Collecting vintage furniture, paintings, kitchen items, clothing--Sometimes old is better...
83Doesn't vintage mean too old to bother with? Of course not!
I love vintage...clothing, furniture, artwork...anything. Vintage kitchen stuff--I gotta have it, especially if it's red, or black, or chrome, or, well...you get the idea...There's just something about things made in the 30's, 40's, and 50's that appeal to both my husband and me. And once my husband Tom and I started going to auctions on a regular basis, I saw more and more things that would look terrific in our home.
I've always liked old stuff--I have my paternal grandmother's treadle sewing machine, and my paternal grandfather's old trunk. I inherited both of them as a child, and they have traveled everywhere that I have.
The chairs we had to have...
One time we found this old white vinyl covered rocker with wooden arms shaped like a goose head and neck--totally old-fashioned, but we had to have it. We crossed our fingers when the bidding started on it, hoping it wouldn't go too high...then, what? No one else even BID on it??? We were the only ones who thought this chair was just too cool? Evidently so...we got it for $5, and were thrilled.
A couple of months later, we were at a different auction, and what did we see? Another goose head rocker, covered in fabric this time. We had to have it, but, as luck would have it, someone else must have had a matching one, too, and the bidding war was on...but--yay--we got it! Unfortunately, it cost us quite a bit, but what the heck--we really wanted it. Now we have two conversation pieces in our living room, and one has become Tom's favorite chair!
Our anniversary present to each other...
Another time we found this old enamel topped kitchen table, with wood and chrome legs. It had the extensions that tucked underneath when you didn't need them, and had a white top with black scrollwork...it was beautiful, and we really wanted it. Another bidding war ensued, but we were victorious--got it for $60, which was higher than we wanted to go, but we excused ourselves, since it WAS our anniversary that day, and it was our present to each other! We have had this for several years now, and I never want to part with it.
Paintings, canisters, roosters, and kitchen utensils...
Tom and I both love vintage pictures and paintings of ships at sea, or young women, and we pick those up whenever we can. Those are harder to win, but we've gotten a few that we really love.
And in my kitchen, I've collected many old kitchen utensils--most that I use! I found an old meat grinder one time that had our son's name on it--I couldn't believe it...his name is Larkin and you just don't see that name very often, so I now have it displayed on the fireplace mantel in my kitchen, along with some odds and ends "rooster" items that I couldn't resist.
I love old rooster items, and have a wooden canister set and breadbox with roosters on them. I also have an old aluminum canister set that we keep our coffee, filters, and creamer in--very handy! I used to have many more things like that, but had to thin the collection down some when we downsized earlier this year.
I've collected and sold many vintage pieces of clothing on Ebay--some designers and styles are very collectible, and will sell pretty well--same goes with vintage patterns, the older, the better...I absolutely love coming across old 30's or 40's clothing patterns at garage sales or auctions--I bring them home, and will spend hours sorting through them, counting every pattern piece to make sure they are all there. It's not a chore to me, because I love those time periods, and looking through those old styles of clothing.
I'm weird like that.
Last, but not at all least....
We very rarely buy anything new--in the beginning of our marriage, it was out of necessity...now, it's because we just love the vintage look, and will pick it anytime over new things...
The "old" stuff is so much better quality, and has such great and unusual character...such as this vintage item I picked up over 20 years ago...my absolute favorite of all...lol
VINTAGE POLL...
How do YOU feel about vintage?
See results without votingPrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
A charming hub with a charming end of a photo of your favorite vintage. LOL! Enjoyed the photos.
Thumbs up!
G-ma--Thanks for your sweet comments--yeah, I think that last pic is the best, too, lol!!! Hey, maybe that is your cannister set--are you from Ohio??? It was an auction find...
VioletSun--Thanks for the thumbs up--I'm glad you enjoyed the pics and the story! And he IS a "charming hub", hahaha...
That last one was definatly your best buy....wasn't it bid up to like 2 dollars and fifty cents! And it runs on cheap beer! :)
Tom--Yep--Got you for the price of a beer...lol...best deal I ever got!!! :)
~~hugs~~
Great stuff ya have there girl. Wee One and I feel the same way. OMG Tom looks just like my cousin Ralph. LOL 'S math sin! Terrific! I love roosters too.
Nice hub. I love the dress patterns. But my favorite is the last one. Looks like a keeper to me!
Thanks so much for the lovely tour. My fav is that enamel-topped table. It's gorgeous! What a find, and what a great price.
I must say, this is the first time I've ever heard of a vintage item that runs on cheap beer. LOL
Thumbs up!
CC--So you like vintage, too? How cool! :) Your cousin Ralph? Well, they say everyone has a twin, don't they? Thanks for your comments!
Alekhouse--lol--Yeah, he's definintely a keeper! My best find ever!:)
Sally--Thanks--glad you like the table as much as we do! We used to use it as an island in our old kitchen--now we have less counter top space, and use it this way...
Yep--first time I'd ever seen something vintage that ran on cheap beer, also, hahaha
I especially like vintage Scotch, just can't afford the dam stuff! LOL
lol, CC--Is Scotch like wine...gets better with age? You know, I've never had the stuff, so I have no idea!haha...
I think that my husband Malc and I must be older versions of you and Tom because we use to go to auctions our first flat (apartment) was furnished from an auction the only new thing we had was our bed which Malc built for me the rest was previously loved items lol. Malc would buy and sell on EBay when we were in the UK because the postal service was good reliable and reasonably priced. Here in Spain it seems to be none of those things if you live outside of the town which we do. Malc still buys things off EBay but doesn't sell stuff now as the postal charges here are so ridiculous. I will have to do a hub some day on some of the things we have bought and sold over the years. I had better finish here before this becomes a hub instead of a comment lol. Another good and interesting hub.
maggs--Wow! I agree--we seem to have a LOT in common--that is so neat! I would love to read your hub about your experiences, when you get the chance to write it--I can't wait!
It's funny, but Tom built us a bedframe once, too, lol!!!
Thanks so much for your comments--I always enjoy hearing from you! :)
When I saw the title I figured Tom had to fit in here somewhere, but for the price of a beer? Sold!! I would have raised you a bag of pretzels! My greatgran had a beautiful treadle singer! I have a 1912 Victrola complete with all the Irish records and alphabet albums from another greatgramma. Priceless!
Who said old vintage is bad? Everyone nowadays likes to have old stuff bcz I think we got tired of modernity all around us. Good subject.
Candie--lol on the pretzels!!! He is a cutie, isn't he?
That is so neat that you have those things from your great-grandmom's--to me, those are the best pieces we have, and you're right, they are priceless!
shamelabboush--Thanks! I agree--we aren't into the modern stuff, and never have been. I think that's why we love going to auctions so much--we get to see so many neat vintage things...
Tammy
As I'm one big sucker for nostalgia I naturally love old things! Specially old leather - I used to go to the stock room of the library of the university I used to go to and get lost in the scent of old leather-bound books. Old stuff in general tend to have more character. And the stories they do tell! Thanks for sharing :D
Hi Cris--Good to hear from you again! You're so right about the stories vintage things could tell...neat to know that you "get it", too! Thanks! :)
Beautiful collection of vintage furniture. I have a mass of vintage tshirts and remember the old Levis' cowboy shirts? I have a ton of them. I buy from Smith and Pooter on Ebay all the time. Again, beautiful collections, Tammy.
Thanks AId,y! There's just something about old furniture that you just can't beat...lol...
Wow--I'd love to see some of your shirt collection--will you ever do a hub on them? That'd be fascinating! We've sold a few vintage shirts in the past, but they're a little hard to find in this area!
Thanks again for your comment! :)
A hub, no I have not thought of it. I do not think so, I wear my vintage shirts all the time, right now I am wearing my Franken Berry blue tee xD. I go to the thrift stores to look for them, I am amazed that people are still donating the old Granimals Polo's, and the old Izod Polo's as well! I go crazy when I see them, some of the shirts are sometimes smaller than what I would wear, but I buy them anyways! A little tight around the middle but so what! I just won't eat as many cupcakes while gaming!
enjoyed the hub, and the tour of your house.....
We have a painting much like the one you have in the style of maxfield parrish. I run a "Thrift Department Store" My favorite part is the vintage that comes through. We have an auction once a month, We had a Maxfield Parrish original print. It went for over $300. I love vintage. Great hub.
AI d,y--Well, I STILL would love to see you do a hub about your shirts--the more you talk about them, the more curious I get, lol!! It sounds like you have such a neat collection!
Brenda--Thank you--I appreciate your comment!
Paper Moon--Don't you just love the Maxfield Parrish style of painting? We do, and hopefully one day will have a couple originals of our own. You run a thrift store? You do realize that that is every Ebay seller of Vintage's dream, don't you, lol...to have people bringing YOU all the vintage stuff you could need...wow...I'd love to see your store! You have an auction? Is it a public one, or on the internet? I know that Goodwill sells on Ebay, but not sure how they go about it...
Thank you all for your comments!
It is a public one. I do a display window (did, I have just been transferred to our newest store-now we have 4, it does not have a display window, ahh the old one wont be the same with out me, lol) the window gets auctioned off once a month. We dont do the e-bay thing. Many of our customers are e-bay sellers. We prefer the customer count to selling stuff online. Works out for both groups. And Nicest damned thrift stores around. Not like the Goodwill, not that there is anything wrong with them, (he snickers)
lol, no not a thing wrong with Goodwill...(snickering right along with you)
That sounds like a great place to work--sure wish it was around our area!
Loved the tour of your house and having a fireplace in the kitchen is really neat. Your poll did not offer the choice of mixing the old in with new which is pretty much what we have done. So much character in the old things...especially the two legged variety. BTW...I also have one of those! LOL
Peggy--Oops, sorry about the lack of poll options! This was the first time I'd added on to a hub, so I'll need to keep that in mind for next time!
Thanks for your comments, though--I LOVE the fireplace in the kitchen, too--it's the focal point of the room!
Just can't beat those two-legged vintage finds, can you? lol :)
I love Vintage! Being the "sole survivor" of this particular affliction, I've gratefully inherited my great Grandmother's most wonderful furniture, books and a special fave ... a cardboard collection of fashionably edgy outfits! Thanks for the journey.
Dr Nancy--You're welcome--so glad you enjoyed the hub...and how wonderful for you to have all of your great-grandmother's things...I have an old platter and a quilt that my great-grandmother made--I'll never part with them!
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE ON WHERE TO PUT MY COMMENT SECTION. I'M ON VACATION AND JUST HAD ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO A COMPUTER, FOR A FEW MOMENTS. I ENJOYED THIS ARTICLES AND ALL OF THE PHOTOS. KEEP 'EM COMING.
Cute hub!
I love vintage sewing machines--and the breadbox in your pic is exactly what I've been looking for! lol everytime we hit an antique store or an auction, I scour the place looking for that breadbox! I have a rooster fetish too...my kitchen is covered in them :)
fastfreta-Thanks alot for your comment! :)
advisor-Thank you, too!
Janetta--Another rooster lover? Terrific! I used to have many more, but had to part with some when we down-sized--but I still have my favorites!:)
I've had that breadbox for quite awhile--it came with matching canisters, but they were in too bad of shape to repair...:(
I have another sewing machine that I forgot to show--it's from probably the 40's or 50's--great colors on it--just beautiful!
My friends in Galena, Illinois have an chest of drawers from about 1500. Also a table from the early 1700's. I have a book from 1656, called Philosophical Furnaces. Basically it's an alchemy book.
I would LOVE to see that chest of drawers--and the "newer" items, too!!!
Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much .. I'm always looking for these "vintage' items, and searching for new places to find them.. This was invaluable to me.. great hub!..
Thanks erin! Auctions can be wonderful places to find what you're looking for--we've furnished most of our home this way! :)
VINTAGE ITEMS ON AMAZON
|
Colorful Vintage Kitchen Towels (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Price: $22.76
List Price: $29.95 |
|
Vintage Kitchen
Price: $7.24
|
G-Ma Johnson says:
5 months ago
wow .... the last one is way better then the rest...Lucky lady...I had the same rooster cansiter set for many years...I wonder if that one is mine???LOL...and the old patterns from when mom used to sew for us girls...I like the vintage stuff cause it is simple and seems to hold memories longer...Nice hub sweetie Thanks...:O) Hugs G-Ma