So Much to Love at Carol Hicks Bolton Antiqüités

I have been a very bad girl.  I am extremely tardy in telling you about the quick side trip we took to Fredericksburg when we were in Austin several months ago.

We were in Austin on photography business — I think I’ve mentioned that my husband is a professional photographer? — and I told Mark that I really, really, really wanted to take the one hour trip to Fredericksburg to go shop at Carol Hicks Bolton’s store.  This was before we decorated our master bedroom — see how lame I am? — and I badly needed a big dose of inspiration.  I knew I’d find plenty there.

Well, let me stop apologizing and just show you how delicious her store is.

This pretty organic and industrial display was right inside the front door.

Carol uses incredibly tall curtains in gorgeous fabrics as room dividers.

Check out the huge doors, used as dividers and textural backgrounds.

I can’t think of an adjective good enough to describe her linens.  Let’s just say they’re drool-worthy.

There was inspiration everywhere, including this industrial railing that caught my eye.

A pretty old map beckoned me to photograph it.

These antique clown shoes made me laugh.

Any kind of piece with little drawers or cubbies calls to me like a bug to a light.  She had several pieces that I’d love to own.

These two pieces were my favorites.

I loved the antique framed chalkboard.

If taxidermy is your thing, she has a wide selection of animals.

I really like deconstructed and shabby upholstery, and if I could fit more chaise lounges in my home, I would have been seriously tempted to buy this one.

These bookshelves were to die for.

I loved this white beadboard wall and this industrial shelf.

Nearby was this cute little shelf.

These old blueprints were taped to an industrial door.

Of course, I oohed and aaahed over her velveteen rabbit chairs and knew instantly how I would repair a damaged slipcover.

Lastly, I saw this amusement park ride, and I knew you’d be “wowed” by it.  I sure was.

After leaving Carol’s store, we shopped at a few more stores and peeked in a few old buildings in Fredericksburg.

I spotted this gorgeous tin ceiling in one store.

We also drove down some residential streets and looked at some of the gorgeous architecture.   That’s one of our favorite pastimes.  We didn’t have time to explore as thoroughly as we normally do, but I did shoot several photos.

Fredericksburg is known for their tiny Sunday houses.  I just love the classic architecture and how quaint they are.

Here are a few.

This is another home that was just so wonderful, I couldn’t resist taking several photos.

I loved the iron fencing.

I could so live there . . . “there” meaning this specific house, or Fredericksburg in general.

On the way home, we spotted this classic style of stacked cedar fencing.