New Year’s resolution. Start blogging again. Second resolution. Really start blogging again.
Combining mid century with antiques isn’t a revolutionary idea. It softens the lines of modern, and adds layers of visual and textural interest that can make a space richer and more unexpected. In our loft, Dale and I combine mid century furniture with a mix of antique primitives, ethnic carvings, and industrial pieces. We love the unknown craftsman, and the sculptural aspect of everyday implements from a hundred years ago.
The good news is that with a bit effort and luck anyone find intriguing elements for very little money. You just have to think outside the box and enjoy the hunt. Here are a few details from our loft (I’ll show more of an overview at a later date). – Terri
This 40-inch piece of driftwood (that grew around a stake) resembles a bird. We mounted the driftwood ($20 at a antique shop in Maine) on a railroad tie discarded in our neighborhood. Voila!
A view from above at a connected bandoleer of WW2 cartridges ($15 from a flea market) rolled up into one of Dale’s bowls.
This top of an old apple picker encages a stone found on the beach. I rubbed the stone with powdered graphite, and buffed it until it looked like steel. Picker $27. Stone $0.
Above our kitchen cabinets, an antique cupboard door ($40) sets the stage for carved figures by Mexican artist Hippolito, purchased in the early 80s.
An antique fishing net holds a gourd that also has a powdered graphite stain. Below are circa 1930s bronze doll head molds found at Brimfield about 10 years ago for $100.
An old fish with iron teeth carved from a buoy swims in front of the Boston skyline. Found at a Texas flea market in the 90′s for $75.
An antique spinning wheel rests on the top center portion of our 60s Cado wall unit from Finland. Below it are cast baby shoes from my mom, brother, sister, and me. Wheel: $40. Shoes: Priceless.
The sides and back of a 19th century Conestoga wagon found at Todd’s Farm Flea Market in the late 90s for $200. We mounted the pieces on the wall as a gigantic triptych with the back floating in front of the side panels. One of our favorite pieces!
