Discovering Peter Hunt Art & Collectibles at The Sandwich, Massachusetts Antiques Center

True "hunters" like myself are "wired' to locate hidden treasures everywhere and anywhere. Last week, my "radar" landed me at The Sandwich Antiques Center (Sandwich, Mass.) This Multi-dealer Antique Mall is located off Route 6A on Cape Cod, an upscale area of Sandwich packed with quaint art galleries, boutiques. antique shops and eateries.

Parked across the street from the Antique Center, I noticed that one of the windows of the Center had a cheerful display of colorful painted "objects" which immediately grabbed my attention but blended into a fuzzy whimsy collage from where I was standing. I couldn't wait to go inside the shop to find out what these "objects" were. Meandering through the fairly large group shop, I made my way to the exact booth which caught my attention in the first place.

What I had discovered was a collection of painted furniture and accessories by famed Cape Cod folk artist Peter Hunt. According to www. askart.com , Peter Hunt was "a folk artist and story teller with wide-ranging imagination, Peter Hunt, working from the 1930s through the 1960s, made his reputation with peasant decorations on furniture. A friend of the wealthy, the artistic and the odd-ball, Peter Hunt and his Peasant Village was a well-known fixture on Cape Cod. Customers included Helena Rubenstein and Frederick Waugh."According to many accounts, "Hunt’s work was originally “discovered” by the well-to-do summer people on Cape Cod, who found his colorful peasant decorations the perfect accents for their cottages and retreats. They also found Hunt to be charming, witty and a great addition to cocktail parties and dinners, and his mailbox was filled with invitations from the upper crust of Boston and New York.

Soon the buyers from upscale department stores, including Bloomingdale’s, Gimbel’s and Macy’s, got wind of society’s latest fascination in home decoration, and they clambered for Hunt to decorate more and more furnishings and knick-knacks for their stores, often featuring him in special promotions touted with full-page ads in the New York and Boston newspapers. " http://www.askart.com/AskART/H/peter_hunt/peter_hunt.aspx

Sandwich Antiques Center, Sandwich Massachusetts
1-508-833-3600

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.

Visiting The Foothills Delery: A Retro Bakery & Deli

Today was my fifth visit to The Foothills Delery ( Pine Meadow, CT.) a destination that is becoming " a sweet dilemma" for me.....read more and you will see why.
First I'll tell you how I found this off the beaten path place. Often I ride up to New Hartford, CT (via Route 44) to visit The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, the Antique Mall where I have my shop, "Kitsch n Stuff". (Pine Meadow is a historic district which is part of New Hartford).

When in New Hartford , I will usually eat right inside the Antique Mall at our in house restaurant called the "Crusin Cafe" or stop down the street at my friend's place , "Blue Sky Foods", a Key West style roadside eatery.

A few weeks while making my regular trip to New Hartford, I decided I was in the mood for my favorite barbecue chicken sandwich at Blue Sky Foods. I pulled into their parking lot and realized it was Tuesday and Mike and Deb are closed on Tuesdays.

Mike happened to be dropping off some party equipment and saw me pulling into the back of his place. He reminded me it was Tuesday and that he couldn't "feed me". He encouraged me to go down the road to "The Foothills Delery" a combination of the words "deli" and "bakery" where I would find "the kid" that used to work for him, now the proud owner of "The Foothill's Delery" a long established country style deli popular with fly fishers and locals.

Nah...I said....I'm not interested in deli food. But I was hungry and curious so I back tracked down the road and was greeted by Amy, co-owner and baker extraordinaire. (I would soon discover).

The "deli" not only had an expanded menu with lots of interesting salads and specials but also the addition of a gorgeous bakery with many desserts baby boomers will associate with the good ole days.

Now this is where my problems began. How would I visit "the delery" and just stick with the "del" and not the "ery" (as in b-a-k-e-r-y). Having just sworn off sweets (for the billionth time), how could I even look at the bakery section. no less try any samples..

But the desserts were calling out to me. And their voices were getting louder. There is no other way to say this but these goodies were so gorgeous and so fairly priced...they were irresistible. So I rationalized to myself that this could be a case where the stuff looked great but had no taste, so let me try one or two and I would settle the battle going on in my head. Nope......... the bakery items were amazing. Each time I visited i kept testing the sweets and each one was better than the next. Since Amy offers so many choices and varies the menu daily....I have plenty of test tasting to do.

I am afraid to report that the bakery is outrageously delicious! I'm going back tomorrow.

Bakery ItemsAssorted Muffins, Assorted Cookies, Black & Whites ~ Black Forrest Cupcakes ~ Boston Creme Cupcakes ~ Brownies (fudge, mint, peanut butter) ~ Butter Croissants ~ Carrot Cupcakes ~ Chocolate Chip Bombe ~ Chocolate Eclairs ~ Creme Puffs ~ Cupcake with flowers ~ Delery Snickers Bars ~ Espresso Bars ~ Espresso Bars ~ Filled Croissants (almond, cream cheese, chocolate, blueberry cream cheese or strawberry cream cheese) ~ Holiday Cupcakes ~ Killer Chocolate Cupcakes ~ Lemon Bars ~ Loaf Cakes ~ Magic Bars ~ Snowballs ~ Turnovers (blueberry, cherry or apple) ~ Whoopie Pies (vanilla, peanut butter or chocolate chip) ~ And MORE!

Mini bakery items are available upon request. Please ask for specific pricing.

Specialty Torts
Triple Chocolate Threat ~ Three layers of black forest cake with fudge & chocolate mousse filling & a fudge topping

Carrot Nut
~ Three layers of carrot walnut ckae with sweet cream cheese filling & icing

Lemon Raspberry ~ Three layers of lemon cake with raspberry filling & a vanilla butter cream icing

Skinny Mint
~ One layer of brownie chocolate cake & mint filling covered in chocolate icing

Cheese Cake
~ Thick & rich chesse cake with your chioice of fruit toppings

Fudge Banana Nut
~ Three layers of banana nut cake & chocolate fudge filling all with walnut butter cream
icing & fudge swils

Pumpkin Praline
~ Three layers of pumpkin spice cake filled & frosted with carmel pecan butter cream

All Occasions Bakery PlatterBreakfast Mini's Pastry
~ Muffins, Butter Croissants, Filled Croissants & Turnovers

Dessert Bars
~ Magic, Espresso, Assorted Brownies, Snickers & Lemon
(12" platters are $21.99 and feeds 15 to 25 people)
(16" platters are $42.99 and feeds 30 to 50 people)

Mini Pastry
~ Cream Puffs, Eclairs & Whoopie Pies
(mini patrues are $0.85 each)

The Foothills Delery
http://thedelery.com/
860-379-1818



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.

The "Art" of Buying Vintage Painted Cottage Style Furniture

Many collectors of cottage style furniture are enamored with painting older dressers and end tables white. It seems that everywhere I go, painted furniture is the norm. But when you really look at some of these painted pieces you will notice that everyone's style of painting is really quite different.

Some cottage or furniture dealers in an effort to sell their items quickly, do what I would call "a smear on ". Others take their time and really fuss with their painted pieces, as you will note in the examples shown here done by Michele's Cottage Antiques of Plantsville, CT.

Next time you are shopping around for these charming and nostalgic furnishings, take a closer look at how the paint is applied. Does the application look sloppy or quite evenly and carefully applied? And when you find a talented painter do you prefer an even coat or an antiqued look with different shades of paint?

While many people who sell cottage style furniture do a lovely job of painting their treasures, they may still prefer very simple furniture. Cottage after all is a style which encourages a casual
and relaxed look. There are however other folks who like to make the process of re painting furniture a journey.

These dealers of cottage make an art out of the task of re-purposing furniture. In fact their process begins from the very beginning. These individuals consider themselves "artists " who hunt for furniture that inspires them. Perhaps it is a dresser with lots of carvings or ornaments or one with unusual legs or compartments. Furniture with a lot of detail requires a lot of patience when painting.

You can of course coat these detailed pieces with all the same color, or you can use another color, perhaps gold or silver to accent the furniture. So the next time you are in the market for painted cottage furnishings, think about the style you are after, plain and simple or detailed and unique.
And be sure to check out the way the paint is applied. By all means, you should evaluate the price of the piece and the quality and uniqueness of the item you are buying.

Be sure to see my book "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes" (Collectorbooks.cm) for so much more on the subject of cotttage furniture.

Photographs courtesy of Michele's Cottage Antiques in Plantsville, CT

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.

Styling Your Kitchen Collectibles for Successful Photographs and Displays

This summer while working on the second edition of my book Hot kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s I spent a lot of time looking for photo contributors. I happily discovered http://www.RetroRevival.etsy.com. Owner Susan takes real care in photographing her charming kitchen collectibles.

Susan, who is a member of http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/ (I am the Editor), has many more of her photos posted on her profile page. For now, I thought I would share some of Susan's lovely photographed kitchen collectibles with you. Using Susan's photos as examples, I hope to help both dealers and collectors learn more about styling and displaying collectibles.

Here are some keys points to assist you when photographing or styling your kitchen treasures.
Select objects of different sizes and shapes to group together. Use vintage linens, hand towels, tablecloths etc. as table coverings or back drops. Be sure the fabric you choose allows the object to stand out and not get lost. Select patterns that have some of the colors in the object you are showcasing. For example in the lemon salt & pepper shakers shown, the floral tablecloth picks up the yellow, but does not compete with the object.
You can stay in the same palette as was done with the coffee cup photos or you can use an opposite color as was done with the flower beverage glass shown. photo. Beverage glasses are hard to photograph so you need to have a solid object, such as the red ball pitcher behind the glass to show off the delicate clear and blue floral glass.

Another very important point which will help your styling in a big way is to stick with the same period of time of items. In other words, use items from the same era. Also use background materials that are compatible with that era. Primary colors work wel together and were 1940's color and early 1950's colors. Pastels dominated the 1950's. If you want to learn more about color palettes for a particular generation, look through old home magazines.

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.

Introducing Color & Decorative Accessories Into the 1940s Bathroom

Starting in the 1940's the bathroom gained as much importance as the kitchen. The colorful era began interest in coordinated kitchen and bath accessories . Home magazines dedicated many pages to improving living spaces with color, wallpaper and patterned decor. Many of the companies that made tin kitchen canisters and range sets also produced colorful bathroom ensembles. Photo courtesy of http://www.antiquehome.org/

Decals made for kitchenwares were also made with bathroom designs and were promoted to
enhance powder rooms as well. "His" and "Her" towel sets were very popular in the 1940s as well hand embroidered fingertip and guest towels.

Homemakers often embroidered their initials on pillowcases and sheets and jazzed up other linens with handiwork.






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 Painted Cupboards in Children's Rooms

Most people think of soft pastels or white painted furniture for a baby's nursery or child's room. But look how much fun you can have when you paint vintage cupboards in unexpected colors. The first photo is the base of a cabinet painted in Jade green and red. Toys are stored in the deep shelves and can be displayed on top as well. This cabinet is not only charming and practical but so affordable.

In the second photo, an old corner cupboard gets an entirely different look when it it painted black on the outside and cream on the inside and accessorized with red vintage toys and dolls..
Who would ever think to use a black and cream cabinet in a child's room? But as you can see this painted cabinet is really quite lovely.

The third photo shows how great a child's rocking chair looks when it is painted red and a vintage cloth doll is added.

These colorful painted re-purposed furnishings are warm and cozy additions for a vintage baby or child theme.

It is really easy to find older cupboards that are quite inexpensive. Try used furniture stores, thrift shops, flea markets etc. The trick is to imagine what you find painted in funky colors as shown in these photos. When you discover the piece of furniture that you like, visit your nearby paint store to learn how to prime and re-paint what you have.

If you are not the creative type, look for stores that specialize in vintage cottage furniture and see if someone will do the painting for you.

Photos courtesy of The Bleu Willow, Simsbury, CT.


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.

Spice Up Your Vintage Kitchen With Collectible Spice Tins

Spice tins are flying out of my shop "Kitsch n Stuff" (Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT) . I used to be able to pick up box lots of these advertising collectibles for pocket change. Now these products are hotter than ever. Even the very common ones are spiking in value. ($6.00-12.00 each), Unusual tins can start at $25.00 and climb to $100.00 and higher.

To be totally honest with you, I really can't explain to you how I come up with prices for these tiny treasures.

I just look at them with a decorators eye. Perhaps I really need to look at them with a collector's eye, but that is not how I do it. I look at the color palette (red and yellow are good sellers), the graphics, the condition (I'm not a fan of rust and dents) but serious collectors who are after rare ones don't mind the blemishes.

If you come across a spice tin that you haven't seen before, it's best to pause and do some research. You may just have discovered a valuable advertising tin. There are many priice guides that are available to consult further. You can also take a look online and view completed sales on online auctions such as eBay and others.

Another excellent site to visit is www.Iantiqueonline.com. Here thousand of members can weigh in on what you have found. (I am the editor of this site).

Back to how I evaluate spice tins ......Ii think about how the average retro or vintage kitchen collector thinks. What are they after? They want something cute to sit on a shelf in their kitchen. Some even want to finish a particular series, like all nutmeg tins or all Durkee brands etc. For them collecting is like a game of cards and they are after suits! Serious collectors in contrast may want the very old manufacturers or very unusual graphics.

I'm in the general category and so are most of my buyers...I buy affordable spice tins that I can sell for fair prices. This is not to say that if a collection of special tins came my way for the right price I wouldn't buy them. Dream on. I mostly find the garden variety.

Tins shown here are from the private collection of Kathy Hotchkiss.


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.

Vintage Dimestore Beauty & Cosmetic Collectibles Charm Collectors

Dimestore beauty accessories are popular among many different types of collectors. They have what we may refer to as cross over value. From vintage clothing enthusiasts to retro home collectors, these nostalgic wares are always favorites.

Hair nets, bobby pins and vintage cosmetic advertisements from early magazines have wonderful graphics and look great as vintage images.
Packaging and graphics of the 1940's and 1950s are very colorful.

These fun collectibles are of interest to so many people, from crafters, collectors and home decorators. You better scoop these gems up quickly because now scrapbookers and mixed media artists are also buying these images.

Perhaps the most loyal collector of beauty items is vintage clothing collectors who are apt to use the accessories and not just look at them.

Vanity collectors are another group of hunters who are in search for these treasures. But vanaity collectors prefer to decorate their boudoirs with these charming items and not disturb the packaging. Gals who like vintage bathrooms may not be as particular about the condition of the packaging and simply want to add these finds to their wall decor.

Photographs shown are courtesy of pinkgrapefuitstyle.etsy.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.

Retro Turquoise Housewares For Funky Fifties Style Kitchens

When I am out shopping for kitchen collectibles I am always excited to find something that we had in our own kitchen growing up. Even if you have not thought about the frying pan or toaster cover your mom and dad used back in the fabulous fifties, you get a rush of memories whenever you spot these relics at flea markets or antique shops.

As I have written about in my book "Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and also in my second book "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes", the colors pink and turquoise are very popular among retro and cottage collectors.

At the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, Connecticut, owners Cindy and Doug have put in many hours showcasing retro collectibles in the in house "Crusin Cafe". Cindy has a great collection of turquoise cookware in excellent condition displayed as props in the cafe .
While Cindy's collection is not for sale, buyers will find lots of dealers in this huge and popular multi-dealer mall who carry plenty of retro and vintage kitchenwares. My booth called "Kitsch n Stuff" is loaded with kitchen collectibles in all colors.

When buying these items, be sure to check for chipping, stains, rust and missing parts. As I have stated in previous articles, it is perfectly fine to buy a covered pot that is stained or worn inside, if all you want to do is use your retro find as a shelf piece, but the price should reflect the condition. On the other hand if you find cookware in super condition inside and out...... expect the value to rise. Now a $4.00 dollar tag sale item, may just become a $40.00 "retro collectible".

Also prices vary greatly in different markets. Metro areas or regions near big cities fetch a lot more for "turquoise kitchen and housewares" than in other areas.

The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford
283 Main St. (Rte. 44)
New Hartford, CT 06057
(860) 379-2290
Open 7 Days, 10am - 5pm

http://www.collinsvilleantiques.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.

In The Pink at "The Nosey Goose" of Madison, Connecticut

On a recent visit to Madison, Connecticut I stopped into the "Nosey Goose", an eclectic Shabby Chic style boutique which carries new and old home accessories, gifts and garden items. On the front lawn is a 1950's bicycle painted hot pink which sets the stage for lots of other whimsical pink painted items you will find inside the shop.

The "Nosey Goose"is a renovated cottage style home now converted into a charming shop on a side street in the heart of Madison Center on the Connecticut Shore.

All I kept thinking about while visiting this charming shop was how much work went into setting up so many delightful displays both in and outside the store.

This boutique is one of those cottage style places that you wander though patiently exploring all the nooks and crannies and wishing you too could live in an enchanted cottage.

Pink, a favorite color for the owner seems to run throughout the cottage and is the preferred palette for the many custom items showcased such as furniture, textiles, collectibles and garden props.

While the shop concentrates more on vintage style rather than on collectibles, there still is plenty of terrific old stuff to be found.

I am always curious about what is now being made new to look old, so that when some of these "collectibles" (reproductions) show up for sale elsewhere I can sniff out the "fakes"quicker.

But I have to tell you, even after handling lots of textiles and kitchen-wares. sometimes it is really hard to tell the new stuff from the originals.

As I have discussed in my book, Hot Kitchen and home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s, you really need to look things over and evaluate what you have in hand to figure out if you have a tryly old item or a reproduction. Does the item show wear? Is there signs of aging? Are there any tags on the item which might suggest age? For textiles, how does the item feel? You will also find lots more information about purchasing vintage, retro and cottage collectibles in my second book, "Hot cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes".

Today many shop owners are carrying more manufactured vintage style home accessories and kitchen-wares than originals because it is so hard to keep your inventory fresh. While I find it fun to see both items mixed together in clever displays, it does make hunting for the real stuff much harder. But like many collector, I am always up for the challenge.

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.

Art on the Avenue: Visitng Lenore Schneider's Hull Massachusetts Seaside Gallery and Home

I dream often of owning a home on the water and spending my days painting. In fact I have even found my dream home. Right now however "my dream house" is occupied by another artist.

Meet Lenore

Her name is Lenore Schneider, a retired art teacher who bought this delightful home in 1997 and who has successfully transformed this lovely home into a living gallery with a 360 degree view of the Atlantic Ocean, Boston Harbor Islands, Boston Light and Allerton Bay.

This multi-level studio/home sits on Nantasket Avenue in Hull Massachusetts. I discovered Lenore's gallery while visiting a family member a few years ago.

Photos of Lenore Schneider's Gallery/Studio/Home

Returning to Hull, Massachusetts
A Visit "Art on the Avenue" : A Seaside Gallery

Father's Day Weekend, I returned to "Art on the Avenue" http://www.lenoreschneider.com/index.htm to visit Lenore and "kvell" * over the exciting mixed media paintings hanging on every wall of every room of her home and gallery.

Lenore's studio is on the top most floor. A winding staircase leads you to her sacred space which like all the rooms of this house are facing the water. Her husband Bill Smyth maintains his studio on the main level. While both Lenore and Bill enjoy painting local scenery, Lenore has a passion for abstract mixed media and is always experimenting with products and techniques.


Molding with Gesso Coated Canvas

Currently, Lenore is having fun with molding Gesso coated canvas sheets and adding images and color.

When you visit "Art on the Avenue" you will also be introduced to the work of other local artists as well as family members. There is so much to take in when you are touring this unique gallery........Lenore's taste for quirky and whimsical art..............the smell of homemade bean soup tended by her husband with care as Lenore gives visitors a VIP tour....and of course the breathtaking views of the ocean and harbor .............

The entire visit is a treat one remembers. Lenore promises me that someday I too will have my dream house studio near the beach with views of the water. For now....I will share some of these lovely photos with you, reminding myself that dreams do come true....they did for Lenore.

* kvell: to feel delighted and proud to the point of tears (Yiddish קװעלן kveln, from an old Germanic word akin to German quellen 'well up') http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvell

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:
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The Authors Guild, Inc.

How to Get the Retro Miami Beach Look With Vintage Straw Pocketbooks and Beach Robes

Retro Miami Beach, that is what flashed into my head when I was strolling through the second floor of Antiques on the Farmington, a large Multi-Dealer Antique Mall in Collinsville, CT.

You see I had just stopped into a booth that specializes in vintage clothing when I looked straight ahead of me and spotted what looked like my grandmother's cabana on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach back in the day.

Or even her closet after a trip to the Bahamas. I mean, the beach robes, the straw pocketbooks, the shoes......pure Grandma Esther!

These were not repro's from Walmart...this was the real deal. I could only imagine that some little old lady had all this stuff tucked away in her closet for years and years and passed it onto to a family member who finally decided to put it out at a tag sale. Or maybe this indeed was my grandmother's stash of beach gear and it had finally made it's way up to Connecticut via Brooklyn, Queens. Monticello, Florida etc?

Wherever these beach items came from, I am glad these treasures found their way to Antiques on the Farmington.... it was fun finding them again. I especially had fun looking at the Terry beach robes Oh had I wished I could see the gal who wore these beachy cover-ups.

If you have been shopping around, you will notice that more and more Antique Malls, are becoming the home for Vintage clothing shops (booths). One Mall in Bantam, CT is actually being "invaded" by lots of Vintage Clothing dealers because friends tell friends and the gals start to congregate together. Come to think about it, once upon a time, my grandmother was one of those gals....hanging out with her girlfriends in Miami Beach!


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.