Happy end of July, dear friends! I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe we’ve already passed the mid-summer mark and are thinking fall schedules and back-to-school supplies. It’s been a crazy, busy summer with exquisite highs and some painful lows, but overall it’s been lovely and plenty fun. On the home front, there are a few projects I have yet to photograph and share with you but, for that to happen, I need to get my act together and do a bit of outdoor painting and styling. And with all the rain we’ve been having here in New England, that’s been a challenge.
A few weeks ago, Sofia and I went on a shopping spree and stopped by our favorite antiques store in town. I am lucky that she enjoys looking for treasure just as much as I do, and together we often get lost in old bookstores and thrift shops. This time, we found quite an interesting array of items and photographed the best that caught our eye. It got me thinking about some items that are often found in out-of-the-way shops, that come with a great deal of patina and history, if not pedigree, and a nice price that sweetens the deal. We ended up leaving with quite a haul, books and costume jewelry for Sofia, a beautiful block print Indian quilt and wicker tray for me, both of which have found a lovely spot in our home right away. It’s funny how things end up working out when you least try or expect them to. The quilt beautifully rounds out the soft pink and green color scheme I have going on in our living room right now. Eventually the armchairs will be slipcovered in a cotton buffalo check, but for now I’m loving the contrast.
The first thing I got excited about was this lovely vintage basket. Larger baskets can be pricey and hard to come by but, sometimes, if you’re lucky and patient enough, you’ll find one that’s just right. This particular basket was big enough to hold a considerable log supply (or blankets and cozy throws) for cold winter nights.
Folk paintings are another thing that often catch my eye, which is funny considering I’m having a real difficulty displaying artwork in our house. Maybe it’s because our house has the dimensions of a dollhouse and there’s a lot of color and detail in an eyeful, or perhaps I haven’t found the right pieces yet, but anything I’ve tried I ended up disliking and preferring our walls bare.
Outdoor furniture is trending right now, obviously, and we saw a few wicker love seats and garden bistro chairs that would look incredible in a cottage garden or on a patio. With a bit of tender loving care, of course.
Vintage lighting is something I’ve learned to appreciate more and more and am always on the lookout for a nice, timeless design. An electrician can easily rewire them for safe use in a contemporary home.
And that’s about it from Western Massachusetts! Wishing you all a great rest of your week!
The Winslow Homer print of the three boys in a field graced my son’s bedroom for years. Then when he left home it went over the mantle on the knotty pine sun porch. So beautiful and peaceful — I don’t think you would regret purchasing it. Sadly when downsizing it went to my favorite consignment shop — I feel it is gracing another home somewhere bringing peace and joy to it’s inhabitants. Your little abode is so lovely — I anxiously await every new posting.
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Thank you so much, Loretta! You’re very kind to say that!
That beautiful print of Winslow Homer’s painting haunts me still, I think I’m going to go back for it and find a wall for it later.
xo, Eva
Hi Eve!
Love your posts! Did you say where in MA this shop is? Driving through western ma in August and would love to visit.
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Thank you so much, Charlotte! This particular shop is called The Trading Post in Amherst, MA. It changed owners recently but I still manage to find treasures every time I stop by.
So much to love here — and I cannot pass up a vintage basket!
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Thanks, Linda! Me neither, they are such great things to buy vintage!
xo, Eva
Love this post, and how wonderful your daughter shares the Treasure Hunting Bug!
Thanks for all the pics, felt like I was there looking over your shoulders….coveting that geranium picture, the green chair, the blue stripe pottery bowl (just like grandmas) and the wonderful baskets,,, .great place to look and seek special finds.
Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Lynn! That’s so kind of you! Grateful to have a thrifting partner in my daughter…
xo, Eva
P.S. The geranium picture came home with us, as did the striped mixing bowl 🙂
Love it! I will be watching for the geraniums in a future picture of one of your rooms! Happy those items found a new home. 😊
great! If I make it by I will certainly tell them you send me!