The Red House

Living Room and Dining Room Before

I have been working hard the past few weeks to get what we have been calling "the red house" in shape for a renter.  The house belongs to my in-laws and has been used for years by my brother-in-law.  But recent life events have taken him to other places and it was time for an update.  I was called in to help with paint colors and general updates for the house.  

Kitchen Before

The goal: to make it brighter and add a modern touch for a young family.  A lot of painting had to be done, ceilings and trim were painted in white and the kitchen cabinets were painted in white as well.  A dishwasher was added, the washer and dryer relocated to the garage and an island brought into the kitchen.  The biggest change was removing a bad addition to the back porch.  The house has been returned to it's original 1950's glory.  It makes me feel good that we have provided a safe and bright home for a family to enjoy.  In only 3 weeks the house has been transformed.

Introducing Christine Taylor

I'd like to introduce you to the life and style of Christine Taylor.   A fellow vintage lover and collector, I have the privilege of calling her a friend and beginning tomorrow, the honor of having her as a weekly contributor here on Nicole B Vintage.  Christine is the co-owner of a fabulous vintage clothing shop called Living Threads Vintage in downtown Portland. 


























When I first met Christine she waltzed into the vintage shop I was working at with her signature red hair and statement jewelry (that I couldn't take my eyes off of) and blew me away with her kindness and charm.  Christine's style is effortless, collected and original.  I am so thrilled that she is going to share that here with us. 

 

 

This is a tiny peak into her pre-war apartment that she shares with her uber talented husband and business partner, Travis.  Original works of art abound in their stylish apartment.  I just love the way Christine pulls it all together.  Their bedroom is a mix of oranges, reds and black, yet it is so light and airy. 

 

 

Christine's bucket o' bangles kept in her mid-century glass collection. 

Christine has an amazing two drawer vintage jewelry box set aside her collection of vintage purses. The kimono is purposely hung on the back of the door, as art.  Do you notice how your eye goes from the red in the art, down to the red in that amazing rug then up to the red in the kimono sleeve and back around again?

 

 

A vintage purse that Travis brought home for Christine from a recent trip to Wyoming.  The detail in this purse is stunning.  And can we just talk about how lucky she is that her husband can just pick up something like that for her?

 

 

 

Christine's stylish collection of jewelry contains pieces like a Victorian red coral pin (bottom photo), a lion door knocker necklace (photo above)and a Victorian bog oak pin (photo below).

 

 

 

 

And if she ever gets sick of that stunning blue and gold ring peaking out of the back up there, I'd gladly take it off her hands. 

 

What do you think?  Pretty special huh?  I think so. I can't wait for what Christine will inspire us to do with our vintage modern wardrobes.   

 

Thanks to Christine for agreeing to share your talents with us here at Nicole B Vintage.  Don't forget to check her out online at her Etsy shop and in her downtown shop located at 1008 SW Taylor.  Across from the library. 

 

Until tomorrow.... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Jewelry Organization

I thought I would share my corner of our bedroom today.  I got all girly with it. 

 

 

 

I finally organized all of my costume jewelry using only vintage decorative accessories.  I love for my jewelry to be out on display.  I realize not everyone does, especially if you own valuable jewelry, in that case, go ahead and tuck it away! Mine is all for fun, and sadly since I became pregnant and started toting around a little guy, I never remember to put it on.  This was making me feel a little blue.  As if the rain, bone chilling cold and current layer of "fog" isn't already helping with that, I had to go and forget to put on my fun accessories. Boo hoo!  

 

My Solution:  Store colorful bangles in a vintage fabric covered tray, I believe originally used for lingerie.  (Correct me if I am wrong.)  The fabric tray fit quite perfectly on this little gold shelf from the 1950's.  Anytime you see a cute gold shelf, pick it up.  There are a million uses for those guys.

 

Next, hang chunky necklaces and floppy bracelets on vintage curtain tie backs, hung vertically.  I found these two at a local vintage shop that has a lot of cottage stuff.  They were the sort of thing you see, don't have any idea what you'll do with and buy them anyway.  I have seen similar ones used in entry ways to hold coats. 

 

Then, add something soft.  The paper fans were decorations at our wedding and I purchased them from BHLDN, Anthropologie's online wedding shop.  Our wedding was almost two years ago , but you can buy these pretty pink paper fans now.

 

Finish it off with a vintage jewelry box. I was lucky enough to be given this one by my mother-in-law.  I very much like that I can hang my earrings from the top and then close it up easily if I want to. Plus it has this kitschy sort of sixties thing going on with the gold and faux silk interior. And it reminds me of this...

As a little kid I used to visit my great-grandmother and play hours of dress up with her vintage clothes and jewelry. I will never forget that she had this huge white jewelry box.  Every drawer and spot inside had some fun jewelry in it.  I dreamed of owning it one day.  As if owning it meant I had arrived into some sort of status as a real woman.  When the day came to divide up grandma's things I was denied the beautiful white jewelry box and everything in it.   Instead, Grandma Kay gave me her amazing Danish dishes.  In mint condition, they are a rare set of blue and white Danish china.  These do more to remind me of my heritage and my great-grandmother who used to serve me tea and treat me like a lady, than that glorious white box ever would.  And BONUS I have my very own gold box that my cousin's daughter enjoys playing with and that is enough for me.

 

 

Dreamy Vintage Finds



These vintage Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs with black leather seats would look so amazing with my new dining room table.

Chairs and photograph from CathodeBlue on Etsy

 

What?!! I love these!

Vintage Yellow Trays and Photograph from Lust Found Vintage

 

 

Hello Eames Lounge Chair, I mean, sort of...my husband would love you!

Plycraft Lounge Chair and photograph from Gredesign

 

 

You would be so fun in Hank's room

Painted Mid-Century Modern Dresser and photograph from The Turquoise Iris

 

 

 

I would love to hang you above our bed and say goodbye to the generic close-to-ceiling "boob" light

Mid-Century Pendant Lamp and photograph from Mid Centry Mobler

Vintage Cane Back Dining Room Chairs

Before Thanksgiving I was out doing some Sunday vintage shopping when I came across these dining room chairs.  I bought them on an impulse, for the following reasons:

 

1. I tend to be an impulse buyer.  I actually read some good suggestions today to help me with this.  For instance, walk away and think about it.  But I have to say when you do that with vintage it could be gone.  So my advice is to not walk away too far!

 

2.  I LOVE them! I admit it, I saw them and thought that was exactly what I had in mind and I had to have them.  I'd been wanting some cane back vintage chairs, painted.  Why?  I can't explain.

 

3.  The price was right.  It's hard for me to pass up a good deal, especially on something I love.

 

4.  We needed two more dining chairs.  It was almost Thanksgiving and they were perfect for the occasion.  I had my quirky Formica top table and some painted tall cane back dining room arm chairs were the perfect fit.

 

Now, I have a new dining room table and they just don't feel right with it.  So I am selling them.  Check out my add on craigslist here.  They could be your fun dining room chairs! 

Vintage Tall Boys Turned Pencil Holder

 

 

A few years ago I saw this idea in a magazine, fell in love with it and had so much fun putting it together.  It's such a simple idea, take an old drink glass carrier of your choosing, add vintage glasses and voila! A great place to house all of your pens, pencils, scissors and what not in one easy to grab place. 

 

I happened across this pink glass carrier with the black ball feet.  I have a crush on pink and black. You know why? Growing up we would go and visit my mom's aunt Joan in San Jose.  She was a thin gangly woman who smoked like a chimney, and had THE best laugh around.   A sort of contagious, infectious laugh.  Her house was an assortment of kitschy 50's, 60's and 70's.  Permanently burned in my brain are her avocado green kitchen cabinets with floral decal stickers and the big bowl of candy that sat out on her kitchen table, all year round.   Fake flowers adorned her lawn and a lava lamp, a young girl on a pillar oil lamp as well as shag carpet resided in her living room.  But the best part was the pink and black bathroom.  Every little detail in that bathroom was pink or it was black.  Pink tub, pink toilet, floral decals in the tub, black shag throw carpets, black and pink accessories that would make any grown-up spontaneously vomit in their mouth.  She had it and it lived in that bathroom.  But I digress.

 

   

 

 

While that bathroom no longer technically exists, it does in my brain and now in yours. If you are a pencil loving hoarder such as myself I highly recommend this delightful new use of an old drink carrier. You won't be disappointed and neither will any young artist that stops by and wants to draw.

A Saturday Surprise

 

Look at what my mom got for us today!!! Eeeeekkkk!!! So excited! I've been wanting a vintage Eero Saarinen table for so long and we came across this vintage black look-a-like last Sunday. She surprised me today!!! Am I not the luckiest girl in the world?  The answer is YES.

Organizing with a Modern Tray

 

 

Here's another way I use modern trays in my home:  To organize my note pads, pens, tape dispenser, stapler and push pins.  I keep all of these things out in my dining room and it's totally ok because they are neat and contained.  An old blue mason jar holds my pens and scissors. A tiny vintage juice glass holds my push pins and I have the cheap plastic version of a lucite stapler and tape dispenser.  Vintage staplers are hard core, have stood the test of time and throw out lots of style. I could easily go there too.   Also paper, I love to scribble notes on paper, so having that readily available is important. Stacks of it. Come on people.     

 

Using a small vintage plate in a retro pattern to hold my business cards makes them feel like they are just hanging out ready to be served up. 

 

This arrangement actually changes all the time. But there it is, for now.  I had two lamps on this piece of furniture, but we let our friends bring their dog over, who chased our cat and now there is one lamp.  I will tell that story soon. It's a good one. 

 

 

 

 

 

A Vintage Lunch Tray Get Together

Let's do a get together of vintage lunch trays from Etsy.  These are a great way to organize small things like paper clips, push pins, pencils and post it notes.  If you were to organize your desk drawer with one,  there could be a slap of color and a pop of wow as you searched for those boring, oh so useful, paperclips.  Better yet, leave it out on your desk, be like my husband, easy to find, easy to grab.  While doing this, you'll be a little bit less stressed and a tiny bit cooler.  Oh you!

Check out these vintage Yellow serving trays from Amelia Bedelia Vintage.

And these incredible red and turquoise trays from Arks Endeavor.





Better yet, go for the industrial look and pick up some aluminum ones over at The Relic Trail.

My new favorite color, a true mid century classic, turquoise.  Brought to you by Lare Furbish. 

Finally, this structured US Military mess tray is a must have for the truely organized in you. Shop Via Olivia now.

 

New Year, New Goals

 A new year has arrived and with it, new goals. New ideas and ways to improve myself. New things I might want to accomplish or give a try.

As I browse the isles at the local Fred Meyer I can't help but notice the obvious goals for us all...workout time!! Only this year, not for me. I am five and half months pregnant and for the first time, don't really care if I loose any weight. Wow! What a liberating feeling. I am relishing in not having to worry about how un-flat my stomach is.  I look forward instead to having a baby.  A wee one to hold, feed and change it's diapers. Snuggle time!

And yet, with all of the new stuff that comes with motherhood, I can't help but make personal goals for my mental health.  Goals I want to share with all of you for the year ahead.  Number 1 priority is being a fantabulous mother! After that I wish to conquer the world!! Ok, I'm kidding. Not really.

What would goals be if not lofty.  And so with motherhood and all of it's future challenges, I wish to embark on a journey through the blogging world.  Where I might discover that writing is all at once fun, challenging and a life-long learning process.  I hope to share my vintage interior design ideas with you.  Future posts include stories about those that live the vintage modern life, nursery design, my own vintage wedding, creative ideas for your collections and color schemes for your interior. To inspire your creativity (we all have some!) and get you talking about living a vintage modern life.  

Next, to expand on my knowledge and ability with a camera.  I have dreams of purchasing a digital SLR camera so I can share what I see with you too.  Because words sometimes just don't do the trick.  And because honestly, I love pictures.  If I ever wrote a book, it would most certainly contain 90% photographs!  

This year, with the hopeful arrival of a baby, I am filled with a little fear of the unknown, lots of excitement for what could be and joy deep down in my soul for the opportunity to even get to do something like this.  Now that I've told you and the universe what my goals are for the new year, off I go!

Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Nicole

"You have to make mistakes to find out who you really aren't. You take the action and the insight follows:     You don't think your way into becoming yourself." Anne Lamott