FINDING VINTAGE...

This weekend, I roamed around checking out some of the coolest little fabric stores in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook looking for some vintage fabric for a project. My favorite find of the day was from the adorable Brooklyn General Store, where they stock an ever-changing selection of vintage fabrics from the owner's private stash.

After many hours searching, I found some great fabric, but came up mostly empty handed on the vintage front. Yesterday's rainy day seemed like the perfect time to scour eBay and Etsy. Here are some of my favs...

Loved the colors and abstract print of this tablecloth...

Mod Tablecloth- Gallivanting Girls

Swiss Dot fabric, popular in the 1950s is always one of my favorites

Dotted Swiss Fabric- Callida

 Blue-Tan Mod Op Art Fabric- CaffeineQueenie

Love this abstract chevron...

Vintage Fabric- Carersattic

I think "groovy" might be the right term for this fabric. Love the details...

1970s Ink Pen Girl- RainyDayStoryVintage

Big, bold and graphic fits the bill...

 Vintage Fabric- The House of Oliver

Red and White Dotted Vintage Chenille Fabric- alorasadorables

Straight from the Netherlands, bright, bold and mod

Bubble Gum Fabric- Fabbits

 

Mod Yves Saint Laurent Pillowcases- Dazzleship

Do you have a go-to for vintage fabrics? 

The Secret's Out...

For the last few weeks, I've been dying to to share some exciting news, but had to keep my lips zipped. I've been asked to be a guest blogger for iVillage's Home & Garden site! My first post about how to shop a flea market is up today in the House Proud section. Check it out here.

(Shopping LA Part 3- Vintage Stores coming later today...)

Vintage Trends Fall 2010

One of my favorite things about going to one of the larger flea markets, like Alameda Antiques by the Bay or Rose Bowl is not only picking up cool treasures, but seeing some of the larger trends in vintage. Like fashion, there are definitely popular vintage items that start popping up in antique shops and retail stores across the country.

Here are some of the trends I spotted at a recent trip to Alameda Antiques by the Bay...

Great natural curiosities finds like animal skulls were in high demand at the market.

Bright vintage college and city pennants
(image courtesy of Livingston & Porter on Etsy)

Lots of vintage typewriters and black rotary telephones... 

'Tis the season, vintage christmas ornaments were out in preparation for the Holiday season.

Vintage cloth mannequin forms

Although not new, I continue to see...

Vintage metal letters

Vintage signs

Any trends that you've spotted recently?

Mad Men Inspired...

 (Image courtesy of AMC)

I'm thrilled that one of my favorites shows, Mad Men is finally back! While my own experiences working in advertising hardly mirror that of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce (thank goodness!), I enjoy thinking of a bygone era of glamorous cocktail parties,  fabulous dresses and long booze-filled lunches.

I didn't realize this before, but many of my purchases for Octavia & Brown recently have been Mad Men inspired. Here are a few sneak peeks...

Friday Obsession- Lucite Trunks

This week I have been obsessing over these fabulous lucite trunks. They're perfect for displaying something bright and colorful, or can be a cool addition on top of a graphic rug. In small spaces they're functional without taking up a lot of visual space. These trunks are especially sleek and modern... love it!

I  believe that a lucite trunk and your Grandmother's wing chair can live happily together...

(photos courtesy of Mecox Gardens, House Beautiful, Jordan Cappella, Lonny Magazine)

Octavia & Brown All Around Town...

It was a busy weekend at Octavia & Brown! Several of my vintage items were featured on the front page of Etsy and on Etsy's blog, the Storque. Check out the check blog post Mellow Sea here.

Also, this weekend was the first Octavia & Brown photo shoot in Brooklyn! Styled by my wonderfully talented friend Henriette and shot by amazing interiors photographer, Tom Judge, my vintage items looked awesome! Tom has a great eye for shooting interiors, you can check out some of his other work here.

I can't wait to share some of the photos, in the meantime, here are some of the items we used on the shoot. All are available at Octavia & Brown.

 

More stories from the shoot to follow soon... 

Friday Obsession- Vanity Trays

I love the old-school glamour of vanity trays.  The variety of sizes and style make them a perfect addition to a bureau or nightstand.

Large trays are great for creating a stylish bar and organizing liquor bottles, etc.

Small trays look great overflowing with earrings, chunky rings and necklaces. I love seeing everything out on display.  I use a tiny silver plate tray to stash business cards on my desk.

They can also be used together. One of my favorite vintage trays has a beautiful brass edge, I use it with a small porcelain saucer to capture earrings and bracelets.

(Photos courtesy of Lonny Magazine, Eddie Ross, Domino, Octavia & Brown)

Not Your Average Father's Day

Finding gifts for Father's Day can be difficult. After all, how many ties can one person own? Here are a few unusual gift ideas for all the dads in your life...

For the Handy Man, an instant carpenter set from Sweet Love Vintage

For the Inspired Chef, fresh sweet waters or kumamotos from Hog Island Oyster Co can shipped directly to his door...

 

For the Metropolitan Guy, custom city map cuff links from Tomato-Made

For the Science Geek, a card by Shop Gibberish

For the Hipster, retro liquor decanters by Bella Smiles

For the Gourmet, not your average meat of the month club, homemade salumi from Boccalone in San Francisco

For the Grill Master, custom BBQ Rub set by Purpose Design

Friday Obsession- Vintage Tea Cups

For quite a while, every trip to the thrift store, or late night on eBay in usually partly in search of brightly colored tea cups.  I love them because they're so versatile and you don't have to have a complete set. One or two in each pattern is fine, as they look great mixed and matched on a table. I think they'd be perfect for serving ice cream on a warm summer night.

They look lovely with small bouquet on a nightstand or bureau...

Perfect for stashing jewelry in a drawer, I also put them out to hold rings and earrings on a nightstand...

I've also seen them given away as party favors at a wedding. The possibilities are endless...

(images courtesy of Domino Magazine, Martha Stewart, first image unknown)