Outdoor Rooms

Tonight we had near-perfect evening weather; warm, but not hot, with a nice breeze. I wish we had an outdoor room, sun porch or patio to relax in. If that were the case, I'd still be outside drinking sangria! Until then, I'll dream of my patio and think of ways to decorate it.

Love this set-up, the chairs are probably 

reproduction, but eBay might have originals

Love the red vintage cooler

Wicker is classic and looks great at a beach house

Photos from myhomeideas.com

Lonny: Home Magazine

If you haven't checked out the online shelter magazine, Lonny, you should. Published only in digital media, it's a great read and the editors profile some neat people and homes. The June/July edition is now available (see the above link) and features an eclectic mix of houses with a variety of vintage/antique goods. The coolest feature of the magazine is the ability to click on embedded links within each picture and be directed to a website where the item is available for sale. Tres fantastic!

http://www.lonnymag.com/Home.html

Bathroom Vanity

This weekend, we celebrated my nephew's first birthday with a fabulous summer party at my brother-and-sister-in-law's house. Mike and Collyn live in a charming 1928 Tudor-style home that's great for entertaining. One of my favorite rooms is a neat bathroom off the kitchen with original tile and a cast-iron bathtub. The bath cabinet needed replacing, so instead of buying one new, they found an antique marble-top dresser and added a sink and faucet. The 'new' cabinet looks authentic to the house and the room, as if it were installed in the late '20's with the rest of the bath fixtures. I've included a photo below, many thanks to Collyn for sending it over and for hosting such a wonderful party!

Collyn and Mike's marble-top bath vanity

Great use of an antique table paired 

with a modern sink and faucet

The antique sconces and vibrant wallpaper 

add interest to this small space

This bath console is a reproduction, but I love the 

antique urns used as storage containers

Photos from MetHome and Elle Decor

DEFINITION: Danish Modern

Danish Modern is a term used to describe a minimalist style of wood furniture, usually made of teak, from Denmark popular in the 40's, 50's and 60's. The side tables I bought this week are this style, although they don't appear to be teak (which is probably why they were less expensive). I especially love Danish Modern credenzas and sideboards; usually they are a good height and pair well with different woods.

Also, if you live within driving distance of Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Ann Arbor Antique Market is this weekend on Saturday (8a-4pm) and Sunday (9a-4pm). It's a nice-sized show and there's good quality antiques in a variety of styles. Have a GREAT weekend!

I love, love, love this piece!

Danish Modern lounge chair

Photos from Flickr and marthastewart.com

Auction Finds

Back from my trip to the antique auction! There were plenty of items up for grabs, but I only came home with the following: two danish modern side tables and one galvanized metal watering can. I'm super excited about the side tables for a couple reasons; first, I've been on the lookout for side and coffee tables for at least six months and, second, they were $10! SCORE! Most important, however, is they look really great.

Matching pair of side tables for my living room

Closer look; the legs have a nice taper

No excuses for my geraniums to be dehydrated!

Photos by Kelly Dyer for The Chicer Antiquer

GO: Shipshewana, Indiana Antique Auction

Every Wednesday throughout the summer there's a huge antique auction in Shipshewana, Indiana. Held in a large building with over 31,000 square feet of space, 8-10 auctioneers will concurrently sell antique furniture, pottery, jewelry, toys, quilts and glassware. Today I'm going to the auction with my mom (who's the queen-bee antiquer!) and hope to come home with some great finds. I'll post pictures (and maybe video!) tomorrow. 

Shipshewana is located in north-central Indiana,

home to many Amish families

Amish buggies parked outside the auction

Photos from www.in.gov

Decor Winners: Vintage trophies

After the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, Winston (who lives in Chicago) asked me to blog about antique trophies. Tiffany & Co. is the original trophy maker and still makes many of the top awards given in famous athletic competitions around the country. Less famous awards from days of yore can be found in antique shops and used as decor accents, vases for flowers, and candy dishes. I have a great tarnished silver equestrian trophy that I use as a vase and think it looks terrific. I prefer to use large flowers like hydrangeas and peonies, but roses look classic too. Do you have other uses for antique trophies?

Love the delicately curved handles

Tarnished silver with hydrangeas

Vintage tennis trophies look great in mass

Photos from Google and Flickr

Ironstone Dishes

White china is having a resurgence in popularity following a period where colorful patterns on dinnerware was en vogue. I've been invited to a handful of weddings this summer and most registries include china in basic white, which the practical me loves: it goes with everything! The original white dinnerware, Ironstone, is highly collectible and found across the country (but is particularly popular in the Northeast and Midwest). If nothing else, buy an Ironstone platter for use when serving bigger items like Thanksgiving turkey. Yum!

Lots of great posts this week including recent trips to Minneapolis and the Amish Antique Auction in Shipshewana, Indiana; Enjoy!

Ironstone Platters and Bowl

Classic cake stands from the 19th Century

Awesome collection of Ironstone pitchers

Photos from Martha Stewart and Country Living

Vintage Bicycles

This weekend, I'm riding a charity bike ride in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The 'cycle I'm riding tomorrow isn't vintage, but I have two bikes in my garage circa 1970 that I rescued from my in-laws before they were sent to Goodwill. I love those bikes, one green with a wicker basket and the other blue with a brown leather seat. They remind me of summer: trips to the beach, fresh blueberries, flip-flops, sunglasses, canvas tote bags, and my antique bike. I hope you enjoy these photos. Keep your eye out for a 'lil piece of summer to buy for yourself. Have a great weekend!

This bike should be rode by someone in flip flops headed to the beach!

Neat red paint

Photos from Flickr

DEFINITION: Biedermeier

Biedermeier is a well-know style of antique furniture created in German-speaking countries in the early-to-mid 19th Century. Because furniture was created out of fruitwood (cherry, pear, etc), there's a very distinctive look to Biedermeier pieces. If you get a chance, there's a pretty thorough description on the history of the Biedermeier style on Wikipedia. Prices tend to be high given the age and fine craftsmanship of many furniture pieces. Enjoy these photos as an introduction!

Can you see the speckled wood 

that's characteristic of Biedermeier?

Biedermeier chairs

Biedermeier dresser

Photos from Flickr and Martha Stewart Living

Vintage Map Handkerchiefs

Today on Martha Stewart's website, there's a photo gallery of vintage napkins, tablecloths, scarves and handkerchiefs printed with state maps. These popular travel souvenirs were purchased by American tourists during the 1930's-1950's. While Martha (and/or her staff) suggest some creative uses, I'm partial to collecting handkerchiefs and using them as cocktail napkins. No cutting, sewing, gluing, etc required...just pair with your favorite adult beverage and enjoy!

Anne, my friend in Boston, needs a set of these!

Perfect to accompany a martini (with blue-cheese stuffed olives) in Chicago

Love the peach color

Photos from marthastewart.com

Country Farmhouse Foyer

Last night I was at dinner with a gentleman that owns a circa 1863 farmhouse in Vermont. While I like a mix of antique styles, old country farmhouses look great decorated with solid colonial furniture. Traditionally, the foyer was a place of welcoming and gathering and most old homes have beautiful entry rooms. Enjoy these photos as examples of those beautiful spaces. If you had a country home, where would it be?

Photos from House Beautiful and Martha Stewart Living

SHOP: Jayson Home & Garden

If you live in Chicago or have the opportunity to visit, check-out Jayson Home & Garden for a great mix of furniture, rugs, lighting and vintage finds. They have a great collection and when I'm in Chicago (as I am today), I always stop by to see what's new. Summer is a great time to visit Chicago so if you plan to go and need suggestions on antique shops to visit, email me! 

Located at 1885 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

tel: 800.472.1885

Photos from Google

Re-wiring Antique Lamps

On my 'to-do' list for this weekend is to take two vintage lamps to the electrician for re-wiring. The nice thing about my old lamps are the unique shapes and color; the not-nice thing about my old lamps are old electrical wiring and plugs. If you buy an antique lamp, you should most certainly take it to a quality electrician or lighting store so that the electrical can be replaced to meet modern safety standards. Look in the yellow-pages or Google "lighting store" for your area and you should be able to find a handful of capable professionals. I'll post pictures of the re-wired lamp next week. Until then, have a great weekend!

These blue table lamps are actually antique vases

that have been electrically wired

LOVE this modern orange accent on the traditional sideboard!

Photos from House Beautiful & Southern Living

Vintage Motivational Posters

There's a great piece in the New York Times magazine about vintage motivational posters created prior to the digital age. During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) to employ those who found themselves without a job following the stock market crash of 1929. The W.P.A. employed print makers and artists to design posters and printed materials to help promote various employment opportunities. What a great find it would be if you came across posters similar to the ones below to use as decoration in an office or library. I especially like the "Be a Tight Wad" poster...probably good advice given the current state of our economy!

Photos from the NYTimes.com

Candace Bushnell's Apartment

Just in case you couldn't get enough of my Sex & The City-themed posting yesterday, I'm sharing the below photos from Elle Decor of Candace Bushnell's apartment in NYC. Bushnell is the creator of the SATC series and recently released a prequel titled, "The Carrie Diaries". I'm a big fan of her living room; great upholstry color on the settee/sofa, beautiful chandelier paired with a mid-century modern floor lamp. I'd be inspired to write best-selling books in this apartment, too!

Love the lamp!

Great antique mirror

Photos from Elle Decor

SATC2 and SJP's house

Like other style and fashion aficionados across the country, I ran-ran-ran to the theater to see Sex and The City 2 on opening weekend. While the show was met with cool reviews by movie critics, I'm still a fan and thought there were some great moments (Liza Minnelli singing "Single Ladies") and incredible fashion choices (the lavender Grecian dress that Carrie wears for the flight to Abu Dhabi...way chicer  than my in-air apparel!). I remember seeing Sarah Jessica Parker's Bridgehampton, NY home in Elle Decor and thought I'd share those as an example of mixing antique goods with new. Much like her famous character, SJP's home is absolutely original.

Armchair from the 1970's that's re-upholstered in modern gray fabric

Vintage needlepoint paired with a painted-red bentwood chair

The mirrored desk from the 1940's looks great as a bedside table

The antique chandelier adds a great punch of color 

to a black and white dining room

Photos from Elle Decor