“Grapes”, A Classy Port Jefferson Metro-Retro Home Boutique

It has been over thirty years since I visited Port Jefferson, a charming village located approximately 56 miles east of New York City, in the northern part of central Suffolk County. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this tree lined seaside artsy community was alive and well with eateries, boutiques, galleries and historic buildings.

After a delicious lunch at “Z Pita” on Main Street, I headed to “Grapes” ( 138 Main St.) a classy yet quirky home gift shop with an eye catching purple painted vintage Hoosier Cabinet in one window and a fab cream and green enamel stove in the opposite window. Let me tell you that when I spotted “Grapes” from across the street, my retro nerve center was lighting up like the Manhattan electric grid that covers Times Square.

I knew as soon as I opened the door of this very cool boutique, that I was in my retro-vintage zone. Before I go any further, I want to be clear, this was not an antique shop, but it certainly had great “old stuff”. Perhaps one might describe “Grapes” as a charming shop that is styled with a “Metro Retro” or “Fresh Vintage” flair. Whatever you want to call “the look”, this trendy boutique combines country with urban ; forties with contemporary and mid-century with cottage creating a whole new take on home décor and entertaining.

“Grapes” , like similar stores that attract younger upscale shoppers has found a way to re-interpret vintage so that whimsy is “in” and classic is “out”. I am sure the average person would not think of “Grapes” as an “antique shop”, but there is nothing average about this store. Hand painted dinnerware, one of a kind pottery, handcrafted photo albums and so much more are all mixed with lots of “antiques and collectibles” in some wonderful unique and funky displays.

The best way of thinking about “Grapes” is that it is a specialty shop for the “thirty something” vintage voyeur who enjoys mixing moxie with martinis and serving drinks from a purple painted Hoosier cabinet.

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.

Whimsical Ways to Display Your Vintage Bangles, Beads and Baubles: Ideas for Vintage Jewelry Collectors and Dealers

Vintage and costume jewelry is very popular at this time as young gals are preparing for prom day and brides and bridesmaids are getting ready for the wedding season . It seems that dealers who adore collecting and selling vintage and antique jewelry also enjoy finding terrific ways to show off their gems.

Converting a Nursery Lamp into a Vintage Earring Display

When visiting Patti’s Antiques in Windsor, CT. I discovered a number of clever jewelry displays that are worth sharing. Of course I lean toward retro whimsy , so I was tickled to find an adorable vintage nursery lamp converted into a display for earrings. As shown in the photo, Patti attached costume earrings to the lampshade. How cute is this to see the edge of the shade trimmed with hanging earrings? The shade can also be pierced for adding plenty of earrings as well.


Using a Punch Bowl

The next idea I fell in love with was displaying a palette of coral necklaces, rings and bracelets inside a sparkling glass punch bowl set. The punch bowl cups made great compartments for a variety of vintage pieces.


Using Red Ribbons for Pins

There was even more display ideas to talk about. Patti, took broad width red ribbons and attached them to a simple white plastic coat hanger. She then pinned broaches on the ribbon in a vertical line. This is such a simple and inexpensive way to showcase vintage pins.

Oh my goodness, I am forgetting another brilliant idea I found at Patti’s Antique Shop. She hung costume necklaces from of all things, a rack used to hang candles.

The crisscross bars are great perches for hanging necklaces. The candle apparatus has a handy loop at the top to allow you to hang your display on the corner of a cabinet door.

You can find racks like this in candle making shops or online stores specializing in candle supplies. Handy crafts minded peole could also make a rack.


Organizng All Your Vintage Pearl Necklaces

One last sweet idea. Take a look at how Patti has organized all her pearl necklaces. We both weren’t sure what the wire rack originally was used for, but you get the idea.

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.

Go Green with Funky Flower Power Vintage Plastic Totes

Go Green with Vintage Plastic Totes

As everyone is going “green” and carrying re-usable shopping bags to the grocery store, I was wondering how cool it might be to show up at the supermarket with a funky flower power plastic tote from the sixties? Gosh.....vintage is so in right now. These mod vinyl bags are relatively cheap, so you could actually buy an assortment of bags and try out different patterns on different days.

Retro Style is Hot Even in Shopping and Beach Bags

During a recent visit to The Old Carriage Shop Antiques Center in Bantam, CT a haven for vintage clothing and jewelry I spotted one booth with a rack full of these sixties gems. Bright florals, paisleys and polka dots seemed to be the major themes of these colorful plastic shopping bags. Some bags had matching straps and other totes were fitted with a hard plastic handle.

I found a variety of sizes and styles offered for sale at around fifteen dollars. I was surprised to find these bags in really good shape. They just don't make shopping totes like they used too!

These Bags are the Real Deal...Not Reproductions

And even though you can find similar bags being reproduced and being sold as retro style vinyl bags...I can assure you..these treasures were the real deal.

Miami Beach Here We Come

Seeing these mod totes reminded me of how my grandma Esther Esther would schlep these plastic beach bags to Miami Beach during the 60’s. I have to laugh when I see the “twenty-something” crowd flocking to some of the same hotels and motels grandma stayed in back in the day. In fact many of these hotels were re-done and now make up the South Beach area where the Martini crowd has moved in and the Bingo Ladies are long gone.

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.

Stacking Colorful Collectibles in Creative Displays Adds Charm and Saves Space in Your Shop or Home

In most shops and antique malls, space is often tight, so one way to gain more room is to group objects in attractive displays and then stack them by type, color, materials or shape . Of course some items stack better than others, such as kitchen canisters, wooden boxes, vintage tins to name a few. Other items can be stacked but need some creative input such as adding materials to help form "assemblages".

Below are Pyrex kitchen bowls from the 1950’s which you would usually see nested when they are on display. At The Old Carriage Shop Antiques Center in Bantam, Ct., the design conscious owner has filled the bowls with Styrofoam packing to allow them to be stacked vertically so that you can see the entire set at once.

Sometimes you have lots of small objects which work well in cubbies or in small shelf units.

When space is limited, consider stacking several cute shelves on top of each other to create organized vertical displays. . In the photo below, a children’s toy cupboard is used as a base and display unit which holds a narrow painted kitchen shelf for displaying small kitchen collectibles.

Photo of picnic tins and lunch tins, courtesy of The Old Carriage Antiques Center of Bantam , 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.

1950s: The Atomic Era-Pastel Color-Space Age Kitchen

Atomic Age

Dramatic changes would occur in the kitchens of the 1950's as space age, atomic era designs and materials entered the scene. The fifties kitchen featured plastics, pastel colors such turquoise or aqua, pink and yellow (cottage colors), Formica and chrome kitchen table and chair sets matched Formica kitchen counters and were easy to keep clean with messy little ones. After the war there was more time for leisure promoting kitchenware's and accessories for picnics, barbecues, parties and the home bar.



T.V. and the 50s
The introduction of color T.V. in the 1950s brought full color into America's living rooms where homemakers could now see all the exciting products and appliances available to them. Following World War II, there was a new generation of plastics and time for "gracious living" and entertaining. Photo of pink kitchen canisters, courtesy of www. preservecottage.com
The set shown is a great retro look!
Transitioning to Plastic

Kitchens and homes saw the transition from glass, ceramic and tin products to numerous types of plastics which made casual living easier. Melmac and Melamine dishes, Lustro-ware and Tupperware storage accessories and "thermowall" for picnics were a huge success. Vinyl was used for tablecloths, chair covers and furniture and bark cloth with boomerang and abstract shapes was popular. Tablecloths and dishcloths continued to be brightly colored and souvenir textiles were added to the home with tropical, Southwestern and Mexicana themes.

Poodles, roosters and designs with kitchen utensils, tea pots and coffee pots decorated potholders, appliance covers and linens. Appliances were built-in and came in fifties colors such as turquoise, soft yellow, pink and copper.

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.


Visit the Fabulous Fifties Group at Iantiqueonline.com

Plastic kitchenwares courtesy of Chris Lankford collection. Additonal photos are from http://www.dowahdiddy.com/dinnerware.htmlhtml

Retro Style - Re-Discovering Vintage Barkcloth Fabric

Barkcloth gets its name from a primitive fabric which is made from the fibers of tree bark found in tropical and subtropical countries. The outer bark is stripped from the tree and then the inner bark is separated with the outer bark. Next the inner bark is beaten with wooden beaters or steel tools on an anvil to spread the fibers. Often water and soaking may be introduced to soften the fibers. Larger cloths are made by layering and felting smaller pieces together during the beating phase. Sometimes a starchy glue-like substance derived from tropical plants is used to attach small pieces together. Primitive barkcloth was used for clothing and wall hangings.

Barkcloth made is way to France in the 1920's and was made using cotton mixed with rayon. Our introduction to barkcloth was the imported material from France known as cretonne, a woven cloth with a nubby texture. By the late 1930's barkcloth was being manufactured in America. During the colorful era (1940's-1950's) barkcloth, a generic term to describe nubby fabric with a bark-like texture dominated American households. From upholstered furnishings to window treatments barkcloth was favored because of its durability and dense weave. I have heard people claim that barkcloth is so strong that it is cat proof. ....I have my doubts.

Florals, country scenes, geometrics, abstracts, botanicals, landscapes, leaves and birds are all common designs found on barkcloth. Today there are many design houses reproducing barkcloth using older designs. When buying barkcloth be sure to ask if what you are buying is vintage or new. Atomic era barkcloth with geometric and abstract designs by noted artists in large quantities is very hard to find. If you discover a website that shows so much inventory that you think you have gone to heaven and back...beware...you are probably looking at a reproduction studio. Most times, you will find a yard or two here and there. It's not common to hit the jackpot anymore with these vintage textiles. Expect to pay $10.00-25.00 a yard for vintage barkcloth.

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.

Dog Collectibles are Kitschy Companions

Dogs collectibles are one the most popular "kitshy companions" collected. It seems that there a different kinds of dog collectors. Some people simply want to find collectibles that remind them of their current dog. Other collectors like pop culture icons and go after the "famous dogs" who have been associated with celebrities, movies, products, presidents etc. Still other folks enjoy looking for reminders of their childhood pooch. Whatever the inspiration is for collecting canine pals ... dog collectibles make kitschy companions.
Top Dog

Over the years, I have tired to figure out which "Kitschy Companions" are of interest to buyers and have discovered that while there may be rooster lovers and pig enthusiasts, dogs collectibles have one of the biggest fan clubs of all the animal pals. Sure there are pelican and giraffe collectors and a serious group of cat lovers, but canines have always been "the top dog" among pet and animal related collectibles.
Popular Dog Collectibles
Dog lovers are loyal to their furry companions and serious buyers of pooch related collectibles. Of all the breeds collected, 1950s poodles and Colorful Era Scotties are perhaps the most collectible and sell for a bit more than similar items. Famous dogs are also important to collectors such as the beloved basset hound icon which represented Hush Puppies shoes or Nipper, RCA's noted terrier. Fala, FDR's black Scotty inspired oodles of kitchen-wares and keepsakes in the 1940s. The Black and White Scotch logo as well as numerous movie stars who favored Scotties made this dog a favorite. And lots not forget Lassie who is still the best known Collie.
Sentimental Dogs
Many dog and cat collectors however are not after the famous characters but really just want to find figurines; planters, keepsakes, and textiles etc. which remind them of a dear pet or are simply one more addition to their precious collections.
So where can you find dog collectibles? Small miniature keepsakes are fairly easy to find and priced very fairly. Since many people build collections of small figurines ,often you will find dealers who may acquire an entire collection or are fond of these collectibles themselves and tend to stock these novelty items. Ceramic figurines are generally inexpensive imports or marked bone china and will go for a little bit more, but still quite affordable. Photo Courtesy of Dawn Forbes.
Doggy Features
Usually if a piece has finer detail , such as beautifully decorated face features which are clear and well done, you have a clue that the piece is bone china, perhaps Made in England or Made in Germany. This is not to say that you need to pass up imports from China or Japan, but this is important to note as you would expect to see a difference in price reflecting these markings. Many times, I will find figurines with no markings at all and I have to size up the piece by handling it, evaluating the price and deciding how badly I want it and what I will pay.
Variety of Dog Collectibles
Besides ceramic "doggies", there are many other dog themed collectibles to consider. Kitchenwares, textiles, old magazines, books,calendars, postcards, vintage prints, toys etc. are all available with dog motifs. Many of the home magazines form the 1940s and 1950s featured pets on the cover. Kitchen glassware, towels, aprons and appliance covers often featured poodles, Scotties and other dogs. Whimsical dog planters common in the 1950s and 1960s were often used as nursery decor. You can find dog collectibles almost everywhere so happy hunting. Photo courtesy of Memory Too Antiques, Coventry, 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.

Hanging Glass Shelves in Front of Your Window to Display Collectibles

It has been over thirty years since I visited Port Jefferson, a charming village located approximately 56 miles east of New York City, in the northern part of central Suffolk County. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this tree lined seaside artsy community was alive and well with eateries, boutiques, galleries and historic buildings.

After a delicious lunch at “Z Pita” on Main Street, I headed to “Grapes” ( 138 Main St.) a classy yet quirky home gift shop with an eye catching purple painted vintage Hoosier Cabinet in one window and a fab cream and green enamel stove in the opposite window. Let me tell you that when I spotted “Grapes” from across the street, my retro nerve center was lighting up like the Manhattan electric grid that covers Times Square.

I knew as soon as I opened the door of this very cool boutique, that I was in my retro-vintage zone. Before I go any further, I want to be clear, this was not an antique shop, but it certainly had great “old stuff”. Perhaps one might describe “Grapes” as a charming shop that is styled with a “Metro Retro” or “Fresh Vintage” flair. Whatever you want to call “the look”, this trendy boutique combines country with urban ; forties with contemporary and mid-century with cottage creating a whole new take on home décor and entertaining.

“Grapes” , like similar stores that attract younger upscale shoppers has found a way to re-interpret vintage so that whimsy is “in” and classic is “out”. I am sure the average person would not think of “Grapes” as an “antique shop”, but there is nothing average about this store. Hand painted dinnerware, one of a kind pottery, handcrafted photo albums and so much more are all mixed with lots of “antiques and collectibles” in some wonderful unique and funky displays.

The best way of thinking about “Grapes” is that it is a specialty shop for the “thirty something” vintage voyeur who enjoys mixing moxie with martinis and serving drinks from a purple painted Hoosier cabinet.

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.

Funky Retro Mannequins Bring Attention to Your Antique Booth or Shop

Dressing Up Old Store Mannequins

One way to add a retro flavor to your antique shop is to dress up old mannequins and position them in key spots in your shop or even outside the door. Mannequins in either the table top style or the full length floor model are great attention grabbers drawing people into a shop, into a particular section of your shop or as a wonderful conversation piece as part of a display.

Photos shown courtesy of http://www.jazzejunque.com/
and Surburban Renewal, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

"Retro Plastic Chicks"

Let’s face it, you may not always be available to welcome your customers. So why not consider leaving the job of “greeter” to a hot retro chick made out of plastic? Of course there is no end to how many different outfits you can select for your retro ladies.

While mannequins look marvelous standing in an entry way or even alongside a retro kitchen, they are happy wherever you place them. One thing is for sure, they love all the attention they get. So wake up your booth or shop...add some funky plastic gals and watch the traffic increase!



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.

Converting a Vintage Dresser Top Mirror Into a Shabby Wall Display for Jewelry

If you look real close at the photo shown you will realize that this lovely jewelry display had a former life as dresser top mirror. With a little ingenuity, this charming vintage piece has been transformed to become a very attractive and practical support for hanging earrings and necklaces.

I found this clever “fixture” in a boutique shop which sells both new and vintage items. But this ideas would surely work well for antique dealers who specialize in estate and costume jewelry. What I like about this shabby style “jewelry display” is that it has two side “shelves” which can also hold more accessories as well as a stand-up mirror.

The original mirror which the frame enclosed has been replaced with ordinary screening, which you can pick up in a hardware store. The frame of the mirror was repainted white. As you can see, the earrings hang easily from this screening. The next time you come across an orphaned dresser top or a beat up dresser and top ...consider converting the top portion into a great wall display for jewelry. Photo 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.

Charming Wine Bottle Gift Bags and Wearable Art Using Vintage Samplers and Handiwork

I was visiting one of my favorite shops, The Bleu Willow in Simsbury, Connecticut when I spotted the perfect idea for hand embroidered samplers which have been banned from your retro cool walls and buried in boxes down in the basement. Spring these darling gems from yester-year and give them a whole new look.

How about taking vintage samplers and transforming them into wearable art or a playful wine bottle cover. Look how fab granny’s hand stitched motto sampler works out as a pocketbook (see below). Or check out the sweetest wine bottle gift bag made out of another sampler (left photo). Too cute for words.

The good news is that you can find lots of adorable samplers from the colorful era at very reasonable prices. And don’t be afraid to use a slightly tattered or yellowed piece either. There is plenty you can do to hide some rough spots. Think about incorporating vintage embellishments such as old buttons, buckles, ribbons, sequins etc.

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.

Hunting for Garden Collectibles & Antiques for Cottage Style Homes

Shabby Garden
Cottage gardens associated with the English countryside are known for their colorful, informal, relaxed landscape and surroundings.
Today many cottage style collectors are after a more folksy look and hunt for garden collectibles and accessories which are charming, practical and perhaps a bit quirky. Found objects which are rusty, flaky, crackled, worn, chipped and weathered are preferred over newer manufactured items.

Creative Ideas to Use for Dish Gardens and Planters
Once you start playing with ideas, it is actually quite easy to find a great deal of objects which can be used as planters, flower boxes and outdoor decorative items. For example, old kettles, wood soda crates, old wash tubs, oversized ceramic bowls are all wonderful basins or containers for plants and flowers.

"Orphaned" Kitchen Collectibles Make Great Planters
Because cottage style is all about re-cycling and re-purposing what you have look around your kitchen and in your storage areas for "orphaned" kitchen and house-wares which can be put to use in your sunroom, on your deck or patio. An enamelware coffee pot that has lost its top looks adorable with a hanging plant. Pyrex casseroles make sweet bases for "dish garden". Photo (L) Courtesy of Vintagepastelle.com
Color and pattern is a fun way to organize collections. Reds (geraniums) go well with green, turquoise, yellow accessories etc. Roses look gorgeous in hand painted floral themed china vases or tea cups. Pastel planters spring to life with soft cottage color flowers.


During the post-war years (late 1940s-1950s) flower themed home accessories were everywhere and today many people like to use these decorative objects in their home, porch and sunroom areas. Vintage kitchen accessories, glassware, storage items, curtains, drapes, pillows, tablecloths with bold colorful flower patterns can add a whimsical funky look to todays decor.

Softer Cottage Style Colors
In contrast to bold colors, many romantic cottage collectors prefer whites and pastels in and around their gardens or home interiors. Pinks, aqua's and soft greens, yellows and peach, referred to as sometimes "cottage colors" and can provide a lighter softer look. You will often see these palettes in homes inside and outside in beach communities. A cut down old picket fence (backing) and some scrap wood (seat or shelf) can be assembled and painted pink or turquoise and used as a charming bench or display for plants.
Whether your tastes are for primary colors, pastels or patriotic red, white and blue, you can have a lot of fun in and around your garden.
Other popular garden collectibles are garden tools, birdhouses, folk art, furniture, watering cans, garden signs, planters, ornaments etc. Many of these items can easily be found at tag sales, flea markets and second hand shops.


Finding Garden Collectibles at Tag Sales
When you visit a tag sale and you do not see garden collectibles for sale, don't be afraid to inquire if the owner has some goodies hiding in their garage or tool shed that they are willing to part with. Many homeowners aren't aware that there is actually interest in old rusty hand tools, older terracotta pots, vintage hand tools, flaky picket fences etc. Pick neighborhoods with very old homes when you are out and about "junking" for garden tools and collectibles. My motto here is that "Thar's Gold in Them Thar Garden Sheds" ....well maybe not gold...but a lot of groovy, aged rusty garden and outdoor treasures.

Reproduction Garden Accessories
Reproductions:Reproduction vintage style garden accessories are plentiful. These objects are made so well.. it's real easy to get fooled. Shop around, ask questions, get to learn which items are commonly reproduced such as sap buckets, gates, statues etc. You can learn a great deal from shops that carry both new and vintage garden accessories by asking the owner or staff to show you some differences between new and old objects. While often a lower price marked on an item that generally yields more is a clue to a seasoned shopper that what they are looking at may not be an original, this is only a starting point. The beginner generally doesn't know what prices to expect which is why a review of the collectibles shown in this section is a helpful beginning. And you may get lucky, you may find some bargains that are priced reasonably and are in fact the real deal.

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.

Kitschy Cottage Style: Creating a Fresh Vintage Look

Pastel Color for Easy Cottage Living

If you are looking for a new twist on vintage style, then perhaps a "kitschy cottage look" is a perfect match for you. Many of the kitchen and home accessories produced during the 1950s were made in "cottage colors" such as soft yellows, greens, pinks, blues, peach and aqua, and were patterned with tropical prints and beach novelty images. There are plenty of kitchen, bath, bedroom and patio collectibles out there and still priced well.

ottage style", "decoating with antiques and collectibles". "1950's kitchen and bath collectibles"
Looking Through 1950's Magazines
The good news is that you don't have to live near the water to create cottage style. All you need is the desire to have some fun and experiment with fabrics, flea market finds and furnishings. Cottage style is all about achieving a comfortable, relaxed, laid back home. One of the best ways to get acquainted with what to hunt for is to read through some old home magazines. My favorite source for 1950s kitchen and home products is vintage Family Circle Magazines. These periodicals are easy to find in stores and online for a few dollars. You can usually buy them individually or in lots.
Getting Acquainted with Manufacturers from 50's
When you browse through these magazines you'll see full-page advertisements of some of your favorite collectibles such as Pyrex, tablecloths, aprons, mixing bowls etc. As you read through these fifties' women's magazines you will recognize many household names of manufacturers you probably grew up with. Popular producers of today's "kitschy collectibles" are: Fire King, Gay Fad, Corning Glass Works, Lincoln Beautyware, Blisscraft of Hollywood, Burroughs and Dapol Plastics, Federal Glass and Lustro Ware.

In 1951, Corning Glassworks advertised oven and refrigerator sets for $2.95 that came in primary, pastel and desert colors. Homemakers (politically correct term in 1950) adored these dishes because they saved time. You could cook in them and then easily store the left-overs. Today Pyrex is once again very popular because it works well during the summer months and in warmer climates. Pyrex is not the only kitchen collectible cottage style homeowners are after.
Retro Canisters sets are also a nice addition to a kitschy cottage home because they are decorative and practical.Not only can you accessorize your kitchen with collectibles, but there are many other forties and fifties treasures that look terrific in other rooms as well. Barkcloth pillows and draperies, Chenille bedspreads, white or pastel painted furniture, enamel top cottage tables, ceramic planters, lemonade sets, vintage garden accessories and wicker are great options when your goal is a comfy cottage feel.

Cannisters are from Chris Lankford collection.
Salvaged vintage items, like the collectibles just mentioned, are very popular today. It is amazing to watch prices climb for what was once junkyard clutter. Chipped and painted furniture is a hot trend, along with old windows, shutters and doors. With a little imagination you can use these salvage objects in new ways. If you enjoy re-painting older furniture, there are plenty of resource books out there to help you with specific painting and restoration techniques.
Top photo of kitchen cabinet from the collection of www. cottageatleesburg.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.

Collecting Whimsical Bottle Cap Figures: Retro Assemblage Art

Having Some Collectible Fun
Do you need a little fun in your life? How about adding a touch of whimsy to your next party or gathering by serving nuts or candy in a "Bottle Cap Figure". Way before re-cycling was a household name, clever collectors saved their soda pop caps and used them to create funky characters which were not only decorative but practical. These colorful assembled "people" are collectively called "Bottle Cap Men" and are often referred to as a form of Outsider Art.
Assemblage Art

Bottle Cap figures which can actuallly be men or women are a form of assemblage or folk art in which odds and ends are added to a figure made from old bottle caps. Common household items such as thumb tacks, curtain rings were often used for embellishments.. Most stand 12 inches high. On eBay they are generally listed under the category “Bottle Cap Man”. Characteristically these figures held a bowl in front of a wood block that serves as the bodice. Metal, plastic and colored aluminum and other materials are often used for the bowl which might hold snacks such as popcorn, nuts and chips.

"Nuts and Butts"

Collector Philip Lamb has coined the term "Nuts and Butts" to describe how many of these these fiigurative constructions are made to both hold an ashtray and bowl for serving nuts. Sometimes the bottle caps are sprayed a color and other times they are left in their original form showing the vintage of the caps used.
Carmen Miranda

These hand made art forms have been around for ages and incorporate the popular images, personalities and advertising icons of their times. They were especially common during the 1940s -1950s. Many of these charming figures are reminiscent of the 1951 United Fruit Company’s “Chiquita Banana” advertising icon adorned with a head bowl filled with plastic fruit. Interestingly, the Chiquita Banana symbol herself resembles the character of the very popular 1940s Brazilian movie actress Carmen Miranda. Some collectors have suggested that indeed these figures were souvenirs from tropical islands which may explain the Carmen Miranda connection.

Tribal Influences

Many bottle cap figures appear to show other influences as well. . Earlier Bottle figures can have a folk art feeling or may be a bit more primitive looking with nose rings, large dangling earrings, painted faces on dark stained wood tones suggestive of an African tribal look

When colored aluminum or pastel color ornaments are added to these whimsical figures these additions would give you clues that the piece was made in the 1950s or later when these materials dominated the market.

Who Has the Big Collection?

Today baby boomers as well as younger collectors are falling in love with these scavenger art figures.Expect to pay $24.00-28.00 for these kitschy objet'd'art pieces. If you would like to see one of the largest collections of Bottle Cap art check out ww.philiplamb.com/Bottle.html. Another useful site which covers the history and background of Bottle Cap folk art is www.interestingideas.com/out/cap.htm.

Top two photos courtesy of Photo by: Don Manley, http://www.bobdonpaul.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.