Camera Crazy

I may have mentioned before that one of my ever growing list of items I collect is vintage cameras. I like to find cameras that have great old typography and design. Giant flash bulbs are a sure bet with me, too. :)

And every once and a while an item comes along that just stuns you. That happened to me on Saturday. I know that cameras are just things. And I shouldn't be coveting things. I should be treasuring moments. But I think one of my reasons for loving and collecting cameras is the treasured memories that they capture.

In these digital days, we take photos and delete the unpleasant ones. Back in the day, there was no delete. And it was always a surprise what would come back from the film. The few photos that our grandparents had of their parents, family and their childhoods were rare and treasured keepsakes.

Blah, blah, blah... On to my point! I found an antique Kodak camera that floored me. Honestly, I think my jaw hit the floor when I opened up this gem packed away in a tattered black box.

It even included the instruction booklet! Squeal! 

And thank goodness it did. I was able to open the back (the film opening) and see the accordion-style camera lens, but couldn't open the front. No matter, I decided. I would figure it out. The instruction book showed me exactly how to open it and slide out the lens.

I love it! It is open and being displayed with my family photos, like all my other vintage cameras.

Did I mention how much I loved the typography and lines? :)

I like to imagine what photos this camera captured. Oh, and look at that - yes, I could clean it, but that is just my favorite color!

How about you? Have you found any special additions to your collections lately? I'd love to know!

Happy Monday!

Sometimes I link up with the following fabulous linky parties: The 36th Avenue, A Ruffled Nest, At the Picket Fence, Atkinson Drive, Be Different Act Normal,Between Naps on the Porch, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blissful & Domestic, Bowdabra Blog, Cheerios and Lattes, The Chicken Chick, Coastal Charm, Common Ground, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Crystal & Co (The Mommy Club), The Dedicated House, DIY Show Off, Do Small Things With Love, Elizabeth & Co., Embracing Change, Faded Charm, Family Every After, The Farmhouse Porch, Finding Fabulous, Fine Craft Guild, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Free Pretty Things!, French Country Cottage, Fresh Eggs Daily, Ginger Snap Crafts, Happy Hour Projects, High Heels and Grills, Home stories AtoZ, House of Hepworths, Hubby Made Me, I Heart Naptime, Lil' Luna, Ladybird Ln, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Little Becky Homecky, Mandatory Mooch, Milk & Cuddles, Mod Vintage Life, My Repurposed Life, My Romantic Home, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Nap Time Crafters, Nifty Thrifty Things, Not Just a Housewife, One More Time, Project Inspire, Primp Your Stuff, Redoux, Rooted in Thyme, Savvy Southern Style, Shabby Art Boutique, Simple Home Life, Six Sisters' Stuff, Skip to My Lou, Someday Crafts, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Stuff and Nonsense, Tatertots and Jello, Thirty Handmade Days, Timewashed, Tip Junkie, Twigg Studios, Uncommon Designs, Under the Table & Dreaming, The Vintage Farmhouse, Western Warmth, ...

My favorite furniture finds

I mentioned in a previous post, that I wanted to take better photos of the little desk I got from Urban Farmgirl last summer at the Kane County Flea Market. Well, I took pics, but never got around to uploading. So here is a post devoted to my lovely desk and bathroom cabinet from Mary, the fabulous urban farmgirl that she is.

Here is my leggy desk in the foyer. She is a pale shade of grey with peeks of white and carefully chosen wood tone showing through on the details. Yes, it's a she - look at those legs! This desk has to be a female, especially with her curvy front. :) 

Here is a view of the cute new knobs on the drawer and a bit of detail. I even adore the little knicks and dents - they add so much character and history to the piece. Oh! And a little surprise inside the drawer...

Mary lined the drawer with pages from a french book, including a photo. "Le pain frais"

Look at the detail on the front of the desk! I can't decide if that or the curvy legs are my favorite part. :)

When I found the desk at Mary's booth, I happened to find the perfect cabinet for my powder room, too. My powder room is an unusual shape. The pocket door is on a diagonal and it has a pedestal sink, leaving very little room for storage. This piece fit the bill in style!

See, with two kids, we go through a LOT of toilet paper {aka, 3 year olds love to unroll it at any given whim. This is how I imagine her train of thought. While in the middle of some serious toy time she stops abruptly and thinks: "Oh, that's right - I forgot to unroll the toilet paper this morning. Better go do that now."}

So I need storage. Lots of storage. We've finished potty training finally, but for the past year it's been a very handy spot for Dr. Seuss and Sandra Boynton board books. One of these days, those will be replaced with pretty hand towels and extra soap, etc.

And I love, LOVE, love the chicken wire painted white. Every time I see it, I am so glad I found it.

I think it looks great with old Ball mason jars and vintage bottles filled with fresh flowers.

Did I mention that Mary also sells "smalls"? This great AutoWate scale is from her etsy shop, as well as the petite ironstone bowl sitting on top. It's from a set of 4. I have purchased many items from her etsy shop over the past year. I'm sure more will be shown in photos in the future. I love her combination of chippy, shabby, industrial style. I need to devote a post solely to the vintage cameras I have been collecting - many from Mary's etsy shop. 

Some of Mary's furniture and other perfectly picked smaller goods can be found at Tattered Tiques in Lake Barrington, IL. They have a great combination of vintage items and painted furniture. It's a good thing they are an hour's drive for me, or I'd be in serious trouble. :)

You can also find Urban Farmgirl {and Mary, of course} at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL during the warmer months. The Flea runs on the first Saturday & Sunday of each month. Mary is located in the Arena Building outside. As she has put it, "look for the sea of white furniture." You'll be glad you did!

~All images in this post are my own.~

Sharing with the following fabulous blogs:
Faded Charm, Primp Your Stuff, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, The Vintage Farmhouse, ...

Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques, Part II

Continuing my photo heavy post about my first favorite featured shop...

At Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques, in historic downtown St. Charles, I felt so at home
to browse and chat. I have come back several times and it always looks different.
Pat continually rotates and fills the store with new finds. 

A large ship tops this corner cabinet filled with treasures. 

And look at that vintage wedding dress!

Other antique stores I have visited have a stagnant, untouched feel to them. 

Dust settled everywhere. Merchandise seems like it has been there since it opened. 

Sometimes this has an appeal, other times, it just seems tired. I never feel that way at Pat's.

Here's a great little Tonka truck - with mock wood veneers. :)

One point I forgot to make in Part I of this feature, is that Pat's prices are so reasonable!

There are times I go into local antique shops and see the prices and choose to walk out. 

It's not that I wouldn't pay good money for an item I would treasure - it just seems like the prices are marked up too high. Every visit to Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques reaffirms my opinion. 

Always reasonable!!

A larger display of Sassy Sparrow's product line on a fabulous shabby pink chair.

As mentioned before, Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques successfully pairs old with new. 

Showing us ways that these items can truly be timeless.

An eggplant clutch, new from Sassy Sparrow sits in an old wooden tray 

with vintage hand-written letters and other paper ephemera.

Space is utilized in every nook and cranny. This secretary desk is displayed in a small alcove in the hallway leading to two more rooms. The shield mirror fits like it was made for that wall.

And chandeliers are everywhere! Take a look at these two below. 

They are not a matched pair, but they compliment each other with their crystals.

Now, see this great little chandy. I tried to show a close up from inside the crystal shade. 

It made every crystal iridescent, bouncing colors everywhere inside it. Truly Unique!

There is a personal story behind this grand old cash register. 

Pat is such a sweetheart {and kindred spirit}. When I told her that I was having a vintage ice cream parlour & sweet shoppe theme for my daughter's birthday party {hopefully I can get the photos together for a post} - she offered to let me use this as a prop for the decor. How fabulous is that!

That's the kind of personal connection that keeps me coming back.

Great collector items can be found everywhere. I am particularly fond of old typewriters. 

Like this wonderful antique Smith & Corona typewriter.

I love the attention to detail at Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques. Aesthetics can be very influential 

as to whether customers purchase products. Take the kraft brown shopping/gift bags and boxes 

tied with red ribbon. When I leave this shop with a bag in hand, I feel like it is special - 

ready to be given as a gift. No new wrapping/packaging necessary. 

If it wasn't completely obvious,

I strongly recommend a trip to Pat's lil' shop!

If you stop by, tell them I sent you - 

Just make sure you leave some for me!

So, I mentioned in Part I that I would add some of my lovely finds from this shop.
But I have so many, I am devoting an entire post to them. Stay tuned... :)

~ All photos are my own. ~

Please note that store inventory is constantly changing, 

but if you would like to inquire about availability and pricing, give Pat a call! 

Once again, here is the store information: 

Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques

108 State Avenue ~ St. Charles, IL 60174

phone: 630-393-1040

Pat Arnott, Proprietor

Store hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM and Sunday Noon - 4 PM

Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques, Part I

This is a new kind of post I would like to do every now and then. I will feature a local shop I adore (and possibly non-local if I ever leave my little nest) . I am going to try to stick to small businesses. These will be photo heavy posts. I just couldn't decide which to use! :)

Mind you, I am not a photographer, just a photo junky trying to learn how to use my DSLR.

The first store on my list was Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques located at 108 State Avenue in downtown St. Charles, Illinois. This little yellow house (yellow, not red) is situated on a hill, so over time you can see the character gravity and my tilted camera has bestowed upon this adorable shop's historic home. 

The lovely proprietor, Pat Arnott, previously was located in Warrenville, IL in - you guessed it - 

a lil' red schoolhouse. She recently made the move to St. Charles, and I'm so glad she did! 

The owner and her husband, Bill, are warm and welcoming each and every time I pop in to browse.

Even the entrance has a wonderful variety of goods for sale. Hello, rusty bicycle!

Why, oh why, did I not notice that scale by the door until I was looking at my photos at home!?

 

This yellow chippy chair has been repurposed into a planter with a burlap liner. 

So clever and versatile. I envision poinsettias during Christmastime on a wraparound porch.

Love primitive, rustic finds? Just walk up to the brick patio entrance. 

{Maybe it's more accurately described as a courtyard? Either way - charming!}

I'm finding all kinds of ideas in my head for that well-worn wooden tray, by the way.

I happened upon this store searching for another antique shop nearby. I was instantly 

drawn to its home-like appearance. And I'm talking about the inside of the store, too! 

The shop is set up in little vignettes everywhere, the likes I've see only on blogs - 

a la Miss Mustard Seed's retail location The Old Lucketts Store.

A very old farm hutch showcasing a local vendor's tasty gourmet goods. 

{Note the small holes worn into the corners of the two drawers? Those are mice holes!}

Now I knew shops like this existed, but in my limited time to visit antique stores, most were arranged 

in tiny booths with all the items grouped in categories. Such as, this vendor sells antique crystal, 

this vendor specializes in linens. But these other stores often felt claustrophobic, and had an overwhelming mustiness which disagrees with my sinuses. And since my time is limited, I am 

always concerned that it will take hours to sift through one vendor for potential finds. 

Flea markets are better, but the spaces are usually small - and hot! 

Not at this store - which is why I can spend 2 hours there and feel like time flies! 

And my allergies do not bother me a bit. An added bonus, indeed!

A chippy, shabby old ladder with a lot of stories to tell has linens draped on it and nearby.

An oil lamp in fabulous condition and candle stick holder sit on a large console table 

with a bust of a child. Hang on, now that deserves a close-up!

Vintage silver flatware tied up with string...these are a few of my favorite things. Cue the music :)

A great rotary phone sits on a desk with "Life" Magazines. The display case nearby holds crystal and other shiny collectibles. The shelves in the background hold poker chips and various "manly" goods.

I love the occasional mix of old and new. Look at this fabulous red radio cabinet! 

Talk about character. It is filled and topped with a hand-painted china set.

 The navy, floral purse hangs from the open door and coordinates beautifully.

Newly sewn purses are found around the shop from Sassy Sparrow, one of several local vendors that Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques adds to the mix. They intermingle gracefully with the vintage wares.

In the right photo is a perfect example of mixing modern accessories with vintage items. 

This mid-century nightstand is painted black with a pop of yellow on the inside of the drawers - 

and they are lined in damask patterned paper. Atop the stand is a vintage silver candlestick holder, 

a small vintage glass jar (with new lid liner) and a new clutch purse in a trendy yellow and grey.

I adore the wall displays throughout the shop! They spark my own creative ideas.

This ornate frame with a small oval-framed mother and child portrait - just makes it so special. 

And her use of a vintage hanger to display old advertisements makes it feel current.

 

Hmmm... I'm still contemplating if we NEED the embroidered alphabet in the play room.

The cheery little "Bless this house" tin matchstick holder might find a perfect place in my kitchen. 

A great old stove is helping to show milk glass collections, mason jars, enamelware and 

a pair of giant, old ice tongs. Notice the peak of a folding chair - it almost came home with me! 

Rats, I was too busy taking pics! Not to mention the red striped towels.

Love feminine and fancy? {"fancy" must be said with an accent - fahn-see}

I spotted a lovely tea service - and pearl & rhinestone shoe clips! Worthy of a vintage-inspired bride.

A small, black accent table with great lines holds a vintage sewing machine and linens. 

Knitting needles, thread and buttons are on show on the shelf below.

The shop has a great assortment of furniture for sale, as well (unless otherwise marked). 

I love this curvy dresser with harp mirror. 

New and vintage jewelry cover the top, cleverly sorted into a cast iron cornbread mold. 

I am loving old tins with plants inside. So colorful!

This great red tobacco tin reminds me of a post by Stacey from A Sort of Fairytale.

A little birdcage that was begging to come home with me. 

{But my husband keeps wondering what I'm going to do with the ones I have already!}

That concludes my part one of this featured shop! Check back soon for part 2, where I will include more photos and some of my favorite finds from Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques that now live with me!

~ All photos are my own. ~

Please note that store inventory is constantly changing, 

but if you would like to inquire about availability and pricing, give Pat a call! 

Here is the store information: 

Lil' Red Schoolhouse Antiques

108 State Avenue ~ St. Charles, IL 60174

phone: 630-393-1040

Pat Arnott, Proprietor

Store hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM and Sunday Noon - 4 PM

If you stop by, tell them I sent you - and make sure you leave some finds for me!