I Love Collecting: March 2012

WHY DO I COLLECT?

Why do I collect? That's easy... because it's so much fun! Ever since I can remember I have been going to flea markets, antique shops, yard sales, you name it. Wherever I could find some sort of interesting treasure or cool piece of junk! I love driving around in search of new places or revisiting my favorite spots. I come from a family of collectors and have lived amongst antiques and collectibles my whole life. I have a passion for decorating especially with things that I find in my travels or even things found in the trash... which by the way can be some of the best stuff! But for those who share the same passion, I don't have to tell you... you all know what fun it is and how addicting it can be! Here I will share my collections, interesting finds, decorating tips, photos, projects, friends collections and thoughts and whatever else I may find along the way.

3.31.2012

FUN FRIDAY!

Spur-of-the-moment trip to Black Rose yesterday!

This is definitely one of my most favorite places.

Located in within South Mall in Allentown which is

great because they are open mall hours... til 9PM!

So much to see, great prices, great music... great overall!

3.25.2012

A TALENTED FRIEND

A few years ago I bought this cute little dresser at a shop in Quakertown, PA. It was originally painted white... shabby chic style which is what I was going for at the time. After a while I got tired of that look and decided to have it stripped and refinished. My good friend Mark McCoy who does beautiful furniture restoration was able to bring back the original look of this little piece. Not only is the finish smooth and absolutely gorgeous, but he also did a few repairs on the drawers, added a new back and did a small repair to the top of the dresser. He also paid close attention to the little brass escutcheons on each drawer, removing and polishing them. Just beautiful! I guess I should have taken a "before" photo! Oh well... I am very happy with the "after"! Mark is the best!!

3.20.2012

Stopped into a few of my favorite shops again this past Saturday. I must say, I have been very pleased with my finds lately! The 2 planters came from Bux-mont consignment shop in Pipersville, PA. The dark green one is marked McCoy and the other UPCO. I am LOVING the little metal industrial file with red bakelite drawers. This measures about 6 inches tall by about 8 inches and I found it at The Other Store in Pipersville for $2! The Jar came from Bux-mont consignment and the white pottery vase marked Red Wing was found at Care & Share in Souderton, PA. **smile**

3.13.2012

REMEMBERING GRAM

I always loved visiting my Grandmothers apartment in the Bronx. She had a beautiful home and she was very proud of it. She had so many pretty things which I admired and who knew back then that I would have so many of her vintage things in my home today. The G. Reeves black and gold barware pictured above was always a favorite of mine even as a kid. She used to have this whole set displayed in her dining room along with other (now vintage) barware. I used to love that she served us cookies and milk with these glasses. I was always wondering what had happened to this set of glasses and chip and dip bowl. My mom was sure she had sold this during the estate sale after Gram had passed away. So while out antiquing recently with my sister, we came across some similar barware and I had mentioned that I wished I had Gram's. To make a long story short... my sister had the whole set packed away in her attic and now I have it displayed in my dining room.

Happy Birthday Gram... Today, March 13 ~ A.M.G. 1904 - 1999