Digging Day

I did a little digging this weekend with my wonderful boyfriend!  We found a great shop on our way home from breakfast and shopping for trailers (yup, kicking up my cargo capacity!).  Two more weeks until the flea markets open...I can't wait!  In the meantime, I uncovered some fun goodies that will soon make their way to Mill City.

My two favorite items in the photo above are the old washtub, in great condition with chippy cream paint, and the expandable luggage rack from an old Model T Ford.  I can already see the tub filled with ice and party refreshments!  And the luggage rack plus some old barn wood will be a very cool shelf.

I can never pass up vintage office supplies...check out these awesome little staplers!

This pedestal base will be great as a centerpiece or serving piece.

Not a great picture, I know, but what a great little crate!  It reads, "Blue Anchor, Inc, United States of America."  

These two little architectural pieces will be put to use as bookends.

I love the look of this old painters step ladder.  It's a great display piece inside or out!

Stop by Mill City Antiques and do some digging of your own!

Have a great week!

Michelle

Works in Progress

The week started off slow...more snow, really???  But I'm sooooo ready for spring and have been working hard at projects the past couple of days.  It's time to brighten up, add a splash of color, and, well, be happy!!!  And as you can see from the photo above, white paint was not spared.  I can't wait to get to the studio in the morning and distress and wax these pieces, along with a bookcase/console that also got the white treatment.

These glove drawers got a facelift too...

...and this workbench.  I reeeeaaaalllyyy wish I had a before picture of this one.  Wow, it was ugly!  One more coat of poly on the top and it will be ready to be a focal point of someone's kitchen, office, potting shed....

I recently picked up a huge lot of antique shoe lasts...110 to be exact!  I just love the patina of these!  They are mostly high-heel shoe lasts...and a few are even pointy-toed!  What to do with them?  My head is spinning!

And now for a little Spring color...These drawers were rescued from an old greenhouse.  I added the tags featuring images from vintage French seed packets.

...a few more tags, a fantastic galvanized tray, tulips...happy!

 Last, but not least, I found this HUGE antique paper cutter at one of my regular haunts.  I thought it would make a fantastic shelf.  Here it is on a repurposed bar, but I can see it holding herb plants over a kitchen sink, corralling supplies over a desk, or serving its intended purpose holding a 40" roll of kraft paper for wrapping or kids' projects!

Tomorrow will be a packing day!  Can't wait to show you my new space at the Manchester Mills!

Have a happy day,

Michelle

Spring at Mill City Antiques

It may be snowing outside, but my space at Mill City Antiques definitely feels like Spring!  I brought in some new pieces this week and gave the space a fresh new look!  Lots of other dealers were in doing the same thing, so if you're getting the winter blues, Mill City is the place to go!

I just added this sideboard to my space and it won't last long!  It's painted with cream chalk paint and has all the original hardware and tons of storage space!

I love to use natural elements in decorating.  This little boxwood placecard holder carries a vintage french vocabulary card that reads, "bois" (wood).  It's perfect alongside the piece of sculptural driftwood!

This little wire egg carrier is perfect with Easter right around the corner.

More eggs...this time in apothecary jars.  I made the tags using 19th century hand-colored illustrations of nests and eggs.

Another love...shoe lasts!  I just picked up a large lot of them and am looking forward to getting creative!  I see bookends, shelf brackets...

Hope to see you at Mill City!  Stay tuned for news of my new studio opening at the Manchester Mills in April...a business venture in Kennebunkport, ME...and other exciting changes to come!

Have a happy day!

Michelle