Fly the Friendly Skies!

I was just reading Poppytalk's Father's Day gift guide and saw these FABULOUS Vintage Airline Food Carts from Flight 001. They are original airline trolleys (dents and scratches included). They come in different colors/finishes which is really fun. This would be great in our office which has become the room I live in. Just reach over and grab a Diet Pepsi (and pretend you're in route to Paris). At $1,450, I'm going to have to think real hard...
Photos courtesy of Flight 001

Let Them Eat Cake!

My friend's daughter Jennifer recently celebrated her Sweet Sixteen birthday with this whimsical cake designed by artist Melissa Hutton. When I saw these photos of the cake I had to share them! The cake has a pink & black cheetah-print frosted background laced with large strands of pearls and amazing charms made of molded marzipan! Too pretty to eat! The charms represent some of Jen's favorite things like Columbia University logo (she is attending a summer writing program), New York & the Eiffel Tower, (she loves NYC & dreams of Paris), a key (representing getting a driver's license at 16).

Melissa Hutton is not only a cake designer but an amazing painter. Melissa has been an active member of the San Francisco art scene since 1992. Check out some of her fine work on these wonderful chairs and paintings.

Photos courtesy of Melissa Hutton, melissahutton.com

Why Didn't I Think of This?

I was just hanging up a new cork board that I purchased and noticed these unique picture hooks on the back. What the heck are they? They are called Beehive Picture Hangers and can be purchased here. They have multiple holes so the pictures/paintings level themselves. No more measuring or adjusting and, best of all, the frames won't tilt or move. Brilliant!

Black & White photo from Juniperimages.com

Interesting Articles on Antiques

I was reading today's San Francisco Chronicle Home & Garden section which had a few noteworthy stories regarding antiques. Definitely worth reading. Enjoy!

Buying 'Used' Keeps Items Out of Landfill

Be Patient, Shop Around For Used Furniture

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

More Vintage Lady Portraits...

Just flipping through the new issue of Home Companion magazine and this vignette of lady oil portraits caught my eye. I recently posted about collecting vintage portraits and love seeing what others have done with theirs. These paintings are by Harold Gore and from the collection of Carolyn and Nikki Moore.

Photo courtesy of Home Companion Magazine June/July 2008.

Thanks!

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking with Lizzie from Design Watcher. She interviewed me about the antique "biz" and how I got started. You can read it here on her blog. It was informational for me as well. Great speaking with someone much younger than myself (yes, I'm the middle-aged sect...a Baby Boomer) and getting her opinion on trends, blogs and design. Thanks Lizzie!

Picturesque Postcards

Tiny Postcard /Business Card (above) from the Old Poodle Dog Hotel & Restaurant in San Francisco, c. 1849-1900
I love collecting antique and vintage hand-tinted postcards, especially of old hotel interiors and anything French. These Victorian linen postcards are interspersed throughout my home. One of my favorites is the "morning afternoon tea" at the Hotel Oakland with its elegant hotel silver. And as many of you know, I include vintage French postcards with purchases on my website. I just love them framed or sitting amongst a collection!

Serving Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Oakland, Calif. c. 1900


Portola-Louvre Restaurant, Powell and Market Sts., San Francisco, c. 1900
Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA c. 1900
Picturesque Costumes, Chinatown, San Francisco, CA c. 1930

All photos courtesy of Paris Hotel Boutique Journal