Spring Has Sprung in the Bold Sparrow Home…

So while I was out yesterday, Mr. Bold Sparrow took it upon himself to go Target-crazy and spruce up the place.  Needless to say, I was delighted with the end result!

New slate blue curtains replaced our formerly aged burgundy curtains and a coordinating rug replaced a boring beige one (let it be known that this all started after the family Boxer ate the plastic Easter grass out of the girls’ Easter baskets and went on a puke fest around the house…don’t worry, he’s fine now).  He also replaced the lighting over the dining room table with a simple inverted lamp shade (who IS this guy?).

But my favorite design element here?  He incorporated some of my favorite vintage finds, a 1960’s lamp and my gym locker tower!

 

He topped the locker tower with my vintage seltzer bottles, and gave a new home to my apron collection and some cookbooks!

I love the combination of new and old here so much more than I even thought I would.  And I am LOVING the punch of blue.  Best.surprise.ever!

Antique Fair Shopping List

Okie doke, folks.  This weekend, it’s on like Donkey Kong.  It’s the TVUSD Antique Fair on Sunday.  And I’m putting out there into the universe what I would like to find.

1.  Vintage Wire Laundry Baskets.  You know the one.  The one on wheels.  The AWESOME one.

ethanollie on Etsy

2.  Vintage Loving Cups.  I have NEVER seen these at a sale in person, but I love them.  Especially if they are trophies for 3rd place in a beauty contest or for catching the biggest trout.

MaisonFrenchKissed on Etsy

3.  Mixed Vintage China.  I’m a sucker for it.  Always.

BoldSparrowVintage on Etsy

4.  Mexican Enamelware.  Being close to the border always makes it a possibility to find in Tucson.

BoldSparrowVintage on Etsy

5.  Pie Tins and Tin Cake Pans.  I like them well-worn and purty.

SweetGeorgiaVine on Etsy

6.  Big Old Marquee Letters.  Nothing says “cool” like spelling “cool” out on your wall in old marquee letters.  And if you can get them to light up, even better…

VintageEmbellishment on Etsy

7.  Wooden Crates.  Soda, beer, water…there’s a MILLION things you can do with those things.

MDQualityGoods on Etsy

8.  Globes.  If they’re priced right and spin smoothly, I’ll never pass them up.

BankandPearl on Etsy

9.  Vintage Grain Sacks and Feed Sacks.  I love the rustic stripes of the grain sacks and the whimsical or floral patterns of the feed or flour sacks.  Popular for reupholstery and crafting projects.  These can be pricey, though.

Antiquelinenfashion on Etsy
anne8865 on Etsy

10.  Old Ladders.  Depending on the condition, they can be used indoors to display blankets in a bedroom or blankets in a bathroom.  They make a gorgeous focal piece.

ARusticGarden on Etsy
David Prince for This Old House Magazine

What are your favorite things to hunt for?

Free Retro Fonts! Free Font Friday

Submitted for your perusal…some more free old school, antique, and retro-y fonts for your typographic needs.  I am making this a new series and hope to provide a warm, new batch of wonderful lettery lovelies every first Friday of the month – yea!!!

  

Oh, and thanks to the suggestion of Lobster by Aminah over at The Thrifty Gypsies!! 😉  Keep the suggestions coming…

Mailart Rubberstamp {} Lobster {} Cardinal-Alternate {} Dymaxion Script {} Riesling {} Airstream {} Forelle {} Mayflower Antique {} Legal Tender via Urban Fonts (link disabled by request)

Monday Vintspiration: Snowed In

It’s Tuesday.  Here’s (was) your Monday inspiration.  It’s me, go figure…

It’s sleeting out.  On the verge of snow.  And since I’m in Tucson, and this happens about once a year, it makes me all daydreamy.  So before I grab a blanket and get in the chair next to the window to watch it until I drift off, here’s some decor we can all daydream about.  Old metals, old woods.  Exposed brick or chipping plaster.  Industrial.  Old.  A little cozy, a little dreary.  Go back to bed and take a nap.

For even more inspiration, see my Pinterest Board, Vintspiration: Grey and White.