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

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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 caught 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.

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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.

“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.