New Vintage TV!

I picked up this awesome 50's TV a couple days ago, and just hadn't gotten around to posting about it. It doesn't work, but who cares?? It's in great cosmetic condition, and I love the hairpin legs!

The guy I got it from is very cool, and has an INCREDIBLE collection...The moment I stepped into his garage I was floored. This guy has appliances and furniture I can only dream of... Even the house and garden is awesome, and of course inside the house there's even more amazingness... I didn't have my camera with me, but just picture the most amazing vintage things you've ever seen... and now multiply that by 100! He said he had started collecting when he was 15, which I could definitely relate to haha! He mentioned bringing in refrigerators to the backyard, and in general drove his parent's crazy... Ahh I can so relate. I once "snuck" an 800 lb player piano inside the living room. And of course I have rescued multiple vintage refrigerators...

Midcentury Room Divider...updated!

Woohoo! This is the newest vintage acquisition... It's a mid-century room divider with hanging lights, which I just love! It has a tag that says made in West Germany on the lights, but I have yet to look for a maker's mark or anything. It does have a few small blemishes and cracks that the picture doesn't show, but it definitely helped in getting the price down! They were originally asking $150, so I offered $75 and got it for $80! I think it's a great deal, and a piece I can definitely use!

I love the lines of this piece... the shelves, vertical planks, and staggered hanging lights all work so well together, and just scream 60's! Speaking of which, I believe it's early-mid 60's, but don't know for sure. Does that sound/look right?

Anyways, just thought I'd share! I love when things work out like this. Another potential buyer actually showed up before me, but "his wife didn't like it". Haha thankfully I don't have to worry about that! I have to say though, my future boyfriend better like vintage stuff! Cause if he's an IKEA fanatic, we may have a problem...

Amazing...Pink Fridge/Stove Set!

Ooooh how I wish this was closer! If it was any nearer I would get it in a heartbeat! This amaaazing PINK set is from 1955! I believe it's GE... Besides the color, the design is phenomenal- check out the deco grill cover on the stove! Drooool....

As it is, this amazing set sits near Denver, Colorodo. More than halfway cross the country! I've actually considered going or having it shipped, but I'm a little hesitant, as it's also untested. In the good condition it's in, I'd be surprised if it didn't work, but still, that would suck to have gone through all that and not be able to use them! Still....I'm tempted! I've dreamt of a set like this forever...the style, that COLOR! Not to mention the aqua interior of the fridge...

I am driving cross country this summer, so I wonder if the seller would allow me to buy it now and pick it up on my way back in a few months... Maybe not, but it can't hurt to ask...

Great Estate Sale!

Phew! All I can say is it was incredible! You definitely don't come across many estate sales like this one. It was the house of a woman who worked as a set/fashion designer for Warner Bros in the 30's. I also heard that she designed the house and a lot more. I was guilty of sleeping in a little, and arrived about an hour after it had started at 11. BAD idea! There were tons of dealers and junkers in a huge line in the driveway, and I ended up picking a number (in the hundreds) and taking my spot in line. Luckily I met another awesome junker- actually a dealer- Sue! She even has a blog (Vintage Rescue Squad) which you should definitely check out! After exchanging stories and vintage finds, what seemed like an hour went by and it was time. Walking in the house, I saw people everywhere snatching this and that... I immidiately spied my vintage fashion art upon the walls. There were original paintings/designs by the woman who lived there, when she worked for Warner Bros. in the 30's. They were incredible. I was determined to get them, till I saw the hefty price tag of $95! For a guy who considers a $30 midcentury sofa expensive, I had to pass them up. I ended up getting a few miscellaneous things, including a dress from the 60's, pink gloves and shoes from the 50's (I think), 3 metal 50's kitchen chairs (I actually needed a set), a couple hats from the 30's/40's, a vintage parasol, and a few other small things. I had my heart set on those fashion designs, but I told myself to come back Saturday when things were half off.

And I did come back! And things went well...ish. I found there were 3 of the 9 fashion paintings left. I snatched them up, but realized I only had $50 with me. Dilemma. I talked to the woman running the estate sale (Jane Heller), who seemed nice friday, but I soon experienced her other side. She said she would accept $125 for all 3 (everything was half off that day). I told her I had $50, but that I could leave the $50 and run back home to get the $75. Here was her reaction.

Let me preface this by saying I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea behind what she said- I was just very offended by the way she said it. Now, say this out loud in a bitter angry tone of voice:

Her: "NO. No, absolutely not. You need to put all those back right now, or make a decision over which one you'd like to get. There could be other people interested in those, and I don't have time for this."

Me: silent but distressed, but I get where she's coming from...

Her: (loud voice in a room full of people) "Listen, you need to make a decision NOW. I need to run a business. You may think I'm a BITCH, but everyone else here thinks I'm the person who makes it fair. Now CHOOSE."

I was mortified! Maybe it wasn't that big a deal, but I hate confrontations, let alone ones in front of people where I'm played to be the bad guy! It wasn't quite as brief as that makes it seem either. She played it out as though I had said something nasty to her, and a couple people had given me looks like I was the one yelling at her! I was so embarrassed. I feel like it was very unprofessional and unnecessary of her... If she had simply said "No, we can't do that" or something along those lines I would have gotten the message, and maybe been a little disappointed, but would have been fine otherwise! And to top it off, she remained bitter to me throughout the end of the sale. Later I had asked about a vintage shower curtain (had pom-poms that I loved). She said the ones in the bathroom at the top of the stairs weren't for sale. I said it was a different bathroom, off the back bedroom. Out of nowhere she yells "I don't have TIME for THIS! They're NOT for sale!" and storms out of the room, leaving me speechless (again, with people looking). I guess I might be overreacting...but I just hate snide remarks (let alone being yelled at) by people, let alone people I met 5 minutes ago! What do you think?

To top my luck off, after going home and getting the money, calling to confirm they were there (they were but she wouldn't hold them), and driving back (through DC traffic), I walk in the door as a woman is standing in the checkout line with both in her hands...gah!

Still, I LOVE the one I got.. Isn't this fantastic?! The camera lightened the color a little, but you get the idea. It's so cupcake-like! Little floof at the waist with a dollop of icing and sprinkles on top!

Estate Sale Thursday...

Just found a promising-looking estate sale thursday to go to! Lots of vintage stuff from a couple that lived in the same home for 55 years... Furniture, jewelry, clothing...wish me luck! It's thursday morning... Here are a few random preliminary pictures...

I saw these pics and almost died- how FAB are these?!

And there's a set of these 3 awesome 1940's little sofas, a wedding gift from Jack Warner!

Ebay Issues... (update)

I've usually had good experiences with ebay, but lately I've been cursed with several bad big transactions! The current one that's bothering me is for my 1972 VW Bus. I sold it on ebay late february. The high bidder had low feedback, but I contacted her first, and everything seemed fine. She said she was very serious, and hoped to win. She did, and sent the $250 deposit the next day. I talked with her, and everything seemed to be going well.

A few days went by, and the day she thought she could come pick it up she didn't show. She called the next day, and apologized, and said she would keep me updated. She said she was waiting for her tax return or something, and that it hadn't come as early as she thought it would. That's the last I've heard of her. Meanwhile the Bus is still here, and I have to get it sold! As per ebay rules, she's technically required to pay in full within 10 days (it said so on the listing). I finally decided to relist it after opening (and closing) an unpaid item dispute. I opened one, and waited the necessary time, and am about to close, except now apparently she's opened an "item not received" dispute against ME, saying she's paid and hasn't got the item!

So frustrating! She's made no form of contact and hasn't responded to many efforts from me (calling, email, ebay messages). I think she now wants her deposit back. I still have the seller's fee, and all the time wasted and the loss of other interested buyers. What do you think? What would you do?

UPDATE: Things have gotten weirder.. After looking into the unpaid item thing (also on paypal this time), I found a message from her. Here's what it says:

"Talked with the seller's mechanic, and was told that automobile was not at all as represented on ebay. Seller sold me this vehicle, KNOWING that I had over a five hour drive home with a child along with me, and still never mentioned all of the many problems I might have ran into driving home. I was lied to and have no vehicle to show for it. I have talked with an attorney and fraud detective in both my hometown as well as in Laurel Md, and will proceed as necessary if this cannot be handled here."

Needless to say, I'm confused! I never gave her the number to my mechanic (and he's a backyard mechanic so she couldn't have just "found" his number), and he certainly wouldn't have told her it's misrepresented! Nothing's guaranteed as it's a vintage vehicle, but it runs great and nothing needs to be fixed right now. Not to mention she's the one who wouldn't communicate or respond to me! Is this real? Or some sort of fraud? I've talked to this woman over the phone once, which makes me think it's somehow a misunderstanding, but I don't know. The mechanic thing really throws me off...

One of my favorite tables!

This might be my favorite 50's table... The legs, the style, the buttons, oooh! I found it in this huge warehouse of used furniture. There was stuff piled to the ceiling, but I have to say most of it wasn't that good... Not that much vintage stuff at all! After a half hour of searching, I saw a glimmer of chrome from beneath of pile of junk. I look closer and saw one of those awesome buttons! I couldn't even tell what it was, but I knew it would be awesome! And indeed it was...

It's not perfect, but for $15 who can complain?! It doesn't have any chairs, but I'm on the lookout... Anyways, here she is!

Family Room Area

So before you look at the pictures, please realize that this was initally the kitchen at the house I'm renting a room at. Also, I apologize for the not-so-wonderful cell phone picture. It was the only one I have on hand, but I'll try to get a better one up. The landlord likes me, and told me I could partially furnish the house if I found space. As soon as I walked into the kitchen I knew there was potential for another room/area there. Keep in mind I'm not allowed to paint or do much with the walls, which of course keeps this from living up to its full potential. Still, it's a big difference!

Oh, and for the record, here's what I spent on the major pieces:

Green loveseat: free

Herman Miller Repro Chair & Ottoman: free

Curly Q chair: $20

Early 60's, working TV: $10

40's Lamp and Shade: $2

Late 60's Coffee Table: $8

Shag: $20

Carpet tiles: $50

Ironically, the carpet is what I spent the most on! It's also missing one square, which I have, and just need to put in...

I got permission to hang something on the wall if I like...any suggestions? Vintage prints? Starburst clock? Atomic age mirror? I know it's not nearly finished (and has already changed a little since this picture was taken), but what do you think so far?

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!

Sorry- I know it's been a while since my last post. I hate to just post a video, but I'm on my wait out (it's been a long week)... Anyways, if you haven't seen this, then this is a must! It's a classic from the Andrew Sisters, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"! This clip is from the 1941 movie, "Buck Privates". I love when she belts it out at 1:30! These girls are so talented...

The Enchanted Forest

This place absolutely fascinates me. I didn't even know it existed till a couple of years ago, but apparently it's only about 20 minutes away in Ellicott City, MD!

It opened in 1955, as a fairytale-esque amusement park, complete with Cinderella's castle and other nursery ryhme buildings and characters. Over the course of it's life, it gained several mechanical/miscellaneous rides, such as a Jungle safari, the "Little Toot" boat ride, and tea-cup shaped Alice-in-Wonderland cars (among many more). Sometime in the late 80's it shut down, and besides a brief opening in the summer of 95', has been sitting ever since. After the park was sold to developers, much of the land was used to build a shopping center. However, the main park itself still exists, sitting alone in the forest behind tall chainlink fences. There have been several attempts to restore it, but so far the only partially succesful one has been that of "Clark's Elioak Farm", which has been transporting some of the buildings and rides to a different local property, and restoring them for future generations to enjoy. While the original park is walled off to the public, you can see many of the original buildings and attractions at the Elioak Farm, here.

I have to say though, I can't get over the images of the park in it's current state! There's something so eery but compelling about all of these happy fairytale buildings and creatures rotting away, forgotten in the forest. It's like what happens after "happily ever after".

In it's glory days...

As it sits today...

(pictures from here and here)