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:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
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.

Vintage Red and White Tin Kitchen Collectibles: Post War Favorites

Kitchens Changed in the 1940s Into Family Gathering Places

If you visit my shop "Kitsch N Stuff" you will see that I am very fond of red kitchen collectibles. I love color combinations of red and white, red and yellow, red and green, red and black... colors associated with the postwar kitchen of the 1940s and early 1950s. Following the war, the kitchen was becoming a more central space where families gathered instead of formal dining rooms. Photo courtesy of http://www.cottagerags.com/

Coordinated Sets
Manufacturers were featuring tin/metal kitchen products that came in coordinated sets that might include, canisters, cake savers, serving trays, flour sifters, match safes, garbage pails, dust pans etc. Photo below courtesy of http://www.cottagerags.com/
These collectibles are generally with designs of either flowers, fruit or Southern Belles and were found in Dime Stores or mail order catalogs for pocket change. Now these hot kitchen collectibles are sought after and are popular sellers when they are in great condition.

I spend a great deal of time hunting for tin kitchen collectibles like the ones shown in these photos which remind me so much of the wonderful time I spent in my Grandma Sophie's kitchen in Brooklyn, New York. While I was born in the early 1950's,
Grandma's kitchen was decorated a decade earlier in the 1940's with white cabinets, red counters and yellow accessories and furnishings. Like many collectors, I am comforted by the objects that bring me warm memories. I can still remember the walk- in pantry my grandma had loaded with "S&W" canned goods , yahrzeit candles and boxes of matzoh meal.

Today you will find many of these tin kitchen collectibles in my shop Kitsch N Stuff.

But I will share a secret with you..these red and white charming collectibles do not spend too much time hanging around...they are scooped up quickly.

Photo round tray courtesy of Retro Revival

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.

Pia Sjolin Design: Bold and Colorful Designs and Palettes Influenced By Mid-Century Patterns and Sixites Palettes

Wow....meet Pia Sjolin , a designer from Sweden who has just opened a spectacular gallery in The Shops of the Farmington Valley in Canton, CT. Pia, an interior designer as well as textile, glass and mixed media artist is a master colorist as you will shortly see.

Influenced by Mid-Century Design Elements

Her designs and color combination bring together many elements associated with Mid-Century design as well as the bold and unique color combination of the "Mod" years of the sixties. Pia likes to use "leaves" and "geometrics" in her custom designed fabrics. These patterns while quite popular on bark-cloth designs of the 1950's. Her hand crafted glassware is also very much influenced by Mid-Century designs.

Flower Power Generation Palettes
In the sixties, bold flowers dominated apparel and accessories with designers such as Mary Quant leading the "Flower Power" generation.
While Pia's work is certainly influenced by the wild patterns and palettes of earlier generations, her contemporary interpretation of older looks is re-freshing and sophisticated attracting customers who like "Metro-Retro" style.

Urban Chic Paradise

While strolling thorugh Pia's enormous new gallery I wondered what antique and collectibles shop owners might learn from this Urban chic paradise.

First and foremost, I was taken away by the power of color. Look at how many unique
combinations Pia has created. Certainly the next time you are putting together a display in your shop or home, don't be afraid to mix colors together or to experiment with a background color which at first seems out of place. Play with your colors ,objects and textiles. Dare to be bold and whimsical.

Add a Surprise Color

Notice in the photos of Pia's textiles and glassware how she adds a surprise color to her vignettes. For example, in the top photo, dark blue glassware is added to the orange and green palette. In the second photos, a bright sky blue pillow is added to perk up the display. These surprises add interest and attract attention.

Your items for sale or display will "pop" as they say in the trade.

Goodbye Beige and Naturals

Say goodbye to beige, naturals, whites! Pia is here and her designs are spectacular!

P.S. Pia runs art workshops and exhibits monthly at her gallery. Info follows.
Pia Sjolin Design
http://www.piasjolindesign.blogspot.com/
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley860-693-4454
110 Albany Turnpike
Canton, Connecticut


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.

Step Up Your Antiques and Collectibles Displays Using Vintage Step Stools and Ladders

Step Ladders Used Beyond Stepping

Step Ladders are no longer just for "stepping". My goodness, it seems that everyone has discovered that vintage ladders are very cool store fixtures for attractive displays. And it's not just the "Shabby Chic gals" who are discovering the decorative wonders of old step stools and ladders, it appears that everyone is jumping off their ladders and using them to provide vertical displays.

You will find the handy dander older ladder or step stool displaying items for sale in boutiques, clothing stores, antique shops and even at outdoor shows. Forget about painting an old rusty or paint peeling ladder over in a nice sweet color....it's not essential these days. I have seen my share of ladder displays in recent weeks and the weathered ladders are hanging in there as well as the painted pink ones or red and white ones.

Red and White Kitchen

In my shop, "Kitsch N Stuff", I have a fabulous re-painted red and white step stool from the forties. I could have sold this beauty ten times or more.

Reaching for Collectibles

But for now, I am holding onto this step stool to add to the look of my vintage kitchen. I also use it as a stepladder to reach the collectibles I have which are closer to heaven. But when I run out of room in my shop...which is a regular thing, I convert my stepladder into a display piece. I found the "steps" work well for storing children's vintage boxed games and puzzles" .


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 Curious Room" Showcases Super Creative Folk Artists

Fish, Flowers and Fowl

Tis the season for fish, flowers and fowl especially as subjects for artists who dabble in the folk arts. I am always attracted to colorful, whimsical hand-painted paintings and objects and was delighted to discover several wonderful folk artists while on the road promoting Iantiqueonline.com.













While Brimfield is densely populated with antique and collectibles dealers, you can find a few artists here and there who bring along their artwork, oddities and playful attitudes. Case in point is Terrell Powell who along with other talented Texas artists has established http://www.curiousroom.com/ a website described as a place for "super creative souls" who display their work on online.

I was fortunate to see Terrell's work in person on display at Brimfield. He along with a clan of other "Curious Room" artists were busy painting behind the tent while visitors, like myself wandered in and out of his eye ctaching tent.
Using a Variety of Surfaces to Paint On

Terrell like others who enjoy folk art, are accustomed to using a variety of surfaces to paint on including old plywood boards, vintage boxes, doors, furniture and more. In fact one of the hallmarks of folk art is the selection of common objects used as supports.

In an online article on "The Crafts Movement of the Twentieth Century " the question is asked
"What is folk art ? ". (http://www.tramp-art.com/other_folk_art_classroom.htm) Here is an excerpt from the discussion:

"folk art" has been used describe objects that:

• are decorated and handmade. The decorated objects often being "every day" household items such as clock cases, shelves, ditty boxes, furniture and other items of utility.
• the decorations can be described as being "bold", "open", as having "strong design" and "uncomplicated meaning".
• The materials used to fashion folk art items are often what is on hand or can be harvested, recycled or scrounged from the waste stream.

Often the makers of folk art objects:

• are anonymous, untrained amateurs.
• work within family and cultural traditions (ethnic, religious, national, occupational, fraternal, etc.) The craft becomes generational, passed from older to younger, a continuum of skill, practice and often design. This sentiment can be described as "traditional arts." The crafter works in a culture of like minded people.

As you can see in Terrell's work, there is a child like simplicity to his designs. But let's be honest....while this style may appear "primitive" or "simple" Terell (and his colleagues) are accomplished artists!

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.

Back at Brimfield: Round Two....Wet, Cold But Having a Ball!

I had so much fun at Brimfield on the opening day (Tuesday) that I returned today despite the clouds, heavy drizzle and chilly weather. True collectors do not let mud, wet feet and soggy jackets interfere with junking (I mean antiquing).

To remind you, I was visiting Brimfield with Scott Liscomb, founder of Iantiqueonline.com. My role as editor was to capture the Brimfield experience and bring it back to my blog readers and members of our social community, Iantiqueonline.com.

Once again, Scott and I started off at the Shelton Antique Show (our second round). Lois, the owner and manager of this show was so kind to us allowing us to park right in front of her office/home. We telephoned her earlier and asked to do a video of her re-cycled art. (I'll tell you more about this later).

Despite the fact that Lois was awakened in the wee hours of the morning by a dealer who had a "soap sud" crisis....she was delightful and very helpful to us.

Her sister who stays with her, made homemade chocolate chip cookies, a long held tradition. Lois and her sister sell the cookies to the dealers and others.

We bought a bunch of cookies and headed out for the New England Motel Antique Market to meet up with "Vintage Goodies" an Iantiqueonline.com member.

It was so much fun getting to see one of our members who we have only known in "cyberspace" .
She had a terrific retro kitchen collectibles booth. I loved her colorful displays and bought a few things to add to my shop "Kitsch N Stuff".

New England Motel Antiques has plenty of dealers who specialize in kitchen collectibles, textiles, primitives, clothing, jewelry, retro, Mid-Century. I felt very comfortable at this show.

You will find that when you go to Brimfield, the various lots seem to attract dealers with similar interests, so that the architectural salvage gals and guys congregate in one place and the
retro folks seem to cluster together etc. Many dealers have known each other for years and enjoy buying from one and other.

Before I continue my story, you need to know that I ran into some technical difficulties on Tuesday with my videotapes of interviews with Brimfield dealers. I returned home to find out that I never pressed the "record" function on my camera. Hey, I am just now getting the "still photography" squared away. I am happy I can even turn the camera on!

So, I returned today eager to re-shoot some nice interviews of Brimfield regulars.I actually pulled off a couple of lovely videos....but I am sad to say....I shot one whole video sideways...give me a break...I am still learning!

I did however manage to take some terrific photographs. Today, Scott and I stayed in the New England Motel Antique Market. This is a very good show. The dealers had great stuff and were very friendly and helpful.

One thing about Brimfield is that you can spend hours in just one field. And if the field has first class dealers....you can get lost in just one show. So plan to spend several days at Brimfield. This is not an experience you can do in a few hours. The dealer fields seem endless.

Today, Scott and I came prepared with a cart to shlepp our stuff. Believe me, this is a good idea. If you don't own your shopping cart or wagon, you can easily buy them at the shows. They range from $18.00-25.00.

You can also "rent" a porter. These are folks who wear tee shirts, or home-made signs that say "porter for hire". I am not sure if there is a "porter" federation....but there are plenty of eager strangers ready to help you out for a few bucks.

I wore my hat again today, which helped keep the rain off. Please don't tell my kids I wore Scott's Red Sox hat ...my family comes from a long line of Yankee and Mets fans. The funny thing was that lots of people stopped me and asked me to photograph them because they too were wearing Red Sox hats and shirts. O.K. I went along with the gig.

When lunch rolled around...Scott wanted to settle down in a nearby covered pavilion featuring hot dogs and hamburgers.I wasn't sure I was up for that so I wandered away. So did Scott...when I found him, he had discovered a vendor outside the pavilion and he was stuffing down a steak and onions or something grinder.

I hadn't eaten yet..so Scott and I headed to the food court to find the Roast Beef guy from Tuesday. I was happy to find a table with a large umbrella. Scott and I joined two fellas, one from Iran who convinced me to try the Falafel wrap instead of the Roast Beef sandwich.

Can you believe, Scott and I broke down and ended up ordering more Roast Beef sandwiches. I put the Falafel away. But Scott actually ate the Roast Beef sandwich (after the grinder he had earlier).

If we go back to Brimfield tomorrow, I am NOT going to the Roast Beef guy, I promise...it is good however...but time for something new!

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.

I Antique Online On the Road at Brimfield: Opening Day

So Many Fields to Visit at Brimfield...

Today was a blast. As Editor of Iantiqueonline.com, I hit the road with Iantiqueonline.com founder Scott Liscomb and we spent the day in Brimfield. I haven't been to the fairgrounds in quite some time.

Returning to Brimfield

O.K., if truth be known, I have not been to Brimfield in years!
My Brimfield days got interrupted with other business interests and a growing family.
But today I was back and it was a ball.


My Engine Was Running

My engines were running as I was busily making the rounds meeting dealers and shoppers and telling them about Iantiqueonline.com, a new social network. As Editor, I was eager to take photos and listen to stories about what was hot and what was not.

It was great to back at the one of the world's most popular flea markets where people travel long distances to set up in acres and acres of busy markets. Not only did I meet vendors from all over the USA, but I met gals from "my own backyard".

Within minutes of arriving to Brimfield I bumped into the owners of some of my favorite shops, "The Bleu Willow" (Simsbury, Ct. and "Tickled Pink", Seymour, CT.

Don't you love to go shopping after Brimfield, when antique shops are loaded with fresh stuff!

The Sun was Shining Bright
Today, opening day was a gorgeous sunny, mild day. I know it makes sense to wear sneakers, but I have been searching for weeks to find "cool sneakers" and every pair I find looks "orthopedic. So I wore my trusted Merrell clogs. I am still in the market for sneakers and hope to find a pair by the time I return to Brimfield this Thursday. Thankfully the ground was nice and dry and
easy to walk on.

Colorful Iantiqueonline.com Promo Pads
Scott and I came equipped with promo pads of Iantiqueonline.com. It was a pleasure to get this pads out of our cars because the "ink" smell was unbearable when the pads were hot off the press.

I couldn't decide on whether to go with neon yellow or neon green, so I told the printer to split the load. The neon green is more popular!
Who knew.....

We gave out our neon colored flyers to all who would listen to us boast about this fabulous social community.

Snapping Pictures of Brimfield Folks
Some folks were computer phobic...so we downplayed the "internet" thing. We seemed to accomplish much more if we snapped a photo of a dealer or buyer and told them they could check out Iantiqueonline.com to see their picture.

Introducing "Brimfielder's" to Social Networks
I still maintain that a lot of antique lovers are not necessarily social network lovers. But hopefully Scott and I convinced a fair amount of "cautious" Brimfield visitors to take a peek at Iantiqueonline.com.
I Like Kitchen-wares, Junk and Kitsch ...Scott Likes Good Stuff

This was my first time on the road with Scott at an antique event. It was clear to me today that we have very different interests. I love junk...and he goes for the good stuff.
I also like to find quirky things to take pictures of and Scott kept dragging me to look at bronze sculptures.
Smart People Buy or Bring Wagons

I simply am not after classic stuff. I am the dumpster diva. Show me a sculpture made out of oil cans and I am in my zone. I also like to photograph colorful people. Thankfully there were enough friendly gals and guys who posed for photos to counter- act some real paranoid types.

Heading for the Food Court

At noon, Scott and I headed for the food court, to meet up with Auction Wally, an Iantiqueonline.com member who moderates a popular group on Iantiqueonline.com. called Hammer Prices

Meet Auction Wally

He also is the host of his own radio show "The Auction Wally Show". While Scott and Wally grabbed lunch, I was passing out bright green flyers about Iantiqueonline.com to all the other shoppers and dealers breaking for lunch.
The Roast Beef Sandwich was Amazing
After Scott told me that the freshly roasted Roast Beef sandwich was amazing, I joined the guys for lunch. It was fun to finally meet a member who you know only in cyberspace.
Hopefully, when Scott and I return on Thursday we will meet more IAO members.

Afternoon Coffee Break at Herk's cafe (Near the Library)
















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.