Galvanized obsession.

Slowly but surely I'm realizing that I've got a bit of an obsession with anything galvanized. One could attribute it to the galvanized Dutch style flower buckets that I picked up awhile back, but I'm thinking that my love for this edgy, rough and industrial yet slightly inviting, relaxed and familiar look goes back a ways. Way back...to growing up on the farm.

Source unknown

Whether it was the grain bins around my family's farm, the old galvanized pails that I used when I was feeding the pigs (...that's right....I grew-up feeding pigs...), the roofs on our barns, the quonset where my dad parked his tractors or the rusting old pieces of galvanized sheet metal laying out in the bush, the look was and is still everywhere

http://pinterest.com

That said, I am kind of picky with how I like my galvanized metal. I don't like the new and shiny stuff...I've got a mini palm that's living in a convert ice bucket that I found a couple years ago. While the idea is there, it doesn't have the patina and texture that older pieces have. I've thought about leaving it outside for awhile so that it gets a bit of exposure to the elements....but I'm secretly hoping that I can just come across another piece that has a bit of depth to it.

http://pinterest.com

I've been spending a bit of time lately flipping through images that I've archived in my folders - and without really realizing it, I've saved what seems like a gazillion and a half different shots that include this look...a look that I definitely want to try to bring into my own place a bit further...I like shiny and classic...but I'm feeling like I need to mix it up a bit....rough it up a bit. 

Here are a couple of my fave looks & ideas - 

This side table is blowing my mind....

if only I could figure out where it's from!

French designed galvanized dining chairs? Oui!

New goal! To find the metal boxes that I made in my junior-high metal working class....who knew that what seemed like a pain to make at the time (and result in a solid 'C' for metal working would excite me again...)

Love this look! I have no idea how you'd properly clean it....

but really, who cares. It looks amazing!

 

Must replant cedars after Christmas in my Dutch style flower buckets!

Must find! Must find! I NEED to own this table!

I'm thinking that it's time that I start wandering through the sheds and digging through the scrap piles around my folk's farm to see what treasures I can find. 

Perhaps it's time for Dan to get crafty during Christmas holidays...bring on the tin snips and band-aids!

Hmmm....

D-

Swanky lovin'.

While most kids collected Pogs, marbles and action figures, I was busy collecting vintage toy cars, old books, candy tins and vintage travel souvenirs. During the summer on any given Friday evening or Saturday morning, my Mom and I would make our list of yard sales around town and would venture out to see what we could find for treasures. It was during one such outing that I developed a fondness for Swankyswigs.

Swanky what?

Swankyswigs were originally developed in the 30s as a incentive of sorts - companies like Kraft would fill cute little juice tumblers with their most popular products - jams, salad dressings, etc. Buy enough jam and presto - a new set of glassware.

http://www.decodog.com

Numerous companies would continue offering an array of cute little glasses featuring the likes of animals, cartoon characters, cowboys, flowers, bunnies, etc. through to the 70s when plastic packaging started to take-off. And though long out of production many of these cute little glasses remain and can easily be found at thrift stores and in mixed lot boxes at estate auctions.

http://www.etsy.com

My Mom and I both have collections of Swankies. While her collection is on display in her china cabinet, mine have been in storage for years, but after reading about them on another post, I'm tempted to pull them out and find a neat way to display and utilize them.

http://www.etsy.com

My faves are definitely the pieces with animals, cowboys and boats. I scored a set of four glasses with blue and white sailboats a few years ago at my Great Grandma's estate sale. They're really cute and remind me of her - I remember using them when we were little and would go visit her.

So while I try to come up with a clever way to display my Swankyswig collection, I'll leave you with some favourite pieces that I found on Etsy -

http://www.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com

What did you collect as a kid? Was I the only one collecting vintage at 10 years old?

Happy Tuesday!
D-

Oh Christmas tree?!?!

If you're looking at the title of this post and the below shot featuring some of my fave vintage Christmas decorations you must think that I've gone off the deep-end. You're probably sitting there thinking to yourself "holy !$%#! the heat has finally gotten to him. It's the beginning of August and he's talking about Christmas."

Maybe the heat has gotten to me, but regardless of that fact, there's a part of me that can't wait to dig out my many totes of Christmas swag. I don't do any of the other holidays. No cutesy bunny decorations, no fake cobwebs, no paper mache turkeys, no chains of hearts made out of construction paper. For me, Christmas is where it's at. It's my holiday.

I've been collecting vintage Christmas decorations for years. In my first year of college (when I was still young and naive), while my friends were spending their spare coin on six packs of beer, I was spending my spare coin on bags of hand painted decorations from the thrift shops around the city. I found some amazing, one of a kind pieces that looked amazing in my place - it was a challenge to see what I could come-up with for only a couple of dollars, but the results were always pretty impressive.

Fast forward about eight years and I'm still doing the same thing. Just because it's the beginning of August doesn't mean that I can't stumble across something that will look amazing come this December. I've stumbled across a few treasures over the course of the past 7-8 months (including a couple of fun pieces last week) that I can't wait to share with you in a couple months time. 


When I say "I do Christmas" I mean "I do Christmas." 


Start preparing yourself! Four months and counting....
D-


PS. I totally made up for the beer drinking in my second and third year of school...

Going Golden.

I have a bit of a secret to share with you. Nothing over the top, outlandish or awe inspiring - rather, it's that I've recently turned to reruns of The Golden Girls for decorating advice.

http://www.tvdvdset.com

How did this all start you ask? Well, as luck would have it I stumbled across the first couple of seasons on clearance and ended up picking them up on a whim. Over the course of a couple weeks I've torn through 40+ episodes and have come to the conclusion that I want to incorporate one key set design component into my own place (you must think I'm crazy...but read on).

While I'm sure that some over sized rattan furniture, pastels, silk plants, Blanche's Ming vase, a bunch of copper cake pans, bad tablecloths and vinyl wallpaper would look great in my place (not in this lifetime), what I'm really pining for is a set of metal bamboo chairs similar to the ones that the girls had in their kitchen.

Exhibit A -

http://mirror80.com

Aren't they fun? I know right?! Let's say that I cleared out my own dining room and found a vintage round pedestal table....something that I could paint black or white, toss in four chairs painted either white, or a really fun and fresh colour and presto! It would be just like being in Miami! Well maybe not, but still, you get the idea.

Like this pic below! See how fresh this looks? It's got a bit of glam, but at the same time, it's comfortable looking, not over the top and looks like someplace where you'd wanna hang out (and eat cheesecake).

http://pinterest.com

However, it's been an impossible adventure trying to score a decent set of faux bamboo chairs - let alone one that I could use at my writing desk. I've kept my eyes on the lookout for these for years....I've searched garage sales, flea markets, tag sales, garage sales, auctions, second hand shops, pawn shops, Craigslist, Kijiji, et cetera, et cetera and no cigar!

http://cdn.decorpad.com

Is there some sort of higher power trying to tell me that I haven't been chosen to have a set of bamboo chairs in my own home? Doubtful. Rather, my reasoning and thinking is that I just haven't been in the right place at the right time...they're the type of pieces that will leave the sales floor mere hours after going out on display.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

Eventually I'll hit up the right store at the right time and strike it rich. And when I do, I have big plans for those bad boys! Perhaps even a couple coats of Granny Smith green...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com

But until such a day comes and I hit the mother load, I've found some awesome images to inspire me (that and I already have a gazillion other projects to tackle).

http://www.elledecor.com



http://cdn.decorpad.com



http://cdn.decorpad.com

Oh yah, and if for some reason I never stumble across across a set of bamboo chairs, and if I still want to inject a bit of The Golden Girls charm into my place, I've discovered that Blanche's palm leaf / banana leaf wallpaper is still available. Hmm....(just kidding!)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com

Let me know if you stumble across a set!

D-

Going green & and other randomness.

So after determining that it is possible for me to successfully grow plants (I swear, there was a three year stretch where I couldn't grow a spider plant to save my life), I decided the other night while wandering around a big box store looking for toothpaste (it must seem like I'm always buying toothpaste), that I'd give houseplants another stab.

I ended up coming home with two beauties that I'm more than happy to share with you now (before I somehow kill them or cause them to go into shock, causing them to wilt, turn brown and become dominant).

First up, my steal of a deal fern (there will be no plant naming....I might be a bit flighty and random, but there will be no names....)!

How cute does this little guy look? He was under two bucks and looks right at home in an old ironware bowl that used to live on top of my kitchen cupboards (along with my collection of ironware pitchers....which I'm saving for a future just one thing post). Throw in some old Agatha Christie books, a hammer head detail frame and a bit of Spanish moss and bingo! Perfect vignette!


Next up, the 'piece de resistance' - this beautiful orchid, which looks right at home in my recently discovered trophy cup! So pretty!

I'm hoping that I can keep this beauty alive for as long as possible. I was a bit terrified bringing it home....I recently had a friend post a picture of her's on Facebook wondering how to revive it...she couldn't get it to bloom again and was doing everything right. Fingers and toes crossed. If anything, it wasn't a huge investment....and it looks great! Oh yah, that and it was an excuse to tweak my bookcase vignettes.


Speaking of vignettes, when I was digging around through my storage room and in my freezer this past weekend (that's right, I said freezer), I came across a few new pieces to display. Sometimes I a guy doesn't need to spend any coin....he just has to go through what he already has!


I love old books, especially when i find titles that actually interest me! This was the case when a couple of months ago, I came across a first edition copy of 'The Egg & I'...the thing is, it stunk. Though in good shape, it smelt like book at it's worst. Regardless of that fact, it came home with me...and went into a freezer. Two months later, I pulled it out and BAM (well, no bam) but smell gone! Today it's dark green spine looks handsome stacked with my Great Grandpa's hobbies book and cost accounting books (which I've never opened).

While I was at it, I found a snazzy green plastic truck from the 50s. It may have been my Dad's....that or I found it at a tag sale. I can't remember. Regardless, it works well with my fishbowl, shells and trophy cup.

And last but not least, I unearthed something kind (make that very) cool! In the same tote as my hockey players and green truck were this cup and saucer commemorating King George and Queen Elizabeth's 1939 Canadian visit. A bit scratched and aged, but still a cool piece....especially considering it's a set that was always around my rent's when I was growing up. I wonder if there will be a Kate & Wills set to commemorate their current Canadian trip?

It's fun seeing what you can do with what you already have. I found a couple more goodies that I hope to show you shortly....including a few pieces that I think will look great with my newly dressed nightstand!


I can't wait to show you!


D-

Thrift Thursday (I mean Friday).

A day late, but I have some amazing thrifting finds to share with you! After a week that saw a lot of randomness including hours of spreadsheets at work, a towed car, a storage shed that I can't get into, awkward conversations with coworkers and other fun, I figured that this afternoon I deserved a bit of thrifting fun.

In just under two hours I was able to hit-up six shops and half of the city. Though everything kind of looked picked over (which is usually the case around this time of the year), I snagged a couple of great find to share with you -

First up, two maize storage baskets from Goodwill. At $3.99 each I couldn't pass them up; they'll be perfect for DVDs, gym clothes or whatever else I find laying around the house. They're like the ultimate storage solution...you can never have enough!

The best part - the original tags were still in-tact! Complete with retail! I've been eyeing these baskets up at the Real Canadian Superstore for awhile now, but have been two cheap to pick any up...I like to buy stuff like this in quantity and had somehow previously convinced myself that I needed five or six of them....I'll settle for my two snagged at less than a quarter of original retail (insert evil laugh here)!

Next up, I've been on the hunt for some funky new prints for awhile now, and really haven't come across anything that's caught my eye - that is until today. I found the English riding print in a black plastic frame for $2.99, the gold frame for .25 and the scenery print & frame for $1.99. I haven't figured out if I'm going to paint the gold frame yet (black obviously....), but I'm thinking that I'm going to find a white or ivory matting to use with the print. Where either piece is going to hang has yet to be determined....eventually I'll figure it out. Oh yah, and I found a couple of galvanized tins for a dime each. They'll also probably end-up in my storage room until I figure out a use for them, but they were to cute to pass up (I feel sorry for stuff sometimes....and feel that it's my duty to bring it home and make it feel relevant).

And last but not least, not one, but two never used decanters! I'm still on a secret mission to outfit a vintage bar cart....a la any classic MGM movie. I've got more stemware than any boy will ever require in a lifetime (but nearly picked up a set of cobalt blue glasses this evening....), have gadgets and gizmos falling out of my bar cupboard, but still haven't found the right cart, and decent looking decanters up until this point.

These French made pieces were a steal at $1.99 each. They were a bit dusty and grimy when I first saw them, but I jumped at them (I saw another lady eyeing them up). A bit of scrubbing and soaking and they look amazing! Rum? Scotch? Brandy? Hmm.....

And though this evening was supposed to be my 'great thrift adventure' for the week, I've got two shops that I still hope to checkout this weekend (don't tell mister....he rolls his eyes anytime he sees something new).

Here's what I'm on the hunt for this summer -

-A couple more decanters (two isn't enough....I have a friend that has a collection and they look amazing when grouped together!)

-A large mirror to go over my fireplace....something with potential that I can either paint or silver leaf (regardless of the fact that I had a horrible experience the last time I tried to silver leaf a piece)

-A second nightstand / small chest that can could be re-purposed for the other side of the bed

-I've been considering options for a coffee table, at one point ruling out the idea in favour or Asian ceramic stools, but I haven't seen any on sale (that were nice looking....) and was thinking that a small table or desk cut down could look cool....hmm.

-Further trophy cups

-Neat looking vintage fabrics in reds, yellows, black & white or blue to make some toss cushions out of

-Random fun!

What are you on the hunt for this summer?!

D-

Just One Thing.

If you grew up in Canada, chances are that you, your brother, your cousin or that kid down the street had a table hockey set at one point or another. If you're unfamiliar, basically picture a mini version of an ice hockey rink complete with little players, a little puck and rods that move the players around....in other words, hours of fun for kids that didn't have Nintendo (not that I'm complaining).

When I was about 8 or 9 I received a hand-me down table hockey set from one of my older cousins. The rink itself was made out of metal, and I'm almost certain that I cut myself on it a couple of times. It was a bit beat up, some of the players from different teams were missing (no Vancouver Canucks goalie), we used marbles or checkers instead of the original little puck but regardless, my friends and I had a blast.

I'd forgotten about the table set until this afternoon when I was going through my storage room and stumbled across a storage tote with all of the players. I had no idea that they were even in the city with me - I figured that we'd gotten rid of everything years ago, but low and behold there they were....six teams, some with broken sticks, some a bit scratched up, but kind of cool none the less.

I had no idea what I was going to do with my players until I had a sudden brainwave. You see, a couple weeks ago I woke up at a ridiculous hour and went to a gigantic community garage sale in one of those fairly well-to-do neighbourhoods....you know the type. They're selling stuff that's never been used, etc, etc. Anyways, I'd picked up a really cool glass vase for a dime (apparently rich people aren't opposed to selling their crap for pennies on the dollar) and I figured 'hey why not!'

And behold, the result - 

Kind of cool huh? These guys will make for a neat centerpiece on my dining room table until I figure out what else I can do with them. Perhaps a garland of them come Christmas? Hmm.

Any ideas?

D-

Thrift Thursday - Winnipeg Thrifts.

Just over a month ago, Leigh-Ann of Freckled Nest (you MUST check her site out!) asked if I'd share some of my favourite Winnipeg thrift spots. I jumped at the opportunity - I love thrifting, wandering around and finding that 'next great find.'

I figured that it would be fun to re-post my go-to thrifting spots with you guys for this edition of Thrift Thursday! Regardless of whether you're in Winnipeg or not, we can all relate when it comes to having that secret must visit spot...you know the type - that one place that makes you weak in the knees, is cheap, has constantly changing stock and filled to the brim with goodness!

Here's a rundown of my five fave thrifting spots!

I love this shop. Tucked off of Portage Avenue in an unassuming strip mall is the mother of all thrift stores. Being in an older neighbourhood this shop gets a lot of vintage finds and is home to a constantly evolving assortment of furniture, accessories and knick-knacks.

I’ve scored loads of awesome pieces from this shop over the years. Chests of drawers can be picked up from anywhere between $20.00-$50.00 and a majority of accessories can be found for under $5.00. My favourite find has to be a cute little black vase that I uncovered and took home for the princely sum of .69. I’ve yet to find a permanent home for it, but I love it none the less!

I’ve lived in Winnipeg for close to three years now so have had the chance to check out a bulk of the vintage furniture stores at least once or twice. Though I’ve seen some great shops, the Salvation Army on Empress Street has proven to be my favourite for great wood pieces.

I’ve come to the conclusion that this shop acquires a lot of estate assortments as I’m constantly walking in to see stunning antique dining sets-- we’re talking table, six to eight chairs and sideboard all for under $300.00. A lot of the pieces that come into the shop are great ‘project pieces’ and are in need of a bit of love, but hey, if I can hunt down a set of nightstands for $10.00 (still looking!) I’m game to invest some time and energy into making them look good!

Whenever I think about pawn shops, I typically think about nasty looking hole in the wall type places with stacks movies like Clueless and Varsity Blues on VHS. That my friends isnot what AAA Pawn & Consignment is all about. This shop is a treasure-trove of vintage fun. From glassware and crystal to lamps, rugs, oil paintings and silver tea sets and then desks, headboards and china cabinets, this shop is a must visit.

I’ve scored countless pieces here including my writing desk (clutter container) for $15.00, assorted stemware, piles of picture frames and interesting vases. The best part about this shop – the owner is willing to cut ‘deals’ when you buy multiple pieces. Different from shops like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Savers or Value Village where each item has a set price, you can wander around this shop with a stack of items and at the end of your adventure offer a lump sum. Yah can’t go wrong with policies like that!

http://www.frecklednest.com

As the name would have it, Antiques & Funk is jam packed to the ceiling with you guessed it – antiques and funk. I remember when I first moved to the city and discovered this gem of a shop. I didn’t know my way around the city, or have any ideas where the best shops were. Basically I’d hop in my truck and just drive until I found something that caught my eye. Rush hour traffic on Main Street Winnipeg and I’m braking to try and catch a second glance at the colourful window display. When I finally got off the busy street and into the store I was in awe with the quality of pieces on offer! (LA's found some great pieces here too!)

I’ve found a number of great small wares at this shop and they get a lot of great looking furniture pieces from some of Winnipeg’s finest homes. Don’t expect cute little vignettes and room scenes. This shop is all about digging through boxes, looking inside cabinets and checking to see what’s under tables. I found an occupied Japan china dog ornament for my Mom in an ice cream pail under a table-- my best find :)

And last, but not least the mother of all thrift stores. That’s right. I’m talking about--

We’re lucky in the sense that Winnipeg has five Value Village stores (same as "Savers" in the USA), so it’s a given that anytime you wander through the doors you’re going to find another treasure. My favourite location, on Pembina Highway, is a mecca of books, house wares, crafting supplies, art, accessories and anything else that you can think of. I could write three more posts to tell you about what I’ve found at Value Village. I’ve come across vintage one-of-a-kind treasures like the bags of old postcards for $1.99, paint by numbers in their original frames, serving ware and crystal at a fraction of the original retail and stack upon stack of books!

I don’t even know if would be possible to list my favourite Value Village discoveries – half of my possessions were uncovered on a Saturday afternoon at one of the city’s Value Village stores. So many trips, so many memories!So there you have it! My favourite thrifting destinations around the city of Winnipeg. Now let’s go hunt down some more treasures!!

D-

The snazzy shop headers were created by LA of Freckled Nest