Getting vintage things ready for holiday displays
When you mix old and new and handmade the way we do at FOUND, figuring out how to fit it all into the shop and not have it look like a big messy mess is tricky. Especially during the holidays! Right now the big messy mess is where I live. My home has become preparation central this week as the final push to clean and price the fun vintage finds that will be incorporated into our holiday displays goes into high gear.
Seasonal merchandise from our vendors and artists starting arriving a couple months ago. We have that stowed away boxes at my house and in my son's basement. Now it's time to get the vintage things ready. Decided to give you a sneak peak with photos.
Above is what's on my kitchen table today. And below is my dining room table. I generally try to keep both kitchen and dining room tables for their intended purpose. But not this week...
The breakfast bar is filled with vintage silver. It'll be great with the antique mercury glass I found. And the wonderful new platinum trees and ornaments in natural colors. And of course, all the wonderful candles and holiday decor that we will put out.
Even the ledge by my stairway is filled with Christmas to come, like these 2 unused rolls of cotton batting "snow".
Most of the action has been taking place in my garage. It's filled with display pieces that I picked up at an antique shows over the last couple months. Things have been pretty crazy as I scurry to get everything cleaned and priced to incorporate into displays. Earlier this week, I spent half a day Briwaxing seven vintage sleds, a green stool, 2 1930's tricycle, a tripod, 2 old crates and a surveyors tripod.
Today, the weather was wonderful, so I pulled the truck up in the drive, loaded a junky old porch swing on the tailgate and worked some magic on that peeling paint and crumbling wood.
This swing will be hanging high in the store, filled with packages and other goodies by this time next week. Lots of elbow grease, brushes, rags and heavy duty gloves are my helpers.
I still need to clean out a cubby desktop cabinet, use the chalkboard paint on some shelves, clean and do something about Santa's workbench (which has been in the back of my van for over a week). But that's on tomorrow's list.
Remember, we'll be closed Monday and Tuesday (November 4, 5). Can't wait to show you how these vintage pieces accentuate all the other wonderful things in our holiday collection this year!
