KEEPING YOUR VINTAGE FINDS MODERN

I love going to flea markets, secondhand stores and vintage shops to find a great piece that can immediately transform the look of a room. It's true, vintage or antique pieces stand out as works of art when paired with the right decor style. Traditional decor can feel old, and modern decor can "get" old, but regardless of the style of house, you can always incorporate a few vintage or antique finds to keep it interesting. The challenge is keeping your vintage finds modern. Keep in mind that interiors aren't meant to "match", but rather "coordinate".

The best way to incorporate vintage/antique pieces into your decor is to intersperse them throughout. This will act as a more eclectic and international feel. Designers do this best by making sure they have one vintage piece in every room. If you're lucky enough to travel abroad, you can probably bring home some amazing finds....for all of us others, we will continue to scour the endless sea of vintage items at our local flea markets!

The only rule here is to make sure you balance cultures, styles and time periods. You can't go wrong....and these pieces make your style really stand out!

This vintage yellow tufted wingback chair adds color and character to the corner of this elegant dining room.

Believe it or not, this is a "mud room"! The room includes vintage items such as the white hall tree against the wall, the settee from an antique mall and a vintage table found on ebay.

In this sophisticated, turned rugged living space, these red vintage number signs (once used at an old gas station) add color to this space.

This room's designer created an illusion of height by placing wallpaper on the ceiling and to inspire the rest of the furnishings, she added a vintage couch (still in it's original upholstery).

While updating this home, the designer opted to keep the original 1947 molding over the doorway. It brings charm to the room, don't you agree?

All photos courtesy of Lonny Mag

The painting in this sitting area was purchased by the homeowner at a market in Thailand. Always bring back pieces when traveling.

Bottom line is to mix vintage finds with modern pieces, don't over think it, go with your gut, and if you buy what you love and put it where you'll enjoy it, it will always work!

 

A STORY WORTH TELLING......CHAPTER II

As you might recall, from my previous post (Chapter 1), I realized that your home (and our home) is your book and the treasures in your home are small chapters! I promised to share more of my "chapters" with you, so here we are....

Chapter II-Trash vs. Treasure 
 
As you all know, the saying goes..."one man's trash is another man's treasure". Well, I believe there's some truth to that, and the saying that should immediately follow it is "the beauty (or shall I say-potential beauty) is in the eye of the beholder".
  
I wanted a very basic, but solid wood table in an espresso stain. I decided after seeing tons of "almost the right table" (a lot of them in veneer, and some that were VERY close, but way too expensive), that the only remaining option was to have one custom made.

In the meantime, what in the world would I do about the chairs? The furniture maker could make chairs, but I wanted them upholstered, not all wood. I went on another quest, for chairs. If I bought chairs from a retail store and had the table made, how would I get the stain to match? Then, I figured it all out...I was going to mix old and new-old (vintage) chairs and a new table. I narrowed it down to chrome chairs for a classic look and began searching for the perfect chairs-vintage style, classic and still in good enough condition that I can restore them myself. I wanted to keep the cost down, but as you know, once it's called "vintage", the price usually gets increased by about five notches! I searched online for 3 months! I searched Etsy, Ebay and Craigslist...until I found THE ones!

Someone who ate dinner in these chairs from childhood, through adolescence, into adulthood and now couldn't wait to get rid of them-posted six Chrome Vintage Chairs for sale on Ebay for a starting bid of $100! As I scrolled through the pictures, I KNEW they would be absolutely amazing with my new table (or table to be). I HAD TO HAVE THEM! Three days left in the auction and no bids yet.....okay, sounding good.....reading through the description, I stumbled upon the shipping details. The details said "PICK UP ONLY" ....oh noooo....and where were these chairs??? NEW YORK!!! (cue the record skipping noise)

I was NOT about to give up! I contacted the seller to ask if there was ANY way that she would consider shipping them to me (in California) if I bid and happen to win them. She was reluctant at first, but said if I researched the shipping method and found someone to also pack them, then she would do it. So, I researched my heart out and found out that she could ship them via Greyhound from a local station near her and right to a station here in my hometown! The shipping costs weren't too awful either. So, I placed my bid and WON them for only $100! (vision: me dancing around the house) But....then I get a call from the seller...oh no....but it was good news....she called to say that she found two more chairs (8 total) and if I wanted those too, then she would include them....let me think about it....UMMMM YEAH! 

Now, we had to plan on designing a larger table to accommodate 8 chairs, instead of six. Thank goodness the dining room was big enough to fit all of it! So, as you can see from the above picture, the chrome was a little pitted and had some scuffs and rust. The upholstery was a 1968 faux suede in a beige color and should have been replaced about 43 years ago! Once the chairs arrived, we removed the seats and backs, bought some really fine grade steel wool (0000), used a LOT of elbow grease and some chrome polish to clean up the chrome. They shined up really nice. We took them to our local upholster and selected a white leather fabric for them. Drum roll please.....

Once we had the table made, it was a match made in heaven!

Money Well Spent!

If there's one thing you can learn from my home remodeling experience, it's that you CAN decorate like a designer-without the high price tag!

Many of my friends know me as the woman who can always find a great deal. My husband says "I have champagne taste on a beer budget". However you spin it, I can find the look I want at a price I can afford....and that means NEVER paying full price. I've gone to the extent of having furniture custom made, simply because I couldn't find what I wanted for a price I was willing to pay. By doing this-you avoid the retail mark ups, and in most cases, get better quality at the same time!

Let me explain....I searched and searched and searched...for a simple dining room table. I wanted solid wood...none of the veneer stuff! I found ONE I loved, but they wanted $2300! Umm..NO! Even though it stole my heart, I was unwilling to invest $2300 into a table! So here's what I did....

I was able to have this dining room table custom made, to my specifications-for only $700! It's solid alder, 96" long, with espresso stain. It will last FOREVER! And to top it off, it's one of a kind!! I literally drew out what I wanted, chose the size specs and picked out the espresso stain.
Oh...the chairs, that's another great savings and fun restoration project. You can check out those amazing details HERE!

I also had a matching console made for only $300. Same style, wood and stain!

I believe a lot of homeowners end up paying the high retail or designer prices, because it takes a lot of time to find a great deal. I get that....sometimes it's just easier and quicker to buy the darn thing! So, I'm doing some work for you and featuring some SUPERB deals on some GORGEOUS decor items that might save you some designer bucks. 

First up...we have Swiss Dot Personalized Table Linens from Grandin Road. These crisp hemstitched napkins, placemats, and runners feature borders of embroidered Swiss dots that artfully add a classic touch. Currently on sale for $19.99-79.00. Comes in ecru (shown) and white.

Antique Copper Finish Glass Lantern Chandelier from Overstock.com. Add a touch of old fashioned styling to your home decor with this lantern chandelier. Only $166.99!

I might have to get this one for my bedroom! Brighton White Linen Storage Ottoman from Overstock.com. Upholstered in an elegant off-white shade that will match any decorating style, this ottoman is perfect as a seat or for storage. With a double-layered linen top, it is comfortable and plush, yet sturdy enough to set things on. For $201.99 it's tough to pass up!

Here's a peek inside!

Again, I will be grabbing a couple of these clover gems for myself! Do not under estimate decor items from stores like Lowes! Yes, you heard me...this 30"H x 30"W Quatrefoil Cloche Octagon Framed Mirror is from Lowes! You can get it at most stores, or order it online. And the finish is a beautifully hand-painted expresso. But wait....get ready to fall over! It's only $64.97!

And last, but certainly not least...what would you do without a signature piece? Absolutely beautiful Tufted Signature Ottoman from Overstock.com. This elegant ottoman/coffee table showcases a light tan-colored linen top, accented with button tufting. Carved wood detail on legs and millwork on apron completes the look. It's finished in espresso stain. How much, you ask? $215.99!

Close up of the signature pattern....pretty? Oui!

I'm guessing that you'll be hunting for some open spaces in your humble abode for these inexpensive, but "champagne" taste finds! Happy shopping! Let me know how it goes!!!



CLOSET ENVY

Most of us women (and some men...whether they admit it or not) have too many darn clothes! I must admit that I keep everything when it comes to clothes! I try to donate some to Goodwill or charity, but most of the time I talk myself into keeping things that I might "wear again someday"....let's face it, we will NEVER wear it and we can keep dreaming that we'll fit into half that stuff again too! And...do we really believe that these clothing items will be "forever fashionable" so when you do fit in it (just trying to be optimistic), it will actually still be in style and you'll look like the runway model that you are?

I've received some great advice about clothes...."if you haven't worn or used it in the last year, then get rid of it!" Sounds like a great way to live, but until I actually get the courage to follow through, I need more closet space!

I have to confess that every closet in my house is filled with my clothes. No room for guests, kids or husband items....I need the space! So, needless to say, it's time to get some serious closet organization underway. For a little inspiration, I found these photos! Maybe these amazing closets will light a fire under your buns too!

contemporary closet design

contemporary closet design by containerstore.com

contemporary closet design by los angeles architect Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

contemporary closet design

contemporary closet design by austin interior designer Richens Designs, Inc.

modern closet design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

QUEST FOR CHAIRS-MY VINTAGE FIND!

I had searched for some dining chairs and a table for what seemed to be FOREVER...until I saw some vintage chrome chairs on ebay! The only problem was, they were being sold by someone in New York and the auction was for pick up only. Determined to have them, I emailed the seller and begged her to ship them to me. She finally said okay, but I would have to do all the research, and pay her to pack and take them to the nearest Greyhound station, etc. The final day of the auction came....and yep, I was indeed the only bidder....so, for $100, I won what I thought were six dining chairs....a call comes in from the seller as she discovered there were in fact EIGHT chairs...do I want them....yes please! Here's what they looked like when they arrived....

Ahhhh, yes....fake beige suede upholstery and rusting old chrome frame. But...I had a vision girls!

After spending a couple weekends restoring the old chrome, and having them reupholstered, here's what a good ebay buy gets you!

Have a custom table made to fit eight chairs....and call it a dining room! Now- I need some art, accessories and to remove the blue tape (which we all learn to live with, right?)!

SHOW AND TELL TAKE TWO!

Rewind....back in 1962 this was a stylish family room/kitchen.....in 2010, not so much. After a couple of years, blood, sweat and tears, removing walls, etc. we have almost finished this part of the house. We still need to paint some trim, add some art work, etc. But the big projects are done!


Before:

We removed the wall between the kitchen and living room, gutted both rooms and replaced the 6' slider with 10 feet of french doors.

Kitchen in progress, before the floors, faucet and fridge.

We also demo'd the rocks on the fireplace and removed the 15" bench!

Time for the floors! It was messy, but worth it! We used natural maple wood flooring, with dark hickory borders,which separates the Italian marble in the kitchen and entryway.

Now:

All that's left to do in the kitchen is to add the kick plates to the bottom of the cabinets!

Now...we must finish the rest of the house....ugghhh!

Dark espresso stain on the french doors, ties together the dark hickory borders.

To see more remodel pics for the rest of the house, check out my post on our powder room, entryway and dining room projects.