Flea Market Finds

Hi everyone.

What a gorgeous day and week here in New Jersey!

On a recent trek through the Golden Nugget Flea Market in Lambertville, NJ, I found two boxes of great finds! The first box I found is chock full of Ball jars, some with zinc lids and others with glass lids and bale wire closures. Only $10 for the lot, and well worth it. Now they just need a good cleaning!

The second box of treasures is full of vintage green depression glass vases and a green blown glass pitcher. Also $10 for the box, and well worth it. I am not sure that the pitcher is old, but it is very beautiful.

Now that Spring is finally here, I am looking forward to more antiquing trips at the local flea market and various other locations.

What have you found recently? Please comment to let us all know.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely, Lynn

On the Third Day of Vintage Christmas Decorating...

...I put out greens with my antiques, just as Mom always did when she was able to do so. My sister calls this "the greening of the house."

Just as there are many containers that may be used as vases, so too may they be used for Christmas greens, pinecones, ornaments, etc. If I had a mantle, I would definitely put greens and small antiques there for the holidays! I do havc an antique oak china closet, so I decorate the top of it as if it were a mantle. Here I have used my family heirloom antique ironstone pitcher to hold greens. Yesterday, just as I was walking the dog and wondering what greens to use, a large branch from the neighbor's pine tree dropped into my yard. The answer was evidently provided by God.

I also set out a vintage vignette on my coffee table. Here I have used antique yellow ware bowls to hold pincones and gold balls. I added a Ball jar of red balls, an old spool and my own vintage panda bear that I have had nearly all my life (and I am now 50 something). Minus his eyes and with a squashed in nose, I have kept him all these years. I also used a vintage reindeer votive holder that I found at a flea market.


How about stuffing a few greens behind a vintage mirror or picture frame? I love this look, just like Mom.

More ideas for "the greening of the house" will appear in a later post about incorporating vintage Christmas decor in every room of the house.

How do you use your vintage items in decorating the house? Post a comment to share your ideas!

Sincerely, Lynn

Accessorize with Vintage Blue and White

Hi.

I have always loved the color combination of blue and white.  It reminds me of the sky, the ocean and sand, and beautiful flowers.  There are many vintage accessories and household items that were made in cobalt blue, white, or a combination of both, as well as more modern items in this popular color combination.  Bringing these cool colors into your home can be relaxing and invoke memories of the cool days spent outdoors.

Yesterday I went to Michaels and AC Moore to get some floral accents and ribbons to use with my vintage blue accessories.  It is fun to find different ways to arrange accessories to keep the look in your home fresh and interesting.

These photographs show a number of examples.

Mom always had a row of vintage white pitchers in graduated sizes on the top of her dry sink.  I love that look, but this shows my update of her traditional white pitcher display.

I have been collecting cobalt blue vases, in addition to my collection of cobalt blue bottles, and  there are many potential ways to display these items.

A grouping of candlesticks is also fun.  Just because manufacturers make candlesticks in pairs, does not mean you have to always use them in pairs!

How about filling a Ball style jar with blue and clear pebbles or marbles instead of the ever popular button-filled jar?

There are many antique china pieces in blue and white available at flea markets and antique centers.  Why not mix some of these with basic white tableware?  I also love the vintage white ironstone dishes and blue depression glass.

While I am not a collector of Fiesta Ware, these bright colored dishes also come in a beautiful shade of blue that can be used in blue and white decor.

Do you love blue and white too?  Please comment on this post and share your ideas with me and other readers.

Sincerely,
Lynn