Score!

For what feels like forever, I wanted a lucite waterfall coffee table.

I moved on to a chrome and glass table from CB2 a few months ago

 and then...
BAM! yesterday there was the entire set of two end tables and the coffee table in glass and perfect condition.

I would not have used all three in the same room anyway so I just got the end tables.

 I am so pleased.
Any good thrifting scores lately?

Almost totally thrifted

The tray from West Elm is one of only a few new things in my living room.

Hope y'all had a great 4th of July!

I was thinking about a post on thrifting and it dawned on me that my formal living room is almost entirely bought second hand in shops or on eBay. I inherited a couple of items and only a few were bought new.

It can be done with patience and lots of searching.

This little X-bench is from Target and I recovered it in a piece of Brunschwig's Le Lac that I scored on eBay.

I inherited the Persian rug and this antique French child's chair.

It has only recently become a bit too fragile for kids. I have many fond memories of this chair from my childhood.

This bombe chest was a local antique store find for under $350 because the marble top has a crack, all the better if you ask me.

The Sheraton style sofa is my favorite thrifting score of all time. It had just arrived from an estate and was marked at only $350! I was really suspicious of flaws (smells) at that price but it was in perfect condition and is a very high-end piece.

This Korean case was only $15 at the Salvation Army. It makes a great end table and if I get tired of looking at it I won't feel guilty in sending it away.

I purchased a pair of these chairs on eBay and then had them recovered, making them the most expensive items by far but they are super comfy.

Many of the accessories were thrifted.

I did buy new drapes and hardware, as well as, table lamps.

The chandelier is from eBay Curtains and hardware are new

The wall color is Sherwin-Williams Faint Coral and this whisper of pink is my favorite part of the room.

Why so many thrifted and antique things? Well, the first answer is easy, budget. I either haven't had or wished to spend thousands on a single piece. The second part of that answer has more to do an appreciation of the imperfect. You should see my husband! Ba-dum-bum! Sorry, I had to do say it.
 In my eyes nothing is all that great if it doesn't have a little wear on it. Too much newness looks vulgar to me. I like patina and its offered without a premium in second-hand stores.

Thrifty Thursday

I was looking for a tray in a local thrift store, any color because I was planning on painting it. I never see good trays.

I did come a way with a few goodies on the cheap.

The blue and white bowl is most likely on its way to my bedroom which is pale blue and white.

It definitely needs an infusion of Chinese blue and white porcelain.

These fetching little things are staying close by in the kitchen. I use little bowls like this for condiments regularly.

I got two of these hammered brass vases.

I like the repetition of the orb theme in different textures.

I believe everything was under $10 bucks combined.

I just wish they had a tray!

Do you like hunting for goodies in thrift stores?

Thrifty Thursday

Check out this little cutie I found in a local thrift. It is only about 4 inches tall but in perfect condition and at 50 cents how could I resist?

I debated using as a container for some sort of daily use item but I think I will just let it be its pretty self.

I did not have a chance to get flowers for this pewter trophy but I think some pink peonies would be perfect. The other side is engraved. It is a golf trophy from 1992, LOL! but it works for me and the equestrian look in my dining room.
Have you grabbed a great goodie lately?

Vintage suitcases

I saw these vintage suitcases, front and center, on Etsy yesterday and got to thinking what I might do with such lovely crustiness.

via

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Most of the things I saw were more shabby than chic but I rather fancy that little suitcase/picnic table.

What would you do with a vintage suitcase or two?

Happy Independence Day!

Thrifty Thursday

Happy March, my friends.

On the table above you can see my latest finds. The footed milk glass urn was $1 at a local thrift and it has a big sister, who is already holding a plant. Its a digression, but the plant is well over a hundred years old and by some miracle I have managed to keep it alive. Neat, huh?

The other item is from Etsy but it was $7 so I think it counts. It is a vintage Lucite tortoise shell tray and I am absolutely ga-ga over it. I found it at the Etsy shop Folding Chairs. I could swear my grandmother had one when I was little. These two won't be staying where you see them. I actually don't really know what they will do in my house but there it is.

In other news...

not really
but here is my latest painting.

It is not on Etsy because I am going to enter it in a regional juried show.

 Love it? Hate it? Want to set in fire?

Any ideas for a title?

I had a few but I'd love to hear your ideas.

In search of birdbaths ** updated**

Is this Baccarat?

My husband and I have been on a bit of a bubbly kick. 

Three evenings in a row we sampled different proseccos, Italian sparkling wine.

We really like Moet et Chandon but it is a bit much for an any old time cocktail.

We prefer the coupe style glass, or birdbath, to the flute.

Cheapie flutes on the left

I own five birdbath crystal glasses that I could swear I was told are Baccarat.They are really lovely and while I am a firm believer in using fine things if you have them, I am am reluctant to use these on an everyday basis.

We have been using my super cheap flutes that I bought for a buck a piece for a party that never happened. I have no problem using the nicer flutes it's just that we would rather use coupes.

That brings me to my Valentine's day gift idea.

The impossible to shop for husband of mine will be getting new or vintage birdbaths if I can find them in the next 48 hours.

Wish me luck!

Do you use  "the good stuff" regularly?
** UPDATE 13 FEB**

 Yesterday I found a vintage set of four birdbaths at an antique shop. The dealer must wanted to git rid of them because they were marked down to $5!  SCORE!
I wrapped them up for Valentine's day along with an antique book and a vintage monogrammed box just in time to hear my husband open the garage door, that's why I have no pics.

Thrifty Thursday

That window was open and we sat inches from it.

The weather was so warm and wonderful, at 70 degrees here yesterday, that I insisted my husband accompany me to downtown Fredericksburg.

We ate lunch at the Capital Ale House and people watched. It was lovely and I got a few peeks in some of the never ending antique shops.

Oddly, our stop at the Salvation Army store on the way, just inside the city limits, was most fruitful.

I was taking my own advice and searching for more lovely containers. My little girl has a collection of kid sized paint brushes that she loves to look at when not painting. It is in it's original packaging (ugly) and often dumped out everywhere. So container searching I went.

I found the tiny ginger jar first for $2.

There was also a collection of blue and white vases. Tempting, but they did not come home with me.

Next I found this, to die for, vase. 

It looks and feels like vintage McCoy but no mark and at $3, I just love it.

My husband loves thrifting, rarely buys anything, yet takes forever to rifle through everything. I must always remind myself that at least he is a willing partner in crime. Even if he is a slow and thorough one.

Yesterday it paid off...

I found this portable French style easel while he was examining something else.

Please excuse the clutter and sleeping child, I was excited

It was, apparently, never used. 

New, they are between $90 and $ 200.

This was $ 15.

So for twenty bucks I got some great stuff,  although no paintbrush container.

I also had a fun lunch with my family and a walk around one of my favorite towns.

Frederickburg, Virginia April 2010

Elevating the ordinary

My grandmother used this set of canisters for their intended purpose as did her mother before.

I prefer to display these sentimental objects. 

Their regular use in the past means they are not in the best of shape and I am missing one lid. That container has become my countertop lollipop storage and beats the bag it came in as a functional container.

I love using vintage and antique containers for all of the ugly, ordinary stuff that would otherwise be on view.

 If you didn't inherit this sort of thing I advise you head out, right now, to each and every thrift store in your area  to look for containers.

Here are a few of my "thrifted" containers and their contents.

 I couldn't stand the ripped Crayola box another second.

 Is it breakable? Yes. Is it precious? No. It is a milk glass cachepot with a chip and it works to hold crayons that were threatening a coup of my family room.

Not terribly exciting but I liked the 50 cent glass and made it hold Q-tips for now. It sits atop an antique butter plate that I used a a soap dish until I put liquid soap in that bath.

 Maybe we are strange (I know I am) but we need an array of pencils, pens, Sharpies and scissors everyday.

I put mine in this large, antique engraved glass jar that I picked up for a buck. It has a minor chip.

 This silverplate candleholder (?) with lid holds scented oils and matches out view but at the ready.

Have you used pretty little things to keep ordinary items?

Blue and white confession

I have a confession to make... (sounds like a line from a '70s family sitcom)

I have a long held obsession with blue and white porcelain.

The photo above shows my entry hall which, in my opinion, does not contain nearly enough blue and white.

I have some that was my great great grandmother's and a few new pieces but I am itching for more.

In a effort to affordably find more I went first to eBay and then Etsy.

I urge you to try this search, just type "blue and white" after clicking the vintage modifier in the drop down menu of Etsy's search box.

It turns up some very interesting results.

This mid-century bowl is just plain cute but not what I was after.

Nice but I already have lots of plates.

Lovely but I have a more extensive set in Czech porcelain.

 Hmmm. I have a cow creamer but it is all white. No, no one is enough.

Yes, this is right but at $400 it was a bit more than I want to spend.

Starting to think that I'll only find crap for for a few dollars.

This painting is charming.

I should mention that I have a thing for boxes too.

This one is $55. I am still on the fence about it.

I am now bidding on these on eBay.

They seem to fit the bill.

 Sorry I forgot to link to everything. If there is something you must have email me and I'll do my best to find it for you.