Falling Water is Calling My Name

It's been a few years since I visited Falling Water. Is it to soon to start planning a vacation?

In this video you'll get a little history and biographical information about Frank Lloyd Wright and Falling Water.



In this video you'll get to view more interior shots as well!

Bumming Around The Midwest via Craigslist for Midcentury

Winter is not a time to slow down when creating the perfect look. Here are a couple of great finds on Craigslist! This blue and ivory mid-century lamp hails from Indianapolis, Indiana! They are asking $115.00 for this 3 tiered beauty and I'd say
it's well worth it.







This gorgeous white leather Ikea sofa is not to far from Indianapolis in Columbus, Ohio. They are asking 600.00.







After you finish in Columbus take a drive to Loveland, Ohio near Cincinnati and pick up this timeless wicker chair and ottoman for $150.00.

A Thrifty Elegant Christmas Garage Sale Style

Christmas time doesn't need to be costly or stressful if you plan ahead, after all Christmas arrives on December 25th every year! So lets take a quick garage sale recap in room number one. The Hitchcock Limited Edition Christmas chair was purchased at a garage sale last spring for $20.00, the decanter set was purchased at a flea market for $25.00, the coffee table was $25.00 from a second hand furniture store, the leather sofa for $100.00 from Craigslist, the rug was $15.00 from a garage sale.

In the kitchen the maple table was $5.00 at a church rummage sale, the lamp was $10.00 from a summer garage sale, the white linen table cloth was purchased at an estate sale for $10.00 and the large silver punch bowl was bought at an outdoor flea market for $20.00 and was complete with silver cups! I made the Christmas tree centerpiece out of construction paper and crayons.


In the dining room this beautiful maple Hitchcock dining room set complete with 6 chairs and a large hutch was purchased for $250.00, the cake plate is made by M.Z. Austria and was about $25.00, the small green glass bowl was .50 from a garage sale, the gorgeous hand tatted linen was $5.00 from a local antique shop, the sculpture and watering can in the background were also garage sale items. The Lemon Cake was made by my son and it's priceless.

So don't break the bank but do celebrate this blessed day with ease! Merry Christmas!

Hungarian Poppy Seed Cake

My family has passed down recipes from one generation to the next, I am sharing a poppy seed cake recipe from my aunt.

Poppy Seed Cake 1 1/2 c poppy seeds, 1 1/2 c milk, 3/4 c butter, 1 1/2 c sugar, 3 eggs seperated, 2 5/8 c flour, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 baking powder Soak poppy seed in milk overnight. Cream butter & sugar. Add beaten egg yolks. Then alternately add flour and baking powder, sifted together and milk with poppy seed. Fold in beaten egg whites. Add 1 tsp vanilla. Bake in layers. Serve with cream custard icing. (If you can't purchase fresh poppy seed replace with canned) Icing: Cook 1 pkg vanilla pudding in 1 c milk. Cream 1/4 c sweet butter, 5 TBSP conf. sugar. Add 1 TBSP pudding at a time. Let pudding cool before adding butter mixture.

In Honor of Paul Evans

Sometimes it's nice to be old enough to be able to say, "I remember back in the day when Paul Evans worked with my husband". My husband worked for a very contemporary furniture manufacturer as a catalog designer and photographer. Paul was one of the main designers and frequented the company often. It was a sad day for the company when Paul passed away. I remember that day very well. His designs will always be remembered for their sculptural appearance. His work has gained in popularity over the years and so has the price point. So if you were lucky enough to purchase a piece of Paul Evans furniture be happy.

Nature Is Design

It's that time of year when we say goodbye to our summer cabin and hunker down in city limits for the winter. I will so miss the serenity of the woods and our tiny urban chic woodland retreat. No more painting until next summer and no more garage sales until March 2011. Yes there will be posts and trips to antique malls but garage sale season is finally over.

Our cabin is completely furnished in Danish Modern via garage sales. It seems to match the many windows filled with the woods and its wildlife.

Let the snow begin!

Searching for George Nakashima

Some day I know I will find a long forgotten George Nakashima! I did find a 3 inch booked walnut coffee table and bought it but it's not a Nakashima! Still I love it.....and I know some day I will come across a garage sale with a Nakashima huddled in the corner!

Forgotten Names & Their Treasures

Last summer we stopped at a large barn sale organized by several church ladies. There was home made cookies and brownies and tons of stuff everywhere in the old barn they had rangled someone into letting them use for the sale. In the back was a pile of crocheted twin sized coverlets. They were marked $5.00 each. A great buy for such beautiful handiwork. It was obvious someone had spent a great deal of time making them. There were at least 8 coverlets in all different colors. Years in the making. After going through them all I selected this one because of the vibrant reds, greens and golds. I couldn't help but wonder who had made all of these beautiful treasures that were being overlooked by so many that day. I approached the church ladies with my find and asked them if they knew anything about who had made them. One of the ladies told me they had been made by an elderly woman at the nursing home where she had worked. She couldn't remember her name but she said she rarely had visitors and once she passed away her family didn't want the coverlets she had so carefully created. Every time I look at this treasure I smile and think of the woman with the forgotten name and am grateful to have found her beautiful treasure.

675 Miles

Hudson Michigan to to Gadsden, Alabama the World's Longest Yardsale, also known as the 127 Corridor!

August 4-7 2011

M. Z. Austria Cake Plate

When the holidays come around I go from sandals and t-shirt barbecues to elegant meals and parties. This M.Z. Austria cake dish has seen more of those holidays then me. Moritz Zdekauer ran a porcelain factory in Altrohlau, Austria which is now Stara Role, Czech Republic.Moritz Zdekauer purchased the company in 1884, and its porcelain pieces were marked "MZ Austria" until 1909, when C.M. Hutschenreuther of Hohenberg, Bavaria, Germany, took over the firm. Collecting this type of porcelain piece has declined in the last few years making it an affordable porcelain investment. Irregardless of whether you put it in a china cabinet or serve your best cakes and brownies on it the plate is a reminder of all those holiday events 100 years ago. It's available for sale at the very reasonable price of $27.99 HERE.

Rusty Wrought Iron

You can always tell fall is here when people start selling their old patio furniture. I think they just want to get one more good summer out of it before they sell it. We have a small shade garden out back and one of the things I have wanted to add to finish it off is a cozy little dining area. I decided rusty old wrought iron pieces mixed and matched would make it fun, colorful and most of all affordable. I found a beautiful glass tiled cafe table, a bench and a coffee table all for about $65.00. The plants cost me more then that. These pieces will have to be stored in the garage this winter but come next spring I'll have my cozy corner. :)

Viko Baumritter 5 Piece Set with Sofa and Chairs

Viko Was The Modern Furniture Line Of Baumritter Furniture, produced in the 1950s and 60s. Baumritter renamed themselves "Ethan Allen". Baumritter's goal was to reinvest their profits and by 1962 the company had 14 furniture factories out East. Later that year Baumritter acquired Kling Factories, Inc. with 3 factories near Jamestown, NY. Kling had a line of 150 steel-furniture pieces which supplemented the Ethan Allen line.

I just picked this lovely orange 5 piece set up today. It consists of a sofa, coffee table, ottoman and two chairs. As soon as I check it all over for flaws it will be available for sale.

SOLD

Twiggy, Mods and Hipsters

Twiggy and the Mods were the best thing to happen to fashion, style and design in an era focused on changing the world. The Mods were a subculture of artsy individuals that evolved out of the beatnik coffee house culture in the 1950's in London, England. Their ability to reinvent themselves and their pursuits make this group difficult to define in one little blog post. The Mods redefined beauty. The women pinned their style with short hair, little makeup but loads of eye liner and mascara and those oh so short mini skirts . The men were for the first time free to express themselves freely wearing Italian suits with narrow lapels, v-neck shirts, skinny ties and pointed leather shoes. Everyone wanted to cash in on this new sophisticated bohemian sense of style and attitude. Soon the fashion world began to mainstream the "mod" style. In 1966 Twiggy was named the "Face of 1966" by the Daily Express and by 1967 she was on the cover of Vogue and The Tatler. She became known worldwide and everyone wanted to be Mod.

In 1967 I was a skinny little girl living in suburbia and desperately trying to figure out how I fit in. I loved the Beatles, Pop Art and Mod clothes. Twiggy made skinny cool and Mod was fun. As Mod swept the USA I swept the stores buying miniskirts, fish net hose, go go boots and bright colors galore. I had found a way out of my black and white life. But as with all good things Mod went to the wayside and a new subculture emerged, Hippies.

Fast forward to the Hipsters. They are the current cool subculture of artsy individuals born of middle class parents and fond of independent films, alternative music and the liberal arts. They tend to be well educated and have a flair for fashion. In 2003 they got their own handbook coined by Robert Lanham. The Hipster Handbook is a funny guide for those of us who once were "Mod".

Coffee and Desert

The weather here is beginning to change and cooler days are ahead. I love curling up on the sofa with a cup of coffee and my favorite read on these days. When I saw this 50's era Seltmann Weiden coffee set it reminded me that the holidays are just around the corner and it's not to soon to start getting ready. This set can be purchased HERE.



SOLD

Tailgating, Picnics and Autumn Oh My!

It's September and there is something in the air. It might be one last family gathering or the first. Pictured is a double decker Redmon picnic basket with original plates. I have had one of these for several years now and just love it. When I came across this little gem I knew someone would love it just as much as I love mine. It's the time for picnics and tailgate parties. This basket is ready for some new memories! Available HERE!

SOLD

Children's Singer Sewing Machine

The little sewing machine that could! This was such a cute little sewing machine and it worked so I couldn't resist trying to find a new home for it. It's a children's Singer Lockstitch sewing machine made in England in the late 1980s. It takes 4 D batteries and runs like a charm. What a fun way to introduce sewing to a child or use it for small projects. It's available for purchase HERE.

SOLD

Faribault and Why Shift Matters

I just came across this wonderful Faribault 100% wool blanket and scooped it up for a mere $2.00. Just as the Civil War was ending a German immigrant and cabinet maker Carl Klemer founded the company in 1865. Starting with a carding machine powered by horses on a treadmill Klemer's company supplied blankets to the Army, military, airlines and department stores. Faribault had been listed as one of our nation's oldest family owned businesses. A change in the trade laws about 10 years ago have made it almost impossible for our textile industries to compete with cheap labor overseas. Faribault was just another casualty in that shift.

These blankets are a reminder to the demise of the American Textile Industry. The last great hold out for quality American made woolen blankets shut their doors in 2009. Over 200,000 U.S. textile workers have lost their jobs since 2003.

Good Garage Sales Always Have A Story

The best buys at any garage sales always come with a story. I found this mint condition Japanese tea set at a moving sale. They were an elderly couple in the midst of downsizing to a smaller place. When I asked the gentleman about the tea set he shared that his wife had a story behind it and he took me over to her. I recognized her from some place but couldn't quit put my finger on it. She shared that she had purchased the set when she was 18 years old in San Francisco. She was on a youthful adventure as many were in 1965 and had visited a small shop in China Town. So many years this set had graced her Danish Modern home and now she was parting with it and her memory to embark on a new journey. I promised it would make it to a good home. It can be purchased HERE.

SOLD

Catherineholm I Hardly Knew Ya!

I had this piece listed for 10 minutes before it sold. This was a mint condition Catherineholm relish tray. I happened to spot it on a back shelf in a consignment shop. Grete Prytz Kittelson is said to be one of the best known Norwegian designers in the Scandinavian Movement. Kittelson participated in the "Design in Scandinavia" exhibition from 1954 to 1957. Towards the end of the 50's her products were manufactured by Catherineholm and her enamelware could be found in many Norwegian homes.

Hurray for Football & US 12!

Last weekend was the US 12 Heritage Trail Garage Sale Extraordinaire! One hundred and eighty miles of garage sales. It took us almost 4 hours to just do 20 miles. I was able to pick up a few things here and there but admit most of the garage sales had been picked over by Saturday afternoon. My friend did very well, finding 2 beautiful onyx lamps. I was delighted with my UND decanter and just in time to kick off the football season. It made for a fun afternoon and gave me a chance to get to know Michigan a little better. I'll be ready next year.....until then there's always football.

A Koi McCoy or Roseville Jardiniere

I'm not a McCoy or Roseville collector and have only admired most jardiniere's from the distance but I recognize an uncommon piece when I see one and this is one. I found this gorgeous koi/fish jardiniere just down the street at a garage sale this morning. I believe it dates to the 30's but have found only a few references to this mold on the Internet. A great find for only $5.00. The antique dealers were a little jealous when they arrived a few moments later to see it in my arms.

Pop Culture, Collectibles & The Campbell Soup Kids

The Campbell soup label has to be one of the most recognizable labels emanating from the later part of the 20th century. Andy Warhol made it the icon of American Pop Culture and Americans made the Campbell Soup Kids part of their family. They've changed a bit through the years, even slimming down but they're still the symbol of "mm mm good". Campbell Soups first collectible was issued in 1905. Since then thousands of different items have been produced. America's fascination with collectibles hasn't seemed to wane even with a recession. The question is are collectibles an investment or just for fun? Is it common or rare? As always the market is driven by demand. Remember when old comic books where the rage? Only the rarest of issues have maintained any value now. What may be in demand today may not be in a couple of months. Americans are fickle creatures. It's all about time. None of us can predict the future so if you purchased collectibles like baseball cards, Department 56 Christmas Houses or Campbell Soup items enjoy them, use them and be prepared for their second coming. You really can't go wrong when you invite the Campbell Soup Kids into your home.

You can purchase the Campbell Soup items pictured HERE. SOLD I have yet to find this bread box anywhere online which leads me to believe it's not so common.

Danish Make Over

It's been a while since I shared a garage sale find. For one thing I was in a class for 2 weeks and the rain in June never seemed to end. I have made a few purchases and this post is about a great find from this morning's bike ride. I seem to find the best things when I'm not looking very hard. If I've said it once I've said it a dozen times, I can furnish a one bedroom apartment for $500.00 or less and do it well. This excludes the mattress and box spring for obvious reasons. These chairs are actually much prettier in person then the photo. I spent $8.00 on the pair and another $12.00 on new fabric. A little Old English furniture oil made to help with minor scratches and the end result is a striking pair of chairs featuring dove tailed joints and full back support. There's a beautiful white Danish Modern sofa at the local thrift shop for $30.00 that would be perfect with these chairs. It can be done............and you can do it too.

BEFORE

My Grandpa and the Cherry Tree

After my family moved away from the Midwest to the South we rarely got to see my grandparents. The summer after second grade we drove up to Ohio to visit my father's family. I loved visiting my grandparents they had a huge yard with beautiful gardens. They had raised 6 kids through the depression and the victory garden was a way of life. We had no sooner gotten to their home and my parents, siblings, aunts and cousins decided to go shopping. All I wanted to do was check out the yard so they agreed to leave me behind with Grandpa. My grandfather was old world. He was the son of German immigrants and was a hard working stiff. He never talked much to us and we were always just a little nervous around him. After about ten minutes inside the house with him........alone. I asked if I could go out in the yard to play. He said that would be fine but "don't eat the cherries". My grandparents had three cherry trees in their yard and they were full of ripe red delicous cherries. As I walked by them I assumed that my Grandpa just wanted to keep all these cherries to himself. So I helped myself to a few. Now as we all know no one can eat just one cherry. Soon enough I pulled the garden bench over to one of the cherry trees and had climbed up into it. I was picking cherries by the handfull and gobbling them down just as fast. Then........I heard the screen door slam. Oh no Grandpa was outside. I scurried down the tree and sat on the garden bench. I put a fist full of cherries in my mouth and swallowed them, pits and all. My grandpa rounded the corner and saw me under the tree. "You didn't eat the cherries did you?" As I was swallowing the last of my cherries I shook my head "no". Grandpa reached up to the tree and plucked a cherry from it. He opened it and inside was a big fat worm. He said to me, "a little extra meat never hurt anyone", and then he strolled off to the garage. I learned alot that day from my Grandpa and he had only said three sentences to me.

The Best Little Flea Market in Michigan

One of my favorite flea markets in the summer is Cornwell's Turkeyville, U.S.A. The prices are always right and the food and entertainment isn't bad either. Everyone can find something, (housewares, furniture and mantiques), and the dealers are ready to bargain! Last year I found a huge silver punch bowl with all 12 cups and a ladle. It looked like it had never been used. I don't use silver often but this piece was fun for entertaining through the holidays and was only $20.00. So don't miss the biggest flea market of the season!

Flea Market and Antique Show : July 03, 2010 - July 05, 2010

Blenko Pitcher

Despite a major set back for Blenko in January 2009 when a judgement was made against them, Blenko Glass Company continues to manufacture it's wares for the masses. Production has been greatly reduced. The elegant midcentury design in their pieces makes their products a very desirable room accent in a modern room. Blenko pieces continue to be a worthwhile investment for any collector of modern glass. For more information on Blenko's history and their products check out the links below.

The Blenko Project
Blenko Glass Collectors

This pitcher is available for purchase HERE!

Eames Lounge Chair Assembly

A film made by Charles & Ray Eames in 1956.

L. Hitchcock Limited Edition Chairs

Oh how I love a well made American manufactured chair of any style or time period and L. Hitchcock of Connecticut is one of them. They closed their doors in 2006 due to the increase of imports. I picked this limited edition Christmas chair up at a garage sale today. It's painted by one of their prominent artists Melvin F. Morgan. It's a fantastic start to the 2010 garage sale season!

House of A Different Color

It's finally spring and the weather has been fantabulous! It was time for a walk about town. I took a few photos here and there and while I was out I stumbled on several nice older homes that are up for sale......and we seem to be plentiful. This house is listed at $39,900.00. I didn't think homes like this existed anymore at this price. So it got me thinking about what it would look like with a new color. Photoshop is a wonderous tool and with a quick slide of the hue bar under "Hue and Saturation" I was able to come up with several new color ideas. It made me think anyone could use this simple tool by photographing the room they want to change using the same technique. the top photo is of the original house color.

Barbie in Retroland

I am so weak! If it's not lamps it's toys. I love them. I could not resist this sweet little table and chairs made in 1963 by Deluxe Reading. Just another part of the American landscape Deluxe Reading dolls were often referred to as "grocery store dolls" and were fairly inexpensive. Based out of Elizabethtown, NJ they were in business in the 50's, 60's and 70's. This set is available on ETSY.

Is everyone gearing up for summer garage sales? I am!

SOLD

Monday's Inspiration: Charles & Ray Eames

"The legendary design team Charles and Ray Eames made films, houses and classic midcentury modern furniture. Eames Demetrios, their grandson, shows rarely seen films and archival footage in a lively, loving tribute to their creative process."

All Hail Georges Briard

I've been mildly interested in Georges Briard pieces for a while now. He's never really been given the recognition he deserves in my opinion. Born in 1917 in Russia as Jascha Brojdo, he was a prominent designer of dishes, gold plated glass pieces and enamel cookware. He moved to Chicago from Poland in 1937 and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. His signature pieces were a common sight at Neiman Marcus throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's. Georges Briard became his commercial name and in 2004 he was honored with the Frank S. Child Lifetime Achievement Award by The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators. He died in 2005 in New York City at the age of 88. I am especially fond of the Ambrosia series of enamelware, as seen in the photo of the coffee pot. The colors are vibrant and oh so retro. I have seen some of his glass and tile pieces and they are extraodinary in color and design. He is a very undervalued mid-century designer and his pieces can be purchased at a very reasonable price just about anywhere. Buy now because once he's rediscovered it'll be difficult to find his stuff for the current market prices. Not to mention the fantabulous designs!

Surviving The Recession and Living Well

We're all in this together folks. This isn't the first recession I've lived through but I am hoping it's the last. I learned from the first recession that I need to be versatile in how I earn a living, how I live and how I love. It's a time to use your hidden talents, the ones you thought were just a hobby, and make it your life. I had to retrain in interior design in the 80's to make it through and those skills are coming around again in 2010. My grandparents did it during the great depression and survived. They didn't find work, they made work. They took in laundry and they paid their bills and fed their kids. Consider buying used instead of new, buy your groceries in bulk, discover the pleasure in a home cooked meal, the satisfaction of making your own clothes and be willing to make your own work. If you sew make it your work. People always need alterations and there is still a market for handmade items. Doll clothes at Christmas and bonnets for Easter can all be made from gently used clothes sold at garage sales for under $1.00.

This sunny little sewing box may have been in my grandma's house in the late 50's or early 60's. The outside is quilted vinyl with no missing threads. The inside plastic lift out tray is in good conditon. It has a bakelite handle and is in very good condition for it's age. It's available on Etsy.

SOLD

Nipper are you listening?

I believe this little RCA Victor radio is circa 1955. It's a real treasure of a find because it has two cameo images of Nipper the dog! It's not working, it makes a hum that will drive away mice, rats, spiders, people or anyone within a mile of the house so it's going to need to be repaired. It's available on Ebay.

SOLD





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This was such a unique little lamp that I just couldn't say no and as a confessed lampaholic I had to find it a new home. I have to wonder where it's been for the past 55 years. How many letters were coined under that light? It's available on Ebay.

American Pickers?

Ok this is the first time I watched the show, American Pickers. More power to them, someone needs to be rescuing some of this stuff. Our history is rusting away. I'd pick with them anytime. :)

Here's The Deal

I've been replacing and adding kitchen utensils and appliances for the past year. Many of my things are just worn out or simply don't work. After 30 years of marriage it was time to replace. The majority of items we have purchased new but I wanted to add a few classic things from the past just for fun! Hence I have also picked up a few items that I thought others might be interested in as well. Garage sales are great for this type of item but in the winter months garage sales are scarce. Kitchen items are in great abundance at the Salvation Army stores, Goodwill and many church related thrift stores. Last week I was able to find a few little items for my kitchen at the Salvation Army store and the best part is that many Salvation Army stores go half price after noon. But hey the prices are so reasonable it doesn't really matter when you go.

Yesterday the sun was shining and we decided to go on an antique mall journey to new and unexplored territories: Markel, IN, Decatur, IN and Van Wert, OH. The mall in Markel was very well kept with a variety of items and pricing. They did not have much in the Eames era but I was able to find a dynamite olive green oven proof casserole dish. The prices for the items I bought were reasonable. We drove on to Decatur and found a flea market in the Armory. I didn't find much in kitchen items but I would suggest it to anyone headed that way. The antique mall in Decatur was neat but pricing was fairly high. There was another antique mall in Decatur but they closed at 2:00 pm. We moved on th Van Wert and found two antique malls. I purchased the cool little red hand mixer by W.T. Grant circa 1973 at the first antique mall. The owners were extremely helpful and the pricing fair. The second mall in Van Wert was filled from top to bottom with stuff. We were greeted by a guitar strumming man who was very welcoming. The mall was dusty and most items were overpriced. But if you like looking through lots and lots of stuff they had it. It was packed!!! I found a couple of items in the basement, a world globe with a Danish Modern base and a a few other items. Unfortunately the globe wasn't priced so I sent my husband upstairs with the globe to get one. The guitar playing man happily tried to call the dealer but was unable to reach her and would not sell it. I understood it wasn't the guitar playing man's fault, he tried.

People like going with me when I'm on a antiquing trip for one reason, prices. Most antique malls have a standard mark down policy but only if you ask. I ask. Actually all new furniture stores have the same policy. The standard is 10% off for anything priced $20.00 or more but in the winter you might be able to get more discounted for all priced items. It doesn't cost anything to ask. How you phrase your question can make all the difference. First be courteous, compliment the proprietor on their business. Second, ask right away which dealers have sales. Third, if you find something ask for a better price. In general I offer a better price at 20-25% off. The hand mixer above was $25.00, instead of asking for a better price I offered $20.00. They said "yes" and now it's mine. When I find a proprietor who has the authority to make decisions to discount for items at 20% I return and I purchase other items at full price. It's a win for me and a win for the dealer. I appreciate a consumer positive shop. :)