Saturday Pickin'

Saturday was spent up on the Central Coast with my Momma.  After securing the Brasilia dresser set I was able to relax and enjoy, and shop some more!  I left the Brasilia night stands at my Mom's until next weekend - so I could pack my truck with more stuff.  Plus, I couldn't see out my back window!  It was a great weekend of vintage hunting.

One of my favorite thrift stores was packed to the brim Saturday. Check out the sign.  30-50% off got me excited, but wait, it reads "All Used Merchandise".  Huh?

Just how I like it; packed with everything and the kitchen sink, literally. 

Cute mid century cabinet.  It would have been $6 with the sale but it was marked SOLD.  Dang it! 

My cart ...

Scored a couple of cool lamps including a gigantic retro cork lamp. 

Then off to a Goodwill. My Mom bought this mid century hutch for $29.99!

A quick walk through an Antique Mall. Why do I do this to myself?  I can't pay retail!

Ernest John Coffee Pot $125

My dream china set: Franciscan's starburst design

Update on Brasilia set: Dresser and mirror is still in my truck!  We need to organize the garage to make room.  I'll have the night stands next weekend and will post the set together. 

Come on in! My Office and the Things I Love.

Well, here it is; the place I write you from each day and the place I sit to post on Etsy...and search Craigslist....and do "real" work.  Come on in, check out my office!  Isn't it fun to peek inside?

My beloved Saarinen inspired Tulip Arm Chair.  Wish it was Saarinen but it's at least an original 60's chair made in California.  It was a wreck when I found it but after some patching, stripping, sanding and repainting, voila - like new!

I call this vintage dress form a "gift from my house".  My husband and I purchased our 1950's home last summer, gutted it and remodeled.  Months after the restore was done I was digging around in our detached garage (making plans to restore it too) and found this 1950's dress form up in the rafters.  I had always wanted one!  And check out my owl clock - $2.99 at Goodwill.  Score!

Another one of my favorite finds.  A perfect pair of 1960's big eyed kitty and puppy oleographs signed by the artist. I love the color of the frames.  They are in pristine condition!

My vintage bookcase whose sole purpose is to display my chotchkies.  Hey, at least there are really some books on it.  You can see my 1940's rubber girl toy on the right, which serves as my avatar for everything vintage.  She was one of my very first vintage finds years and years and years ago.  

I'm in love with the set of 3 Pinocchio style guys....which can be seen better below.

More chotchkie love!  My turqouise tensor lamp, light up 50's globe and 60's puzzle piece cat box.

More chotchie love! Yep!  My 40's telephone, skeleton key collection, turn of the century fan, owl collection, Alger books and African Salt and Pepper Shaker Set with Elephant.  Yes, the little people are the shakers!

Ugh, more chotchkies!?  I'm feeling the need to edit down... um, no, that feeling has passed.  Another owl, brass kitty, apple and birds, 3-D vintage picture, old Kodak camera and opera glasses. 

And last but not least my desk.  It's a 1950's Mainline.  

This photo was taken right after I restored it last Fall.  I found it on Craigslist as part of an estate.  It was in really bad condition so I got it for $40.  It needed stripping, sanding, stain and seal. Now, it's gorgeous and I don't think I'll ever part with it.  

Thanks for stopping in!  I hope you liked some of my collection. I'd love to see your space too!

Movie Night

I love movie nights. This fabulous Etsy treasury by Pink Planet Craft has inspired me to have one this weekend.

My antique Keystone Film Projector was included in this treasury.

My shop's Antique Keystone Film Projector from the 1930's

and some of my favorites from Etsy......

Blue Slide Projector by Retrofi

Keystone Moviegraph by the Fancy Lamb

Bell & Howell Filmo Projector by The Sharp Adventurers

Back from SLC, Utah!

I'm just back from a working vacay in Salt Lake City with three generations of women in my family. Needless to say, I came back with gigantic bags full of fun new vintage and retro for my shop (and some for my personal overflowing collection). I should have driven home to bring more! We all share a love for, ehem, addiction to, antique, thrift, garage sales and second hand. It must be in the blood!

Here's my sweet little Mom with all my bags at LAX. Oh my, maybe I went overboard!



New things will be added to my shop all week so check back often! Looking for something in particular? I might have it stored away or I can keep an eye out for it on my frequent hunts. Convo me on etsy or write me at rhandesign@gmail.com.



Check out my Mom's new vintage Etsy site too! FatCatVintage

I Dreamed I Saw....my necklace on this fabulous blog

Gay from www.IDreamedISaw.com was nice enough to choose my 1800's steam train necklace for a piece called "Faces Under Glass". Check out my necklace below in this photographic goods collage....



Congrats Gay, on a beautiful site! What is the site all about? " I Dreamed I Saw is a resource for DIY designers, artists, interior designers, obsessive nesters, and anyone in search of the most beautiful, strange and whimsical items available on the web. So meander through and ponder the astonishing work of your fellow man!"

This Is Not Ikea

My new favorite store and website for fabulous vintage finds. It was started in 2008 by Alexis Hadjopulos and Tom Whitman with an idea to "provide a place where cool, unique, and vintage furniture is available to people at an IKEA price." Let me tell you, TINI is way beyond cool and unique - everything they have is amazing! They find some truly spectacular pieces.

The website is stocked full of inventory and easy to peruse with everything categorized by type, style, era, color, room and more.

I'm obsessed with chairs so below is a snapshot I took of their chairs section....which happens to have 4 pages of chairs!

Check em' out: www.thisisnotikea.com

Wow. Antique Wheelchair!

How cool is this? I came across this at one of my favorite thrift stores on the Central Coast of California.

I wanted to buy it just because it's so unique and old. Then reality set in and I thought, "aaaand where would this go in my house"? Plus, I could only imagine the look on my husbands face. "Really? A wheelchair". I get away with a lot but I thought this might cross that fine line. Besides, I couldn't fit it in my car. Did you catch the real reason it didn't make it back to LA with me?