vintage CHRISTMAS

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS MONDAY

sponsored by sweet Joan over at

ANYTHING GOES HERE

http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com

I am so thrilled to be part of vintage Christmas Mondays .  I am a showing you my Christmas tree from last year.  Every single ornament on my tree is a yard sale or tag sale find.  The tree is decorated with ornaments that date from the early 1900's thru 1940's.   When I was about 19 years old I went to an to an estate sale with my Mother.  I purchased a large cardboard storage box of Christmas ornaments for $15.  When I removed the cover of the box it had many plain and decorated ball shaped ornaments visible .  When I returned home, My mother and I lifted the first layer of Christmas balls to see what else was in the box.  There were over 100 early figural Victorian Christmas ornaments in the under layers.  There were many birds, santa figures, musical instruments, snowman, houses, and some very rare grape shaped kugals.  This was the start of my collection.  I continue to add to it every year.   This has made my estate sale digging around in sweltering hot attics in the middle of summers worth while.   You will get to see more of my vintage Christmas collection on the Mondays to come.   

modern urban farmhouse surprise

As you all know my design philosophy is that you don't need a lot of money to have great style. Below you will see some photos of the perfect example. Here is the dwelling of a recent consultation Remember it is a work in progress. The kitchen and master bedroom still needs to be worked on, as well as a few tweeks here and there. Basically you can see that this home is cozy and warm. It feels spacious and open and welcoming. The style is uncluttered & serene with a sort of urban farmhouse vibe. Unforunately I do not have any before photos. It was basically a very dated space circa 1980. The first thing that was done after the home owner moved in, was to have our carpenter Doug add some architecural detail. He put base and crown molding in all the rooms. Bead board was put in both baths and the sun room, octagon tiles for the bath and wood floors were put down.   Fresh simple neutral berber carpeting was installed by the nearby Home Depot. The main living space was painted in the softest spa like blue gray. It is called gray cashmere by Benjamin Moore #2138-60, the walls in the master bedroom and bath are also Benjamin Moore, a muted gray toned green called green camouflage 2143-40. The dark gray in the laundry room is by Behr it is called anonymous #780f-5. The pop of wine red in the office is drum beat by Glidden OOYR-08/409 Almost all of the furniture was purchased used (cleaned up or painted) or purchased at a huge discount from an outlet store. Not one thing cost more then $500. Most of the very cool lighting that you see, as well as the fabulous hanging frosted glass doors in the dining room are from the Home Depot. The blown glass lamps are from pottery barn and filled with white antique shell buttons that belong to the homeowner. There is still some additional work to be done on small budget of course. Some great ideas and photos to follow.

i know you are waiting for the surprise

almost there

ok here it is...drum roll please

this is a mobile home

forcing bulbs

PAPER WHITES

"Paperwhite" Narcissus is one of the easiest flower bulbs for homeowners to force.

  The bulbs can be found a most garden centers.
  I get mine from Home Depot. 

Paperwhites can be forced using 3- to 4-inch
 deep decorative containers

 that do not have drainage holes.  I use vintage tin loaf pans,
white pottery,

or any interesting galvanized container. 

Place 1 to 2 inches of washed gravel or stones in the
 bottom of the container.

 Carefully, place the bulbs on the gravel or stones

 (plant close together for the best display).

Place enough gravel or stones over or around the bulbs
 to hold them in place.

 Add just enough water to bring it to the base of the bulbs and, maintain it at this level.

Do not immerse the bulbs in water, only the root plate
 should be in water.

 Keep the container in the coolest area of the home until the shoots begin to show.

 Then transfer to a warmer spot with indirect sunlight,
 this will get them to flower. 

 To prolong the flowering of the plants keep out of the sun . 
 I had to place my bulbs

in the garage one year to slow down the flowering -  because
 they were blooming too quickly

 for my Christmas party.   It takes about three weeks
 from the time you plant

 the bulbs till they flower.  I plant my bulbs right around Thanksgiving time and have

them blooming throughout my home during the month of December.   They are a  natural and

 inexpensive way to beautify your home during the winter season.  Start soon

 and you will have them in plenty of time for the holidays.

open wire

BOXWOOD WREATH

I am just starting with some holiday decorating.  I don't want to push the season along too fast, so I will start with a welcoming wreath for the shop.   I have lots of boxwood shrubs all over my property.  Boxwood makes a long lasting wreath that will eventually dry (but not shed)  The look can can vary  from perfectly elegant to natural with a country feel.   If you have boxwood in your area you make a simple wreath using some clippings, a metal coat hanger and either fishing line or florists wire.  I made this wreath in about 15 minutes.  As you can see I prefer the natural relaxed look.
1. start by shaping the coat hanger into a circle
2. Gather your boxwood clippings (I cut mine 4 to 5 inches)
3.  Group three stems together and wrap them around the circle with wire or string (work with the spool, do not cut it)
4.  Overlap the next bunch and continue to wrap the wire around the circle
5.  repeat layering on the greens and wrapping - make sure all stems are in the same direction. Keep going till circle is covered

SIMPLE RIGHT...I checked out the prices of some of these wreaths - they are not cheap.  Most were in the $40-$70 range.  If you don't have boxwood you can make an open wire wreath using any type of greens. We have used herbs, babys breath, holly and more.  You can make them fuller by using bigger bunches too.

what we got for $18.75

a few weeks ago I went on a little shopping spree with my younger sister Lisa (the naturally curly redhead). There are two great thrift shops near me that I frequent on a regular basis. We went to both to see what we could find. Thrift shops are the type of place that you can really find some fantastic bargains - plus the money goes to a charitable cause, so it is a bonus. We shopped at the the Parish Outreach which helps provide food and basic necessities to families here in the community, and the Opportunity shop which benefits the Eastern Long Island Hospital. Our goal was to find some simple decorative items that were functional as kitchen serving pieces as well as display pieces in her kitchen hutch.  She brought $20 and spent $18.75 on the following items.










3 creamware Wedgwood china plates $3






vintage counter storage jar with metal lid $2






seeded glass tall clear vase $3






cream pottery vase .50






owl salt & pepper shakers .25






large basket w/handle .50






galvanized metal pitcher .50






wire napkin holder basket $1






small produce basket .25






shallow round basket .25






white divided dish $3






small jar w/lid $1






southern living Christmas book .50






footed candy jar $3

we added these finds to some previous thrift shop purchases. Embellished the shelves with leaves,bittersweet vine (from her yard) and a few gourds to give it a simple fall color scheme. The large 50 cent basket holds a mum. The hutch was a $75 dollar yard sale find painted in Benjamin Moore navajo white.  All togther the hutch including all accessories cost a little over $100. 

industrial rolling wooden racks

photo from the restoration hardware catalogue

multi functional fabulous industrial wooden rolling racks.  I love the ones from the restoration hardware catalogue.  The cost is just under $2000.00.  I think I would have a hard time convincing my husband to purchase a rack that cost more then a family vacation. These are inspired by old factory wooden racks (usually to hold shoes).  Look for the originals at flea markets and antique shops, usually found for

a couple hundred dollars. 

home decor to your door below makes a reproduction at a reduced (still more then I would spend)  $564

with free shipping

http://homedecortoyourdoor.com/vintage-wood-and-iron-rolling-cart.aspx

the early bird doesn't always get the worm

I am a flea marketeer and I joined the party at FLEA MARKET STYLE. This is the item that I found for $1 at rummage sale last weekend. It is a large (I think it's wonderful) vintage silver plated trophy lamp. It was hidden within it's unattractive ruffled and stained shade when it was discovered by me around 11:00 -11:30 am. Sitting on a table full of many other lamps, I was thrilled to find it.  I just needed it get a new shade for it. Finding this lamp in the early afternoon made me think about the whole business of "yard sales"

Because I live in a tourist destination there are many, many antique stores. This means many, many dealers up and out before day light. I need to stock my shop as well, and so I have to venture out to buy. I head out on Saturday mornings (not too early) with my good friend and neighbor Allison.  It is our weekly ritual to pick up some coffee and have a fun time going from one yard sale to another. I tend to look for things that others don't see (or want) for some reason, and I am sure that helps. I honestly feel that the early bird doesn't necessarily always get the worm. If you slow down and really look at things, and the potential that it could have - you will have luck. Just like my trophy lamp, hidden in the tattered shade.
Please check out the other flea marketeers at http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com/

Have you ever found something wonderful later in the day?

new camera is on the charger

Hi everyone, I am happy to say that I finally got around to going camera shopping last night.  I purchased a Sony cyber-shot and it is bubble gum pink.  I figured it would be easy for me to find (I misplace things alot)  Anyway, I will be posting the bounty from my treasure hunt with my sister shortly.  I also went to a church rummage sale this past weekend and found the most unusual & cool vintage decorative item for my living room EVER.  It was marked $1.00, wait till you see.  Here is a little hint in the photo...Lori

broken camera - waaaaaaaaaaaa

NOTICE

my digital camera is broken.

daughter made a claymation movie.

clay stuck in lens.

 lens jammed shut

please be patient

I will be getting a new camera this week, after I buy a new cell phone, because I my son lost it on the beach at a boy scout bon fire last week end.

I know what all you moms are thinking, It's OK - I am thinking it too, lesson learned. Lori

our $18.75 thrifting excursion

if you think I am frugal, you have got to meet my sister

Here is my sister Lisa - I took her out to my stomping grounds to do a little shopping for used stuff.  Here she is at the local opportunity shop.  By the end of the day she spent $18.75 on some great finds.  We were able to get quite alot.  I am going to reveal what was purchased and what we did with it next week. 
PS. Don't be offended by this post Lisa - remember... your the sister who got the great hair.  & thanks for letting Megan use you as an apron model.  Love ya, Lori