Thoughts from Alice W.

Red Cottage Wares Antique Shop

At the end of our street there is a charming antique shop called "Red Cottage Wares" that Josh and I frequent often. It is one of my favorite things about living on this road.

It looks small from the outside but holds tons of lovely treasures inside.

On Saturday our town of Mumford had a huge 125th anniversary parade for the Mumford Fire Department. We took Hazel down to see it, but because it was so hot and because she didn't seem too interested, we walked across the road to check out the lawn sale the shop was having.

I love so many pieces they have. We purchased the dresser in this post awhile back from there along with a few other items since we have lived here.

These chippy green chairs and old cupboard caught my attention immediately...

as did this bird cage...

The best thing I saw that day was an antique iron crib in a perfect shade of mustard yellow. Wish I had somewhere to put it!

But...alas...our house is too small.

They have lots of antique baby items and toys that always seem to catch my eye...

They have lots of chippy and rustic pieces as well. Along with many items perfect for farmhouse decorating...

Lots of lovely finds for the porch or garden too...

So, if you happen to find yourself in the Mumford/Caledonia area, be sure to stop into Red Cottage Wares. You won't be disappointed!

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I also wanted to mention that I am now offering advertising on my blog! After many requests per email about it, I decided to give it a go. So, if you are interested in sponsoring my blog and getting a little more traffic to your own blog, website or Etsy shop, just send me an email at alicewingerden@gmail.com.

You can read all the details here:

Advertise with Alice W.

Till next time...

ReHouse

Last weekend, Joshua wanted to visit an architectural and salvage shop in the city to see if we could find some specific pieces for our new home.

I was of course thrilled!

Neither of us had ever been there...but after seeing all that they have to offer, I can guarantee it will be one of our first stops when we are in need of something special for the house...

They were very gracious to allow me to photograph to my hearts content, so I hope you will enjoy a little tour of ReHouse Architectural Salvage...

When we entered, I was overwhelmed...and didn't know where to go first.

I was falling in love with everything...

 

I was instantly smitten with this large architectural piece...now if only I could find a spot for it in our home?

I also thought the 'confession' sign was pretty cute...

There were many chandeliers, light fixtures and windows adorning the ceiling...

I love this arched window...

 

There were rows and rows of old hardware. I could have spent hours looking through them all.

So many beautiful details...

And I loved these old drawers that held doorknobs, hinges, and the like...

Wouldn't they be great storage in an art studio?

These glass knobs with "issues", as they were described, were only $2 each...

There were lots and lots of light fixtures...

This pink stove was one of the first things I saw when I came in...adorable...

There were many other vintage stoves and appliances as well...

As well as old cabinets and cupboards pulled from kitchens...loved them...

and lots of glass door cupboards and medicine cabinets too...

There was an entire room of salvaged bathroom supplies {hopefully we will find a sink there for the upstairs bath}...and of course lots of claw foot tubs...

But, I don't need one of those...since I already have one...

Or perhaps just some claw feet?

They would make great conversation pieces...

And how about this adorable antique sitz bath?

If we were rich, Renoir could have his own personal bathtub...

(I have been contacted several times regarding the above sitz bath. It does not belong to me and I cannot provide any information about it other than it was once for sale at ReHouse in Rochester, NY)

 

Something I do plan on going back for when the time is right...is a vintage mantel {or two? or three?}.

I fell in love with this white one...it would be perfect in the living room...

And this yellow one struck my fancy as well {minus the black marble part}. I think it would be adorable in a baby's room {maybe one day}...

Perhaps, paired with these wall sconces. They just need some crystals and new bulbs...

This one was absolutely beautiful...but sadly, marked as sold.

I'd also like to get some old columns/porch posts and corbels in the future too...

There was a room filled with old moldings and several rows of old doors...

In the back we found a row of old radiators...who wouldn't love these?

The detail that went into older homes never ceases to amaze me. Oh, how I wish people still cared about such things...

The main reason we went to this store was because Joshua wanted an old grate to use for a cold air return in our floor. The previous owners covered them up with the flooring {why? don't ask me}, and he thought I would really like something ornate. We are definitely soul mates.

Here is the one we found...

It had to be flat and just the right size...I was the one who spotted this one. It was $95 so a bit of an investment, but we will definitely be taking it with us when we move on from here.

It is already in the floor and looks amazing! Will share pics just as soon as we get a semi-sunny day out here {seems it has been raining almost non-stop}.

We have plans to go back and get more for another cold air return upstairs, as well as to replace the current heating grates, and maybe just some for decoration? Like this one that was an instant favorite...

Other beautiful finds, I wouldn't mind owning...

They have many vintage finds scattered about the store which makes it even more fun...

Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did. I already cannot wait to go back! And if you are ever in the Rochester area it is a must see.

ReHouse Architectural Salvage

1473 E Main St., Rochester, NY

http://www.rehouseny.com/

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In other news...Joshua and I celebrate our 4 year anniversary on October 1st!

Sometimes I can hardly believe that it has already been that long, and other times, I wonder how I ever survived without him there all along. To comfort me, hold me, love me, find me important, beautiful and special...things I yearned for before I knew him. Even though I know it seems cliche...I know that our souls are connected in a way that words could never describe. He literally is the other half of me...and without him...I would be lost.

So we will be celebrating our fours years together enjoying our cozy new home and remembering the vows that we promised on that day in 2006.

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Also, I have updated the look of my blog and changed the layout to show off my photographs better. This is something I have had in  mind to do for a long time but didn't think was possible with Typepad.

Once I figured it out I was thrilled! Photos to me are like the main course {my words , I suppose ,are just the drink that goes along with the meal}. I still think that I may switch to a new blog host at some point that is even more photography friendly, but I will of course update you all when/if I make the switch.

For now, I hope you enjoy the new look and larger photos...

Till next time...{will be celebrating four years with my guy!}...

 

a little more press and a show...

I hope you will forgive me if I indulge in a little more bragging...

If you are an avid reader of Romantic Homes, you may have already seen it, but if not...

I am so excited to share that my blog has been featured in the September issue!

This is such an honor for me {and thank you Allison for alerting me that the issue was out. Lately, I seem to be the last one to find out about my features!}.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been preparing for a local show that I was invited to participate in.

Joshua and my mother decided to join in with me to combine our efforts, creations and offerings...

If you recall my last experience with a show, I typically have not had great success with these ventures, and unfortunately, this one was no different. All three of us barely broke even with what we had invested, but we did enjoy spending the day together, meeting some nice people, and getting lots of compliments on our 'vintage inspired' booth.

I took several photos and thought you might enjoy seeing them even though the show was less than a success for us...{makes me all the more appreciate the great online market!}

My mother and I combined our items in the majority of the booth...

We had lots of vintage items, antiques, and vintage inspired home decor...

{I have started receiving requests for the Toy Land Nesting Canisters featured above. I still have about 4-5 sets left, so for those interested, they are $12 for the set of 3. Just send me an email with your location and I can give you a quote on shipping and send you the link where you can pay through Paypal. And if you see anything else in this post that you are interested in just let me know. Thank you!}

I also included my photography and some handmade pieces...

as well as Halloween creations...

 

My mother also had her charming handmade wreaths...

This adorable retro Christmas wreath was my favorite...

We had a vast selection of jewelry {which is where the sales eventually came for Joshua and me}...

Joshua's jewelry received so many compliments and the most interest.

Most of the visitors had never seen anything like it....

I think from now on I will think a bit longer and harder before committing to do a show - they are exhausting! I am sure they can be worth it, if you make a good profit, but I just haven't yet had very good luck with that. Perhaps it was the location, the economy or any number of factors, but I think I will stick with what I know and appreciate that all the more ;)

Till next time...

Aged in the Hills

Like many of you, I love to spend the warmer seasons out and about at flea markets, antique stores, garage sales and the like.

For some time now my mom and I have talked about visiting her friend Cheryl Squirrell's antique shop in Bristol, NY. Last weekend we finally decided to head down for a visit and had such a lovely time.

Since Cheryl is such a sweetheart, I didn't have any qualms about bringing my camera and taking lots of photographs to share with you of her beautiful store...

Her shop is in a very old cobblestone house and both the front and back doors are painted in a bright and cheery aqua...

"The best Antiques are old friends"...

Upon entering, I was instantly in heaven, surrounded by all the lovely antique and vintage treasures...and then she offered us coffee and carmel brownies...real heaven!

How cute is this old green table?

Lots of farmhouse style items can be found in the back room...

as well as a treasure trove of jewelry...I was enamored with this gray desk...

Cheryl has a real knack for arranging and creating themes in each area of the house...like the 'nautical' hallway...

She also has great eye for finding exquisite antiques and collectibles...

 

I swooned over these gold frames...

Upstairs we found lots more treasures...and my favorite themed room...the baby room...{I am starting to get the itch I think...}

Such a sweet crib...and I love the giant gray plank floors...

 

If I knew I was going to have a daughter one day, I would love to have this sweet gray stroller for her...

as well as this adorable old doll to display in her nursery.

Sigh...maybe I should go back and get them...just in case?

she has a beautiful little dress, doesn't she...

and how cute is this little piano?

Upstairs we also found the vintage vanity/clothing room...

I fell hard for this yellow chair and almost brought it home with me. If it's still there next time I go by I am definitely going to snatch it up...

I love it! Definitely regretting not taking it now...

And my mom loved this unique find...dog dishes in an old suitcase! She thought Renoir should have something like this...

Well, I hope you enjoyed the little 'tour' of Aged in the Hills, and if you are ever out in Bristol, I highly recommend stopping by. Or if you can't make it out this way, but saw something you liked in these photos, you can contact Cheryl at aith@rochester.rr.com for more information. 

Till next time...