3.30.2011

Holy Craftsmanship!

No, we CAN'T just leave things alone.
RETREAT does it all with STYLE, man.
And some humor.

Just wait 'till you see 
what we have planned this season!
HALLELUJAH!

If you have been offended by this post and our choices,
we invite you to view a Note we posted on our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/notes/retreat-by-kennedykennedy-design/retreat-revival-reviewed/10150143845720124

Please read what we wrote about our choices for our business, our personal history both past and recent, and about the negative feedback just a few people have given us in regard to this theme and marketing campaign. Perhaps it will help you understand the situation in it's correct context and totality, and perhaps at that point you will not be offended. 
Or, perhaps it won't change anything. That's ok, too.

Wishing you ALL well,
 

Our Retreat: Ashiatsu Massage!

You'd think that with a SHOW in two weeks,
we'd be looking like a furniture store around here.
But no.
Scenes from the family room at Retreat Farm right now...
 Doesn't look like any family room you've seen before, does it?!
For two weeks, we are hosting an Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Retreat.
Our daughter, International massage instructor  
Jeni Kennedy Spring, is here from San Antonio, Texas
to teach eight lucky students the very intriguing massage modality of
'Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy'.
A few of them are even staying here with us
at the Retreat Farm B&B ;0)

The parallel bars you see mounted to the ceiling 
support the weight of each therapist,
as they use their feet to provide deep tissue massage strokes
while standing over the client on the table.
It's really NOT 'walking on you'! 
Here's a pic of Jeni at work:

If you'd like more info about this kind of massage
(and it is DREAMY!)
to find an accredited therapist near you.  
(VERY important) 

Once the beginner and advanced courses are complete
at the end of next week,
we'll remove the bars and the screws, 
and pop some cool vintage metal buttons into the holes.
Our ceiling may look a bit like a modern galaxy at that point,
but it will be so easy to re-install the system
for Jeni's next Ashi Retreat here later this year.

Of course, we'll both be getting our personal massages
from our favorite therapist
BEFORE those bars come down ;0)
And let us tell you,
THAT is a great way to prepare for a show!

3.22.2011

Our Retreat: What's Cookin'?

Our kitchen is cookin', that's what!
Looking at those two photos above, 
you'd never guess that a few days ago, 
the kitchen in our house looked like THIS
Yeah, we know. Scary!
We removed the (nearly useless) upper corner cabinets 
to reveal a WHOLE lotta' space and light,
and painted a coat of our signature 'Camano Sand'
on the walls and 'Shell White' on the trim.
Then Bob built some simple shelves
[made from scrap wood, btw]
and Deb filled 'em up with our everyday dishes.

The result is kitchen storage that's
Simple. Easy. Functional. Beautiful.
and stores more than the previous cabinets did.
Without spending a lot of time and money on it,
which makes it even better!
 That's how we live our philosophy - RetreatStyle.

'Your home should be your retreat.
We can help you create it!'
www.RetreatStyle.com

[images by Deb Kennedy for Retreat;
All Rights Reserved]

3.17.2011

Full Circle

Today is a day known more for this particular symbol 
than anything... except maybe a pint of Guinness.
[especially in an Irish family]
Well, we're gonna' change things up a bit.
We're replacing the shamrock with a circle...

 Please Help Japan.
 'japan aid' poster by max erdenberger 
of weiden-kennedy studios . purchase here

There are many other incredible works of art
that have been created to raise funds for aid to Japan.
Why Blogger links to them aren't working today,
we don't know.
Go here to see more.


We've donated 10% of our total sales 
from 2nd Saturdayz last weekend to the Red Cross.
It wasn't a lot, but every bit helps.
So, if you purchased something from
our RETREAT booth,
you've supported relief efforts for Japan.
Thank you!

3.12.2011

Thank You!

 We'd like to offer a HUGE Thank You
to all of the wonderful friends, fans, and folks 
who came out to say hello to us today...
It was such a lovely ,warm welcome back
to the vintage show circuit that we love!

Friends from years past, new friends, 
facebook friends and blog followers alike 
came from near and far to our petite little booth in the back 
to offer hello's, hugs, welcomes, best wishes,
and to take a little bit of RETREAT home with them...
and we just wanted you all to know how very much it meant to us.
You made us feel very special!
Some came from a bit farther away than others....
Celeste & Dan came from CHAPS + CAKE in Spokane,
bless their sweet hearts!
John & Patty came from Issaquah,
Miss Kimberly came from Woodinville to snap pix,
and Lynda from Speckeled Hen in Snohomish - 
our store-in-another-life's neighbor! - even came by!

We had fun visiting, and sharing new creations...
Bob debuted a new original RETREAT table style:
rustic with soldered metal trim
[YES, he IS standing and walking and doing very well!]
while Deb prepared some spring fresh RETREAT originals:
'Spring in a Jar'!
giant eggs with vintage music labels
sweet lil' NeSts
Lace-covered vases
Paper & Vintage Button Daffodils
[The girls from Joyworks bought some of them,
so you'll probably be seeing them in their store soon!]
Amazingly enough,
the giant forks & spoons were the first things to sell!
There are a lot of you FOODIES out there!
Celeste went home with one, too....
Thank you again to Deb, Linda, and the Junk Tribe 
for allowing us to be a part of their show today.
Such a GREAT group of vendors & loyal followers!
We had a blast!

*BTW, if you see something in the photos
that you are interested in purchasing, 
shoot us an email at RetreatStyle@gmail.com.
The furniture is still available!

3.11.2011

read between the lines!

Join Us
12th
at Magnuson Park in Seattle
for a
at the Second Saturdayz Urban Market.
We are SO glad to be back in the biz!
You're gonna' EAT THIS UP! 
Find us in the back right corner... space #18.
Just look for the spring-fresh white flowering branches
up above everything else!

3.09.2011

Almost Show Time!

 We'll be a bit busy over the next few days, so we're posting now
so we don't forget to share this info with you:

Come see us this Saturday
in Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park in Seattle
at the 2nd Saturdayz Urban Market

We are really excited to be back on the 
Northwest vintage show circuit, 
and joining the Junk Tribe for this FAB show!

for maps & info, visit

3.07.2011

RETREAT on GalTime.com

 Writer, friend, and Retreat fan Malia Karlinsky 
interviewed Deb last week
for some decorator inspiration and
insider tips on thrifting in the Seattle area. 

The result is Malia's FABULOUS article 
appearing today on GalTime.com
a Seattle lifestyle mag online.
[You'll find a lot of other really cool stuff on there, too!]

Thanks for the shout-out, Malia!

3.05.2011

BH = BOY, Howdy!

The first time we went to BarnHouse
we took the 'Taj Ma Tent'.
After it was all set up on Thursday, 
we invited Joe & Jermonne up the hill
for a fab dinner by Bob (hey, Deb opened the wine!).
 It was a relaxing, festive, wonderful evening
and gave us the chance to host our hosts,
to thank them for inviting us to be part of their world.

We just found out we really get to host them in STYLE... because

BARN HOUSE is comin' to Retreat Vintage Market in JUNE!
 'The Boys' will be staying with us,
bringing their own brand of magic,
'pulling a stunt' as Jermonne says,
and inspiring us all with their unique style.
We are so very grateful for the support 
(behind the scenes and in public)
that The Boys have been over the past three years...

We feel like now they've given us the
'BARN HOUSE-KEEPING Seal of Approval'
for our first Retreat Vintage Market Show.
 WOW
This is why we are in this business...good people, helping one another.
Welcome to the 'Retreat Family', Boys!
You DON'T want to miss this:
SUMMER RETREAT VINTAGE MARKET
Saturday, June 25
9 AM - 3 PM
Camano Island, WA.

BH Boys & Product/booth images C. BH 2009-2011; All Rights Reserved.
Product name 'Taj Ma Tent' and images of tent C. RETREAT 2009-2011

3.04.2011

Thank You, Junk Tribe!

 The song 'Back in the Saddle' by Aerosmith 
would be a fitting theme song for our life right now 
(are we dating ourselves?! that song was #1 when we were in jr high 
and Bob was driving Deb nuts in art class!) 
We are tuggin' at the reins to get our life & biz on the road
and back into the groove of the vintage show world.

We are workin' it HARD to prepare 
for our first show appearance of the 2011 season:
 We'll be joining the FABULOSITY of 
March 12 in Seattle!
Our good friend Liz leDorze of Seabold Vintage Market
will also be joinin' the party!
Thanks to Linda, Debi, and the entire Junk Tribe at 2nd Satz
for posting about us on their blog today (here
and for welcoming us back to LIFE!

3.03.2011

The Farm Chicks Show on Video


Here's a peek at why the Farm Chicks show is one of our very favorites...
Look for shots of our booth, an interview with Deb,
and Thea's hubby holding a RETREAT chair on his head!

Farm Chicks is Saturday & Sunday, June 4 & 5 this year...
we'll see ya' there!

3.02.2011

Our Song


'Dancing In the Minefields' by Andrew Peterson

Every couple has a tune they call 'our song'...
we've had several over the 31 years we have been together.
Recently, we heard the song above on a radio station.
Both of us stopped, looked at each other, and nodded in agreement.
This is our song right now,
telling the story of our life together so perfectly.
(Only we were 17 & 18 the year WE got engaged!).

We REALLY like the line
'In the face of all this chaos, baby,
I can dance with you
'.

And we do!

Do you have a 'signature' song?
Share it with us!

3.01.2011

2011 Schedule Change

 Due to circumstances beyond our control,
RETREAT will not be appearing 
at the April 30th Remnants of the Past show.
We will miss being part of this AMAZING event 
and all of our friends there - 
but we'll be back for the October show!