A Sweet Time at the BitterSweet Cabin

While visiting my hometown of Bryan, Ohio this past summer, my friend, Sue (she's actually my bf in Bryan) and I were told by Sue's sister-in-law about a cute little shop - and that it was my kind of stuff. So, we just had to check it out....(AND - she was SO right!)

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Just a note: I had intended to post this in September (which totally got away from me...) - but decided that the style and country setting of this shop was well suited for a fall posting! Enjoy the tour!

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We drove up to a house that had the most beautiful bright red and welcoming building just to the left of it... And the sign said "The Bittersweet Cabin".

Well, I could hardly get out of the car fast enough... There were many things calling my name - an old bicycle, ladders, tables, and some repurposed pieces on the front porch - there were lots of rustic and aged treasures waiting to be discovered!

Here is the proprietress - Jan - it took me at least a half hour to get past the front door - we were engrossed in some serious junking discussions immediately - our histories and our love for junk - (Kindred spirits for sure - and in our junking world - it's an "at first glance" kind of thing).

She mentioned that she was a fan of JUNKMARKET Style, and enjoyed all the creative ideas - so I got to share that I was one of the contributors on the site. She told me that she had dreamed of having her own shop - and we were standing inside her dream that day! It's an awesome thing to see the love and passion a person has for doing what they love - there really isn't anything like it! And, as she laughingly told me that her profession was "curbside acquisition" - I SO understood!!

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Jan runs the shop with the help of her husband Duane, who is a master at carpentry - he builds cabinets, etc. from cast-off pieces of furniture and scraps of aged wood. They're truly beautiful! She sells everything from rustic/primitive pieces...to antiques...to the items that they rebuild and/or repurpose - a rustic eclectic mix that she displays to perfection!

The picture below is what her shop looked like before it was a shop - an old garage. It was sectioned off in pieces and moved to their property - where it was transformed into the shop that stands there today! The building itself is literally the "picture" of repurposing - an amazing find - and even more amazing save!!

Here's Jan and I standing next to a piece of furniture (it had been an old wardrobe) - it was lovingly transformed into a one-of-a-kind display piece - as well some great storage. I could see this in my house...!

Here's another cabinet - the door is an old screen painted black -with the inside finished off in some great old beadboard (beadboard is one of my favorite things!!). I love the rustic, fall-ish look of this display.

Out on the porch, she had a fabulous display of vintage camping/picnic pieces - and who doesn't love an old bench??

Here's a gem...an old light fixure hanging out on the porch waiting for either a candle or a bunch of - what else...bittersweet!!

Out front is a fenced area with more stuff...a great old weathervane, a bicycle, ladder, and more...

This bike was rusted to perfection (seriously!!)

I love the display against the red wall - it just pops - in a vintage-sort of way! :)

Me and my "bf" in Bryan, Sue (holding her son's new puppy - "Paisley") - relaxing for a moment! Thanks, Susie - for putting up with me - I can be a little "junk crazy" sometimes!!

Out back were more surprises - I really thought it'd never end...(and that's a good thing!)

Don't you love this? I think it's a chicken nesting condo! A double-decker!!

I love the fact that no surface is left untouched - too much junking fun!

Finding Jan and The Bittersweet Cabin, was the perfect end to my afternoon - and I so appreciate Jan and Duane's hospitality - and for allowing me into a bit of their dream. And, not to mention...a new friend - that was a bonus!

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Now, for some information on The Bittersweet Cabin:

It is located at 4889 St. Rt. 576 in Bryan, Ohio

The phone number is 419-630-7311

Shop hours are: Thursday and Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm - or call if you're in the area, and if available - they'll open up shop for you!!

EVENT NOTE: A Christmas Open House is being held at The BitterSweet Cabin on Friday, November 13th (6pm-9pm) and Saturday, November 14th (9am-3pm)!

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Can't wait to stop by and say hi to my new friend, Jan, and see what she does for the Christmas season!

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Take care and have a blessed day!

Kathy