A Lushy Decorated Halloween Party

Found these fabulous Halloween photos on the ScarletBegonia blog and had to share. I love the idea of combining true vintage with the new vintage look, as well as incorporating some newer looking items. Electic Halloween is such a natural look. Isn't Halloween supposed to be a bit wild and over the top? 

Why not throw an outdoor dinner party?

Overloading the table gives a charming eccentric look

Dress up! Adults look fabulous dressed up!

Transform an everyday object: galvanized steel tubs add a delightful farm feel

Little pieces can often complete a room

Stack up games, puzzles, tins, & boxes for a homey fun look

It's a Halloween party! Everyone is invited!

Empty your shelves of everyday objects. Transform them with Vintage Halloween!

Nothing is cheerier than a Jack O Lantern! 

The old birdcage fits perfectly in with the fall theme

Hanging from the ceiling is such a great look

Where You'd Least Expect It

A good sign that Vintage is near!

Being that I'm an Estate Liquidator I get calls all the time. I've learned that the standard perceptions of nice neighborhood and not so nice neighborhood don't apply to Vintage. 

See that house in the back? That's it!

Take for example this house I was called to earlier this week. Built as a farmers staff cabin with two small rooms, it was enlarged in the 1930's to be a full size house. The exterior is very practical for fire country: it's build of cinder blocks. The yard is filled with junk, trash and overgrown plants. I hesitated for a few minutes before going in-I just wasn't confident about what I'd find.

The front entryway. I was a little nervous...

Wrong! I walked into a vintage home stuffed to the gills. Amidst all the clutter I found Victorian jewelry, gold pocket watches, 1930's enamel soda advertising signs, 1930's deco statues, a 19th century quartersawn oak & bevelled glass phone booth, mid century art by well listed artists and a delightful 75 year old woman who lived amongst it all, Beverly. 

A corner: note the steamer trunk being used as a file cabinet! 

Hard to spot, next to the fireplace.

One corner of the dimly lit living room

I'm going back in 2 weeks to gather all that up and see what else she's unearthed. Apparently she has a full basement filled with her treasures AND a huge barn. Woo hoo! It is so much fun to explore, dig & unearth treasure. I get to be like a vintage Indiana Jones!

What Kind of Household Used This?

I just came across the most wonderful estate. Imagine a little white turn of the century house deep in the forest. Inside were the most fabulous antique & vintage items: furniture from the mid 19th century, beautiful childrens books, chinese antiques & more.

Who lived here? 

It got me to thinking; who originally used these things? What were their lifestyles? Where did they work? Were they just middle class or upper class? Did they really use these items or just put them on display like we do today?

Take this teapot for example. Silver plate & bone. It's massive. I believe this must have been in a well to do household with servents, for who would want to lift this over and over to fill guests cups? (the bottom disconnects from the pot through a series of pins)

I just found this hilarious 1969 cookie jar at my local Hospice store. It made me laugh so I had to have it. I so wonder what the kitchen looked like that used this. I almost see the avocado green melamine counters. (In case you're confused, this is a dog with a butterfly on his head. It took us a minute too)

And then there is this series of Hedgehog ashtrays. Now that would be a LOT of smokers in one room! Created in the 1950's, I almost see the swanky flat these were used in. Breakfast at Tiffany's anyone?

As I look around my house, I wonder what pieces will be iconic must haves long in the future. To me it's just the salad spinner out of stainless steel. But to that vintage collector in 2050, it'll be a stand out kitchen display!