photos, clockwise from upper-left: red, white & blue mantel via Be Different Act Normal; colorful croquet set via holiday-crafts-and-creations.com; “Happy 4th” garland via NewEnglandFineLiving.com; patriotic book wreath from SimpleJoysPaperie for sale on etsy.com via; festive window swag via Martha Stewart Living online; table setting via Simplified Bee.
-Katherine
The Porch & Atelier in Buffalo is loaded with great finds this month – but I had to choose just one category to showcase for today’s Top Picks. Voilà….CABINETS! Because everyone need chic storage!
{bring the outdoors in with this twig cabinet}
{fancy teal?}
{there’s tin for an industrial look}
{green as a garden grows}
{finally, a piece fit for a royal, in a beautiful, deep wood}
Happy Shopping!
-Katherine
As I’ve been writing this blog and doing more research on interior design, I’ve found myself being drawn to Swedish decorating. It always looks so CLEAN and FRESH and CALMING. I’m never going to be a minimalist, but I wondered, what lessons could I learn from Swedish design that I could apply to my own style?
{this living room exemplifies a ‘typical’ Swedish living room}
{design elements found throughout Swedish interior design – past & present}
Here are 5 elements in this room that appear in many Swedish spaces:
1. Huge windows – This is the trickiest to improvise. Many American homes, especially in the northern part of the country, don’t have large windows. But notice that this window is completely bare – no shade, no curtains. That’s one way to let more light in! And in a ‘public’ room like a living room, it’s a feasible option.
2. White walls – Almost every single Scandinavian room that I’ve seen has white walls. That’s a cheap, easy fix for anyone’s space!
3. Comfy sofa – One might argue that every, or at least most, cultures have comfortable seating. While this is true, I think that Scandinavians do it particularly well because of the emphasis on form AND function. No settees or stiff, formal seating here! And with an Ektorp sofa at Ikea selling for a mere $399, it’s a very attainable chic.
4. Light wood floor and area rugs – The Swedes LOVE wood floors. In fact, I’ve never noticed carpet in any Swedish room. And in general, wood floors are either a white wash, such as in this room, or a very light shade of natural wood. Because the floors can get cold, and tend to be a neutral wood color, Swedes almost always have an area rug. Having a white rug on white wood, like in this room, is a bit less common of a look. More typical would be to have a colorful rug. Although it doesn’t lend an colorful accent to the room, you can tell that its texture helps soften and warm the room a bit.
5. Natural wood furniture – Witnessed by the fact that Swedes almost always have wood floors, one can tell that they appreciate the natural look of wood. In this living room, there’s a low wood chest on the far side of the room, as well as a tabletop, in bare wood. Especially in this time of super-modern office blocks and new construction homes, there’s something really nice about bringing a bit of raw nature into the home.
If you’re looking to freshen up your home a bit this summer, these are just a few ideas on how to open things up and let a little Swedish in!
{photo of living room via Brave Home Design}
-Katherine
Over the weekend please look through your photos and find one of your favorite occasional sale find. Then email it to: iamanoccasionalsaler@theoccasionalsaler.com [i am an occasional saler @ the occasional saler .com]
Then, relax and rest up for next week’s sales!
And be sure to check back every week for Friday Finds!
-Katherine
After another antiquing/vintaging trip down South, I was looking through (and drooling over) the photos I took. In particular, Pippen’s Antiques on Franklin Street in Natchez, Mississippi provided much inspiration. They had dozens of antique furniture pieces, and some of my favorites were the chairs and sofas – and they have an amazing variety of styles.
{the gorgeous Art Nouveau door at Pippen’s Antiques}
{dashing early 1900s chair}
{antique tête-à-tête}
{English-style settee}
{early 1900s low couch}
{pistachio-green velvet covered antique “butterfly” loveseat}
-Katherine
Today’s idea comes from the Pfarkel Sisters, who had their Vintage Treasures Market in Fountain, Minnesota two weekends ago. (I blogged about it here.)
The porch was lovely, but one element in particular caught my eye. Thought it might inspire you creative types out there!
{the bucolic porch}
{an old wood post anchors a dainty chandelier}
{the chandelier is wired through the post – clever!}
-Katherine
Who doesn’t appreciate a great headboard? It really sets the tone for a bedroom. I recently came across a neat DIY blog post – this project from Schue Love is a winner!
{fancy a tufted headboard?!}
Happy creating!
-Katherine
Since I’ve started occasional saling, I’ve noticed a few pieces with a curious mark on them: “Occupied Japan” or “Made in Occupied Japan.”
I thought “occupied Japan?” Occupied by whom? When? Why? Given that the words are in English, I assumed that these pieces were being imported to an English speaking country. And from the age of the items, I guessed that this mark was used at some point in the 1900s.
So I did some research, and discovered that there isn’t one story on why these marking exist. It is commonly believed, however, that from 1945-1952, following World War II, the US required that all items imported from Japan to the US carry one of four marks: “Japan”, “Made in Japan”, “Occupied Japan” or “Made in Occupied Japan”.
There are, in fact, collectors who specialize in Occupied Japan pieces. Serious collectors prefer the “Occupied Japan” and “Made in Occupied Japan” markings, the best guarantee that the items were from that occupation time period.
You’ll see these markings primarily on ceramics – cups and saucers and other tableware. Occasionally, you can find such a mark on a figurine or other small collectible.
Here are some of the great marks from that era:
And just a note about the above marks – I chose to post them for their bold and beautiful aesthetics. So if you have items with less fancy Occupied Japan marks, don’t panic – they’re authentic, too. Most marks are more mundane, like this one:
RESOURCES: Information and all photos of Occupied Japan marks from Cathy Anderson. Additional information from Occupied Japan.
-Katherine
Today’s Friday Find comes from my very own collection. I found it in March at Second Hand Rose in Buffalo. I got there right when the sale started – and good thing!
{my upholstered beauty}
{my inspiration, ie. the room I hope to re-create for myself!}
photo: The above photo graces the cover of the AMAZING book Charlotte Moss Decorates (photo via The Style Saloniste)
Please, PLEASE send me YOUR Friday Find at: iamanoccasionalsaler@theoccasionalsaler.com [i am an occasional saler @ the occasional saler.com ] !!
-Katherine
On a recent trip to the South, I passed through Jackson, Mississippi. I have to be honest; I didn’t expect much of the town. But what I discovered was a beautifully restored downtown (Jackson is the capital of Mississippi), full of life, with good eats and great antiques.
There are several good shops with vintage and antique furniture and collectibles, many centered around Old Canton Road.
Check out my top 5 pieces from my favorite French antiquities specialists at M. Nichols Collection. (Apologies for the dark photos – photographing in-store is tricky!):
{Louis XVI trumeau}
{a lovely settee}
{a 6-foot+ tall stunner – I’m referring to the mirror, not the guy!}
{Louis XVI daybed}
{and the pièce de résistance – a Louis XVI vitrine. i’d use it as a jewelry display case!}
I have to say, Mississippi is jam-packed with antiques. If you’re in the market, and fancy some travel, I recommend you head down. Nothing is a steal, but the selection is remarkable. We stopped in Vicksburg, Natchez and the Biloxi/Gulfport area, as well – all had good finds, but I would especially recommend Natchez.
-Katherine