After 12 years in our little townhouse we have decided to move. It’s still up in the air as to where we will land – Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, but we know it’s time to move on.

Last week I spent all week cleaning and prepping my house for the sale. We took boxes upon boxes to storage, to Goodwill and to the curb. We basically scrubbed the place clean and scrubbed most of our personality away in order for others to see themselves living here. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are still bits and pieces of us still hanging around, but for the most part all the fun – and cluttered chaos that is our lives – is gone. That being said, I thought I would show you a few of the photos of our house. In case you have ever been curious about how we live. People often ask me how do I part with the stuff in my store. I always tell them they should see what I keep! Here’s a small glimpse into what I kept.

This is the living room. It’s my favorite room in the house because I dearly love my navy blue walls (Benjamin Moore’s Newbury Port Blue) and will miss them when I leave. They really make the furniture and my collection of etching prints really pop. And, my own Seda sofa looks gorgeous against it. (BTW, you can get the sofa and the two lamps from Red Barn Mercantile) My favorite thing in this room is the big giant 30 gallon crock in the corner. It’s a big beautiful beast and I love it! Found it for a song at a long closed store in Ellicott City, MD.

The coffee table was once an oyster shucking table from MD. It did have a piece of tin on it that eroded so badly that we had to remove it. You can see all the nail holes on the sides where it was nailed on. My mom stripped it and Dad cut off the legs to make it the perfect coffee table. The other interesting piece in this picture is the side table on the right. It is the bottom of an old general store display. It has the same amount and type of drawers on the other side. The piece that would have been on top would have been hexagonal with lots of drawers and it would have turned. That piece is pretty cool too.

The room is long and narrow so I will have to show it to you in four pictures. Left is the scene directly across from the sofa.

Here is the gorgeous Harvard chair by Cisco Brothers and the Longshan lamp by Jamie Young both available at Red Barn Mercantile!

Next to them is a buffet that Mom and I found at Lucketts many years ago. It was red and terrible before my mother worked her magic. I love the color of the wood particularly next to the paint. The piece on top is from a friend and one of my first staff people, Monica. She has AMAZING taste and a great eye for antiques. The cubbies are from an old hotel and are so small that you really can’t fit anything in them other than letters and keys. I decided long ago not to put anything in it because it’s beautiful just the way it is.

Finally, my most favorite thing on this side of the room is the clock. It’s an old Seth Thomas clock that used to hang above my grandfather’s desk. I hear it’s tick-tock and think of him. (Note that it is hung a little too high. I decided not to move it and put another hole in the wall. Trying to be considerate of the next owners!)

On the left is a picture of my grandmother’s old pine stepback. She was an antique dealer in Tulsa for many years. It sits next to the sofa on the same loooonnnnnggggg wall. It’s where I get the gene, I’m sure!

On the right is the space just across from the stepback. This is my desk and honestly, it has never been so clean! It’s usually piled high with papers and clutter, which is a shame because it’s so beautiful. It’s an old partner’s desk that my parents gave me for Christmas one year. I think it’s stunning. The mirror is an old oak mirror that I found for a song. The silver behind the beveled glass is flaking away to reveal streaks and black spots. Some might not like that, but to me, that’s what makes it so special. The lamp is a Thomas O’Brien surveyor’s lamp that is available at Red Barn Mercantile if you’d like one too! Wink. Wink. Well, that’s all for now. If I have time and there is any interest, I’ll show you the rest later. Now, I’m off to buy a dress for Preston’s wedding…!

I am getting so excited!  My favorite Old Town Boutique District event is this Saturday, May 19!

On May 19th all of the stores in the Old Town Boutique District will be giving back to the community in a plethora of ways.  For instance, The Sugar Cube will be taking non-perishable food donations for the Capital Area Food Bank in exchange for a discount, Bloomers will give you 20% off any new bra when you donate a new or gently used bra to BraRecylcers who give the bras to deserving women and girls in transition all around the world, and Hooray for Books! will be donating 15% of it’s sales to Wright to Read Foundation and are accepting book donations for a Spring book swap with two area elementary schools.  There are 34 stores giving to 34 charities on this one day.  Pretty amazing!

What is Red Barn Mercantile doing you ask.  Well, this year we are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia to make a brighter future for some very deserving folks.  On May 19, 20% of all in-store and online purchases will go to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia!  Plus, we will have staff on hand to answer all your decorating questions and there will be a fun craft for kids to keep them engaged while you shop.  If that weren’t all we will have architect, Romana Sanchez, the Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, on hand from 2:00 to 3:00 to answer any of your architecture questions.

It’s going to be a truly wonderful feel good day.  I hope you will come out and support your favorite charities by shopping for the greater good!

For a list of all the stores, their charities and their good deeds visit the Old Town Boutique District website.  See you on Saturday!

For most of us that means strapping on the ol’ tool belt, dusting off the power tools and getting down to business.

No one in Old Town knows how to do that better than our friends Wendy and Alex Santantonio of the blog Old Town Home. And, on April 26, Old Town’s super-DIYers will share what they do with you.

Get all your Spring DIY questions answered.

Wendy and Alex will be on hand to help you with advice for all your home projects.

Submit your DIY question in advance using the “Leave a Reply” box below and they will come to your rescue.

• Not sure what tool to use? They will know.
• Want to refinish your own hardwood floors but aren’t sure where to start? They will know.
• Struggling with the right paint finish? They can help.

If you don’t have a question, that’s okay. Come and hear their DIY adventures. Every home project there is always a story behind it!

What

DIY Workshop

Plus, there will be wine and sweet treats to enjoy as we get down to the nitty gritty of home improvement!

When

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26.

Where

Red Barn Mercantile, 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria, 22314

Space is limited so RSVP today!

We are bringing movie night back to Red Barn Mercantile! On Friday, April 13, join us for a fun-filled evening of yummy goodness. Now when I say yummy goodness you know I’m referring to Johnny Depp in the movie Chocolat! Can I get an “Amen, sister!”?

Actually, I’m referring to the amazing chocolate from our friends at The Sugar Cube. They have just moved to a new location at 1218 King Street and we want to celebrate by sharing their delicious treats with you.

And if that weren’t enough… because it’s Friday the 13th, we want you to get extra lucky so we are giving you 13 percent off any purchase made that evening.

Eating chocolate and watching Johnny D, what better way to shop for a rug, sofa or bedding?!

It’s free, but we would like to know how many folks will be joining us, so please RSVP today.

The movie starts around 7 p.m. and we will be open as long as there is still chocolate!

What

Movie Night at Red Barn Mercantile featuring Chocolat

When

7 p.m. Friday, April 13

Where

Red Barn Mercantile, 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria, 22314

There. I said it. It’s a bit of an obsession really, but I’ll work on that later. For now, let’s celebrate with Red Barn’s annual Red Carpet Sale.

From Friday, February 24, through Sunday, February 26, we’re offering 20% off all in-store and special-order rugs by Dash & Albert, Amy Butler and Dwell Studio. These special deals are only available in our store.

So get your glam on, ring the limo and strut into Red Barn Mercantile. When you buy rugs from us, you’ll feel like a star. We have hundreds of patterns and styles from which to choose. Take a few 2×3-foot rugs home and try them out in your space — see them in your light, with your furniture and colors. Then come back and order the rugs and sizes you need.  Our knowledgeable (and stylish) staff will be on hand all weekend to cater to your every need.

See you at the movies!

We will show you the most efficient ways to set up your kitchen, where to find inspiration and a good architect.

Plus, you’ll get:

• Tips on how to decorate your space
• A shopping list for all the things a great cook needs
• A list of resources to help you complete your dream kitchen

No lectures or PowerPoints here. Our informal workshops encourage questions and interaction, so you shape the discussion and we address your issues.

Space is limited, but bringing friends is encouraged!

When?

Tuesday, February 21, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

What?

A free discussion about how to design, decorate and stock your dream kitchen featuring three local experts. Refreshments will be served.

Where?

Red Barn Mercantile, 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria.

Come to Red Barn Mercantile 11 a.m. Monday, when we mark down all of our holiday items — candles, ornaments and decorations — 50% off.

Here’s a sampling of some of this year’s favorite decorations …

All discounts are offered on a first-come first-served basis, and when these holiday trearsures are gone, they’re gone.

We don’t expect these ornaments and decorations to last long, so don’t delay.

1. Cotton Herringbone Throws, $236.  2. Happy Snowman Pillow, $195.

3. Strand Alarm Clock, $69. 4. 5-inch by 18-inch Slate Cheese Board, $40. 5. Rest In Grease Spoon Rest, $9.95.

6. Savannah Bee Royal Jelly Body Butter, 28.95. 7. The Godfather Classic Quotes, $12.95. 8. Design*Sponge at Home, $35. 9. Tatine Candles, 36.

Shop our Gifts section for more gift ideas!

The City of Alexandria is offering free parking in the City-owned parking lots and garages on Black Friday!

Skip the craziness of crowded malls and frenzied national discount stores and get “Door Buster” deals from Red Barn Mercantile and other Old Town Alexandria merchants this year.

Red Barn is one of 32 locally owned stores participating in Shop Local Alexandria’s Black Friday sales event.

And, we’re opening at 6 a.m. to offer extra savings to early-bird holiday shoppers:

• Shop from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. to receive 30 percent off.
• From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. you’ll receive 20 percent off.
• And from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. you’ll receive 10 percent off your purchase.

Why buy local

When you decide to buy from locally owned stores, you’re not only helping the store, you’re helping the entire community. Studies have shown that when shoppers buy from local independent merchants, more money stays in the local economy. That means more jobs, more tax revenues for local services and more support for local charities.

It also means finding products and gifts that are more unique and diverse than what you’d find at national chains.

We may not be able to offer the most outrageous mark-downs, but independent local shops have major retailers beat when it comes to quality, service and the overall retail experience.

National retailers operate on national quotas. They care about sales. We care about customers.

National retailers offer cookie cutter merchandise. We buy what you want. Because we’ve taken the time listen and get to know you.

National retailers work on big volume, get-it-yourself sales models that also mean long lines, crowded aisles and MIA salespeople. Local merchants survive on relationships. I live in Alexandria, my store is here. My customers are my friends and neighbors.

Shop Local Alexandria is an initiative of the Old Town Boutique District, a grassroots organization of local independent retailers dedicated to promoting historic Old Town Alexandria.