Welcome Mat: Home news, events around Metro Detroit
Reclaimed wood mirrors, racks at Shipshewana show
It’s called Two Sues, but it’s really a family business for the Blount clan. Bev Sue Blount and her daughter, Heather Sue Blount, create mirrors, coat racks and wall hangings from reclaimed wood. They use a mix of wood – pallet wood along with old utility poles. The two Sues design their pieces, many with the outline of Michigan, and Dad helps cut them out. 2 Sues, based in Gulliver, Michigan, will be one of hundreds of vendors at this weekend’s Shipshewana on the Road at Macomb Community College’s Sports and Expo Center in Warren. Shipshewana on the Road was started in 1992 by Darrell and Julie Lepper when they decided to bring some dealers from the Shipshewana, Indiana’s popular outdoor market, to Battle Creek. Tickets are $4 for adults; kids 12 and under are free. The Sports and Expo Center is at 14500 E. 12 Mile.
Community House holds vintage jewelry sales
I love old typewriters. My husband used to collect them years ago and my children often look at these relics (yes, relics) of the past, now displayed in our office, and clink on the keys. Allendale artist Joy Sparks goes one step further with antique typewriters: she makes jewelry and necklaces out of the old keys. Joy Sparks Designs will be one of more than 40 vendors at the Community House’s fourth annual Vintage Jewelry Sale and Tea on Saturday. Tickets to the tea had to be purchased earlier this week, but the sale is open to the public and runs from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the sale is $5. The Community House is at 380 Bates Street in Birmingham. Call (248) 644-5832.
Cranbrook House hosts Greenhouse Sale
Need a touch of green during this dreary wintry weather? Cranbrook House & Gardens will host its annual Winter Greenhouse Sale at its conservatory from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 12-13. There will be demonstrations at 11 a.m. each day, along with plants for sale, including begonias, bromeliads, cacti, dish gardens, ferns, jade plants, orchids and succulents. Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary Master Gardener volunteers also will be available to answer plant questions. Cranbrook House & Gardens is at 380 Lone Pine Drive in Bloomfield Hills.
Need a new look? Try temporary wallpaper
Tempaper first launched in 2008 as one of the first temporary, self-adhesive wallpaper companies, meaning you can change it out easily. Developed by New York City-based set decorators frustrated that there wasn’t a temporary wallpaper on the market, Tempaper comes in more than 90 different designs and costs $56-125 a roll. Tempaper’s latest addition to its Textured Collection is Repurposed Wood in a multi-colored pattern or weathered look. Pictured is the Silhouette Peacock Blue Gold, a new pattern that will be introduced later this month. The new pattern also will be available in 3 colorways metallic silver and dusted lavender. Go to tempaperdesigns.com.
Score a touchdown with fun partyware
The Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 Sunday and if you’re on game day duty as a party host, score a touchdown with your table decor. Pier 1 Imports’ Soho Chip & Dip ($19.95) set is both fun and chic. Handcrafted in black stoneware, it says “Take a dip” and is one of several pieces. There’s also the Soho Snack Bowl ($7.95) and Soho Serving Platter ($14.95).
Local furniture retailer offers furniture drawing
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, McLaughlin’s Home Furnishing Designs is giving away a very sweet treat: a free piece of furniture. As part of its annual Heart’s Desire Sale, which runs through Feb. 15, customers will be entered into a drawing to win a free piece. There’s no price limit and one winner will be selected at each of its stores in Novi, Southgate and its new store in Utica. Go to mclaughlins.com for hours and exact locations.