From Out Of The Woods Antique Center

Not everything is black and white:  Well it is in this local New Hampshire House. Industrial mixed with 18^th Century and new.

I wanted to share with you a recent experience I had visiting a home. This gentleman had been a customer of mine for years , buying silver, Asian items and early furniture etc. I never thought twice about how he was decorating with the items. Now I know......

I have to say that I am not a reader of magazines for decorating myself. I kind of do what I want and sometimes it works and other times it doesn't.  For me it's about the fun of collecting and the intrigue of re-creating.

I have a friend in Manchester N.H. That I found to be in my league. If you had described to me his decorating style I might of just thought “not interested” but to see it for myself I am impressed !

His name is Tom and I was lucky to be invited to his home. He had said to me “I want you to see my house” so  I said I would love to come.

Wow is the first word or thought I had when entering the first room , the kitchen...  Tom has painted his walls black gloss, trim and all. Then accented the windows with stark white shutters. I have to say again that just by description this wouldn't sound impressive , but it was. His unique style of blending industrial shelving for cabinet display in hi kitchen, (making almost a bakers working kitchen,) is not only functional for entertaining but attractive to the eye. All the glass, chrome, and black make a great combination. The checkered floor helps too.

As I went into the rest of the house nothing seemed to form any pattern but the gloss black walls (honestly he pulled it off well). His style is definitely his own and what he likes. (may I say he has a great eye for antiques), It went from Asian to chandeliers to 18^th century pieces. All tastefully displayed and used for his own purpose. Nothing was from a book or how he was told to do it. He just filled the rooms with what made him comfortable. And to me each room was a master piece.

Now this wasn't even close to my own style but I am writing this because it was wonderful and daring and it showed me there is a lot out there that can be done if you just be yourself and explore. Blending antiques that you have with modern day items can not only be good for an investment but make your home individual as well.

I would love to share with my readers anyones home that is unique and blended.

Thanks Tom for allowing me into your home and sharing this story.

Donna

I am not a writer or photographer so please understand if the pictures do not do his home justice... I tried......

A contemporary decorating trend is to create a camping environment …. Lodge-style furnishings, antique camping, fishing and hunting equipment, etc.  Following are a few ideas you may wish to consider.

Look for rustic camp furniture - a rocking chair is a must.  Think porch.  Think lake.    Also, Adirondack style furniture will be very effective in setting the tone for your rustic camp décor.  A simple twig or wicker chair or table will serve you well.  To this you might add a couple of old camp blankets.   In the 1940’s and 1950’s many companies manufactured blankets with an outdoors motif or an American Indian motif.  A couple of these blankets stacked on a shelf, or one thrown over an old overstuffed chair will greatly add to the camp décor feel.  Consider a Popsicle stick lamp – made in the 1950’s by Boy Scouts.

Watch yard sales and flea markets for sporting equipment … an old cane fishing pole, fishing net, tackle box, bow and arrows, etc.  These items can make for an interest collage on an otherwise bland wall.  Many stores offer throw rugs with an American Indian motif, and you will be amazed at how much these inexpensive rugs will add to your room.  An old worn oriental throw rug also sets the right mood. 

Boat models, old Boy Scout hand-made items, photographs of early camps, an old stuffed fish, and perhaps an oil painting of a lake scene will add greatly to the environment you are creating. 

In nearby Brimfield, MA each spring, summer and fall there are week-long antiques and flea markets which are terrific destinations for finding great decorating items.  The first market is held in May.  If you have never been, be sure to wear comfortable clothes and dress for the weather conditions.   There are literally acres and acres of vendors and dealers set up for your shopping pleasure.  Restroom facilities and refreshments are readily available.  But be prepared for a lot of walking.  A pull-behind wire shopping cart might be a consideration to help you contain and transport your purchases.  At these markets, money talks -- cash is generally the desired mode for conducting business.

Do not necessarily look for pristine items with which to decorate.  Dare to be at ease with items that are worn and warm.  It is amazing how much more comfortable and easy-living these items will prove to be if you allow.  Most of all, allow your self to have fun in the collecting and decorating process. 

We recently gutted our bathroom and started over from scratch.  After my husband did a fantastic job with the renovation, it was now my job to re-decorate. Hmmmm what do I do?

I started with using a tile that looked just like the cement floor of a  car garage. (Or so my husband said). Then we re-purposed an old kitchen cabinet for a vanity.  Added a new farmers vessel sink and what I think is a great faucet set. (all purchased at Splash in Nashua N.H.).

OK, so now to the fun part.  I couldn't figure out what to do; wall paper, paint , trim work , tile, etc.  So when I brought it all in the room and then I got a brain storm and said I will just use it all and decorate with it. I even left the ladder in the room and rolled towels and displayed them on it .

A galvanized tin bucket on the floor for toilet paper and an industrial bin for trash and the room was complete. You know I am always amazed how easy decorating with antiques can be. You can almost use anything and make it you.

I love the bathroom and now it's on to the next project , the bedroom.

Beginning to itch for a little spring in your life?  Jump start the season with a little gardening project. 

OUTDOOR GARDENING SPACE:  If you are lucky enough to have yard and garden space, consider adding a gardening or potting shed to your property.  The sky is the limit with regard to the many forms a garden shed could take.  Peruse several old home and garden magazines for ideas and inspirations.  Begin your collection with a potting table.  This can be a table of any size or proportions.  To the table, add a few vintage flower pots and perhaps a couple of hand garden tools in bright colors.  Incorporate a shelf above the table and throw a few gardening books on it along with a couple of planters and/or flower pots.  Don’t hesitate to buy a couple of pints of brightly colored spring paint to use along the way. 

Bring in a couple of old wonderful old galvanized tin buckets and fill one with potting soil, the other with crushed stone.  Buy an old sieve-about 2’ across-and hang it on the wall, along with a wonderful old framed flower print.  Next, find a chair – any old straight chair will do, and paint it a bright color – a sunflower yellow would be great.  Add a floral cushion to the chair seat and pull it up to the gardening table.    Next, find a small table or bookshelf and put it on a wall beside an easy chair.  The chair can be an old overstuffed one from your basement or from a local flea market.  It needn’t be much to look at – just toss a brightly colored throw over the upholstery to dress up the chair (a colored bed sheet will work just fine).  

Throw down an old well-worn rug on the floor.  Haunt your local flea markets, yard sales or antiques shop and come up with a few animal shaped planters from the 1940’s and an old crusty watering can.  Add a few favorite flowers to old flower pots.  Throw a couple of gardening tools in the corner of the room and your garden oasis will be complete.  Even a very modest space can provide a desired getaway in which you can take a few minutes from your routine, and relax, sip a glass of iced tea, and enjoy a good book or magazine in the comfort and privacy of your own private space. 

INDOOR GARDENING SPACE:  If you don’t have a yard or garden with your residence, bring the outdoors inside, 365 days a year.  Simply do an abbreviated version of the above in a corner of your living room – or bedroom.  Your ensemble might consist of only a small “potting table” by a window with a lamp and an easy chair.  Add a couple of potted plants, and a couple of small gardening implements, a gardening book or magazine, and this addition will add a whole other dimension to your living space.

When shopping flea markets and antiques shops for your “necessities”, do not be intimidated by rust, weathered wood or paint, chips, cracks or any number of other endearing qualities an item might possess.  This often makes an item more affordable, and certainly it will add an air of timelessness to your space.  Just imagine, these items were cherished and loved enough to have been preserved and maintained all these years in spite of their minor flaws.       DREAM….IMAGINE….. DO! 

My first advice regarding refinishing is – be cautious!  The following statements are true and should be considered when contemplating refinishing an item: 

The value of some early furniture with peeling old paint, when refinished, could be decreased by as much as 90%.

Many serious dealers and collectors of serious antiques will never give a refinished piece a furniture a second glance.  They call stripped pieces “new antiques”.

There is good old finish, and there is bad old finish.  Sometimes bad old finish can be good.  Sometimes good old finish can be bad. 

With 100% assuredness, once a hundred year old antique has been refinished, it will take one hundred years to build up the same wear, patina and surface again.

Probably 90% of the antiques available today are refinished.  This is what people in general desire --   to see the natural grain of the wood, and to have a nice hard and shiny finish to protect the piece from wear and tear.  However, the remaining 10% of antiques which retain a good and old surface are worth three or four times the value of a refinished piece. 

With the above being said, refinishing antiques is a matter of personal taste and preference.  If you are not comfortable living with a grungy old peeling paint, then by all means  - don't.  But, before you strip a piece of Ca. 1790 furniture in old surface and decrease its value by 90%, perhaps you should consider buying another piece – or buy one that has already been refinished.

There are a lot of Circa 1900 wonderful and affordable machine-made pieces just waiting to be refinished  or painted to your liking.  I find that a good washing with soap and water often does wonders for a piece you might find.  Some pieces need a little more aggressive treatment ... and I sometimes use the finest grade of steel wool (OOOO) dipped in paint thinner/mineral spirits to lightly clean a piece of furniture.  Remember:  ALWAYS CLEAN IN THE SAME DIRECTION THAT THE GRAIN RUNS.

If these cleaning solutions don't work and you have not yet given up on the project – the next step would be to go with a commercial furniture stripper. Strippers are expensive to purchase and can be  caustic and dangerous to use.  If you use furniture stripper – be sure to follow the instructions on the label.  Refinishing is messy and refuse must be disposed of properly.

If you choose not to refinish your own piece of furniture, there are commercial furniture stripping companies which will provide the service for you .... for a fee.  Usually it is expensive to have the old finish removed, and then again expensive to have a new finish put on.  A word of caution here is to be careful how much it costs to refinish a piece – to refinish a standard wooden kitchen chair can cost as much $75. but generally kitchen chairs can be purchased in a shop for around $25.  My advice for non-advanced collectors is to buy something you like in the condition you like and enjoy it.  

 With the Holiday season in the past now. It's time to just enjoy the rest of winter and the fun stuff we can do with it. One of my favorite things to do is make snowmen. When I was quite a bit younger I made several small snowmen and put them in the freezer and kept them until summer . Why? (I am not really sure but maybe to capture some of the winter season.)  When making a snowman, try using antique fragments to create a unique one; buttons, cloth fragments, old worn top hats, even vintage clothing. If you make one that you like, they make great Christmas cards for next year. Or how about a calendar with snowmen?  Get out and enjoy some of the fun things with winter. Making snowmen, Antiquing, Sleigh rides, skiing, winter tubing etc....

This is what New England is all about.   Donna 

Platters are always helpful this time of the year. Turkey platters just don't have to be the ones with the turkeys on them.  I use old diner platters. Or maybe you prefer a silver plated tray?  Make your own decision and see how everybody likes your idea and gift to your host.

Other ideas would be to bring a ladle, a vegetable bowl, or a compote dish, etc.  Weather it's glass ceramic, pottery or even wooden, If you fill it with goodies or even bring it empty, a gift you give that was picked by you will make a wonderful memory for the person or family you give it to.  My saying for the holiday season is “Be unique, give an Antique”.

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and customers.  Donna

     I want to share something with you that I recently purchased from another antique dealer.  I thought this was the sweetest little thing. This is one one of the reasons I love the business that I am in; to find the unusual items from the past. The unusual part about it is that his head is removable and his chest opens and inside is a mirror and compact compartment.  In the head is a tiny lipstick.

     This bear is from around the 1920's. It was manufactured by the Schuco Co. (which was a bear and toy manufacturer. It is mohair and only 3 1/2” long.  This bear was made as a novelty for women, and given from their man as a gift.  How sweet was that.

They also made monkeys that were perfume jars and a couple of other animal figures that served dual purposes.

     Obviously you can tell this is the first one I have seen. That is why this is so fun!. I have seen a lot in the 25+ years in the antiques business, so when something comes along that I haven't seen, it excites me.  If you have something that is unusual and want to share it, I would love to hear from you.  I hope you enjoy looking at this bear. Donna

  I have just recently developed a softness for cast iron. Before now, I always assumed that if it was old and rusty that it couldn't be saved, but I was wrong .

    I was recently at a speaking event and a gentleman there told me that he and his wife were in a dutch oven (cast iron) cook off club. They cook everything in them (I mean full meals).  I also have another friend (Matt) who said that his brother (Joe) bakes in them right in the ground.  Anything from a stew to corn bread and cake.  I am jealous !!  There is something so neat about cooking in old cast iron and in the ground.  Doesn't it just seem like it would taste better.. Yum Yum.

    There is also a value to old cast iron as well and Griswold  is one of the more sought after makers in cast iron ware.  The Griswold Co. was founded in the middle 1800's and was located in Erie Pennsylvania.  Most of the items have the Erie marked on the bottom as well. (along with other marks).  They made a lot of other cast iron products and in the latter years they also did some cast aluminum cookware as well.  But the consistently sought after pieces are the earlier ones (cast iron).  The more unusual pieces and sizes can bring really high prices.

    The dutch ovens like (Joe) uses for cooking in the ground with, were the more common pieces that must have been heavily used, so there are still plenty around to purchase.  So you can go out and get one and try cooking in them too.

    How fun does all this sound to share with your friends during a summer cook out. Imagine when you tell them you cooked the beans or desert in the ground in your cast iron dutch oven.  Oh by the way it's pretty simple; dig a hole and start a fire using coals , get them red and fiery and then put your pot in the hole and cover and bake till done. 

     If you find old pans and you think you couldn't cook in them try this; to re-season old cast iron pans, clean the old debris in them and wash it the best you can to remove any rust. Coat the surface first with lard or grease, not regular cooking oil.  Put them in the oven on about 300 degrees. Heat for 15-20 minutes and then remove and drain excess oil. Place back in the oven and heat for an additional 2 hours.  You can do this several times to make a good seasoning bond.  Then when you first start cooking with it , use fatty foods to help continue to season it.  Never wash it with detergent.  Just use warm water and towel dry.

     Anyone out there that has neat recipes,  please share some with us for cooking in cast iron.  Better yet, Click the "comments" word on the home page and post your recipe for everyone to read!

   SUMMER FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Donna

Stop by your local antique shop and pick up vintage garden tools and maybe a potting bench, or better yet something you could make into a  bench.  Pick up some of those sweet English red ware pots and display them stacked and some with plants in them.

How about watering cans. They are useful for watering those plants and decorative as well. Show your friends you have gardening skills with minimal effort. I don't know about you, but spring always puts a smile on my face. Why not smile everyday.

Make a list of items you might want to have for your display.  Bench, (if you don't have the space , how about a small shelf?). Pots (an array of colors are nice to have as well as the red ware ones). Garden tools, moss, seed packets, watering cans, sacks  made of vintage material for potting soil etc. I could go on and on.

Have fun and remember everything you pick usually reflects YOU... so what a great way to express yourself.  Donna

Making a good financial investment sometimes can be just as simple as the items you purchase for decorating your home.

I spend a lot of time out in retail stores watching people buy items that duplicate antiques. I often wonder why they just don't buy the real thing. It's like enjoying what you buy and putting money in the bank.

I was recently at a nearby retail store and saw a couple of these white bowls in peoples carts. The were prices at $18.00 each.  So I went back to my shop and found a similar bowl that would serve the same purpose, it was priced $22.00. ( this bowl was a piece of Ironstone from the late 19^th Century, it was used as a wash basin in it's time.)

The condition of the Ironstone bowl was like new with no damage, yet it was over 100 years old. OK let' say you buy the older bowl, then in 5 years you get sick of it and decide to sell it. I would be safe to say that the bowl is worth at least $15.00 if not the same value and in some cases even more than you paid for it .

Now let's talk about the other bowl you bought new. Try selling that. I know it would be worth about $1.00 by the 5 year time if it made it till then.

Seems simple doesn't it !

I am not saying that you should just buy antiques all the time. But if you are trying to duplicate it into your décor why not buy the real thing. Want a couple of reasons again:

 1- Investing (making your money back in the end)

 2- Individuality ( having something similar but different than the mass produced items out there)

 3- History ( antiques have a story to tell , and that is something you can share with your family and friends)

 4- Keeping it green and recycling.

Thinking that I might find a sheet of stainless steel or something similar. We were going to do tile , but I thought boring. We considered that reproduction tin, but it seems like everyone is doing that now.

I had alot of fun at IKEA finding things that would blend into our decor (ANTIQUES). But the one thing I was happy the most about was this college board for notes. It's made out of glass and has large clips that I can use for recipes. It's a perfect fit for behind the stove. It's also a perfect fit for anyone's budget, $19.99.

I just wanted to share this idea with you and again show that usuing things in different ways makes us all a little unique. Donna

From Out Of The Woods Antiques Center is bringing in this New Year with it's biggest project yet . We along with a couple of designing friends will be mixing some already shared ideas with some one of a kind designs that you can buy and bring itno your own decorating scheme. You will also gain an education into the antiques that you do decorate with. Infusion is part of our on going effort to bring history and antiques into todays homes and make it all fit.

So something big and exciting is coming to From Out Of The Woods Antiques Center, that you won't want to miss seeing. Keep checking our web site for more information and our launching date.

( What does Target and Ikea and antiques have to do with one another?? A 19th Century buggy fragment, Ikea clips, and hand towels from Target, the picture tells the rest.) Donna

Last year and the year before we had over 300 people from the community show up. Collectors, historians, and private collectors. We are looking for any New Hampshire related items, or possibly you might want to set up as a vendor for the event ? let us help you sell your items to a new collector.

For more information please feel free to call me Donna :)