Vintage/Repurposed Bar Carts

We love, love, love finding unique ways to display/store liquor, beer, & wine. Even if you abstain from drinking, I am not sure you can deny the beauty in the colors, shape, and label design of liquor bottles. The design of these bottles can almost speak for themselves; however, you can't store them on the floor, right? Storage for your bar items can be fun, unique, and inexpensive. Vintage dressers, carts, and trunks can be used to display/store your bar items. So can industrial workbenches, metal carts, etc. All you really need is a furniture piece with a flat surface. With your options being so open, it may be hard to narrow down exactly what you want to do. Check out some of the ideas we have gathered below for inspiration. Also, stop in to one of our stores this weekend- we have carts, work benches, tables, and dressers to help your idea come to life! 

1.     http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dantes-charming-spanish-flatho-143763

2.     http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/apartment-therapy/

3.     http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=92106&currentPage=0&index=9&relatedPhotoId=

4.     http://lacycheyenne.com/blog.php?c=J%27Adore

5.     http://twomenandalittlefarm.blogspot.com/2012/03/bar-carts-and-stands.html

6.     http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/beautiful-booze-160223

7.     http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/closeup-booze-displaystorage-41429

8.     http://taylormadeinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/11/ever-elegant-bar-cart.html

One of those days...

Do you ever have one of those days when your computer keeps freezing up when you are in the middle of doing something important? Ugh. Today is that day for me. I was compiling some pictures/inspiration for decorating your vintage home on a budget (or your tax return), but something is up with our internet. Through my research, though, I came across this Lolalina post on Vintage Chic & Budget Decorating. Instead of reinventing the wheel or breaking my computer, I thought I'd bring your attention to this fabulous post instead. Enjoy! 

Inspired by GREEN :)

Obviously, this post needs no introduction... Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you are inspired by all the green you see around you (and in this post!) Depending on the shade, decorating with green can be a challenge. Luckily, there are so many shades to choose from- kelly green (a favorite of mine), lime green, olive, sage... when in doubt, choose some greens from nature and bring them inside! Check out some of the cool decorating ideas we found below (and some inspiration from our store):

1.     http://www.marthastewart.com/275353/green-rooms/@center/276997/decorating-color#/225149

2.     http://www.marthastewart.com/275353/green-rooms/@center/276997/decorating-color#/233057

3.     http://www.marthastewart.com/275353/green-rooms/@center/276997/decorating-color#/166177

4.     http://www.marthastewart.com/275353/green-rooms/@center/276997/decorating-color#/220206

5.     http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating-style-defined-00000000030293/page19.html

6.     http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/2012/03/design-decorating-with-green.html

accessories time

who doesn't love accessories? i just restocked :) enjoy

audrey esk straw hat $19

leopard print umbrella with ruffle fringe $19

vintage inspired sunglasses $12

straw fedoras $12

all scarves $12

whew. that was fun. 

Inspired by Afghans...

Decorating with vintage afghans can be a little bit tricky. There is no easy way to say it- sometimes vintage afghans are just, well... ugly. Other times, however, vintage afghans can be incredibly charming. When styled correctly, they can add just the right amount of color and texture to a room. 

At FOUND, we carry a handful of vintage afghans. Each one was purchased with careful consideration, and we wouldn't have put it on the floor if we didn't find something uniquely special about it.  It is easy to find racks full of afghans at local thrift or junk stores; however, finding just the right one can be tough. Why don't you come on by and check out our selection this weekend? 

Take a look at some inspiring photography of homes decorated with vintage afghans below:

1.     Flea Market Style, Emily Chalmers

2.     No site could be attributed… from Tumblr.

3.     http://www.designsponge.com/2010/12/before-after-percys-home-transformation-part-ii.html

4.     http://rachelkrutsch.blogspot.com/

5.     http://casabonita.tumblr.com/

6.     http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/adding-handmade-to-the-home-cr-137528

7.     http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/leifs-modern-victorian-bedroom-159955

shop gal

Yea!
 I have an opportunity to write a guest post for EffortlessAnthropologie. I thought I'd share it with you first :)

We all have dreams  that we hope will come true.

My dream was always to own my own clothing store.

I had no idea that dream would come true so fast.

Two years ago I started making jewelry from vintage junk I found at antique stores, started collecting vintage clothing and now I am one-third owner of the vintage clothing and home store FOUND.

My friends Susan, Kelley and I each play a different role in the store (Now stores! We just opened our second location)

Susan – refinishing guru she handles all of our upholstery pieces, painted furniture and smalls.

Kelley – anything and everything industrial and smalls for the home.

Me (Abby) – All vintage clothing shoes and accessories.

I scour high and low for the cream of the crop vintage.  I go to estate sales, flea markets, barns and garages to find the unique one of a kind item that inspire a lot of Anthropologies looks.

We’ve been told many times that we are like Anthropologie but real J

We get asked quite a bit how to wear vintage. It’s a lot easier than you think!

The key is to mix in one statement vintage piece with your current modern piece.

Pick a vintage party dress and mix it with some funky tights and modern shoes.

I love the SterlingKitten Heels with the shimmer and petite bow would be icing on the cake.

I also love to grab a cotton house dress and pair it with a unique cardigan, like the RibbonedRocket Cardigan 

I think my closet is about 50% Anthro, 25% Jcrew and 25% Vintage.

There are two major similarities I see between vintage and Anthropologie. Details and Patterns.

Details. I love how Anthropologie and Vintage have girly unique details. Ruffles, sequins bows…okay Abby slow down. Check out the details on a few party dresses I have in store right now.

Colors. I love the bright and bold prints and colors that both vintage and Anthropologie incoroporate into their clothing.

I had to grab every piece of the Charlotte Taylor line for Anthropologe. Got it all on sale, except that darn Ants dress! I’ve been watching Ebay for my size!

One of my favorite pieces I have in store right now is this amazing knit tulip shift dress.

I don’t know what I love most about it; the color, the pattern or the fact the tag says “made in Rome”.

Do you have a favorite piece of vintage? How do you like to mix in vintage into your everyday wardrobe?

Where Do You Find This Stuff?

Many times, people ask us "Where do you find this stuff"? This is tricky, because, a lot of it is about making connections/networking with people we buy from (you know, you meet somebody who introduces you to somebody who introduces you to somebody else who also might have vintage clothing/furniture)... so it's hard to say "this is how we get it". It is also tricky, because, part of it is our business secret, you know? We find it for you so you don't have to think about it. Either way, it is definitely no secret to say that we search high and low to find great pieces to clean/fix up and sell to you in our store.

Treasure hunting is a lot of fun, but it is definitely a lot of work. Sometimes you go "hunting" for an entire day and come back with nothing, and other times you go hunting for an hour and come back with a truck-full. You just never know. Either way, we do this to make it easy on you, our dear customers. We do this to find special pieces you will love- without going through the hard work of finding it.

This weekend, I went hunting all the way south of Chicago, Illinois. I drove 8.5 hours (there and back), spent what felt like a million dollars in gas (over $4 a gallon now!? Ahh!), and got stuck in a snowstorm at midnight. The market I went to was predominantly outdoors, and I froze my fingers, feet, and nose off... on the bright side, I scored some really great finds that we will be able to put on the floor this week! 

Check them out below: 

These are too perfect... want to keep...

AWESOME jars for storage. LOVE the details on the lids.

I paid too much for this guy, but couldn't resist...

Don't you just love the legs on this table? It folds up, as well!

These will be "framed" with vintage clipboards.

-Kelley