Vintage | Design Happens

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Adventures in Antiquing: Old Clock Repurposed as a Frame

by H. Camille Smith August 29, 2012 11 Comments

As I’ve mentioned before: I love antiques but, in particular, my heart skips a beat when I see European antiques — French finds in particular. Years ago, I discovered a gilt Rococo-inspired wall clock at a flea market. The clock face looked to be from the ’60s but the surrounding frame was hand-carved wood with applied gold leaf and appeared to be much older. At the time, I lived in Los Angeles and really had no use for it so it languished, forgotten, in my parents’ North Carolina basement for a decade until I rediscovered it. And, let me tell you, it was a very happy reunion indeed. I had recently purchased a round needlepoint of violets at an estate sale without a frame. Once I popped out the ’60s clock, I thought the Rococo frame and sweet, little needlepoint would make a happy pair.

And so they did: needlework in an old clock frame

Adventures in Antiquing: Repurposed Wooden Tray

by H. Camille Smith August 1, 2012 12 Comments

One rule I follow when thrifting is to see a find for what it can be not what it is. Take this antique drawer I found at an estate sale. It was at the bottom of a scrap wood pile in a stuffed-to-the-gills garage. The home’s previous owner had been a never-throw-away-anything-you-may-someday-need type and had seen the potential usefulness of a small drawer that had long since been separated from it’s original piece of furniture.

What sold me is its runner-less construction. Runners are the wood or metal glides that help a drawer to smoothly slide in and out; without them a drawer is just a shallow box. I was on the lookout for a small tray that could do double duty serving food and drinks at parties and was big enough to neatly store magazines on my coffee table the rest of the time – I thought I could make this drawer work. The bottom was flimsy due to water damage so I added a plywood board to strengthen it then tacked on quarter-round trim to disguise my fix and handles on each end so it could really function as a tray.

This project was a bargain costing me less than 10 bucks -- $3 for the drawer + another $6 for the handles which are actually gate pulls rather than drawer pulls. The quarter-round trim and stain I already had on hand.

Daily Delight: Vintage Olympic Art

by Marianne Canada July 27, 2012 4 Comments

Today marks the opening of the 2012 London Olympics, and I don’t know about you, but I have Olympic fever. Feeding my obsession? This collection of vintage Olympic posters. Personally, I am charmed by this lady fencer in the Paris 1900 poster, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d go with this dizzying example from the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

1968 Olympics Mexico Poster

Designed by artist Lance Wyman, this poster marries traditional Aztec design with go-go ’60′s pop art. How about you? Do you have a favorite Olympic logo? Will you be watching the Opening Ceremonies tonight? I’ll be on the couch, popcorn in hand, waiting for that torch to enter the arena.

Adventures in Antiquing: Vintage Avon Bottle

by H. Camille Smith July 25, 2012 16 Comments

I love antiques. My home is filled with them. I’ll admit that’s partly out of bargain-hunting necessity but mainly because, in many ways, I feel that antiques are better — better construction, better lines, better attention to detail — just better. They have a character, charm and history that new and mass-produced can’t match.

Take this winsome little vase. I discovered her at a rural flea market this spring covered in decades of grime. The milk glass color and classic Greco/Roman shape drew me in while the $1 price tag sealed the deal. Honestly, I didn’t recognize it as an Avon bottle until I’d cleaned her up enough to make out the label.

Avon perfume bottle filled with gardenias

My vintage Avon "Grecian Pitcher" originally held bath oil when sold in the '70s, now it's my go-to vase for short-stemmed flowers like gardenias.

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Daily Delight: Vintage Plates

by Grant Dudley July 1, 2012 10 Comments

Growing up, my mother, grandmother, aunt — everyone in the family had matching dinnerware in their kitchen cupboards. Everything was super matchy-matchy and super boring-boring.

I’ll admit — I’ve regrettably fallen into the same ho-hum pattern. Those all-in-one dinnerware boxes are so darn convenient! But, I’ve been on a mission to break my family’s tradition of boring. It’s time.

I’m determined to buy all sorts of vintage plates to add variety in the kitchen. The varying colors are stunning, the looks are so different from anything in today’s mass market and let’s face it — they’re just plain pretty. The juxtaposition of styles takes me to a happy place.

This display of plates found at houzz.com is the exact look I’m shooting for. Come on, even if you’re not an antique/vintage-style lover, you have to admit that there’s something appealing about this colorful presentation.

Vintage Plates

What’s your take? Do you prefer dinnerware that matches, or are you interested in going rogue like me?

Party Themes Inspired by DIY Wedding Trends

by Sarah Herron June 7, 2012 14 Comments

Not only is June a popular month for weddings, in my opinion, there’s never been a better time to be a bride.

There’s no shortage of DIY wedding ideas for crafty, budget-conscious brides. As a Pinterest lurker, my favorite wedding trend is the rustic-chic look, but who said brides should have all the fun?

Leah McCall, creative director and owner of Whimsical Gatherings, shared a few of her favorite arrangements and tablescapes that can be crafted for any event.

For something old and something new, Leah used vintage spice tins with fresh flowers encased in a glass cloche. The floral arrangement was made with Mimi Eden garden roses, Dusty Miller ornamental plants, Queen Anne’s lace, and tuberose. To create a memorable conversation piece for a family reunion or dinner party, incorporate your heirlooms into the table decor.

Bring personal heirlooms and treasures to the table, like this vintage floral arrangement by Whimsical Gatherings.

Photo by Dixie Pixel Photography

Need more space for guests or a buffet? This DIY table made with saw horses and barn wood is an easy, inexpensive solution. Leah wrapped cotton and thistle around the chandelier she found at a flea market. Candles and flowers give the party a rustic-elegant theme that can form the backdrop to either a formal or casual affair.

This DIY wedding table is perfect for a rustic-chic party theme. Designed by Whimsical Gatherings

Photo by Dixie Pixel Photography

Decorating with fresh blooms is ideal for a summer garden party, but pricey. Rather than large centerpieces, create several small arrangements. If you don’t have enough containers, craft your own. Along with her collection of small white vases, Leah created vessels with tin cans wrapped in kraft paper and lace, adorned with Midori silk ribbon and antique brooches. For this tablescape, she used Coral Charm Peonies, Dusty Miller and scabiosa pods.

DIY tablescape that can be mimicked for a rustic-chic party theme, by Whimsical Gatherings

Photo by Dixie Pixel Photography

If you’re working with a limited supply of blooms, this bridal bouquet is proof you don’t need flowers for a vintage-chic arrangement. Leah created this masterpiece with cotton and brooches.

Whimsical Gatherings created this cotton and brooch bouquet for the bride wearing a southern-style wedding dress. It can be copied for a flowerless arrangement at any party.

Photo by Dixie Pixel Photography

You don’t need flowers or a wedding gown to craft an elegant party. Let the blissful look of nuptial DIY trends inspire your next event.

Photos by Dixie Pixel Photography

Daily Delight: Vintage Trailer Birdhouse

by Farima Alavi May 15, 2012 8 Comments

I’m sure some of you grew up RVing in a 1950s Shasta camper during the summer months. Well, now your neighborhood birds can camp in the same style. Etsy shop owner jumahl created this birdhouse using retro turquoise accents and corrugated aluminum. Aside from its design aesthetic, the aluminum door is a squirrel deterrent so the birds can eat in peace. I love all the details — including the curved awning, wheels and trailer hitch.

Vintage Trailer Birdhouse

Now if you could only teach the birds how to make S’mores and sing popular camping songs — that would be a sight to see!

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Daily Delight: Aunt Bucky Bedding

by Briana Mowrey March 13, 2012 6 Comments

I’m not a mother yet, but I’m already taking notes about great products for tots, so I’ll be all set on the nursery decor front when that day comes. (In the meantime, my friends get to benefit from my research at their baby showers.) One company I’m loving right now is Aunt Bucky, for their perfectly funky crib and twin bedding, not to mention their quilts, apparel and decor.

aunt bucky bedding

I have an annoying compulsion to match everything, so I always appreciate when a design has done a bit of the pattern mixing work for me. Aunt Bucky’s stuff has an eclectic feel to it, as though it was cobbled together from leftover vintage fabric scraps, but the color palettes keep it cohesive. I’ve bookmarked the site, but I secretly hope Aunt Bucky will branch out into dog beds soon so I can have a bit of their flair in my place before I even get preggers.

[Via: the boo and the boy]

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Setting a Vintage Thanksgiving Table

by Lili Zarghami November 16, 2011 17 Comments

Our friends over at Food Network are throwing a fantastic Thanksgiving party called The Communal Table on their blog FN Dish today. The idea is that FN Dish is providing the turkey, and they asked that the rest of the food community (including you!) bring side dishes and desserts. We at Design Happens were honored when we were asked to “set the table” for the event.

Without a doubt Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A day dedicated to being thankful for the good things in your life, eating delicious food with your loved ones and no pressure of buying gifts? Genius! Personally, I like a homey holiday with an ultra-relaxed vibe, a handmade feel and absolutely no worries about getting gravy on the “good” linens. With that in mind, a little bit of inspiration from the October color of the month, and a dash of the whimsy from Constance the trailer, I created this Very Vintage Thanksgiving mood board:

thanksgiving vintage table

To achieve this cozy look I chose a mix of rough-hewn items, some real vintage items, and new products that have a warm and friendly feel. Ceramics, bold vintage colors (like teal, red and orange), thick glass and beautiful faux-mercury tie together a farmhouse table that seems as if it could’ve been set in the 1940s. I kept my own grandmother—who raised a family through the 40s—in mind when choosing the individual salt-and-pepper shakers (some of her favorites table accessories), the charming turkey gravy boat and the vintage floral table runner. The playful pumpkin candles mixed on the table with wildflowers in a mason jars are all the decoration the table needs leaving room for the real centerpiece of the day: the bird.

How about you? How do you set your table for Thanksgiving? Do you pull out your best china for this special day? Are you low key and food-centric? Tell us in the comments!

Setting the table above [clockwise from upper left]: Personal salt-and-pepper shakers, Etsy; ”Give Thanks” banner, HGTV.com; chevron salad plates, Etsy; jadeite dinner plate, Fishs Eddy; turkey gravy boat, Williams Sonoma; silverware, BHLDN; pumpkin candles, Greenhouse Design Studio; faux-mercury turkey platter, Etsy; animal place card holders, BHLDN; mason jar flowers, Haystack Needle; cloth napkins, Etsy; wine goblet, Fishs Eddy; turquoise farm table, European Paint Finishes; table runner, Vintage in Vogue; dining chairs, Room & Board; background pattern, Flavor Paper wallpaper. See all of these items on my Pinterest as well as a couple more that didn’t make it onto this board.

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Daily Delight: My Dream NaNoWriMo Desk

by Briana Mowrey November 1, 2011 5 Comments

Can you believe it’s November? Every year I psych myself up to participate in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for the initiated, but even though I start with the best of intentions, the month always gets away from me. I don’t blame it on my talent or general stick-to-itivness, of course. Clearly the problem is my lack of a functional writing space. A room of one’s own, if you will. Or at least a desk of one’s own. Like this breathtaking vintage leather top desk from 1stdibs.

green vintage desk

This classy-yet-sassy little number is a French piece from the 1970s that still has the original leather top and brass detail. It’s been lacquered a delicious kelly green, and is straight from a Beverly Hills estate. Quite a history, no? If this desk could talk! I’m certain the desk’s interesting pedigree would inspire me to write an equally interesting novel while sitting at it. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? Tell me in the comments! (Maybe we’ll all find writing buddies there.)