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Design

Four New Vintage Finds (And Where I Styled Them)

I need nothing and yet here we are, with new things. The good news is by the “School of Advanced Rationality” we all know that buying vintage locally doesn’t count as consumption or consumerism. Perhaps even the opposite? So these are the four things that I found over the holiday break and I’m frankly really really into all of them.

A Side Table For Charlie

I found this side table in the basement of a huge antique mall (it’s an old school converted into mall in Newberg, OR) and it was covered in other broken pieces. I thought it was a cool shape and that it would go with Charlie’s post-modern tween vibe that he is into (it seems like a 70’s office but since it’s solid wood it felt cool, not janky). It was $90, which felt high since it was covered in furniture and dust (not a curated vintage shop). I wanted it to be $60, so we settled easily on $75 which honestly still felt like it was too high, but since I knew exactly where it was going it didn’t feel like a greedy hoard. Of course in reality a $75 unique wood table is actually a steal and I’m so glad I did it. I don’t love the black plastic wheels but kept them on for now because I was too lazy and it’s not like Charlie cared. BTW his room is kinda coming together – he still doesn’t really want me to “decorate” it which I get and frankly have other fish to fry, so we are just collecting cool stuff and I’m letting him have fun with it. He got the Simpson prank phone for Christmas and the red balloon sculpture dog will go on my gift guide next year – we actually bought it used at Memory Den in Portland, but its a really hilarious and fun robotic dog that does inappropriate things and makes us all laugh (pee, fart, poop, bark, etc).

My First Tiffany Lamp

I’ve loved Tiffany lamps since I was young because they are colorful, floral, old world and when done right, provide the prettiest ambient light. So much craftsmanship goes into these! I’ve been calling a comeback for a while (some of the 90s Tiffany lamps are kinda rough, TBH) but it’s really about the lamp and where you style it. Oh, and I’ve fallen in love with many before and they were like $1200, so when I found this one for $180 I snagged it (still expensive, but I knew it was worth). The colors in it are PERFECT and it’s so solid and heavy. I thought it would look best in the dark blue media room, but there was nowhere to put it. Then I stuck it here and I’m OBSESSED with it in our kitchen – especially in the evening and morning during these long dark winters. It gives such a pretty colorful glow.

Vintage Painting From Brian

Brian and I don’t really surprise each other with big holiday gifts, but I was thrilled that he noted my love for this vintage painting at our local dope vintage Scandinavian store Form and Function in Multnomah Village. I love the colors, the world, the boats, the blues, and greens with hits of red. I don’t know where it’s going to land forever, but I love it in here for now.

I put it in the guest room for now and it’s making me happy, but is also making me really want to finish designing my bed so I can bring up the bed that’s currently in my room (but I designed for this room) in its rightful place. We’ll see if the painting should move after that happens.

New Painting On Mantel

I saw this piece on Shop Wilma’s IG page, by an artist named P.R. McIntosh in the 1960s. It was sold by the dealer, @donefortheday, and I scooped it up immediately. I’ve wanted a more impactful piece here for a while and have been eyeing Charlie Salas-Humara’s work (which I still do) but this one is so good. Clearly, I’m having a real moment with this color palette.

No need to look at my sad fireplace 🙂 I just wanted to show you the sense of scale. That fireplace is getting painted in February I SWEAR. The two vases on the left are not vintage, also Christmas presents from Brian from Form and Function 🙂 Oh, and just so you can gauge pricing this painting was $550 which felt reasonable to me since it’s big, the colors felt perfect for me, and the frame is even good enough. Supporting local vintage dealers that are putting in so much time to curate cool stuff makes me feel good.

Art is the one thing that I never pass up if it’s within a reasonable budget and I love it. I think that vintage art absolutely MAKES the home, turns any basic room into a conversation, and it’s always more affordable than a newer piece. 🙂

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

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Mary Beth
22 days ago

I love everything you showed us. The painting over the fireplace is wonderful and the way you styled it with the vases is perfection. The rust colored one with the foliage is gorgeous. Also love the stain glass lamp in the kitchen. The painting Brian gifted you is lovely as well.

Sahaja
22 days ago

I love seeing you collect and curate truly special things! I also feel like getting art or special things like the dog on trips or in small shops where you live make it feel extra special. I was lucky enough to go see friends from school in Norway with my kids this summer and my friend gave me art from a local artist. Just took it off his wall and made me take it home! It’s truly special and I get to look at it every day.

Brenda
22 days ago

I absolutely love all of the pieces!! Victory!

Christina
22 days ago

Is there a way to capture the light of the lamp after dark? I’d love to see it as I have never seen a Tiffany Lamp in use where the design is showing off.

Ellie
22 days ago

I totally think new art and new artists fit into the consumption we need to support category too!

Sally
22 days ago

I’m not into Tiffany lamps at all so would love to see it on and lighting up the room as you’ve described, to be won over.
Doesn’t look at all dark and wintry by the way.
I don’t know the PNW at all, but imagined it snowy and grey through the windows, rather than green and sunny.

Charlie’s table is awesome. Love the organic shape. Paintings are lovely too.

JenPNW
21 days ago
Reply to  Sally

Hi, I live in the Portland area. I’m not sure when these photos were taken but we are currently in the midst of a glorious, rare stretch of cold (30 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning, mid-40s in the afternoon) and sunny days. Normally, it is gray and overcast with periods of rain throughout and the sun will peek out through the clouds occasionally. Over the winter holidays, it felt like we had two weeks of heavy, nonstop rain. And this time last year, we had sub-freezing temps, snow, ice, and high winds which led to so many downed trees and folks’ homes being severely damaged.

Beth
21 days ago

I really really love that new bedding in the guest room. I am surprised how much I like the pops of red/orange on the bedding that’s matched by the painting. It all just sings.
TBH, I’ve never loved the bedframe that is supposed to go in the guest room. I’m sure it’s great in real life, but it seems like the pattern is too small-scale for a bed and I’m afraid it will detract from the lovely guestroom. Sometimes maybe you just say it was fun but move on for both bedroom and guestroom and get the beds you really want?
My other suggestion for the bedroom is that you have 1 big lampshade over the bed and one big picture over the bed. And the current bedframe goes up in the middle. It seems like it would benefit from something less “midline” – spreading out the bedframe or doing 2 paintings over the bed.

Kim Malkiewicz
21 days ago

I’m envious of your unique finds! The art and side table are killer. Thanks for sharing your prices, too. Since I don’t have the need to shop like you do, I wonder what fair prices are.

emily jane
21 days ago

Awesome Em! (ily Henderson because “Em!” is what I hear in my head but then I remember that despite having coffee ‘together’ every morning since before your kids were born, we’ve only met once : )! Instagram

Susan
21 days ago

I love that table for Charlie and the art. It would be great to see an updated Portland area guide now that you’ve lived in the area for awhile

Leigh H
21 days ago

Love the finds! Also love your pink shirt, where is it from if you don’t mind?

York
21 days ago
Reply to  Leigh H

The Rose Long Sleeve Saylor Shirt by Rochelle Behrens.

Jen
21 days ago

That side table is so great, and a great price! The peek of Charlie’s headboard is intriguing… hoping we’ll get the story on that someday!

Admin
York
21 days ago

Those vases on the fireplace from Form & Function PDX are by Studio Nordhaven.

Monica
21 days ago

I love the painting on the mantel. I really love the fireplace as it is…

On a totally unrelated note, I am watching Younger and loving it so much. Glad I finally decided to give it a chance.

Deb
21 days ago

Love the lamp! I’ve got one by my reading chair that I turn on every winter morning. It’s so cozy. My eyes aren’t quite ready for bright, overhead lights at 6 a.m., so it’s perfect for my morning coffee/reading/Spanish lesson time.

Kyong A
21 days ago

I must say, the fireplace looks REAL. I like that it is not painted inside and has evidence of being used and enjoyed.

Mo
21 days ago

Your eye for paintings is always so impressive! Great finds, I love the table as well

erin
21 days ago

the first “real” home decor i bought in college in the 90s was a little tiffany-style lamp. i saved my money and carefully picked it out at a local lamp shop. i’ve never broken up with it. it now sits in a dark corner in my kitchen and is turned on first thing in the morning. i love it. always will. it’s the first thing folks notice when they visit. i love that yours ended up in your kitchen–it’s the perfect friendly spot for a timeless piece. yours is gorgeous! a great find.

Kara
21 days ago

These “vintage finds” posts are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!!!

Christine
21 days ago

Emily-Such beautiful, fun and impactful pieces! ❤️