TA……..Ta…………I will remember these days always.
Tis time to move on and close the doors at the Hen House!
With a heavy heart after 12 years I have finally made the decision to lock the door and start a new chapter.
What ever that might be I have yet to discover.
The building we are housed in is from the 1800’s………..there has been NO maintenance in the 12 years I have been there…………unfortuantley,the building is hanging on by a thread and I do not want to be inside when it decides its old bones cannot hold its self together anymore.
As those of you who frequent the HEN HOUSE know the floors slant up and down as if one is walking on a ship!This year there has been some really big movement!
So, without further adieu……………….come and help us clear the shop.We will gladly accept offers if it is feasible for us!
I have met so many WONDERFUL people at the HEN HOUSE who have become a BIG part of my LIFE.Thank ~ You all for your support through the years and your generous compliments!You have made it a JOY to go to work and the WAVES OF WONDERMENT have never ceased!
THANK~YOU THANK~YOU THANK~YOU!
COOP CLOSURE!
MY COOP AT HOME!
Kellee says
Sad news, what a special gift the hen house is to Lafayette! x
contessa says
Thank You Kellee!What a lovely thing to say!I will miss it I know!You are a jewel!
theDOGSgarden says
OHHHH Contessa … I am sad and excited for you all at once, your next chapter will only be more FABULOUS than the last and YOU are center stage so keep shining and do your thing!!! Does this mean more blog posts??? xoxo
contessa says
I do not know about MORE but YES I will continue to write and post photos as long as I have a following!
Thank You for being excited for me as I am not feeling the excitement yet!
xoxo
Judy Hyrne says
OMG! Having just connected with you (I am Joan’s friend) and loving my recent Hen House finds (the silver door handle, silver tray and gorgeous rhinestone earrings)where will I feed my eclectic taste?
I would love to come over and hunt again for that perfect object before you close. Please keep me posted.
Best of luck in your next chapter! I hope our paths will cross again. Any update on your precious DEER?
Judy
contessa says
Judy!
What pretal did you do with the silver handle?DO TELL THIS CONTESSA who adored it!I will keep the Hen House site and announce any flea markets or private sales I might have in my garden further down the road!Good of you to leave a comment as now i have your e-mail address…….We will be there for at least another month if not until the end of June.Just depends on how fast we clear it all out!Hope to see you soon!
Linda T says
Sad but I know you will think of something equally fabulous to do with your time. I think bringing groups on buying trips to Europe would be right up your alley!
contessa says
Okay………tis a possibility.We shall see.How on earth do you see me getting away from the ITALIAN STALLION?Who would make his lunch?If we could only get him to tag along!
Heather in Arles says
My beautiful Contessa, this news makes me sad but yet I know there will be wonderful things ahead for you, just around the corner…
Gros Bisous,
Heather
contessa says
I too am sad…………how do you know there are options out there?This will be the fun to see what mischief I can get into!
cindy lauper says
oh my… i just met you but i love your hen house and blogs and think you are a wonderful whimsical woman, who i was looking forward to getting to know. looks like teatime must be soon queen elizabeth… before you fly the coop to go dancing in your beautiful garden in one of your long flowing skirts!
contessa says
TEA TIME next week?I will be in the shop Monday and Tuesday……………..I will need a refresher so do pop in!I look forward to it!Have you found a TOP for the wedding?
Erin says
Elizabeth!!! I just finally started getting your emails and this is what I see!? I’m very sad, but I know your next chapter will be a good one. I’d also be happy to help clean out!
contessa says
Please stay connected as I will continue to POST and perhaps sell out of my garden……..what do you think?
sarah says
Beautiful photos of you and your stunning garden….always….and of the news attached well, it is sad to hear of the Hen House closure, I’m so pleased I got to visit this special place!! But its exciting aswell because as one door closes another will certainly open and I’m sure you have many wonderful ideas in the planning….xx
contessa says
Not many but a couple!Maybe I can come visit YOU ALL now!
xoxo
liz rose queen says
Please continue with your newsletters I love them and all the photos!!! wish I could have visited the hen house before it closed
xxx
contessa says
Me thinks YOU would have LOVED it.You know your sister worked there and one of the chandeliers has her toe shoe ribbons wrapped around the ugly brass bit.I will keep that and send to one of the girls one day!
Principessa says
Darling Contessa, Its of course a heartbreak that you are closing the coop, as you artfully put it, but I’m so confident you will find a new path on which to direct your endless talents and enthusiasm for life. We will all be eagerly awaiting news of whats to come. I know you will forever be surrounded by all that sparkles. Hope your blog never ends. We are friends for life, thanks to HH. much love P
contessa says
OH JOY!You are so right!At least about the “FRIENDS FOR LIFE!”part…………all good things must come to an end!Right?Who said that quote does anyone know?
The Baroness says
sniffle…sniffle…applause…applause…
There is nothing like Hen House. Your 12 year run was a HIT! Now the stage goes dark…for the time being. Until ACT II is prepared, that is. Contessa you are our Muse, our Prima Donna, our Prima Ballerina, our FRIEND! Whatever you do we support you! Please don’t forget us! We could never forget YOU!!!
Te Amo Bella,
The Baroness
contessa says
Your Italian NEVER ceases to amaze me!BRAVA BARONESS…………..You have been such a Joy to know!Thank goodness you walked through those ancient old doors four years ago!I knew when those first words were spoken you would be a dear , dear friend.I will never forget YOU!xoxoo
Piedmont Pembroke Parent says
I am shedding tears knowing the Hen House is closing! I am sure you
thought a lot about this decision. I will miss treasure hunting there
and finding wonderful delights to make my house a happy place. You
have made many friends and customers happy visiting the Hen House with
all its whimsy, fantasy and imagined possibilities for enjoying new
and used items in untold ways.
After visiting Italy, I think I understand even more what the Hen
House offers. Italy is all about enjoying life; good eating, good
company and a happy household. Don’t worry so much about the broken
vent, which will get fixed eventually. Revel in the presence of
things that are beautiful, a treasured old chair, a lovely mirror, a
blooming garden!
One of the BEST things about our trip was a visit to San Miniato Del
Monte. I had to fight Paul and the boys a bit to get them there.
Guess they didn’t think my recommendation ( your suggestion) was going
to be as wonderful as it turned out to be! The church was nothing
short of spectacular, the view breathtaking. Ahhh Firenze!
We took a cab from our hotel close to the train station and arrived at
the top of the hill after passing some of Florence’s finest homes.
Guess I can imagine where San Francisco’s elite got their
architectural ideas for their Pacific Heights luxurious digs.
I learned that Catherine de Medici brought her Italian sense of style
to the French court and so began the legacy of French fashion. It
started in Italy.
We had a WONDERFUL trip, ate like pigs and sipped Aperol Spritzes and
limoncello (not as high octane as Giam Piero’s!)
SO SAD to hear Hen House is saying Arrivederci…way to soon!
Ciao,
Ann
contessa says
A BEAUTIFUL comment ANN…………millie Grazie!I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the land of Catherine de MEDICI!
Lets do the Aperol Spritzes soon!VA BENE?
xoxox
Nancy Case says
Your “Treasure Shop” on the corner has brought sparkly wonder and joy to so many Contessa. Yes, it is sad, but I applaud you for moving on to new adventures. I also love the Europe with Contessa trips idea as well. We shall see. Whatever it may be, we know that it will be filled with beauty, joy, heart and wonder! You are loved xooxo
FancyNancy
contessa says
Happy you found me and happy too I could help you add more SPARKLE to your wonderful abode!
xoxox
Vignette On Ruby Lane says
Although I will miss the Hen House , ( wish I had known of it for all twelve of its years ), I think twelve years is a good, respectable run ! Wishing you much luck on your next venture , whatever it may be , and congratulations to you Elizabeth for making the Hen House such a memorable place. Thank you …. xoxo, Cheryl
contessa says
THANK ~ YOU and Mister B.Loved getting to know you and always love seeing you at the HILLSBOROUGH ANTIQUE SHOW!If any of you out there want to shop on line for jewelry and trinkets of antiquity click on Vignette ON RUBY LANE and check out her stash!I ALWAYS find a gem!!!!!
Thank You Cheryl…………perhaps we can do lunch now!
xoxoxo
Ps.I just went shopping that silver cuff is speaking to me!G…I……A….M..P…I…E…R..O!!!!!!Come take a look at this PLEASE!
vicki archer says
I wish you every ease with the closure Elizabeth.. and have no doubt that you will move on to more exciting projects…
Congratulations on 12 years… that is impressive… xv
contessa says
I THANK YOU VICKI;I HOPE YOUR RIGHT!TO SOON TO SAY BUT YOU KNOW I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!
XXX
Lady Di says
A great era plus a few is ending….but the CONTESSA is alive and well and moving on to another GREAT adventure! I am sure about that……how do you keep such a bright, creative spirit from shining thru something else?? I will miss our visits at the Coop….but now we shall have to discover new ways to share our lives and dreams. Looking forward to whatever is ahead for you.
Ciao for now,
Lady Di
contessa says
THANKS LADY DI………..Perhaps, we can meet down at KENNY’s now!
maria at inredningsvis says
AWWW SO CUTE:) Love this post,you are such a wonderful person….and thanks for sweet words.
Check out my new summer dress post and have av awesome week dear.
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
Helene says
The former Lafayette Sun building, what will become of it once you’ve moved on?
contessa says
I have no idea………I do believe there is a FOR RENT sign up!!
labergere says
Oh what blessings must await you 🙂
contessa says
Thank You!
Are you coming my way soon?