The T-Cozy

A Little Bit of Paris in Philadelphia

A you know, in late October, I tagged along on John's business trip to Philly. One morning, while he walked the isles of a trade show, I walked the streets around Rittenhouse Square, a most lovely and fashionable neighborhood with a pretty park at its center. 

As lunchtime rolled around, I found myself in front of  Parc, an oh-so-French brasserie. 

This bistro pays tribute to French café culture. Along the sidewalk are dainty round tables with rattan chairs that are lined up along the windows, making them prime spots for people watching. But since the weather was a bit chilly, I chose to eat inside. 

As I entered, I felt like I hopped across the Atlantic and stepped back in time. This place has the look and feel of a 1930s Paris café. What a treat! 

After a delicious meal, I chatted with one of the restaurant's managers, telling him how impressed I was with both the food and the decor. My mouth dropped open when he told me that Parc has only been around for three years!

Usually I'm not one to embrace the "vintage-inspired" trend of new things made to look old. However, this place won me over. From floor to ceiling, it feels absolutely authentic. 

Parc uses an inspiring mix of antique and new elements. Old light fixtures hang from a ceiling covered with a hand-stenciled design. Even the big, round air conditioning vents are retro.

The newly tiled floor has a delicate mosaic pattern that looks like it has been around forever.

French lace frames many of the windows. Below, the coat check window is also adorned with lace. I was told that it was once a ticket booth from a French circus.

Parc's baguettes and breads are made in-house and you'll find them casually stacked on sideboards.

Background music, provided by a classic Wurlitzer jukebox, comes out of vintage wooden speakers on the walls. The walls are also adorned in gorgeous tiles.

Even the exit sign has a French feel.

As I walked out and headed down the street to meet John, I noticed one last thing.

The ten-digit telephone number on the awning is split up to look like a Paris number. That kind of attention to detail is impressive!

Susan

Vintage Textiles, Table Lamps, and More

As promised, here's a quick look at more of my latest finds . . .

Lovely linens: Risqué ladies, flowers baskets, sailboats, and a nifty comb and brush holder.

Vintage illumination: Decorative and whimsical ceramic table lamps. 

From the Roaring Twenties: A Wright's Bias Tape how-to booklet filled with darling, frame-worthy illustrations.

Chenille shenanigans: Cozy crib quilts and "cutter" bedspreads.

I'll be pretty busy over the next week or so doing the listings for these vintage goodies. Once they find their way into my Etsy shop, it will then be time to list an array of sweet old valentines. 

Susan

My Latest Vintage Finds

Gleaned from several estate sales and our recent trip to Rhinebeck, NY, these new vintage discoveries are trickling into my Etsy shop. Have a peek . . .

 

Home decor with a history: Some fruity finds, a swell sewing tin, a hard-to-find soap powder dispenser, a glass pitcher with daffodils, and 1940s art pottery.

Packing it up: A wonderful paperboard suitcase once used by a Zanol Products traveling salesman.

Just for kids: A nursery rhyme print, grade school work books, a tartan plaid lunch box, a Little Miss Seamstress sewing set, a laptop desk for the budding artist, and a darling toy sprinkling can.

Good reads: A girl's chapter book with a lovely cover, a 6-volume set of The Mother's Encyclopedia, more chapter books with pretty covers, books for the bird lover, and a bound set of The Home Garden magazine from 1947.

I am really jazzed about these latest finds. And I have even more fabulous relics that I'll share with you tomorrow.

Susan

Holiday Greetings

Sending along my best wishes to you and yours . . .

. . . for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday. I hope you are surrounded by good friends, cherished family and scrumptious food today.

Enjoy — and have a very Merry Christmas!

Susan

Clip art: The Graphics Fairy.

Celebrate the Light

At our house, it's time to celebrate the Festival of Lights, the eight-day-long holiday of Chanukah. And contrary to what it may seem, Chanukah is not the Jewish version of Christmas. It is actually a very minor Jewish holiday with a very major theme. 

Chanukah is a classic underdog story that celebrates the triumph of faith over military might, a tale of courage, where the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, defied incredible odds and risked their lives to reclaim what was sacred to them.

Spiritually, it is a life lesson in risk taking, faith and remaining true to one's beliefs and practices, even when they are unpopular or even forbidden.

Today, the story behind Chanukah can be thought of as a cautionary tale, an important reminder to not stand idly by when a minority's rights and freedoms are taken away. 

Happy Chanukah!

Susan

The Vintage Handyman

Isn't this a crazy time of year? So much to do! I have piles of yummy vintage finds that I had hoped to have in my Etsy shop by now. But it has been super busy around here and I still have loads of things to list — like this array of items featuring the vintage handyman. At estate sales, you'll usually find me rummaging around in the basement where I often come across interesting relics for the do-it-yourself-er. 

I found this kitschy dish towel featuring a Mr. Fix-it with issues.

I also found a 1955 volume of Popular Mechanics Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia. It is chock full of useful projects with detailed instructions for making lamp shades, mail boxes, a Lazy Susan, a knitting table, lawn furniture and so much more. 

Pretty cool stuff! I'm certain that many of the items I sell and collect were handmade by some gent in his wood shop using a book like this for reference.

This Family Handyman magazine is from 1954. It has the subhead "the do-it-yourself magazine that tells you how in language your can understand."

Here is the other side of the towel. More problems for Mr. Fix-it . . .

Another how-to book, called It's Fun to Make It Yourself, was published in 1944. 

In its introduction it states: This book is essentially for the reader who enjoys doing things for himself — and to the average man there are few pleasures comparable to that which comes from the completion of a piece of work by his own hands.

I'll bet books like these were given as gifts to handy guys by their wife or kids. On this day fifty or more years ago, you'd probably find them all wrapped up and waiting for dad under the Christmas tree.

Susan

A Room-for-the-Whole-Family Room

Hannah and Jacob arrive home from college tomorrow. John and I can't wait, and our revamped family room is all ready for them.

It's so nice to finally have a comfortable couch that all four of us can sit on at the same time.

Remember how I couldn't show you the entire family room before our kids came home for Thanksgiving? That's because we had a big surprise for them — a new flat screen television. You should have seen the look on their faces!

Our new sectional sofa is big. In fact, one of my friends described it as an ocean liner! Although it has taken me a little time to get used it, I now like how it provides some definition to a room that is otherwise wide open to our kitchen.

The exposed back of the sectional is such a large expanse, so I had to do something to break it up. It is a perfect spot for a console table, or in our case, a rustic bench piled with books and candles. 

My favorite part of the room will forever be the built-in shelves chock full of my ever-changing collection of vintage pottery.

I am always tweaking the arrangement of the items on these shelves. 

I recently acquired this charming little oil painting. I love how the artist placed it in a vintage wooden frame that tilts.

More new additions: a couple iron masonry stars . . .

. . . and a few old books sprinkled here and there.

Although our antique dollhouse isn't played with anymore, it will always deserve a place of prominence in the room. 

Along with art pottery, the family room has a small collection of picnic tins. (I have gobs more in my studio and master bedroom.)

I arranged a selection of tins that are in tones that blend with our new sofa and pillows. Love these colors!

A comfy sofa, a cushy ottoman, a great TV, and our children home with us. This winter break, we four will be spending lots of time together in our cozy family room. I couldn't ask for more!

Susan

A Weekend Away in Rhinebeck, New York

Last weekend, with the kids not yet home for winter break, John and I headed to a truly wonderful place for a little R&R — the Olde Rhinebeck Inn. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this structure was built around 1745. From the beautifully furnished rooms to the sumptuous gourmet breakfast, this Early American bed and breakfast is first rate. Innkeeper Jonna Paolella has done a spectacular job creating a relaxing and most inspiring place.

We stayed in the Plow and Harrow room, a spacious upstairs suite with a separate sitting room, a queen size pencil post bed, gas fireplace, large windows, bathroom with converted primitive dry sink, a two-person shower and antique claw-footed tub. Perfection!

Doesn't my laptop, above, look out of place in this rustic setting?

Click here for more views of the Olde Rhinebeck Inn.

John and I had fun exploring Rhinebeck and its surrounding Hudson River Valley towns. So many charming restaurants and shops! I even found a few vintage treasures for my Etsy shop.

Before we had children, one of our favorite pastimes was traveling to cozy country inns along the East Coast. Now that we are empty-nesters, it's nice to have the time to do it again. 

Susan

HGTV's Etsy Treasury Challenge 2011

This holiday season, HGTV has challenged Etsians to create their own HGTV-inspired Treasury. Did you know that "Treasury" is Etsy's ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery? And any Etsy member can do one. 

This is my HGTV inspired collection . . .

My Treasury relates to an HGTV show called Dear Genevieve where folks write a letter about a problem room in their house. If they are very lucky, the talented designer, Genevieve Gorder, stops by to completely transform the room. Wouldn't that be awesome? 

It's such fun to play curator. And there are so many amazing Etsy sellers. Please help me promote them by clicking HERE to view my latest Treasury. Thanks!  :)

Susan

Popular Recipes of the 1940s

While rooting around in the drawers of the kitchen at a recent estate sale, I came across a Gold Medal Flour booklet filled with popular recipes from decades past. From the 1880s through the 1950s when the booklet was produced, it also shows trends of the times along with news headlines and popular songs for each era. Fun!

Here is the 1940s section . . .

And here is what folks were cooking up back then . . .

My mom was quite a baker and she used to make a mean Chiffon Cake. If you'd like to try baking one, here is Gold Medal's recipe.

A few more sweet treats from the 40s . . .

To see the ingredients more clearly, click on the photos for an enlarged view. Happy baking!

Susan

Vintage Gifts for the Sewing Enthusiast

Is there a sewing buff in your life? If so, here are a few offerings from my Etsy shop that would make great gifts for them.

Toy sewing machines are fun to display in a craft room, studio, or little girl's room. I think this 1940s one is super sweet, especially because of its pink color and charming rose decals. 

I always keep a nice selection of vintage textiles on hand in my shop. Etsy is helping to keep the crafting culture alive, so I offer old fabric for those who like to make their own throw pillows, tote bags, and more.

This notions box is filled with 24 Coats & Clark's wooden spools of thread in a rainbow of pretty colors. 

Perfect to store sewing or knitting supplies, this little cabinet would also be sweet in a little girl's room, or even next to a favorite reading chair holding books or magazines.

In my Etsy shop, you'll find an array of vintage buttons still on their original cards.

For those who like stitchery: the images in these Aunt Martha's embroidery patterns would look lovely sewn onto tea towels, aprons, pillow slips, quilts, clothing and tablecloths.

It doesn't get any sweeter than my Home Sweet Home embroidered picture! I offer the pattern of this design for purchase in my shop.

Recently sold: A musical sewing box with a lift-out plastic tray and a nice array of vintage sewing notions. This item is now on its way to Northern Ireland.

Many of my items have found new homes around the globe. They travel far and wide — and spread the vintage love!

Susan

Vintage Gifts for the Bibliophile

These days, many are choosing eReaders as their preferred reading device. But nothing can take the place of an actual book, like these vintage ones that you'll find in my Etsy shop. 

For the dog lover: Practical Dog Keeping, a 1929 book and a ceramic puppy companion.

An instant collection: a trio of old gardening books tied with antique lace and a rusty skeleton key.

More for the gardener: from 1961, the Better Homes & Gardens New Garden Book.

Classics from the Bard: The Temple Shakespeare, a set of six works bound in dark red leather.

Bird watching: two books and a ceramic bird vase for the ornithology enthusiast. 

Another classic: The Canterbury Tales, a 1946 special edition with portraits-in-miniature.

Read and bake: The Gingerbread Man, a 1954 children's book and a 2-in-1 cookie cutter.

Another instant collection: three chapter books embellished with a skeleton key and lace.

Learning to read: the charming 1939 children's second year primer titled We Grow Up.

Recently sold: Three rare Louisa May Alcott Books from the late 1800s.

Another recent sale: the 1957 Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book.

These well thumbed tomes may not be the latest best sellers, but they offer a look into the past and the sensory enjoyment that only a real book can provide.

Susan

Stepping Into the 1940s

In October, John and I attended parent's weekend at Jacob's college, located in a quintessential college town. While there, we came across this little gem…

It's not often that you find a shop that looks just as it did when it opened 65 years ago. But Bing's Bakery does.

From the slanted front windows to the aqua color scheme and original cases filled with luscious baked goods, entering this store is like stepping into the 1940s. 

Bing's has somehow resisted the urge to renovate and update. Thank goodness! I think it's perfect just as it is.

When I was little, I used to accompany my mom to a neighborhood bakery. It was located right next to the butcher and we would stop in both shops every week for sweets and meats. At the bakery, I could always rely on being given a free melt-in-your-mouth butter cookie with chocolate sprinkles on top. So scrumptious.

Bing's Bakery reminded me of that hometown shop which sadly closed several decades ago. 

How wonderful that Bing's has survived all these years. Are you hungry yet?

Susan