rusty stuff = decorating buzz

Some of you may remember old farm sales where there was lots of machinery and rusty parts which were not big sellers.  Amazing that in today's market, those items are considered desirable.  Several years ago I attended occasional sales south of the twin cities and encountered plow parts used as center pieces gracing a very long table (6ft?) They were flying out the door.  The dealer said she had to replenish several times that morning.  Now you can find articles and pictures in almost every decorating magazine showing examples of how items can become wall decor, stools, tables, sculpture type designs and almost anything your imagination can come up with.  One of the dealer/designers at Yesterdays created a bonanza in late summer with the use of gears, tractor seats, pulleys and other large or small pieces of primitive hardware.  She and her son were kept very busy coming up with new creations and trying to find new sources of raw material.  In the latest issue of Country Sampler there is an article called the "wheel deal" using sprockets as wall art.  Restoration Hardware and Cabins and Cottages (?) magazines had articles on this new craze.  Hopefully, I'll get some pictures downloaded so you get an idea of the raw material used in these projects.  Yesterday, my batteries died in the camera and the sun disappeared behind clouds so I didn't get photos.   Next I need to figure out the mechanics of downloading!  Success!!  The items shown above are creative products by Gayle a designer/dealer at Yesterdays.    Awesome!!

The re- phase

Recycle, repurpose, reuse, refurbish, redesign are a few of the buzz words in the antique world these days.  In our throw away society, if something can't be put in the dishwasher, won't fit in a closet, needs a few nails or refinishing----throw it out or buy plastic or paper.  However----we have found that a coat of bright paint can hide multitudes of blemishes and flaws.  This method of refurbishing can be used in redecorating and is referred to as  SHABBY CHIC.  Wow, what did we do before that term came into vogue?  We also continue to see the chippy paint fad still in favor in spite of the fact many of the old paints contained lead.  So cover with a polyurthene finish to contain chipping.  Using neat old pieces of furniture can add an interesting look to most rooms and often offer solutions to storage while fitting in quite nicely with pieces from big box stores.  The willingness to retain old tables, dressers, cupboards, chairs etc.,  or turn items into garden art  keeps things out of landfills and saves them from ending up being burned or buried on old farmsteads!  That's a whole other story.