T's Ten, Week of 5/27

Welcome to another installment of T's Ten! But first, big news-Tom is officially across the pond! We are super excited to see what he's able to find so stay tuned for an update when he returns.  And without further ado...

1. I'm always on the hunt for unique and interesting ways to store away my jewelry. I really love this French paper box and would use it just for that purpose. If you don't wear jewelry, why not put it on top of your desk to hide away paper clips and the like? Either way, this is a fantastic storage solution. French Paper Box, Dealer #44, $98.

 2. I've noticed that papasan furniture has gained a lot of attention lately, and I've seen several great examples on a few blogs I read. This papasan swivel rocker doesn't fail to pique my interest. According to my handy dandy dictionary (Wikipedia!), papasan furniture hit the states in the 1950s and gained in popularity throughout the 1970s. All the more reason to buy it, I say. Pair it with some sultry potted ferns, a polyester dress, and The Rolling Stones' "Some Girls" and you're on your way back to my favorite decade! Papasan Swivel Rocker, two available with cushions, Dealer #FF, $95 ea.

 3. Next up, this seashell lamp. I love it for several reasons, but most of all because it reminds me of the many beach trips I took with my family to the North Carolina coast every summer. Just looking at this lamp calls to mind the smells and sounds of the ocean. Ah, summertime! Vintage seashell lamp, Dealer #150, $98.

 4. How cute is this!? I'm not usually a dog person, considering I have two black cats, but who says we can't add a pup to the bunch? This pup is especially useful because he can keep your door propped open while at the same time causing you to pause and say "aww" every time you walk past it. Boxer Door Stop, Dealer #08, $35.

 5. If you are a loyal follower of the blog (you all should be!) then you'll recall having seen my own house featured a few weeks back. And if you saw that post, then you also saw how much I love printers block letters and trays. This one doesn't fail to make me a little weak in the knees, especially because it has a cool green painted edge at the top. I've seen a lot of cute crafting projects using these kinds of trays, but I particularly love housing small objects in them as a shadowbox. Printers woodblock tray, Dealer #OMD, $35.

 6. There are so many things to say about this coffee table. The legs! The wood top! The industrial factor! And what's that, it's on sale too!?! I just plain love this table. Perfect for families looking for something sturdy, or perfect for a bachelor pad. Industrial Coffee Table, Dealer #NYA, $275.

 7. I'm so in love with this statue. I just can't help it. It would look just as great indoors as out, providing a wonderful sculptural element to your space. Painted Concrete Staute of Girl With Umbrella, Dealer #150, $38.

 8. Although these two tables aren't an exact match, I think they are really lovely together and would be great used as bedside tables. I like that they also have a lot of storage, both with the top drawer and bottom cabinet. A great way to hide my growing collection of books that keep stacking higher and higher by my bed. Plus, another fun tidbit. This dealer specializes in importing furniture and housewares from Asia. These are crafted and hand painted in Tibet. Hand Painted Tibetan Cabinets, Dealer #444, $295 ea.

 9. This dainty little vintage desk is too cute for words. It would be perfect for a studio or apartment, because it won't take up too much room. Plus, because its shelving is exposed it tricks the eye in the same way that a mirror makes your room appear larger. I also love that the dealer has covered the formica top with corkboard tiles for a more sophisticated, less kitschy take. Vintage Corktop Desk, Dealer #83, $110.

 10. I hesitate to share this with you at all. Why? Because I really, really love it. My wallet keeps jumping out of my purse, reminding me it's available to help me purchase this painting. I love how ghostly the sailboats are and that the black frame so perfectly juxtaposes the black boat bases. It's really quite stunning in person. According to the dealer, the artist is listed and often signed his name backwards, substituting Marcos for Socram. This is also dated 1962, for those of you into art history. Mid-Century Sailboat Painting, Dealer #133, $450.

Oddfellows At Home Part II

I'm really excited to present this blog post. And while this little preview isn't exactly in a home, it is in a local Asheville business. The Blue Ribbon Salon in West Asheville has been in business since July 2008 and specializes in quality cuts for men, women, and children. What makes it really stand out, however, is owner Beth Adams' unique take on vintage barber shop decor. Or the fact that they serve PBR to its adult clientele. Either way, you're sure to have a lot of fun while you get your hair done here (I can guarantee it!).

Beth recently came into Oddfellows looking for some new wares for the salon, and she came away with two fantastic signs that both encompass her vintage aesthetic from a dealer specializing in industrial and vintage signs. Below are a few pictures, but to fully experience this place, you'll have to book an appointment! Visit The Blue Ribbon's website to find out more about Beth and her great staff, or check them out on Facebook here.

 This sign was an obvious choice. It's a vintage light up "Cold Beer" PBR sign, that now lovingly hangs above the salon's vintage refrigerator that is full of...that's right, cold beer!

This barber shop sign, advertising "Vam for healthy, handsome hair" was also a must for Beth. Now it sits on top of the salon's amazing cabinetry, original to the building, showcasing their hair products.

This is a picture I borrowed from the Blue Ribbon website, just to give you an idea of how cool this place really is.

Have you recently bought an item for your local business or home from Oddfellows? Please get in touch! We would really like to showcase you on our blog! Our email address oddfellowsavl@gmail.com

T's Ten, week of 5/20

I hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy! We had a great weekend at the shop, and at the yard sale too! It sure is a wonder what ends up collecting dust at my house after a year. A few housekeeping notes to pass on--Tom's big trip to England starts next week! I am already anxious to see what he's able to find this go round. If you have any last minute items you'd like Tom to keep in mind for you as he's treasure hunting, be sure to visit us this week at the shop.

And now, on to more pertinent matters...This week's top ten favorites!

1. I have a weak spot for lucite, and this sculpture is calling my name. What I really like about it is its texture. I love the swirl of motion the sculpture provides, and because the lucite here isn't completely smooth it is really working for me. Vintage lucite sculpture, Dealer #076, $78.

 2. This chest has been a long time favorite of mine. It's an early English chest made of pine with excellent industrial style hardware. For me, it resembles a library card catalog, and that makes it all the more appealing. I think it would look great in a small entryway, or even used in a kitchen for additional storage. Early English chest, Dealer #44, $675.

 3. What's not to like about these stools!? They've got a great vinyl cover in orange for a fresh pop of color, with industrial bases. Originally used in a soda shop, I would put these puppies by a little outdoor bar. I can also see them in a large loft apartment as a funky alternative to side tables. Pair of Soda Shop Stools, Dealer #NYA, $225.

 4. This table is an eclectic alternative to the traditional marble top tables I've seen lately. I love the painted black legs with the slight turn at the feet and the marble is hitting my radar in a big way. Marble adds a really clean, sophisticated line that I appreciate. What's even better is there are two of these guys, sold as a pair. Trust me, you won't want to buy one without the other...together, these tables are a true design knockout. Pair of Marble Top Tables, Dealer #150, $600.

 5. AH, celadon!! What's celadon, you ask? Celadon is a term used to describe both the glaze and color (jade green) of ceramics and pottery which originated in ancient China and has since spread throughout Asia. The simplicity of these pots, combined with the minty jade color, are an impeccable example of great design. Lucky for us, we've got a dealer that specializes in imports from China. These three pots were originally used as food storage, but I think they could stand alone or with flowers. What's that old saying...You can never have too much celadon! Celadon pots, Dealer #444, $59 ea.

 6. Oh, hello there fancy birdcage. Although I have no need for a fancy birdcage, I really need this bird cage. Why? Because it will be a true statement piece atop our dining table. Or in our hallway on a lovely sideboard. Or how about adding a big Eddison bulb in the middle and hanging it as a chandelier in the dining room? Any of these situations will work just fine! Fantastic birdcage, Dealer #150, $275.

 7. Lately, I've been falling asleep each night looking at travel websites with amazing views of beachside villas. I'm pretty sure that I've seen a table just like this in a photo next to a lovely hammock, holding on its glass top an exotic adult beverage and a trashy beach novel . Maybe if I take this table home with me, my little bungalow will transform into a beachside villa off the coast of Tahiti? One can dream! Dealer #83, Vintage Rattan base table, $90.

 8. Bunnies! I love bunnies. Incidentally, who doesn't love bunnies?!? Anyway, these guys are actually a chocolate mold and if I had a French country kitchen, these would grace my countertops wonderfully. Until then, they will make an appearance in my current kitchen, adding 1 part whimsy with 2 parts bunny.  Plus, we've got 4 of them so you can get one too! Dealer #05, Bunny Chocolate Molds, $22.50 ea.

9. I am really into vintage signage lately. I love big and bold, but I also appreciate this Nehi sign for its long rectangular shape and smaller size. One of the problems I continually face in my own home is maintaining enough wall space for all of the great artwork and signs I constantly bring home. We are forever substituting one painting for another, swapping this deerhead with that duck mount, etc., so I appreciate that this guy is long and narrow. Plus I am also tempted to gift this to my little sister; she LOVES Peach Nehi. Dealer #02, Vintage Nehi Sign, $50.

 10. I think I've mentioned before my love of textiles and textile art. The quirkier the better, I say. This rooster is no exception. It is bold and graphic and the little red hearts are to die for. I think the obvious location for this rooster in my home is above our sofa, but I could also place it in the bedroom, and down the road I think it would be sweet hanging in a quirky nursery for a baby. Dealer #123, Rooster Textile, $110.

You are formally invited!

YES! That's right, Oddfellows friends. I am having a big ole yard sale tomorrow! A few friends and even an Oddfellows dealer will be sharing the yard with us, where the prices are gonna amaze and astonish you! It begins at 8AM and goes until it's all gone. See below for a listing of goodies to be had, and when you're done shopping with me you can continue your hunting at Oddfellows with Tom and Kelly!


Details:
When: Saturday, May 19
Where: Mildred Avenue in West Asheville (Follow the signs, or look for the trail of cars!)
 Time: 8:00AM (NO EARLIER PLEASE)-til it's all gone, Rain or Shine

For Sale: vintage clothing (mens and womens) priced at $2 per piece, vintage housewares (pillows, lamps, knick knacks), mid-century furniture (HEYWOOD WAKEFIELD vanity for $200 whoa, set of 10 bentwood chairs (no upholstery), tub chair, steelcase office chair, end tables, tons more), a large commercial printer, a Toyota Tundra metal toolbox, toys, oddities, kitchen utensils, FREE BIN (yes, free), and lemonade!

Here's what it looked like last year. I'm predicting it's gonna be even bigger than last year though!

T's Ten!

Phew! What a busy couple of weeks. Are you guys enjoying the hustle and bustle of spring as much as I do? In the middle of all the spring cleaning, preparing for our yard sale (more on that later), and visiting family in Virginia, I realized that there are tons of new items in the shop that I am seriously aching to call my own. With that in mind, I've decided to start a weekly series entitled "T's Ten," or in layman's terms..."Things I would buy if I had an unlimited amount of space in my home, and millions of dollars in the pocket." In an effort to practice restraint, which is something one must do often when working in such an amazing store, I'm sticking to ten items at a time. Rest assured, though, that I could probably continue this list into the thousands. So, in no particular order, these are things I would buy this week. Stay tuned for next week's picks!

1.  For some reason, I have been really drawn to throw pillows lately (more than usual, I should say). They are definitely a great way to spruce up your house without spending a lot of money, and they provide texture and a great pop of color to your space. This ikat pillow does not fail to delight. Textiles are a big weakness for me, and anything ikat or kilim always catches my eye. Ikat pillow, dealer #150-C, $36.

 2. This is such a sweet chair, and its wow factor is all in the details. Add tufted silk fabric to a gold leaf painted frame and you've got one happy Tarleton. Incidentally, throwing the ikat pillow on the seat would really look fantastic, don't you think? Antique chair, dealer #076, $98.

 3. This German print is so sweet. I love how graphic the simple black silhouettes of the train become when paired with a more ornate frame. Little known fact, I took German for a year in college. While I don't have any recollection of the German word for train,  I still hold a fond place in my heart for the language and I'm always drawn to artwork and objects from the region. Ich liebe...see, I remember that much! Dealer #133, German train print, $275.

 4. Love this vintage boy scout set! I'm not sure what I would do with it, but it sure does delight the vintage enthusiast in me to no end. I particularly love the sash with all of the achievement patches. Dealer #08, Boy Scout collection, $49.

 5. How cool is this vintage grocery cart!?! Lately I am really enjoying the industrial elements we have in the shop, and this does not fail to tempt me. You know what it would be perfect for? Schlepping all of my Oddfellows goodies back home with me! Dealer #FF, Vintage Grocery Cart, $95.

 6. If you are anything like me, you have got really grand ideas when it comes to outdoor projects. And if you're also like me, you have a tendency to neglect said projects. What I really like about these iron urns is that they require little effort on my part. I could put some really dramatic plants or ferns in them, and channel my inner Garden Club grandma, but what's most likely is that I would set them two by two in my front lawn thinking about what to put in them. And yet, that's okay too, because with these guys whether you use them solely to decorate or house a plant, either way works just fine and you end up with a sophisticated statement and yard no matter what. Dealer #143, Iron Urns, $145 ea.

 7. These survey maps from England are just. plain. cool. They have multiple uses (wallpaper, wrapping paper, wall art) and it's really fun looking at all the small details of these guys. Another example of excellent graphic design for sure. Dealer #03, Survey Maps of England, $14 ea.

 8. I really love old books. I really, really love old books with pictures. This framed vintage bookplate is no exception. I have a big stack of books with plates like this, and I always say that I will get around to framing them one day, but let's face it; much like my inner slacker gardener, my inner slacker crafter is begging me to forgo the framing project in favor of this little number. I also love how the chunky frame perfectly compliments the delicate birds. I would love to have an entire wall of these! Dealer #OMD, Vintage Framed Bookplate print, $45.

 9. Guys, meet Ethan. Ethan, meet the guys. Ethan happens to be our resident Letter "E" model, and in his spare time he's also my husband. I would buy this for obvious reasons, but I would probably buy it even if my husband's name didn't begin with an E. It's large, it's bold, it's graphic. It's everything I desire from a great piece of wall art. Dealer #150, Letter "E", $185.

 10. Last, but not least by any means. This circus sign from 1976 is too good to be true. I often talk about the imaginary home in my head, and this sign lives there. I would probably put it in my imaginary living room, above my imaginary 10' sectional sofa. Or down the road, I might even put it in my imaginary children's imaginary play room. Either way, it's there, in my imaginary house just waiting for me. Dealer #02, Vintage Circus Sign, $150.