News for September

August flew by way too fast. Our annual road trip to Vermont, and lots of excitement with the opening of our new shop on Ruby Lane where you'll find antiques that we love.

As is always the case, we found wonderful things on our road trip (the only question is how we ever fit them all in the car!). Here are some of our favorites:

In our new Ruby Lane shop, a fantastic - and huge - wicker rattan boat bumper buoy. I've never seen one quite like it before; isn't it terrific??

fabulous patina - 27" long and 53" circumference, listed here

A classic in our Chairish shop, a Kartell design lucite lamp with "pleated" shade that we just love

such style! find it here

And over on Etsy, a touch of rustic charm. I always like finding vintage fishing creels; love them hung on a front door with seasonal flowers and greens!

original leather trim adds to its vintage charm. find it here

As you can see, it's been a busy month, but a good one. And I'm always happy to see Fall arrive; it's no secret that it's my favorite season.

Wishing you all a happy September, full of great finds and joy. Peace out - marilyn

what i love this week

If you've been following along with my Etsy shop or Instagram you'll know I'm on the road. Which, incidentally, is one of my favorite places to be, particularly if it means Pennsylvania and Vermont! So of course the first find I have to share came from our speed shopping through Renninger's Adamstown market. I could have spent lots more time (and money!) but we had many miles ahead of us, and it just meant more opportunities for great things in Vermont.

But THIS. I love old game wheels and carnival items, and when they come with a story, even better!

This fabulous antique Pennsylvania game wheel is made of lightweight aluminum, circa 1900, a great piece of vintage Americana with a rustic industrial luxe vibe.

Marked in the middle Baumstown Footpath Association, Baumstown is located in Berks County in Eastern Pennsylvania. I have found references in the Reading Pennsylvania newspaper archives as early as 1893 and as late as 1918 to the Association; an August 20, 1893 article talks about their peach and ice cream festival being a big success, and a game wheel such as this would have been exactly the kind of thing they'd have had in use. There are references other events held to raise funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the footpath, or walking trail if you prefer.

It so rarely happens that you can trace the history of a piece, it makes this wheel even more special. You can find it in my Etsy shop through this link.

The second thing I want to share isn't something I have in my shop, rather it's something I encountered in my travels. Look how marvelously this wall in a hotel lobby is decorated with vintage silver trays. Wonderful to see folks appreciating and utilizing vintage in such creative ways. If you have a chance to visit the Essex Resort & Spa in Essex, Vermont (you can go there for half price wing night on Thursdays as we did!), you'll enjoy all the creative touches you'll find!

 

Still on the road, shopping as much as possible. Tune in for next week's finds!

Happy Trails - marilyn

fab find for the week!

Ok, I'm excited, I admit it. A wild departure from last week's folk art, this fabulous vintage 5 arm tole chandelier brimming with porcelain flowers is such a rare find that it might be the find of the month (I hope the rest of the month's finds aren't reading this!)

Stunning, huge at 20" tall and 20" across, I couldn't resist it's Frenchy boho shabby Paris wild abandon allure, even though it's a bit of a shipping nightmare. But some things are just worth it, no? I think you'll agree! Just listed in my Etsy shop!

click here to go to the Etsy listing

different styles of flowers - quite unusual!

Really, is there anything more to be said? Other than, it was a good week!!

Hope your week has been full of great surprises! - marilyn

find of the week - folk art love

Here in my Etsy shop I've had some great finds this week, from a Kaj Franck for Arabia mid century cruet from their most popular Kilta line, a fun mod porcelain decanter decorated with owls, to this week's Find of the Week, a folk art carved deer head decorated with actual antlers, with a real touch of whimsy thrown in!

this terrific folk art piece can be found here

Here's what I really love. Most often when you see antlers they are simply mounted on a plaque. It's a look, but it doesn't have anywhere near the appeal as when you throw in a little folk art. First, a carved head. Second, the painted nose with nostrils carefully carved in as well. Third, black faceted eyes - were they buttons? earrings? They're just a fabulous added touch that makes this a one of a kind piece of folk art. Hands down, the find of the week!

Signing off from stormy Florida. Hope your week is a great one! - marilyn

a nautical find of the week

I've found several things recently with which I'm pretty pleased, but when the votes are cast, this antique New England pond boat, or pond yacht as some say, has to be the winner.

antique pond boat available here in my etsy shop

The size alone makes it quite special - 35" tall and 30" wide, and when you add to that the original painted surface, crackled with age, and that it has its original stand, it becomes a true one of a kind piece.

Living in Florida I don't come across good antique rustic pieces that often, but about once a year (twice if I'm lucky) I come across a sale from a former New England resident or antiques dealer. There were a lot of good things at this sale and I grabbed up all I could.

Hope your week is full of pleasant surprises and great adventure - marilyn

find of the week - a weakness for primitive antiques

Some people are glass people or pottery people. If I had to categorize myself, I'd probably have to say I'm a wood person. Give me a good dough bowl any day. Perhaps it comes from my first exposure to antiques being in eastern Pennsylvania where wood and antiques are virtually synonymous.

The picture tells the whole story for me. And even though these pieces were found separately, they speak to one another quite nicely. And they appeal to my sense of simplicity. Iron and wood.

The shovel has its origins in Maine. Carved from one piece of wood, it has two make do iron repairs that give it even more character than it already has.

The bucket on the left is also early New England. You can see that the lip has a curve on it which indicates that it would have been used as a scoop. On the back of the handle are carved the initials T.G. Wow.

The tall bucket is most likely European in origin. Maybe French but also perhaps Eastern European. My instinct tells me it was used for carrying water. With a handle on the top, it has a great look.

Find these in my Etsy shop. Find me on the road! - marilyn

my heart belongs to Paris

I admit to getting a little weak in the knees over all things French. It probably comes from fond memories of traveling to France with my husband, and who doesn't love a country where there's such a variety of public markets every day - antiques markets, flower markets, produce markets, even a bird market. My idea of heaven.

There's lots to see and do, but some of the best "seeing" is people watching while sipping a coffee at one of Paris' cafes or bistros. Maybe that's why I'm particularly fond of French pyrogen (or pyrogene as some say) match strikes. I've found many styles of them but recently found one that may well be my favorite, probably because it's a bit of a mystery and, I think, quite rare.

It reads "Plassard aine Distilleurs Cassis Surfin La Clayette (Saone & Loire)", in green and black lettering

Like many pyrogen, it advertises a liqueur

Pay dirt! an old postcard with our maker (Plassard) advertising Cassis

So from our post card we can determine that the distillery was founded in 1855; the clothing and automobiles date it to the first quarter of the 20th century. La Clayette is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. What a stroke of luck to stumble upon this post card!

A pyrogen match strike striker is exactly what it sound like it is; matches were kept in the top well to be struck against the ridged part of the strike. There are many varieties, all popular with collectors; I snap them up whenever I find them. This one is listed here in my Etsy shop.

I'll also be adding this group of French oak and brass small pitchers which were used for cider, wine or ale. As charming as can be - mais oui! - they are French!!

Coming this week to my Etsy shop

So as we say in French - Au Revoir! Abientot! - marilyn