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[Oznell]

This is another of those threads that's not for minimalists!  It's about two quite different people who like collecting old things.

Ashley Childers Youtube is a designer who works in a modern vein, but says she must mix in vintage and antique touches to her rooms.  She has certain things she's always attracted to in vintage stores, and videoed a trip to one.

I'm impressed with the items she culled, after leading viewers all through the store.  Still with tags on, she shows her loot right there before check-out.  She clearly likes neutrals, combined with green and blue shades, raku pottery, drippy, hand-applied glazes, and marble and stone objects.  That checkerboard marble vase is a standout.

I can see why she's excited about her finds.  Wow, I could never buy that much at once.   That's why I like thrifting and antique-ing videos.  I may not be able to amass collections myself--  I'm a regular de-clutterer.  My collecting days were fun, but mostly in the past.  But it's fun to see other people go on the hunt.

OK, back at the house, to show us what she has to work with, she takes her new things, and adds them to what she already has.  ( Mmm, look at the scalloped edge marble compote, how pretty)  Her entire stash fills the dining room table, so here's one side of it--  

And here's the other end.  Seeing it all together, you can see what she gravitates to.   Love her taste in handmade pottery, and even that kooky metal-trimmed basket thing!

She took some of them, and spruced up some kitchen shelves.   Note the rhythmic way the heights of the different items vary from shelf to shelf--  the eye is kept moving, but it's not too much, in my opinion.  Nice the way the color blue appears, in different ways, on each shelf.

By contrast with her vintage bric a brac, it's a modern house, and first she shows the contemporary elements forming the 'backbone' of this hall table.  A huge "bangle" vase, (that I think she said she designed), filled with maple branches from the yard.  Some white coffee table books,  and a chunky little marble piece she's going to use as a lift.

And here's the vintage, in unifying shades of yummy green.  On the white books, an old vase, a tiny ceramic box, and a green marble paper weight.  I like the way she raised the dark sculptural vintage bowl on the white marble, so it's not swallowed up by the ebony stained table.   It's weird-- the whole composition looked different in the video--  here in the still, it looks a little busy.   

Here's how she used some other vintage things in the house.  She designed the modern, curving, elliptical console here --  but accessorized with a vintage marble lamp, a plant in a patina'd brass bowl, and vintage candlesticks.  Vintage candlesticks!   Maybe if you consider sort of post-Modern 1980s wavy lines to be vintage!   Which technically, I guess they are...

And finally, here's how she integrated some of her vintage finds on a modern coffee table.  I believe they definitely bring warmth--

Edited to add:   A better close-up below, of the coffee table. I like how the warm browns of ceramics and marble tie in the near by club chairs too--

Another interesting blogger, with a quite different style is Scott at Old Curiosity Shop.  But he shares her love of old things, so he professionally thrifts, and then holds auctions of his finds.  Unlike Ashley, he has a total throwback house-- a 1925 bungalow in suburban New Jersey.  He's keen for Thirties' glass, midcentury and retro generally.

He was almost beside himself about this piece of English Beswick pottery,  ha.

I've only seen one of his auctions, but he's super entertaining-- knowledgeable and can be a little sarcastic.  Not to customers, just about the whole thrifting adventure he's involved in.  

The renos and decorating of his Twenties' bungalow, seen below, seems to be ongoing, and it's interesting to see how his antiques and vintage furniture and accessories will eventually fit in...  Look at that vintage phonograph.  My husband inherited one very like it from his aunt--

Anyway, two good bloggers for anyone who like to shop "vicariously" and whose design interests might align with theirs.

[spiderw]

I spent many years of fun and enjoyment going to thrift stores, antique stores, barns , flea markets, garage sales and gift stores , I relate to this post as you probably know Oznell.  The pottery is beautiful, I don't think I ever bought that much at one stop but why not!!!!  I  found the fun to be finding places to display the items.  I always used books of course and enjoyed putting everything in a place whether on their own or in groups. My book shelves always had some decor on them also.

I love that beautiful Beswick pottery, scenery on potter always desirable for me.  I could go on and on but suffice it to say I really enjoyed this post, Oznell,  everything so interesting and your descriptions a lesson in decor.  I too am finished with collecting and have been for awhile now.  I love what I have though and am happy for the experiences of shopping for it all!!!!

[PickyPicky3]

Yes, my eye went right to that checkerboard vase and wouldn't leave.

[DREAMON]

The chosen items look interesting and attractive when grouped together.

[stevieb]

My choices would probably be more in keeping with him than her. I don't care for her aesthetic, the checkerboard vase being the lone excpetion. On the other hand, I can see him being exicted about the pretty green and white piece he'd holding. I'll also take his 'haul' over hers.

[ECBG]

What an interesting thread, many thanks! 

Both collectors have a wonderful eye and pick up amazing items!  I especially like Ashley's blue.  She bought so much, I wonder if she changes out her accessories seasonally!

Scott seems to have some pretty depression ware among his display.  I love that hand painted vase he's holding!

Thank you for your posting.

I just watched Ashley's shopping video.  Her instruction and the way I taught were very similar; I really miss it.

I also looked up "white books" for design.  Interesting.

[Oznell]

Thanks, @spiderw --  I almost didn't post this, since I do realize this topic may not be of general interest.  But to me, a lot of this stuff, and resulting discussions, is so exciting I sometimes can't resist!  But so glad for the instinctive "hunter-gatherers" at heart out there, like you.

@ECBG ,  her style of teaching struck me too.  She doesn't assume vast knowledge on the part of her listeners-- she explains things from the ground up, in such a clear, easy-to-absorb-way.   I can only imagine what a fun teacher you must have been, with your deep enthusiasm and savvy!        

[ECBG]

@Oznell 

Many thanks, you are very kind.

I still use all of the principles and elements of design at work.

[AuntG]

My first thought was "oh, yuk" and my second thought was "it works"! Amazing how people with a talent for decorating can take a collection and display it in an eye pleasing way.