lori miller vintage design co

Beautiful Winter

I am done complaining about the cold. Winter in Minnesota is what it is, cold and dark and snowy. If you are one to enjoy the outdoors.... well, the cold is for you. As for me, I am an indoors person, I enjoy the beautiful winter landscape from inside closed doors. I dress in multiple layers, pile on the extra socks, wrap up in scarfs and wear the Uggs.... all indoors!! I'm okay with all of this because it is what I know, winter in Minnesota. It gives a nice break from all of the outdoor chores and allows our mind to concentrate on indoor things. Winter is a great time to re - do. To relax and to recharge. It is a time to explore books and magazines and to dream of gardening....it gives us "you time."

As you pack up Christmas and reclaim your space, how many of you leave up "winter" decor? I for one, do. I also love tulips and bulbs of all kinds so they find there way into my house long before spring arrives, but I consider it my winter decor. So, if you are doing the snow thing - great, but if you are not, then come see me at the Barn - inside. A warm cup of coffee and a long warm indoor stroll will revive you and get you through the long winter months.

It will definitely help get me through....

Good God.... just remember, winter is beautiful .

These gears and frame are a fun project that my mother did on her wall. Like mother - like daughter .....

clocks and clocks and clocks

love the white stoneware

love the bulbs... :0) just a hint of life....

stay warm.... Lori

Fresh Start or should I say FROZEN Start

Burrrrrr.....
How darn cold can it get. The weather man announced that it was colder here in Minnesota then it is in Alaska. Crazy! As I am couped up inside, this time of year, my mind starts spinning with all of the projects that I yearn to get started on. If only there wasn't so much to do at the Barn, and the hospital, and the laundry..... as grandma Lois would say "It'll keep until tomorrow" meaning, leave the laundry and the chores and have some fun.... paint, rearrange, surround yourself with the things you love.

It is time for a fresh start with the beginning of the new year.

That is where my mind is wondering now, the Barn, where I purchase and surround myself with the things I love. I have wonderful plans for the new year and my new purchases should be arriving any day now. Atlanta was very interesting. It wasn't at all overwhelming, as I had thought, or super busy or hard to navigate. It was very much like any of the other markets that I have been to, only bigger, which meant sorting through more junk. There is a lot of junk out there....and I don't mean Junk in a good way... I mean junk as in CRAP! When I found a showroom that did turn me on I knew we had hit a jackpot..... and the credit card would sing. My sister, Sue, drove over from Charleston and met me for market. I think she had a great time spending my money!! I couldn't have done it without her. You start to go into buyers remorse - or economy freak out - or something.... when you're spending, spending, spending. You get to a point where you need that gentle push - it's okay, keep going, love it, love it, love it! Buy more!

One of my favorite showrooms, Bobo Intriguing Objects, the talented guy that put this showroom together is a genius. I grabbed a couple pictures on my way out... what you see is just the entry. Sorry, I couldn't get more photos. Besides, pictures could never do it justice.

Aiden Grey.

Magnificent. I feel privileged just to be allowed to carry their product... you will know what I'm talking about when you see it

Mary Carol Gerrity Collection

I started carrying Mary Carol last fall and I love her stuff. This spring the line is all White....Oh ... my....God! Love!

I found and ordered so much more. I can't wait to share it all with you.... it should be arriving any day now.

Atlanta Bound

This my friends is the Atlanta,Georgia skyline at sunset. Weather permitting, I will be flying down on Tuesday morning and spending a full week at the Atlanta GiftMart. Thee - Market! Of course I am excited, just to be going somewhere is exciting, but I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of the whole thing ....and I haven't even packed yet! That's one of my problems right now, the thought of packing...shoes, what shoes to bring?? Miles and miles of walking. My feet have seen nothing but Ugg boots for the past 2 months ....I spend my days in a drafty Barn after all... I don't think the Uggs will be fitting at the Atlanta market. I have cute trendy tennies that go with my cute trendy spotted socks; however, no support - just style. Other then that, I have 2 dozen flip flops to chose from.....No Good! do you hear my pain.

In preparation to leaving town for a week I have been redoing the vignettes at the store and condensing Christmas left overs. Inventory went well, we finished a day early - yeaaa, I'll drink to that! As I was doing inventory I realized there are some amazing things here that really need to find a new home..... so I got out the yellow and red dots and started marking things down. SALE!! 20% - 75% off select items....plus all Christmas will be 75% off. So if you have had your eye on something fun, now is the time, as you know things move pretty quickly at the Barn. I always laugh when someone comes in and they say "I was in last summer and you had___, can you help me find it?" That item, honey, sold months ago!!!

All Christmas 75% off

I spent the last 4 -5 days changing the store in preparation to my departure..... it's fun again. Lots of new signs, all new vignettes, new Mpls canvases in 3 sizes

aged metal art.... one of a kind

I plan on coming home with some marvelous new things for spring..... stay tuned!

thanks for stopping.... L

New Year / New Cheer

Good Cheer for the New Year

The last week of 2008 .... it's hard to imagine that another year has passed so quickly. As you all know, I am a list maker, I started my morning with my beloved cup of java, grabbed a piece of paper and pen and created the list of all lists. My first intention was to get me through the week ... Holy Cats, I'll be busy until March! If you are a list maker you know what I did next.... I started a new list! The new list is my goals for today and whatever lingers for next week. You see, it's not just making the list ... it is the need to cross things off as you accomplish the tasks.... the true glory of the list.

I am fortunate because I get to make another list for the shop ... my LOVE. This week we will be wrapping up our 50% off sale on all Christmas. Condensing, cleaning, re-vignetting ... if that is even a word and then there is inventory. The true sign of year end.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of my customers - my friends - who have supported this dream for the past two years. 2008 was a landmark year for the Round Barn Potting Company and I thank You for being a part of my vision ....

1. Plan an outing at the Round Barn Potting Co.
2. Re-Create your space for Winter
3. End the year surrounded by loved ones
4. Celebrate the start of the new year - 2009
5. drink responsibly
6. Eat in excess

Good humor ... for us in Minnesota, street drinking is not a problem.... it is too darn Cold.

Be Safe!

Our NEW hours start this week

Tue - Sat 10-5pm

Sunday 12-4pm

Closed Mondays

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas... as in White ironstone. Soup tureens, teapots, gravy boats, thick platters and graceful pitchers evermore.....

I admit this White Ironstone obsession to be a weakness. When I am out buying for the store white dishware, any size or shape, is the first thing to catch my eye. I immediately think, this will look great in my new vignette at the shop, but when I get home .... somehow my thoughts change to how well it looks in my kitchen.... As I said, White dishware... of any kind.... is my weakness. I have many goals for my shop this upcoming year.... sharing my love of the white ironstone with you is one of them.... Stay tuned, in all shapes and sizes it will grace my tables at the Barn as it does my tables at home.