Category — Vintage Decorating

Help! I moved into my new house five months ago yet my vintage jewelry and accessories are still in boxes on my bedroom floor. Not exactly a domain for inspiration or relaxation. I used to have a Heywood-Wakefield vanity, but that is going to be sold and waiting patiently in the garage. I actually don’t really want another vintage vanity. As pretty as they are, they never seem to have enough storage space for my massive collection of vintage jewelry.

I have been looking for a more practical jewelry armoire. The problem is they didn’t really exist in the mid century. At least  I can’t seem to find any. With the exception of this one…

George Nelson rosewood and painted metal miniature six-drawer jewelry chest on stand. Image courtesy of Bonhams.com. via CollectorsWeekly.com

And best of luck to anyone trying to find a George Nelson jewelry armoire. Isn’t it gorgeous?! Hm. Maybe I can hack one!

So I was ready to settle for this modern armoire with a definite mid century look.

The walnut stain is perfect with my current bedroom furniture. But the universe is against me right now. This style is sold out! An espresso color version is available, but it’s way too dark. I am back to square one. So I am asking for help!

Does anyone know of any mid century, retro, vintage inspired, not ugly jewelry armoires to control my chaotic jewelry collection? Leave a comment!

I am a thrift store snob! I was pulling out of Starbucks when I saw a new-to-me Goodwill. It’s located in a city that I would not say has a reputation for style, but I thought, hey you never know.

I saw them stacked up on a table at the far end of the store – four beautiful vintage storage boxes covered in the most glamorous gold, silver and cream quilted vinyl.

I will admit publicly that I am not the most organized person so these beauties were quickly MINE! Not only did I cure my need to discover vintage treasure, but I can get organized in style. Who would want an MDF shoe organizer when they can have these?

When I opened one up, the treasures continued. The original order for with the cutest design. If I could order more from this company using THIS order form, I would!

I hope you had a lovely weekend. But if you dread Mondays like me, here are some images of some lovely roses I picked from my overgrown rose bush. I hope they make you smile like they did me. Have a lovely Monday!

Oh, I picked up these very glamorous ceramic white and gold rimmed dishes at one of my favorite thrift stores a few weeks ago. I love how they frame the vase. I’m sure there was a third piece in the set’s previous life.

As much as I love and worship vintage, I don’t dress in vintage head to toe. Just like I don’t decorate my home in vintage head to toe. I love the look of a modern twist with my vintage, or a vintage twist with my modern. And interior designer and home accessories redesigner Tamara Kaye-Honey totally gets this. House of Honey is her design company and vintage home accessories line. She tastefully reinvents vintage pieces into glamorous home accessories and furnishings. I love that her taste is not typical mid-century, but very much of the era. Honey has such an eye for whimsical pieces and unexpected combinations of patterns, color and styles. She borrows from many different decades and mashes them all up without looking gaudy. I think that’s the gift that comes with great taste – you can put anything together and it looks fantastic!

If you find yourself in the Pasadena area, check out her inspiring studio and shop, House of Honey in South Pasadena. Otherwise you can find some of her pieces right now at Joss & Main, my new member-only shopping addiction. Need an invitation? No problem!

When you are in your mid 30-somethings, rights of passage like home ownership and babies are the center of conversation, or at least your thoughts. I know it has been for me, at least the home purchase part after many failed home purchase attempts over the last 8 months. But now, thanks to House of Honey’s new blog, I’ve got baby on the brain too. Well baby furniture anyway. If I had a kid, this would be my furniture of choice. Who needs Winnie and Mickey or Noah’s Ark like animals when you can have chic and bold? Contrast is good for their little eyeballs right?

If you aren’t familiar with House of Honey, stylist and designer Tamara Kaye-Honey is a vintage and modern home style genius. She mixes vintage pieces with modern touches, revives retro relics into stunning home furnishings. Her showroom and shop is an absolutely inspiring space. You have to come to South Pasadena and marvel at her work. I am so excited that she blogging. Now I can get regular fixes of vintage modern home design.

This post is sort of a dagger to the heart. I live in a very small, very cute, but very small 1950s home. The closets are basically non-existent so I have resorted to storing shoes in long plastic bins under my bed. Not ideal but at least they are not all over the floor – mostly. I so desperately want more floor space so I can house my shoes in a delicate cabinet such as this one. I would purposely buy prettier shoes just to display them. I love using vintage furniture because it’s not only practical but beautiful.

P.S. If you want some tips on great closet organization, Lucky magazine has an amazing spread on closet storage. Very informative.

photo: via This Is Glamorous

I was browsing through Refinery 29‘s website when the image of a black and white striped (my vice) clad woman sitting in a room with red walls caught my eye. I love the bold graphic of her outfit, an homage to Coco Chanel, and the vintage details of Ce Ce Chin’s apartment. Ce Ce is the designer of cult fave shoe line 80%20. It’s obvious vintage is a huge part of her life because her home and designs are loaded with vintage flair.

Another fun surprise was the amazing gold jewelry box in the lower left right corner. See it? I have one EXACTLY like it! These mid century jewelry boxes are a must have for me. I own way too much jewelry. Plus they are like little home accessories.

source: Refinery29

Watching American Pickers last night, Valentine’s Day to be precise, Mr. Debutante and I were discussing “mantiques”. Luckily, I’m not overly girly, at least I don’t think so, but I do occasionally try to convince the man of the house that hot pink tufted furniture is no reflection on his manhood. And then I discovered Manly Vintage via Thriftcore.

Manly Vintage’s mission is “to cultivate and promote the idea that style is not emasculating, that men can and do enjoy good taste, and good design is appropriate for all men, everywhere. ” I love this mantra. And it describes my husband perfectly. Athletic fit shirts and “retro sexual” style are not him at all. We constantly try to find a balance in our tastes for our home.

Manly Vintage is a perfect common ground blog for both of us. Beautiful images, gorgeous furniture, and two men’s perspectives on good design.

Take a look at your vanity or your dressing area. If you are like me, there is a constantly a small mountain of costume jewelry. I’m in clutter control mode right now, so when I came across these images of vintage tea cups and saucers being used as jewelry holders, I thought it was a clever way to keep the mounds of jewelry tidy, and so much more inspiring than a grid full of velvet covered squares.

I’ve used vintage tiered pastry or tidbit platters before too. The work great for spaces that lack surface space.

What clever solutions do you use to organize your jewelry?

photos: teacups – Marcus Design via This Is Glamorous
platter – via Etsy

Curvy and leggy!

source: Caviar 20 via sfgirlbybay