Chasing Fall through Antiques

It starts from the farthest point north, First the golds, then the oranges peek through and finally the blazing reds burst into view and the Leaf Peepers mingle about the forest, woods and glens chasing Fall as it migrates south.  And so our autumn antique quest began with the turning of the leaves.

The Adirondacks - Small villages dot the Lake George and Lake Champlain landscape. Tucked away in the upper corner of New York these villages and towns host numerous lovely antique shops. One particular spot took us four hours to meander through. It had multiple levels and was so nicely organized almost what seemed like by decades of the past.

Here's a couple snapshots from this location;

Vermont - Always my favorite place to spend a day jaunting about the Norman Rockwell countryside - BTW, we did stop at his museum for a tour. The antique shops are such a quaint variety from the smallest cubby hole of a shop to outdoor Flea Markets. Some has are part of coffee shops while others host local artisans wares.

My favorite -

Maine - Such different finds in this area. Of course the nautically-inclined antiquary will just love stepping into the shops filled with seafaring antiques.  I particularly like the multi-use of seashells; they can be found everywhere and adorning so many items I would have never thought of. Here are some of my "best places" that we shopped.

 

 On this particular street you could exit one shop and enter right next door into another, and so, and so on for several blocks. Of course each block was short with a nice cobblestone street between.

If it's Fall - it must be antiquing time

The fall is truly the best time for antiquing.  The weather is perfect, even if you have to dodge a few raindrops, merchants usually have some hot apple cider brewing or a thermos of cocoa awaiting eager shoppers and auction hunters. 

Having perused the Flea Market Magazines over the summer the idea of heading out on the treasure hunt with any one or two specific finds is absurd. There is so much to choose from. Being the eclectic sentimentalist that I am, and with my fondness for small occasional tables (can you tell),  I kicked off this years jaunt to the Mt. Vernon, Ohio area. Oh so many lovely little antique shoppes.  Here's a few of the finds that will be featured in 2013.

Be sure to look back next month when our jaunting takes us to New England for the Lake George Antique Fair and Bolton Landing Yard Sale. Vermont is just up the road, and New Hampshire and Maine around the corner, so there will surely be a find or two tucked away in the Norman Rockwell type villages....., we're on the road again !

Play It Again Sam

What..., no piano?  A minor detail.  What unoccupied corner wouldn't welcome this little gem of a stool, if only to pause for a moment to afix your shoe strap.  A small secretary desk might delight by this accompaniment.  Or a bureaux to sit and apply your makeup.  Whatever the choosing, this handsome antique is sure to please even the most selective buyer.

Solid hardwood dark oak and all original hardware including brass talon-foot crystal ball leg base.  The crystal balls are in excellent shape.  This one is going to take a bit longer to restore as the disassembly will take some careful attention to the details. But it's been done before on a larger scale, so rest assured this little fellow will be as good as new - look for it next fall.

Till then ...., you'll just have to humm a tune while you wait.

July Brings Out the Beach in Us All

Calypso trios playing rhythmic beats, vibrant kaleidoscope of colors; sun shining like diamonds on a blue ocean, a bright yellow cabana against a sandy beach.  This simple petite Half Table found at a junk shop on a road trip to the lake just seemed to cry out " do something different" - "don't just stain me".  Far too small to be lost in a  white-wash, it needed a color to make it POP.

Island Turquoise Blue, Spiced Carrot and Daffodil Yellow all lent a hand.  This piece already has a home. A customer in Florida liked the colors and wants this for her Florida room foyer - so in October the small Caribbean look table will head south for the Winter.

Spring Trunk

Spring cleaning find - this portly old Trunk. A littled weathered and care worn. I imagined it having stored treasures and keepsakes from days gone by; a hanky used to dab the eye of a fair haired Miss or maybe the old Trunk had crossed the Atlantic bringing life's cherished posessions to a new country for a new beginning.  Irish linens, engraved flatware perhaps received as a wedding gift.

Whatever it's past, it has good bones and will be tenderly restored.  Set your sea fareres scope and sextant for Spring next year and watch for it coming a shore all shiny and new - ready to store new treasures.