We took a little day trip last weekend to a nearby town called Farmville. It’s about an hour away from Richmond and, as the name suggests, involves driving deep into rural Central Virginia.
The reason for our adventure was actual to do a family bike ride on a new rails-to-trails park that opened up around Farmville called High Bridge Trail State Park.
For those of you who catch our Instagram pics on Facebook or Twitter, you saw a picture of that very (very, very) high bridge already. But coercing Sherry into riding her bike over this steel and wood skyway was my main thrill of the day. And hers was something else entirely.
She was excited about hitting up Green Front Furniture, which we had last visited nearly four years ago. It’s quite legendary around here – warehouse after warehouse of discounted furniture and accessories (over 18 football fields worth, so they say). So although most husbands might shudder at the thought, we actually ended up having a pretty good time. Of all the options in that lot, these metal giraffes were our favorite. Can’t you picture one of them next to a little wooden playhouse for Clara in our backyard? Maybe someday…
When it comes to the price point of the stuff at Greenfront, a lot of it is what we like to call “out of our reach.” You can usually find awesome things that are up to 50% off and even more than that, but their initial price is often so high to start with that the discounted price is still slightly to wildly out of our budget (ex: $500 chairs, $1200 tables, $3000 sofas). It’s still really fun for inspiration and just to see what patterns, shapes, and designs seem to be gaining momentum.
For example, this couch was $3639 (that was the sale price) but we both thought it was really cool in person. It’s hard to tell from this photo, but it was a thick fabric that wasn’t embossed or anything (in a weird way it was oddly understated for sporting a snakeskin-ish pattern). It might not be something we’d love for ten years (such a specific pattern on such a major piece of furniture might get old), but in the vein of being something that we’d never seen before and having clean lines and plush comfort (we sank in and soaked it up for a hot second before Clara demanded that we keep it moving) we thought it was fun.
Sherry also oohed and ahhed over these mirrors (but just as inspiration since the one on the left was $900 and the one on the right was $460). It’s funny to see them side by side since they actually seem to have a lot in common. Leftie’s our favorite.
This guy was also fun. It kind of reminded us of the ORBed version of the one we have over our bed (except for the small fact that ours was found on clearance at Hobby Lobby).
This leather chair was the stuff of dreams. We both completely agreed that if money were no object that $1491 chair would have come home with us. It’s one of those pieces that would easily be the coolest in the whole room. So we gave him a good long stare and tossed a few “you go, chair” compliments his way.
This chair was also really fun. Everything from the pattern & color of the fabric to the painted edge (it was just black around the sides and left au naturale in the middle) was something we thought someone at home could use as inspiration for a DIYable thrift store find with similar lines.
We also liked this chair, which sported an interesting combination of traditional, unpainted wood + clean and modern fabric. A lot of times we see people painting the wood a bold color (or even white, gray, chocolate, or black) when they reupholster something so classic with a more modern fabric – but this confirmed that leaving the wood alone and adding some crisp and graphic fabric can look great too.
Sherry loved this bench. Too floral for me, but the lines were cool.
This is another example of why we love window shopping, even if we can’t afford anything in the store. This coffee table was really innovative and totally gave us another DIY idea. It’s a little hard to tell, but the inside of the ottoman is wood (with a removable tray) and the outside of it is upholstered in leather. The mix of materials was awesome. And I bet if you had an old coffee table made of wood with a similar rectangular shape (they pop up at thrift stores all the time) you could even make a thick wood frame that could then be upholstered in leather (or something else) and then you could screw it to the top of the table from underneath. You could even find a wood tray to fit into the opening for the full effect (and add nailhead trim if you’re really feeling fancy).
This monkey chandelier was $399.
We had no words. See the guy on the right side laying horizontally? That part attaches to the ceiling, so it’s a monkey hanging from the ceiling holding four other monkeys up by their tails. Completely insane yet kind of amazing. I hope somebody bought it and designed the most awesome/over the top room around it. Although now that I think about it, spray painted white in a kids room might be the coolest thing ever. Don’t tell Sherry, she’ll want to go back for it.
This wasn’t from Greenfront – it was from a nearby shop called The Sleeping Bee – but we thought it was really versatile. We could picture it in a kitchen full of dishes and linens and silverware in cups, or in a garden or sunroom with plants and other outdoor stuff on it.
And now for the discounted section of this window shopping mission. Haha. It wasn’t all 1K furniture, so here are a few less expensive (although still not dirt cheap, but the quality looked awesome) finds…
There were these Anthropologie-ish bone-looking knobs for $1.99.
This cute blue stool was $40.
And this giant mirror was $129 (the picture does it no justice, but it must have been almost three feet tall).
Probably our favorite find of the day was this giant glass lantern (about three feet tall) that was discounted from $99 to $49. Sherry thought one or two of them on a porch or patio with a giant candle in them could be, to use her words: epic. We didn’t buy them though, mostly because we were having fun walking around and didn’t want to drag them with us (and also because Clara was hungry so we had to feed the belly of the beast bean).
Now for those of you still interested in the more athletic portion of our Farmville visit, let’s revisit the High Bridge Trail for a moment. It’s an old railroad bridge that was built in the 1850s and actually played a part at the end of the Civil War when both armies tried to burn it down to their advantage. In the early 1900s the stone piers were replaced with steel ones.
It spans the Appomattox River and is nearly a half mile long. Though it’s really the twelve story height that makes your heart race. Especially when we stopped to think about the people who built the dang thing. It really makes me glad our deck is only four feet off the ground…
In spite of our sweaty palms, it was actually a really great ride. We went about 9 miles, since we wouldn’t dare attempt all 31 with a two-year-old strapped to the front of my bike.
Sadly the shot above is the best one Sherry got of the two of us. Her attempts to get a cool perspective by shooting from above resulted in tons of photos that looked like this. Sherry blames her “stupid short legs.”
Luckily someone hiking the trail offered to snap one for us.
Also luckily for us, Clara is a great bike rider. Our iBert seat is a lifesaver because I can interact with her easily the whole time – asking for her “help” holding the handlebars, singing songs and playing “I-spy” along the way. (We don’t work for them, we just like their seat. Haha.)
And in case you’re wondering, most of the trail actually was crushed gravel and virtually flat (Sherry’s favorite part). There are even bathrooms and picnic benches along the way. We’re already mentally planning a trip back in the fall once the autumn colors start to show their stuff and it cools off a bit more. Although this hot August trip was surprisingly comfortable – even if Sherry did wear jeans (typical). We highly recommend it. Especially since it’s also an excuse to browse the eighteen football fields worth of furniture that is Green Front. Anyone else going on shopping or biking adventures? Do you prefer to wear your toddler on the front of your bike? Or ploy them with lolly pops so they’re happy shopping companions?
Psst- We just shared the outtakes from Clara’s monthly pic on Young House Life (my favorite one involves a politician-ish gesture).
Lauren says
I was in Farmville last weekend too! did you go to the Boneyard or the rug clearance building? my husband was determined to be out of there in 2 hours or less and somehow we found an amazing rug in a little over an hour! I wish we’d had time to go in some of the other buildings just to look, so seeing your pictures was perfect!
Kendra says
Hi John and Sherry,
Did you guys do a housewarming party in either of your houses? We have been in ours almost 4 months and still have lots of work to do to it. I just want it to be perfect when we have the party, but if I waited for that to happen, I’d be waiting a long time! I know your houses were/are a work in progress too. What are your thoughts?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve had a group of family over around a month or two after we moved into both places, but they both were a wreck and we didn’t call it a housewarming party. Haha. It was just a “come see our new place and we’ll order pizza” thing. Nothing formal, just to keep the pressure off, so when people saw boxes and paint swatches everywhere they understood! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Kelly says
Was there anyone swimming in the Appomattox the day you crossed? One of the days we visited, my toddler felt the need to point out the waders, “SWIM. RIVER.” to everyone who past by while we were stopped at one of the lookout points.
My daughter was born two days before the bridge opened. We took our first family walk across the next weekend. Maybe a little crazy, but we were desperate to get out of the house and there’s not much to do in Farmville!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so funny! We didn’t notice any swimmers that I remember, but it sounds fun! And what a sweet first family walk across that bridge! Scary, but so beautiful!
xo,
s
Christine says
Oh man! I wish I knew you were there, at the exact time you were there (wait, that sounds creepy, hear me out). I would have paypal’d you the money in a hot second to scoop up those lime green frog decorations for me that you can see in the picture of the shelving unit. I saw them at my local gardening store, and told myself that I could get them once I finished my patio, and I picked out the trio I was going to buy…by the time I finished my patio, there was only one left in the whole store (the one that looks like it’s giving a high five). I got him and set him proudly on my homemade pallet patio furniture. He was no longer with us after a tragic tree branch falling incident just weeks later, and I’ve been unable to find him online anywhere since. Just thought I’d tell you I had the whole fluttery stomach when I spotted him in your pictures, it sparked up hope again!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, I hope you find your frog decorations someday! Maybe on ebay or somewhere serendipitous!
xo,
s
Katy says
we LOVE our iBert seat! Starting in 2 weeks, our kiddo will get to commute to preschool on the front of Daddy’s bike on the iBert!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Ohhhh how fun! When you put up the pic of the bridge I was shaking in my boots…not sure you could get me across that thing.
You all make me want to move to Virginia haha!
Kahli says
That bridge looks very terrifying! I don’t know if I could have rode a bike over it, not to mention I haven’t rode a bike in over 10 years. Do you forget how to ride, haha? Anyway, I love those mirrors!
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t the joke that you never forget how to ride a bike? I probably didn’t ride one for 6 years while I lived in NYC, but it all came back to me. Still scared of heights though. Haha.
xo,
s
Paula M. says
that bike seat is the coolest thing ever! Now I just need a bike… and a kid. Oh, well, details, details! :)
That bridge gives me the willies! With my skittishness of heights, it looks 120 stories high, not 12 … LOL.
chrissie lynn says
i’m fine with sherry’s jeans on the bike ride – but are those open-toe sandals donning her feet?!
take it from a gal who wore flip flops on a flat fun ride near the shore – one tiny blip and open-toe shoes on a bike mean band-aids and ruined afternoons!
looks beautiful though – love those kinds of trails – we can ride to the Walkway over the Hudson from our house in New York (longest pedestrian bridge in the world!) http://www.walkway.org/ – think you guys would brave it?
YoungHouseLove says
That trail sounds awesome!
xo,
s
Debbie says
I’ve been wanting to visit Farmville because that’s where my sorority was founded (at Longwood College). :-) Thanks for the post to remind me to put it on my list.
Hailey says
Hey Petersiks,
Kind of off topic but just wanted to let you know that I requested your book be made available for kindle :) hope that’s ok with you guys!
H
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Hailey! I think they’re planning to have that available for ya. The only issue with design books with so many pics and Kindle is that they’re not always as pretty as the hard copy (since they’re not just full of words, an actual copy of the book often has prettier layouts than e-versions). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
MissCaron says
I love that area. My good friend went to Longwood and my grandparents had a farm in Dillwyn. Though I’ve never been on that trail. I’m going to have to add it to my bucket list!
KLL says
Am I the only one who can’t see any of the photos except the bike pics? I keep refreshing, and nothing…
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry KLL. Sounds like a glitch with your browser or maybe your computer’s cache? Perhaps trying to clear the cookies/data/cache will help? Or trying a different browser to see if that’s it?
xo,
s
Kaitlin says
I love the coffee table/ottoman with removable wooden trays! I have a large chocolate brown ottoman for my sectional and I use a multicolored wooden tray on the ottoman top for a coffee table when I have guests. Otherwise the tray sits on the couch cushion next to me so I don’t have to reach for my drinks :)
Ariel says
Okay, time for a ridiculous story. That monkey chandelier totally reminds me of something I made for my english class freshman year of high school a billion years ago. We had to make a diorama to go with an Edgar Allen Poe story of our choosing. I picked “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” which has orangutans in it (I don’t remember anything else about the stoy). I made a chandelier out of the monkeys from a barrel of monkeys. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha I love that!
xo,
s
julie says
I was also thinking if you painted that chandelier red it would look like a barrel of monkeys! you could put it in the playroom =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that!
xo,
s
Ally says
In the hilarious shot of $herdog in amongst all the metal sculptures, something else is cracking me up…in the foreground, it looks like Tiger Woods is doing a photo-bomb? What the heck is HE doing in the mix?! :)
And, I love the “Watch Your Step” sign behind the black framed cane chair…not only will you trip, according to the diagram, it looks like you’ll have 50,000 volts of electricty shoot thru you :)
xox
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I didn’t notice either of those things!
xo,
s
msumissa says
We loved our inert, wish we would have had it for our oldest, but did not. YDD loved it and we used it until she was 4. She is just so crazy tall that we couldnt use it this year, but she is riding on her own now. I am going to list our inert on Craigslist.
msumissa says
Er. Ibert. Stupid autocorrect.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart to craigslist it! I bet someone will snatch it up. So sorry she outgrew it but using it until she was 4 sounds awesome!
xo,
s
Calla says
I went to Longwood, and now work there (I’m also from Richmond)! My fiance and I love riding our bikes along the trail, too. I hope y’all ate at Charley’s or The Bakery-my two favorite spots for a delish meal! I’m glad y’all enjoyed our little town!
YoungHouseLove says
We did eat at Charley’s! Very good and such pretty views.
xo,
s
susie says
GreenFront’s also has an outlet in Raleigh, NC. I grew up nearby in Crewe so I remember the transformation of Farmville over the years. When you cross the High Bridge again please say a prayer for those who lost their lives or were injured crossing the bridge when it was an active railroad bridge. It was a popular hangout for high school kids and deadly on occasion.
YoungHouseLove says
We didn’t know that. So sad.
xo,
s
Harley@heating and cooling birmingham says
Awesome chairs and desk! Sounds like you guys had a blast, like the green trees too! You don’t see that often in a city nowadays. Btw, just found your blog and enjoying every minute of it :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Harley!
xo,
s
Joanna says
My cousin owns a horse farm in Farmville. I’ve never been, but it looks more interesting than I imagined! My sister is obsessed with primates and I may need to get her that chandelier!
Wendy says
Some cycling links that might be of help, amusement, or other.
Virginia Bicycling Federation
http://www.vabike.org/category/virginia-bike-trails/
Bikekinetix (Family Friendly Rides)
http://www.bikekinetix.com/trail_categories/family_detail.php
Delaware State Parks Biking Trails
http://www.destateparks.com/activities/trails/biking/
The Dirty Dozen (50-ish mile ride up the 12 steepest hills in Pittsburgh. A dear friend was the 2011 female winner. It includes 37% grade Canton Avenue- that’s on cobblestones!)
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/defying-the-dirty-dozen-cyclists-take-on-steepest-of-pittsburghs-steep-hills-325620/
A Youtube video of said race from 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX_wYGEJ8jM
Family Cycling in Utah (love the new home… amazing trails to ride and bunches of cyclists out there this morning!)
http://www.utah.com/bike/adventures/family.htm
If your book tour takes you to the Pacific Northwest, please consider renting bikes! My huband’s parents live at the base of Mt. Rainier and the roads are wonderfully bike friendly and gorgeous!! The same goes with the Finger Lakes region which is blessed with endless miles of country roads, with minimal traffic that are all bike friendly.
Thanks for all that you do.
We skipped our ride this morning in favor of a 5k fundraiser for Hospice for Utah tonight at 7 pm. A very great cause with amazing folks.
YoungHouseLove says
Fun! Love all the links!
xo,
s
mp says
I knew when I read that headline you’d been in my neck of the woods! Next time you visit Farmville, go to Discount Fabrics, which is across Main Street from the Green Front accessories building.
I need to get to High Bridge! I’ve been dying to go, but never make the time.
Kath Eats says
Look so fun! I’ve biked the VA Creeper a few times, but I didn’t know about this one. And biking in jeans…in August!! Brave woman : )
Kate says
What an awesome trip! We have a trail that runs right by our house, but nothing that cool. I would be scared of the gravel though. My husband and I do a lot of road cycling and I bit it going fast on gravel recently. It was very painful. And I’m excited to see the review on a seat! We have been looking for one. Thanks!
Jenna at Homeslice says
I love that floral bench too- the color palette would be perfect to base a room off! I’ve been considering on of those bike seats for our little guy lately too… Clara likes yours? It definitely looks like she’s having a blast.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, she loves it! Even asks to get in it if she sees it in the driveaway or being loaded onto the car! Haha.
xo,
s
Amanda Carver says
So, just in case you ever get back there…just outside of town (like if you are heading away from downtown not toward the highway) there is a killer antique store. The junk/antique store I feel like you guys would appreciate. It’s totally worth the 1 hour drive for me. My friends go to Farmville shopping, and I go to the junk store right outside of town. ha.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!!
xo
s
Alice H says
Looks like fun! What’s the maximum weight for that seat? My 2.5 year old is 35 lbs. We love his front seat now but it’s getting a little snug for him. Thanks! Also…sherry wear some shorts! I’m sure your legs are fine!
YoungHouseLove says
According to the iBert website, it’s fit most kids ages 1 to 4 and up to 38 pounds. http://www.ibertinc.com/
-John
carolina says
1. I’m definitely pinning the iBert to my wish list.
2. Oh my, that leather chair. Totally awesome. Guess I could pin that to my “in my dreams” board. :)
3. Have y’all been to Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke? Nate B has featured it several times on his show.
4. I know some people have mentioned The Virginia Creeper trail. It may be a little far for y’all, but it is so much fun and easy! Be sure to stay at the Old Fairview Cabin in Abingdon and take shuttle transport and/or rent bikes from JCs Outdoors!
carolina says
p.s. i don’t work for any of those places i mentioned above. (hehe) i just think they are the bomb.
YoungHouseLove says
Haham thanks Carolina! Will check Black Dog Salvage and the VA Creeper trail out!
xo
s
Chelsea says
My husband and I just went to Farmville yesterday by accident (we were originally headed to the beach, but the weather wasn’t lookin too hot…literally.) We ate at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe and one of the best meals of our lives. It was so good! We spent the rest of the day exploring and I was constantly being taunted by a pair of greyhound statues. I thought of you each time I saw them, and kept telling my husband that I wanted one to spray paint white. “why would you want to do that?” he asked. I replied “because Young House Love has a white one!”
Unfortunately, they wanted $500 for the pair.
Ooo, did that ship sail fast.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny! We ate at Charley’s too! So good.
xo,
s
Beccii says
Hey John & Sherry, I just got an e-mail from Amazon saying your book release date has been pushed back to November. I just wondered if this is due to my being in the UK at all and not the US? I am so looking forward to getting your book. Thanks, Becci x
YoungHouseLove says
Hi Beccil,
Yep, the release date for the book is November 6th (although Amazon says the 5th). Sorry if that’s different than what Amazon told you before, but rest assured it’s not because you’re in the UK. Thanks for ordering!
-John
Colleen says
Maybe its just me but I would never go on that bridge…
Bernadette @ B3HD says
I totally adored that monkey chandelier. Just way too cool and wacky. Not for my front entry mind you, but for like one of those rooms that the door is usually shut until special folks come over and then they want a tour to peek into your real life. That would be AWESOME to have staring back at them.
Rene@BargainHoot says
Thanks for taking us on the adventure with you. Love those one-of-a-kind sort of locations.
Christen says
I ventured to Green Front last Thursday and came home with an 8. 5 x 11 seagrass rug – originally $1,195 and I bought it for $109!!! The “Bone Yard” (building 12 I think?) is the best for deals!
Courtney says
HAHA Moving home to Richmond, from Arlington, in 10 days and my Mom just said this weekend, we’ll go to Green Front to look at furniture for you. After reading your post, I might just have to nix that and swing by Ikea on the way home :)I like to keep the Benjamins in my wallet.. Penny pincher is an understatement :)
Thanks for sharing!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw good luck Courtney!
xo,
s
Amy says
I think I really need that enormous metal buck… or the monkey chandelier. Either would be amazing in my house because my husband and I are odd birds and would have something like that with the rest of the house looking “normal.”
That bridge = scary! It reminds me a little of the New River Gorge bridge in WVa. They have Bridge Day every year and tons of people go bungee jumping. There’s a lot of gorgeous scenery out there, as well as mountain bike trails.
Amanda says
Farmville… you mean Farmvegas ;). We love visiting there, in fact we were supposed to go do our maternity shoot there last night but got rained out. It’s a great little town to visit!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo,
s
Meghan says
That daytrip looks awesome. Too bad we live in the Boston suburbs. Anyways – I just bought my husband/son the iBert and we’re obsessed! And like to use a Bert/Ernie voice when we talk about it – (which I think you guys would perhaps appreciate.) I also LOVE the idea of painting the monkey chandelier white. oh my gosh. what a great idea! Who doesn’t love monkeys?
Larry says
I run a summer camp in Mechanicsville and took a group of middle-schoolers to visit High Bridge. It ended up raining on us as we crossed the bridge, but still a great time. I’d love to be there in the fall.
Jo_Ro says
This seat looks like a big improvement from the one I had on the back of my bike (that would throw me off balance).
I srsly want that monkey light.