Last weekend my cousin got married in Brevard, North Carolina. Translation: weekend road trip!
Okay, so it wasn’t on the scale of our road trip to Texas for my cousin’s wedding two years ago (different cousin, btw – I’ve got lots of ’em) but it was still a good time. Brevard is in southwestern NC somewhere between Asheville and the South Carolina border (so close actually, the rehearsal dinner was in SC). It’s about a seven hour drive from Richmond, though we broke up our ride with a stop in Charlotte to see our pals Matt and Kristin. The wedding was obviously the highlight of the trip (you can see some pics over on Young House Life), but Brevard did offer some other fun “adventures” too.
The Antique Mall downtown was one of the coolest (and cleanest!) antique stores we’ve been to in a long time. It also had a really great architectural salvage place next door. So of course we had to share some of the fun stuff we spotted, like this awesome collection of wooden printing press letters. At two bucks each, I can’t believe we didn’t come home with a full alphabet – but somehow we managed to appreciate them without buying any (check out the ones we already have here).
Similarly tempting was this rack of old skeleton keys for $3 each. Again, it’s a shock we didn’t buy anything. Sherry did mention something about buying a ton of them and making an amazing chandelier- like a giant one for over the dining room. How fun would that be? Maybe next time.
Actually, the thing we contemplated purchasing most were some charming paintings by local artists – like this quaint little covered bridge. It was an original watercolor, but the $49 price tag was a bit more than we planned on spending that day (Why are we so cheap? Now we look back and wish we grabbed it).
And definitely out of our vacation budget ($200+) was this weirdly cool painting of a ram-type creature. Sherry was into it, but for some reason I was even more head over heels in love. Or should I say head over hooves. Miss you, man ram.
Raise your hand if these guys remind you of Jonathan Adler pottery (picture me and the wife raising ours).
Like always, there was plenty of stuff that erred on the side of quirky. Who wouldn’t pay $40 for an inexplicably naked KISS action figure? Or $45 for a light-up stained glass chicken Beyoncé?
I’ve got a soft spot for the look and texture of potato sacks, but I just wasn’t quite sure if this one was for potatoes. If only it had been labelled better… (please tell me the sarcasm isn’t lost). Sherry thought it could make a fun pillow or ottoman (heck people even cover chairs with potato sack fabric these days).
Across the street from the Antique Mall was a thrift store run by the local Humane Society (Brevard is in Transylvania County, no joke). I didn’t get to see much of this store because Clara was obsessed with looking at the kittens so Sherry poked around the back while Clara and I hung out with her new furry friends. Everyone in the store probably got sick of hearing “Hi kittycat. Hi kittycatkittycatkittycat! Buh-bye kittycat! Hi kittycat!”
But Sherry was able to locate a few entertaining items, coincidentally both chihuahua themed. Too bad Burger wasn’t with us to enjoy them (he was back at the pet-friendly rental cottage that we stayed in for the weekend with the rest of our family).
Of all the shops we strolled through, the only place that we bought anything was the local Habitat For Humanity ReStore. This isn’t the store, obviously, it’s just their delivery truck.
Though Sherry thought it would’ve looked better like this (she wants me to note that Edward is on the other side). Women and their vampires… this husband will never understand.
Anyways, back to our purchase. For $5 we picked up the frame on the right, with an intricate paper cut design inside. We didn’t know quite where we’d hang it but figured we’d find a place. Once we got back home we found the perfect spot for it – in a frame in our hallway gallery in lieu of a generic picture of apples (which used to live in our first kitchen).
We had to trim the paper cutting a bit to fit top-to-bottom, but it looks great. We love that it livened up that corner of the wall with some stronger color and an interesting pattern. Plus we got an extra frame out of the deal, which I’m sure will get painted and hung somewhere else.
We feel mildly accomplished for not coming home totally empty handed (you know we love snagging stuff for our house when we’re on the road to keep the memory of our trip alive). But since we barely got a taste of Brevard while there (and even less of a taste of Asheville – we just drove through on the highway) we’re hoping we can make it back there for a longer visit sometime. Maybe when another cousin gets married…
Has anyone else hit the road for a trip lately? Or gone to any beautiful fall weddings? Oh, and if anyone has any Asheville area suggestions for us (or anyone else) we’d love to hear them since it looked like such a cool place.
Psst- Check out some of the cute and creative touches from the wedding (along with some family pics) here on Young House Life.
Mandy says
My husband’s grandparents live in Brevard and we go visit as often as we can. I hope you got to go to O.P. Taylors toy store, our nearly 4 year old LOVES that place.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we missed it. Next time for sure!
xo,
s
Becky says
I wish I could get the hubs to go thrift shopping with me. Never gonna happen.
Heather B. says
Asheville…my home :) I love hiking in Pisgah Forest, too, which is basically in Brevard! There are so many fun things to do in Asheville…when you come, you should take a LaZoom Tour (the big, purple bus) of the city…it’s an historic tour with a comedic twist…so much fun! Spend a day or two downtown, visiting the art galleries and local shops. There are so many delicious restaurants in Asheville. Highlights are Chai Pani (Indian street food), Plant (all vegan cuisine, and so delicious!), Mela (a great Indian buffet-go for lunch), Doc Chey’s (noodle shop), Bouchon (fancy French cuisine)…and so many more. It’s fun, but expensive, to visit the Biltmore Estate. If you go there, you should eat in Biltmore Village, at the Corner Kitchen (yum! yum!). And hiking somewhere off the Blue Ridge Parkway is lots of fun, too!
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, thanks for all the suggestions!
xo,
s
Arnice says
My family took an impromptu trip to Lake Lure, NC (where they filmed the original Dirty Dancin’) not too far from Asheville last year and it is a really pretty area! We have two little boys and they enjoyed playing at this interactive museum: http://www.kidsenses.com/default.html
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip about the museum! My family actually vacationed at Lake Lure when I was in high school. But we split the week there and in Pigeon Forge, TN so I honestly don’t remember what was where. Well, except Dollywood was definitely not at Lake Lure. :)
-John
Nicole @ pink string an green beans says
The Tobacco Barn in Asheville (or close to) is huge and full of antiques. Also I am getting married in Asheville in June :)
katelyn says
three of my favorite things all tied into one! a cup of jo, pintrest and young house love!!
I don’t know if you guys were aware but joanna from a cup of joe linked how you guys take Clara’s fabric pictures!
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/10/have-relaxing-long-weekend.html
(Click on: A sweet way to take a photo)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Love it!
xo,
s
Maky says
Arrghhh… how were you even able to walk away from those printing blocks? I’m completely obsessed with them and am desperately trying to find some not-so-expensive ones here in the UK!
An off-topic question, too – do you guys have a presence on Google+ yet? I did a search but couldn’t find ya. I’ve actually gone and DELETED my Facebook account (too many changes = scaaary privacy implications) but I will remain on G+. Would be nice to see ya there though I suppose it’s yet another place you’d have to get active in if you were to join!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re both on Google+ as ourselves (John Petersik & Sherry Petersik) so I don’t think Young House Love will turn us up. We should add that to our profiles or something though!
xo,
s
Jill says
Oh I love Asheville! I spent 6 years of my childhood there and it was the best time ever! I don’t know much about Brevard except I used to have an evil aunt that lived there. LOL But seriously, western NC is my HOME (although I’ve lived outside of Raleigh for 19 years now). My parents families are from there (Lenoir & Valdese, blink & you miss it kind of towns). Ahhh it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy thinking about the mountains of NC. I have a special connection with Boone too. My parents lived there in the early years of their marriage and we have some of the best friends ever that live up there! Anyway, each town has great things to offer and when the leaves start to come in (which is right about now or maybe by next weekend), it is the most beautiful sight to behold. :)
Cheryl Balmas says
Too funny! I have a cousin who lives in Brevard and she was in Michigan this week for the wedding of her granddaughter. Yes my cousin and her husband retired to Brevard about 8 or so years ago. Her family (children/grandchildren) all live here in Michigan so they were here for the wedding which I also attended. Yes, Brevard is a cute little town (my aunt, her mother, also lived there) but they are thinking of moving back to Michigan, reluctantly, to be closer to family. Looks like you had a great time at your wedding too!
Cheryl Balmas says
O and yes forgot to say it was a beautiful fall wedding weekend here in Michigan as well. Almost 80 degrees on Friday and the wedding was in the garden of The Whitney a historic mansion in Detroit. The wedding was on 3 levels of the mansion–dining on main level in all the various rooms, dancing and more dining rooms on 2nd level and the bar up on the 3rd level. It was so unique and fun as you mingled between floors. I was married in Oct. as well so I’m kind of partial to fall weddings!
Lindsey says
Sorry if you answered this already BUT….have you made a post about the black and white “love story” elongated framed art? I love it!
Was that a handmade creation or a purchased? Either way I wanna know more!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from here: http://lovelife.typepad.com/
xo,
s
Emily says
Pronghorn Antelope….The “ram-type creature” is a Pronghorn Antelope…common wildlife in the Rockies.
Emily says
actually, maybe it isn’t exactly a pronghorn, but it looks very close to one.
Jennifer D says
Spring 2010 – my husband and I did 10,600 mile road trip from California to Florida/Massachusetts/Wisconsin/ Wyoming and all the states between – over 66 days. We spent a lot of that time with family in Franklin, North Carolina. We fell in love with North Carolina – a close second to our first love PacNW. We love Asheville! If you go back, eat lunch at 12 Bones (hands down our favorite BBQ ever! With an amazing of delicious sauces – like Blueberry Jalapeño) They are only open for lunch and have a line out the door into the parking lot! And as was mentioned Highlands is very cool place to stop through too. Hope you have fun on your future Asheville trip!
Kim says
I have to point out the horseshoe on your wall. I LOVE how your framed it! What a great idea!
Virginia@ About Scentsy says
I love antique stores! I think I would have had to have those skeleton keys! You guys came across some interesting stuff.
I have a couple of friends that go road tripping all the time, and the first thing on their list is antique stores.
Ida says
Love that area. We’re getting married near there next fall! Glad you had a fun trip.
statia says
Being a fellow chih owner and lover, I totally wouldn’t have been able to pass up that cute little painting. You have a lot of willpower!
Kara says
I just got back from a wedding in Hendersonville, which is also between Asheville and the SC border. I saw post cards for Brevard in the gas station. Too bad you couldn’t stop in Asheville. We fell head over heels in love with that place and had the yummiest fried green tomato sandwiches.
Rachael@LovelyCraftyHome says
Oh man I wish I had known! I live in Asheville :)
Maris says
I went to running camp in Brevard and always loved going there!! If you are ever there in the summer, you should go to Sliding Rock- a real water slide/river in the forest. On another note, I was just in Frederick, Md and went to Great Stuff by Paul (antique store but everything is from different countries). It was so wonderful! They have everything from the beads from Africa to doors from churches in India. Yall should definitely stop in if you are close to Frederick!
~Maris
Ellen says
I *really* love that ram. I think I would have had to pay full price for it. REALLY love it. I’m glad your taste is cool enough that you recognized that the ram needed to be shared!
Elizabeth says
This is TOTALLY off topic but that little company Towne & Reese is featured on Zulily today. I recognized them from a post ya’ll did!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so exciting for them! Love their stuff so much! And they’re such sweet girls.
xo,
s
Emily says
The pic of the red barn over the bridge looks EXACTLY like the one on Beetlejuice where they get into the wreck!! Not sure how I even remember/know that but its all I could think of when I saw it!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- so funny! You’re right!
xo,
s
Kristy says
So crazy you guys were in Brevard. We just spent a mini-moon there celebrating our 5th anniversary-came home yesterday. We pondered all the little downtown shops and the one shop we didn’t go into was the architectural one and I can’t believe they had the stamp blocks! Asheville is a WONDERFUL city and I wish I could give recommendation for home-things, but we’re foodies when it comes to there. Therefore, I highly recommend The Laughing Seed.
Chris says
Another great trip that is clearly a hot topic with your people! I love your adventures.
Meredith says
Southern Living’s October issue has a weekend guide to Asheville! Check it out!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much!
xo,
s
Verna says
I think the picture of Eric should be bigger! ; )
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Agreed.
xo,
s
Kelly Stanworth says
Um, I believe that “the ram-type creature” is actually and antelope. At least that’s what they look like here in Utah. Thought you’d want to know.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that guy!
xo,
s
Rachel S says
My husband doesn’t understand the vampires either. Men.
Ian Somerhalder is probably my favorite. :)
Courtney says
I am from Asheville and moved to Charlotte after high school! I must echo some of the previous comments with the array of shops in downtown Asheville. The Sister Mcmullen (downtown) has great cupcakes. The Chocolate Fetish has the most amazing assortment of truffles I’ve ever seen. Of course the Biltmore House is amazing (we had our prom on the estate!). There are shops and places in eat in the Biltmore Village area. The Grove Park Inn is fabulous with amazing restaurants and views.
Brooke says
OMG I love skeleton keys! Seeing this post makes me want to go visit that store and buy a few! I’m not big on antique furniture but there is some stuff I do love and those are def at the top of my list!
BTW, I’ve really enjoyed looking over your blog! You guys are doing an awesome job with your house!
shelby@honeysuckle says
I absolutely love your gallery wall and everytime I see it again, I love it even more. It’s just so personal and everything has a story behind it. I have a little collage going in my bedroom that’s like that and I love it so much:http://honeysuckleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/collage-wall-making-it-personal.html
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Oh my sweet baby Jesus!
We are planning our wedding and I have some great ideas for the Skelton keys and printing blocks.
We are driving up to Brevard for my birthday after reading this post. Hurry iup and get here November 2nd I need Brevard all up in my life!
Thanks for the post!
Melanie says
Another Ashevilleian here :) I go to Brevard a lot to see a friend and love the antique store you were in (and coincidently often think of your blog/design/my ever-present search for the perfect things for my 6 month old’s nursery when I’m there) Sad that I missed you!
Jen says
October 1st my husband and I got married and we left for our honeymoon the following Monday. We went to Marblehead,MA it was beautiful, the whole town has so much history and all of the houses are gorgeous. It’s maybe 30 minutes from Boston and 5 from Salem which was really cool as well ( we spent a large part of our Salem visit taking pictures of houses and locations in the movie Hocus Pocus…like nerds) I highly recommend visiting someday.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that sounds like so much fun!
xo,
s
Amy S. says
As an Asheville resident, I have to say that Asheville is the best! For visitors, the Biltmore Estate is a must and so is a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially at this time of year. Downtown AVL is great to walk around and there’s a wealth of galleries, neat boutiques and great restaurants. I haven’t done it but the LaZoom bus tours are supposed to be awesome and hilarious. For anyone who likes the arts, the River Arts district is fantastic and is full of old warehouses and industrial buildings that have been converted into galleries/studios. Finally, our city is known for it’s local breweries so that’s a popular attraction.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the Asheville info everyone! Can’t wait to get back there!
xo,
s
Amy Christie says
i love the cut out paper detail. neat find.
random thought – have you guys ever heard of story people by brian andreas? quirky doodles with little stories. there are so many i love. thought you guys would like the one called ‘kindred spirits’, since you call yourselves weird. http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=Show&storyID=1335&pageIndex=0&minRow=152&storyInSearch=200&productCategoryID=1000
i want it for my home some day too since it’s the way i feel about my husband.:) there are a ton of others to check out as well, if it something you like. :)
take care.
YoungHouseLove says
They’re so charming and sweet! Love them.
xo,
s
catelyn says
If you ever want to go back to Brevard, I recommend going for Memorial Day weekend. Brevard holds the White Squirrel festival which is full of live music, great crafts and a soapbox derby.
I see that you took 321, any side trips to Mary Jo’s? It’s 5 minutes from my work. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly we couldn’t stop (sleeping baby + running late = driving right by). So sad.
xo,
s
Erica says
Ummm I have that stained glass chicken, I got it as a joke or so I thought. I still can’t figure out if the giver seriously wants me to display it. To stay on the safe side it’s in my basement in case she comes over. . . $40.???? for that chicken? No one would be crazy enough to spend $40. on it when they could have mine for free!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- no way! Who knew there was more than one?!
xo,
s
Sarah says
We love Asheville, and it looks like you came right through our neck of the woods, Roxboro, NC (30 minutes north of Durham)! Looks like you had a fun trip :) If you ever make it back to Asheville, they have an awesome downtown area!
Kenzie says
Let me start by saying that I am trying to not sound like a total freak fan girl while writing this… here’s my best shot.
If you need a tour guide in Asheville, please oh please let me know. I’ve been a loyal resident for almost 10 years now, and I love it. It’s so full of amazing antique stores, art walks, amazing restaurants, and interesting people, and beautiful scenery; I never get tired of being here.
I would really love to set you and the whole crew up in a gorgeous apartment, walking distance from downtown, and show you all around! I think you guys are a super amazing inspiration (especially since my boyfriend has a house that is desperate for some of the projects you guys have done) and I would really love to show you guys the town!
Seriously, I’m not a weirdo…. I keep sounding more and more like a weirdo, don’t I? Damn it. Come to Asheville!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you sound awesome and so kind! We’d definitely love to bump into ya if we get back down there sometime!
xo,
s
amy c says
i agree with all the biltmore comments, especially if you can go once they’ve decorated for christmas!
Kelli Nicole says
I just found your blog tonight and ran across this post. I was born in Brevard and lived there til I was 16 so it was kind of fun to see a post about it! It’s been a long time since I’ve been back, but I’d love to go back and play in the woods like I did when I was a kid. I think Pisgah National Forest has more waterfalls than just about anywhere. It’s really gorgeous out there!
Nicole says
The ram-type thing in the picture is a Chamois, it’s a goat-antelope type critter that is native to the mountains of Europe, but they were also introduced here to the south island of New Zealand.
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo,
s