07 January 2010

meet miss mabel


I'd like to introduce you to Mabel.





Mabel and I were destined to meet - I am certain of it. I have been searching for her for such a long time. I have seen many others, but none of them were "the one". However, when I saw her, I just knew she was meant to live on the farm, and spend her days with me.


Her exterior is a beautiful satin in the traditional bullet shape. Just looking at her brings me back to a simpler time - the 70s, my childhood. She is two years younger than I am which gives me an instant sense of loyalty to her.




Her interior is in fabulous shape - granted she is a bit "dated". That being said, while my original plan was to find a "fixer-upper" and do something fabulous to it, now that I have her, I am becoming a bit attached to her 70's decor. There is something about that wood paneling that reminds me of being young, carefree, and living in a time when we didn't obsess about how perfect our homes were. She just might be the place where I let things go a little bit... She does have a full bathroom with a shower, a kitchen complete with a refrigerator, double sinks, a stove, and an oven.









I have however laundered all of her linens and curtains, sewn new curtain tie-backs, and have plans for adding color through accessories. She is pretty much a blank slate right now - a sea of tan if you will~





She has found her home in the upper pasture, in view of the house. She is hooked up to power, so we have heat and light. This spring we will be building a paver pad for her, complete with front patio for a set of vintage lounge chairs to enjoy a cocktail on a summer afternoon. I can't wait!






mimi and mabel ~ it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
xx


53 comments:

Ciara Brehony said...

She. is. perfect.

Love the wood panelling! I completely understand you wanting to stay faithful to her vintage, somewhat. I can't wait to see more of her!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, Mabel is GORGEOUS!!!! Wow! I would be spending all day long in her if I had her in my garden....how fun!

Yippee!!

Robin Johnson said...

Mabel is FABULOUS!

I think your plans for her sound wonderful. so. perfect.

Cathi said...

Mabel is absolutely stunning! I was just going to comment on how I loved your new blog header when i saw this post....what a wonderful place to relax! congrats on your new addition! xxoo

Shelley said...

I am jealous- I always wanted a miss mable....lucky girl you are

Anonymous said...

It's heaven. I can just imagine what a treat this must be.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Well, Miss Mabel is a triumph.
When we travelled around the States, we hired a Miss Mabel and she was every bit as good as you say. We had such fun in her, and our children had a great time.
.... and what fun to 'do her up'
Enjoy your Miss Mabel. Kim and have fun with her. XXXX

Kasey said...

I CANNOT wait to meet her...and maybe..just maybe...stay in her.
She is gorgeous Kim.
And i love your new header...
love love.
xo

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

She is perfect. You are so much fun! What a great and fantastic backyard idea, how come everybody isn't doing this? I think I want one too!

Anne Marie said...

seriously?

oh good heavens..........how can anyone get a cooler gift.....

debra@dustjacket said...

I think it has a great ring to it. I love her in all her retro glory.
Just fabulous!
xxx

Maison Douce said...

Kim!!!!!You are truly a lucky gal!!!! I guess I'll have to plan a visit this summer, I want to enjoy a drink there with you!!!
Isabel

Ange said...

Swoon. No not swoon. SWOOOOOOOOOOOON. Just picking myself up off the floor now! Sigh. SIGGGGGHHHHH! Have a wonderful time playing in the garden with Miss Mabel Sweet Mimi ... Love your new header too!

Bisous

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I love Mabel. I too have a vintage camper that I am going to fix up. I am getting lots of great ideas on blogs. There are a group of gals who vacation together in their vintage campers. Not all are Air Streams but it sound fun to me. A comment was left on one of my older posts about a group that has only Air Streams and fixes them up. If you look through my older posts you could come across it or contact me and I will try to look up the blog address. Can't wait to see what you do with her!
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Martha said...

Oh how perfect Mabel is...even her name...she is perfect just the way she is right now...

I cannot wait to see those spring and summertime photos with her in them and you all relaxing:)

Debra said...

Did Santa-Baby bring her? I can just imagine what loveliness you will bring to her. If we bring the wine, will we all fit. What a great project. Think of how you will be able to escape with that handsome husband of yours...even if you stay right on the farm. Just fabulous!

DustyLu said...

Mabel and mimi so cute. Match made in heaven! Such a darling vintage little home away from home! lulu

Shannan Martin said...

She's pretty dreamy.

I'm loving the new header, too!

Gail said...

Envy is something I don't usually fee, but I'm afraid in this case it's simply impossible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What fun you will have with Mabel. Wish I had her, wish I had her, wish I had her.........

Chez Zizi said...

I am so in love with Mabel. How cool are you? She is freaking fabulous!
Here's to Mabel and many a nights shared with her.
Zizette

Michelle Hughes said...

Love her!! It will be like your own little playhouse! Can't wait to see the facelift!

Michelle

kathi @ traybella said...

she is beautiful! what a great find. love your blog!
kathi

Donna said...

You LUCKY GIRL!!! I have a vintage pop-up camper that I love. But my dream is a vintage airstream. I too have found a few that are definitley "fixer uppers" but none have yet screamed at me to take them home. I guess when the right one comes along it will speak to me, as Mabel did to you.

Gwynie Pie said...

Oh wow - Mabel is a beauty !
I have long wanted an Airstream. It'll be fun to see what you do with her. She's in incredibly good shape. Too fun.

Gwyn Rosser @ The Pink Tractor
www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com

Jeanne Oliver said...

Lucky girl!!! How fun and you are going to love having your own little space!!! I can't wait to see it with the patio too.

Hill Country House Girl said...

Just forwarded your post to my friend who LOVES Airstreams!! She will so enjoy reading about Mabel. Have fun with her - she is beautiful!!

Christi said...

she is perfect! we dream of having one for the same purpose.

The Everyday Mum said...

Oh wow! I'm almost speechless. Only almost though :) You are sooooo lucky, and I am sooooo jealous. Mabel is just gorgeous.

AuroraSuzette said...

You will not, perhaps, believe this, but my sister had basset puppies named just that! Mimi and Mable. And what a great escape you'll have in the garden.

studio.delucca said...

gasp!

what a spectacular little retreat!

thank you for sharing the wonderfulness... I will be sure to check back in on the adventures of Mimi & Mabel....

Florence said...

She is lovely and I can tell you are having fun with her. Enjoy! Florence

Queen of Tarte said...

So Jealous......lovin Miss Mabel!! xo Cindy

Lori said...

I knew, knew, knew you would have one by the end of the year but not this early. You are a brat ~ she is lovely Kim and Mabel was my grandmother's middle name. xo

Lori said...

Oh yeah - loving the new header too!

Chinny and Poom said...

I HEART these to death. You are sooooo lucky. We were gifted one years ago by my Father-in-Law. I turned him down...What was I thinking??!!! I'm calling tomorrow. :) Love your new header too. Oh, and Mabel...you couldn't have picked a better name!

Bonnie said...

Dreamy! Loving the new header as well. :)

Mumzie said...

Mimi & Mabel...M&M...such a great couple! Love her and wanting to see more. I'm still looking, but haven't found one like this gem out here in Cali. Mumzie :)

Pandorah's Box said...

I am so happy for you! Makes me want one of my own :) How gorgeous will it be to just sit in her and read and write, on a crisp fall day?

Yay for Mabel and Mimi!

MODERN Prairie Girl said...

Your girl is just lovely (and ripe for some Kim-i-fying design :) ).

We have so many fond memories of summers in my parent-in-laws "Twinkie"...just the perfect size!

Can't wait to hear about all of your adventures in Mabel :)
oxoxo
L

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

She is fabulous!

I have a friend who wishes to do the same thing, and then strip it clean inside and fill with all Ralph Lauren!

Femke said...

Oh my god, Mabel is gorgeous, top of the world! Thank you for following my blog!

Have a nice weekend!

Kind regards
Femke

Morgane said...

elle est superbe !

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Mabel is amazing! I think Mimi and Mabel are going to have some good times together...

Suzann said...

She's delightful and Mimi and Mabel sounds like a match made in heaven.

Mikal said...

Love your new header! And that Ms. Mabel is pretty sweet too!

Have fun planning all your adventures togethe!

Mikal

traci said...

how fun is she. you will have a wonderful life together.

Crystal said...

Mabel, looks just perfect. You always need a place to just be. I can't wait to see Mabel after she is accessorized.
Blessings in 2010!

Andrea said...

...
I've been looking for a tiny one for here too...
Though not so pretty as Mabel!
Lovely!
a

Donna said...

I have always wanted to do this. I want it to sit by our pond and have it as a guest retreat or one for me! Just perfect! You are one lucky girl;)

Annie said...

Mabel is marvelous! Thanks for the pics of her. Happy times are ahead.

Sunmallia said...

She is lovely that Mable, hope she bring you nothing but happy memories in the years to come.

TryingHard said...

I am soooo jealous!

Leslie said...

She is just beautiful! have fun decorating...