Vintage Find Sunday

Last Vintage Find Sunday I shared with you my wrought iron headboard and leaf patterned duvet. This Sunday I go back in the bedroom to a large, metal Relax sign. I shouldn't need a sign to tell me to RELAX, but it is a nice message for hectic mornings. The blue color matches great with my duvet set, and the size (roughly 38 x 20 inches) makes a neat focal point.

This piece was reproduced to look vintage by a metal shop, therefore it is not truly vintage. But, I thought it is still a great find and a lesson to ask before you buy. I always like to find out the story behind a piece before I purchase it. In this case, the story didn't win as much as the cool font, color, and subtle hints of rust!
I tried to find the metal shop that makes these online, no luck...but the store I got it from is Rhyne's Corner Cupboard Antiques in Greensboro, N.C. They don't have an extensive website, but it doesn't hurt to call. They have several signs in different sizes and wording (like Dream, Eat, Cafe, and more).

Vintage Find Sunday

A hectic weekend means Vintage Find Sunday posts a little late, but good finds can be worth the wait! This weekend my Mom and I went to the Rowan County Antique & Yard Sale event in Salisbury, N.C. I picked up great finds, especially since it was the first year for this event. I found the Winnie Mae Frocks sign at the antique event, and decided to go for a fashion design inspired shoot. When I was in school I dabbled in fashion design, and luckily had sketches and patterns to accent the photographs.

Every textile designer has their set of needles and pins. I converted an old jar and vintage fabric into a quick, easy pin cushion.

It was love at first sight with this Winnie Mae Frocks sign. The 1930's sign used to hang inside a dress shop. There is an original sticker on the back identifying the USA company that made the sign - all about the details! Above the sign are fashion sketches and patterns from school days...easy way to add inspiration and decoration.

My Mom found this wonderful selection of colored yarns from a yard sale last weekend. The colors and original labels are lovely accents in a bowl...this bowl is a hand-made pottery piece from Seagrove, NC.

I have been obsessed with military medals after seeing these pillows in a previous post. I was lucky enough to find some this weekend! I pinned them to the body form, and hope to find more to add to the collection. On top of the form (shown in the first picture) is my sister's old Navy hat.

Jars are great for storing all kinds of goods - like these old, colorful buttons. The jar and sign are on a vintage, wooden card catalog.

Some fashion and sewing books along with a pile of vintage linens. And the neat military patches in the background!

Overall, it was a fun weekend of finds. I have some additional finds to share with you next weekend...very exciting ones I might add!

On a side note - as I was photographing the finds I wondered how practical a set-up like this would be in a house. The pieces are not displayed in my apartment like the way I photograph them. But, I feel the ideas can be translated into everyday living. I like the idea of seeing a visual fantasy, and playing dress up with vintage finds. I'm currently going through a transition period of wanting to move and pretend packing, so I hope in the future when I have a permanent apartment or house I can start photographing these items in an everyday setting. For now, I hope you enjoy and gain inspiration. Now if only I can get a better camera!

Vintage Find Sunday

I know, I know...I'm a day late for Vintage Find Sunday, but on Sunday I was inspired by one of my vintage finds, which lead to a new blog header! As you can see I used the box from my old domino set to make an interesting blog header. A little text searching, some photoshop and tada...new header!

Ok, back to the Vintage Finds. Here we have two books, Betty Crocker's Parties for Children and Hershey's 1934 Cookbook. I love the 1960's graphics and text...timeless and fun. The Parties for Children book is filled with party themes and games like Bingo and Relay Race. The Hershey's Cookbook has loads of baking recipes including chocolate cake and chocolate peanut butter fudge. Yumm. Then there is the super cool domino set, again with great text and colors. If you are interested in seeing more graphics from the inside of these books please let me know and I'll post additional pictures.


What did you find this weekend?

Vintage Find Sunday

In the Antiquing post I mentioned that most of my apartment is furnished with vintage yard sale finds that my Mom and I have found throughout the years. Each Sunday I would like to share with you our unique finds, and I hope you enjoy.

For my first Vintage Find Sunday, I share with you an old postcard holder made of metal from the Utility Engineering Company in Pearl River, New York - Made in the U.S.A. To me, vintage finds are all about the details. Not only did the $20 price tag sell me, but the sticker with its history from New York really made the purchase. I felt like I bought an interesting piece of history and a great story. I imagined this holder being used at the counter of an old, brick storefront holding 5 cent postcards - and now I have added a new story of my Mom and I finding it in a old department store converted into an antique store in North Carolina.

I currently have it on my desk with retro and foreign postcards, but I also like to switch them out with photos and inspirational pictures. If you would like to get a similar look I have found several others, both old and new, available through Pottery Barn and ebay. These might not come with a sentimental story and cheap price, but at least you will have a stylish new piece to add to your home.

Photo Carousel from Pottery Barn ($89 and $129).

Vintage Store Display Postcard Rack from ebay.

12 Pocket Greeting Card Counter Display from ebay.

Vintage Find Sunday

This Vintage Find Sunday is a mix of exploration, textiles, and discovery. The center piece is a folding chair set originally used as extra seating in a church. These chairs are great for both looks and functionality. Accenting the chair piece are hand-woven pillows I purchased in South America. While visiting Peru I went a little crazy and bought a ton of textiles - rugs, hats, bags, and more. The Peruvian textiles are very dear to my heart, and I hope to include them in future Vintage Find Sundays. The pottery bowl and bull are also from South America. In Peru these bulls are placed on top of houses for protection from evil. I have mine in the window and feel comforted by the safe vibes. And if you are going to explore you also need a vintage suitcase, stylish sunglasses, and a language guide. Here's to finding your way!

Vintage Find Sunday

This Vintage Find Sunday I share with you my purchases from the Antiques Spectacular Show. I would have loved to purchased a Hoosier cabinet or over-sized Jane photo, but my budget doesn't stretch that far. Instead I picked up smaller items - a wooden lever, vintage mailbox #55 cover, metal address/card catalog, and a glass jar.

Old P.O. Box cover with combination lock and wooden lever. I was instantly attracted to the details and obscure nature of the mailbox cover. Where is the other numbers?!

Detail of glass jar and metal card catalog. I have several old jars I use for storage on my desk, and I needed to replace one that broke - so I was lucky to find a similar jar. The card catalog may have been used for addresses or business cards because it is fairly small. But, makes a wonderful drawer for sewing notions.

What did you find this weekend?

Vintage Find Sunday

On this post of Vintage Find Sunday I wanted to highlight a fantastic store in Raleigh, N.C. where I have purchased several of my great vintage finds. This store is known to the locals as Father & Sons Antiques, but you can also find them on the web as Swankarama.

Their website says they carry, "a mix of Mid-Century Modern Furniture and accessories plus 60s Op to Pop and 70s Funk. We offer everything from vintage Danish Modern, Plastic Mod Kartell to Mid-Century Modern Designer items produced by Thayer Coggin, Herman Miller and Knoll to Industrial Machine Age furniture by Goodform, Emeco, Shaw Walker and Steelcase." Plus, they have a 10,000 square foot shop and a 5,000 square foot warehouse. Imagine the goodies in there!

I love visiting Father & Sons - they always have interesting items that make you laugh and drool. Below are examples of items they carry - check out their website for more information or view items they have on sale at ebay.

Vintage Find Sunday

To celebrate Vintage Find (Easter) Sunday I thought it was appropriate to share with you a metal basket originally used on farms to collect eggs. Egg baskets come in a variety of sizes, and some are completely metal or have a plastic coating over the metal to help protect the eggs. My basket has a white coating, but still illuminates rustic charm. Egg baskets can be used for carrying or storing a variety of items in the home. I placed mine outside on a beautiful day to contain outdoor reading material and yarn for knitting. Beside my basket is a wonderful cup of green tea for my relaxation time on the porch. The brightly colored plaid tea set is also vintage. Wouldn't an egg basket make a wonderful Easter gift?

Online you can buy new egg baskets at eggboxes.com ($18.00) or an older version at goantiques.com ($25.00).

Check out more Vintage Find Sundays.

Vintage Find

I lost Sunday somewhere in the weekend, so I'm going to pretend today is Sunday and share a fun vintage find. On Sunday I pretty much did nadda. Besides nursing a slight hangover (what can I say - the amaretto drinks were sooo good) I ate, slept, watched hotness on Burn Notice, and slept more. Maybe it was the week catching up with me? Who am I kidding - it was the late night tacos and yummy, yet painful the next day drinks. My body knows it's not in college anymore and continues to mock me, "don't even front like you can stay up late and drink...you can't...you are pseudo professional now." Well, another headache and lesson learned.

On to my pretend Sunday vintage find - this late 1950's record player and index box used for record storage. My Mom found this at a yard sale and went nuts - it reminded her of one she had as a teenage. The player even works! Who would have thought this little record player would last so long - can we say the same about our current CD players?

Vintage Find Sunday

This Vintage Find Sunday I wanted to bring you some special finds from the flea market at the Raleigh, N.C. Fairgrounds.

Old table and glasses that would make a great kitchen island or bedroom dresser.

Boxes of scissors that I found a little strange.

I have no idea what these are, but don't they look great?! I could see them being transformed into a lamp or used to tie back curtains.

Vintage dresser and mirror. I was attracted to the color, but if you add on new hardware it would be a fabulous piece of furniture.

Collection of stained glass windows. I love the windows, along with the boxes, and even the van!

What did you find this weekend?

Shore meets Fashion

I know...I promised an amazing Vintage Find Sunday, but I got a little sick last night and just went to BED. I'm feeling better now and the shot is still in the works. Believe me...I would MUCH rather be doing Vintage Find Sunday than getting sick or going to the real job. Ah, but we all must pay bills right?

To quench some of your vintage desires, how about these great fashion ensembles? Remember the photographer Stephen Shore? Looks like he also dabbles in fashion photograph, which combines his eye for vintage exteriors with modern fashion. Wouldn't it be great to have a fashion/interior photo shoot? Models wearing neat fashion pieces lounging in amazing interiors...mind explosion! Has this been done before?!

(images via Another Magazine)