New Year Blessings

We'd like to wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year!

2010 is going to be a banner year for everyone... We've been working on quite a few things behind the scenes, and are pleased to share them with you!

First up: our new web site, at www.RetreatStyle.com

Yep, that's a name adjustment:

'Retreat' is who we are.

'Retreat Style' is how we do what we do!

We'll be using our web site to connect with retailers and the press as we grow our business to the next level. We think of it as a 'resume' of sorts, able to share vital biz info at a glance. The site connects to our blog, our Facebook page, and our photo portfolios for a more in-depth look at Retreat.

Here on our blog, we've cleaned up a bit and made things easier to find. We'll continue to offer updated info about our products and shows, as well as decorating inspiration and ideas for green living. We know you love vintage style, junking, & thrifting, so we're dedicating ourselves to the task of providing you with more ideas for your creative decorating projects. Our blog links to our Facebook page to keep it updated, as well. If you have photos of Retreat products in your home,  post them on our Facebook wall or send them to us - we'd love to share them with others!

We've been a'flitterin', and now we're a-twitterin'...

Yep, you can keep up with our 'Retreat Tweets' here.  

A button on our sidebar will easily connect you. (I may regret adding one more online responsibility to my list, but like blogs and Facebook, Twitter is a viable business tool, so we need to jump into the pool!) We are just getting started with this, so bear with us... but please DO follow us. We'll follow you back, we promise!

What's up ahead for Retreat?

At the request of some of our customers, we are developing a wholesale line of furniture that we can replicate consistently and provide to retail stores as merchandise for sale - and also as their display fixtures. Based on the 'one of a kind' creations that we are known for, these basic pieces will also be available at retail prices in our show booths later in the year.

We have been honored with an invitation to participate in BarnHouse's upcoming Online Market, and are preparing some of our smaller signature products to be available there. Keep an eye on their site for more info about when Retreat will be featured this spring. (Yes, friends, this DOES include my original Junk Queen Crowns!)

Our schedule for 2010 includes our favorite shows (Farm Chicks, BarnHouse, Sand Point, plus more as we add them) and plans for some very special events, offers, discounts, gifts, and giveaways.

We'll unveil our own seasonal boutique, which we are calling ' Petite Retreat'! One of our small barns here on Retreat Farm will be open for one day each season, offering our wares and a party atmosphere in a setting close to our hearts. As we progress through the year, we'll be adding featured guests to the roster. Stay tuned - the first 'Petite Retreat' will be for Spring, in late March!
 
Some of these special offers will be available only to our mailing list. If you have signed up at a show over this past year, don't worry, you're already on it! If you haven't done that, send an email to retreatstyle@gmail.com with 'mailing list' in the subject line, and we'll add you! We'll also offer some giveaway goodies to our blog Followers and Facebook fans, so even if you aren't one of our local show-going Retreat Peeps, you can still get in on the action. 

We want to thank each and every one of you for your friendship, encouragement, emotional & financial support, and time. We consider the fact that you share part of your busy lives and days with us an honor, and we appreciate you! We love what we do, and we love sharing it with you. May this year bring you an abundance of blessings, friends!

Blessings,
Bob & Deb

Bedroom Classic Decorating Design

Bedroom Classic Decorating Design

Whether you're decorating a master bedroom, a child's room, a teenager's room, or a guest
bedroom, follow this expert decorating advice to create the mood you desire

Bedroom Classic Decorating Design

Bedroom Classic Decorating Design

Whether you're decorating a master bedroom, a child's room, a teenager's room, or a guest
bedroom, follow this expert decorating advice to create the mood you desire

Canadian maple bedroom Design

Canadian maple bedroom Design

It may be because of my age factor that I prefer contemporary design when it comes to my furniture idea of interior design selections. So, when I saw the bedroom designs, I immediately fell in love with the creations. At 1 Contemporary Furniture, I am spoiled with so many contemporary furniture choices. Among my favorite bedroom designs are as featured below

Canadian maple bedroom Design

Canadian maple bedroom Design

It may be because of my age factor that I prefer contemporary design when it comes to my furniture idea of interior design selections. So, when I saw the bedroom designs, I immediately fell in love with the creations. At 1 Contemporary Furniture, I am spoiled with so many contemporary furniture choices. Among my favorite bedroom designs are as featured below

Get moreClassic Design dining room

Get moreClassic Design dining room

The round dining table and upholstered chairs make dining and conversation pleasant. Custom wallpaper and mirror add depth to the small space. Check out the unusual window treatments in this dining room design

Get moreClassic Design dining room

Get moreClassic Design dining room

The round dining table and upholstered chairs make dining and conversation pleasant. Custom wallpaper and mirror add depth to the small space. Check out the unusual window treatments in this dining room design

This dining room Calassic Design

This dining room Calassic Design

This dining room designed by Gerald Pomeroy is an absolutely great example of how to combine styles and make it work. The wall covering and dining room chairs are more traditional in their design whereas the table and floor covering are more modern, but the combination is absolutely breathtaking. While on the discussion of dining room chairs, here are some great examples I have found in the past couple of days.

This dining room Calassic Design

This dining room Calassic Design

This dining room designed by Gerald Pomeroy is an absolutely great example of how to combine styles and make it work. The wall covering and dining room chairs are more traditional in their design whereas the table and floor covering are more modern, but the combination is absolutely breathtaking. While on the discussion of dining room chairs, here are some great examples I have found in the past couple of days.

Interior Classic Design

Interior Classic Design

Bathroom Interior Design

Bathroom Interior Design

The bathroom is one of the important rooms. In addition to the family of internal use is not impossible guests entered the room. Not surprisingly, remodelers bathroom interior design is a priority, Bath-ups and the closet is the main material, supported by the floor and tiles wall with variations color according to taste, with washtafel set, very supportive of the function and artistic space. Bathroom Washtafel should be placed near the door and equipped with granite counter and shelves underneath. There was a mirror at the top and down light, rack used to hold cosmetics, timber material and the door shelf above the drawer bottom to give a variation of the bathroom interior design, while the lamp as a light down light effects are made more dim room, the bathroom light still on the main lights.

Bathroom Interior Design

Bathroom Interior Design

The bathroom is one of the important rooms. In addition to the family of internal use is not impossible guests entered the room. Not surprisingly, remodelers bathroom interior design is a priority, Bath-ups and the closet is the main material, supported by the floor and tiles wall with variations color according to taste, with washtafel set, very supportive of the function and artistic space. Bathroom Washtafel should be placed near the door and equipped with granite counter and shelves underneath. There was a mirror at the top and down light, rack used to hold cosmetics, timber material and the door shelf above the drawer bottom to give a variation of the bathroom interior design, while the lamp as a light down light effects are made more dim room, the bathroom light still on the main lights.

Chinese Restaurant Interior Classic Design 1st Floor

Chinese Restaurant Interior Classic Design 1st Floor

Chinese Restaurant Interior Classic Design 1st Floor

Chinese Restaurant Interior Classic Design 1st Floor

Luxury Apartment Interior Design Macquarie Street Teneriffe

If you are looking for ideas for interior apartment, this luxury apartment is an example of decorating and interiors design inspiration. Thi apartment is near to the cosmopolitan shopping, dining and lifestyle areas. Includes interiors cable TV connection and air conditioning AC, audio/visual intercom, broadband internet connection, two car spaces and high speed lift.

Some information about this luxury apartment 29/1 Macquarie Street Teneriffe [more] :

Boasting panoramic Brisbane River views, this opulent, limited edition apartment in Teneriffe’s prestigious One Macquarie development epitomises stylish inner city, riverfront living but also capturing wide city views.
The northeast-facing 3rd floor residence in a boutique complex is only minutes from the cosmopolitan shopping, dining and lifestyle offerings of Teneriffe, Newstead, eclectic Fortitude Valley and New Farm, and the Brisbane CBD.
With its generous proportions and light filled rooms, there is no need for downsizing in this lavish 270 sq m apartment, which effortlessly fuses open plan interior, earthy colour palette, limestone floorings, Ecosmart fireplace, Italian Kitchen, Miele appliances 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, powder room including the stunning master with impressive ensuite, walk-in wardrobe, and private balcony study or home office, numerous balconies and drying court.
The huge entertainer’s deck with a built-in barbecue captures a breathtaking Brisbane River panorama and provides an idyllic al fresco entertaining space for sophisticated indoor/outdoor living.
One Macquarie offers audio/visual intercom, broadband internet and pay TV connections, multi-function intelligent lighting system, ducted air conditioning, 2 secure car spaces, internal access via direct high speed lift. This is a pet-friendly complex sporting a smorgasbord of resort style facilities including leisure and lap pools, fully equipped gymnasium, common meeting room and concierge.
One Macquarie only 2 kms from the CBD has already established a tradition for uncompromising quality and privileged living. With its elite address it offers the promise of becoming a solid blue chip investment for now or in the future.

Luxury Apartment Interior Design Macquarie Street Teneriffe

Luxury Apartment Interior Design Macquarie Street Teneriffe

If you are looking for ideas for interior apartment, this luxury apartment is an example of decorating and interiors design inspiration. Thi apartment is near to the cosmopolitan shopping, dining and lifestyle areas. Includes interiors cable TV connection and air conditioning AC, audio/visual intercom, broadband internet connection, two car spaces and high speed lift.

Some information about this luxury apartment 29/1 Macquarie Street Teneriffe [more] :

Boasting panoramic Brisbane River views, this opulent, limited edition apartment in Teneriffe’s prestigious One Macquarie development epitomises stylish inner city, riverfront living but also capturing wide city views.
The northeast-facing 3rd floor residence in a boutique complex is only minutes from the cosmopolitan shopping, dining and lifestyle offerings of Teneriffe, Newstead, eclectic Fortitude Valley and New Farm, and the Brisbane CBD.
With its generous proportions and light filled rooms, there is no need for downsizing in this lavish 270 sq m apartment, which effortlessly fuses open plan interior, earthy colour palette, limestone floorings, Ecosmart fireplace, Italian Kitchen, Miele appliances 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, powder room including the stunning master with impressive ensuite, walk-in wardrobe, and private balcony study or home office, numerous balconies and drying court.
The huge entertainer’s deck with a built-in barbecue captures a breathtaking Brisbane River panorama and provides an idyllic al fresco entertaining space for sophisticated indoor/outdoor living.
One Macquarie offers audio/visual intercom, broadband internet and pay TV connections, multi-function intelligent lighting system, ducted air conditioning, 2 secure car spaces, internal access via direct high speed lift. This is a pet-friendly complex sporting a smorgasbord of resort style facilities including leisure and lap pools, fully equipped gymnasium, common meeting room and concierge.
One Macquarie only 2 kms from the CBD has already established a tradition for uncompromising quality and privileged living. With its elite address it offers the promise of becoming a solid blue chip investment for now or in the future.

Luxury Apartment Interior Design Macquarie Street Teneriffe

Happy Holidays!

From my home to yours, wishing you all a very happy holiday!!

It has been a great gift to travel this road with you.

Thank you so much for reading, commenting and continuing to inspire me.

Wishing you peace and happiness in the New Year!

xxx-Gina

More of the Story...

I finally found a copy of Somerset Life, and there we are on page 12. WOW.

See our previous post for that news! We thought perhaps you'd like to hear the whole story behind the tent and the photo in the magazine...

The darling BarnHouse Boys invited us to participate in their Flea Market show last July. Amidst the buzzing preparations for it, they dropped the bombshell: Pre-show events were to include a CAMPING TENT COMPETITION. I believe my exact words in response to this announcement were 'Oh, we are SO all OVER that!'

It took all of one day for us to figure out what look we'd go for (a beach cabana), and then a massive structure began to rise in our backyard. We assembled our 20 X 20 party tent, and went to work. When all was said and done, it turned out like this: White and tan canvas, white furniture, two blow-up beds, countless pillows and chenille bedspreads, lanterns and candles, one of Bob's many BBQ's, one small Moroccan stove, AND a huge silver chandelier.

We thought it would be a great place to gather with friends while at the show, as well as being a perfect retreat to relax and sleep in. We were right - all during the show, while we were hard at work in the barn, curious and weary show attendees were sitting, lying, resting, relaxing, and otherwise enjoying our tent! (a pillow fight enused at one point.... I found evidence....)

One elderly couple commented to Bob (as he arrived there to fix our lunches on show day) that this was such a thoughtful thing for the show to have done - provided a resting spot for guests. ;0) It was at the back of the property, up a hill... but everyone made their way to it!

 

The other dealers at the show and photographer Robin Laws are the ones who nicknamed it 'the Taj Ma Tent' and 'Tent Ma Hal'... in my own defense, here's why it was so over the top: These are THE BOYS. Everything they DO is over the top. Add to that their slyly veiled comments about THE QUEEN, Cindy of Tarte, bringing an actual CIRCUS TENT to this soiree. So I ask you, how was I supposed to show up with like, a Coleman tent? SO not going to happen. Deb has a competitive gene and loves a good party! (I'm still sad that through an unfortunate series of events, Cindy's tent did not materialize.) Bob put in his two theatrical cents, too: the chandelier lights up by way of a jump-start battery charger!

 

So, our big ol' tent helped us beat the heat (sort of), treat the Boys to a lovely dinner, and entertained a lot of people at the show. And now it's providing inspiration on the pages of Somerset! You'll see a version of it appear as the backdrop for our show booths in 2010, as well. We owe the Boys a debt of gratitude for spurring us on to acheive greater creative visions for their show AND for graciously including us in their 'Barn People' family. And a huge thank you to Robin for capturing our style in her poetic photos and sharing them with Somerset! (BTW, the mesh curtains looked so much more romantic when they were loose and flowing, but the wind kicked up and they tangled horribly... ergo the unromantic knots in them)

By the way, the funniest part of the story?

Our neighbors saw this monstrosity taking shape in our backyard on the third of July. We spent most of the Fourth fine tuning the details, then sat out in it with the lanterns & candles lit that night watching fireworks go off out over the sea. The next day, several of them came by to say how sad it was that we had to cancel our party. I'm sure we looked confused, because we heard from them that they watched as we sat alone out there, after doing all that work for a party. We just smiled and nodded, knowing that if we had tried to explain WHY we created this and what it was REALLY for, they'd never understand.... ;0) (And then we packed it all up and hauled it to Battle Ground!)

Image credits: Top: Somerset Life Magazine and Robin Laws. All others: DWK for Retreat, 2009.