Children bring so much to our lives....

Childs Bertoia chair

Mama and baby

vintage Cosco booster seat

brothers enjoying modern design

new cat's cradle bases

bent plywood teeter-totter

Children bring so much to our lives, and some of that is pint size modern design.When I had my first child, I was so appalled by the new plastic toys that would soon take over the house. I felt that you could avoid it by carefully choosing beautiful wooden toys, so that your house would still have a consistent flow. I soon realized that those lovely BPA free wooden toys are expensive and children like brightly colored plastic toys that you can easily come across at any yard sale.
I did find this great vintage cosco booster seat at a thrift store for under $2, when my first was young. I had bid a few different times on these seats on ebay before we even had a child in the house. I always lost out and was excited to find this one close to home and next to nothing. I believe these were booster seats for the car, the cut-outs in the side are for the seat belt to go through.
The first picture is of the newest addition to our home, and its a vintage Knoll Bertoia chair sized for a child. I grabbed this yesterday when I spotted it in the window of a store while driving by. I at first glance thought it would just be a matching mate to my backyard bertoia, and was beside myself to find it was a matching miniature. This size is harder to find than the adult version, and I would love to own two(one for each child) but I doubt that lightning will strike twice.
I decided to purchase new bases for the two purple Herman Miller armshell chairs and went with the cat's cradle base(LAR). These bases weren't necessarily intended for children, but if you have ever sat in one you will understand that a seat height of 11.5'' is perfect for a child. What I love about these chairs, even thought they sit VERY low to the ground, the shell itself is a standard size and is still comfortable for an adult.
I have to remind myself that nothing in the house can be precious with two boys running(and crawling) around, because these chairs, I've been told by my 5yr old, are great to turn upside down and hide under. They are used to roughhouse on, to play video games from and a perfect height to eat dinner right off the coffee table in.(not that I allow my children to eat in front of the tv-HaHa!)
The last photo is of a thrift find that I couldn't leave behind, but not quite practical since I don't have two children close to the same size. This bentwood teeter-totter was $9 and to me one of those beautiful wooden toys I was talking about before. I can't find much about it online, except a couple of years ago one sold at our local auction house and was only labeled as modernist child's toy. It could be Ikea for all I know, but the sculptural design of this toy helps counteract all of the plastic crap that is laying about the house ever since I decided to have kids.

Collections

Most collections are formed over time, and it seems that the hunt is just as important as the collection itself. It usually starts for me with finding an item that immediately speaks to me, with no intent on starting a collection. Then the collection starts by running into the same item again, and it may be in better shape than the first, or a color that you enjoy more, or maybe even a price so low you can't leave it behind. And this is how it starts. Then, once you have two, you are all of a sudden on the look out for additions to your collection.
There have also been many collections I have sold off, no longer having room or longer enjoying that collection, only to move on to a new collection.
The first photo is of some of my collection of jars with cork lids. I have more than I have space to display, but with having cats in our household they have to be put somewhere the cats don't enjoy laying. This collection really has no value to anyone but me, but like I stated before, it just kind of happened. We use them as nature jars, and our oldest loves to pick up feathers, acorns and rocks when we are out on walks. So, this collection also has a function.
The next photo is of my rice threshing baskets. This collection started when I found 3 small basket for 25 cents a piece, and brought them home not knowing exactly what they were, but thinking I could possibly have a use for them. The collection started to grow as each additional one was larger than the last, and with the prices never exceeding a couple of bucks, the collection started to grow. The largest one I currently have is 3 feet in diameter.
The last collection is one that was purchased recently, and the collection was already formed. The photographs were all taken between 1970-1980, are labeled on the back of where the photograph was taken, and I was first drawn to them for there modern frames. At 50 cents a piece, this was another collection that I couldn't leave behind. When I got them out of the thrift store and home, I realized I also love the colors and subject matter of the photos and instead of just using the frames, the collection is now on display currently on our wall.
I have many other collections around the house, some may stand the test of time, and some may leave me to become part of someone else's collection.

a little rearranging and two chairs waiting for new bases

A few things from the weekend

I did a little shopping this weekend, and here are the things that came home with me. I hit up one estate sale early to make sure the purple Herman Miller chairs came home with me, and the rest came from some thrift stores we hit up as a family.
I love the white ceramic bud vase, It isn't marked, so I know nothing about it. If anyone else has a clue I would love some info. I also brought home a set of glass and cork jars, a burl wood candle holder and the gray planter.
The photos lined up next to each other came from a thrift that was closing up shop, and I loved the way they were framed and at $.50 each, I couldn't pass up the chance to own someone elses vacation memories from the 70s-80s.
So, there you are some treasures from the weekend.

Things are starting to round out around here

Artemide and marble

new pouf

It all started so innocently. I found the pair of Artimide lamps on the side of the road, and i knew I wanted them on either side of the sofa. Once there, I felt that round end tables would look best. I found this pair on craigslist and knew the marble would be perfect in a room that already had a lot of wood. They are super heavy with the marble tops and brass legs, and were made for commercial use, coming from a big law firm downtown, probably used there in the 1960s.
So after the tables were put into use, I removed the coffee table, more for baby-proofing than for anything. While out of town this past week, doing some thrifting we ran across this huge pouf/ottoman in perfect vintage condition. It is heavy so that the baby is unable to move it, there are no sharp corners for little heads to crash into, and the dark vinyl is a easy clean. So it was a winner, not to mention that it repeats the shape of the side tables. The pouf is 30'' in diameter and probably the largest one I have come across to date.
I also have a small collection of round vintage pillows that are floating around the house, as one can be seen on the couch in this picture.
So, as you can see, things are starting to round out around here.

Saturday morning shopping

I prefer to do my shopping without any kids in tow. That hardly ever happens. I would prefer to do my shopping with only one child at my side. That can't always happen.
Saturday morning I had both kids, one hand in hand, and the other strapped to my chest. This could possibly be the worst way to get any real shopping done. But, if you are a parent you know that its always better to get out of the house, than to spend your day looking at them thinking, what are we going to do now. Sometimes I even stare, and think why ? Why are you moving my furniture around ? Why are you grinding Cheerios into my rug? Why would you pull that lamp down on your head?
So, back to the pictures. We got up early on Saturday morning, with an estate sale advertised as second day, half off. It was close to the house, and I was feeling brave. The sale didn't pan out to have much left, but to keep the 5 year old happy, he is usually allowed to pick out something from a sale, just to keep him interested. So, he decided on two small plastic horse figures and a container full of clothes pins. I try not to question his choices, because when I'm out sale-ing the last thing I want to hear is, "what are you going to do with that?"
Leaving that sale, we had mapped another rummage sale we  were going to hit up, and stumbled upon a church flea market on the way. Flea markets are a way better option for anyone that has kids in tow. I think being outside, rather than inside an estate sale, and the fact they usually have refreshments, which can sometimes help avoid buying some crap you don't need, and will most likely be donating to the goodwill.
This flea market had you typical flea market junk, but one vendor suited my taste perfectly.
He had just closed a shop in Chicago that specialized in Mid Century modern. Perfect.
I would have filled the car , had I not already with our big ass stroller. But probably for the best, I decided to choose one thing that I would have kicked myself for not buying. And here you have it. This beautiful original painting, done in 1960. The colors go perfectly with the rug in our living room, it has been beautifully framed, in a large grass cloth and wooden frame.
I was having a hard time making out the signature until I found what you can see in the third photo, tucked into the back of the frame, printed with : Maria Scotoni Paulstr. Reflects Dune Ville Zurich.
So, a long story for a purchase that I couldn't leave behind. We all left the flea market happy, I with a baby strapped to my chest, carrying a huge painting, 5 year old hand in hand, him in his other a chocolate chip muffin. Saturday morning shopping.

Of questionable taste

I love it, my husband thinks it maybe the ugliest thing he's ever seen

I bought this lamp recently on our trip to Oklahoma. It was at this little thrift store, in this tiny town that we nearly didn't find our way out of. It wasn't priced, and when we asked about the price we were told $5, but it happened to be 50% lamps day! I need another lamp like I need a hole in the head, but I couldn't leave this handmade ceramic beauty behind. When i got home I was having a hard time deciding on an appropriate shade. That weekend i did a little Sunday estate sale-ing, and came up with this handmade wool fiber shade for just a couple of bucks and knew it would be perfect!
So, I believe these two pieces are soul mates, and my husband thinks I may have lost my mind.

Awkward Family Photo

1970's ?

                                                                 

I try to keep this blog about things secondhand and not about family, but I purchased this one-piece outfit for my youngest just because who can resist a baby in a velour jumpsuit? its hard to tell from the photos how big the bells are, but they are big ! I think I will spend the next few months searching for matching jumpsuits for our Christmas card.( If you know me, then you know I don't send out Christmas cards, but this year will be different!)