For the last year or so since I opened my Etsy shop NaNa's Things, I have been so obsessed and passionate in the business of finding fabulous vintage items to sell in my shop, that I (almost) forgot how many fabulous vintage items I already have to decorate my own home with. Most of the items I am going to show you are things I bought in the early 80's.
All winter all I cared about was when the vintage hunting season was going to start, what I might find different and unique to make my shop stand on it's own from the multitude of vintage shops on Etsy. I didn't even care about the business side of it and making money. Then I found out I had to have hip surgery and all my plans were dashed for this Spring....or so I thought.
I have made a pretty quick recovery and although I still need a cane and there is pain (!) I hunted for and hauled my own vintage things out of the basement to decorate my front porch, which dates back to 1870. I am about a month behind getting flowers to plant and placing everything just so, but then that sort of thing is ongoing, isn't it?
The wooden crate filled with geraniums above is actually a box to collect grapes in the vineyards from the Taylor Wine Company in Hammondsport, New York. They have since gone out of business and I was fortunate to buy this crate many years ago. I found it hidden in the back corner of the basement. You can just barely see the stamping on the end of the box....
One of the best finds of my early vintage hunting days is this 3 tier bench. It was quite expensive for the 1980's and it was painted an ugly steel gray. I had to have it. I repainted it to match (probably shouldn't have!) and it became a decorative piece of furniture in my dining room for years.
Now repainted again to match my porch, it has become nicely weathered to display my various collectible items, like a Dietz lantern and a late 1800's kettle. The birds nest was found abandoned in my yard. I think the birds used the streamers from one of my son's birthday parties to help build the nest, which makes it all the more special.
If anyone knows anything about this bowl, I would love a comment. I have researched high and low and have come up with nothing!
This chippy, dirty, wonderful stool is a new old find. I filled my Kraft Pimento wooden box with faux geraniums for some color in a shady part of the porch.
Another new old find is this aqua, chippy, chair found in a big barn in my old vintage hunting neighborhood. It was $2!!! I paired it with my wrought iron milk crate and collection of vintage milk bottles, setting it by the front door as if I get a delivery every Monday morning. My plant is in between flowering....it is a mass of lavender petite flowers when in bloom.
Whew! That was a lot! I have one more, well, maybe more than one more picture to show you. So many of you asked for a picture of me in my outfit that I talked about in this post, so here it is, despite the fact that I am not happy about how VOLUMINOUS I look in the picture!
I do have to brag about my necklace though, a last minute change I made to the outfit because when I saw it I had to have it! It is from a new shop on Etsy, Unique Chic & Rustics, run by a sweet girl, Jessica. Please check her shop out when you get a chance. Here is a close-up of my perfect accessory!
Okay, go have a rest on the front porch with some cold iced tea....I know I need too!
AnnMarie :)
I am linking up with these Fabulous blog parties this week....Sweet & Savoury Sundays
Let's Get Social Sunday
Amaze Me Monday
Marvelous Mondays
Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
My Favorite Posts Show Off Weekend Blog Party
Tuesday Trivia
The Scoop
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
What's It Wednesday Link Party
Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop
Meet & Greet Blog Hop
Fluster's Creative Muster Party
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Be Inspired
Aloha Friday Hop
Weekend Wonders
Freedom Fridays
