Hunting for Vintage

Been having a great time in Lexington, shopping the amazing vintage stores in town, and finding some amazing antique resources off the beaten path, too.

I've been redecorating a Guest Bedroom on a slim budget and blink-and-its-here deadline, so thrift stores have been my No. 1 source for unique furnishings and accessories for this room.  I've had a blast meeting many of the shop owners and salespeople at Lexington's thrift and secondhand shops, among them are the staff at Uncle Ray Jay's Furniture ReSellers, Room Service, Scout, Feather My Nest, Another Man's Treasure, and about 5 different Goodwill shops. 

But my absolute favorite shop discovery has been Street Scene, a fabulously put-together vintage boutique.  I walked in the store (which is so unassuming from the exterior), and nearly fainted at the girlie retro wonder of it all.  The store is arranged in half a dozen themed vignettes, with clothing, fashion accessories, furniture and home accessories staged to retro perfection.  It was as if Etsy morphed into a storefront and enveloped me into its well-curated quirkiness.  I whipped out my iPhone and used my favorite app, Camera+, to capture some of the goodness and share here.



Cute little kitchenette vignette!
And, are you kidding me with that chair? It was meticulously recovered in soft red gingham. YES!

A Halloween-themed vignette with 70s furniture and tons of gilded frames on the wall.



Another Halloween-y vignette near the men's clothing section.  Lots of vintage cool men's hats, btw.



The back of the shop, which is huge and so pristine, you'd think all the items were brand spanking new. 



You know I almost convulsed at the sight of all this glassware. 
Too bad I didn't bring an extra suitcase on my trip to fill with these goodies..  I love cocktail glassware!!!



A dressmaker's form was recovered in peacock blue satin and is used to display an insane amount of brooches and pins.  Steal this idea for your boudoir!

  

I really, REALLY loved this campaign-style bamboo tray table.  Wouldn't it make a fabulous nightstand?  And how rad are those plaid pillows?!




This table lamp is so haute. 



Bins filled with decorative handles, pulls, knobs and finials. 
And with prices much cheaper than that store that rhymes with Quanthropologie.



I die.  This patio furniture set would be so cute in a kitchen. 
And all those tabletop goodies are totally Mrs. Roper cool.



If you're in the Lexington area, you must check out Street Scene.  There's a treasure at every step in this shop, and the ladies on staff were so sweet and super stylish.  They recommended some of the other vintage shops that I visited this week (and mentioned above), and were so gracious while I gushed about their fab shop.  I didn't buy anything for the Guest Room makeover, but I managed to buy a purse for myself.  How does that always seem to happen?!? I was there with only 20 minutes before I had a meeting, so I couldn't shop for too long, but I'm going back before I leave town! 

Cheers,
Whitney

The Spanish Inspiration

A few months ago, I received a sweet surprise gift from my client Aubrey in California.  She had attended the Balenciaga & Spain exhibit at the de Young Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco, and bought me this pocket journal as a keepsake.  The exhibit ran from March through July, and my not-so-secret man-crush Hamish Bowles was the guest curator. 

What a delightful gift, even though it reminded me that I missed the exhibit's tour in New York over the winter at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute.  Earlier this week, when I brought out the journal to take some notes on measurements, I was so delighted to be complimented on my little treasure.  Hey, it's the only piece of Balenciaga I own!

Cristóbal Balenciaga was the essential haute couture master.  In fact, he never created a ready to wear collection.  His works in the fashion industry made a significant social  impact on Europe and the Americas, translating Spanish culture, history, and traditions through his art. 

The designer.

Balenciaga's innovative silhouettes & vibrant interpretations completely transformed the way women dressed. His obsessive craftsmanship was epic; if he was unsatisfied with his work, Balenciaga would literally tear it apart.  His works were born in his Paris fashion house in 1937, created there until his retirement in 1968, but forever remained Spanish.  I'm inspired...  how about you?

It's a short week.  For the next 4 days, let's all put some regal Spanish style into our strut.  Balenciaga would be proud. 
Cheers,
Whitney

A Slice of Turkey

My husband and I were in Saratoga Springs, NY, cruising the downtown shopping scene when my eyes bulged out of my face at the sight of this amazing Turkish Bazaar.  A well-edited, organized shop, the gallery featured rugs, kilims, ceramics, suzanis, dresses, lanterns and intricately designed footwear!  Such fun.  I could have stayed in the shop for hours. 

Fabulous!  If you're ever in Saratoga Springs, you may want to get over to the gallery on Broadway for a Turkish shopping spree! 

Cheers,

Whitney

Feeling Hamish

Hamish Bowles' New York and Paris apartments have been gushed over for quite some time on the blogsphere, and for good reason!  These images of his homes in NYC and Paris provide loads of inspiration.  The free use of colorful fabrics, antique artwork, unusual lighting pieces, tailored furniture and well-curated accessories is wonderfully stimulating.  Recently, I've been freelancing with an architecture firm whose work is deliberately restrained with very quiet décor.  Revelling in these images of Bowles' homes today feels like a happy punch in the face to quiet décor!

via Vogue

via Vogue

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue.  Isn't he dapper?

Happy Friday!
Cheers,
Whitney

Feeling Red White & Blue

Getting ready for your Independence Day?  My Pinterest account is overflowing with red, white and blue images, evoking the charming spirit of this summer holiday.  I love this land of mine!

via Emmersonmade

Victorian painted ladies

All images via Pinterest.  Check out my pins here.

Feeling patriotic, and lovin' it.

Cheers,
Whitney