented a really cool old barn in Oregon City on a beautiful property with llamas, horses and even a cow. We are SOOOO excited, and we just can't hide it...we're about to lose control and we think we like it!! We don't have many pictures yet b/c of some technical difficulties recently with our camera/computer. The chairs above are a very special BH Winter creation. Joe has been hunting shiny-black-long-hair-beavers and I have been perfecting my wood-carving/chair making skills. It's amazing what a couple of hillbillies can accomplish during a NW Winter. We plan on sharing more from our HUGE space at Tarte this week now that our camera is back on track. I would really like to make an announcement...a "declaration" if you will. Cindy's "shopping problem" is waaaaaaaaaaaaay bigger than Joe's. I can't imagine how one person could possible collect soooo much great stuff. If ANYone we know really needs an intervention, it's The Queen of Tarte! Yeah, we said it! So let's all get together to help her let go of the treasures she's been hoarding all for herself.

The party is in Oregon City next weekend...we hope you can join us!!!

J & J
Barn House