Oh So Excited!

In the Mary Mary Gallery... we say BRING ON THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Things have been really busy here in the historic Warren Building. Look at our progress thus far...



to the street... movable walls and George's plant!

From the front door toward the reception area and fireplace



The Mary Mary is booked at least 6 times during December. We're hosting private Christmas parties, birthday parties and bridal showers.  We're also hosting a great VIP group during the PHOUSE's New Years Eve "Salute to the Titanic" party. What a better place for artists and artisans to display their talents, than in this amazing space... complete with a captive audience? Happy to report we have 30 artisans on the hook... we've inked our first contracts in the past two days.  Rent is very reasonable.  Commission is equally so. And we are just thrilled to co-mingle our PHOUSE clientelle and advertising with our Mary Mary effort!

Here are a few more photos of the interior. New rack cards will be here by first of next week. We'll have our first "captive audience" in the gallery on Dec 10, and we'll be prepared to feature those artists and artisans we can secure by Dec 14, as we open for our "DOWNTOWN FRIEND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION"... I mean, Santa is expected next door... we've gotta command a performance

I want to thank (even though they aren't bloggers) my contractors, woodworkers and Father Bourek, who donated on permanent loan the OH SO AMAZING leaded glass to the Friend Historical Society. We've incorporated these and the original doors for our beautiful wall of windows barrier between Mary Mary and the Welcome Center. Finally, thanks to those members of the Society who shared my vision, and worked with me diligently to get this final effort up and running. The entire street level of the Warren Building is now 80% renovated, usable, and being appreciated by everyone from our friends of Ethanol in Geneva to attorneys in Lincoln, and yes, even a few statewide trade associations who are working with us for rental space for conventions in 2012.; What a dream destination. I give every volunteer who supported this all of my love and gratitude.



Original Yokel Hardware front display doors, framed with beautiful oak and topped with antique leaded glass windows... thank you Father Bourek, for sharing our dream!

 Enjoy these interior shots of the Mary Mary...  per a lady from Denver, PHOUSE and Mary Mary have the "Prettiest Potties from Omaha to Denver!"  That... ladies and gentlemen... is something to aspire to!

More to update as awesome inventory arrives.  Thanks for blogging on.
Carey



East wall, next to tasting bar




Our cool marble tables seat 8 each... beautiful




Featured Artist/Artisan wall




The warmth of our horizontal fireplace wall




East wall at the entrance




Chairs and antique wicker sofa, with the First National Bank Tree, in front windows



Another of our PRETTIEST POTTIES!  Wallpaper from London.  Georgous!

Mrs. Morris (our ghost) Must Be Pleased!

So, pretty much since the new air conditioner went in and the building has been cooled, Mrs. "M" (our believed resident ghost and former tenant retailer) has literally "chilled out".  We're not sure if it is because she is relieved and pleased with the improvements to the space which was once Morris Variety Store... or if she's just tickled pink because for the first time in her life she's experiencing air conditioning on the hot Nebraska summer days!  Regardless, the consensus from our last paranormal investigator was that "she is gone".  It's kind of sad, but if for some reason she's resting easy knowing her beloved storefront is soon going to be ready for many beautiful things, and many travelers and visitors...then I'm happy.

My friend, the talented Amy Morrow, of Amy Morrow Photography, slipped up to take a few shots for me.  I wanted to share with you.  Hope you enjoy this glimpse at the progress.  Next blog... we'll be tackling the refinishing of the floor!


New fixtures looking up



Looks like the original fans in the Pour House

My favorite Richmond VA company... Shades Of Light!





Cornice and ceiling against the brick-  FABULOUS!

Future Featured Artist Wall










Reclaimed pine from an old barn to patch the floor-  nice job Hardwod Artisan

















The progress is really getting exciting- even people with "no vision" who thought this was a dreadful old storage unit, good for little more... can see the possibilities.  In signing off for this blog-  thought I'd share my sign that was in the front window of the MMQC.  Always remember to leave the world a better place.  Aunt Mary always said "It's a great life if you don't weaken"...  Not a chance-  FORWARD HO!

Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.  Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it. Amen.



Hey Weezie... We're Movin' On Up!

Do you remember the show "The Jeffersons"?  How about their theme song?  Dootido... "Well, we're movin' on up... to the top... to a big nice apartment in the sky..." Dootido...

OK- well MMQC isn't in the sky, but it's certainly "movin' on up".  The space is looking great and it appears that our resident ghost, Mrs. Morris, approves.  She's been very calm these last weeks.  I have a little chat with her every morning, and let her know who is coming in and what they're doing... and she seems cool with that.  But, having said "cool" makes me think she's probably just more comfortable than she's ever been in her "life".  MMQC has AC, and is more improved than the space has been in some 70 or so years. 

I've had a great team of construction guys- many thanks to Kelch's, Arick the electrician, Stan & his guys for doors, window, framing, and recommending fantastic drywallers, and of course Don for the AC.  It's all moving along smoothly.  Also a shout out to the many who showed up on a 103 degree evening to finish clearing the MMQC space.  The dumpster was full when it left us.  Now, just a little glitch with the ceiling.  It seems when a shoulder surgeon says "you expect too much", he's not kidding.  My over-head scraping and painting days have been suspended for now, so I'm looking for help and getting bids, and we'll move ahead soon with the ceiling, then repairs and refinishing the floor.

If you're walking by, peek in.  It's really starting to look like something more than a vacant storage area.  I'm excited, and Mrs. Morris is pleased.  The pics are of the linear fireplace wall (behind is the restroom) and the new west door and transome. Stay tuned... more updates coming soon.

The Electricians Are Coming!

Well, it's not ET... it's Aric from York... the electricians have arrived to start work in the MMQC Gallery!  Pictures to follow- I'm back in Friend now.  I can't wait to get the space cleared out- to start the ceiling repair and consult about renovating the floor! 

OH SO COOL!  Can't wait!  Stay tuned for more...

Construction is Underway!



MMQC Gallery space from north enterance looking to the south

 Well, the bids are in and secured.  Houlden Construction has begun the framing process for the large bathroom, with the sleeping loft above, as well as framing the southern wall, utility room, and a new wall around the sprinkler system pipes.  There are still a lot of "things" that need to be sorted and either stored or carted to the dump, but progress has begun.


Another view from the front door



The future Mary Mary Quite Contrary - A Gallery of Beautiful Things
located in the far west Suite D location of the Friend Historical Society's Warren Building



Something Very Cool...

So, you know how sometimes you see someone, in a place you'd never expect it, and you almost convince yourself it's not that person... just 'cuz you have no concievable reason they'd be there?  Yep- it happened on Friday night.  An old friend, Joe, suddenly appeared at the end of the PHouse bar.  I thought it was him... asked the lady next to me if she knew him... she didn't.  So I figured Joe had a twin out there.  Later that evening, he was back in the same space, so I approached him.  "Joe?"  "Yes... HEY, Carey!"  Sure as xxxx it was Joe.  He was attending his class reunion party, hosted at my PHouse.  Joe and I were fellow members of the "very charming, very much fun" Martini Monday club a few years ago.  The thing that makes this rambling even more fun is that Joe drove past the PHouse a few times, but when he saw the "Mary Mary Quite Contrary... coming this Fall" banner in the window, he knew he was in the right place.  YEP!  The Gallery that is not yet open, was the eye-catcher for locating the PHouse.  Joe'd seen the link on the http://www.visitthepourhouse.com/ website, and had checked it out.  So, Joe, if you check out the blog-  thanks to you and your wife for visiting, and visit Friend again soon!

The Story of Mary Mary Quite Contrary - A Gallery of Beautiful Things!

When I was a kid, I was really lucky to spend every holiday with parents who were married, 2 sets of grandparents and several great aunts and uncles.  In fact, I pretty much grew up with my great aunts Mary, Ardis and Elaine.  Aunt Mary was always my favorite aunt.  She was fiesty and opinionated.  When the town of Dorchester erected the community siren in her alley, she had a hissy-fit.  Sometimes she'd shoot at it when it BLLAARRED signaling it was 12-noon.  She was a seamstress, a gardner and almost like a grandma to me.  She never had any kids of her own- which was good for me and my brother, because she and uncle Cap spoiled us rotten.  We got 50cent pieces every time we walked into her house, and she always made sure the candy drawer was fully stocked.  Her favorite saying was "It's a great life if you don't weaken".  amen!

So, I've always wanted to do something cool for Mary... and when the opportunity to renovate the gallery space came available, it was a simple decision to name the gallery after her.  So, Mary Mary Quite Contrary is named for my very contrary great aunt Mary.  Her picture, as a young teenage woman, is our new logo. I thought it was not only perfect because it is beautiful, and of her, but because she is at the wicker desk, writing or drawing something.  That's what this gallery space will be about.  Beautiful and creative things.  Art work, artisan crafts, pottery, handmade jewelry, furniture, textiles... and some writing here and there too. 

Connie, a talented artist, friend and fellow-wine lover, speaks of "feeding the soul".  It's a necessity in this world, if we're going to step out of the rat-race and into a happy space.  The MMQC will be just that kind of place.  I've not been this excited about a project since... well... PHouse.  MMQC will compliment PHouse exceptionally.  We'll plan to do group wine tastings, private parties and catered dinners at MMQC, and at some point we'll even work with the Historical Society to rent the San Carlo and Welcome Center so we can use the entire block of space for a weekend of "Feed Your Soul" events.

I've vowed to keep this blog current, with pics, so I can share my vision with you, and to document yet another really great renovation.  I can't thank the Friend Historical Society enough for endulging me and allowing me to move ahead with the project.  Construction is about to begin.  I'll try to post pics later today.  Our website is under construction at http://www.marymary-quitecontrary.com/ 

Cheers, and remember to feed your soul!
c

Coming soon to Friend, Nebraska

Stay tuned here for updates on our progress!