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Recent thrifting finds

We are gearing up for the online vintage store.  I have no idea if this is going to work or be profitable or gobble up all our resources but we have stuff, valuable stuff, and we figured it’s time to add it to the business. I also just need to get back out there. Since having Charlie and since adding more people in the studio I find that my shopping and inspiration days are cut back. It feels weird to be like, ‘Ok guys, have fun working for me all day at the studio while I peruse shops on La Brea and drive an hour into the valley for my favorite thrift store!’

But it needs to happen for a myriad of reasons – my sanity, to stay relevant and know what is out there, and now my biggest excuse of all – the online store.

So, here are some recent finds that basically I’m basically just showing off to you. No pricing yet – just a good old show and tell:

Above picture:

That tiny chair is for Charlie and won’t be sold. Instead its going to get a makeover in a pretty and simple linen, to blend into my living room seamlessly. Kids LOVE acting like grown ups. I almost wish this wasn’t a rocker because you know that he is going to test his standing skills (and test my ‘telling him to sit down’ skills).

Pretty umbrella holder are hard to find. And obviously I need one because the rain in LA is just out of control and I have nowhere to store my umbrella collection.

I love that glass double frame. I might keep this bad boy. I think it’s so unique and simple and pretty.

Lincoln painting – It’s original. Those colors are so pretty. It’s going to be perfect for my country house.

Campaign style desk box – It was cheap ($4) and it might not be worth selling, but I can’t seem to pass up anything that is brass and wood.

vintage-blue-prints

That seascape is one of my favorites – the colors are just so calming and pretty. Again, perfect for my country house. (In case you are sad that you missed the announcement of my country house, you haven’t. I have no country house – I just want a country house with everything in it being old and worn and ticking stripe and seascapes and chaise lounges, etc, so I’m buying and hoarding for it. With all this buying I surely won’t be able to ever afford one – not in this market – so I should probably stop, but I can’t).

That bust is like a senator of some random state from the 70’s. He ain’t too handsome but I love a good head sculpture. Again, for the country house.

Those blueprints are a stupid hoard because I guess when the sun hits them they could fade fast so they have to be hung in a dark room. But I love the color obviously and when I bought them I imagined doing a whole wall of them for a shoot. But framing these bad boys isn’t exactly a little or cheap endeavor.

The basket and the bowl are just simple pretty objects that I’ve found incredibly useful on shoots. That basket made itself into 4 different shots in the book.

country-house-painting

That HUGE tassel is from the fabric district for a shoot a couple of weeks ago and I have no idea what you do with it, I just wanted to show you my big tassel.

The set of paintings are disgusting and filthy, but they were crazy cheap and once they are cleaned up they are going to be perfect in my country house.

I like wood hand sculptures, obviously. And pretty wood boxes. I have never met a pretty wood box that I haven’t been able to use in a shoot.

flea-market-pic

Naturally I added some brass to my collection. That flatware is stupid it’s so good – just simple and straight. I’m going to use that in so many tabletop/entertaining shoots.

I’ve hoarded those paintings for a while – old world, traditional frames and just so pretty. AGAIN WITH THE COUNTRY HOUSE INTENTION. Kill me. I think living in a modern mid-century house where everything is fairly new or clean-lined is making me really want a weird old crumbling house full of 1/2 broken furniture, worn antique rugs and creepy portraits of dead strangers. Brian is SOOOOO excited.

So what would you buy? I know there aren’t prices yet, but if you could have any of these pieces what would it be?

*Photos by the lovely Jessica Isaacs

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cb
9 years ago

the thing I want, I really really want, is the little modernist painting behind the brass flatware.

Sheila
9 years ago
Reply to  cb

Yes, cb, that’s my pick, too!

BridgetG
9 years ago
Reply to  cb

Me, too!

Angela
9 years ago

I would hoard that brass bowl into infinity!

polly
9 years ago
Reply to  Angela

Yup. Me too! Beautiful!

Jody
9 years ago

I’ll take the hand holding the branch (but only if the branch comes with it). And that flatwear looks good enough to eat so I won’t need to make dinner! Great finds, can’t wait for the online store!

Ali
9 years ago

Wood hand, please! However, you mentioned that every one of these items is for your future country house, so it seems like I’m outta luck ;~).

Considering relocating to LA so we can go thrifting together…my husband is a trooper and will sometimes go with me, but my friends couldn’t care less! HA. Love all of your finds!

Kathryn
9 years ago

Damn girl that brass bowl.

Sarah
9 years ago

Can. Not. Wait.
I got to buy something from your charish sale, but this seems even better/more fun/I’d rather give you all the money.

crackers
9 years ago

Hi Emily – off topic….but what do you think about panting a tray ceiling (or are they called step ceilings?) or ceilings in general? We’re buildling a new home, i plan on having all white walls yeehaww! wondering if painting a ceiling a dark dark blue or charcoal color if it would enclose it and make it feel cave-like. wondering your take on this?

Dawn
9 years ago

I love seeing what you find thrifting! I want all the cool loot but without the work of shopping for it, so I’m glad you’re opening an online shop soon. I’m most interested in the paintings (the Lincoln and the seascape are my favorites), the basket, and the brass bowl. But honestly all of it is awesome.

Kristen
9 years ago

Agh! Blueprints!

I have been looking for blueprints for my (dark) entry forever! Stupid ebay has a dearth of good vintage blueprints. What are the drawings of? What size are they? How many do you have? Actually it almost doesn’t matter.

Send me an email and I’ll buy them unframed… No need to wait for your vintage store to go live. 😉

Cammee
9 years ago

Seascape and basket…for my country house.

Laura
9 years ago

Art Art Art Art Art and did I mention art??? 🙂

Amber
9 years ago
Reply to  Laura

Me too! All of it! I can’t find this stuff in Minnesota!

Katie
9 years ago
Reply to  Amber

Amber – Ever tried Hunt and Gather at 50th and Xerxes in MPLS?

Amber
9 years ago
Reply to  Katie

Looking into it now! Appreciate your recommendation!

biz
9 years ago
Reply to  Amber

Amber – you might also want to check out Retro Wanderlust in Hopkins if you haven’t yet. She is firm on pricing (read: does not negotiate) but I have found some gems there. Very interesting lamp selection last I went (I moved away a year ago).

Amber
9 years ago
Reply to  biz

Thank you soooo much! I’ll definitely check it out!

julie k
9 years ago
Reply to  biz

Second Retro W and of course Hunt and Gaher. Poking around Retro Wanderlust is a nightmare but there is gold to be found. I find my best stuff in thrift stores in small town wisconsin though. All of this can be had here and at the same or less.

Also the strip in St Paul with the Bearded Mermaid, etc.

I do pretty well at thrift in the burbs too, you just need to stop frequently.

Karen
9 years ago
Reply to  Amber

Amber you need to check out Retro Wanderlust in downtown Hopkins. I promise you won’t be disappointed, really.

Esther
9 years ago
Reply to  Laura

Yup! What Laura said. I always LOVE the artwork in your posts. Would love an opportunity to get some of it on my bare walls. 🙂

9 years ago

Man, I want that Lincoln painting bad! I love it, and it would be perfect in my home.

9 years ago

I would get the hand for sure.

Jeannie
9 years ago

Lincoln, brass bowl, and hand sculpture….perfection.

Jessica
9 years ago
Reply to  Jeannie

I agree – I would take all three!

Kathleen
9 years ago

Hi Emily! I found two sets of my home’s original blueprints and had one set (4 sheets) framed in UV-protection glass. They’ve been hanging in a room with full sun for 3 years with zero fading – don’t hide those bad boys in the dark!

Denise Flansburg
9 years ago

Can i just say that the sarcasm in your posts is what keeps me coming back. I rarely read design posts anymore (3 month old baby at home), but yours are always worth the time.

Sharon
9 years ago

Love all of your hoard…but Abraham Lincoln is just doing it for me.

9 years ago

I like the tassel, the double wood frame, and the child’s rocker. I’ve got a little guy on the way and he’d be so cute in it… as I’m sure Charlie is too 🙂

Jeanne
9 years ago

The wooden hands, cupped and holding the greenery. They are really cool and sculptural. OR the head. It’s a little creepy, but he kinda reminds me of what my paternal grandfather might have looked like, it’s the dimple in his chin, my uncle had it, I have it and my oldest daughter has it. Plus, I could move it every now and then and freak out my girls when they get older… “old man is waaatching you, oooo…”

Jessica
9 years ago
Reply to  Jeanne

Wish there was a ‘like’ button here. Esp for the last sentence-so funny!

Lisa
9 years ago

I would buy that Lincoln painting and that double frame in a heartbeat! Both are AMAZING! I love all that you find. Cannot wait for the shop (and for me to win the lottery 😉 so I can actually buy stuff)

Happy Thrifting!

Tina Slocum
9 years ago

Well since I have to choose…the double glass frame, the framed lady reading or knitting in the last photo and the brass bowl. Amazing finds.

9 years ago

I’d take those rockers off that tiny chair and put some angled MCM feet on beauty. It’s the PERFECT height for a little one and could help remove that layer of stress. 🙂

Sarah
9 years ago
Reply to  Jess E

YES! That is exactly what I was thinking – make it a non-rocking chair and everyone is happy.

Kayla
9 years ago

Love Charlie’s rocking chair! And it’s weird, but I’m really into the Lincoln painting.

Alyssa
9 years ago

I’ve missed these kinds of posts!

I LOVE “smalls” like the boxes, hand sculptures, and baskets. Would definitely be tempted to buy those.

Cannot WAIT for your vintage store to launch!

Lynne
9 years ago

Love the hand a lot. As for Charlie’s rocker – you know it might get a little nerve wracking what with little boys being little boys and all you could have your upholsterer take off the rockers and put on legs instead. Just a thought.

Ursula
9 years ago

I would take all the wood and all the brass and the glass double frame, but since it’s all going into your country house….

Debbie
9 years ago

Brass bowl! And those blue prints! I want them!

Charell
9 years ago

The head bust. Duh. This was the easiest choice I’ve ever had to make.

Now, in a fantasy world where I could keep everything I could grab, I’d also get my paws on Lincoln, the wood hand and the brass bowl…

Sarah
9 years ago

I seriously want it all!
What format will you be selling? I love a flash sale as a shopper, but as your friend (in my mind only) I think you’d make more money setting a base and selling auction (eBay like) format.
Just my 2cents (towards my purchase!)

Jessica
9 years ago

Really digging the huge tassel and the filthy tree painting behind it.

This post made me want to go thrifting badly. The Goodwill circuit around the Portland suburbs has always been fun, if not filled with ‘valuable’ finds! I always come away with a little something to love!

Lauren
9 years ago

The wood hand sculpture, the framed lady reading (love those colors!), and the basket. Love it all!

Ruth
9 years ago

I NEED those paintings for my CURRENT house. Nearly flipped out over Abe and the seascape… Please put them in my MT farmhouse, and you can come stay with them! 😉

dulcie
9 years ago

Must have the two dirty pictures. You know what I mean. Not dirty, dirty. Just need cleaning up.

Brittany
9 years ago

Would love to have the reading lady painting behind the brass bowl in the last pic. I rarely like art with people in it because the idea of having strange faces in my house freaks me out. Paradoxically, the idea of art with a faceless or unidentifiable person does not bother me at all, so the almost featureless lady is just what the doctor ordered.

9 years ago

Paintings. All the face paintings in the world. Buy them for cheap, and then sell them to me for cheap. Cheap is the key, cause I can find expensive ones myself.

Becca
9 years ago

Lincoln and all of the art things, please.

Lilli
9 years ago

I am SO excited about your store! You are the master of the knickknack & fun vintage art, and I need your shopping skills to fill my home 🙂

Renee
9 years ago
Reply to  Lilli

I agree x100!! I would love the art especially the woman in the last vignette. Although, looks like I’m not the only one.

Laurie
9 years ago

I’m obsessed with old paper, of all kinds, so definitely the blueprints!

Elyse
9 years ago

Yay online storeee! Ugh I love framed blueprints! I work for a construction company and anytime we work with the old blueprints I get excited cause they’re rare and pretty and a true work of art! Imagining creating plans.. without a computer!! Yeah I’m a nerd, whatevs. We throw them around and leave them in sunny boardrooms and they dont seem too delicate or to fade too quickly, maybe just archival frame job? That’s a thing, right?

Susie
9 years ago

Abe 🙂

carrie
9 years ago

I guess I’m in the minority for now: I’d pick the umbrella holder.
Also, I’m just curious: do you ever worry about bed bugs or mold or… whatever else could be lurking in old fabric (or wood)? How do you deal with this? For Charlie’s rocker, are you simply stripping it all down to the bones and starting over? I love the idea of thrift-store shopping, but am always too weirded out about the, um, history of the piece. I always imagine the grossest scenarios (& hate to be this way, but just can’t help it).

carrie
9 years ago

Also the blueprints!

Jami
9 years ago

The campaign style desk box would have given me a little heart attack of I’d found it at the flea market for four bucks! Nice finds 🙂

Rachel
9 years ago

Since I love good ole honest Abe, I would LOVE to be able to buy that painting – it’s amazing!!!

Becky
9 years ago

The Lincoln painting! It is beautiful AND kitschy. Plus I am from Illinois…so it is perfection.

Holly
9 years ago

The Abraham Lincoln portrait, but it wouldn’t be for me. My nephew is getting married and he served in the Iraq, Kuwait and Japan. One Christmas when he asked me what I wanted I told him that I would love a copy of his favorite book. It turned out to be the story of Abraham Lincoln – Team of Rivals. He has started a group to support veterans who want to get into politics. He inspires others, and I would love to buy something that would speak to him of his aspirations. Maybe he’d put it in his office or in his home.
http://mic.com/profiles/488/seth-mccormick-lynn

9 years ago

The paintings and the wooden hand! Great finds!

Sam
9 years ago

Lincoln!

I’m so excited about your vintage store! Selling vintage is such a fun way to make money and is the PERFECT excuse for shopping.

etsy.com/shop/OTRVintageClothing

Sunnie
9 years ago

The seascape & upright wooden hand

9 years ago

love the lincoln painting. ill give you $50 so you make a $10 profit! ok? done. check is in the mail ha!
love the brass bowl-which i dont need but like you i cant stop with the brass. yeah give me the brasslwood box too.