Display Post #8

Who said being off-centered was a bad thing? Maybe it is just quirky...

Hello Everyone!

Is your gas tank filled up? Well, back across our great country we go...to Indiana. Now, you may be wondering why are we zipping across the county back and forth instead of just covering these places all in one state then moving on to the next state...well, if we did that, then we wouldn't have all the fun with stopping at all the antique malls along the way, or all the fun of playing "I spy," or all the fun of seeing how much more we can cram into our car/van/SUV/pick-up and still be able to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the armadillo in the middle of the road and not have anything fly from the back of our vehicle, to the front, and impale our head or our passengers' heads. I have seriously thought of handing out football helmets to my passengers on some of my jaunts  because my SUV can get pretty full and if I have several hours to go on the highway, I am sure I will find some place to stop, shop, and load...cram...stuff...shove, and that is where the helmets come in handy. I have a saying: If I slam on the brakes and the stuff comes 'a flyin', the helmets look goofy, but you won't end up cryin'....

And so, strap on your kid's helmet, (or better yet, buy some bungee cords), fill the gas tank, and load up on some junk food as we drive over to Tipton, Indiana! Yipeee! That is the beat of the heart of the heartland, don't you know...well, I don't know, just made that up, but wanted to add some excitement because Donna Jenkins, visual creative director of Horton's made her store window so darn relaxing, I had to add a little excitement to get you going over there.

Hortons is a 6500 square foot, a family owned (by Tim and Karen Horton) hardware store, garden center and for the past 10 years, it is also a lifestyle boutique, called the Secret Garden. Do you love it or what? They have worked hard at this and now this part of the store is 1/3 of the entire store. Hortons also hosts wonderful festivals and markets and right now Donna is showing great pictures of the Autumn Fest on her blog. Donna also owns a fabulous website, Everyday Elegance with fabulous items for sale which you must check out - literally - cha-ching!

But for now, look at her entry she provided for me in August for her version of the theme of relaxation. She used everything from the Horton's hardware store and I just loved pouring over every detail. I won't spoil the surprise, here...just take a look. Talk amongst yourselves....

This is Donna's "Take a load off" display....

Look closely! How many hardware items can you find here?

Chicken wire for a hammock! Love this!

Drop cloths for drapes - a painter's delight ....

It is hard to see, but there is a chandelier above the hammock - a woman after my own heart!

I don't know about you, but I have never seen a cuter hardware store window than this. I just love how Donna used so many elements in so many creative ways. I seriously think that hammock could really be used if secured properly and just add a feather bed...it could be comfy. I am really loving this. She said she was busy adding all the drop cloth draping to all the stairwells inside the store for the holidays - would love to see that. I am sure Tim and Karen Horton are thrilled to have Donna on board with that creative mind of hers.

I know you are scrolling back up and looking at it all again - I know I did. Now this is a window that would definitely make someone stop and look and definitely go in and buy. It put a smile on my face and made me think of all new possibilities for drop cloths....which I will be using in the near future.

Thank you Donna for the inspiration. You 'painted" a lovely picture of inspiration for us all. Now if you all haven't done so, go CLICK on her site.....right here.....and here.....now....go...do...it....!  :-)  (thank you)

Thanks for supporting her and her efforts.

from my house to your house,