My Shop Was Bally Eden

In 2004, this was the house that I rented to build the business that I named Bally Eden.

Before I moved in, it was an insurance agency.

The walls were wood-paneled and the floors had carpet glued to them.

I completely renovated the space and it went from scary to very very lovely.

This was in my entry hall. All this woodwork was that dark stain and had never been painted before.

After the renovation, I said that Hell must be made of painting miles and miles of woodwork.

Having worked for the fabulously too talented Pama at Moonvine,

I love florals otherwise known as silks. These are not low rent flowers.

And Feather Wreaths, ahh.

Are you catching my Victoriana theme? Or old lady parlor? Grandma chic?

I may have had a candy dish at the front counter. And Irish music playing.

 That’s the front counter through the dutch door.

The wicker table was the first big piece I remember selling. I know who to as well.

The boot became an image for my shop. I loved that mirror.

Before I had my line of Bally Eden bath products, I carried this toile line.

I can almost smell the floral/citrus scent.

I installed a giant padded pinnable board in the linens room to display the doilies and hankies.

This room also housed the vintage clothing.

I decorated the dresser. The jewelry boxes are from Two’s Company.

And the dresser contained bath soap pedals, potpourri, hankies, and bath confetti.

Welcome to the retro kitchen.

The lemonade urn was from Two’s Company but everything else is vintage.

Either collected from yard sales or flea markets or the auction.

We took the plaster off the brick chimney to expose it just like at our house.

I sold aprons for $6 each. I enjoyed people’s nostalgic stories of their family’s womenfolk and their aprons.

This was the men’s rustic corner. I still have a few of those cigar boxes.

Anything else that was leftover was sold at one of two yard sales or shipped off to auction.

These darling felt Americana ornaments and key chains were my first order at the Atlanta Gift Show for my new shop.

This is me behind my counter framing a picture.

I still have that picture I’m reframing above my vanity. You can see it in a recent Instagram selfie.

And we return back to the entry hall. Those encyclopedias on the floor I’m using

for my paper wreaths for the butterflies.

And that hall starburst coat rack was a project my husband took on after buying it at an auction.

Bally Eden was truly a co-venture for Mark and I. He worked hard there for me.

Chatting up little old ladies on Saturdays.

And working on whatever project I got in my head.

I miss it dearly but I am so happy to have these pictures after all.

Next up is the Television commercial made by some people in the television business my husband knew.

And after that, the Open House invitations I designed.