Laura Plouzek of Xoelle, hand sews the most adorable bow ties for little guys and bow ties for big guys too.

Architectural Salvage of San Diego is a great place to pick up that perfect gem of patinated perfection for your historic home remodel. A stained glass window, clawfoot bathtub, cast iron grate, hewn pillar, or period lighting fixture will give your home the added character and wow factor!

Paint by Number painting its were developed and marketed in 1950 by Max S. Klein, an engineer and owner of the Palmer Paint Company of Detroit, Michigan and Dan Robbins, a commercial artist.

In 1951 Palmer Paint introduced the Craft Master brand which sold over 12 million kits. This public response induced other companies to produce their own versions of paint by number. The Craft Master paint-kit box tops proclaimed, “A BEAUTIFUL OIL PAINTING THE FIRST TIME YOU TRY.” Following the death of Max Klein in 1993, his daughter, Jacquelyn Schiffman, donated the Palmer Paint Co. archives to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

In 2008 a private collector in Massachusetts assembled over 6,000 paint by number works dating back to the 1950s from eBay and other American collectors to create the Paint By Number Museum, the world’s largest online archive of paint by number.

Images are from the following collectors:

Country Living

This Love is Forever

Jenn Jarnot

Sweet Jessie

Retro Rennovation

Klein Reed

To me a vintage doily has so much character and history in it’s stitches. I love how each one is so delicate and unique, and cannot help but think of all the time that went into each stitch by someone’s granny, somewhere. I tend to find them en mass in thrift and antique stores and it really saddens me that they go unloved. Therefore, I have accumulated boxes of these white and off white handicraft.

I searched and searched for what to do with them finally used a fabric stiffener with a bit of fabric paint mixed in to change their color and give them a bit of flair. First you mix the stiffener with the fabric paint  and place in paste, wadding it up to wring out any extra stifferner. You then use a plastic bowl, or a porcelain bowl covered with aluminum foil to drape the coated doily over to mold it into place. Let dry 24 hours.

I saw that Shannon South of ReMade USA also came up with a creative way to repurpose the doilies as well in creating this lovely pendant light from her amassed collection. Each doily is sewn around a spherical mold and hardened with wallpaper paste. Love it!

Give vintage doilies new life!

Recycled content quilts from vintage and surplus fabric are perfect for picnics in the park and for children to play upon.

From the very talented LeilaB & Brand Eye

The Buchstaben Museum in Berlin houses and impressive and ever growing collection and array of vintage signage and oversized typography. The museum’s mission is to make the preservation and documentation of letters available for viewing and exhibits.

Next June, you can find me at The Farm Chicks Antique Show! With humble beginnings in a barn in 2002, the show has branched into a fabulous vintage and craft show. There are antiques, vintage objects, handmade goods, and wonderful vendors.  The show, held annually in Spokane, Washington, is host to approximately 150 vendors and draws visitors from across the country.

Invironments Boulder is a wonderful shop  for eco-modern furniture and vintage collectables. Recently, owner Jodi Feinhor-Dennis has added new and exciting vintage treasures & funky finds to her offerings. These gorgeous, distressed pieces add character to mid century modern decor.

Invironments offers interior design and remodeling services with project management.

The Denver Modernism Show will take place August 27-29th 2010 at the National Western Complex in Denver.

The showcase will feature dozens of vendors from around the the US selling collectable vintage modern objects like furniture, art, lighting,  decorative glass, pottery, retro housewares, kitsch, bakelite, airstream trailers, vintage radios, etc. It is a nice opportunity to see tons of period pieces all under one roof.