My husband Tim and I love to take old places and make them new.
We normally do this to neglected houses, but last year we did it to an old grocery store.
We found this fireplace at a funky place in Moonville, SC called “Old House Salvage.” Later in the project, this fireplace mantel became a more permanent-looking addition to the store — thanks to Tim’s carpentry talent.
It took a couple months, and added more than a couple of gray hairs to our head.
But the results were worth it. The town’s old Winn Dixie was now the town’s newest art gallery and gift shop.
After a longer labor than originally expected, Sunflower came to life on July, 10, 2014!
Here are photos of our “labor of love.” Thank goodness we had the help of several faithful friends!
Lots of windows. Not sure how we'll use these.
I painted the front door and little wall. Loved the green. Hated the yellow. It ended up blue.
Do you remember this white wall?
Tim and I on a hunt for doors at Old House Salvage in Moonville, SC.
Score! He sold us these for $20 each. Because we were nice.
It was at least 95 degrees in the shade.
I love my strong husband.
Junkyard dog, basking the sun.
Not exactly sure what these will be, but I wanted A LOT of doors.
Sunflower's backyard.
Hard-working Holly power washed it all!
The blue door is for my studio.
Lucy loves working on Sunflower.
We need address numbers!
Thank you, Tim.
A poem by my son, written in the midst of our fixer-upper project.
After 2 months of mayhem, our son became a little loopy.
These photos are to show his personal suffering in the midst of the project. 🙂
He said he can't take it anymore!
I love my husband. He made me this workbench.
I love my mom. She taught me how to be a decorator.
Love it! Just needs paint
Our mess.
Only 7 more days? No way.
Inventory. Now what do I do?
Fair Trade!
Art Supplies
Hand made dog collars
Kyle's adorable Famsters were the perfect added touch.
Our resident painter, Kyle. She spent days at the Sunflower Chalk Painting bootcamp!
The mantle before Tim worked his magic.
This is a mess!
This is really a MESS!
Tim figuring out another project.
Chalk Paint boot camp continues.
My sweet friend Melissa spent days cleaning for us.
Another masterpiece by Kyle.
Still painting...
Did I mention we also love spray paint?
Another huge SCORE. $5 for this twin box spring. Exactly what I needed. God's merciful provision!
Chalk Paint camp.
Tim is still working...
Kyle's handi-work.
Ahh, the smell of freshly cut wood.
Only 6 more days? Seriously?
These labels are the result of days of blood, sweat, and tears.
Bye-bye boxing gym. Thank you, Bonnie for painting the wall green!
Yellow gerberas. The perfect welcome to Sunflower.
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A photo from Sunflower in full bloom. May 11, 2015.
Our job here is almost done.
Now that the old grocery is back to life, its time for us to move on to making something else more beautiful.
Beginning in August, another locally-owned store called “Goose Feathers”is going to take what we’ve started, and build on it. And while Goose Feathers is expanding into a larger space — starting in August, Sunflower is going to go back and focus on what we do best. Creating beautiful places, spaces, and WORKS OF ART.
So what’s next for Sunflower?
Could it be ANOTHER fixer-upper project is in our very near future? Stay tuned for the exciting details…
