In addition to the treasures I've got to show you today (scavenged in my trip to the country yesterday) I also bought a blouse that seems to date from around the 1920's. It is made of that beautiful, translucent creamy-white cotton in which the woven fibers are individually apparent, and so soft. I slipped it on, last night, and it immediately started to disintegrate before my eyes. The lace and the binding threads started to un-attach themselves and the blouse unravels. I am used to this, it happens often when attempting to wear this sort of tissue-thin vintage cotton. I have several slips made of the stuff that are in shambles at this point, but I cannot give them up!
So. The rest of the treasure:
The incredible chair I mentioned yesterday. It only seemed right that when I checked my mailbox that evening, the Spring catalog for Brocade Home was in my mailbox! It reminds me of their tufted chairs, and cost about 1/4 of theirs (not that I think that theirs are unreasonable, I'm just happy for my good fortune!). It is in very good shape, sturdy, etc. I love it.
Other pretty things:
(Beautiful sewing notions)
(Lovely linens)
Don't you love those crudely stitched teacups with their pretty red striped edges? And who do you think that pirate ship tea-towel (beautifully embroidered on both ends!) reminds me of?
(Hilarious blue glass plate featuring the visage of President Martin Van Buren)
(Pretty, pretty ceramic tray and lovely family portrait)
AND, not scavenged yesterday, but these came in the mail today from the sweetest Applet, Michelle:
Oh, AND I finished up the little curtains last night (to match the tablecloth):
Wow, is it hard to take a decent photo of curtains with the pretty light streaming in. I need to figure out the ins and outs of my digital camera...it was my major, after all.
My goodness, that was lots of photos! I need to get back to work, but I hope that my treasure makes for a happy Tuesday visit.
Comments (22)
Ooh, you like fairy tales.
You should check out my husband's latest pictures! He and his subjects are a bit twisted. Alice in Wonderland! We went out the the "woods" and shot pictures of a girl named Shayla in a restructured Alice costume.
http://www.myspace.com/brianpatrickwade
She is Snow White on his wall of game.
We also have one with the Cheshire Cat(I think her name is Eden) and Alice he is still retouching.
Diana · February 06, 2007 at 07:02 PM
OMG did you know that was Martin Van Buren off the top of your head or did it come with a certificate of authenticity???
either way I am very impressed.
also, I once bought an old wedding dress at a flea market, from the early 1920's, it was beautiful, I put it one the scond I got home, and yes...it too started to fall apart the second it was on me, but those brief moments were worth it!!!
stilettoheights · February 06, 2007 at 07:05 PM
omg. i love it all.
lisa · February 06, 2007 at 07:12 PM
I'm so envious that you can thrift outside of new york city.
Katie · February 06, 2007 at 07:21 PM
I am so totally jealous of that chair, and a whole bunch of the other stuff too.
Mama Urchin · February 06, 2007 at 07:33 PM
that van buren plate is freakin´ hilarious. my dad went to van buren high in queens. i will have to show him the photo.
and i love that chair! my one and only huge splurge at abc carpets was a beautiful purple velvet tufted chair with yellow wooden trim in the most beautiful flower pattern. when i return to the states i will have to take a photo for you...it is dreamy.
and so are you my dear. :)
risa · February 06, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Lots of fabulous goods I'd say. But those curtains!
heather · February 06, 2007 at 08:38 PM
gorgeous treasures!! i totally agree, country thrift shops are the way to go.
leslie · February 06, 2007 at 10:39 PM
oh my wow, the chair the chair!
sonia · February 06, 2007 at 11:00 PM
I have just one word to say to everything (especially regarding the velveteen beauty), besides this rambling preface: WOW!!!
Beth · February 06, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Decadent. Love the chair. And, who enjoyed lofty conversations sitting on this chair? Or was it simply displayed in a large salon room as a token of treasure? Who knows, but it is the reason I drag treasures much like this, home. They speak. Don't you think? What a bundle of newfound joy. Love it all.
Vanessa · February 07, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Oooh! The cover of an Alice In Wonderland book I've never seen! Very cool!
Rachelle · February 07, 2007 at 03:53 AM
Beautiful, beautiful finds. I have an old textile mill about an hour away which is now a shopping centre and museum (horrible history) but sells its former threads and ribbons at miniscule prices and I have no more room on my shelves for them!! I love that old chair, just looks so homely.
Gillian · February 07, 2007 at 06:57 AM
the curtains are adorable but what really got me was the pic of the wooden spools of thread on cream fabric no less! why? cuz i just took a picture last night of my wooden thread spools on the same neutral fabric! and pirates are a big thing in this household too...synchronicity is grand, i do love it!
patricia · February 07, 2007 at 08:58 AM
I get what you mean about sunlight/fabric/object photographing. Please let me know if you figure it out. Your finds are brilliant! I too love the teacup linens (reminds me of my own attempts at embroidery). And the colors of the little tray are so sophisticated in such an understated way. Thanks for sharing!
molly · February 07, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Emily! I love, Love, LOVE!!! your window. So pretty!
tiffany · February 07, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Terrific curtains! I'll be sewing some for my new apartment soon. Thanks for the inspiration, as always. I LOOOOOOOVE that tray and chair you found!
Daphne · February 07, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Wow, what great finds. BUTTONS!
Heidi · February 07, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Love the vintage children's books...the green chair is great, and good job on the cute matching curtains!
Erika · February 08, 2007 at 10:56 AM
In love with that chair!!! Seriously, how elegant.
Heather · February 08, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Thanks so much for including the "Brocade Home" link. I'd never heard of them. They have such lovely things!
Jen... · February 10, 2007 at 07:38 PM
Your plate reminds me of something I just read in the paper. This lady in the Detroit area makes candy plates. The website leaves a little to be desired, but the plates are so pretty. Looks just like yours (sans the MVB bust, ha).
http://www.sweetmadnesscandies.com
Sarah · February 13, 2007 at 02:24 PM