Fields of Fortune: Brimfield, May 2015

It was about two decades ago that I began attending the Brimfield Antiques Show, and I still enjoy seeking out new treasures – and learning new things along the way.

This year's first show yielded a few fun – and, yes, kitschy – finds. All were bargains.

The first is a "flower power" glass I gave to my sister. The pattern declares, "Summer picnic time is here!" I could tell by the size, shape and weight that it once contained sour cream, and probably had a plastic lid.

The glass needed something to stand upon so I found this Dutch themed tablecloth. It's a small 32.5" square size, even too small to cover my 2' x 4' kitchen table, but I'll place it over another solid colored cloth for a cool, layered look. It has a few minor stains, but it was just $10.

Coincidentally, I have two rows of blue and white Dutch tile contact paper used as a makeshift backsplash behind my vintage 70s stove, so this cloth will complement the paper nicely.

For my Hawaiian themed bathroom, I found a small painted metal plant stand with a charming seahorse design. The dealer said it was Victorian, but I suspect it could be a very good copy. I snagged it for just $50.

It fit perfectly in the corner next to the toilet.

Of course no Brimfield day would be complete without a Merry Tacky Christmas item.
This 1970s blinking Mr. & Mrs. Claus star definitely fit the bill. I especially love that there's a lightbulb inside each of their heads (they look pissed off, don't they?). It was the day's cheapest bargain at $5.

We're so mad we could blink!!

"Mrs. Claus, I do feel a bit 'off' today."

Finally, every Brimfield visit yields a few fun chuckles when I spot an oversized item or display. (Bonus points if it's a bit naughty... oh, behave!)
Alas, these wouldn't fit inside or on top of my Honda Civic...

"Yes, we have a banana."

Cat inside a Brontosaurus body?

Until the July show...

Dino Thanks You for Your Business.

Getting Warmer: The Atomic Dream Getaway

After a frigid, cruel winter with record amounts of snowfall in Boston, it was time to escape to Orlando, FL, where the only snowflakes of note were the atomic variety on my hotel stationery and the fake snowcapped rooftops of Hogsmeade at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

In last year's June issue of Interior Design magazine, Universal's brand-new Cabana Bay Beach Resort was featured prominently, and I was immediately taken by its swanky mid-century design. 

Front Signage at Night

Main Lobby

The retro curves, expansive open spaces, groovy details, happy color scheme of turquoise, tangerine and chartreuse, and vintage cars parked out front made it all seem so inviting. So, I looked into the details and decided the price was not any more inflated than Miami, my usual go-to winter vacation destination. 

The sprawling resort is actually five interconnected hotels with a total of 1,800 rooms, plus two outdoor pools, a bowling alley, gaming room, gift shop, diner/cafeteria, Starbucks coffee shop, Jack LaLanne fitness studio, and plenty of common areas where you can relax at leisure.

Groovy spiral staircase with bubbling water feature.

Cool seating area on the upper level.

Luckily, I brought extra cash for meals because the cost of any food or drink item was not retro – $3.50 for a cup of Dannon yogurt?! It might make sense if Orlando was a remote island, but it's hardly that. The food choices and prices were definitely the weakest part of the resort experience. At least the visuals made it a bit more palatable, including this fun mural in the dining area.

Happy Vacation Family mural in the dining area.

Modern sputnik chandeliers

Jack LaLanne fitness studio on the upper level
with lots of memorabilia from his life's achievements.

Amoeboid ceiling in the dining area.

There's also a cartoon viewing area where you can watch vintage favorites (I watched a bit of Woody Woodpecker).

Naturally, the vintage design theme carries over to the private rooms, including the retro carpeting in the hallways.

My room was equally swanky – alas, with a view of the parking lot.

My Cabana Bay room in the Americana wing.

Sitting area with Charles & Ray Eames chairs.

Fresh mid-century bath products.

Bedding details.

Best of all, the weather was a mix of sun and clouds every day, with temps in the mid to upper 80s – way better than 25 degrees and snowing!

Almost like being in a Galaxy far, far away.

Seeing Red: My Retro Valentine

Truthfully, the thought of celebrating Valentine's Day does not make me swoon with passion. Think "Once I had a love and it was a gas. Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass."

That being said, it is an opportunity to give and receive chocolate.

And, it's an impetus for starting a creative decorating project in January, the coldest, darkest, dullest month of the year in these parts.

On a recent visit to a Michael's Arts & Crafts store, I found boxes of glass heart ornaments on clearance, and thought, "Why not create a Heart of Glass tree for Valentine's Day?"

As anyone who has known me or visited my home will attest, I've been a fan of the band Blondie ever since Heart of Glass hit the airwaves back in 1979, so this tree is not too much of a stretch for me.

My Funky Retro Valentine Room

The Love Rug

Every Christmas I put up a two-foot silver tinsel tree in my home office. After taking off my silver mini snowflake ornaments and mini candy canes, I decided to reuse it as my Heart of Glass tree.

Heart of Glass tree unplugged

I started with a string of 50 red LED lights I found on clearance at a local drugstore. I then xeroxed images from my collection of Blondie coffee table books and resized them to fit on the clear glass ornaments. I used gloss acrylic medium to decoupage the images. For accents I used silver or white glitter as well as pink "duck tape" I found at my neighborhood art supply store.

Heart of Glass tree all lit up.
The felt flower on top is from Target, as are the red and white paper doilies.

Ornaments closeup – ooh ooh OH!

For some of the ornaments I used found objects I already had on hand, including conversation heart stickers and red glitter glue.

Conversation Heart ornament

"Love Ya" written in red glitter glue on top of a white paper doily.

I also used some of my mini Blondie buttons for finishing touches.

OK, now I'm feeling the love.

Vintage Christmas 2014: Twinkle & Shine

When it comes to holiday decorating, every year is an opportunity for changing things up, even if they're only subtle touches.

This year I hauled out my usual vintage Christmas treasures, with a few new updates added to the mix. In general, I increased the wattage to make my decor twinkle, sparkle and shine. And, I always say, the more glitter, the merrier.

Enjoy!

Parlor:

Live tree imported from South Windsor, CT, approximately 8-ft. tall –
I had to saw about 14" off the bottom so it wouldn't hit the ceiling.
This year I used all C-7 Twinkle and Cool Bright lights
and a plastic light-up angel from the 1950s for the top.

This year I used my vintage (1920s?) mirror on the mantel.
It originally hung in the sunporch of my grandparents' house.
I also used C-7 Figural lights on the green garland.

Disco Pixie Elves Party of Two

New vintage Disco Pixie Elf I found at the Cambridge Antiques Market.

My frame collage – this year I added the red & green corduroy bows.

New glitter arrangement I found at a gardening center.

New vintage pair of C-7 metallic candoliers I found in Cambridge.

Kitchen:

Lighted wall sconce – this year decorated with ornaments, birds and silver tinsel.

Home Office:

Vintage plastic blowmolds – the Elf on Snowball at left is new this year, found on eBay.

Silver tree with added Santa candlesticks and silver candles.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

New Old Territory: Essex, MA

What is there to do on a gloomy, misty fall Saturday?

Take a drive up to the North Shore of MA and visit some antiques shops in Essex.

This was my first time there and I enjoyed it. I always like seeking out new antiques territory and there are many shops, large and small, clustered along route 133 worth poking through.

Probably the largest shop is the conveniently named Main Street Antiques.

The Word: Mums

Four floors are stacked with all sorts of items from Life magazines to antique hardware.

I wasn't on the hunt for hardware but went for this pair of cast iron oil lamp holders.

Judging by the art deco design, I'd guess these are probably from the 1930s.

Even better, everything in the shop was 30% off!

I did a bit of online research and discovered a similar pair painted silver.

If I decide to hang them on a wall, I'll need a metal hardware piece like the one pictured at the bottom right. I could place pillar candles on them or small plants. Mainly, I just like them as architectural pieces, especially their hefty weight and quality.

I climbed up a spiral staircase to behold more treasures.

I poked through a wooden bin filled with belt buckles and discovered a beautiful inlaid piece I just had to have. Typically, I see Western designs with horses or deer, but this one really stood out.

I don't think it's very old but the back says "HECHO EN MEXICO" (Made in Mexico).

In another shop I contemplated a white swan TV lamp but I passed on it because I'm running out of places to display them at home.

I often get caught up in the visual overload when I go antiquing, which is all part of the fun.

Soaring In Store

Candles In The Round

UNLESS YOU ARE THE LEAD DOG
THE VIEW NEVER CHANGES
(The word "DOG" got cut off – wasn't paying attention)