Shop Til You Drop - Brambles

Last Friday I drove to northern Virginia to do some scouting shots of two homes for a magazine.  I was also lucky enough to visit a wonderful shop called Brambles located in Occoquan, Virginia.

The historic town of Occoquan is charming and dates back to the 1700s.  Situated along the Occoquan River, this bustling town is rich in history.  But today, instead of tobacco warehouses and cotton mills, you'll find wonderful specialty shops, antique stores, and great places to dine!  It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon browsing the eclectic mix of merchants and enjoying lunch or dinner.

Brambles is owned by Sharon and Dan Prophet.  The store is filled with what Sharon calls "Artful Necessities for the Home and Garden."  I love that phrase, and who doesn't need artful necessities to fill their home and garden?!  And Sharon doesn't just sell some of the items in her store, she also creates them!

The store is full of her wonderful artwork, such as the painted shutter pictured above.

And although Sharon also creates one of a kind pieces of hand painted furniture, she can't seem to keep them in the store!  They are sold just as quickly as she can make them!

Along with Sharon's own personal creations, Brambles has lots of other wonderful wares to offer. I love these fabric hearts made from vintage inspired fabrics and adorned with antique buttons and beautiful ribbon!

The store has a romantic European feel to it with something for everyone. This crystal candle chandelier would be perfect in a dining room, or can't you just picture it hanging from a rose covered arbor providing soft candlelight for dining al fresco?! 

Brambles also carries beautiful upholstered furniture, available in a wide variety of styles and fabric choices.

I fell in love with this beautiful blue and white chair the moment I saw it.  I think it would be a great comfy chair for curling up in to read a book or favorite magazine!

Upholstered pieces aren't all you'll find at Brambles, there is a wonderful assortment of wooden furniture for sale as well, such as the handsome farm table above!  You'll also find plenty of painted furnishings scattered throughout the shop!

And if you're in the market for accessories, you won't be disappointed! I think the label on this apothecary jar says it all!

You'll also find beautiful faux flowers, like these lovely tulips, at Brambles!  And this little trio of hand painted heart shaped boxes are the perfect way to say I love you to someone special!

These Kitras Art Glass ornaments are one of a kind works of art, each with it's own theme.  While I was photographing the shop a woman came in to purchase one as a wedding gift.  She said that she always buys one of these unique glass orbs to represent the season in which the couple marries.  What a great idea!

But Brambles doesn't just sell things to adorn your home and garden! You can also find plenty of beautiful things to adorn yourself with, like these beautiful handcrafted silk scarves and floral pins!  I love how Sharon has the pins displayed on an old wire dress form...so chic!

This cameo brooch would add elegance to any outfit!

As though the jewelry wasn't pretty enough by itself, the way Sharon has it displayed makes it even more special.  I love the way she has some of the pieces tucked inside a vintage piece of luggage!

Everywhere you turn there is something special to look at! From the fragrant Rosy Rings candles, to the beautifully presented accessories!

Sharon and her husband Dan have an eye for exceptional pieces such as this gorgeous mirror.  The frame came from an old building in Belgium and they had mirrors cut to fit the frame!  I love this piece, and think it would make a statement in any style home!

I had a wonderful day meeting Sharon, she even took me out for a delicious lunch and to the home of one of her best customers where I got to see more of her beautiful hand painted pieces of furniture!

And I want to thank both Sharon and Dan for letting me photograph not only their store, but also their home!  *Fingers Crossed* you might just be seeing their lovely home, and the equally lovely home of her customer Lisa, in an upcoming issue of a magazine!  I'll let you know more about the magazine articles in the near future!

So if you're lucky enough to live near Occoquan, Virginia why not pop in to Brambles and have a look for yourself, and please tell Sharon and Dan that Kat from Low Tide High Style says hello?!  Or better yet, why not plan to take a trip to visit this historic town?!  And be sure to head in to nearby Washington D.C. to take in all of the wonderful sights the area has to offer!