Refurbishing Vintage Ladies Desk and Chair -- Before

Hi.

I picked up this cute vintage ladies desk with one drawer and chair recently with the intention of refurbishing them. After researching the possibilities of removing paint from caning, I decided to just scrape, sand and repaint them. Removing paint from the caned chair seat is apparently not feasible since the stripping chemicals will dilute the paint but not remove it from the caning.

I think I will be using a cream color paint, perhaps with some brown accent paint. What color do you think would be best for resale? Vote by commenting!

In a future post, I will show you the AFTER refrubishing photos. Stay tuned.

Sincerely, Lynn

Vintage Carriers are Easily Repurposed

Hi.

It's a bright sunny day for a change!

I wanted to share a couple of vintage carry boxes that I found recently. One is smaller with four compartments.

This carrier can easily be repurposed. I was thinking it would be a great centerpiece container for the dining room table. Someone I met at the shop where I bought it was thinking it would be a great wine rack on a counter or table. Use your own imagination as to how you could use a carrier such as this!

The other carrier I found is larger, with two compartments and an attached stand. This is only the second carrier I have seen with a stand. It was definitely hand made, though the stand appears newer to me than does the box itself. I thought this could be a great stand for small plants by a window, or a great table next to a chair, to collect remotes, books, or sewing projects.


Please comment to share your ideas on how these carriers might be used for today's lifestyle.

Sincerely,

Lynn

Two Hearts

Good morning.




I found, not just one, but two heart cookie cutters while antiquing recently. I thought a "couple" of heart cookie cutters would make a great decoration for Valentine's Day. Pun intended, ha ha. For those of you outside of the MacKerell family, this is an example of "MacKerell" humor!

Doesn't this couple look cute?

What vintage decorations have you come up with for Valentine's Day? Please comment to share your ideas too.

Sincerely, Lynn

February Window Display Designer: Me

Hi everyone.

I'm happy it is warm inside today - there is a very thick sheet of ice over everything outside.

I was fortunate to be selected to create one of the February window displays for Rosebush Antiques, where I have my antique booth. It was fun to put it together yesterday. Now I wait to see if it has any impact on business this month, with people wanting to buy what is in the window and more traffic inside.

Here are a few photos of the window display.

I hope you have a great day today! Please comment on this post and share my blog with your friends who love antiques too.

Sincerely, Lynn

Vintage Valentine Candy Boxes

Hi everyone.

Part one of the Nor'Easter is in full force and is a peaceful white scene from the front door. The plow has not been by yet. The weatherman is calling for a change to rain this afternoon with part two of the snow coming this evening. In my area, 8-12 inches is predicted. This may be my first snow day off work.

With Valentine's Day soon approaching, I wanted to share a post from another blog that I follow by Antiques Galore Gal. Her post is about vintage Valentine candy boxes and includes some great photos. Please check it out with this link. I hope you enjoy her post!

http://antiquesgaloregal.blogspot.com/2011/01/vintage-valentine-candy-boxes.html

Sincerely, Lynn

Antiquing at Rinker's Antiques

Rinker's Antiques is in Brodheadsville, PA off of Route 209, not far from where my sister lives. I had never been there before and decided to check it out yesterday. The directions were great and I had no trouble finding the place. It was a bright sunny day, though extremely cold. When I got to the entrance sign for Rinker's, all I saw was a plowed, but still snow covered, one lane drive going steeply uphill and curving. I was glad that I now have an SUV! Once I made it up the hill, I found a large building jam packed with furniture! There was a lot of oak furniture and some Victorian and primitive pieces. The owner was there and said he refinishes most of the pieces himself before putting them up for sale. In the building's rafters were rows and rows of oak chair sets that had been refinished. This is a great place to find furniture, but if you are looking for small items, such as glassware, this is not the place for you.

I bought another old school desk for my shop, since the one I had was sold in December. I also found a very unique table! This vintage side table is in great condition.

The unique feature of this table is a secret hidden compartment! This is really cool. To open the compartment, you twist the table top in a clockwise direction and the compartment is revealed under the table top!

I love this table! I have never seen a table like this before.

I also loved a lot of the oak furniture there, including table and chair sets, dressers, hall trees, etc. I will definitely visit Rinker's again!

Sincerely,

Lynn

Vintage Valentine Gift Ideas for Gals

Hi everyone.

It is a beautiful sunny day in New Jersey! Extremely cold, but beautiful when you are inside looking out.

It won't be long now until Valentine's Day is here. Do you need a Valentine gift for your gal, Mom, daughter, sister, or friend? If she loves antiques and vintage items, here are a few ideas to consider. How about a vintage or antique dresser box or dish for her dresser. There are MANY to choose from in shops everywhere. Of course, stuffed bears are always a great idea too. I love the heart this bear is holding!

How about a vintage bell with a heart shaped handle? Isn't this cute?

If she likes blue, this mini hand mirror has a jade handle and would fit in a handbag.

I think this heart shaped dish is really precious too. It looks great with a vintage doily underneath it too.

For the fashionista in your life, how about something with cute fashion drawings like this set of three wall hooks?


I also found this reproduction vase with a metal frog lid in a heart shape.

Just take a stroll through your local antique center and I am sure you will find LOTS of possibilities.

I hope you all have a great day!

Sincerely,

Lynn