Drab to Fab Bookends

This is probably the quickest, simplest makeover I've ever done.  I picked up these second hand book ends for a crazy low price.  I thought they were $2 each and was happy to pay that, but was pleasantly surprised to learn they were $2 for the pair.  I like gold accents in design, which are making a big come back, but these puppies were a sort of late 80s not-cute shade of gold.  So I did as many a design blogger has done before me and pulled out the primer and Heirloom White spray paint I had on hand.  

After a quick couple of sprays of each, I ended up with these:

I didn't bother using a sealer - I almost never do.  I start with the assumption that I'm going to change the color down the line any way, so what is the point?  I may even bring these back to gold eventually, but a more modern shade. Well, there you have it, that was my first before and after makeover share! 

Joining up with Transformation Thursday!

Black Friday Vintage Haul

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got to enjoy some quality time off.  I was looking forward to getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the Black Friday sales with my sister, but she ended up getting sick and having to stay home.  I ended up staying in for the first time in many years because it's just not as fun without my partner in crime.  I shopped a few online sales over the weekend (I did some damage with Anthropologie's 25% off clearance going on through tonight, and Kate Spade's surprise 75% off sale, going on through Monday).  I also hit a few of my vintage haunts and scored some fantastic deals.

Here are some of the highlights:

Huge vintage tray.  Love these colors!  Already listed in the shop.

New vintage towels, also listed. 

Pretty Pyrex for my kitchen.

Navy blue and white striped wallpaper.  

I'm not sure if the wallpaper is vintage, but I was happy to find these. I'm always on the lookout for vintage wallpaper, but finding good patterns is a rarity.  I'm thinking these may be perfect for my little boy's room.  I'm hoping to share a tour of his room so far, so be on the lookout for that.  

I'm also hoping to share other room tours for my home, which feature vintage and handmade style.  Decorating is an ever evolving process, and I feel like I am just at the beginning in my home, but I would love to share what I've done so far and get your ideas for what to do next.  

Besides the room tours, I'm planning some before and after makeover shares of second-hand finds.  Unfortunately, I seemed to have lost of a lot of my "before" pictures of various projects I've been working on, but now that I have a place to share them (through this blog), I will take better care to take and save photos along the way going forward. 

I'm also thinking that this would be a good place to share reviews of books, tv shows and other resources on decorating and vintage style.  

I would love to hear your opinions on anything you would like to see here, so please do share! 

Well, thanks for stopping by!

Joining the Nifty Thrifty on a Living Space and

Thriftasaurus Linkup on Sir Thrift A Lot

Child's Play

I spent some time this weekend photographing recent finds for my store.  I've been experimenting with backgrounds and lighting.  It's not quite where I want it to be yet, but I'm learning a lot!  The first four photos show items from the same estate sale - it was probably the best one I have ever been to.  It was a multi-generation family who was moving and they were very creative, artistic and well-read.  I picked up a ton of books, fabric and these great vintage items that would look great in a child's room:

Gruner Witkop Wooden Puppet, 1972, West Germany 

Adorable vintage nursery wall decor plaques - fable themed.  Aren't these great?

More wonderful nursery decor - colonial themed. 

Set of Matryoshka dolls.  I can't resist nesting dolls and pick them up wherever I find them.

Besides the finds from that sale, I took photos of a few more things I want to share with you. 

This child's suitcase was a yard sale find.  Great color and pattern!

Thrifted wall art.  I love faux bamboo anything! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Joining the Nifty Thrifty on a Living Space and

Thriftasaurus Linkup on Sir Thrift A Lot

Tree Time

I took a family trip to the waterpark this weekend, so I wasn't able to do my usual estate sale circuit. I did pick up a few things during the week, though, all of which are great wall decor items.  First, my office was having a fundraiser and was selling signed unframed prints that had been lying in a back room somewhere.  I snatched up a few at an insanely reasonable price, and this one is my favorite:

I love the detail in the trees.

Continuing on with the tree theme, I found this at the thrift:

This is a large metal tree sculpture.  It is originally from Target and was new with tags.  

Also at the thrift was this framed embroidery sample clock...featuring, you guessed it, another tree!

  The clock needs to be replaced, which is an easy fix.  You can find the parts at any craft store.  I may end up taking this piece apart altogether, though.  I bought it for the frame, which opens like a cabinet...there are just so many possibilities for repurposing/restyling this piece! 

Last but not least, I found this great vintage plate:

Maybe if you squint your eyes really hard, you can see a tree in there.  It is by Berggren, and will be headed to my Etsy Store!

Thanks for stopping by!

Joining the Nifty Thrifty on a Living Space and

Thriftasaurus Linkup on Sir Thrift A Lot

Fun Finds

It seemed like a disappointing weekend for treasure hunting - I went to a number of places and walked out with nothing.  I'm getting a lot more selective with what I pick up nowadays, so that has been happening more.  Nevertheless, I ended up with a few nice finds. First, I found this glazed vase at an estate sale.  It caught my eye in the preview listing, so I was very happy to see it there, at the end of the second day of the sale.  I was able to get it for less than half price.

  I have no idea who the maker is or even what decade it is from for sure - 60s, maybe? The color sure is pretty and complements the (trendy) aqua/yellow color scheme in my living room.

Here is the mark on the bottom...I did some research on line and couldn't find anything on it, so if it looks familiar to anyone, please let me know!  

I found a nice piece of coral at the same sale...I think the pink color was added, and I would like to tone it down, but I'm not sure how I feel about spray painting what I think is a real piece of coral.  The pot in the background was from a garage sale this past summer.  

Cool 70s matchbooks collection from the second estate sale.  The one from the Sugar Shack Male Strip Club cracks me up. The 'stache, the vest, the hat, the chest hair, the wide collar...priceless. 

Vintage swizzle sticks from the same sale.

Impulse buy for someone then, impulse buy for me now. 

Finally, at the last sale, I found this vintage rag doll kit and barkcloth curtains.  It is getting really hard to find beautiful vintage fabric, so it's a good idea to check out curtains, tablecloths and other household items for great fabric.

Thanks for stopping by!

Joining the Nifty Thrifty on a Living Space and

Thriftasaurus Linkup on Sir Thrift A Lot