Can't Get Enough Vintage Jewelry

In recent months we began exploring the vintage jewelry market, which can be very overwhelming. There are so many unique pieces of jewelry that sometimes a little guidance is needed in picking certain ones. We were doing some research and came across these great vintage ads, which really inspired us on picking and, don't forget, WEARING some fabulous jewelry finds.

Left image provided by http://myvintagevogue.com
Top brooch available here: Carved Cameo & Garnet Brooch
Bottom brooch available here: Gold & Pearl Trifari Brooch

A cool brooch can add the final touch to an outfit. Although we love the one on this model's hat, brooches can work wonderfully on masculine blazers as well.

Left image provided by http://vintageads.tumblr.com
Pearl set available here: M. Haskell Pearl Necklace & Bracelet Set

Pearls are always classic, but layering them can help give a more modern feel.

Left image provided by http://www.emcity.com
Earrings available here: 1950s Rhinestone Clip Earrings
Necklace available here: 1950s Rhinestone Necklace

These rhinestone pieces are fabulous. They can work with a dressy or casual outfit. Rhinestones are a great pop of sparkle.

Left image provided by http://hollyhocksandtulips.tumblr.com
Earrings available here: Trifari Enamel Gold Tipped Earrings

We have discovered a lot of Trifari jewelry, and many of the pieces consist of gold and white enamel. Statement Trifari pieces would be a good addition to a simple, casual outfit.

Left image provided by http://www.aussiebeader.com
Cuff available here: Sterling Gold Washed Cuff

It is never a bad idea to wear an in-your-face cuff. Chunky jewelry done right is fantastic, especially if it is metallic!

Check out more of our antique and vintage jewelry on design-bazaar.com.

-Design-Bazaar

The Event: Displaying Our Collections

We apologize for not posting last week, but we were setting up for our big event! In order to showcase our product, we used a large warehouse room with amazing windows and hardwood floors. We wanted to show our guests unique ways to use their antique finds. Here is some images of how we put it all together.

The warehouse room was gorgeous, and we decided to give it an antique mall feel. We set up room scenes throughout the space, and loaded up our tables with smaller antique and vintage finds.

This specific scene was more of an eclectic one. One of our favorite pieces was the mid century bar cart featuring our fabulous drink accessories.

In order to show how to display certain pieces, we bought 4' x 8' sheathing boards to lean against a long brick wall. We stained each board a dark walnut to make our product pop. In the first example we did a salon style format of various artwork we recently came across. 

Tea cups can take up a lot of space in a cupboard, so we suggested hanging them with hooks on the wall. This would look so cute in a kitchen.

We had an overload of saucers that had no matching teacups, so we decided to create a wall design with them.  Another idea is to use saucers that make up a specific color scheme (although we do love the mismatched look).

This event was great and truly fun to put together. We hope you take away a few ideas in enhancing your own vintage and antique collections.

-Design-Bazaar

"Art" We Fabulous?

We love finding great art pieces for the home, however, some are extremely unique and need to be placed in a strategic way. Here are some examples of our artwork finds, and how we would introduce them into our living space.

Available here: Oil Painting Boy & Balloon
Left Image provided by atlantahomesmag.com

The color combination on this vignette works well. The painting introduces the yellows and oranges that are complimentary to the blue lamp. With the color contrast, the vignette becomes the center of attention.

Available here: Scottish Farm Painting
Left image provided by curioussofa.blogspot.com

When you find a great piece of art that does not have a frame, don't run out and buy one immediately. Good frames can be pricey and we love the look of artwork hung by brown tape. It makes the space feel more casual and playful.

Available here: Framed Elephant Serigraph
Left image provided by thefabulousdesignfile.blogspot.com.

This elephant would be great in a black and white space. The frame could be painted black if there is another accent color involved in the decor. If not, we say keep the frame and let the brown pop!

Available here: Handsome Stranger Oil Painting
Left image provided by architecturaldigest.com

We love when a collection of portraits is displayed in the salon style format.

Available here: Etching "Transience"
Left image provided by desiretoinspire.net

This is a wonderful color scheme, especially if you are going to be massing a lot of pieces. The consistency of the black, cream and white keep a lot of artwork from becoming fussy.

Available here: Floral Arrangement Oil Painting
Left image provided by flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com

A realistic still life can be incorporated into a more simplistic space. If you pull colors from the image, the rest of the space, though more modern, will blend well. We would also like to point out the gold frame on our find. You can't go wrong with an accent of metallic.

Placing artwork in your home can be tricky. The key is to to be deliberate when arranging each piece, whether there are many or just one. Keep in mind that you if you have a specific piece that you love, you can easily design a room based on the color scheme it provides.

-Design-Bazaar

Able Tables

We may specialize in tabletop decor, but in order to be successful, we have to know how to incorporate the right foundation into a space. Here are a few examples of antique and vintage tables, and possible options for placing them in the home.

1920's Ornate Tête-à-Tête Table
Left image provided by wonderfulpalmettolife.tumblr.com

The color of this table's wood is extremely rich, and when placed in a mostly white room, the color quality really pops. It's also important to note that with a table that has such intricate carving, it is good to put it in a space with more simplistic lines.

Brass & Glass Top Low Table
Left image provided by stylekoo.com

Brass is very "in" right now. The clean frame of this table, as well as its metallic flare, would be the perfect accent for a multi-colored room.

Antique Convertible Paalman Tea Cart
Left image provided by http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com

The great thing about this tea cart is its portability. It can serve as a side table while not in use, and the second you want to have a tea party, roll it on over.

Wood Candle Stands, Pair
Left image provided by designsponge.com

A vibrant settee works wonderfully with small tables on each side. In a way, the tables create a frame, and therefore, highlight the "wow" piece of furniture. Candle stand tables work great due to their simple shape and small size.

Tray Table
Left image provided by sprucedecor.blogspot.com

Tray tables work well as accent pieces, especially if they have a pop of color. Because the table is so geometric, it is nice to have more organically shaped pieces surrounding it.

Mid Century Bar Cart
Left image provided by thedecorista.com

 We love bar carts! Keep in mind that other items, like a statement lamp, can be included with the glasses and beverages you prefer. Just because a particular piece has a specific purpose, doesn't mean you have to use it strictly in that way. A bar cart could be used as just a side table, and still be extremely successful.

If you have a table that you want to shine, its placement is really important. Sometimes it isn't what is on top of the table, but rather, where it is located in a living space.

-Design-Bazaar

Design-Bazaar at Your Service

We love collecting a wide array of antiques from furniture to jewelry, but our specialty is in tabletop finds. This includes glassware, serveware, flatware, and every other "ware" you can image. This week we want to emphasize some serving pieces that stand on their own. These finds provide the "wow factor" on your own personal tablescape.

Gilt & Porcelain Cordial Set, 8 Pcs

An intricate cordial set is great for a small cocktail party. The hand-painted details are beautiful.

Antique Tray, Ice Bucket & 8 Glasses

Vintage ice buckets are always stunning. The green rims on these glasses create a frame around the statement piece.

19th-C. Russian Tea Set, 4 Pcs

This Russian set is one of our favorite finds. The lines and hammered brass are so unique.

Mismatched Tea or Chocolate Set, Svc. for 6

We had an assortment of mismatched demitasse cups that were all very interesting. We brought them together with a silver tray and tea pot. The consistency of the silver allows the cups to come together as a group visually.

Silver Tea Party Set

Everything you need for tea and yummy dessert is in this serving set. A statement piece doesn't have to be colorful to stand out. Mass together your silver pieces and a bold effect is created.

1920's Nippon Lusterware Service

We just love the luster aspect of this set, not to mention the interesting color combo. Brighten up your guest's morning tea or coffee experience.

Brass Punch Bowl & 10 Cups w/ Ladle

If you are looking for a centerpiece for a party, this punch bowl is the way to go. It's big, it's brass, and the hanging cups add a little interest. Punch anyone?

When entertaining, a beautiful tabletop makes all the difference. We love finding antique and vintage items that stand alone. With a statement piece as your starting point, the rest of the table decor will fall into place.

-Design-Bazaar

DIY: Enameling Silver

If you are a collector of antique silver items like us, you come across many pieces with silver loss. Now, these pieces are still beautiful and if you like the aged look, don't do a thing. But if you are wanting to freshen up your silver finds, enameling is a great option.

This large serving piece is gorgeous, however, one of the handles has had some major silver loss. We decided to add a pop of color to each handle, in order to make it symmetrical, as well as a little more modern.

 Now, here is our step by step process in fixing this piece up:

First you want to purchase an adhesive primer, as well as an enamel paint.

The primer allows the enamel paint to stick to the silver's smooth surface. We applied two coats of primer to the specific area that we wanted and let it dry for about an hour. When applying coats we used a soft bristle paintbrush so that our brushstrokes weren't too noticeable.

Once the area is mapped out with primer and dry, begin the enameling process. The color we chose was a dark blue with a hint of green. In between coats, allow for a sufficient drying time. If the undercoat is not dry enough, your enamel will start clumping. Below is an example of the handle with one coat of paint.

We have found that three coats is enough to sufficiently cover the area.

Here is the final result! We livened up this traditional silver piece with color, and you know we just love color.

-Design-Bazaar

Color Collection

There is no easier way to make a statement than to add a pop of color to a room or an outfit. Accents draw the eye to specific areas, allowing you to highlight what you want. These our some of our favorite colorful finds that would work wonderfully as accents.

Green Stone & Gold Dimante Clip Earrings

 This vibrant green would look great with an all black outfit. With such bold earrings you want to keep it simple. A necklace would distract from the earrings because of its close proximity. However, a cool ring would, of course, be acceptable.

Wedgwood Jasperware Large Creamer

 Blue and white accents are classic. This creamer could serve as a flower vessel in a vignette.

Mid Century Attached Chair & Table

 The olive green is subtle, yet effective in breaking up the dark walnut wood. An accent color doesn't have to be bright in order to work in a space.

Antique Floral Wood Ottoman

 The color palette of this stool would be a good starting point in designing a room. Bring out the colors of the upholstery in other accents within the space.

Silver Tray w/ 5 Wine Glasses

Bar Service

 These two serving sets are great centerpieces for a dinner party. The green glasses would pull the guest's eyes to your perfectly decorated tablescape.

Coalport Tea & Dessert For Seven

The mustard in this tea set is gorgeous! Set up your tea service on a white table and the color simplicity will be extremely eye-catching.

Large Drip Vase

Bring your pop of color to the floor. Set a large vase next to a table or a chair that you want guests to notice. 

Color is a wonderful tool in design. Just remember, keep your color choices deliberate and a room or an outfit will be noticed by all!

-Design-Bazaar