I need nothing and yet here we are, with new things. The good news is by the “School of Advanced Rationality” we all know that buying vintage locally doesn’t count as consumption or consumerism. Perhaps even the opposite? So these are the four things that I found over the holiday break and I’m frankly really really into all of them.
A Side Table For Charlie
I found this side table in the basement of a huge antique mall (it’s an old school converted into mall in Newberg, OR) and it was covered in other broken pieces. I thought it was a cool shape and that it would go with Charlie’s post-modern tween vibe that he is into (it seems like a 70’s office but since it’s solid wood it felt cool, not janky). It was $90, which felt high since it was covered in furniture and dust (not a curated vintage shop). I wanted it to be $60, so we settled easily on $75 which honestly still felt like it was too high, but since I knew exactly where it was going it didn’t feel like a greedy hoard. Of course in reality a $75 unique wood table is actually a steal and I’m so glad I did it. I don’t love the black plastic wheels but kept them on for now because I was too lazy and it’s not like Charlie cared. BTW his room is kinda coming together – he still doesn’t really want me to “decorate” it which I get and frankly have other fish to fry, so we are just collecting cool stuff and I’m letting him have fun with it. He got the Simpson prank phone for Christmas and the red balloon sculpture dog will go on my gift guide next year – we actually bought it used at Memory Den in Portland, but its a really hilarious and fun robotic dog that does inappropriate things and makes us all laugh (pee, fart, poop, bark, etc).
My First Tiffany Lamp
I’ve loved Tiffany lamps since I was young because they are colorful, floral, old world and when done right, provide the prettiest ambient light. So much craftsmanship goes into these! I’ve been calling a comeback for a while (some of the 90s Tiffany lamps are kinda rough, TBH) but it’s really about the lamp and where you style it. Oh, and I’ve fallen in love with many before and they were like $1200, so when I found this one for $180 I snagged it (still expensive, but I knew it was worth). The colors in it are PERFECT and it’s so solid and heavy. I thought it would look best in the dark blue media room, but there was nowhere to put it. Then I stuck it here and I’m OBSESSED with it in our kitchen – especially in the evening and morning during these long dark winters. It gives such a pretty colorful glow.
Vintage Painting From Brian
Brian and I don’t really surprise each other with big holiday gifts, but I was thrilled that he noted my love for this vintage painting at our local dope vintage Scandinavian store Form and Function in Multnomah Village. I love the colors, the world, the boats, the blues, and greens with hits of red. I don’t know where it’s going to land forever, but I love it in here for now.
I put it in the guest room for now and it’s making me happy, but is also making me really want to finish designing my bed so I can bring up the bed that’s currently in my room (but I designed for this room) in its rightful place. We’ll see if the painting should move after that happens.
New Painting On Mantel
I saw this piece on Shop Wilma’s IG page, by an artist named P.R. McIntosh in the 1960s. It was sold by the dealer, @donefortheday, and I scooped it up immediately. I’ve wanted a more impactful piece here for a while and have been eyeing Charlie Salas-Humara’s work (which I still do) but this one is so good. Clearly, I’m having a real moment with this color palette.
No need to look at my sad fireplace 🙂 I just wanted to show you the sense of scale. That fireplace is getting painted in February I SWEAR. The two vases on the left are not vintage, also Christmas presents from Brian from Form and Function 🙂 Oh, and just so you can gauge pricing this painting was $550 which felt reasonable to me since it’s big, the colors felt perfect for me, and the frame is even good enough. Supporting local vintage dealers that are putting in so much time to curate cool stuff makes me feel good.
Art is the one thing that I never pass up if it’s within a reasonable budget and I love it. I think that vintage art absolutely MAKES the home, turns any basic room into a conversation, and it’s always more affordable than a newer piece. 🙂
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
