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The Queen of Vignettes

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In the Royal Family of vignette design, I’d consider myself a Duchess. I’m definitely not one of the head honchos, but I know my way around a tablescape. I still have a lot to learn (and a lot of people need to die) before I reach the top.

Luckily for you, I get to introduce you to whom I have deemed the Queen of Vignettes.

The owner of my favorite booth at our local antique mall, Susan Pridgeon, is the master at putting together a random grouping of items and making them look like an easy vignette. I always make a beeline to Susan’s booth as soon as I walk in the doors, and I was surprised one day when I actually ran into her while she was reworking a few items in our booth.

I immediately began gushing over her (since I turn into a blabbering idiot when I’m around someone like her), and she laughed and said, “Well, you see how I do it?” She was standing in a pile of pages that she had torn from various magazines. “I find an idea I like in a magazine and just run with it.”

Susan graciously allowed me to come back a few weeks later and take photographs of her booth to share with you. I think you will enjoy seeing how she puts her items together into displays.

A pearl-embellished bottle brush Christmas tree underneath a glass cloche.

Old balusters turned into candle pillars.

Beautiful vintage Christmas ornaments hanging on what I think is the skeleton of an old lamp shade.

Corsets hung on an old door.

Letters made from vintage pearl buttons. I happily treated myself to one of these back on my birthday.

Chandelier hung under a picture framed wrapped in a line of old raffle tickets.

An old patio chair holding vintage photographs and other goodies.

Dance costume hung among empty frames and vintage letters.

Isn’t it all just lovely? I’m sure it’s easy to see why I love her booth as much as I do.

Susan doesn’t want to keep all of her secrets to herself. She has a basket of magazine pages to share with her shoppers.

If you live in the Central Texas area or plan on visiting soon, I highly recommend you stop by the Round Rock Antique Mall and head to Susan’s booth, A Time for Roses. You will certainly not be disappointed. You’ll probably even run into me there, as I go to stalk her gorgeous booth once every few weeks.
Thank you, Susan, for allowing me to feature your wonderful booth! You really are the Queen of Vignettes.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. TexNan says

    Thanks for posting this, Denise. I may have realized you were sorta a neighbor of mine–I remember I saw it on one of the blogs I visit, just couldn't remember which one! At any rate, my SIL and I occasionally come to Round Rock to putz so next time we do, we know where to go! Oops, I lied–we go to Georgetown, but Round Rock's pretty much spitting distance from there.

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  3. Susie Jefferson says

    FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing… I always wondered how the experts did it (same as us, really – only better!) So why is it every time I build a "vignette" on the coffee table – pile of library books, remote controls, old coffee cups – my DH says What a mess, and tidies it up? Am I doing it wrong, lol lol lol

    Happy Christmas and have a wonderful New Year.

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  4. Patricia says

    I love the word vignette ~ never mind the fact that creating them allows me many places to play house by creating new places for the eye to land only to be summoned to another one!

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  5. Theresa @ 612Riverside says

    Amazing!! I would love to live so close to so much inspiration, thanks for sharing!! Merry Christmas! ~ Theresa

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  6. The Three Sams says

    O MY GOODNESS! Love the pearl letters. Have you done a tutorial on this yet? This would look great in my living room:) I am trying to figure out a way to arrange pictures going up the stairs at my house. We have an open floor plan with loft, so it will be seen from downstairs. Maybe the pearl letter can make an appearance, with some little small ones, too:)

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  8. Charlotte says

    She rocks! Luv the use of lampshade for hanging ornaments and the pearl button letters were very simply divine. Hope you have a joyful Christmas with family and friends.

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  9. Carey @ The Garcia Family says

    Thanks for the Round Rock info! I've often wondered (but never taken the time to research myself!) where the good shopping is around here. Beautiful- she has a great eye!

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  12. Susan Carter says

    I live in Round Rock, and wondered as I started to read your post if you were talking about the same booth that I LOVE over at the Antique Market…and you were!! I love to look at how she has decorated over there. I met her briefly once and she is a delight. I only wish I could buy more from her more often!!

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  13. Condo Blues says

    I love the vignettes. That is one of the things I need to work on for 2010. Creating vignettes and photographing them.

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  15. Susie Q says

    Puh-LEASE do a tutorial on the pearl letters. Or just post a close up of yours? Or even better, how much does she want for them and does she ship? Those are so lovely.

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  16. Michelle, Home Staging Pro says

    In my world (home staging) I often have to set up vignettes to impart an idea of how lovely it would be to live in the house I've staged that is for sale. Like you and your Queen of Vignettes, I am constantly perusing magazines, shops, flea markets and photography books (historical photography books are a great source) for inspiration. Thanks for posting the beautiful photos.

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  17. Beth says

    I have in-laws in Austin so I'll have to stop in Round Rock next time and check out the booth. I think I may have to copy the lamp shade frame with ornaments, it was tooooo cute!!!! Oh and the pearl letters….and the

    Reply

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