Our lucky stay at The Prairie

After a couple of nights out on the range in an "oh too rustic" cabin Susan and I were thrilled there was a cancellation at the famous Prairie by Rachel Ashwell. I have always wanted to stay here but guests are grandfathered in year after year during Round Top showtime. The property is over 150 years old and Rachel, famous for developing the Shabby Chic craze over 20 years ago, has lovingly created a peaceful homestead for lodging and events. It is common for developers to acquire charming antique buildings from nearby properties and Rachel did just that and went further to decorate each cottage with "crusty painted" pieces and sumptuous bedding and towels from her Shabby Chic line. The attention to detail was much appreciated. Our cottage was the Bluebonnet Barn and, although charmingly rustic, the flanged bottomed door was sure to keep out the critters we were worried about in our previous nights stay.  Old brick floor contrasts beautifully with the sumptuous linens...   Notice the umbrellas are white. too! Love the raised embroidery on the shower curtain ... We entered the Rangers Lounge and met Danny, the chef de village!! He's an eye opener!! I have seen Danny over the years on the fields picking up Rachel's finds and had no idea he was a great cook too. It was fun hearing where fellow guests were from and their stories of Round Top while sharing the breakfast table. The Rangers Lounge is also the office and small shop. Linen and velvet...rustic and refined! I just love the contrast. Charming antique finds are perfectly at home here. Of course this small antique tutu hanging was a personal favorite. Even the dog was white aptly named Pearl....so sweet! There is an event barn on the property which is an extremely popular spot for many weddings.   Barn weddings are all the rage and this space is beautiful. The lovely Rachel Ashwell, pictured. The views are beautiful ...  Well Susan looks happy! We bumped into Danny in town that night....hysterical pic !! Real women pump gas! A "Thelma and Louise" trip I will never forget! Join us for another fun evening at GreatHouse!!  Our previous workshop was such a success we are hosting another one. Talented designer, Victoria Balson, will share with GreatHouse enthusiasts her "go to " decorating tips and trends. Find out answers to all your decorating questions... "How do I hang curtains to maximize window space and ceiling height?" "What are the best paint colors....especially gray and white?" "What size rug should I get?" Let's pick that beautiful brain of hers!! Thursday, October 22nd, 7 pm Drinks, light bites and fun! Call the store to reserve as space is limited. 908-522-8900. Check out her website www.victoriabalson.com and then you will want to follow her on Instagram@victoriabalsoninteriors It's a good time to follow on Instagram and Facebook as some of my finds and fun experiences are posted!  Talk to you soon,  Bonny    Please note delivery and shipping is available on all items EMAIL ME with any questions.     GreatHouse Bonny Neiman    p.973-714-4541  www.bonnyneiman.com   12 Beechwood Avenue | Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30

Round Top Roundup!

                   

Just returned from another fantastic trip to Round Top! It was a different one for me as my regular sidekick (husband Roger) couldn't make it.                                  I am blessed with having the most wonderful, fun loving women complete the picture at GreatHouse. They travel A LOT and are always game to try something new which is why I wasn't surprised when Susan said "I'll go!". She was back 2 nights from Nantucket and is heading to St.John this weekend but hit the ground running in hot Texas!                                   We were so happy with our ride....doesn't it scream TEXAS?? Where's our antler mount?                                                    So many beautiful pieces are on their way to NJ including a pair of these fantastic bookcases. Susan was thrilled to meet favorite artist Scott Kerr and we're excited to receive several of his latest paintings.                                   I swooned over these spectacular barn doors....the color, the hardware, the diagonal planks!! I could just picture them creating the right mood in a new farmhouse.                                   Taxidermy is every where you turn in Texas!                                   Junk gypsies had an outhouse photo booth set up....every bathroom should have a crystal chandelier!                                   Shelia is a real pro! Here we are discussing yardage for a project. I am always so excited with the luxurious high end fabrics I bring back. I always preorder pillows.                                   One of my favorite things is meeting new artists and artisans.                                   Lodging is hard to come by in Round Top and since I decided to go to Texas last minute, we were lucky this beauty was there for us. What we didn't know was the bathroom house was separate and a late night visit included shooing away about 20 lizards who were having fun at the entry light. When Susan reported this back to me I immediately started emailing some inns for cancellations and I will have another blog on our fortunate upgrade! While I was sleeping here there was a large animal munching at my headboard wall and I could see moonlight through the wall boards.....think snakes!                                        Now this is an interesting version of a media cabinet! This painting was from a Dallas bar :)                                                       Scored this bow front beauty! These are coming! Making friends with Louis the Louis guy!                                      One of the best parts is finding new handmade products...                  These are coming to NJ and the seats are lambskin leather.                  Industrial metal beams polished, mounted on lucite make stunning lamps!                  Gail is our favorite waitress....the very best there is for southern hospitality and efficiency.                  Steve is a former Florida police officer who is enjoying great success as a furniture designer and artisan.  Next time I want to be behind the wheel of this!                  There is nothing like the people of Texas....spirited, sweet, creative and fun! Was so happy to share this experience with Susan, a real trooper and such great company.             Please follow on Instagram to find out about a new promotion and also the date of our next workshop featuring the super talented designer, Victoria Balson. Victoria will share design techniques, trends, and her "go to" paint colors. Our "styling your cocktail table" workshop was a huge success and we had such a fun night with raffles, wine and bites!                                It's a good time to follow on Instagram and Facebook as some of my finds and fun experiences are posted!                 Talk to you soon,  Bonny                                Please note delivery and shipping is available on all items EMAIL ME with any questions.                       GreatHouse Bonny Neiman    p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com  12 Beechwood Avenue | Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30

Hold onto SUMMER SALE!

It's still summer....Let's hang on to it! We have been extremely busy and enjoying all the visitors out with the gorgeous weather. We have been having so much fun styling your rooms....such great, fun people. I am back from an exciting (HOT!) trip to the Grand Canyon (blogpost later) and weeded out some great finds at the LasVegas market, too....some have arrived already!   We are all looking forward to our party/demonstration this Tuesday when Matt Allegretta, design coordinator from Anthropologie, is ready to show us the latest trends in styling and accessorizing our rooms.  Thank you for the great response, check Facebook and Instagram for party photos! GOOD TIME TO HAVE A "HOLD ONTO SUMMER SALE!!" Outdoor style has evolved dramatically and the offerings are vast. Concrete is popular (check out September's ElleDecor) and  I'm happy at GreatHouse right now we are having a sale on the special pieces I have found. In addition to interesting furniture we also have on hand the many accents needed to personalize your outdoor spaces like the zinc centerpiece, above. Love the casual placement of pillows, the concrete table and the stone pedestal entry Antique stone planters, bird baths and pea gravel create a European vibe. Slatted garden chairs are available at GreatHouse... Available and currently on special summer sale is our stylish outdoor furniture collection which happens to look great indoors too! Please EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS!! Currently available are 2 concrete side tables with a closeup of the faux bois technique pictured below. Measurements are 22 1/2 high, 22" square. Originally $475.00 ea. on SALE for $325.00 ea. Outdoor concrete cocktail table with the faux bois detail, below. Stunning inside or out h 16 1/4 w 60 d 34 originally $1,525.00 on SALE for $915.00 We all need a buffet type piece when we entertain. This outdoor marble console, above, is a great place for an outdoor bar or a spot for serving. looks great as a console or hall piece inside too! H 34 w 48 d 12 1/2 originally $1,550.00, on SALE for $1,195.00 Antique iron pieces just in from France. In addition to the distressed green iron table, above, we also have a black one. Available are 8 green painted iron garden chairs. Table h 29 diam 38 original price $ 995.00 on SALE  for $795.00 Chairs originally priced $110.00 ea. SALE $85.00 ea. so French and great as an accent set for that outdoor spot that needs some character. Also on sale are all planters and sundials. The sundial on the right, sold but the one on the left is a stunner! H 34 originally $1,895.00 on SALE $795.00 Small marble occasional tables. H 19, 12 1/2 sq. these are great inside, too   next to an upholstered single chair. Originally $245.00 ea. on SALE for $195.00 ea. LOVE these antique French army chairs .....originally $1,100.00 for the set on SALE for $695.00 for the set. In addition to the indoor/outdoor pieces we need to make room for new inventory so it's a good time to stop by. We have great art and LOTS of pillows, some outdoor, some handmade, all beautiful are 40% off! Please EMAIL ME for info! Sidewalk sale AUGUST 21-22! HAPPY Rest of SUMMER!!     It's a good time to follow on Instagram and Facebook as some of my finds and fun experiences are posted!  Talk to you soon,  Bonny    Please note delivery and shipping is available on all items EMAIL ME with any questions.       GreatHouse Bonny Neiman    p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com  12 Beechwood Avenue | Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30

You don't want to miss this!

JUST WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WISHING FOR!! We're having a styling workshop just for YOU!  Reserve your spot with our favorite display artist and creative buttinski, Matt Allegretta! Matt has just returned from a week with the creative heads of Anthropologie and will share styling tips and the latest hot trends you need to know in styling your own home.  Think bookcases, mantles, cocktail tables, etc....your questions answered by the amazingly creative guy who cracks us up whenever he's at Great House ! Cocktails, convo and Matt's favorite foods! (We had to entice him) Tuesday, August 18th at 7 PM! Please RSVP by email or call 908-522-8900 to reserve your spot. Limited attendance.     It's a good time to follow on Instagram and Facebook as some of my finds and fun experiences are posted! Talk to you soon,  Bonny    Please note delivery and shipping is available on all items EMAIL ME with any questions.        Great House Bonny Neiman   p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com  12 Beechwood Avenue | Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30