Gather & Collect

I know I’ve done this sort of post a million times, but art walls just never get old for me. I am seriously OBSESSED with art, but more specifically vintage art. And when you have quite the collection (like we do), the natural progression is to create art walls.

The author of From the Right Bank evidently has the same obsession, so I scoured her blog for some pretty pictures.

 

 

(This last image is a bad iphone photo of one of my art walls taken back in the fall)

Being that it’s our job to gather and collect all things vintage, we stumble across a lot of really great vintage art. Some of which stay in our homes, and others make it to the store. So if you’re in the market for some really great vintage art, I think we may have what your looking for, and then some. Actually, we probably have what your mother, aunts, grandmas, sisters, cousins, friends are looking for as well;)

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

 

It’s been two whole weeks since I’ve posted here on this lovely blog, and I sure did miss it. I promise never to leave you hanging for that long again. But you know, sometimes life throws you curve balls and you have to deal with them. And so that’s what I was doing, catching curve balls. But I’m hoping it will be straight rolling from here on out. At least for a while.

So in honor of love and all the beauty it brings to our lives, this post is an ode to Red.

(All images are via pinterest)

Those last two images are my personal favorites. Look at how that cherry red just brightens up the entire room.

I’ve been drooling over getting a red Womb chair (3rd image up) for about 6 years now. I just need to convince my husband that it’s normal to spend $3000 on a chair and that college for the kids really isn’t necessary. I’m doubting this will be an easy task.

If nothing else, I hope your day is filled with lots and lots and lots of chocolate.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Aren’t you excited, cause we sure are! We’re giving away this cute basket of goodies, so if you’re interested in entering the giveaway, read the specifics below.

 

Isn’t it cute. The winner will receive a cute red basket filled with 3 pink pressed glass goblets, a red purse, small painted floral box, pretty scarf and table runner with needlepoint details.

So, all you have to do to enter is go to our facebook page, “like” us, and then write the word “LOVE” on our wall by January 29th. Seriously, that’s it. Easy peasy. Please feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. We will draw a name on Monday January 30th and notify the winner via facebook. The winner can then come pick-up their prize next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. But of course if those dates don’t work we can always arrange another time. Sorry, but due to the high price of shipping, this contest is for local pick-up only.

But don’t fret if you don’t win. We will be having contests like this on a regular basis. We’re not exactly sure what “regular” means, but we’re hoping it means we’ll be doing this monthly.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

 

I think there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t daydream of sitting at a table with a nice cup of tea playing a game of backgammon.

I played a lot of backgammon and scrabble in college and the few years after college, but since having children I don’t play nearly as often as I’d like. But winter is the most absolute perfect time to start playing again. We have a handful of beautiful vintage backgammon sets in the store. You know you want one.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

 

My goodness. Check out this kitchen.

(found via pinterest, but couldn’t find proper source.  sorry)

Beautiful, isn’t it?!

The vintage wood table and chairs are the perfect earthy elements this room needed to ground it.  Imagine this same kitchen with a new, big box store table and chair set.  The space would feel too perfect.  The wood table makes it feel lived in and inviting.  “Yes, I would love a cup of tea, thank you.”

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

I love this post because it makes me feel normal and makes me realize that all those beautifully perfect homes you see in those magazines are not normal.

I mean, look at this beautiful photo I posted a few days ago. Rug is perfectly angled and chairs look perfectly inviting. Why can’t my living room nook look like this?

Well, here’s the before picture.

(thehappyhomeblog)

I’m not sure why that before picture makes me feel better. Perhaps it just makes me feel a little more normal and I love knowing that all of those “perfect” spaces you see in magazines are really just normal peoples homes who live, eat and sleep just like you and me.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Do you remember this image I posted yesterday?

Well, if you didn’t click the link yesterday, it came from here and you really should check out the full home tour. It really is magic and just the perfect balance of vintage and modern.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.
Jessica and Julie

Can you believe it finally snowed? Well it did, and someone told me it’s supposed to snow some more. Ugh. I do have to admit that the light that travels through the house after a good snow is just beautiful. It throws just the right amount of light around the room to make everything feel so cozy and comfortable, even if it is miserably cold outside. Kind of like this…

(thehappyhomeblog)

(livecreatingyourself)

(cocokelly)

(designsponge)

White isn’t normally a color I would associate with being cozy, but today it is. Perhaps it’s my longing for slush free floors or a clean cars. Whatever it is, it’s helping me cope with the idea that winter is here and I’m determined to enjoy it’s splendor…maybe;)

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Last week I found these gems and couldn’t wait to share them with y’all, assuming your sunglass lovers like myself.

They are never worn, vintage, oversized sunglasses and are absolutely fantastic. It may be winter, but the sun has been shining more than average and it’s aways good to protect the eyes while maintaing a little style;) I mean, look how great vintage glasses can look.

(via here)

(via here)

(via here)

(via here)

Sunglasses might be something not necessarily associated with winter in Chicago, but I never leave home without my vintage Ray Bans.

And don’t forget the piles and piles of scarves we have to complete the look. Just saying.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY 2012, friends!!! It was a mad dash to the finish, but we made it and then took some time off to enjoy with our families. We hope that you all were able to do the same.

I found this great post on Apartment Therapy that I wanted to share with you and hope that you will find it inspiring. It’s pretty much what we’ve been preaching since day one.

Nine Reasons To Consider Adding an Antique (or Two or Three) To Your Home:

1. Antiques tell a story, and are a tangible link to the past and sometimes your own heritage.

2. Antiques are green! Antiques are inherently recycled and reused. Very few products can claim such longevity.

3. Antique furniture is generally very well made — and made by hand.

4. Antiques are trendproof. If you buy a piece with beautiful lines, curves and construction it is unlikely to offend even the trendiest of trendoids.

5. Antiques are the key to eclecticism. Antiques can add texture, energy and personality to even the most modern or contemporary decor. If you don’t want your home to look overly styled or to resemble a chain store’s showroom, a few carefully chosen antiques will do the trick.

6. Antiques retain or increase in value.

7. Reupholstering or restoring an old piece is a satisfying process with often wonderful results.

8. Antiques are often more appropriately scaled for older or smaller dwellings (unlike, say, Restoration Hardware pieces).

9. Antiques can lend a room character, personality and charm.

Take a look at the full post and all the pretty pictures they have posted as well.

Cheers to the new year and a vintage life well lived!

Jessica and Julie