American Junk: Mary Randolph Carter

Hello, My Friends!~~

I took a quick trip from our vacation home to White Stone, VA (and thrifted along the way, of course) to a wonderful shop called FARM. FARM is run by Emily, the neice, of Mary Randolph Carter who was there signing her new book, but more about the book in a minute. If you love vintage and junk, I know you know Mary Randolph Carter! Originally a Virginian, she makes her home in up state New York and NYC where she works for Ralph Lauren as Senior Vice President of Advertising. Most important to me is that "Carter" has published books that I consider inspiration for Dime Store Chic: "American Junk", "Garden Junk", "Kitchen Junk", "Big City Junk", and "For The Love of Old".

Carter has released a new book that beautifully embraces our love of "stuff", why we love our things, and how fabulously they fit into our lives: "Never Stop To Think Do I have A Place For This?" The pages and pages of eye candy kept me slung back in our vacation home hammock for hours.

If you love vintage, you NEED this book!

What I adore about Carter's aesthetic sense and that of the folks presented in the book, is the approachability. I look at every page in this book and can feel the emotional closeness from the owners of the things arranged in the interiors. Anyone with a love of vintage, things with history or a personal story, and a sense of adventure in seeking out what calls to you, would feel content in the rooms on the pages. Approachable, comfortable, warm like a hug, doable.

Please allow me to express how lovely it was to meet Carter, her sister Nell, and niece Emily at FARM. Great to speak to Carter about our love of junk and the junk that means so much to us. We laughed about this now gone dime store in a nearby town had ladies stationed in every aisle who would watch you to make sure you didn't steal anything. I gushed and most likely prattled on a bit, because really how often do you meet your inspiration?

Carter offered to have Nell take our picture out in FARM's wonderful "junk yard". Hair in a ponytail, wearing my junking clothes, I couldn't think of a better idea!

Don't you just love Carter's vintage charm necklace made from things she loves?

If you love to collect, and we all do, please grab yourself a copy of Mary Randolph Carter's "Never Stop To Think Do I Have A Place For This?" You DO have a place for this wonderful, inspiring book!~~~XXOO, Beth