Mustard

Hands down, this is delicious mustard. Seriously good, seriously worth it. We buy SPREAD SOME LOVE mustard upstate at Peck's market near our house in Barryville, NY. It comes in several "flavors" but we love the Cabernet Sauvignon Roasted Garlic. It is made by a small company located in Hawley, PA. 

She is not set up to sell online but sells at several shops in Sullivan county, NY, and Wayne county, PA. Now that the weather is breaking, it will be available at many of the farmer's markets up there. Below are some stores that carry it, and her Facebook page that posts the farmers market schedules.

Alley Whey Cheese Shop in Honesdale PA and Peck's Markets in Eldred, Calicoon, Livingston Manor and Jeffersonville NY. 

https://www.facebook.com/spreadsumlove

LOVE LOCKS

In Italy, on the Ponte Vecchio, there is a statue filled with locks. Couples leave them in declaration of their commitment and love. Across the world, romantics have made padlocks a symbol of one's love, attaching them to gates and landmarks. Street vendors now sell them enticing lovers to declare their love by leaving a lock behind. 

So many locks have been left that they have damaged structures due to the weight and mass of them. Authorities in cities are now building fences specifically for this purpose. They realize that this lovely tradition cannot be stopped.

I found these "love locks" at an estate sale in Queens in the home of an elderly couple and immediately thought of their symbol, and the various beautiful keys that opened them. 

red tin

Another Ft Myer's find. I walked into the antique store and was immediately turned off to all of  the antiques that were in glass enclosed cases. I couldn't focus for 5 minutes and realized how important it is for me to be able to touch and see things simultaneously when I am shopping.

As I sped through the shop, I went to the back section and everything was displayed openly. Not a glass cabinet in sight. It was filled with great things, really quirky, and interesting. I saw these red tin child sized pieces and knew that I would be able to use them for styling, but first, we shot them for the blog.

LEAD WEIGHTS

I know what makes me love these. The weight, the texture, the numbers, the handles, the color, the form - all of it. These are random weights I  have picked up over the years. Some are for fishing, some for weighing- all beautiful on their own. 

One really has to like weights to buy them at flea markets. Usually, you find them in the middle of the field, far from anything, and they are sometimes carried for hours, heavy at first, unbearable by the end.  But when you get back, and add them to your collection, or unwrap that perfect find, it is all worth it.

Grocery Signs

It is easy to take cards, signs and photos etc that you have, and hang them in your work space. It doesn't matter where they are from, a favorite vacation or a flea market, as long as it feels great in your space, personalizing it and bringing you back to your great memories.

I bought these grocery numbers years ago at Elephant's Trunk in New Milford Connecticut. (See our posting from March 17 for details.) They came in a large box filled with these interesting signs from a grocery store from the 60's. I really had no idea how vast the collection was when I bought it, and loved the surprise as I unpacked.

Before they started tagging each vegetable or fruit with computerized stickers, the  produce bin was marked and items were weighed in the department. I always liked the numbers and the graphics, and I love "LOOK, FRESH, YOUR CHOICE and SPECIAL." I was happy to have found these at Elephant.

The W and other letters are available at

Archive Home

You can search for "vintage grocery numbers" on Etsy. Many options are available, and of course, make a trip to Elephant's Trunk. You will be happy that you did.

Candles

I love getting to an undiscovered place and beginning my search for vintage stores. It definitely begins with the internet, but I often find great spots through word of mouth. I always ask at the first local shop for info on other places,  auctions etc, and usually get an additional list that I had not known when researching on my own.

A few weeks ago, our son Marley was down in Ft. Myers, Florida at spring training with his college baseball team. Each morning, I had the opportunity to watch great baseball with friends, and each afternoon, I went researching and searching for objects to feature on our blog.

For me, it was a perfect balance and I had some great days down in Ft. Myers.

I found these at a few different stores, and immediately knew that I wanted to shoot them as a group. The simplicity of the teak and copper, and the clean and interesting lines make a beautiful collection of candlesticks.

Many of these places don't have websites. It is always best, especially with vintage, to visit the shop, but below is a link to the Facebook page of one of the shops I liked.

Main Street Collectibles 

We used matte gray tapered candles that we bought from Gracious Home in NYC. 

Go Fords!

scissors

I have lost so many pairs of scissors, even if I label them, tie string around the handle, identify them with tape, they always seem to disappear. They are just like socks in the dryer- which I still do not understand. I cannot bring myself to buy another pair of scissors in a retail store so I have begun to find them at yard and estate sales. It seems silly, but every household has several pairs of scissors they are selling, and they are usually available to purchase at these sales.

Most scissors are sold inexpensively-a dollar or so. Usually, they are left in a drawer long after the crowds have pulled the special pieces from the sale.

There are many superstitions around scissors. I was taught that giving a pair of scissors as a gift brings bad luck between the giver and receiver.  When giving scissors as a gift, the receiver should always give a little money in return, since ‘buying’ the scissors will not cause "a cut" of good fortune. 

I try to stay away from anything that might diminish one's chance at holding onto, or finding good fortune.

Citrus

A positive addition to this bitterly cold winter in the Northeast has been the incredible citrus that has been available this year. What happened with the weather in Florida or California that gave us outstanding citrus? I am not entirely sure what it is,  but it has definitely helped us get through this tough winter.

There is a small market near our studio that has a great produce department, organic and conventional, high quality, and great prices- really great prices. It is called Rossman Farms and the link is below. Even if it is not in your Brooklyn neighborhood, it is certainly worth making a trip there.

Wishing you all a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter. 

www.rossmanfarm.com

Boats

I travel down to Austin, Texas frequently for work. I love it there and if you haven't been, I highly recommend it. My friend Maya and I have a phenomonal time together exploring all of the city, eating, and always antiquing.

One of the highlights of the trip is our visit to UNCOMMON OBJECTS, an antique store on South Congress. This store is unusual, quirky, complete, ever changing, and basically superb. Each and every time we go, hours are spent searching through their vast collections.

Many of these boats were purchased from there. Their irregularity peaked my interest and each and every odd string, bent railing, handpainted speck and missing part increases their beauty and desire for me.

Royal typewriter

Typewriters are in demand. At Archive Home, my store in Nyack, NY, we have been selling a lot of them. Mostly to college students who long for the personal and tactile feel that only a typewriter can supply. 

This Royal typewriter was sold last week, but in our shop now, we have 2 more, each with it's own personality and style. Ribbon is easily available online.

I am so excited to tell you that Archive Home, the store I co-own with Christina and Meryl, has just moved to smaller and more intimate space in Nyack,NY, filled with beautiful vintage and modern home goods. Please visit if you can, or contact us through this blog. 

I am happy to send photos of the typewriters and any other pieces that you might be interested in seeing.

Spring

Celebrating Spring.

Another beautiful bowl from Joan Platt.

www.joanplattpottery.com

flea market

I love a great flea market. Walking the rows and finding different worlds at each table. Engaging in interesting conversation with vendors and patrons. Bargaining over prices and finding common ground. Walking away with a treasure. 

Waking up on Sunday mornings at 5 am for the hour and 10 minute drive to Elephant's Trunk Flea Market. I arrive for the 7am opening and pay my $2.00 entry fee. It is well worth the trip up to New Milford, Connecticut.

These are some objects that I found on one of my trips to Elephant.

This year, it is open every Sunday morning from 7am -2pm beginning April 12th. I can't wait.

www.etflea.com

Copper pot

I was at one of those antique malls. The one with the fluorescent light and the endless rows of stuff. The one with the shelves jam packed with "antiques" that don't always speak to me. There was an upstairs section and I hesitatingly climbed the steps. This rustic, welded, "cruddy" copper pot was sitting alone on the floor. I wonder its' history, but more importantly, I admire it's beauty and character.

Painting scrapers

I met a woman who sells antiques in south Jersey. I first saw her booth at a small antique store down in Point Pleasant. Her style is simple and rustic and I bought several pieces from her, for styling and for our home. Several weeks later, I came across another booth, in another shop, and I knew instantly that it was her collection. She has a distinct style.

 I was lucky that day to meet her. Cheryl has a great eye, and more importantly, a great spirit that doesn't seem to slow down.

She is always finding great pieces. http://www.recycledrelicsandantiquechic.net   I recommend that you check out her Facebook page and website.  She updates each regularly.

When I saw these scrapers, I knew I had found a kindred spirit.  I bought these from her as a complete collection. I thought they were beautiful. We are selling them as a complete collection as well. Please contact us if you are interested.

grey and black

NYC is a study of gray. We walk out of our home each day and are met with gray buildings, gray pavement, gray clothing, gray metal gates that protect store windows, and sometimes, especially this year, the gray of the day old snow. It is our daily palette. I find the grey somewhat soothing, and sometimes quite beautiful.

It wasn't strange to us at all, that I had acquired a large collection of objects that were grey and black.

There are tin types with portraits of those unknown to us, vintage letter charts with a basic font for learning. Many blackboards, some broken, others pristine, and a beautiful stack of Joan Platt bowls in a blackish brown that I cherish.

Spools, dominoes, plates, a wire rack, composition notebooks, cameras and fans work together because of their color. 

To view and purchase some of Joan's beautiful ceramic pieces, please visit

http://www.joanplattpottery.com

mirrors and stencils

These mirrors were once used as shaving mirrors. For some reason, I have always liked them. I like the different color frames and the variety of hardware that some seem to have. I am always drawn to the age and wear of the glass of the mirror, worn so much that ones reflection is no longer seen.

These stencils are made of pewter, and I could not think of a more important word to have spelled out in our home-FAMILY.

Vintage stencils in brass and paper are readily available on Etsy and eBay. Shaving mirrors are a bit harder to find, and vary in price, but are definitely out there. I find them often in small stalls in antique malls across the country.

String

I have a bag of string that I have collected over the years in my prop kit, and I use it often when I style. I like these because they are wrapped on small pieces of wood, keeping it untangled and easy to use. 

At NY Central art supply, on the 2nd floor paper department, they sell hand dyed cotton string in fantastic colors.

http://www.nycentralart.com

Ironstone

I think Ironstone is simply beautiful. First made in England in the early 1800's it was patented as the first ceramics made with feldspar. Exported to the US in the 1840's, it was marketed as the first white ironstone china in the US.  

Martha Stewart did several comprehensive articles about ironstone in the 1990's, and the prices rose significantly. I stopped collecting then. Now, thankfully, the pieces are reasonably priced again. I like when the mineral discolors the white, and creates "crazing." 

These are a few of the pieces I have found over the years.

aluminum

Steve and I both grew up in a home with a permanent espresso pot on the stove. With Steve's Sicilian upbringing, and my father's obsession with anything Italian, it was a staple for us both.

I have always loved coffee, beginning with loads of milk and sugar, and eventually graduating to the straight black version. When I saw this oversized aluminum espresso pot, I knew I had to own it. Long past its prime, I loved it's matte patina, it's size, color and style.

We shot this still life with additional vintage aluminum pieces, classic measuring spoons, measuring cups, bowls and pots. This is shot in color.

wire

Wire is defined as a thin flexible thread of metal. Here, wire is bent, woven and curled to create everyday useful objects. I found the wire spectacles first and grouped them with other pieces where the common thread was wire. 

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