In the course of scouring the web for decorative matchboxes, I stumbled upon the thriving subculture of collectors focused on vintage matchbox labels: I love the graphics, the colors, the passion of these collectors and I’m sure you will too. Here is a selection of my favorites — but this is literally the tip of the iceburg.
Via (Prik, Rocket). I think the lion is somewhere on Ebay. The bike label and lobster are in collections posted online but I can’t seem to find them again! If I find the links I’ll post them.
I love that a matchbook from a fancy hotel or restaurant is saved for 40 years, as a memento, as proof you were there, as a signifier trying to indicate you are of a certain class. Or, an”exotic”label from India might be saved by an boy in England in the 194os, and for him, it represents the world outside his immediate view.
If you are as fascinated by these labels and how people “use” them as I am check out this book from Amazon.
Finally, if you’re interested in making your OWN decorative matches boxes (yes, please!) my mom noticed that the great site ForYourParty.com does custom matches relatively inexpensively. I love these shapes they offer. Note that you don’t need to do monograms — you can do phrases, images (I think!) and really anything you’d want…
Since posting my favorite matchboxes a few weeks ago, I’ve become obsessed with them. Evidently, I’m not alone in coveting beautiful matchboxes — my post garnered lots of comments (and lots of creativity, thanks readers!) and a surprising amount of traffic from folks doing google searches on “decorative matchboxes.” All of which was just enough to prompt another post on the topic. With some serious help from my mom (who is the original design scout! thanks, Mom!), here is a second edition of the decorative matchboxes. For the acquisition minded among these are all for sale (either online or ebay). I especially like the matches from the Pink Giraffe (from the Hong Kong Sheraton Hotel…awesome!) and the “bear claw” (!!) matches used to light fires in fireplaces. NOTE: there is a link to each site embedded in each photo… enjoy.
From my earlier posts, you know that I love creating “deskscapes” — inspirational vignettes that cheer me up when I am sitting nose to the grindstone getting things done. For the past few months I’ve been scouring flea markets, thrift shops and the interwebs for vintage desk delights. This weekend I cracked open the [bursting at the seams] cabinet where I’ve been stashing all these finds and posted a batch for sale at my Etsy shop. Here are a few of my favorites – there are more in the store!
First up, a collection of perfect clip containers — vintage typewriter ribbon tins on the far left and far right and an old-school wooden tray with a carved hunting hound.
I found an amazing collection of white ceramic animals – they are so adorable.
These bird models are super cute and cheerful – they snap right together and even have a little info card so that when someone stops by to check out your cool desk you can wow them with birdie trivia.
And finally, some silly whimsies. The little blue basket on the left contains a never-used plastic rain bonnet – perfect for the girl about town with a do-up she can’t get wet. The little cottage is also a fairy tale viewer – hold it up to the light and click the chimney to see the story of Little Red Riding Hood. And a miniature tea set. For your ceramic animals and birds?
Design Scouting’s Etsy Shop
I meant to blog about this the second I heard — Brownstoner.com is launching what will be the largest flea market in Brooklyn next April! The location? A 40,000 square foot schoolyard in Fort Greene. I’ve noticed a lot of the flea markets in Manhattan seem tired — this could be my salvation (and maybe I’ll rent a space and sell some of my vintage finds….).
It’s hard to believe it’s almost holiday time. While watching my Wednesday night guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl, (which was actually filming a Christmas scene just down the street from our apartment tonight; cue throngs of upper east side prep school girl superfans lining Madison Avenue), I caught this Target holiday ad with an advent calendar theme:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83XUc0Vkt7o]
Now let’s be clear: I love advent calendars. I love the inexpensive drugstore kind with perforated cardboard doors that you open to find a little chocolate. I love the antique one my mother used to fill with surprises for us. Anyway, a little early holiday spirit for you, courtesy of YouTube and the retail gods.
Joanna from Cup of Jo asked a very good question about that last post: where does a girl get firewood in NYC? I looked around and it seems a girl calls the NYC Firewood Co. at 212.876.3996 and, for around $99, procures enough wood to fill a decorative fireplace…
(Image via Flickr)
Via Decor8, I’m in love with this idea of filling a non-working fireplace to the brim with wood. As the weather gets cooler here in the big city, I’m looking longingly at our own decorative fireplace. Even if we can’t enjoy the heat from a real fire, there is something warm and wonderful from the wood in these. Whether we could procure the required volume of logs, much less carry them up to our third floor perch, is another story!
I poked around the web and found a few other takes on this idea:
(via New England Lifestyle and House to Home)
I have a weakness for floor plans and their black and white simplicity. The saying goes that all conversations in New York end up on the topic of real estate and that is so true. I love the whole New York real estate game — we’re not thinking about buying anything anytime soon, but I still love to look at the listings — the floor plans inspire me, the interiors inspire and educate me and there is always an element of voyeurism+fantasy. (oooh that is how the other half lives).
We stopped by this open house on Sunday after brunch at Veselka with M. (who has a lovely new apartment she is decorating and I hope to blog about soon soon soon). The apartment below (for sale through Brown Harris Stevens) is a gem in a perfect location (5th avenue between 11th and 12th). While it may look small to those of you who don’t live in NY, it is actually a reasonably sized one bedroom, with a nice flow, and proportion. And perfect prewar detail (molding, wooden floors, charm). The kitchen was small and not terribly efficient, but nothing unlivable. Yum!
Given the disorganized state of my jewelry box, I’ve been on the look out for necklace stands for months. Besides a lovely (not for sale) vintage one I haven’t seen anything! Suddenly Urban Outfitters has FOUR. I’m delighted — sometimes the merchandising gods send us what we’re looking for.
I came across the Home and Garden “What kind of kitchen are you?” quiz somewhere in blogland and somewhat uncharacteristically took it (I think the last quiz I took was in a Cosmo and I was 13). Turns out my kitchen style is “Hub of the House.” These three images were my favorite of the bunch. This is my full work up:
Your kitchen centers on a table full of character, long enough for a weekday meal at one end and a household project-in-progress at the other. Easy communication from dining and lounging areas is key, and a design that accommodates comfortable clutter.
Sounds about right!
See all the cozy kitchens.
I had a lovely package waiting for me yesterday when I headed back to work after taking a week off. This lovely print from Meg Werner Photography! I found Meg’s blog the way you find blogs in blogland — by a fortuitous click. I was so excited to hear she had started selling her photography which is lovely and layered.
I think I bought this photo in particular because it somehow evokes my childhood in Vermont. I like to think the flowers are apple blossoms since every spring there was a day or two when the apple trees blossomed and my mom and I would drive up the back roads and look over the valleys full of orchards in bloom and shake off the last shadowy remnants of winter. Every time I look over at this print (up at work where I most need inspiration!) I’m reminded of spring even as the days are getting shorter and it reminds me that there are always moments when you get to shake off your shadows and just be.
Last time we were in Boston, we stopped at our favorite bakery, Flour, in our old neighborhood, the South End. They have a unique take on the photowall — they DRAW their frames and change the art. LOVE it.
