I was flying back home on Sunday when I grabbed the latest copy of Country Living magazine.
I adore this publication, but I need to renew my subscription - hence the airport purchase.
Inside there are plenty of great articles and idea notebooks, with features on closet makeovers, vintage luggage, antiques, and even sea salt (my latest fixation).
Then what before my eyes should appear in the March 2010 issue on page 69 but a fabulous feature on my hometown !
“Five Reasons to Visit Petaluma”
When I saw my sweet little hometown featured in a major national magazine, I got a little giddy.
Ooooh, a three page spread ! I live right nearby these places !
Petaluma is the southern most town in Sonoma County, just 35 minutes north of San Francisco. Our town shares its eastern border with world famous Sonoma, and is known all around for its numerous antique shops in the downtown area.
Twice a year, we have an amazing Antique Fair where the streets are closed off, and almost 200 vendors come from across the West to sell their vintage, salvage and antique goods.
The big feature in the March 2010 issue of Country Living is on this very Antique Fair ! How marvelous !
I never ever ever miss it ! In fact, I’ve written about the Antique Fair in 2009, with plenty of inspirational pictures, here and here.
The Petaluma Antique Fair is where I spied this piece . . .
. . . . which inspired my latest cabinet makeover (pictured below).
It’s where I saw some colored antique seltzer bottles
Similar to the bottles on display at Napa Style that I saw last fall.
And this year, I’d like to score one (or two) for myself.
At the Antique Fair I saw this clever idea – vintage spoons as door pulls, brilliant !
And it’s where I saw this vintage frame crafted into a jewelry holder . . .
Which inspired me to make this fabric backed jewelry display with a recycled frame:
It’s where I saw this bright green painted piece . . .
That inspired the color for the desk I painted for my daughter’s remodeled room:
I’m still regretting not buying these babies from the September Fair. It haunts me.
So if there is anyone in Northern California who’d like to meet me there,
I’m extending this invitation:
We will browse the Antique Fair for three hours, followed up by a private luncheon at Zagat rated Risibisi, a local favorite, within walking distance. Email me for details.
I can’t wait !!!
I just read this article, and thought how much I wanted to visit this cute place…if only I lived closer.
I would love to go with you, and to meet you. I have been reading since you started. I used to be a flight attendant, and if I still had my free flight benefits then I would definitely leave on a jet plane and come to Cali. Glad you had a great time at Blissdom. I met Nester, Kimba, Jenn and Nester’s sis Emily at Nester’s swap meet last summer. They are all such lovely women. I hope to meet you someday too!! Keep showing us your projects…you always inspire me. I am trying to get the energy to work on my blog again {I have let it go dormant since last July}. It’s on the to-do list for the month of February. Have a good week, Leigh Ann
I suddenly wish I lived in Petaluma…
I wished I lived in or near Petaluma now as well. I read that article just last week and thought it would be a lovely place to visit. Who knew that the lady from the blog I follow every day lives there to? What fun it would be to meet you and talk with you about all the projects you have inspired in my own home! Why or why must I live on the east coast?
Kate,
I just read this magazine yesterday at home! I loved it. I didn’t know that was your hometown, and I am so jealous that I can’t go to the antique fair with you! That would be so much fun.
On another note, I saw your picture with Harry. He has his arm around you, girl! Again, I am so jealous!
Have a blessed day!
Traci
When I read the article about Petaluma, I wanted to move cross country right then (or at least visit!). So jealous that you live close to it!
Yes, I enjoyed that part of the magazine too. Thanks for the invitation. Wish I could join all who are able to make it. That would be a fabulous way to spend the day!
How great! I know exactly how you feel. I love seeing things about my home town published, it really makes me proud of it. And a great fair! I have always wanted to visit the west coast, may be this will be in my plans. Best! Vanessa
Aww this is so great!
I’ll look if I can find the issue somewhere here. it’s REALLY hard to find english magazine in this part of the world….
That fair sounds awesome. I miss going on antique hunt with my mom… We have to wait for summer here, cause antique boutique only opens for tourist… bleh. I want spring to come!
Can wait to see the photo-reportage of the meeting!
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I want to go with you SOOOO bad!
(Did you know I lived in LA from 1996 – 2003?)
Wishin’ I lived on that side of the country again now!
:-)
Layla
What a cool spread! I love reading features like this. I would love to meet up, take a tour, and have lunch with you and your fabulous self. I have a big birthday (I won’t say what age I’ll be b/c I am still in denial) on the 21st of April…I’m hoping my family will take a hint and plan a party for me. OR, maybe I could just ask for a plane ticket to see California. :)
I have actually spent time in Petaluma and was so excited to see it in this month’s magazine! I think I’ve flipped back to that article at least 4 times now. It’s such a cute little town! Have fun at the Antiques Fair!
Very jealous! I love the seltzer bottles and I think you just inspired me to paint an old desk a pale green. That’s just lovely!
Oh my goodness, I so wish I could! It’s the day before my birthday even :) So sad I live in Colorado and miss out on such wonderful things as beautiful California antique fairs.
Oooh, I might be able to make it!
Putting it on my calendar…..how exciting!
Sadly, I live all the way across the country in snowy Ohio. An antique fair in California sounds LOVELY right now! Can’t wait to see what you find and post about. :)
Oh it would be divine!!! Cali’s not that far from Utah…
Love Petaluma!! We always drive through on our way to/from Bodega Bay (we live in Martinez). The Antique Fair looks awesome. I may just have to attend this year!!
This sounds like a terrific event and for your hometown to be published in a national magazine is huge. I wonder if my hometown has something as exciting as this going on soon; I will need to do some digging around. I’ve seen other posts of yours about areas and shops to visit near you and it all looks absolutely wonderful! If I can’t make it to California to see these sites in person I can certainly count on you to describe them in such a way that I feel as if I am there.
Oh Kate, this sounds so fun! Los Gatos isn’t too far……I am going to plan on it! Who hoo!!!!!!
Kate, if only I weren’t here in Kansas City. I would love to attend with you!! Lots of inspiration in Petaluma!
Karena
I knew you lived in wine country, but didn’t know your hometown was Petaluma. I live in the Central Valley, so it’s a bit of a drive for me, but I LOVE Petaluma…it is such a quaint little town! I once attended the antinque fair there…YEARS ago. Maybe a road trip is in the cards for April??? I’m going to have to pick up the current issue and check it out. Thanks for the heads up…and the invitation!
Ooh, that is so tempting…do you have any recommendations for hotels as I will be coming from MD?
OOOH… Kate… I may have to meet up with you there!!! I live in Martinez, and we go up that way to visit my grandparents quite a bit (santa rosa- oakhurst) so its really a hop, skip, and a jump away!!!! Do you ever go to the peddlers fair in Benicia??
Hey I was just over at Eddie’s blog http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/ and saw that you won his giveaway…congratulations!!! Looking forward to a book review soon!
I always get so excited to see my subscription of Country Living coming in the mail – one of my favorite magazines! I try and savour it. So it came in on Saturday and yesterday I read about your cute town. I found myself dying to visit!!! If only California weren’t so darn far away from Northern Ontario. If I win the lottery by April though, I’ll see you there! :)
sounds like so much fun! if only i was on the west coast…
kelly
I will just ahve to be there in spirit, but oh this is something I would love to do.
And I am glad I’m not the only one who gets haunted by purchases not made. I once passed up this pink chair, only because there wasn’t 2 of them, and now I think who cares, why did I need 2 ?? :)
You can count me in!!!
I would love to meet up with you on April 25th for the Antique Fair. Just let me know where the meeting point will be. I always go to the show on the square in Healdsburg, but have never been to the one in P Town. Looking forward to it :)
Sarah
I wish. Ever since we had the pleasure of visiting Sonoma County this past summer, I dream of moving there. :)
Hi Kate,
I live in the East Bay (and am best friends with Shea from Los Gatos). This sounds great…count us in! How do we formally RSVP?
Thanks!
It’s on my calendar! I will see you there!!!!
I so wish I didn’t live on the complete opposite coast so that I could go with you to that antique fair! Looks like so much fun :)
Petaluma is delightful. The food all around Napa and Sonoma could be an issue in itself. Just FABULOUS! The antique fair sounds so fun. I’ll give it some thought. Great idea. Thanks for coming by and giggling with us. Holly
OMG! I live in Los Gatos and I will definately be there! I put it on my calendar already. Do you have any tips and pointers on what to bring and what to expect?
This would be awesome! The hubby and I live in Monterey and would love to make the trek up (well, I would love to make the trek up; might have to drag him along). We’ve been meaning to make it north of San Francisco for some time anyway! What fun!
I am on the SF peninsula and would love to attend! Love that neck of the woods!
xo,
cristin
wow i am so wishing i lived closer so i could join you!! this post was awesome. i wish we had something like that here in pittsburgh..hmm maybe we do. i’m going to have to do some scavenging! and for now just drool over you finds. hehe.
I wish I could go! I live in the East Bay…but Sunday is when we go to church. AND….our baby is due the beginning on April too. I would totally love going to an antique fair. My husband and I went to the Antique Mall in Monterey last month while on a mini vacation. I’m sure you’ve been there before…it’s awesome!
I read the article…how cool for you that you live there! It is a bit too far from Illinois for a visit, but I’ll look forward to your finds from this year!
Kate! When I saw this I totally thought about you and wondered if you wanted to meet up. I plan to go, so I’ll get some details from you soon! :)
I have that issue…and was wondering about that town..wish i lived closer i would sign up…
What a lovely idea. Would be thrilled to meet up with you and will put it in my calendar. And how nice to see Simplified Bee planning on being there too!
i love antique fairs and will definitely make time for this one! I live over in the East Bay!
How exciting for your town… I will have to hurry and get my copy so I can get a better look at those wonderful shops….
Hugs;
Alaura
Nice! Also wanted to say CONGRATS for winning the autographed book from Eddie Ross.Magic seems to follow you everywhere girl! Looking forward to learning a lot from you this year.Be blessed!
Hi,girlfriend! I just started a new sub. for Country Home & got the chance to browse when I returned from Blissdom. Saw Petaluma in there after you told me that’s where you live, so I remembered that!! I love the name, so cute. and boy, would I love to meet up with you, but it’s a far piece from AL. Oh, that we all lived closer so we could shop together. We would be in trouble together!! xoxo
ooops, make that Country Living.
I would love to go!
Missouri isn’t THAT far away is it !?! :)
I’ve loved seeing your mug all over blogland!
The latest next to HCJr.!! Love him!!
My brother and his family lived on 4th Street for years–they just relocated to Boulder, CO, but we visited them for years in Petaluma. We loved it there!
This was a great CL issue–but aren’t they all!?
One of these days I hope to get to visit California. That antique fair sounds awesome. Hope you have a wonderful day. Love & blessings from NC!
Hip hip hooray for Petaluma. It’s one of my favorite Wine Country towns, mostly bc it’s so un-Wine Country. Such a great place to visit.
Oh, I wish I could go to that antique fair. It sounds awesome.
Man, I wish I lived out there. I would so meet up with you and I would love to shop at that festival. FUN! FUN!
Saw the feature in the Mag. LOVED it all! SOOO wish I could come to Cali. Would be tons of fun and what an adventure for this Georgia Gal!
If the hubs weren’t going to be out of town I would be right on your heels. Will you do another tour for the fall fair? I’ll be sure to pencil that in!
Count me in! I’m only an hour and 30 minutes away. Yay! This will be fun…I’m marking it on my calendar now.
-Sarah
Well after 5,000 feet of snow in less than a week and cabin fever starting to set in, I read you are in Petaluma. I’m a native East Bay girl so know just how WONDERFUL you have it. Jealous, jealous, jealous. No other way to put it.
I’m so excited! It’s on my calendar and I’m looking forward to meeting you and having a fun day. I’m coming from Santa Rosa.
LOVE the cabinet makeover. That’s exciting about the meetup. I’m up in Michigan so nothing fun every happens around here. lol :)
How fun! I just sent you an email :)
I love my Country Living mag. When I read that article, I thought Petaluma seemed like a neat little town. And now I wish I was local so I could come meet up with you!
Oh, I also meant to say that one of the reasons I like CL is they frequently mention etsy shops. Gotta love a mag that supports handmade!
Just came across your blog… beautiful! We live in Lodi and were just in Petaluma camping for Easter :) I love Petaluma… we’ll be back in May… {wish I could come THIS weekend for the fair!} are there any cool places I need to visit or events the weekend of May 14th-16th?
~Emilie
I lived in Sebastopol for 6 year, unfortunately I have moved back to S0 Cal. I miss it so up there, Petaluma is fab, but there is a little, actually a big salvage barn on Hwy 12 heading into Sebastopol that is the best ever, or at least it was. I look forward to a road trip this summer back there. Loved what you did with the cabinets……..great creative ideas.