Long before the Gathering Gal. . .  there was a little gal. . . 

who loved homey, comfy and days gone by.  I was always playing in "past times".  My mother often said I was born 100 years too late!  I spent many a wonderful childhood day crossing the prairie in a covered wagon, or school-marming in a wild west town, or riding off with my handsome prince to live happily ever after (and have 12 children).  It's no wonder I've grown up to have a special love and appreciation for antiques and nostalgia and the values of earlier generations.

My Prince did come, the 12 children became a more manageable two and life's adventure began. . . Our dream was in the making, and a big part of that dream was to have a wonderful dream home!   Something I've learned over our years of remodeling one home and building two homes is that the dream always becomes a nightmare before it is fulfilled!  The other thing I've learned is that marrying a capable and innovative man does not necessarily mean remodeling (or building) is either fast, cheap or easy!!!  

One of the disadvantages of being creative is you never think in "standard" terms, and you never want a "standard" home.  The definition of STANDARD is: readily available at Home Depot, reasonably priced, easy to install fitting all openings, and within the vision of the average American husband, aka Prince and/or General Contractor!  Likewise, the definition of CREATIVE, aka non-standard,  is charming, unique, fills your soul with joy, "Rockwell-esque", Mrs. Jones does NOT have it, can NEVER be found at Home Depot! and is most worthy of being discovered in "Country Living" magazine!! Thus the dream home design and decor struggle of life begins. . .

That a woman matures into one life long style and taste is a myth!  I believe that style and taste is an evolution within a woman's soul.  Early taste and style is often shaped by necessity and what we can afford.  Early mid life style and taste is often shaped by the age, number and personalities of the children and pets that bless our home and by what we most need at the time.  When the proverbial nest empties. . . aaaah, that is when a woman's true inner style emerges.  Usually that is when the heirlooms start being inherrited.  The wonderful things from our childhood memories that we have long coveted.  Now the items of necessity can be tossed, and the cherrished items of preference can be possessed and displayed with sheer abandon!  All is well on the home front. . . we can be "organized" and sit in the living room for no particular reason and on any particular day.  We can take time to browse and buy things in colors other than "practical".  Life is good!  Very good, and then. . . WE BECOME GRANDMOTHERS!    

Not to worry, as the miracle of grandchildren is they do not seem to make the same kind of messes as "real" kids do... their finger prints amazingly turn into precious decor enhancments, and anything they happen to break is never something that we cared very much for to begin with.  In my personal home my style is very homespun and primitive.  Nothing I have is either brand spanking new or glossy in finish, therefore another smudge or a new scratch simply enhances the look of the piece.  I wish I had discovered "primitive" when my children were growing up!!!

I began to develop my "gathering tendencies" in earnest in 1998.  Since then I have worked with several different friends in various shops in my local area.  Sometimes I have just rented space to sell my treasures and most recently I have been part of a co-op.  I worked in the store as well as ran the countryside over, always on the hunt for more wonderful goods.  My home is filled with the very best of all my finds.  I soak up great comfort and pleasure from all these special things.  My husband has "adjusted" and tells me often how much he likes to come home to our home.  (Bingo!)  Working in the store I have met so many like-minded folks, and not just women either!  Men too, who love to dally in the past and use and live with the things they remember.

Not everyone has the time or inclination for the "hunt", but they still enjoy the old things.  Therefore I often say that what I do provides a service.  I love the hunt, I have an eye for great stuff and I want to provide it to you!  What could be better for both of us?. . . it's who I am. . . it's what I do. . . and you can have it too!

Come back and visit often. . . Who knows what I will have found by then!

Daphne Feusier. . .

The Gathering Gal!