@junkbonanza #portland welcomes Farm French!
Name:
Glo Diefenbaugh
Business name:
Farm French
Live in/Business located:
Portland, OR/ Monticello, OR
Your style in three words:
Old-World European charm (Old-World is one word, right?)
On your junking bucket list:
To junk in all 50 states. I have 44 more to go.
You knew you were a junker when…
…I moved out on my own in my early 20s with nothing. I started going to estate and garage sales with my sister and have been hooked ever since.
Best all-time junking find:
A large painting I found at a garage sale for $150. I felt there was a story behind it; isn’t there always, and not knowing it drove me crazy. I started searching the web under the artist’s name. To my surprise, it was easier than I thought to find her as she lived in Eugene, OR. She was in her late 70s at the time. I spoke with her husband first. They were the sweetest couple and were so excited that I called upon them. So the history is: She painted my particular piece while she was in Italy in the ’60s. It was one of 10 in a series she painted. She asked me what I paid and then gasped at the $150. “Oh my” she said stating “well that piece today is worth $4,500”. They were quite the couple back in the day. I won’t go into that, but I can tell you they had connections to University of Oregon. Isn’t that what this junking thing is all about? For me it is! Everybody (or everything) has a story and I just want to hear it and pass it along. I call it the “history mystery” and this one I solved.
You wish you would never have parted with…
…a turn-of-the-century shrine (just recently in fact). It had an altar along with old pink and cream wallpaper with the most delicate design (all chippy and crackly). The door’s glass was bubbled which normally dates a piece. I put a large price on it, convinced no one would buy it (yah right, how many times have we junkers done that), but of course someone did. However, she is putting it to good use displaying her handmade, antique German wedding party doll collection in it. The best part: She lives close and gave me visitation rights.
Bringing to the Bonanza:
painted old mirrors, frames and furniture in true Farm French style along with French finds straight from the Paris countryside and other farm goodness.
You never junk without…
…taking my dad along; well, in spirit anyway. Before he passed he encouraged me to start the business I’ve always wanted and then gave me the sum I needed to do it. Since then, I feel he guides me in everything I do. Call me crazy, but when I come across an amazing find, I thank him out loud.
In your garage: cars or junk?
You mean “my studio” ? A whole lot of junk and hubby’s bike collection. The cars are curbside. Other than the time inventory got away from me and the car had to be put in storage.
No one would ever guess you…
…were a Queen in a previous life. No seriously, I’m a bit of a germaphobe! OK, my family would say a lot a bit. A junker who’s afraid of germs? Once in junking mode however, it goes away. I’ve dug deep into 50 gallon drums filled with muddy, rusty water just to find that perfect piece of ‘junk’. And boy has it paid off. Back to the Queen idea, I’m pretty sure I was one.
Your junking holy grail:
Oh that’s easy; coming across a dilapidated barn, covered in wildflowers out in the French countryside, full of old world treasures and I’m the only junker for miles.
Junking makes you feel…
…happy. Simple, I know! For me it’s the thrill of the hunt and then the thrill of the sale because when someone else sees the beauty in what I see, I feel happy.
Find
Email: gjdiefen@comcast.net
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/farmfrench/
Facebook: Farm French
Only 10 days until Junk Bonanza! We’ll see you at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield, WA, on Friday, Oct. 9! Are you ready to get your junk on?!
Kim
