Decorating Your Garden With A Chippy Child's Chair

Using An Old Child's Chair As An Outdoor Plant Pedestal

A few years back,  I bought a really banged up, splintered, chippyawfully looking pale yellow vintage children's chair for two bucks at a tag sale. This was a pretty unusual purchase for me, because even though I have written a book about Cottage collectibles and Cottage style decorating, I was never one for buying beat up chairs.


But I thought, hey, let me try to sit this chair on my porch and use it as a plant stand. The chair has been with me now for several summer seasons. The chair has been host to a variety of colorful plants and has even weathered lots of rain and wetness. The chair just seems to survive and gets better and better looking each year!

So after my first experiment with splintered old chairs, I started to pay attention to floral displays at antique shows. Here are some lovely displays I came across last week at The Harwinton Antique Show in Harwinton, C t.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Reupholstering A 1930's Armchair In Cottage Style

A Vintage Cottage Style Chair That Is Comfy

This 1930's armchair chair had become tired and dreary so Claire who blogs at Vintage Home asked her friend Nikki who blogs at Nostalgia at the Stone House
to make a slip cover for the chair. Claire writes that she is always changing her mind about colors, patterns and styles so a chair that is eclectic is just right for her.

According to Claire: "There is such a lovely variety of fabrics here; old Sanderson linen; 50s roses cotton; French florals; rosey barkcloth - all stitched together in a charming patchwork!"

Is this chair a treasure? Has anyone tried this?

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Sweet Antique Wicker Sewing Stand Makes A Charming Plant Holder Or Vanity Organizer

Get That Cottage Look With An Old Wicker Plant Stand

How sweet is this old wicker sewing basket stand now used as a plant holder? I can not believe I did not buy this beauty. First of all the wicker stand is absolutely charming.It was in very good condition and fairly priced at "Not Just A Crock" in Westbrook, CT

Using A Wicker Sewing Stand In The Vanity
I could also picture this lovely white painted wicker sewing basket stand converted into a wonderful vanity organizer to hold all kinds of accessories. Picture the back lid with a mirror insert and the top compartment as a place to keep all your vanity and bathroom accessories. So cute...so cottage!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Gain More Storage Space Using An Old Dresser Wardrobe Cabinet For Your Vacuum And Cleaning Supplies

Storing Your Cleaning Supplies In An Old Free Standing Painted Dresser-Wardrobe In Your Bathroom

While poking around in the Powder Room of Korlates Fitness & Pilates in Avon, CT. I discovered a very handy dandy idea. Owner Kris, converted an old upright dresser wardrobe cabinet into a storage unit for his utilities and cleaning supplies for his studio.

Look At These Deep Drawers

Now while he was busy getting ready for our exercise session, I was sneaking a look behind the doors and drawers of this white painted dresser to see what he keeps inside.

How Clever: Storing A Vacuum Inside An Old Wardrobe

And lo and behold, I found his vacuum in the larger compartment and paper towels and cleaning supplies in the drawers. Now that's a clever way to gain a closet!

Adding Charming And Artsy Drawer Knobs

I took a close shot of this dresser drawer to show you how charming a funky drawer knob can be when added to your dresser. You can find artsy door knobs online. by the way, notice how deep these drawers are....that is what you want to look for.

Where To Find Old Furniture?

You can pick up old dressers in a lot of affordable places such as used furniture stores, junk shops, thrift shops, flea markets and consignment stores. I have often seen these cabinets unpainted in their original wood, but what's a little white paint to complete your Cottage Chic look? And because you are using this dresser for bathroom storage you need not be too fussy about condition, especially if you are painting it.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Using A Vintage Painted Shabby Drawer As An Easel For Decorative Plates

Featuring Decorative Plates In A Pretty Vignette Using A Painted Old Drawer

How sweet is this idea for featuring decorative plates....carefully exhibit them propped up inside an old painted drawer. Shabby collectors adore this idea of using a discarded drawer as an easel for displaying hand painted delicate plates.

Originally stored in China closets or hung on the wall, decorative plates look fantastic when styled as a mini-vignette inside a soft painted deep and narrow drawer.

Painting Your Cottage Style Drawer In Soft Romantic Colors

You can paint your drawer a solid color such as pink or white or add accented flowers or decals.
Perhaps you want at to line the drawer with vintage wallpaper or use remnants of old fabric or even tissue paper to stuff into the drawer to keep the plates and other objects stable. Use plates of different sizes for an interesting arrangement. Add other small objects to your display such as flatware, candle holders etc.

When choosing a color for the tissue paper or fabric pull out one of the colors from the plate to help keep your display eye catching.

Propping Plates On Plate Holders

For more stability for your plates, you can also stand the plates up on a small plate holder and insert the plate and it's holder into the drawer and than cover the plate base with fabric to hide the hardware.
I stay away from the wooden plate holders, they wobble too much. I like the inexpensive metal ones.

You will find so many more ideas about Shabby decorating in my book, Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes (Collectorbooks.com).

Top photo courtesy of:

Michele's Cottage Gifts
53 Main Street
Plantsville, CT
860-329-0033

Bottom photo courtesy of:
http://www.soshabbypink.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Off The Porch And Into Your Shop: Using An Old Shabby Railing For Displaying Artwork And Vintage Trays

A Shabby Painted Porch Railing Can Really Do The Job Used Indoors As A Display For Large Metal Trays, Prints And Artwork

I spotted this shabby display at the Bleu Willow in Simsbury recently. How clever is this, using the spaces between an old porch railing to organize your framed paintings, tole trays, large prints etc.

Using architectural salvage indoors is quite trendy right now. Glad my friend Laura rescued this piece. She has a picker who bring her these goodies, but we all have seen similar examples of discarded house parts. Now we can put them to good use and feel great that we re-cycled great stuff.

For more ideas and resource information about this topic, be sure to read my book, "Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes".

Photo and idea courtesy of The Bleu Willow

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Kitsch n Cottage: Romantic Cottage Collectibles At Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford

Announcing Kitsch n Cottage: My Beautiful Collection Of Romantic Cottage Collectibles Now In My Shop At The Collinsville Antiques Company, CT

I took the plunge, I took an additional glass showcase at my Antique Mall which is called The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford. I added an expanded collection of Romantic Cottage Collectibles.

Introducing My Collection Of Romantic Cottage Collectibles

You will find some of my favorite finds including:chocolate pots, Vanity items, Half Dolls,Lipstick holders, Tea Cups,
handbags, Jewelry, Mirrors, Pill Boxes, Crystal, Silver Plated, Serving Pieces, Salts, Mustache Cups, Creamers, Sugars, Vases, Doll Accessories, Small Doll Dressers, Decorative Plates and Bowls, Victorian Accessories, Sachets, Powder Jars etc.

Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes

As many of you know, I wrote a book about this topic called Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes. You will find over 50 contributors in this book with fabulous examples of their collections. I particularly love some of the gorgeous
hand painted romantic dining collectibles.
Sweet Vintage Linens And Textiles On Hand
I find that many people who love cottage collectibles, also like vintage tablecloths, hankies,doilies, tea towels and embroidered textiles. Delicate floral patterned linens, as well as lace textiles are always sought after when in good condition and priced fairly. I love these textiles, but they are a lot of work!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Do Pretty Romantic China Cottage Collectibles Always Have To Be Featured In A Glass Showcase?

Showcasing Pretty Romantic Cottage Collectibles

Part of my antique booth do-over or is it make-over was to take out some of my "better" and or "fragile" collectibles out of the dark tall (but darling glass curio cabinet they were in and "let them be seen".

Grouping All The Floral Cottage Collectibles Together

I grouped my sweet floral plates, salt and pepper shakers, vanity items, etc together on a hand made cottage chic garden table which I bought from another dealer.

Should China Collectibles Always Be In Glass Cabinets?

I know, many of us who have shops or booths in antique malls, worry about keeping delicate collectibles out for a variety of obvious reasons. But, I have to be honest, many of my kitchen collectibles are as valuable (and even harder to find) than the floral decorative pieces. The difference is that the kitchenwares handle better. In fact, when you think about it, some of these kitchen collectibles we all buy and sell were used in kitchens 60-70 years ago and they held up really well.
Delicate porcelain objects are a totally different genre.

Delicate Collectibles

But on the flip side, I thought I might try featuring some of these lovely hand painted items. They are not that precious.

Not Having To Ask Staff Members For The Key

I wondered if my attractive porcelain collectibles would be of more interest to customers didn't have to bother to ask staff to get the key to the locked cabinet they were previously in.

We shall see what happens this month. My theory is, that if customers can get up close to these beautiful floral pieces, they will be more apt to want them in their homes and my sales will increase. It's just a thought!

If you love this kind of stuff...you will adore my second book, Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes (Collectorbooks.com).

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Antique Wicker: A Cottage Style Favorite

Have Your Lemonade
Sitting In An Antique Wicker Chair Or Sofa

Wicker has always been a favorite on porches. Popular during the Victorian era, the word wicker is actually derived from the Scandinavian words wika, meaning "bend" and vikker, meaning "willow". Although many people refer to "wicker" as a material, it is actually a catch all term to apply to many different materials which are woven.

Types of Wicker

Materials available for weaving depend on the climate of a given region. For example in warmer areas you will see reeds, palm leaves, canes, grasses and of course rattan made into furniture.

Cooler Climates Use Different Materials

Crafters in cooler climates avail themselves to wood strips, rushes, wild grasses, willow twigs and roots for designing furniture.

Rattan A Natural Material Is Very Popular

Most of us are familiar with rattan the most popular natural material for weaving. Because rattan is a solid core vine it is very sturdy and a good choice for furniture. ( Wicker Design By Mary Whitesides 2003).

Wicker Styles

Wicker can be divided into several styles: Victorian, Art Deco, Bar Harbor, Stick Wicker (Modern). You will find more photos of vintage wicker in my book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes (Collectorbooks.com).
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Photos Courtesy of Preservecottage.com and natashaburns.com

Check Out http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/antiquewickerfurniture


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Freshen Up Your Cottage Style With Aqua And Coral Color Combinations: Ideas From Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques, Plantsville, Connecticut

Fun, Funky, Whimsical Cottage Style: Mixing Aqua And Coral Colors In Furnishings And Accessories: Now Featured At Michele's Cottage Antiques In Plantsville, Connecticut

Freshen up your cottage style decor with aqua painted furniture and coral painted walls, This color combination is delicious and perfect for relaxed living. And you can find so many vintage accessories to compliment this whimsical palette. Many collectibles and textiles from the 1950s showcased these popular colors,often called "desert colors" .
Rich Pastels Colors Of Coral And Aqua

While you often find cottage style furnishing in softer pastel colors, Michele of Michele's Cottage Antiques in Plantsville, Connecticut likes her pastels rich and colorful. She also likes to paint vintage accessories in some of the same colors as her furniture so that customers can easily coordinate accents pieces with their dressers, vanity tables, chairs etc.
Her painted pieces are exceptional.


Retro Aqua Vintage Birdcage

My favorite find on my recent rip to Michele's was the aqua painted bird cage. I really would adore having this retro birdie condo. But then I would have to buy the dresser and the barkcloth lamp and all the other great re-cycled collectibles and furnishings. You know, I may just go back to Michel's tomorrow and buy the whole room...stay tuned.

Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques
53 Main Street
Plantsville, CT
860-329-0033

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Rejuvenate An Old Round Vanity Bench With Vintage Barkcloth Fabric And Scalamandre Tassels

Gorgeous Shabby Chic Round Vanity Bench That
Looks Great With Vintage Barkcloth And Tassels

Even if you are not handy in the sewing room, you can rejuvenate an old round French vanity bench in a few easy steps.

The beautiful bench shown here was once an ugly ducking and now it is a Shabby Chic powder room delight. But with Cabriole legs and a lovely painted finish in excellent shape, all this bench needed was a fabric re-do! The trick was to find the right fabric that would lay nicely on the bench and allow the floral design to lay centered on the bench.

Meet my Restoration Guru, Pam of Rusty Rose Petals

Pam of Rusty Rose Petals on Etsy is my restoration Guru. She really knows how to transform a outdated tacky bench into a very pretty Shabby Chic vanity bench. With a couple of easy steps, you can change the look of most benches from tired looking to fresh and feminine.

Choosing The Right Fabric

Because this bench is round, it is important to find a fabric with a design that will work well on a round format. The vintage barkcloth chosen here has a large center rose with smaller flowers around it. By cutting the fabric in one large round piece larger than the bench, you will be able to center the design on the vanity bench.

Of course you could also use a fabric with an overall repeat pattern such as checks or small flowers and still create a lovely bench. But this Romantic Cottage Style bench features the lovely rose centerpiece and roses are adored by Romantic Cottage gals.

Tacking Down The Vintage Barkcloth

Pam added her Barkcloth fabric over the existing red velvet cusion (hard to believe). As stated earlier, you must cut out a circle larger thatn the size you need. Then you can use upholstery tacks to fasten the fabric to the bench. Upholstery tacks are very tiny with a very sharp point. These tacks are easy to use with a hammer. You could also use a Staple gun. To keep the fabric laying smoothly, Pam notched her fabric circle with a little triangle cut in about eight different places along the edge of the fabric.

Adding Vintage Scalamandree Tassels

Once the vintage Barkcloth is tacked down, the final step is to cover the tacks with some form of trim. Here pink and white vintage Scalamandre tassels are added with a hot glue gun. By the way, Pam does not suggest using a glue gun for the first step. Upholstery tacks are a better choice for adding the fabric to the bench. If you are not a tassle perosn, you could use a gimp or braided trim .

Visit Pam at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rustyrosepetals


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Getting Dramatic Results With Black and White Cottage Style

Metro Chic Cottage

I am going to kick up the cottage look up a notch with a style I will call "Dramatic Cottage" or "Metro Chic Cottage".

Vintage Sette With Black Fabric

As you can see, once you start working with black (and white), you will really see some very dramatic results. Look how fab this vintage sette looks with black fabric and white painted trim.

Introducing Color

Keeping with the black and white idea, this wonderful one of a kind needlepoint chair becomes more playful with white painted arms and legs. And the floral fabric adds color to the black and white furnishings.


Forget About Pastels..... Think Black And White Cottage Style


Painting A Cottage Dresser Black

Next let's talks about the cottage dresser. What a difference it makes when this dresser is painted black instead of the usual white seen in many cottage style homes.

Wake Up Your Black and White Palette With Kelly Green And Yellow

But life would be too boring if you just stayed in black and white. So add other colors such as Kelly green and yellow
or peach or rose colors.


Photos are from the collection at http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Painting Several Pieces of Older Furniture "Aqua" to Create a Charming Baby Nursery or Children's Corner in Your Shop

Painting Your Vintage Furniture "Aqua"

What can you do with the color aqua? Well you can do what my friend Laura did in her shop The Bleu Willow in Simsbury, CT. She created a cottage-y feel in her Vintage Nursery and Junior section by painting several pieces of shabby furniture the color "aqua". As you can imagine, this soft pastel color is charming!

Color Organizes Rooms

By sticking with the same color for a variety of furnishings you will instantly organize your room. Laura has done just that...transforming one corner of her shoppe into a sweet flea market inspired ensemble instead of a mish mosh of unwanted hand me downs. While Laura's "aqua" groupings serve to showcase her baby items, you can certainly accomplish this delicious cottage look at home as well. This is a very practical and affordable decorating trick.

Aqua is an Easy Color to Live With

Aqua is a an easy color to live with and goes wonderfully with yellows, pinks, neutrals, whites, reds and more. Consider putting together an aqua themed room by painting older tables, dressers, hampers, armoires, desks etc. in the same color . Add some charming vintage prints of children on the walls with a touch of aqua as well.

Utilizing Every Space Available

The Bleu Willow is a small shop that is packed with a combination of antiques, collectibles and vintage style accessories, jewelry and furnishings. You will find that every space is this store is utilized. The drawers of cabinets and dressers are stuffed with goodies which are easily visible.

Laura also likes to create interesting "stacks" of treasures, using vintage boxes, books, containers etc. for propping up or containing small items.

Photos Courtesy of The Bleu Willow
http://www.thebleuwillow.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Using Vintage Pails and Buckets to Display and Store "Stuff"

Using Porcelain Enamelware Pails for Storage

When I was collecting kitchenwares to go on the cover of my first book Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s, I fell in love with the porcelain enamelware pail now a key element of the cover. I remember paying $45.00 for the pail and thinking that I just had to have it.

Truthfully, I also thought I was nuts to spend $45.00 on an a utility pail. But the money was well worth it as the cover turned out terrific.

Stuffing Goodies

In that pail, I was able to stuff lots of collectibles, creating a very inviting look. The pail not only only organized the goodies but gave the reader a unique idea about how they might use a pail in their home.
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Kitsch n Stuff

Now the pail resides in my shop Kitsch N Stuff at the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford. I believe, this famous bucket is now "hosting" all my vintage kitchen gadgets and tools.

Double Purpose Your Collectibles

You see, when you are short on space in an antique mall or shop, you need to "double-purpose" everything you have to economize on your space. I have two lovely retro metal kitchen garbage pails hanging out in my garage because I simply do not have any additional floor space to display these wonderful kitchen garbage pails.

I thought about letting the pails hang out on the top shelf of one of my display cabinets or shelving units, but getting them down would be a pain.

Using Vintage Waste Paper Pails for Remnants

My friend Pam of www.vintagepastelle.com always comes up with uses for pails, buckets and large containers. She is the master of "stuffing" as you can see in the photos showing how rolls of wallpaper and gift wrap can be stored in an vintage waste paper pail.

We All Have Plenty of "Stuff"

I have a feeling that if you are reading this post, you too have a lot of "stuff". Collectors are well known for holding onto everything. Now at least you can keep your "stuff" in vintage pails and turn your piles and clutter into attractive functional "displays" .

Read More:

You will find lots of display and storage ideas in my second book, "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes'

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.