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Health & Fitness

Feeding the Monster...When Open Houses are Not Enough!

Joan can't look at a sofa without dreaming up the livingroom (and maybe the whole house) around it.

OK, so you know my affliction; I'm crazy for houses, a true realestateaholic.

But, how do you feed the Monster?

Well, open houses are a good appetizer on sunny Sundays. And there's always “House Hunters” on HGTV for an after dinner snack with a “Hooked on Houses” blog chaser. 

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But, there's nothing quite as satisfying as sitting down for (or in this case walking miles for) the full course feast -  heading out on the Pike to Brimfield in May for the first of three, one-week antique shows for junk junkies like me. 

Imagine, if you will, acres of cow pasture converted overnight to a huge flea market and antiques festival, complete with portable toilets and great “bad” food. I start jonesin' with excitement before we park the van. 

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Here, I'm checking out movie posters from the 50s, Russel Wright dinnerware from the 40s, and some great old signs from the 30s. Instantly, I'm decade dreamwalking in the rooms where all this “stuff” belongs.

See that great bamboo sectional? Ah! That screened-in, three-season porch off the 50s ranch would be so relaxing. Cool breezes....and maybe some aqua throw pillows.

The white wire patio chairs that bounce. Now, THOSE would be just the ticket for a new stone patio, outside the 40s cottage overlooking a lake....or no, maybe the ocean. Yeah. 

When I plunk down $25 for a swell purple flowered Chinese deco carpet, it's because I can SEE it under Nancy's desk in the office....not as it lays there on the wet grass half hidden by a hooked rug monstrosity.

Things create their rooms for us...sometimes even before the rooms, themselves, exist. Amazing how one thing can put the dream in motion. Years ago, I bought a wild bathroom sink with ants marching across the porcelain only to later design the whole cottage bathroom around it. 

But, by far the best 2011 Brimfield dreamwalk was this:

At the end of a long row of ho-hum items, we see a clean Danish modern table, 6 chairs, 2 leaves....excellent purple and red mod fabric seat covers. (So pristine...Did anyone actually use this set?) Yes.  It's the perfect dining room set for our FUTURE Revere Beach condo....for the retirement we haven't yet planned.

Nothing like thinking ahead!

And with that, I’m on to the next story…

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