Made in 1961

The other day I went to an auction and came home with this great little red bench.  I liked the color, the shape of the legs, and the fact that the legs were metal, not wood.  So someone had saved them from something else, probably a circa 1930 kitchen appliance; an ice box, one of those new fangled electric ones, or a range - "Now your cooking with gas!"  I like home made, make-do, one of a kind pieces, and when I turned this one over, it had this important message written on the bottom - "MADE JUNE 15, 1961."   The man who made it might forget exactly when he did it.  Who made it? that goes without saying.  Where? that goes without saying too.  By 1961, someone was ready for a new kitchen appliance, and someone else was not quite ready to let go of the old one.  And that guy, whoever he was, made this great little bench.

Skinny Desk

Did you live in an apartment as a kid?  We didn't. We each lived in 2 story 1960s suburban colonial houses, not huge like some things you find today, but large enough not to worry about the precise size of the furniture.  So our experiences selling to the happy crowds at the Brooklyn Flea were eye opening.   Before we went to Brooklyn, a nice vintage furniture dealer told us that skinny desks were always of interest. We nodded but didn't really get it. Now we do, or at least we're better at it. It's like the food rules.  Space is tight. Buy furniture, but keep it narrow or tall. Mostly folding.
  

Apologies to Mr. Pollan. More photos at walkerantiques.com.

Vintage Dress Form with Cast Iron Base

This is an old adjustable dress form.   An antique dealer we once knew used a dress form like this to display scarves, stick pins, and brooches. The entire form was completely covered with old bling. Very nice. When lowered it is 38 inches tall, so can be used for a tabletop display, too.  The fabric covering is worn and has been tacked to the body in spots, though your jewelry collection won't mind a bit. Price: $95. Local pickup or chance meeting. There are more photos at walkerantiques.com

Summer shows and Winter web

Now comes one of the parts of this job I love:  changing with the seasons.  In the spring, when it is almost time to go out to the markets and set up at the shows, I am anxious for it.  What could be better than to be in a huge community of tents, full of familiar vendors, interesting items, and happy customers sharing chit chat about the weather, the price of gas, and whether this year will be as good as the last?  There is no time when I am happier to be out of the cubicle, away from the computer, and off mixing with the wonderful, diverse mix of people that make up America.  This is an amazing country and there is no better way to experience it than at a country fair, or, in my case, a huge outdoor antique show or flea market.  Let's face it: at a wonderful, huge show like Brimfield, we clamp our tents closed at night and no one messes with them. Amazing.  Fortunately, we spend the winter in a place similarly wonderful.  People in our area go into the convenience store in the morning and leave their cars unlocked and running outside. It warms the heart as well as the globe.  Are they misguided? Having grown up in a more guarded place, I am amazed but soothed by this ability to trust that everyone's mother taught them decency and civility.