The T-Cozy

My Happy Place

Morning is my favorite time of day. That’s when my studio glows with sunshine and invites me in. I love spending time here and can’t imagine not having a space devoted to creative endeavors.

For more photos of my happy place, I invite you to visit my website’s studio page at this link.

Do you have a spot like this? If not, I highly recommend it. Even if you have cramped quarters and can’t take over an entire room, the smallest area can be large enough to accommodate a step-saving and stylish studio. When space is an issue, you can fashion a self-contained mini-studio out of an old step-back cupboard, Hoosier cabinet or armoire.

Just do it! Believe me — you’ll be glad you did!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

I Love Starting Every Day Here

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been in our cozy cottage for seven years. You may remember, we spent the first four months in 2013 bringing this neglected vintage home back to life. The largest and most rewarding project was creating the kitchen of my dreams, the perfect place in which to start each day.

Taking down the walls of the original narrow kitchen and equally narrow family room enabled us to reorient the kitchen along the back of the house. I wanted it to be light and open with modern amenities, yet I still wanted it to look like it belonged in this historic home. Did I succeed? I think so.

When planning this space, I made sure to have plenty of windows, a large island, and glass-fronted cabinets for my kitchenware collection.

Now the kitchen is open to the family room and dining room. And see the doorway on the left in the photo below? That’s my sweet little studio, a space we created out of three tiny rooms.

If you’d like to see and read more about this renovation, you can view five posts from 2013 here, here, here, here and here.

It has truly been a pleasure renovating and living in this house for the past seven of its 95 years. I wonder what original owners Harold and May Wilson would think of the changes. 

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Sew Fun! Fabric Ditty Bags for Clothes Pins and More

My latest creation is inspired by a clothes pin bag I’ve had for ages. Using it as a pattern, I sewed up a bunch of new ones for my Etsy shop.

I made my ditty bags out of a fruity textile from my stash. A cord on either side serves as a simple, low-tech way to cinch them closed. And even if you don’t hang wet clothes outside on the line, they can be very useful.

I picture one displayed on a hook in a laundry room... holding sewing supplies, toiletries or small toys... or as an eco-friendly, reusable gift bag filled with goodies for a cherished friend or family member. 

Measuring 9 inches wide by 7 inches long, each 100% cotton bag, complete with ten new wooden clothes pins, is for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Just Checking In...

Hi! I hope all is well with you and yours. Thankfully, we’re all fine here, and in these crazy times, that means a lot.

I am doing my best to stay busy, happily spending my days in the studio in much the same way I always do. For three months, I had the pleasure of having my quarantined husband and son here while they worked from home. Now that they’re back at their respective office/apartment, I miss having them around. I also miss my favorite restaurants, the flea market, movie theaters, museums, concerts in the park, working out at the gym, New York City and hugging family and friends. What are you up to and what do you miss most these days?

😷 Stay safe, be well,

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Hooray! My Studio is in “In Her Studio” Magazine!

Last November, John and I had the pleasure of visiting Seattle for the first time. Just beyond the iconic Pike Place Market, we discovered a newsstand with an impressive selection of publications from around the world. While there, a new Stampington & Co. magazine called In Her Studio caught my eye. Filled with inspiring spaces and stories of creative women, I immediately bought the issue. During the long plane ride home, I read it cover to cover, after which I said to John, “It would be so wonderful if my studio could be in this marvelous magazine.” 

One year later...

Now on newsstands, the Winter 2020 issue of In Her Studio features over 20 inspiring workspaces — and mine is one of them! I’m thrilled and honored to be in the company of such talented women.

In late July, when editor Amber Demien told me the good news that I was to be featured, she asked that I write 800-1,000 words and provide pictures of my space. It took me an entire week to accomplish the task! For the photos, I needed to wait for just the right natural light in which to shoot them. For the text, I don't consider writing my forte, so it took me a while. In the end, I decided my studio’s story should focus on how the space makes me feel...

My studio has “make me smile style” — happy, light and bright, full of color and whimsy.

And on how I allow what I find to impact what I make...

Always on the hunt for vintage goods to repurpose into something unique, what I make is influenced by discoveries that have heart, soul, a presence, good karma and stories to tell. They become part of what I create, which is always changing. 

The resulting six pages convey my colorful oasis to a T. Here’s a closer look at the first spread; for the rest of the article, you’ll need to seek out the IHS Winter 2020 issue. 

Believe me when I say — you will love this magazine. So when you get yourself a copy (or peruse it at your local newsstand), please let me know what you think.

Many thanks to Amber and everyone at In Her Studio. You’ve made my day, my month, my year! 😁

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Vintage Life, Living in the Past

I am honored and thrilled to be included in Vintage Life, one of the books in UPPERCASE Magazine’s Encyclopedia of Inspiration series. Published, edited and designed by the ever talented Janine Vangool, the people and businesses featured in her latest book have immersed themselves in the aesthetics, technologies and trends of bygone eras… vintage sellers and dealers, collectors, interior decorators, stylists, writers, musicians and creative souls.

As is the case with all of Janine’s beautiful publications, Vintage Life is a lovingly curated and informative 446-page ink-on-paper book. Sure to spark the imagination and inspire creativity, this volume is vintage eye candy on steroids. 

Above is the spread showing my studio and picnic tin collection. Yay! Thank you, Janine for including me in this stunning compilation of vintage goodness!

Vintage Life is a limited edition, so run, don’t walk, to UPPERCASE and order one HERE. I promise, you will be glad you did. 😍

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Just Plain Pretty

Whether they are collectible McCoys, Shawnee minis, or unmarked relics found at the local thrift store, humble grocery store bouquets and simple flowers from the summer garden always look extra special when placed in vintage pottery vases. Don’t you agree?

🌸🌼🌺

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

 

The Well-Dressed Tote Bag: Vintage Overalls Reinvented

If you’re like me and can’t seem to part with special things from your past, this project is for you . . .

In my college days, my favorite garment was a pair of Lee bib overalls. Beautifully embroidered by my art school friend back in the late 70s, I wore them like crazy until overalls fell out of fashion. So I stored them away for a while.

When I came across them more than a decade later, they brought a smile to my face. I tried them on and soon realized that although I worked hard to keep my girlish figure, after having two children, they would probably never fit me again. 

So I cut off the bib and turned it into a pillow that happily resided on the sewing chair in my former studio.

Just recently I decided to refurbish my beloved overalls once again. This time I used them to dress up a Land’s End canvas tote bag.

Using waxed nylon thread and a large tapestry needle, I hand-stitched on the bib and straps. 

I left the back “V” open to form a handy pocket.

My reinvented vintage-overalls-turned-tote resides on the Hoosier cabinet in my current studio where I can see it every day. And since my laptop fits inside, it often keeps me company when I’m out and about. 😊 Yay!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Cottage Garden Shadow Boxes and My 12-Year Blogiversary

Behold my cottage garden shadow box series!

Incorporating vintage Martha’s Vineyard postcards, tiny plastic flowers, beautiful handmade papers and more, each cigar box has been transformed into a miniature, magical, smile-inducing world. Here’s a closer look.

Aren’t they fun? Hard to believe that they started out as ordinary cigar boxes. For a post about how I made them, click HERE.

Today marks a dozen years of blogging. My, how time flies! To date, The T-Cozy has had 1,073,704 lifetime views and received 7,234 comments from loyal readers. Plus, I have written 1299 posts! Wow — how did that happen?

Many thanks for your kind support over the last twelve years. Please know that I truly appreciate it. 

Warmest regards,

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

The View from Here

Today, this is where you’ll find me — at the work table in my studio. Filled with all of my favorite things, this happy room never fails to inspire me.

Time to get back to making more shadow boxes. I can’t wait to show you how they turn out! Until next time...

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Making Something From (Almost) Nothing

It all started with an assortment of vintage plastic flowers discovered at a local thrift shop. Loads of tiny faux blossoms in a rainbow of colors  — and only $2.00. How could I resist? 

Driving home from the shop, I mulled over what I should do with my latest find. Making a garden-themed shadowbox immediately came to mind. So I took a detour and drove to a cigar store where the owner kindly leaves stacks of empty cigar boxes near the door. Free for the taking, I selected several small wooden ones and headed home to my studio.

My favorite go-to craft is decoupage, so I decided to cut out an array of flowery images to line the sides of the box. I gathered my supplies (glue, Mod Podge, brushes, cutting tools, thread spools, embroidery floss) along with vintage postcards, floral paper and tear sheets from old gardening books. 

The cigar box had a slide-off top which I removed. Then I painted the box a vibrant turquoise. Although the lid was no longer needed, I realized that the same grooves could hold glass instead. So while the paint dried, I headed to the hardware store and purchased a piece of glass cut to size for just $1.00. 

Back in the studio, I chose a vintage postcard of Emily Post’s cottage in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard as the focal point in the box’s interior. I covered the sides with garden imagery and used a map and sunflower on the back. Next, I applied five coats of satin Mod Podge to the exterior of the box, giving each coat at least 20 minutes drying time.

After making a small platform from florist foam, I arranged and glued down an array of plastic flowers to simulate a colorful garden bed. On the top of the box, I added a tiny bird perched on a mound of moss.

I wanted my shadowbox to be free-standing, so little legs were in order. I rooted through my stash of empty wooden thread spools, found four of the same size, and glued embroidery floss in vibrant colors around each. Then I coated them with Mod Podge and secured them to the bottom. When everything was dry, I slid the glass in place and my thrifty shadowbox was complete.

Here are pics with the glass removed so you can have a closer look. Oh, I forgot to mention — I painted tiny white clouds on the blue sky inside.

Isn’t the little bird adorable?

I love the back of the box and the little spool legs, too.

My new shadowbox barely cost a thing and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. It certainly looks right at home in my studio.

Plus, I still have four more cigar boxes. Perhaps my shadowbox will be the first one in a series . . .  Stay tuned!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

👋🏼 Hello from T-Party Antiques’ Studio!

Welcome to where you’ll find me most days . . . my studio. Filled with all of my favorite things, this special room never fails to make me smile. Come on in!

Alongside my worktable and cottage gallery wall, a shabby wooden ladder showcases four vintage tablecloths. They are but a small portion of my textile collection; a few others are neatly folded nearby in an old metal shopping basket.

My studio is where I work on a variety of creative pursuits. One of my latest projects: lace garlands made from vintage crocheted doilies. So pretty! 

To me, vintage + made from wood + shaped like a teapot = irresistible. Hence my collection of handmade soap powder dispensers and teapot-shaped ring holders.

The collections continue: picnic tins and world globes, some of which are for sale in my Etsy shop HERE and HERE.

I love to find fun ways to store and display supplies. Small drawers from a vintage doll dresser corral thread that belonged to my mom. And a Harlequin sugar bowl sans lid now holds my pin cushion. 

Needless to say, the centerpiece of my studio is the whimsical 1950’s worktable — truly perfect for a former tearoom owner.

So, are you smiling yet? 😍

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

Our MV Living Room, Dining Area & Sun Room

I am finally getting around to sharing the inside of our Martha’s Vineyard vacation house with you. (Sorry it has taken so long; been crazy busy here.)

During the early spring of 2017, we furnished the home from scratch on a shoestring budget. Packing our car to the gills to bring items on the ferry over the course of several months was challenging. But little by little, we did it. Fortunately, the home’s former owners left several decorative pieces behind, such as the vintage window on the wall, the floor lamp with cork shade in the corner, and the table under the TV. So nice of them!

A few trips to IKEA, the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market, Home Goods, Pottery Barn, Pier One, and various estate sales helped to round out the decor. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that a friend gave us the sisal rug — perfect for a beach house!

Across the way, you'll find the dining area which leads into a bright sunroom. The table (purchased with credit card points for zero dollars at Pottery Barn) has chairs from IKEA, chair pads from Pier One, and a long wooden bench left behind by the previous owners. More points were used to buy the metal light fixture at Home Goods for exactly one penny! 

My favorite room in the house, the sunroom, features woven furniture (thank you Pottery Barn) and a vintage cabinet in the corner that once lived in my tea room. Now it holds board games and puzzles. The previous owners left us the three ocean paintings in that exact spot on the wall. Yay!

Several years ago, we found an old pine table with hand-painted poppies for $25 at a church tag sale. We stored it in the basement of our CT house hoping that it would someday become a breakfast table on the front porch of our very own house on Martha’s Vineyard. 

When our long-awaited cottage finally became a reality, it didn’t have a front porch. So we cut down the table’s legs, turning it into the perfect coffee table.

The little stool, below, was also left behind for us. It has just the right amount of wear/paint loss. LOVE!

Thank you for coming along on this quick tour of our MV living room, dining area and sun room. More rooms to come . . . I promise!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Our MV Cottage Wishlist, a Lucky Rock & a Letter from John

Over the last 11 years of blogging, I’ve shared our various fun-filled family trips to Martha’s Vineyard with you. As you may know, for over three decades, we rented an array of lovely summer homes there. But we always longed to own a little piece of MV heaven. Once our kids were done with college, we realized that we could finally afford to fulfill our dream. We searched in earnest for two years before we found the perfect place — a modest and well-kept cottage in the pastoral town of West Tisbury. Upon entering the house for the first time, both John and I knew it was “the one” because it ticked off each and every one of the boxes on our wishlist.

When we toured the house with our realtor Emma on that cold December morning, it was one of a long list of houses to see. And since we were on the island for only that one day, we had a lot to accomplish. After viewing all of the properties, we got a very good sense of how our favorite compared to others in its price range. In our eyes, there was really no comparison. It was exactly what we wanted! However, it was just above our maximum price. Isn’t that always the way?

We had a lot of thinking and financial calculating to do before we would feel comfortable putting in an offer. We toured the house for a second time that afternoon and then headed to the ferry landing. With a few minutes to spare before our boat home, we stopped by a nearby beach for a moment. It was blustery and I stayed in the car while John took a quick stroll to the water’s edge. When he returned, he was holding a small rock in his hand. We took it home to CT hoping that this little piece of the island would bring us luck in our upcoming negotiations.

Knowing how difficult it is to find desirable houses in our price range, time was of the essence. So the next day, we put in an offer. We also knew how competitive the MV market is and felt we needed something to help the sellers know more about us. We decided to include a letter written by John about his 50+ year connection to the island. Next came a bit of countering back and forth. We also learned that there were two additional offers from potential buyers on the table. Even so, they chose to accept our offer. We were told that it was John’s letter that tipped the scales in our direction!

After doing a happy dance, we placed our lucky rock on the windowsill above the kitchen sink where it still sits today.

Soon I’ll invite you inside our new MV cottage, so please stop by again.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to Our MV Cottage!

As you may know, John and I finally fulfilled our long held dream of owning a home on our beloved Martha’s Vineyard. It has been a year since we purchased it and I hoped to share it with you sooner. But life got it the way. So here is my first in a series of posts devoted to our little piece of MV island paradise. Let’s start with the exterior...

Our sweet little cottage built in the mid-1990s seems like a mere baby compared to our 93-year-old stone and shingle CT home. Located in the pastoral mid-island town of West Tisbury, it is part of an association with a neighborhood swimming pool and tennis courts. Nestled back from the road on just over an acre of property, our place has loads of privacy.

The home’s previous owners planted lovely flowering shrubs in the garden as well as enclosing and winterizing a screened porch. What really sold us on this house was how move-in ready it was. After doing extensive renovations to our CT cottage, we had no desire to embark on any more remodeling projects.

Our house boasts a large back deck with plenty of room for lounging, dining and grilling as well as an outdoor shower, perfect for rinsing off sand after a day at the beach. 

The view from the deck is quite serene. Our property has a little shed in one corner and backs up to conservation land. Just beyond that is the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest which has miles of hiking trails and paved bike paths.

Once we closed on our MV digs, we were happy to find that the previous owners left us an array of home decor items, one of which was an old window screen with an arched shape and shabby green paint. I decided to turn it into a welcome sign. Here’s how...

I chose a typeface on my computer, printed out the word “Welcome” and enlarged it to the proper size on my copier. Then I cut it out, spaced out the letters and taped them to the back of the screen. Using cream-colored acrylic paint and a small brush, I simply traced over the black letters. Once the paint dried, I removed the paper template — and voilà! 

I planned to hang my refurbished screen in the foyer, but there wasn’t enough room on the wall for it. I then decided to try the space above the front door. It’s a perfect fit!

It took us three months to feather our MV nest — loads of work and somewhat of a challenge to furnish a house on an island. But for me, it was truly a labor of love. In subsequent posts, I hope you’ll come along as I take you inside. 

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Snow Day = Sew Day

We have had quite an abominable winter so far with super cold temperatures and lots of snow. And it’s only early January! Just last week, normal activity ground to a halt when a massive East Coast storm blew in. 

If I have to be housebound, there is no place I’d rather be than in my cozy studio. So during the storm, I decided to hunker down and spend the day channeling spring by sewing pennant banners out of cheerful vintage textiles.

I have saved snippets of favorite fabrics for years. Most were once useful kitchen items (tablecloths, tea towels, curtains, etc.) but they had seen better days. However, they still had lots of usable bits, so why not cut them up and repurpose them?

Usually I make my textile garlands out of triangular flags of all the same fabric. But this time, I chose to mix things up resulting in a fun, happy medley of color and pattern. I had just enough to make three different lengths of bunting. Aren’t they pretty?

I love how they turned out. Soon all three will make their Etsy shop debut, perhaps by the end of the week.

Stay warm and safe this winter. And when all else fails . . . get creative!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Sending My Best Wishes to You

In these final days of 2017, wishing you and yours a healthy, peaceful and oh so happy new year!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

West Elm Pop-Up Prep: Making Vintage Textile Collages, Zippered Pouches & More

Did you know that West Elm graciously offers artists the opportunity to sell handmade wares at their home decor stores? How great is that?! My local Westport, CT store is hosting pop up shops throughout the holiday season and I am so pleased to be one of the artists this year. With my first pop-up fast approaching, I’ve been busily making things to sell. Here is what I’ve been up to...

In my Etsy shop, I sell Swatch Portraits utilizing humble embroidery hoops that frame vintage fabric. To shake things up a bit, I began making textile collages featuring remnants of favorite fabrics, embroidered bits and rick-rack sewn together in a happy design. And once I got started, I just couldn’t stop! 

For kicks, I put them up on the wall of my studio. I love how colorful they are and how they look all grouped together.

In the spirit of the season, I decided to make a bunch more using a Santa Train textile from the 1960s combined with a whimsical dotty fabric and yellow rick rack.

Aren’t they fun? I then embarked on another sewing project that enabled me to learn something new...

In all my years of sewing, I had never put a zipper in before. So I decided to be brave and create an array of zippered pouches made from a stash of yummy fabric remnants.

I am happy to report that zipper installation wasn’t nearly as hard as I expected. Here are my finished pouches...

Today, I am gathering, organizing and pricing all of the handmade items that will accompany me to the sale.

If you happen to find yourself in my area on Saturday, December 9, stop by and say hello at West Elm, 35 Main Street in Westport, CT. I’d love to see you! And for some last minute holiday shopping, I will be there again on Sunday, December 17.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

From Our House to Yours . . .

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Cottage Number Two

We’ve owned our very own house on Martha’s Vineyard for three months and now, we’re ready to relax at last. Feathering our new MV nest has kept us quite busy. Although it has been loads of work and somewhat of a challenge to furnish a house on an island, for me, it has truly been a dream come true and a labor of love.

This tiny painting of our new home is by my sweet daughter, Hannah, who gave it to me for my recent birthday. Isn't it adorable?

We furnished our island getaway at breakneck speed so that we can enjoy it with family and friends this summer, as well as rent it out a bit to recoup expenses. The challenge that I relished the most was working with a shoestring budget. Between flea markets, tag sales, Craigslist, thrift shops and more, I found lots of things I love at amazing prices.

I promise to eventually share our new summer cottage with you, and perhaps you’ll feel that you’ve come along and taken a little vacation, too! And if you’d like a sneak peek, check out my Instagram feed and search for #mvcottageofmydreams which is the dedicated hashtag I created for the house.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

SaveSave

Postcard Pursuits

I am having the best time feathering our new nest on Martha’s Vineyard! Although it can be a bit daunting furnishing a vacation house from top to bottom, I am relishing every moment of it. The biggest challenge, aside from decorating on a shoestring budget, is the logistics of getting everything to a house located on an island that is reached via steamship. Through a variety of means (renting a van, hiring a moving company, and more), we have been able to get most of the large furnishings there in record time. Why the hurry? Because we want to be able to enjoy it with family and friends this summer. And eventually, we will rent it out during the high season in summers to come.

For the next few weeks until we return to MV, I am focusing on finding small home decor pieces. I’ve been attending estate sales like a madwomen, and last Sunday, we went to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market. In a couple of weeks, I will make a pilgrimage to Brimfield with a friend to see what I can find there. In the meantime, I am working on budget-friendly wall decor projects.

When we moved into our 1925 cottage in Norwalk three years ago, I noticed a small casement window leaning against the wall in the basement. Original to the house, it is no longer needed, so I planned to replace the panes of glass with mirror. However, when I came across my collection of vintage Martha’s Vineyard postcards recently, I decided on another use for the window.

John sanded, scraped and cleaned away all of the window’s loose paint. I then adhered six of my favorite cards to the back of the glass using Zots which are small, flat adhesive dots. Easiest project ever!

A neighbor of mine kindly gave me a couple of 1950s floral lithographs in curvy wooden frames. Unfortunately, the prints had seen better days, so I took the pictures apart and painted the frames white to match the window. I enlarged two more vintage postcards on a color copier and placed them under glass in the refurbished frames.

Below are the finished projects on the wall of our MV abode. Cottagey and fun — I love the postcards’ bright colors and kitschy images.

These projects were super easy. And best of all, they were virtually free. I love free!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Dreams Really Do Come True

Over the years, I have enjoyed sharing numerous family vacations with you as we traveled across the U.S., Canada and Europe. You may have noticed that we return to one place in particular every year without fail — our beloved Martha’s Vineyard.

The first time I visited MV was almost 32 years ago in the early days of dating John. He had a long history with this idyllic spot, the proof being the 8mm home movies his parents took of him as a baby there. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with both John and the island, and we soon started talking about how wonderful it would be to have a place of our own there someday. We married, had kids, and continued our annual pilgrimage. For fun, we’d peruse real estate listings and wonder if we would ever be able to afford anything. With two children to raise, house prices were always out of our reach. However, once our youngest graduated college in 2015, we became determined to finally make that vacation home a reality.

And now, I am thrilled to announce that after a long search, our dream of owning a house on Martha’s Vineyard has finally come true! We closed on this lovely little cottage two weeks ago and are so very happy and excited. We look forward to spending time there with family and friends this summer. But first, lots of work ahead to furnish it from top to bottom. I will surely relish every moment of it...

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Sew Sweet! Vintage Toy Sewing Machines

Although I never had one as a child, I’ve definitely made up for lost time when it comes to vintage toy sewing machines. These adorable relics are my Etsy shop’s best sellers. I have sold over 50 and sent them to all four corners of the globe! 

Aren’t they adorable? My personal collection consist of three that I keep on display in my studio. They are KAYanEE Sew Master machines manufactured in Germany post WWII by the KAYanEE Impex Corporation of New York, N.Y. 

Embellished with flower decals, they can be quite hard to find. However, those decals definitely elevate their cuteness factor.

Below is a small sampling of ones that have found new homes over the years.

Have you always wanted one of these charmers? If so, you’re in luck; I have a few for sale in my shop. The Pièce De Résistance is this one below made by Elm City Toy Products of West Haven, CT. 

Called Little Lady, this toy sewing machine sports dark pink paint and is sprinkled with tiny cream, yellow and black flowers decals. You can find it in my shop here.

I think these two KAYanEE models are super sweet, especially because of their blue color and floral decals. The one above can be found in my shop here.

The KAYanEE shown above resides in a wooden base with finger joints at the corners. It’s available for sale here.

This last one is a Junior Model toy sewing machine that was manufactured by Gateway Engineering Company of Chicago IL. Although it has been well-loved, is sports a couple of special features. The wooden base is not a standard and must have been added by a handy father long ago. It also has a miniature red tomato pin cushion glued to the back right corner. Sew sweet!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Pretty Pictures

In case you didn't know . . . I adore photography. Always have, always will. How nice that I get to share my favorite pics with you right here on The T-Cozy. Lucky me!

Here are some new shots for your viewing pleasure.

Our cottage looks extra cozy when covered in a blanket of snow.

Step inside. Want a cup of tea?

Our kitchen is bright and sunny. And just beyond it is my sweet little studio, also known as My Happy Place.

I can’t help but smile when I’m in here.

It has space for all of my crazy collections.

Needless to say, I have a weakness for things made from wood that are shaped like teapots.

My desk is chock full of vintage eye candy. This is where I work on listings for my Etsy shop.

I’ve spent this week listing valentines from the 1930s. Adorable.

My latest acquisition — three metal trays in the perfect shade of aqua. One is already in use as a message board in my kitchen. The other two are in my shop and come with four handmade button magnets.

It’s hard to believe that my 10-year blogiversary is this March. Wow! How did that happen? Whether you are a new reader, or one that has been with me for the long haul, my hope is that The T-Cozy has been a respite for you, a place to relax during your busy day and enjoy my quirky brand of home decor with a vintage twist. 

I am ever grateful to you for being here. It has been an honor to provide you with decorating inspiration and to share my love of photography with you. Have you enjoyed what you’ve seen and read here? I do hope so.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

My Upcycled 🐌 Mail Holder Project

There is something about a gray day that makes me want to hunker down and get creative. So on a cloudy Saturday morning, while John was out getting groceries, I began a crafty little project in my studio. 

I’ve been wanting to transform a vintage mail caddy that I found a while back. It was already awfully cute, with three wooden pockets and a scallop at the bottom. But what really captured my heart was the writing on the back saying “Love, Dad, 1980.” So sweet that someone’s dad made this for them.

Time to start the project. I gathered my materials: Mod Podge, brushes, vintage postage stamps and a wonderful old letter dating back to 1945. Handwritten on airmail-weight paper, the letter’s wrinkly, translucent quality would allow stamps placed under it to show through.

First, I adhered a variety of stamps in spots; these are the ones that would be covered by the letter.

Next, I covered the entire front of the holder by decoupaging segments of the letter at different angles. Looking good so far...

I then adhered more postage stamps on top of the background. Finally, once everything was dry, I coated the holder with several layers of matte Mod Podge.

Ta-da! Presenting my spiffed up mail holder! Easy peasy and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. 😊

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

What’s New in My Studio

It has been a busy summer and it’s going by fast. Hard to believe that it is already mid-August.

On summer days when I’m not off traveling and spending time with family and friends, you can find me here...

A great way to start the day, especially because the window above my desk faces east and lets the morning sunlight stream in. After I check my email and do a bit of bookkeeping, I often head over to my work table for a little sewing project.

I am obsessed with cherries lately. So when I discovered vintage cherry-embellished fabric at a local estate sale, I knew just what to use it for...

... an itty bitty pennant banner. Isn't it adorable? If you, too, have a thing for cherries, this mini flag garland is for sale in my Etsy shop here.

Recently I found the prefect rug to protect the floor beneath my sewing chair. Lucy likes it, too. This sweet pooch belongs to Jacob and stayed with us in July. She’s a wonderful dog and we had lots of fun puppy-sitting. 

There is something else new in my studio that I’m very excited about. Say hello to my brand new Janome sewing machine! 

Although my aqua 1960s Singer is fabulous, it only sews a straight stitch forward and back. So it was time to get a machine with a few more bells and whistles. I spent a day last week reading the manual and getting to know my new machine. It sews like a dream. I think I’m in love!

With “back to school” days fast approaching, I decided to make a few composition book covers using my favorite 1970s floral textiles. Aren’t they pretty? They can be found for sale in my Etsy shop at this link.

This week’s project: throw pillows for Hannah’s new apartment. 

Happy Monday!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Setting the Summer Table

Today is the summer solstice, when the sun is at its northernmost point above the equator. It’s the longest day of the year, lasting 15 hours and 13 minutes. How I love long summer days!

To me, summer means alfresco dining at the beach or on the back deck. When I set my summer table, I like to use brightly patterned vintage tablecloths. Last week, to prepare for picnic season, I sorted through my collection and freshened them up by laundering and ironing everything. Then I placed my favorites in a 1940s market basket so that they would be easily accessible. Their cheerful fruit and flower designs never fail to brighten my day...

The ones that didn't make it into the basket are shown below. These are either already in my Etsy shop or will soon make their appearance. 

Aren't they yummy?

Welcome, Summer!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Making Things

Last week, the bright sunshine that flooded my studio motivated me to spend time working on a few fun projects.

First, I got out my old Singer sewing machine and fashioned a festive pennant banner from a vintage tablecloth with a Vera Neumann vibe. Then I used a bit of the remaining fabric and made an embroidery hoop art swatch portrait. This textile is sunshine personified!

It had been a while since I combed through my vast collection of vintage buttons. So out they came. Before long, I crafted sets of button magnets from translucent yellow flowers and added colorful carved buttons for the centers. Aren't they sweet?

These whimsical magnets would be a cheerful springtime addition to a fridge. Or place them on a metal tray, washboard or cookie sheet and you'd have an instant message board.

Since another of my handmade altered art globes sold last week, it was time to create a new one. 

Using a vintage Replogle Land and Sea Globe, this one sports a gold metal stand with a Meridian band attached at the North and South Poles allowing the globe to pivot on its axis and adjust it to any angle.

My, how I love my studio! As I always say... everyone should have a little space that is all their own. Mine never fails to inspire.

Now I'm off to run errands. But before I go, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Spring!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Pitter-Pat

Can’t we all use a little eye candy on a rainy Monday? Thought I’d start off this gloomy day sharing cheerful things that make my heart go pitter-pat. Enjoy!

I found these lovely old tea tins last week. Two sold lickey–split, I plan to keep a couple of them (for now), and one just made its Etsy debut HERE.

A stitchery picture on the wall in my studio features a garden overflowing with flowers. How I wish my cottage garden looked like that!

To me, there is nothing sweeter than vintage toy sewing machines. Shown are a few from my personal collection and some that have sold in my Etsy shop. (They sell super fast.) I still have a very cute one listed HERE. And an extra-fabulous one will make an appearance in my shop soon.

An array of colorful thread that belonged to my dear mom looks very happy stored in this rustic old drawer.

Sometimes all I have to do is walk into my studio and the ideas start flowing. It’s a special place that inspires me daily. 

Vintage chenille bedspreads are the epitome of cozy cottage decor. I was thrilled to discover this rare peacock one at a local antiques mall. You can find it for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

My studio’s vaulted ceiling afforded me space for this 13-foot-long storage shelf, the perfect spot for my collection of picnic tins. I love their different faux textures and patterns. Now all I have to do is look up — and smile. I hope I’ve made you smile today, too.

Happy Monday!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Sewing Room Swoon

My studio was featured in Issue #22 of Love Sewing, the UK’s number one sewing magazine. This popular publication offers free monthly patterns, easy-to-follow step-by-step guides and instructions in using the latest fabrics to create contemporary accessories for your home, family and wardrobe, even with basic sewing skills. Each issue also has a Sewing Room Swoon article and I am thrilled to have my studio, and all of its vintage goodness, featured.

What an honor! Many thanks to Love Sewing editor Amy Thomas for including me in her lovely magazine.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Late Afternoon in My Studio

Even though I am a morning person through and through, there is something about the fading light in late afternoon that I just love. When dusk approaches, I turn on a few small lamps in my studio that make the room feel extra cozy.

One of my newest acquisitions sits in a pool of light on my worktable: a 1956 Smith-Corona typewriter. Having sold similar machines in the past, I purchased it for my Etsy shop. I even found a brand new ribbon online, so now this relic works beautifully. 

I really like its Art Deco styling, sage green color, and the clatter the keys make. Funny because this mid-century model is called the Silent-Super. Back in the day, maybe it was considered one of the quieter portable typewriters. It's fun to use and I find it endearing, so perhaps I will keep it around for a while.

Happy Friday!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Vintage Tablecloth Love

Nothing cheers up a table (or me) like a beautiful vintage textile. Sporting bold, lively fruit and flower patterns, these relics always make me smile. Here is a little tablecloth eye candy to brighten up your day. 

These tablecloths are 60 to 80 years old. They were made to last from sturdy cotton and printed with bold, colorfast dyes. I think it's safe to say... They don't make them like they used to!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Lidless Doesn’t Have To Mean Useless

I found this vintage teapot at the thrift store. Sporting intricate hand painting and an extra-tall body, it is really quite stunning. Sadly, it has no lid, but that didn't deter me from bringing it home where I repurposed it into a flower pot. Now it happily graces the counter of my cottage kitchen — lidless, but most certainly not useless.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

There’s No Place Like...

Don't you agree?

Happy Tuesday!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Two Years in the Life of a Cottage

On this day two years ago, we took ownership of our new home. Little by little, we have brought this neglected once-rental property back to life. Although it had its challenges, I found the renovation process fun, fascinating and so rewarding. I adore old houses. And now that I have had the chance to live in and transform one myself, I know just how thoroughly satisfying it can be.

Our biggest project began the moment we arrived: removing walls to create an open concept kitchen and family room. The original rooms, shown below, were long and narrow and shared a common wall.

It was exciting to open up the kitchen wall to reveal the family room's rustic stone fireplace. We relocated the kitchen along the back of the house and vaulted the ceiling to follow the existing roofline. Another wall was removed between the kitchen and dining room. 

The finished rooms are exactly what I envisioned — a bright, open space where family and friends can enjoy cooking, eating and relaxing together. 

We also carved out my studio from the closet-sized office and full bath/laundry room below. Combining these small spaces and vaulting the ceiling created a surprisingly roomy work space.

Chock full of my favorite things, this light-filled room is everything I hoped for in a studio, and more.

If you follow my blog, you know that these projects were just a few of what we did to revive our good-boned 1925 cottage. We renovated two bathrooms, replaced the roof, paved the driveway, refreshed the landscaping, installed new garage doors, refinished floors, removed menacing trees, tweaked the AC, heat and irrigation system and painted the deck, woodwork and every single wall. 

Sounds crazy, right? Perhaps, and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Artsy Acquisitions

Over the past two years, it has been great fun decorating our cozy new cottage. My goal is to keep it open, clutter free and low maintenance, so I have been mindful to not fill up every nook and cranny. That isn't always easy for a collector like me, so I contain most of the collection craziness in my studio. As for the rest of the house, I have tried to keep it as simple and serene as possible.

We're almost at the point where our home feels truly done, with just a couple of large, empty walls needing attention. Over the summer, John and I have been going to outdoor art festivals and galleries looking for something within our budget; not as easy task. However, within the last month, we finally found two affordable oil paintings.

We discovered the first one at a local estate sale. Measuring 22 by 28 inches, its large size is perfect for the wall in our dining room. And its price? A mere $15! It was unframed and very grimy. I gently cleaned away the years of schmutz to reveal a sweetly primitive landscape with a cottage vibe. 

We took it to a framing store and selected a chunky wooden frame to complement its colors. I love the result, even though the frame cost several times as much as the painting.

Our estate sale find now has a new home in the dining room. And with the open concept, it can be enjoyed from our family room and kitchen, as well.

The above photo will give you a good idea of our home's open layout. Shot while standing in the corner directly in front the painting, you can see our family room, kitchen, and even the door to my studio in the distance.

Another empty wall that needed attention was in Jacob's room. Our son has just begun a job teaching second grade in another city, so his room looked rather forlorn after he packed up his things. 

We got lucky once again and found this colorful landscape at Goodwill for $25. I was pleased that it already had a wooden frame. 

Here it is on the wall in Jacob's room. I love its peaceful composition and rich colors. Just right for the room, don't you think?

The photo, below, shows the sloping ceilings, dormer window and knee-wall storage characteristic of Cape Cod houses. Cozy goodness.

Time to go; John is calling me in for dinner. Enjoy your evening and the rest of the week. Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday weekend, too!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

The Smile Factor

A dear friend stopped by my studio last week. She looked around and said, "Wow, wish my workroom looked like this!" 

I love hearing that, especially when it comes from a creative soul who understands my studio's decor style. It consists of a happy mix of all things well-loved and colorful that share a common trait — the smile factor. 

A collection of thread that belonged to my mother lives inside a doll dresser drawer; cheerful vintage tablecloths hang from a rustic old ladder; the cutest tin cart ever sits next to my lovely oak Hoosier cabinet. These grin-provoking relics inspire me daily.

Here are more whimsical things that make my studio a happy place . . .

When I sit down to write a blog post or create a new Etsy listing, I usually gaze at this fun array of items on my desk. Even my business cards live in a vintage dish in my favorite color — aqua!

And when I open my Hoosier cupboard, I'm greeted by a good-humored hodgepodge of Etsy items patiently awaiting new homes.

When out and about looking for things to sell, I only buy what truly delights me, such as the yummy items, below, destined for my Etsy shop.

My studio's lighthearted, not-too-serious collection of vintage goodness reminds me to relax and smile. How I relish that daily reminder.

Keep smiling! 

Susan 😊
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

P.S. Check out other inspiring workspaces at WeWork, a co-working resource for those in need of a collaborative space. It's always inspiring to see where creative people create!

Picture This

I ❤️ Instagram! It is by far the perfect place for me to quickly share my love of all things vintage. Here is a small sampling of the 464 images shot by me that I've posted over the last seven months.

I post at least once a day, sometimes more, so you will always be treated to something new (and hopefully inspiring) on my feed. If you like what you see, please consider following me at this link: instagram.com/tpartyantiques

By the way, I also have a grouping of my studio photographs that can be viewed by searching this IG hashtag: #tpartyantiquesstudio. 

In addition to my sweet little Etsy shop, at some point I would like to sell vintage items via Instagram. If I get a spare moment to set that up, I'll be sure to let you know. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Cut, Paste, Repeat

To me, there is nothing more relaxing than spending a sunny summer afternoon getting creative in my studio. A few days ago, I turned on my favorite music and settled in to work on another up-cycled art globe. Crafty bliss!

First I cut out charming 1940s illustrations of children, houses and picket fences. Then I used a vintage Cram's Imperial World Globe as my canvas and artfully decoupaged the neighborly images onto it.

I love how this one turned out. Having just made its appearance in my Etsy shop, hopefully someone else will, too!

Until then, it is in good company on top of my Hoosier cabinet alongside my other worldly creations.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

My Tidy Studio

Sometimes all it takes is one new thing to get the ball rolling. In my case, it was a charming wooden bin with two drawers. Belonging to a dear friend, she knew how much I admired the piece that was hand made by her father-in-law long ago. I once told her to let me know if she ever wanted to sell it. Fast forward two years: I got a call from her last week offering it to me. Yippee!

I found the perfect spot for it in my studio  — atop my refurbished vegetable bin. Now it holds sewing supplies.

When I cleared off the bin to make room for my new acquisition, I discovered a generous layer of dust. So I began to clean... and clean... and clean. (Once I started, I just couldn't stop.) My studio is chock full of my favorite things — all of the stuff I love but don't want to subject the rest of the house to. Apparently, my cherished collections are quite the dust collectors!

Before long, I had wiped off every surface and item, reorganized a bit, and made sure to eradicate every last dust bunny. And when my cleaning frenzy finally ended, I took these pics to share with you.

I do love a tidy studio!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Weekend!

After a flurry of errands this morning, I'm looking forward to relaxing this weekend. How about you?

Enjoy! 😊

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

“After” Pictures, Part Two: Our New Guest Bath

Using the same materials as the refreshed master bath, our guest bathroom is now clean, bright and ready for visitors. Here's a peek . . .

Doesn't the tub look amazing? Hard to believe that it is the original taupe-colored 1925 model. Re-glazing it was definitely the way to go.

Remodeling the two upstairs bathrooms was the final project on our year-and-a-half-long to-do list. At last, we are done! Room by room, it has been a fun and rewarding journey bringing this sweet vintage cottage back to life. Now I can't help but smile every time I walk in the door. 

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

“After” Pictures, Part One: Our New Master Bath

How lovely to have a clean and functional master bath! Have a look . . .

Like our renovated kitchen, we wanted this new bathroom to feel like it belonged in a 1925 cottage. So we chose simple elements: white wainscoting, a Shaker-style cabinet, a vintage-inspired light fixture, a neutral gray floor tile, classic subway tile in the walk-in shower, and a marble countertop on the vanity. To keep costs down, we kept all of the plumbing in the same location.

The light fixture's glass shades match the schoolhouse globes in our kitchen. I love those thin black stripes!

The shower stall now has white subway tile, a marble seat, a frameless glass door and marble basketweave tile on its floor. A niche with two handy shelves repeats the same marble tile. We used Grohe chrome fixtures with a 1920s vibe for the shower and vanity.

And there you have it! Next time, I’ll share photos of our new guest bathroom which uses the same basic elements. Do stop by!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

“Before” Pictures of Our Two Old Bathrooms

Sorry! I must apologize for taking so long to share our bathroom renovations with you! My computer was on the fritz and I finally had to lay it to rest and purchase a new one. So, as promised, here is our latest (and hopefully last) reno project. Let's start with the "before" pics. (FYI: prior to moving in in the fall of 2013, our house was a rental, neglected for almost 12 years, poor thing!)

Here is what our master bathroom used to look like. Updated back in the 1990s, it was covered in a sea of white tile with grout that would never come clean. Its low vanity had a worn Corian countertop and the stall shower sported glass doors with layers of old caulk along the bottom. Plus, the shower fixture's temperature control valve was jammed making it nearly impossible to adjust.

We installed a new medicine cabinet and toilet back when we first moved in, so we would reuse those items as well as the window shutters.

Now for a peek at our pre-reno guest bath. With white and black vintage tile and another low vanity, it still had the original 1925 cast iron tub that had been reglazed 25 years ago. Unfortunately, it was peeling in several places revealing a murky taupe color beneath the white. The mixing valve in the bathtub was faulty and would often switch from scalding hot to ice cold while showering. Not fun! 

Even though the floor tile was charming, it had to be removed to make way for new concrete to level out the floor. The plaster walls and ceiling needed to be taken down to the studs, as well. However, we planned to keep the tub (which would be reglazed) along with the new toilet and window shutters. 

Please stay tuned until next time when I'll share the "after" pics of our much improved and oh-so-lovely cottage bathrooms.

Have a great weekend and most of all — Happy Mother's Day!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Instagram Inspiration

It's been almost four months since I started posting on Instagram. My, how time flies when you're having fun. And I do mean fun. Filled with visual splendor, Instagram is truly a feast for the eyes. I love it!

Are you following T-Party Antiques on Instagram? I do hope so. But if you haven't discovered me there yet, here is a quick peek at just some of the 255 pictures I have posted so far...

What do you think? Fun, right?  If you like what you see, I hope you will consider following me on Instagram.

Thanks a bunch!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

The Fearless Collector

It is said that three of something makes a collection. So what does having 18 of something make? ... It makes me a fearless collector! Are you one, too?

I am a firm believer that you can never have too much of anything, as long as it is something you are truly passionate about. But I also believe that larger collections should be displayed in an orderly way. If not, they can be overwhelming. To avoid that problem with my 18 picnic tins, I placed them on a long shelf high on the wall of my studio. I love how they look up there!

As you know, I also love to collect soap powder holders. The one shown above was found just last week. Isn't it adorable?

The rest of my rustic collection resides in my studio on a narrow green shelf from my former tea room. Perfect!

Even though I am happy with how a collection is displayed, the thrill of the hunt can take over and I often buy even more of these favorite pieces. Not a problem, as it keeps my collection fresh and allows me to pass others along to patrons of my Etsy shop.

The array of soap holders, above, are past and present Etsy shop items. Aren't they wonderful? Good thing I like to share, or our sweet little cottage would soon be filled up.

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Just a Little Eye Candy for Your Friday Afternoon . . .

Primrose and McCoy flower pots — the perfect springtime combo!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

“S” is for Spring

We just returned from a long weekend away visiting extended family in my hometown of Cleveland. While there, I popped into a thrift shop where a vintage planter caught my eye. A bargain at $4, it safely made the trip back from Ohio inside my carry-on bag.

This morning, I potted up my newest find with miniature Daffodils. Then I introduced it to a couple of pottery friends on my kitchen counter.

This 1940s relic sports a script letter "S" on its front and whimsical rolls on both sides. Bathed in a chartreuse glaze, its color reminds me of the little leaf buds that will soon emerge this spring. So retro!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

Yes! It's a Keeper . . . for Now

How could I resist? This vintage Amsco TV Cart captured my heart. So I simply had to find a spot for it in my studio.

Now it is quite happy in its new home at the end of my Hoosier cabinet. And an old train case that I use to store some Etsy shop items fits on the cart's lower shelf perfectly.

When needed, I can raise its two leaves and roll the cart over to my worktable where it will provide an extra surface for sewing or craft supplies while working on projects.

So yes, I have decided to keep this sweet relic . . . at least, for now. You know me; I tend to sell most things eventually.

Now we're off to spend time with our extended family over the next few days. I'm sure you have similar plans for the holiday weekend. Enjoy!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!

The Thrill of the Find

Vintage relic seekers love the thrill of the hunt. When there is something they have a hankering for, they will diligently search far and wide until they find it.

Are you that way? I can be from time to time. And I must admit, looking for something very specific can be fun but daunting also. (Sites like Chairish.com can make it easier.) Know what I enjoy even more? The thrill of the find, when I discover something marvelous that I wasn't even looking for.

While scouring flea markets, thrift shops, estate sales, and more, I try to keep an open mind and a discerning eye to make sure I notice things that aren't typically on my radar. If I'm lucky, I sometimes find a special piece that speaks to me and says "Take me home." That is precisely what happened when I came across my studio's work table.

I found the table at my dealer friend Kim's inspiring booth at the Stratford Antique Center. She specializes in vintage kitchenware and her stall is always chock full of fabulous finds. When I spotted this teapot-embellished table in her booth, I knew Kim had really outdone herself. And although I wasn't looking for a table of any kind, I knew it had to be mine.

I purchased the $200 table right around the time we moved into our sweet little cottage. Without any notion of where it would go, I stored it down in the basement until we completed our kitchen/dining room/family room/office reno last winter. Then when the time was right, I gave the table a good scrub, tightened various screws and bolts, and decided to place it center stage in my brand new studio.

Isn't it the cutest? And absolutely perfect for a former tea room proprietor! I bet the table was once part of a 1950s dinette set with matching chairs and an extension leaf. Now it serves as a useful work surface. And it looks great with my vintage office chair.

My new table's shapely top wears its original red and cream Formica with a crackled ice pattern. This laminate top features a scalloped design and two cheery red teapots.

The table also sports a banded aluminum apron and chrome splayed legs brimming with mid-century appeal.

My whimsical and thoroughly wonderful work table provides an ample surface for sewing and other crafty endeavors. And best of all, it never fails to make me smile. 

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!