A Very Vintage Christmas

This year's Christmas tree — imported from South Windsor, CT once again — is decorated using all C-6 bubble lights in multiple colors.

The challenge with the bubble lights is getting them to stay vertical because as the days pass, the branches start to droop. In any case, the bubbling action never fails to delight, and a whole tree of them actually produces a calming effect.

Most of the ornaments are vintage 1950s to 1970s, with newer ones mixed in. I made the paper chains out of leftover wallpaper from several years back.

One of the new vintage Christmas items I purchased at the Brimfield Antiques Show this year is this double-sided plastic Santa.

And, this year's kitchen table centerpiece combines vintage blue ornaments with pinecones gathered from my sister's yard.

The vintage tablecloth is from last year, and I'll probably use it every year for as long as it lasts.

These photos show various vintage Christmas items decorating my play room. My friend Amy made the beautiful red and green pillow.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Pachydermatology

I had this plain black lamp in my hallway, sitting on top of my painted octagonal table.

Plain black lamp

Even though it sits on a patterned table, I decided it needed a facelift, so I invited the elephant into the room. I decoupaged it with a vintage wallpaper called Caladium, which features beautiful, oversized elephant ears painted in various greens, gray and black.

Before the stampede

The difficulty was working with the sloped shape of the shade. I cut out the wallpaper pieces and experimented with how I wanted them to overlap. I first used small pieces of masking tape to see how the finished layers would look, and made adjustments accordingly. Then I layered on the pieces with acrylic gloss medium.

For the finishing touch, I decided to inject a bit of whimsy by adding a stampede of elephants to the bottom of the shade.

Elephants enter the picture

I found an image of African elephants online, so I printed it and cut out the elephants.

The stampede ensues

Here's a closer shot so you can see the pattern better...

Pachyderm Pride

Roses On My Plate

My most recent Connecticut visit yielded the beginnings of a new dinnerware collection. This fab mid-century pattern (circa 1955) is called Rose Duet by J & G Meakin. I found four luncheon plates and four berry bowls in Collinsville — just $12 for the set!

I especially like the irregular shape and the gray latticed background, which resembles fabrics of the time.
The backs of the plates have an elaborate black crest that says, "English Staffordshire - Rose Duet," "Genuine Hand Engraved By Britain's Finest Craftsmen - Permanent Colours," and "J & G Meakin, Estd. 1851."

I actually had the glasses already.  The pattern is called Yellow Rose by Anchor Hocking, from the late 1950s-early 1960s. I think they complement the dinnerware rather nicely.

Have to go now! My butler James is saying, "Luncheon is served, Master Joe."

Night & Day Coupage: Green Light, Go!

My new office at work is a typical grey cube. Though decent in size, the lighting is not the best. There are the usual harsh, overhead fluorescents, but I needed a little ambience/task lighting — something with flair and pizzazz. So, I thought of a lamp I already have at home, which I recently moved to the basement because I wasn't using it ...

Ordinary faded lampshade

This is a decent modern desk lamp I purchased at Urban Outfitters a number of years ago. The shade is actually very faded, so I thought it would be the perfect candidate to undergo a decoupage treatment.

I browsed through my cumbersome yet handy vintage wallpaper book ...

The source of many of my collage/decoupage projects

And discovered an excellent green plaid pattern called Clansman. 

I then cut out pieces and laid them on the floor to create a design ...

Layout development

Because the pattern is gridded, it wasn't too difficult to create a design I liked. I first tried taping pieces onto the shade with masking tape to see if the design would fit properly. This was particularly difficult because I'd never worked with a cylindrical shape before. Once I got the four largest diamond-shaped pieces to fit, the rest of the pieces were relatively easy to place. Using acrylic gloss medium, I attached all of the wallpaper pieces to the shade, and voilá!

Shade with completed design applied

For the top and bottom edges, I was trying to find images of pie crusts to suggest key lime pie because of the light green colors in the paper, but once I cut them out, they looked like small intestines. NOT the look I was going for. Instead, I found this image online of a quiche, and I cut this out in the shape of thin pie crusts...

Real men decoupage with quiche

This photo shows another part of the design...

For the final touches, I cut out four circles of brown leather from one of my bags of leftover fabrics, using a nickel to get the size I wanted. I used silver pearl head pins to attach them to the lampshade. It's difficult to see from the photo, but parts of the wallpaper are metallic silver, so the silver pearl head pins complement the paper — and the lamp base — beautifully.

Night coupaged — ooh

Night coupaged — la la!

A Plastic Fantastic? Hassock & Other Curiosities

The final installment of the 2012 Brimfield Antiques Show yielded an abundance of unique and unusual items, including this ...

Plastic Fantastic? Hassock

Just when you thought you've seen it all — and I've been attending this show for many years and seen everything from a giant Rob's Big Boy sign to the tackiest lamps ever created — along comes another "What the hell is it?" item. This isn't the greatest photo, but if you're brave enough to look closely, the inside of this mid-century footstool houses some type of terrarium with, as my friend Katie put it, "the saddest plastic cemetery flowers" trapped inside. The price tag has it at $85 — EEYAAAAHHH!!!

Also hidden in plain sight was this proud phalanx of semi-creepy, headless mannequins that escaped the confines of some long lost department store windows...

Icabod Mannequin Army

I'm the one in the back with the mucho-chiseled abs, with my clothing casually draped over my right shoulder.

And, in case you've forgotten, plants can be awfully decorative, and can be displayed in myriad ways. I especially like this decorative Victorian plant stand — maybe it's a bit too decorative? — which would look darling against a wall of a screened-in porch. Maybe instead of plants I'd place a silver mirrored gazing ball on top of each fan. Sure wish I had a screened-in porch.

Plant Stand Fans

For this show, I purchased just a handful of bargain items, including this adorable "Nemo-ready" 3-pc. chalkware fish wall plaque — only $12.

On the top side of the fish, it says "1960 Miller Studio, Inc." And after doing a little digging on ebay, I found this bit of history about Miller Studio:

Miller Studio began as a small corner gift shop in New Philadelphia, Ohio in 1934 and was founded by Harry Miller and his wife Clela.

Mr. & Mrs. Miller had the idea that there might be a market in their shop for quality, hand painted wall plaques and began to produce these items in relatively small production runs...

Using a jobber sales force to distribute the pieces, by 1952 Miller Studio had become the leading manufacturer of decorative wall decor for the house wares trade...

Here it is on my bathroom wall next to my vanity mirror:

I also found another vintage print tablecloth. I already have several, but this one has a fall-like motif with the more atypical colors of yellow and brown. This was a good deal at $20.

And, because holiday traditions hold strong for me, I found more vintage Christmas bulbs to add to my ever-expanding collection. These are all miniature base C-6 series, G-E Mazda, and they all work. The two blue candle-shaped bulbs are difficult to find, so I was glad to get these. The pink color bulbs are also less plentiful, as are the yellow ones on the right (these are a truer yellow in comparison to the ones on the left, which are the more typical orange-yellow). These packages along with two more in pink are part of a lot I bought for $20. Happy Christmas in September!

Inland Treasures

On my most recent sojourn to The Land of Steady Habits (that's my home state of Connecticut, in case you are in a state of wonder), I paid a visit to one of my favorite antiques centers in New Hartford, the Collinsville Antiques Company, on route 44. The defining characteristic of this group emporium is the old-school diner located to the right as you walk in (just after you pass an old TV set that's been repurposed as a fish aquarium!).

Design inspiration abounds here, especially if you like funky, unusual lighting. One booth in particular caught my eye, as it featured a wonderful assortment of mid-century treasures, including this fabulous dual-light desk lamp I brought home with me...

What really sold me on this — in addition to its swank fiberglass shades and wood stem — is the way it lights up. The switch is conveniently located on the base. On the first turn, the right light goes on; On the second turn, the left light goes on; On the third turn, both lights go on; And on the fourth turn, both lights go off!

Are we all lit?!

There are no maker's marks on this piece, but it's most likely from the late 1950s to early 1960's, judging by its styling. In comparison to similar light fixtures of the era, this lamp shows great restraint, as well as great versatility. The shades also swivel, so you can have them point to a sci-fi book you might be reading. Or, you can have them point up to the ceiling.

I also found some "Blue Spruce" dinnerware pieces in the same booth, to add to my collection...

I also found a soup bowl in this pattern, and I already have three dinner plates from a previous antiquing trip. I don't see this pattern all that often, though apparently it was sold at supermarkets across America in the late '50s and early '60s. It was manufactured by the Marcrest Stetson company. The bottom of the creamer says "Made in USA." I looked on Etsy, and found lots of other pieces for sale, including oval platters, cups and saucers, a gravy boat, and even ash trays! I like the simplicity of this pattern, and the soft blue and gray go perfectly with my blue and white kitchen. I use this pattern only during the winter months, right after Christmas.

Another fun purchase I made in New Hartford was two sets of HIS closet dividers...

These rather amusing plastic discs are the type of thing you still see on department store sales racks to separate different sizes. I opened one set and put them in my bedroom closet just for fun. I'm leaving this set in the package ... at least for now. The back of the package says, "Made in Hongkong for Aluminum Housewares Co., Inc. 1979, Maryland Heights, MO. 63043." Maybe if I get a husband someday, I'll let him open this set — Oh, behave!

Newport Idyll Rich, Rich, Rich

As New England cities go, Newport, RI is definitely one of the crown jewels, if not the Crown Jewel. And, among the well-preserved Gilded Age "cottages" and high-brow nautical haze of Lily Pulitzer, seersucker, whale belts, and wide-brimmed straw hats, there is an occasional glimpse of modern design and unexpected whimsy. Witness 41 Degrees North, which looks as though it secretly floated up from South Beach, Miami — gleaming white finishes, and bits of snobbery included.

Wall planters in the banquet dining area.

Life is a banquet...

At the other end of this great space, I found an oversized chess set.

Chess anyone?

I waited for 10-foot-tall Alice to join me for a match but she was a no-show.

It's your move.

In addition to being a great Sunday brunch spot (try the lobster sliders and a mimosa or two — delicious, delicious), 41 Degrees North is near lots of great shopping opportunities.

Shopper in hot pursuit.

Another Newport highlight was touring Kingscote, one of the smaller Gilded Age mansions on Bellevue Avenue, originally built in 1839 in the Gothic Revival style, and designed by the architect, Richard Upjohn. It was later enlarged by the renowned firm of McKim, Mead and White to include a new large dining room featuring an unusual cork tile ceiling, and opalescent glass bricks by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Kingscote front facade.

Other unusual features include the thick moldings over the windows. These molding details also appear over the inside windows as well.

I also enjoyed the great privilege of visiting the Tennis Hall of Fame. An exceptional friend of mine scored tickets to a very special luncheon, the induction ceremony, which featured Guga, and Jennifer Capriati, and tickets to the tennis matches held on the following day. The luncheon was held at the wonderful Horseshoe Piazza, a Victorian masterpiece also designed by McKim, Mead and White.

Horseshoe Piazza window trellis.

These highlights served as the ingredients for the perfect summer weekend, darlings. It's no contest: "Love all."

Dirty Vintage Treasures Done Dirt Cheap

July's Brimfield Antiques Show was uncomfortably hot, but offered plenty of nostalgic looks at childhood classics like Gumby and Pokey...

And Buster Brown and his dog Tigh...

Buster Brown throw rug

Of course, no day out in the country would be complete without...

Shouldn't the last word be "COOKIN'"?

I also found a few bargains I couldn't pass up, beginning with a great selection of picture frames. Prices ranged from $1 to $5 each...

13 1/2" x 17" blue painted wood, probably 1920s

13 1/2" x 18 3/4" gold leaf painted wood, age uncertain

9" x 10 1/2" silver art deco, wood, probably 1930s

8" x 10" tropical green painted wood, age uncertain

Then, because I can never have too many skinny ties, two for $5...

The tie on the left is All Silk, and has an interesting geometric horse pattern...

I also found this "new" looking checkbook cover on a friendly $5 table, which might be from a 1970s Sears catalog, or similar...

The most interesting "Why Did I Buy This, and What Will I Do With It?" item was this industrial looking light. The dealer told me it might have been inside a chicken coop. I asked her if it worked, and she said she wasn't sure, so she reduced the price from $15 to $10. I liked its minimalist design, and the attached swivel clip makes it especially versatile.

Industrial light awaiting magic

I ended up clipping this to the ceiling light fixture in one of my closets, which hasn't functioned in quite some time. I ran an extension cord along the inside of the closet, which is plugged into another extension cord in the room that operates by a button you press with your foot. Yankee ingenuity at its best? Yee haw!