VintageKC Home. Fashion. DIY. vintagekcmag.com
Spring 2013
Mid-Century Mad Fill your home with 1940s-1960s treasures on a really tight budget
2013 Garden Guide
PLUS Lovely party décor Barn trolley tables Vinyl’s steady rise 1940s wartime duds
VintageKC / Spring 2013 1 15 Easy vintage sheet ideas
Contents Spring 2013 • Volume 1 Issue 4
Features 12 Vintage Spaces
A Northland home filled with mid- century items on the tighest budget
22 2013 Garden Guide
Spring is here! Get inspired by our first annual outdoor special
28 Vintage Fashion
War-era fashion of the 1940s takes center stage for spring C olumns 05 Our Favorite Finds
What’s new in the world of online vintage sales?
08 Buy & Sell
In the Digital Age, why are vinyl sales still climbing?
46 Vintage Memories
Love between a mother and daughter blooms decades later Do-it-yourself 08 DIY Décor Easy, flexible party decorations 10 DIY Furniture Rustic barn trolley tables 34 DIY Craft 15 things to do with vintage sheets
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fr om the editor
Editor Erin Shipps Staff
The Thriving Thrifty hrifters, junkers, vintage hunters (I’ve even called myself an estate sale rat), we all tend to have one thing in common: We started thrifting out of necessity. Be it the economy, losing a job, or having children, there are any number of reasons money can become tight. And we, the thriving thrifty have found ways to still acquire the things we (and our families) need. From whipping through estate sale after estate sale on a Saturday morning, when items are typically half-price, to digging through barns, scouring jam-packed thrift stores to combing Craigslist and eBay, there are lots of ways to get a good deal. But then, we started to realize we could find wonderful, stylish things at bargain prices and vintage repurposing stores were born. Granted, some of them pioneered this lifestyle years ago, but nowadays a new store is popping up around every corner. When faced with buying a partical board desk at a big name chain versus a lovingly painted (or not) solid wood piece beaming with new life, of course our $100 will go to the latter. And who could dream of a beautifully distressed or restained solid dining room table and chairs for $150? We could. We can. In this issue, we’ll take a walk through Dana Snider’s Northland home, all magnificantly mid-cen- tury, and all budget friendly. The lady knows how to find a bargain and besides her couches and beds, she estimates she only spent about $2,000 on decorating her whole house. Remember when the show “Trading Spaces” had $2,000 to redo a whole room? And that was considered cheap? Dana amazes us. We teamed up with the fabulous team at Vixen Pinup Photography for our fashion shoot, which depicts 1940s nautical fashion. This era defined thrifty as supplies were limited and there were regu- lations on a lot of things. But they still rocked out fashion relevant even today. We’ve got 15 ideas for $2 vintage sheets with help from blogger Megan Kapple, and easy as pie party décor with graphic designer Audrey Kuether. Local craftsman AdamMagers shows us how to build a coffee table with antique barn trolleys, and the Brown Button boys teach us how to buy and sell all things related to vinyl. We certainly share a common bond in this community: We love creativity and a good deal. We here at VintageKC are excited to be along for the ride with you, and we have so many ideas for the next year of publishing. Look out for events and classes starting this summer as we celebrate a year with you. And do us a favor, when you visit a store you see in our magazine, be sure to tell them we sent you! Happy hunting! T
Fashion Director Mandy Miller
Copyeditor Angela Snell
Editorial/Fashion Assistant Calli Green
C ontributors Kim Antisdel
The Birddog Patio Richard W. Daley Melinda Dennis Michael Fry James Fry Megan Kapple The Potting Shed Deborah Vogler Whimsical Rubbish
P hotography Richard W. Daley William and Jill DiMartino Layne Haley Photography Megan Kapple Audrey Kuether Vixen Pinup Photography
VintageKC volume 1, issue 4 is published quarterly by Erin Shipps, 7730 Floyd St., Overland Park, KS 66204. Copyright 2012, Erin Shipps. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A.
^
xo, Erin
Dana Snider’s entryway is a mid-century showstopper. Photo: William and Jill DiMartino. On the C over
We’re loving our vintage industrial office supply finds right now. Tell us what you’re loving on Facebook.
VintageKC / Spring 2013 4
our favorite Etsy f inds
All of these shops can be found on etsy.com, an online retailer.
ViVifyVintage: Vintage men’s Seersucker suit, size M/40R, $79; vintage men’s golf jacket, size XL, $29; vintage Stet- son hat, size 7- 1 / 4 , $67. Use code “KCVintageMagazine” for free shipping in the Kansas City area. etsy.com/shop/vivifyvintage
Vintage Heart Strings: Vintage Adamson black felt wool hat, $32; vintage 1930s green glass statement brooch, emerald cut stones, open backed setting, $40; vintage 1970s KC Royals custommade table/desk lamp, $35. Contact seller for free shipping in the Kansas City area. etsy.com/shop/vintageheartstrings
Cosabuena: Eyelet dress, size L, $18; Ralph Lauren denim workshirt, size L, $40; 1980s black leather pencil skirt, size 2-4, $40. Items can be picked up in The River Market area to avoid shipping cost. etsy.com/shop/cosabuena
VintageIcing: Four 1960s vintage Raffiaware bowls, $14; vintage claw foot bronzed metal Art Nouveau lamp, $39; ornate cherub pedestal bowl, cast metal cherub and colum base, $29. Use code “VINTAGEKCFREE” for free shipping in the Kansas City area. etsy.com/shop/VintageIcing
This is found here: Handmade vintage ribbon rosette necklace, $15; handmade repurposed fabric rosette necklace, $12; handmade repurposed fabric rosette necklace, $12. All items may be found/picked up at Made in Lawrence, or in Etsy shop. Follow the blog at thistooisfoundhere.blogspot.com. etsy.com/shop/thisisfoundhere
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buy & sel l
Renaissance Vinyl It’s the era of the iGeneration, the Digital Age, but vinyl sales are higher than they’ve been since CDs officially stole the spotlight in 1986, projected at 4.7 Million last year. Here’s what you need to know about this growing market. Catch you on the flip side.
By Michael and James Fry
T
hey say that everything moves in cycles. What used to be someone’s garage sale leftovers can become to- morrow’s hottest collectible. While
when you find a perfect copy of a well liked album such as The Eagles “Their Greatest Hits” only to find out later that it is one of the highest selling albums of all time with little more than $5 in value. Or you might unearth a fairly rare Beatles “All You Need Is Love” three-song Iranian EP that a dog chewed on; the teeth marks dropping its value to $12 instead of the $120 it might have brought. It’s only in the convergence of condition, interest and sup- ply that things really start getting exciting. A good example of a rare LP from a high interest artist would be Johnny Cash’s original self-titled debut on Sun Records. In very good condition it can sell for more than $150. To get you started we have compiled a short list of artists that carry a broad and steady interest in the record collecting community: Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan (mostly his albums from the 1960s), David Bowie, early Elvis Presley, John Coltrane, The Beatles (as a group as well as their solo work), Jimi Hen- drix, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Be- yond this elementary list, the best way to get acquainted with what is desirable and valuable in the world of records is to study selling
we won’t say that iPods and iPhones are taking a backseat to vinyl, we will go on the record that records are making a significant comeback. Over the last decade CD sales have steadily declined while record sales are more than 10 times what they were in the 1990s. The growing popularity of vinyl, along with the explosion of digital media,
a true audiophile about the basis of vinyl’s superiority, they will tell you it all comes down to one thing—sound. The tracks on a record have not been compressed like other audio formats and, if played on a quality turntable, you will hear musical nuances that you will never catch on a CD or MP3. The growing interest in all things vinyl cre- ates new opportunities for resellers. As with all reselling activities, a little knowledge goes a long way toward making you profitable. When looking to enter the world of record buying- and-selling, there are three main factors driving value: condition, interest and supply. All three are important when on the hunt for valuable records. You might think you’ve hit the jackpot
has resulted in many musicians skipping CDs altogether when releasing new albums. National stores such as Barnes & Noble and Urban Out- fitters are following the trend by stocking both new and re-released classics on vinyl. At first glance it would seem strange to see the comeback of records in this digital age, with the ability to carry an entire music col- lection in your pocket. We would venture that it is this intangibility of digital media that is at least partially responsible for the recent rise of LPs. People enjoy putting their hands on a re- cord and watching it spin. Not to mention the fact that album art just isn’t the same on your mobile screen. But these reasons, while good, don’t get to the heart of the matter: If you ask
Don’t know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Having trouble pricing or finding a good deal on an item? Tell us about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
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buy & sel l
prices. Check websites like eBay or Amazon, and stop by your local record stores to peruse the shelves. There are several quality establish- ments in the Kansas City area including Zebedee’s RPM and Renaissance Vinyl on 39th Street in Westport, and Love Garden in Lawrence. When delving into the wide world of vinyl, record players are of equal importance to buy, sell and enjoy. The different types and qualities of players available are as diverse as the music that plays on them. A few categories to consider are: turntables that look really cool but have me- diocre sound quality, turntables with good sound quality but less-than- impressive design, and the magic combination—turntables that sound amazing and have awesome looks to boot. The first category includes suitcase record players. Often made of plastic, they fold in half and have a handle for easy transportation.
Dual CS-5000
Made by companies like Zenith, Crosley, Tele-Tone, GE, and RCA these portable record players are all-in-one, with built- in speakers and no need to be connected to a receiver. They are great for aesthetics and comparatively inexpensive, but to the true audiophile’s ear they probably won’t make the cut. These types of players can be purchased (or sold) in the range of $20 to $70. Let’s skip the middle category (because it’s boring) and go straight to record players that both sound and look grand (because this is where things get interesting and po- tentially profitable). A few turntables in this category include the Marantz 6300, Thorens TD-124, and our favorite—the Dual CS- 5000. With casings of solid wood, all three players are great centerpieces for your record collection and will make any album sound amazing. These turntables can range from $300 to more than $1,000 depend- ing on the condition and type of cartridge (or needle) they come with. If you stumble across one of these record players for a low price, you’ve either found a nice profit or exponentially increased the quality of your music listening equipment. (If neither inter- est you, then give us a call and tell us where to purchase it). Whether you have the ear to hear the qual- ity of a Dual CS-5000 turntable with Martin Logan speakers or you just enjoy finding that rare album that makes your day of estate sale shopping profitable, we hope that we have as- sisted you on your vinyl journey and we wish you happy picking. ^ Michael and James Fry are brothers and the owners of Brown Button Estate Sales. Find them at brownbutton.com and facebook.com/ brownbutton.
He said ... He said
What’s spinning on your turntable?
I enjoy a wide variety of music, and my record collection is not a bunch of LPs I have sought out to buy. I enjoy “the find,” and my vinyl stock is comprised of great albums that I have stumbled upon in garage sales, flea markets and estate sales across Kansas City. One of my favorite bands is U2 and I love the cover art on War. I purchased my mint copy from a garage sale in Olathe for $3. From U2, my tastes (and albums) wan- der far and wide to include Simon and Garfunkel, Duke Ellington, Elton John’s Madman Across the Water, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, everything Johnny Cash, and of course, The Beatles. I own the “Red” album and I am currently on the hunt for the “Blue” album. Despite the amazing list of artists and albums in my collection, my 3-year-old would trade them all for his vinyl copy of Bert and Ernie Sing Along.
Being a Kansas City native it seems appropriate to highlight a few noteworthy jazz albums. Jazz is one of those genres of music that seems to always sound bet- ter on a record player. The slight crackle and occasional pop coming out of your turntable just adds to the glory of an old Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” or Dave Bru- beck “Take Five” record. Other notable artists and albums in this category include John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” Thelonious Monk’s “Brilliant Corners,” Charles Mingus’ “Mingus Ah Um,” Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and to top it off with a few KC originals, Count Basie and Charlie Parker. Jazz singers and crooners also have their own special quality when played on vinyl. Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday are always enjoyable, but my favorite singer would most certainly have to be Louis Armstrong. His gravelly voice never ceases to bring enjoyment to my ears.
VintageKC / Spring 2013 7
diy decor
Party supplies can be expensive. They can also be easy, elegant DIY projects. Here are a few simple projects from local graphic designer Audrey Kuether. Party Décor Lovely
Projects | Styling | Photography by Audrey Kuether
a. Tissue paper tassles Take decorating up a notch (literally) with flowing, vibrant tassles. String them over a table and along a wall. b. Customized coasters Add texture while protecting your tabletops with cute patterns and personlized mono- grams. Coasters with a number are great for birthday parties! c. Elegant cupCake Stand Elevate your pastries in style with this classy reusable cake stand made from repurposed candleholders and vintage plates. d. confetti Splash your table with color using different sized confetti. But don’t just stick to solids, mix in some coordinating patterns.
Audrey is the creative and brand manager for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America by day, and runs Oh So Lovely, a Kansas City-based graphic design and photography
e. Whimsical pinwheels Make your party décor pop color with these adorable pinwheels. Place them in vintage milk glass, silver vases or mercury glass instead of expensive flowers. f. Cupcake Toppers Another great use for larger confetti; coordinate mismatched desserts with simple toppers made from paper and toothpicks. Customize them even further with monograms or numbers.
company, in her spare time. She and her husband Ted live in Olathe with their two dogs and are expecting their first child this summer.
^
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diy decor
a
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To view complete step-by-step tutorials for all ve projects visit: ohsolovelyblog.blogspot.com/ 2013/01/vintage-kc-mag.html
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diy furniture Barn Trolley Tables By Adam Magers
First patented in 1867, iron hay carriers once served as a barn’s workhorse. Repurpose them now as a sturdy foundation for your coffee table.
B
However, it is important to know that not all boards actually measure the width they are sold as. So, a 2”x8”-8’ board may only mea- sure 7-3/4” wide because it lost a 1 / 4 ” when it was surfaced at the mill. Same with the thick- ness. Generally, 1” material only measures 3 / 4 ”. Sketching the layout of your table will save you time in the long run. Step 2 Cleaning up the barn trolleys is optional. Some people love a rustic look, and rust helps with that. If you prefer a cleaner look, try Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover and scrub the rust away by using a wire brush or steel wool. Be sure to wear some heavy rubber gloves, as well as wear eye protection, and read the directions and warning label. You can also use a drill or Dremel tool with a wire brush attachment to do away with the rust. Wear a dust mask and eye protection as wire bristles will fly and rust particles will be floating through the air. Step 3 Trolleys need to be adapted so they can be used as table legs. Barn trolleys vary
in height, so your wood attachment piece will vary depending on the height of your barn trolley and how tall you want your table. I would recommend attaching a 4”x4” block to the bottom of the barn trolley. Depending on the barn trolley, I like to position it upside down for aesthetics. The best way to attach the block is to use Liquid Nails or another extremely strong construction adhesive. It’s
arn trolleys or hay carriers were used to help farmers lift and re- locate heavy objects in the barn. As many barns have seen the end
of their days, barn trolleys are reappearing in antique stores and piles of agri-junk. These ex- tremely heavy hunks of metal are eye-catching and intriguing. Barn trolleys have even caught the atten- tion of the retail furnishing giant Restoration Hardware, as the company sells a barn trolley light pendant. I believe barn trolleys can serve an even better purpose as table legs. If you don’t have power tools, don’t worry. Tables have existed for thousands of years, and power tools haven’t. You can cut wood using a hand saw, and then join the pieces together using wood glue, a hammer and nails. Step 1 Determine the dimensions of your table. Because barn trolleys are so heavy, I recommend 2” thick boards. Next, decide how wide you would like each board to be. If you want a 24” wide table, go with four 6” boards.
What you need Barn trolleys Wood Rust remover (optional) Wire brush (optional)
Hammer, nails and hand saw (at least) Drill, screws, Mitre saw/table saw (at most) U-bolts, cable or wire Wood glue, clamp Biscuit joiner (optional) Stain
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diy furniture
If you want to learn more about the original purpose of a barn trolley, check out: coolmodelengines.com/ html_pages/barn_carrier_descript.html
tions and precautions on the label of the finish you choose. In short, all you need to do is prep the surface with some min- eral spirits, wipe on your desired stain or paint, and apply furniture wax, shellac, or polyurethane. Generally, you will want to use a light sanding block in between a few coats of shellac or polyurethane. Step 7 Relax, and enjoy your new barn trolley table! ^ Adam Magers is the sole proprietor of Timber Furniture KC, a locally owned and operated small business in Kansas City, MO. After eight years in the U.S. Army, including a tour to Baghdad, Iraq, as a combat medic with an IED clearance platoon, he came home to KCMO to pursue the American dream. He earned a mas- ter’s degree in the cognate fields of International Relations and Comparative Politics at Missouri State University, but after finishing grad school he found himself living for his time away from work, doing what he loves most: hanging out with his wife and creating furniture.
also a good idea to attach the block with some U-bolts, cable, or wire to ensure you’ve got a strong connec- tion. Get creative!
Step 4 After studying and sketching your table layout, mark your boards for each cut. Always measure your boards, mark them, and measure them again. Lay them out to determine which pieces you want to sit next to each other. Remember to alternate the grain to prevent the boards from warping, twisting, or bowing. (Look at the end of each board and examine the direction of the grain.) Assemble the boards using simple glue, clamp, hammer and nails or take it to the next level with a biscuit joiner. A biscuit joiner makes small football-shaped cutouts inside the board. Simply push a biscuit joiner against the side of a board while it’s running, and it makes the cut. It is very easy to use. Make identical cuts on the joining boards, glue the sides of the boards and joints, and insert a biscuit (a football-shaped wooden insert) into the cutouts. Then, clamp the boards and leave
them to dry. The biscuit soaks up the glue and swells, creating a very strong joint. After the glue has dried and your joints are good, you can add trim pieces to the outside of the table if you desire. Step 5 Go ahead and attach your tabletop. If you don’t have power tools, use nails to nail your top into the block attached earlier. Just make sure the barn trolleys are straight and located where you want them. If you have a pocket hole system, finish your top before attaching it. All you really need to do is drill some pocket holes into the block you at- tached to your barn trolley, and insert screws through your pocket holes into the bottom of your tabletop. Step 6 Finish your top. First, fill in your nail holes with a little glue and saw dust. After this has dried, sand it down. If the hole remains, repeat the process. Next, read all of the direc-
VintageKC / Spring 2013 11
vintage spaces
Mad for Dana Snider calls herself a “junker,” but we beg to disagree, as she fills this new-build traditional home with style from another era in a really, really cool way.
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vintage spaces
While Dana’s couches are Nebraska Furniture Mart finds, their clean lines lend themselves well to mid-century style. Her beds are also new, but everything else is from another era.
By Kim Antisdel | Photos by William and Jill DiMartino mid-century
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vintage spaces ll those who collect vintage furniture, lamps, cabinets, trays and baubles beyond the space they have in their homes, raise your hand. Ahh, so many of you. The vintage and antique
A
collector stereotype is easy enough to fall into. Stacks of interesting finds in your basement, magazines of inspiring ideas stashed in drawers and Tupperware tubs. A 12-piece vintage dish set sitting in your cabinet that you'll definitely use—someday. Gladstone native Dana Snider doesn't have a clue what you're talking about. In fact, this veteran "junker" (her term) has a rule that would cause the average vintage shopper to hyperventilate: To buy something new, some- thing else has to go. Are you having trouble breathing, too? For Dana, thrifting carefully and with purpose was born out of necessity. At the young age of 22, she married her husband Ron, and the couple faced a very common problem: Their home was filled with lots of love, but not much else. So, armed with love and a meager budget, Dana set out to find furnishings for her home. And the weirder, the better. "I looked for junk, literally," Dana remembers. "I went to thrift stores, Goodwill stores, maybe an occasional estate sale on a Sunday when people were desperate to get rid of stuff. I loved Victorian pieces, so I found a lot of weird stuff. It started out as a necessity, but then it quickly turned to an obsession. It's all about the hunt." That obsession has been a part of Dana's life for more than 30 years now. In part, the art of antiquing is in her blood, as Dana's mother was also an avid junker. What sets Dana apart from the average vintage buyer is her insistence on thrifting with purpose. Dana simply doesn't believe in buying pieces she doesn't need. Thankfully, in 2011, that need resurfaced when her husband took a work promotion
that required a move back to Kansas City. Dana saw the opportunity for a renewed junk obsession come to life. She swiftly sold nearly every accessory and piece of furniture from her St. Louis home, ready to start all over again. All that remained after the purge were some family pieces, kitchen chairs and a few pieces from her office. Luckily, Dana has a partner who was sup- portive of her desire to essentially flush out the entire house. He didn't always under- stand her obsession, so she explained it in a way that rang true for him. Opposite page: Dana’s breakfast table features reupholstered chairs, a mid- century lamp and clean-lined table. Above left: If it can’t be dusted, Dana isn’t too interested. Glorious wood pieces like this buffet are show-stoppers. Left: Well-made dish sets from the 1950s serve well on Dana’s tables.
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With its antique wallpaper print roller lamp, original vintage art and natural buffet, Dana’s entryway stops visitors in their tracks.
vintage spaces
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vintage spaces
"My husband's a hunter," Dana says. "He may walk around all day long looking for a bird and never see the one he wants. It's the same for me in hunting for that one great piece. He figured out early on that I could be gone all day long shopping and only end up buying something for $1. But if it puts a smile on my face, and I've spent $1, he's just fine with that." With her husband's full support, Dana had cart blanche to junk as much as she wanted to find pieces for her new Kansas City home. And in just more than a year, the deal diva has nearly filled her new home with amazing finds and unique pieces that would make any other thrifter green with envy. And she's not afraid to tell you all about it. "I can't keep my mouth shut when I find these bargains," she laughs. "I got my dining room table and chairs for $108. I can't keep that to myself!" As she filled the home with her finds, Dana began to realize how
Above left: A sitting area in Dana’s office mixes pretty florals with the clean lines of mid-century furniture. She found the chair at a thrift store. Above: Dana’s office furniture features vintage Heywood Wakefield furniture.
I can't get rid of it until I find its replacement. So, that means I can shop until I find my new chair. After that, I don't really want or need anything else." Dana lives hard and fast by her rule of actually using and enjoying every piece she acquires. In fact, the family kitchen is a shining example of just that. "I've actually never eaten with stainless silverware," Dana says with a grin. "Our everyday silverware is silver plated that I bought while junking. People always think you have to constantly shine your silver. You don't if you use it every single day. I have the same mentality for my
found pots and pans. I use everything." The "use it or lose it" decree may sound stifling to most thrifters, but Dana has a quiet loophole in that strict rule book—and she's not afraid to use it. That loophole comes in the form of friends, family and her two daughters. "I love finding things for people," she says. "That's what keeps me going out and enjoying the hunt. I have found things for
much her taste had changed. The Victorian and turn of the century flair that she once sought out is only vaguely visible now. Dana's design sensibility has made a shift into mid-century pieces with clean lines. In fact, the Snider home is almost completely filled with gorgeous mid-century wood furniture. Almost. "I have one Victorian chair in my bedroom that I want to give away," Dana says. "But
Dana’s favorite stores The Future Antiques in St Louis Way 2 Kewl in St. Joe Kat&Co in St. Joe Pony Express mall in St. Joe Parkville Antique mall Good JuJu All the shops in the West Bottoms
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vintage spaces
And it's not just the guests who are going home with memories. Every trip Dana took with her daughter to find those beautiful glass pieces is a special experience all its own. "I don't buy expen- sive jewelry, I don't love to go shopping
daughters, my niece, my sister, anybody who tells me to keep my eyes open for something." Dana's family has benefited extensively from her love of the junk hunt. Her youngest daughter Anna recently used Dana's diamond in the rough skills to find souve- nirs for her wedding. The mother and daughter team scoured sales in Kansas City to find gorgeous carnival glass at a budget of $15 per piece. With Dana's help, Anna was able to send everyone home with a great memory and a unique piece of art.
for clothes," Dana says. "I'd much rather spend the day with my daughters or family sifting through junk in the Bottoms than going to Dillard's. We may find absolutely nothing, but we go to the stores all day, laughing and looking. We might find an amazing piece that we can't live without, and that's a memory. I'll have that forever." Dana has a memory and a story attached to nearly every piece in her home, but the one that makes her grin from ear to ear is a simple, mid-century shadow box filled with unusual trinkets and figures. At first glance, it could just be another unusual find that has become Dana's calling card. But in reality, it is so much more.
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vintage spaces
Opposite page: From her coffee maker to her tablesettings to her cookware, Dana’s modern kitchen takes a step back in time (bottom) . She even has a vintage advertisement framed that features her daily use pots and pans (inset left) . A display cabinet in her basement holds oddities (inset right).
This page: Dana’s dining room table and chairs cost a mere $108.
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vintage spaces
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vintage spaces
Opposite page: Dana’s bedrooms, like this guest bedroom (far left) feature older, heirloom pieces. The game/TV room (bottom and right) feature more masculine touches, while keeping the mid-cen- tury thing going. Below: The shadow box containing heirlooms from her mother. Bottom: Dana’s guest bedroom is whimsical and fun.
Ask a Pro
I need to get outside. How do I create an oasis in my own back yard?
"That shadow box was $20," Dana explains. "Everything inside it is from my mom. Each birthday, Christmas, whatever, she lets me take a piece of junk from her house, and I put it in that shadow box. All of that stuff is something my mother has given me." Dana's junking has become an unplanned bind to her family that will never break. In actuality, her one-in/one-out rule is really just a way to ensure that she always continues to look, always continues to find, and always continues to share in the memories that junking will provide. Dana will have a passion for junking for her entire life and has sound advice for anyone thinking of following in her footsteps. "Start at your grandparents' house," she says. "A grandparent will have things that you never knew about and the piece will mean that much more to you when you get it. Don't worry about the value or if it's an original. Pick something that will have meaning to you. Then you can always move on to Goodwill and First Fridays and places like that. Start with your family. You'll be surprised what you can find." Although she calls herself a junker, one thing is for sure in looking at Dana’s lovely home: It’s a far cry from junk. Her knack for design, keen eye and determination have filled her home with a custom style to go with all that love. Kim Antisdel is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. She is also a complete klutz that can crank out a killer cartwheel on demand. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch with her weiner dog and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap. ^
W
ith winter saying adieu, now is the time to start plan- ning that perfect outdoor getaway; in the not-so- distant luxury of your own backyard. Your very own private sanctuary is just a few steps away. Whether it
is a living room, a kitchen, a dining area, or all of the above; creat- ing that ideal outdoor getaway is as easy as one, two, three! While you don’t have to settle for a BBQ grill and folding lawn chair any more, I certainly wouldn’t advise passing on any opportunity to soak up the sunshine with your favorite beverage while getting your carnivore on. Designing a functional, flexible outdoor space is much like designing an interior room. Develop your outdoor plan in a sequence, working from the most general to the most specific features. Commit your design to paper, preferably to scale, and include all elements of your yard, including the pool, deck, patio, landscaping and walkways. And think about traffic patterns, both to and from rooms in your home and to areas in your yard. You are no longer tethered to the old constraints of creating outdoor environments. There are literally thousands of outdoor specific products just begging to be incorporated into your design, such as fabrics, furniture, lighting, artwork, rugs, water features ... and it is always a great opportunity to repurpose and recycle some of your favorites. Don’t let your space (or your lack of space) stop you either. Beauty can be had in an area the size of a postage stamp. Depending on your own style, something as simple as a quaint bistro table and chairs perched on an antique rug (in this case you would need to bring the rug indoors when not in use) would add so much ambiance to your area. Add some blooming flowers in your favorite shade—remember, there is no wrong color in nature—a place setting for two and voila, you have the perfect spot for you and a friend, a romantic setting for you and that special person, or a picturesque destination for you and your favorite book. And should you need another reason to create that perfect outdoor destination, it will not only extend your living space but it will increase the overall value of your home. Shake off those foul weather blues and get started. I see good times in your future!
-Deb
Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by De- sign for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a desigin question for Deb? Send it to erin@vintagekcmag.com.
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vintage garden
Guide pring brings new life from the dead of winter. It pulls us out of hibernation under a warm blanket in our homes and gets us digging in the dirt and pulling decorating items out of their winter storage. With a little help from some unique garden spaces and our friends at The Potting Shed, The Birddog Patio and Whimsical Rubbish, we hope you find some inspiration to get outside and get into nature this year. And definitely let us know how it grows. S Garden 2013 Spring also makes us take a look around our outdoor spaces and think, This might need a little work . Never fear, our first annual Garden Guide is here. Find new life for rusty treasures, plant in containers you never thought about before, decorate with uncommon finds, DIY some brick pillars, feed the birds in style and use art to add whimsical touches.
Art immitates life: Vintage framed floral prints are used as coasters on outdoor furniture.
Find more outdoor and garden inspiration on our pin board: pinterest.com/vintagekc/outdoor
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vintage garden
VintageKC / Spring 2013 23
vintage garden Uncommon finds
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vintage garden
For the Birds
When it comes to nesting grounds for our feathered friends, we’re far from square. Check out these vintage houses created by Abby at The Birddog Patio. Abby says: “My birdhouses are funky and functional because I take advantage of the fact a male Carolina wren will build a nest in almost anything! Aluminum kettles and pitchers (so plentiful at sales and thrift stores) make the perfect bones for a beautiful house. It amazes me to think how someone brought these shiny, modern items into their kitchen and marveled at their futuristic colors and shapes. Not many people keep their orange juice in a Color Craft pitcher any more, but there is some consola- tion in giving a new life to unwanted objects, even if it strays far from the original purpose. “I love finding an item that I know
Abby’s first birdhouse: an aluminum drink pitcher, pewter plate,
will make a wonderful house. It takes me a little time to figure out what direction I’m going with it and what type of trinkets I want to add. Some have turned out very elaborate and others are just a 1-1/4” hole drilled into a great item that needs no embellishment. “Most birds are selective about the type and location of their nest. In Missouri, starting late March or early April, the male Carolina wren will begin building several nests within his territory for his mate to choose from. These monogamous birds stay together and live in this area year round. He will build multiple nests and the female will choose one to lay eggs and raise their young in. They are shy birds but have a beautiful song that becomes easy to recognize. “The first birdhouse I ever put together is hanging in my back- yard and it was a thrilling moment the first time I saw a male wren duck into the house with a twig in his beak. I’m convinced that if hung in a suitable, quiet location with shade and protection, my houses are attractive to wrens and handy for them to use. And I think their appearance only improves with exposure to sun and rain, but I’m not put off by a little rust! jello mold, pastry blend- er, other misc. kitchen gadgets and a vintage brooch on top.
Abby crafted this highly unique bird
palace out of an old salesman’s sample stove.
Just because it wasn’t intended for the garden, doesn’t mean it can’t thrive there. Use items like metal children’s bikes, high chairs, scales and birdcages in new ways by planting in them or displaying seeds. Add candles to a chandelier or stack ceramic animals for touches of whimsy. Intrigue guests with vintage coolers, almanacs for reading, and outdoor-inspired napkin rings. Finally, turn baskets upside down for light fixtures and elevate plants under a trellis to maximize green space.
Find The Birddog Patio at Bottoms Up, The Fleeting Flea and follow them on Facebook.
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vintage garden
Whimsical Rubbish By Ric ard W. Daley
Ben Hawkins sculpts inanimate objects into art pieces he calls Whimsical Rubbish. A visit to his Over- land Park, KS, studio would reveal car parts, vintage refuse, and a few thousand other items nearly impossible to place in a category. “All of these have faces and tell sto- ries,” says Hawkins about his many works. “They draw you into their world before you recognize they are just junk hooked together.” During regular working hours, Ben is a mechanic at a local Dodge/Jeep dealership. Staring into the
bellies of the never ending string of cars provides him with inspiration. “I have incorporated tools that I use at work into my sculptures,” Hawkins says. The reception to his art has been positive. His work has been shown at the Strecker Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, KS, as well as the Discovery Center in Kansas City, MO. The PBS series, “Rare Visions and Roadside Rev- Jack In The Box made from bait box, electric tea pot, car springs, garden rakes, fishing bobbers, poker chips, and part of a light fixture.
DIY these brick path markers
elations” featured Hawkins in 2007.
The varied textures and overall structure of his work brings surprising reactions. “It is always inter- esting when I show my art and someone tells me what some- thing is that I did not know what it was.” The lamp, key- board, or bucket of bolts collecting dust in your garage could be a masterpiece if Ben Hawkins ever gets his hands on them.
Grab an old carved post to elevate a home for birds, build your own brick pillar path markers, embellish some drift wood with an ornate hanging lantern, give some drama to a vegetable garden with a wire gate, and most of all, show off your rusty relics. After all, the garden is a perfect final resting place for pieces that have gone to rust.
Metal car parts, garden tools, and miscellaneous plastic pieces.
FollowWhimsical Rubbish on Facebook and flickr.com/whimsicalrubbish
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vintage garden
Curious C ontainers By Laurie Kessler
I’ll never forget my first garden tour. The gardens were gorgeous, the containers were an afterthought! Plain terracotta pots, even plastic containers. I was amazed. The right contain- er with the right plant can add just the right touch to complete a garden space. Whether that space is on your front porch, screened porch or layered into your garden plantings ... don’t forget a beautiful container! Keep these things in mind: 1. Select a container appropri- ate in scale for your location. 2. Select plants for your con- tainer that fit the site needs. Will your container be in full sun, partial sun or full shade? 3. Follow this design principle for selecting plants for your container: Use 1 thriller, 1 or 2 spillers, and 1 or 2 fillers. This gives you the perfect scale combination. 4. For smaller containers, use 1 “specimen” plant. Consider the location and find a plant you will enjoy viewing. 5. Always ensure your con- tainer has drainage holes. If you are using a vintage kettle, drill enough holes in the bot- tom to ensure water can flow through. 6. I use coffee filters to cover the drainage holes to ensure the potting medium does not come out through the holes. 7. Use a good potting soil that contains a slow release plant food. 8. Allow some space for your plants to grow. Don’t “overfill.” 9. Make sure you water your container before it dries out. Water needs increase with the summer heat!
Rust as art
Large aluminum kettles, galvanized chicken feeders, bushel baskets—wood or galvanized, concrete urns, metal creamers, and stand washtubs. V intage items that make great container gardens:
Special thanks to Becky Budke, Kathi Hardin and Sharon McCarter for letting us crash their gardens in the dry heat of last year’s summer. If you have a beautiful garden or outdoor space with unique vintage ideas, tell us about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
Laurie Kessler owns The Potting Shed, offering container planting/ design services. Contact her at pottingshedkansas@gmail.com.
VintageKC / Spring 2013 27
vintage fashion WAITING FOR THE TRAIN
On Robin: Suit by Bobbie Brooks, Burlap at Good JuJu, $21.50; anchor pin, MoVi Modern Vintage Mobile Boutique; earrings courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography; shoes, Retro Vixen, $36. On Rhiannon: Snood, vintage naval pants and shoes courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography; blouse, Banana Republic, Arizona Trading Co., $25. Set: Blue, white suitcases courtesy The Ridge Antique Mall. Red suitcases courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography.
VintageKC / Spring 2013 28
vintage fashion
There is no decade of fashion more interesting than the 1940s. At least that’s our opinion. It is so fascinating, because it was born out of necessity. FEMININE & FIERCE Hair | Photography by Nikki Moreno-Whipple/Vixen Pin-Up Photography Makeup by Candy Cunningham/Vixen Pin-Up Photography Models | Robin Nelson and Rhiannon Birdsall Styling | Props by Erin Shipps, Mandy Miller and Calli Green
W
orld War II changed every aspect of a woman’s life in this decade, from what they ate, to where they worked, but it had an especially profound impact on fashion. Gridlocked from amassing its usual fashion inspiration from an occupied France, New York emerged as a fashion leader, and everyone—from designers blending recycled wool with other fibers to the everyday woman sewing her family’s clothing— was learning how to do more with less. Staunch regulations from the government, focused on the war, led to confiscation of fabrics like wool and nylon (Japanese silk was also banned for obvious reasons), and dictation on how much material could be used for garment making. Thus was born an era of shorter skirts (think knee-length), shoes made of anything but leather (try reptile skin and mesh), casual pants, ankle socks and two-piece swim- suits (who knew those were born out of a conservation effort?). Colors were patriotic including reds, whites, and blues, and earth-toned. But all these regulations didn’t stop women from looking fabulous. Every woman in the 1940s knew enlisted men, and while they were taking over the work- force, they were also raiding their men’s closets and rocking it (think Rosie the Riveter). They knitted snoods to keep their long hair out of machinery, and made minimal makeup cool. In these pages, our fashion strays from true 1940s, but we kept the inspiration there (nautical, patriotic, simple). To achieve the style from this decade, look for blouses tied at the neck, peplums, suit separates, full or puffy sleeves, full-cut collars, and simple shoes with 1-inch chunky heels (even though ours aren’t). For accessories, try large fake flowers (they were cheap and added color back then) or gold lockets (popular while women’s sweethearts were away at war). We’re inspired by the women of this era, for their thriftiness (albeit forced) and their craftiness—both qualities we strive for—while maintaining that delicate balance of hard work and grace. They worked hard, and they ushered in styles that would last well into the Fifties, and be seen again and again throughout history. Here’s to you, 1940s women.
VintageKC / Spring 2013 29
vintage fashion
Having trouble finding authentic 1940s clothing? Try looking for 1970s pieces inspired by the 1940s (like this jumpsuit). There was a big revival during that period. Take Note
Umbrella courtesy Encore Unique Boutique; jumpsuit, estate sale, $5; earrings and shoes courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography. RAINY DAYS
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vintage fashion
Vintage locket, editor’s closet; blouse, Xhilaration, Target, $20; belt, Retro Vixen, $20; skirt, shoes and books courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography. READ ON
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vintage fashion
Flowers, earrings, gloves, bracelet and shoes courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography; jacket, Encore Unique Boutique $22; dress, Rock Steady, Retro Vixen, $75. Telephone courtesy The Ridge Antique Mall; telephone table courtesy Andrea Brown. HELLO, SAILOR
VintageKC / Spring 2013 32
vintage fashion
Hat and shoes courtesy Vixen Pinup Photography; top, Cole of Cali, MoVi Modern Mobile Vintage Boutique, $18; jeans, Rock Steady, Retro Vixen, $56; bangle, MoVi Modern Mobile Vintage Boutique, $8. COME SAIL AWAY
VintageKC / Spring 2013 33
vintage crafts W V intage Sheets 15 Things to do with Projects | Styling | Photography by Megan Kapple and Erin Shipps e’ve heard that step one to recovery is admitting you have a problem. So, Kan- sas City, we have a problem. We can’t stop buying vintage sheets. From dainty florals to bold graphic prints, we adore these thrifty fabric finds. But, as usual, when things start piling up, we think, What can we possibly do with this many bed sheets? That’s where local blogger Megan Kapple comes in, swooping in rather, like a super heroine donning a flowing cape of patchwork vintage sheet scraps (at least in our minds). In reality, we put her to work sewing her heart out and crafting away for an entire Friday afternoon. What resulted from our afternoon of sweat and tears are 15 easy projects that you can easily do with any fabric, but we favor vintage sheets for their patterns as well as their price. We didn’t spend more than $2 for any of these sheets, which makes the fabric less than $.30/yard, assuming a flat queen sheet is about 7 yards (don’t even try to recreate our math, we’re right-brained people). So go ahead, grab that sheet at the thrift store, estate sale or garage sale, and put it to good use with these quick, simple projects. Then tell us all about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
Check out our pin board for more inspiration: pinterest.com/vintagekc/vintage-sheet-ideas
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Supplies Tie Seam ripper Scissors Thread (to match tie) Needle Iron
Sentimental Journey ANTIQUE MALL
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Monday-Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-5
Featuring 14,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles 913-768-8088 907 S. Chestnut, Olathe
VintageKC / Spring 2013 35
diy crafts
Hamper One of our easiest projects took about five minutes to put together. Grab a pretty found at craft stores) to the middle of on opening edge, then wrap it through a large embroidery hoop. Hang it on a hook and you’ve got a great stay- open laundry hamper for any bedroom. It would also be a great catch-all for toys. pillowcase, add an eyelet (kits can be
Wild Animals Bright, colorful prints are great for kids’ stuffed animals. For this project, we printed a silhouette, pinned it to the fabric, cut out two pieces and pinned them inside out before sewing. We added the simple ribbon tail, felt ear and button eye and stuffed this little guy with Poly-Fil (found at craft stores). We also turned the pattern sideways on the back for more visual interest.
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necklace Cut out interesting pieces of fabric and felt in diamond shapes and glue together. Then fold in half and glue corners together. String pieces on a chain and you have instant jewelry.
Hair pieces Craft cute-as-a-button hair accessories by cutting circles of fabric, folding them in half, then folding them in half again so they look like triangles. Glue the pointed ends of the triangles to a circle of felt working your way in from the outside. Fluff the layers and attach to a headband or hair clip.
VintageKC / Springi 2013 37
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