Decorating with Antique Postcards

A few years ago I fell in love with vintage Christmas postcards when I came across a little gift shop selling them for a dollar or two. I couldn't resist the charming images, or the simple and thoughtful notes written to friends on the back. Until the shop closed, I would pick up one or two each year to add to the collection, including one signed by a person who shared my last name!

I don't hold a large collection...only 10...all postmarked between 1917 and 1926, none of them museum quality. But I wanted to find a way to display them so that everyone could enjoy the charm and holiday greetings they so lovingly convey.

My solution was a simple one, in keeping with the vintage holiday decor that appears throughout the house each December. I carefully stuck them between the branches of a little alpine tree that I have sitting on the window seat in my dining room...a perfect solution!

From time to time I pull them out and read the friendly greetings sent to family and friends so long ago...and hope that I can somehow find another little gift shop with vintage postcards for $1!!

Collecting Antique Linens

Antique shows and garage sales are everywhere in the summer months, and with them comes the opportunity to pick up some great items at bargain prices. I always try to compile a list of pieces I'd like to find before the season arrives so I don't go too crazy with spur of the moment purchases, but one item I almost always go a little overboard with is old linens. For whatever reason, the look and feel of these once common, everyday items and the importance they held in households of the past are absolutely irresistable to me. Used here and there in the home, they give a very cozy, cottagey feel to every room.

Once upon a time, every respectable home contained a nice assortment of tablecloths, napkins, dresser scarves and doilies, most of which were likely the handiwork of the woman of the house, a collection amassed over a long period of time. Unfortunately, the skills required to create these beautiful items are becoming lost as fewer and fewer women have the need, desire or time to learn how it's done.

Thankfully, many of these old collections are finding their way into the hands of people who treasure them. Right now there is a great abundance of them available, but that has begun to change, as well as the prices attached to them. The quality of antique linens is often much higher than manufactured pieces found in department stores, so their value is only likely to rise over the years as they become harder and harder to find. Time is of the essence, so begin your collection now.

Choose linens that appeal to you, and don't be afraid to use them. That was, after all, why they were created. They do, however, have to be cared for properly but it is not difficult to do and is, in fact, something I look forward to. And I don't even like to do laundry!

An excellent source of information on laundering antique linens is http://antiques.about.com/cs/textiles/a/aa031900.htm

There are so many reasons for collecting old linens: availability, affordability, beauty and history. It's hard to leave a show without a few in hand.

Great American Antiquefest- July 21 & 22

Come one, come all! The Great American Antiquefest will take place at Longbranch Park in Liverpool, NY on July 21, 9am to 5pm, and July 22 from 9am to 4pm. This is an event I wait for all year and schedule our summer plans around. There are generally anywhere from 200 to 300 dealers set up throughout the cool, shady park (so much better than an open field filled with tents), offering everything from beautifully restored furniture, to glassware, books, household wares and tools...pretty much anything you might be looking for.

I have found many, many fascinating treasures selling at affordable prices at this event for the last 10 years. Several food vendors provide a nice choice of items to eat whether you're wanting a snack or a meal; and drink stands dot the walkways throughout for liquid refreshment. Lots of fresh-squeezed lemonade!! Mmmmm!

Tickets are $6 a day, or a weekend pass for $7. Also, there is a $20 "setup shopper" pass for Friday which also will admit you the entire weekend.This is a fantastic setting for antiquing, one you shouldn't miss if you're in the area.

For more information, see the Great American Antiquefest link at left.

Listening to the Past: Antique Phonographs

Looking back over his long career, Thomas Edison once said, "Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best." Well, Mr. Edison, your light bulb was pretty amazing, too, but I have to agree with you. There is nothing that quite compares to cranking up the old phonograph and listening to the music of another era, hearing the sounds as they were meant to be played.

My father had a large collection of 78 rpm records that he would pull out from time to time and play for us. He always played them on his stereo turntable, but would tell us about the crank phonograph his mother used to have, always giving a little sigh when he'd talk about it. A few years ago I received one of his albums, and my quest for an antique phonograph began.

It turned out to be easier than I expected to find one in working condition. These machines were produced in large numbers in their day, and many were lovingly preserved over the years. Others have been carefully restored by people who enjoy and respect the charm and nostalgic value these machines possess. Of course, just as many were stored in attics and barns, used as liquor cabinets or, inevitably, as plant stands, so you need to make sure of what you're getting before you hand any money over.

It's extremely important to do your homework before investing in a phonograph. There are several brand names that come to mind, such as Victor, Columbia and Edison. These are probably the most common machines available today as they were produced in the greatest numbers. However, there are many off-brand machines that offer high quality and can often be found for lower prices. My machine is a Silvertone, which I found listed in the 1927 Sears catalog for $45. I purchased it a couple of years ago for $282.00, definitely on the affordable end of the scale; and it works perfectly.

There are many ways to find a phonograph. Antique shows, antique and estate auctions often have them pop up. We purchased ours through eBay, which can be a great source if you're careful. There are a lot of fakes out there. Plus, many people do not know the actual value of their machine and list it as "rare" when it's not...with a price to match. I once saw a fairly common machine with a price in the thousands because the seller claimed it came with a ghost!! Yikes! So, as I stated before, do your homework.

I strongly recommend the book The Compleat Talking Machine by Eric L. Reiss. This gives valuable information on the history of the machines, tips on where to find them, and how to spot fakes. The book mainly focuses on the repair and maintence of phonographs, which is the reason I purchased it. I wanted to know how to care for my little piece of the past. A well cared for machine will continue to entertain for many years.

Thanks, Mr. Edison.

Defining Nostalgia

Webster defines nostalgia as a "longing for former times or things." In today's fast-paced, high-tech world I sometimes find myself doing just that. But as I am, in fact, a big fan of hair-dryers and indoor plumbing, I don't really want to go back in time. I do, however, enjoy preserving bits and pieces of the past in my home and lifestyle, items and ideas that allow me to relax, simplify and enjoy the little things that were once so common but are now considered quaint.

In the ever relentless quest for progress, human beings have the tendency to label the customs of the past as obsolete, and in many cases (such as taking a bath only on Saturday night, whether you needed one or not) this is true; but there are also many things worth hanging onto. Antique furniture and tools generally exhibit a higher attention to detail and craftsmanship than similar items that are mass-produced today, and they are often just as functional. Plus, many old ideas are finding new relevance in today's race against global warming, such as starting a compost pile, or walking to your destination rather than driving. On a much smaller scale, making a loaf of bread from scratch can do wonders to release the stressors of life, from kneading the dough, to the wonderful smell of it baking, to the amazing flavor that no package of Wonderbread could ever compete with.

So, my own personal definition of nostalgia is more of a desire to preserve the good things from the past that cause us to stop and take notice; the items and ideas that make the day to day a little less hectic and a little more enjoyable, whether serving a practical purpose or simply adding a quaint touch of beauty to our surroundings.

With this blog I would like to share some of the ways I have brought nostalgia into my home. I've learned quite a bit over the past several years and hope to post information about everything from kitchen utensils and antique phonographs to gardening and housekeeping tips. It will be as much of a personal record for myself as I hope it to be a source of inspiration, however small, for readers. Keep checking back as I will continue to search for ways to bring the past into the present.

Thanks for reading!