C. Dianne Zweig - Kitsch 'n Stuff: April 2009

Saturday, April 25, 2009

International Deli of East Meadow New York: Old Fashioned German Style Deli Back in Vogue

East Meadow's Best Deli

How many old fashioned neighborhood German Style Deli's are still around where you can take home slices of freshly made oven roasted turkey or roast beef ?

Or select from a dozen different kinds of home-made salads and puddings made from scratch every morning by husband and wife chefs who know how to prepare old school recipes .
Check out the International Deli's party platters of assorted sandwiches, cheese platters, salads, desserts.

When was the last time you bumped into someone who told you they shopped at a "Mom and Pop" store instead of at the deli counter of a large supermarket?

The International Deli Of East Meadow Does Great Catering

And be sure to have The International Deli of East Meadow caterers do your next party or special event. They are great for doing home or office parties.

International Deli, East Meadow, Long Island

Well hold onto to your hats, there still are some great old deli's around. While on a" goose chase" for some neighborhood antique shops, I stumbled across a vintage deli instead. Modernized but still holding onto a taste of yesteryear, The International Delicatessen of East Meadow, N.Y. brought me back to my baby boomer beginnings when strolling into a small deli for sandwiches was the rule. This deli has been in the same spot since 1965 but now with new owners who are keeping the menu and staff exactly how it has always been.

It was quite a treat finding this eatery, located in a busy small local shopping center.

We just don't get New York style deli's in New England. Sure we have plenty of charming eateries ...but nothing that would compare to the "International Deli".

I was only in the deli a few minutes before I spotted home-made rice pudding.....so that is where I began my sampling. My dad who owned luncheonettes always made rice pudding and it great once again to find this home styled dessert still available.

There was so much packed into this deli, that my eyes kept wandering from one area to another. Of course I had to have a Coke in a glass bottle and then nibble on a Black and White cookie which I hadn't seen since my own school days.

Back in the 50's when I

went to P.S. 26 in Fresh Meadows, New York, our deli was right
across the street from our school. I was a regular customer favoring a a bologna sandwich on a hard roll and a package of Wise potato chips. In those days there wasn't shelves and shelves of chips like you see today .....there was one single rack of Wise potato chips! The International Deli has every imaginable chip made.

The International Deli is a worth visiting. Try the hot roast beef with melted Mozzarella or Swiss cheese on toasted garlic bread. This sandwich is worth a trip from anywhere...trust me.

Also read: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2009/04/international-deli-of-east-meadow-new.html

International Delicatessen
483 Bellmore Avenue
East Meadow, New York
516-481-5535

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.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Vintage Vogart Pillows & Patterns Charm Collectors

Vogart pillows and patterns are very desirable, and these 30s and 40s collectibles create a big buzz in antique shops, at shows and on-line. The pillows have preprinted designs that are filled in with soft or pastel-colored dyes ready for homemakers to complete with hand stitches. Typically the pillows can be found with graphics of adorable puppies, cats and children with big endearing eyes and busy at play.

Vogart not only made pillow patterns, but it was also known for its popular embroidery patterns for kitchen towels, bibs, aprons and other home textiles. The familiar days of the week dish towels featuring little kitty cats or puppies engaged in household tasks such as ironing, laundry or washing dishes, were popular Vogart products.

Other Vogart patterns might include Mexican or Dutch motifs, nursery rhymes, or kitchen themes such as teapots.

In the 1930s The Vogart Needlecraft Company produced catalogs advertising Vogart Needlework Novelties. During the colorful era (1930s -1940s), Vogart patterns were dime store items sold at F.W. Woolworth Co. and later at other similar stores. Today these delightful pillows average $30-45. Unusual images sell for almost twice that and even more. Recently, I watched numerous bidders compete for a 1930s sailor theme pillow. I too jumped into the action, but the bids

kept soaring and I eventually gave up.
It is always a bonus to find pillows with vintage trim such as fringes or pom poms. Expect to pay more for larger pillows or pillows with decorative trim.

When buying vintage textiles, the ideal situation is to be able to handle these goods up close in person. Whether you find Vogart items in brick and mortar shops or elsewhere, I would like to offer some practical advice to help you acquire these adorable pillows and patterns.

Pillows should be free of stains and generally intact, although I don't mind a little edge mending in an otherwise fine pillow. Be sure the color tints on the pillow are crisp and not faded. It is totally acceptable to buy just the pillow cover and to purchase a replacement pillow at your neighborhood sewing or department store.

While many people hunt for the fin

ished product such as a pillow, bib, towel, etc., others are happy to buy just the patterns. It is worth noting that Vogart patterns are being reproduced and sold as "original" reprints of the old patterns.

Be careful.... unless you are looking for the pattern for home use only and do not care if the pattern is a true original, make sure you know what you are buying.

Vogart pillows look darling in room settings decorated in cottage or retro styles. They also are delightful in baby's nursery and children's rooms

Kitchen Makeovers Using Vintage Tables and Chairs

It seems that everyone I talk to these days is focused on kitchen makeovers. Some folks have older kitchens that they want to preserve but “fresh-up” while others have newer kitchens that they want to keep but “warm up” with antiques and collectibles.

In either case, selecting vintage kitchen furnishings may solve your decorating blues without too much expense or hassle.

Using original vintage tables and chairs from earlier generations or transforming existing furniture is very popular today. There a

re many different styles you can choose from such as "cottage", "retro", "country" "Bohemian" and more.

Whether you fall in love with a quirky painted table, a re-purposed cottage style table, a Formica top retro table, a forties enamel top table or a distressed wooden farm table, all of these looks can bring warmth and creativity back into the kitchen.

Many home owners are discovering that buying "vintage" is paying off and can often be a terrific alternative to purchasing higher priced newer manufactured table and chairs.
So where can you find these wonderful relics of past generations? If you want painted cottage style tables, there are numerous antique dealers who have on-line stores that feature older tables which have been repainted in white or pastel co

ttage colors. In fact there is a "cottage industry "of cottage themed shops.

In my book "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes" you will find many dealers who specialize in cottage style furniture. Also visit http://iantiqueonline.ning.com and check out the exciting "Vintage Cottage Group" you will find listed as well as many other resource groups on furnishings, retro and salvage you will discover at this new and exciting website community.

Farm tables will show up in the antique shops in "the country" and off the beaten path. Many of the dealers listed on my website links page are also fine sources for "country". http://www.cdiannezweig.com/pgs/links.html

Perhaps you already own a very functional kitchen table that you acquired a long time ago and now you are tired of it. Or suppose you inherited a family member's table years ago and now you wonder if it still "matches" your new kitchen. Wait, don't call your neighborhood thrift shop just yet..."shabby-tize it! "

In other words, change the character of your current kitchen table and chairs by changing the color, stain, fabric or even style. For example, brighten up a dark table and chairs by painting it white or another light color. Another idea is to consider keeping your original table but adding interesting vintage chairs. Mixing and matching periods is very "in" right now. Or make adjustments to the style of chairs by replacing the seat cushions or seat covers with updated fabrics. Even vintage chairs can look amazingly "modern" or "Urban Chic" with a funky geometric patterned fabric used on the seat cover.

If you have a large family and require a lot of seating than you may find that an oversized Farm table is just what your room needs. Add some old Country style benches with comfortable cushions to match your color scheme and you are on our way to warming up your kitchen.

Another great way to bring charm into today's "contemporary" kitchens is to accessorize your kitchen with a unique piece of vintage furniture such as an old Hoosier cabinet. which was used as a baking cupboard in the early 1900's

Photo Credits: http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/http://www.terrysenchantedcottage.com/
Farm table and chairs from the collection of Ed Friedman who designs and builds his own furniture from reclaimed wood.

Six Degrees of Separation: Visiting Surburban Renewal an Antique Shop in Hastings- on- Hudson, New York

-->

This is a story about the theory of six degrees of separation the belief that everyone in the world is separated by everyone else by six links. Read my tale and see what you think.

So listen to this story. I am headed out the door one recent Saturday for a day trip to Westchester County, New York. Before leaving for the day, I am poking around on the internet to find some antique shops to visit.

I scan the list of several dozen shops covering many towns along the Hudson River and I settle on a shop called “ Suburban Renewal” in Hastings- on- Hudson. This shop sounds like my kind of place. Anyone who names an antique store “Suburban Renewal has to be cool in my book. I don’t remember ever visiting this area before.

The rest of the family is waiting for me in the kitchen and I am planning my antique road trip starting with a call to this one shop that caug

ht my attention. The gal who answered the phone, the owner, “Fonda” was so nice and helpful promising me that she would send me to some of her favorite places nearby. She asked me to announce myself when I arrived to her shop. “Sounds like a plan “, I told her ...and the family was off to Hastings- on- Hudson.

Ninety minutes later I walk into “Suburban Renewal” and I am strolling towards the register to introduce myself to “Fonda” . I took one look at “Fonda” and gave out a scream.....”Fonda , is that you, Fonda from High

School?” It was “Fonda”, with the same blunt Sassoon haircut she wore back in 1969, the same black eye liner and the same “Fonda” who had a very distinct lively and adorable handwriting with lots of curly letters and cute formations.

--> --> -->

You knew she was headed for a career in the arts.

After a busy life In advertising in New York City, Fonda now lives in Hastings on the Hudson and owns “Suburban Renewal”, an antique shop packed with goodies.

Surburban Renew is at 1 Main Street, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York (914) 478-9421

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.