This post is chock-full of vintage antique rustic chic goodness!
As I prepare for my upcoming wedding, I've been fortunate enough to come across some truly amazing pieces that I wanted to share with you all! Even more importantly, I want to give credit where it's due; many of my finds were from my fellow Etsy friends! What better way to pay homage to their talents than via a blog post dedicated to them?!
Let the sharing commence!
I picked up this farmer's sifter from Somerville Antiques Market in Somerville, NJ. When I brought it to the counter, the man at the register asked me "WHAT in the WORLD is that?!" I found it to be somewhat of an odd question considering he is one of the employees at the store, but I didn't expect him to know everything that was in inventory (this place is HUGE with HUNDREDS of sellers -- I could spend the rest of my days searching that place high and low for amazing pieces!)
I found this lovely drink dispenser at an estate sale in Colonia, NJ a few weeks ago. It was my FIRST time at an estate sale -- they are addictive -- I anticipate going to more, often :)
I found this gorgeous antique mirror at the Somerville Antiques Market as well. It was hiding but I managed to find it. Pardon the strange angle -- another piece I picked up at the estate sale is being reflected in the image which makes it look a bit strange.
This unique vintage vase was a purchase from Etsy seller The Gingham Owl. I love how it glistens in the light. It's hard to capture with the camera (I'm by no means a photographer) but I know it will look spectacular with the rest of my decor at the wedding!
This is an ORIGINAL Fischer Price Wooden Horse child's toy. The second I saw it at Granny's Attic Antiques in Ho-ho-kus, NJ, I knew I had to have it! In an attempt to weave multiple themes throughout the metaphorical fabric of my nuptual preparation, the old addage "First comes love, then comes marriage..." comes to mind. Though it isn't a carriage, it certainly is a very realistic representation of what I look forward to in the (near) future of my and Jay's relationship (post-ceremony, of course)!
Another piece of lovely from Granny's Attic. This piece is over a century old. Proprietor Maury Lubman, N.A.A., informed us that this piece is from around the 1870's, which explains the less than perfect shape of the mirror. I love all of its inperfections -- much like love and marriage, it's been through a lot -- they are what gives this piece so much character and heart.
I purchased the old-school typewriter at Somerville Antiques and the icing vat container at Elysium Antiques just across the street!
This scrapbook was also purchased at Somerville Antiques. The number of sellers there is INCREDIBLE!
These pillows are a combination purchase. The white set of pillows were purchased on a site specifically for women who are selling items they'd previously used to decorate their own weddings; check the site out here at Recycle Your Wedding (part of the Ruffled Blog). The floral pillows were purchased from Ebay seller judy-5115.
The picture does not do this set justice. I was messing around with different filters and decided to go with this one to bring out the brilliant shine of these pieces. I love this set. The same gentleman at Somerville Antiques said to me "WOW! Those are BEAUTIFUL!" when I put them on the counter for purchase. They really are gorgeous. Lucky find!
I purchased this book from a shop named To Be Continued... located in Metuchen, NJ, that recently went out of business. It was SUCH a cute store! I'm glad I found this wonderful picture book that changes the story line depending on how you set it up - simply gorgeous!
Planning to hang these lovely handkerchiefs (purchased from Ebay seller 2011toplexus) on a jute rope between two distressed ivory colored shutters (purchased from Etsy seller Vera Janes Gifts). They haven't yet arrived otherwise I would have posted the picture with the official look :) The tray they are placed on also came from the estate sale we attended in January 2014.
This was another amazing find in Granny's Attic! Believe it or not, these spices are from 1874! They STILL smell like cinnamon! There are actual spices IN the containers! I didn't handle them too much, but Maury gave us the details and chose to open each tin in front of us. So so so cool. No, I don't know what mace looks like inside a tin -- it was empty :)
This lovely sign (a hefty 5 lbs.) created on a piece of reclaimed barn wood (my favorite!) was purchased from the wonderful Etsy seller OYKNOT a.k.a. Greg.
This wonderful mason jar collection and holder were purchased at Somerville Antiques!
One of the sweetest, most romantic collections I've come across on Etsy... I purchased a few sets of love letters from seller reginasstudio, one of which dates all the way back to 1909 -- check out the postmark!
I arranged all of the love letters in this gorgeous French vintage antique letter holder from Etsy seller GardenofChic!
Another vintage find from Somerville Antiques!
These documents are from Granny's Attic. Maury told us that they document the story of a woman named Elizabeth Brown who was known as "The Monkey Lady." Apparently somewhere else in their HUGE antiques store, there were pictures of this woman with her pet monkey, but Maury and his colleagues didn't know where they were when we were there. I love ephemera like this, so the second I saw an old envelope with onion papers and typewritten font, I had to have the documents (regardless of what was on them). The story made me love them that much more, strange as it was, and as a "wedding present" Maury gave them to us for free!
This gorgeous clover table (it extends on both sides though only one is pictured open here) was another purchase from the estate sale we attended in Colonia.
My fiance Jay is studying for his PhD in Classics, so when I see old relic-looking decanters, vases, jars, etc. I immediately think of him (thus the caption :).
These milk vases were purchased via the Recycle Your Wedding blog. I purchased the flowers from Save on Crafts -- I love that site for majorly discounted supplies!
That's all for now, but I can assure you, I am in the process of creating my OWN items to display, and have ordered a whole host of items that have not yet arrived to share with you all. I'm (almost) looking more forward to creating this display at the reception than the wedding itself!
Hi Erica,
Such beautiful items! I love so many of your ideas. Everything here is so interesting and give so many creative ideas for decorating. I love the idea of holding the antique letters in the letter holder. I can't wait to see what you post later.
I wish you a beautiful wedding :)
Anne Marie
Posted by: Anne Marie | 02/14/2014 at 06:53 PM
So, uh, what in the world IS the farmer's sifter for and what are you going to do with it??
I love all your finds! I had no idea so many antique places existed around here.
Posted by: Erin | 02/15/2014 at 09:33 AM
Thanks so much, Anne Marie! :)
Erin - LOL! I love random stuff and the farmer's sifter is what I decided to call it. It LOOKS like one of those farm tools that they use to sift rocks from the dirt when they're planting crops, you know what I mean? I plan to put it next to everything else as part of the decor - no particular "use" :)
And, thanks!!! Jay had a WONDERFUL time carrying all of my things to the car ;) He's such an awesome fiance - I'm a lucky girl!
erica :)
Posted by: Erica | 02/22/2014 at 08:54 PM