Premiere Issue
VintageKC
Summer 2012
vintagekcmag.com
Home. Fashion. DIY.
11
DIY Projects
Western Chic Living in the ‘Burbs
8
Things to do with Clip-on Earrings
Mid-Century Furniture Hunting Tips
1980s
Totally Rad Summer Fashion
A Vintage Country Wedding
VintageKC / Summer 2012 1
Contents Summer 2012 • Volume 1 Issue 1
Features 12 20 28
Vintage Spaces A realtor makes a typical Olathe home her own Vintage Events Vintage-country inspired wedding bliss in a backyard Vintage Fashion Flash back to the totally rad, awesome 1980s, made modern
Columns 03 06 46
From the Editor It’s time KC! Buy & Sell The ever-collectible, Mid-Century modern furniture Vintage Memories Recollecting lovely summer days
DIY 08 10 38 40
DIY Decor Art from barnwood scraps DIY Furniture A dated standard gets chalked DIY Fashion 8 things to do with clip-on earrings DIY Copycat Light up your life with this DIY owl lamp
Departments 04 42 44
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Our Favorite Finds Things we currently adore on Etsy Where We’ve Been Photos from events around the city Stores We Love Peek inside local retail shops
from the editor
Staff Editor Erin Shipps
Fashion Director Mandy Miller Web Editor Jessaca Gutierrez Copy Editor Angela Snell Web Design Consultant Ross Brown, Relatively Early Development
Contributors Johanna Brinkman James Fry Michael Fry Robin Hammond Megan Kapple Deborah Vogler Rachel Wathen Quinn White
P hotography DiMartino Photography Layne Haley Photography The Smiley Face Collective
VintageKC volume 1, issue 1 is published quarterly by Erin Shipps, 7730 Floyd St., Overland Park, KS 66204. Copyright 2012, Erin Shipps. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A.
Premiere Issue
VintageKC
Summer 2012
elcome to a dream I once had. OK, let’s be fair, it’s been more of a relentless nagging that haunted my dreams and refused to let me sleep—a lot. But I suppose that’s what happens when something inspires you. Kansas City’s vintage scene inspires me. When I discovered estate sales I started to see just how vast and enthusiastic Kansas City’s vintage world really is: The explosion in the West Bottoms, the success of big antique malls, the vintage love in Westport, it all points to one thing— Kansas City knows vintage, and it’s time to bring this market together. I’ve never seen an industry where so many people can compete for the same market and yet still remain friends, and inspire one another. The wonderful nature of vintage is that each piece is unique, carries its own story and speaks to people in different ways. No refinished mid-century buffet is exactly the same as any other. No ceramic McCoy planter holds the same plant. No chandelier lights the same room. Every piece is affordable, special and most importantly, ours. Since moving here from Topeka in 2007 I found myself a little lost, especially in the vintage market where some stores are definitely hidden gems. I wanted a way to bring vintage lovers together. I wanted to inspire you with DIY ideas so you can tackle small (or big) things on your own with local resources. In this, the premiere issue of VintageKC, you’ll find a home tour designed by the inspired Deb Vogler, a homemade vintage wedding, and a flashback to the 1980s with a totally rad day and night fashion photo shoot. We’ve selected our favorite finds for sale on Etsy by local vendors, we’re giving you advice on pricing in Buy & Sell and recollecting times past with Vintage Memories. Finally, like I said, we want you to take inspiration to the next level, so we’ve included articles on refinishing furniture, creating decor, new uses for old fashion and recreating those expensive items you see in stores on a budget. I hope you enjoy this dream of mine because it was inspired by you. And I can’t thank enough those who have supported me in this crazy adventure. My unbelievably amazing, sacrificial, understanding (did I say awesome?) husband; supportive and encouraging family and friends; my team: Mandy, Jessaca, Angela and Ross; and the people who took a chance on me: Michael, James, Robin, Rachel, Johanna, Megan, Quinn, Deb, Layne, Jillian, Lotus, Ashley, and Amber – I sincerely and gratefully could not have done this without you. And of course welcome to our first advertisers—thank you also for taking this chance sight unseen. I’ve heard from so many people that it’s about time Kansas City had a vintage magazine, and I couldn’t agree more. I hope you enjoy this piece from my heart to yours. It’s time KC. P.S. When you see me with my head in a closet at an estate sale or strolling liesurely through the vintage stores, please say hello and tell me about your latest adventures!
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vintagekcmag.co
Home. Fashion.
W
It’s Time
DIY.
12 DIY Projects age Western Chic Vint bs Living in the ‘Bur with do to Things Clip-on Earrings iture Mid-Century Furn Tips Hunting
8
1980s
Totally Rad Summer Fashion
On the Cover
A Vintage Country Wedding
VintageKC / Summer 2012
1
My son turns two this month! Here we are in the summer sun. He rocks vintage clothes and loves to treasure hunt with me.
Take a seat in this welcoming home with themes of vintage and western chic. Photography: DiMartino Photography.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 3
our favorite finds
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id you know there’s a whole wide world of local sellers on the Web? Check out our favorite finds currently for sale on Etsy. The best part is, you can shop online and pick some of the items up locally! See individual stores for more treasures.
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1. Dancing Bumblebee Cottage, Fifteen Vintage Quilt Blocks with Feedsack Fabric, $19.75, shipping $5.50. 2. Dancing Bumblebee Cottage, Patent January 1888 Corn Scoop, $69.75, shipping $17.50 or pick up locally. 3. Dancing Bumblebee Cottage,Vintage Jelly Cabinet, $95, Pick up only at Lakeview Heights (Lake of the Ozarks), MO. 4. Retro Ruby’s, Industrial Metal Lamp by Okusun, $16, shipping $8. 5. Grandma Great’s Treasures, Aunt Martha’s Antique Hot Iron Transfers, $15, local pickup. 6. Dancing Bumblebee Cottage, Vintage Two-Level Egg Shipping Crate, $65, shipping
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our favorite finds 7
8
Vintage, Antiques & Collectibles
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FIRST FridayS 8:30 am – 8:30 pm FIRST SaturdayS 9 am – 6 pm First Sundays 11 Am - 4 PM $12.50. 7. Grandma Great’s Treasures, Butterfly Pot Rest, $10, local pickup. 8. Retro Ruby’s 1980s Black Clutch with Flower designed by Valerie Barad, $12, shipping $5.25. 9. Retro Ruby’s, Pop Art Flowered Tea or Coffee Set, $40, shipping $15.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 5
buy & sell
Mid-Century Modern Furniture
What signs should you look for in uncovering furniture gems from the center of the last century? By Michael and James Fry
Eames chair on display at JCCC in the new Regnier Center/ Nerman Museum. Photo by James Fry.
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ne of the best things about being in the estate sale industry is getting to put our hands on items that hold a historical or cultural significance. We have a wish list of items to sell. Yes, sell, not own. (OK, maybe own, too.) We’d dig it out of a dark, dusty back corner of a basement, unveil it to the world and then pass it along to be used and loved by someone in our community who will appreciate its significance. From Herman Miller fiberglass chairs to Singer Featherweight machines, Toledo drafting stools to Pyrex percolators, each item that we sell ups the ante for what we want to handle next. And at the top of the list is an Eames molded plywood chair. The Eames molded plywood chair was developed by Charles & Ray Eames and is produced by Herman Miller to this day. The chair construction went against the conventional furniture designs of its time that were mostly big, heavy and upholstered. During the early 1940s Charles and Ray experimented with
plywood molding while designing sets for MGM. Learning of their work, the U.S. Navy commissioned them to make lightweight plywood splints and stretchers that were used in World War II. With their molding technique perfected, the Eames’ built their first plywood chair in 1946. This piece is now considered a work of art and an iconic example of MidCentury Modern design. TIME Magazine has recognized this chair as the “Best Design of the 20th Century.” Examples of Eames chairs are on display at Kansas City’s own NelsonAtkins Museum of Art as well as the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The Eames chair, and others like it, ushered in a new design era termed mid-century modern. Mid-century modern design sprang from the post World War II industrialization boom and continued through the mid1960s. During this time there were sweeping changes in architecture, graphic design, and industrial design most characterized by functional form and simple, clean lines.
Designers worked to be less formal, opting instead for organic, geometric designs. This modern style permeated the look of the time including residential housing, furniture and home décor. In addition to Charles and Ray Eames, other notable mid-century designers include Eero Saarinen (tulip chair, Gateway Arch in St Louis), Arne Jacobsen (egg and ant chairs) and Paul McCobb (Planner Group furniture, electronics). It has only been in the last couple of years that the mid-century aesthetic has again gained mainstream popularity and its trendiness is growing. Just this past year Better Homes and Gardens featured a mid-century fiberglass rocker on one of its covers. If a magazine with a readership of 39 million people displays 1950s style then you know the trend has moved beyond the fringes. This is both positive and negative for vintage collectors and resellers. The rise in popularity means a growing number of people will dust off their mid-century items
Don’t know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Having trouble pricing or finding a good deal on an item? Tell us about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
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buy & sell and offer them for sale, but they often have high expectations of what their “family heirlooms” should be worth. For all who are on the hunt for great midcentury finds here are a few things to look out for: Furniture should be simple with no embellishments, scroll work or carvings. Tables, dressers and hutches are often boxy and incorporate metal hairpin or tapered wooden dowel legs. Look for pieces made out of teak wood or finished with a light natural appearance. Upholstered couches and armchairs usually have straight lines, great textures, and come in organic colors such as brick red, mustard, olive green, turquoise, or burnt orange. Etsy and eBay are two of the best online resources to gain both a well-rounded eye for “mid-century” and to find those hardto-come-by gems. If you are in the market for larger items like furniture, you will likely need to stay local to avoid immense shipping fees. Estate sales can be hit and miss, but when you stumble upon a mid-century treasure, often the price is hard to beat. For a dependable outlet in the Kansas City area, The River Market Antique Store is the place to go. They have a very consistent, ever changing supply of mid-century modern furniture and décor, and their prices are generally quite good. You should also check out the stores in the West Bottoms and Westport. A great connection and inspiration point for mid-century modern lovers is kcmodern. blogspot.com. Happy mid-century hunting.
He said . . He said What items would you rather own vintage than brand new?
James Old clocks are certainly near and dear to my heart—I own several 1950s Seth Thomas flip clocks and enjoy the rhythmic sound of the numbers flipping over as opposed to the red digital glow of a newer time keeper. I’m quite fond of vintage kitchen appliances as well. My refrigerator is an old 1960s Frigidaire single door refrigerator. It works just as well as a newer version, makes the kitchen look amazing, and it only cost $50 off Craigslist. I think the most obvious answer to this question for me is probably furniture. Almost every piece in my house was made at least 30 years ago. In the living room is a 1970s Karastan 100 percent wool pile rug, upstairs is a mid-century teak coffee table, and sitting at the breakfast bar is a 1920s vintage industrial Toledo drafting stool.
Arne Jacobsen’s egg chair.
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Michael and James Fry are brothers and the owners of Brown Button Estate Sales. Find them at brownbutton.com and Facebook.com/ brownbutton.
Photo by mollybob, used under a CC license.
Photo by H is for Home, used under a CC license.
More Mid-Mod Love
Just about everything in my home comes secondhand: from Craigslist, an estate sale, a thrift store, or even the trash. I prefer a style that is unique and doesn’t look like the latest department store trend. One of my favorite used buys is a JVC L-E3 turntable and stereo system, complete with receiver and dual cassette. It is decked out in early 1980s chrome and has awesome red and blue glowing lights. I recently scored a set of late 1950s/early 1960s Fisher speakers in wood boxes with vintage rattan cloth to go with the stereo. Speakers included, I am all in for a few hundred dollars. Over the weekend I picked up a U2|War 45. Old school … yes please. I do, however, draw the line somewhere. All of my underwear and TP are purchased new.
Photo by shopnines, used under a CC license.
Michael
The Grasshopper Chair by Ero Saarinen.
Planner Group furniture by Paul McCobb.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 7
diy decor
Barnwood Scraps Making the most out of scraps of scraps
By Erin Shipps
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e hate wasting anything around here. I mean, what’s the purpose of vintage if not to reuse, recycle and repurpose? So when I had some scraps left over after making a barnwood coffee table, I decided to let the creativity flow and put them to good use. First of all, I owe credit to my father-in-law for cutting the barnwood in such a way that I had useable leftovers. If I had done it myself you can bet there would have been a million pieces and a million mistakes. (I don’t much like saws.) But he left me with four long narrow pieces and two end pieces. The end pieces were a no-brainer really. What else could they be but signs? No really, if you have any other ideas, tell me about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com and I’ll pass the word along on our website. But the real work came in deciding how to embellish them. I
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could paint letters, do a stencil, glue scrabble letters on them ... but no, this project needed to be more rustic. So I Googled how to burn letters into wood and found a great tutorial video. You can find the link on our website vintagekcmag.com. First, measure the scraps (ours were about 15” x 5”) and decide how large you want the letters to be, then find a fun font (I love dafont. com) and print it using Word or any publishing program. I liked the juxtaposition of this pretty font with the rustic wood. Next, you’ll need graphite paper. I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $3.49 (and only used onethird of it). Place the paper graphite-side-down and place your font print on top of the graphite paper. Use tape to secure the graphite paper and font paper directly to the wood. Trace over (or color in) the font with a stylus, pencil or pen, checking the transfer by rolling the paper edge.
And if you’re bad at reading labels like I am, don’t look at the graphite paper, confused as to which side is down and try to test it on a piece of paper, only to get frustrated when it doesn’t work and later find out it’s because the graphite paper transfer is white ... as you can see in the picture at right. Just avoid my embarassing moments. I only let them happen to help you out. Once you’ve transferred the font outline, grab a soldering iron with a fine tip and burn the letters in the wood following the outlines. I recommend making tiny dots around the outline and connecting them to create a strong outline. Then you can fill it in or even leave it as an outline. Oh, and wear a glove, those things get hot! Attach an inexpensive hanger to the back and you’re done! P.S. You can check out what I did with the long, narrow scraps at vintagekcmag.com.
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diy decor
Mining
urban
HOMEWarES
Kansas City’s original First Friday vintage market.
Burn, Baby, Burn 1. 2. 3.
Tape graphite paper and template on to surface.
We put the IN in vintage. Two huge floors of fabulous finds every month! 3923 Main St. Kansas City, Mo.
Trace/color in template, checking transfer as you go. Use soldering iron with fine tip to create outline and fill.
Submit your own DIY decor projects including hi-resolution photos and step-by-step instructions to erin@vintagekcmag. com. We’re always looking for inspiration and new ideas!
www.urbanmininghomewares.com VintageKC / Summer 2012 9
diy furniture
Hello, Darling
Turn an old hand-me-down into a fun accent for your home with Chalk Paint!
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By Robin Hammond
urely most of us have a piece of furniture like this: well-loved, dated, a hand-me-down from a relative or maybe a thrift store “I’ll get to that someday” project. Featuring the wildly popular, furnitureperfect Chalk Paint from Annie Sloan, this cute little tutorial will have you digging out all those “someday” pieces. And why not? Summer in Kansas City is perfect for painting. Follow these step-by-step instructions: 1. Clean any dust or grime with an allpurpose cleaner such as TSP substitute, following manufacturer’s instructions. Let dry completely. 2. Repair any scratches, dents or holes using wood filler. 3. Apply two coats of the Annie Sloan Provence with the chip brush using random brush strokes. No need to be careful, apply
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any way you want. The more random your strokes the more aged your piece will look. Dry to touch between coats. 4. Use Annie Sloan Old White to highlight the table edges and legs. 5. Place the stencil in your desired location and paint with the stencil brush using a pouncing motion to help eliminate bleed through. Lightly dip your brush into the Annie Sloan Graphite then offload on a paper towel to keep from applying too thickly. You can always add a second coat of paint if needed. Let dry. 6. Apply first coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax using a synthetic bristle brush and/or cheesecloth. Really work the wax into the paint. 7. Distress areas by sanding with a medium grit sandpaper. 8. Reapply Annie Sloan Clear Wax over the areas that have been distressed. Let dry 24 hours.
9. Apply a final coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax after the 24 hours. If using the furniture outdoors this final coat of wax should not be applied, resulting in a natural aging of the paint over time. 10. Buff to a beautiful luster after 24 hours
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Supplies Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Provence, Old White and Graphite Annie Sloan Clear Wax Stencil Stencil brush Cheesecloth Medium grit sandpaper Chip brush TSP substitute for cleaning Wood filler (if needed)
diy furniture More About Chalk Paint
Aging pretty pieces is easy with two colors of Chalk Paint, some sanding and wax.
Annie Sloan developed Chalk Paint because she needed a paint with many uses from “acting like limewash to looking like old painted furniture.” She wanted a good range of color that could also be extended by users. This paint is flexible and very easy to work with. It is awesome for furniture, needs no priming, has extremely low VOCs, can cover any surface inside or out, can be diluted to make a wash, can be adapted to any color, and can be used as an impasto. Find Chalk Paint at: Bella B Décor at Vintage Market North (Zona Rosa and Paola). We know it’s a little pricey but it’s so worth it!
Hey furniture fanatics! We’re looking for step-by-step refinishing tutorials on projects big and small for our magazine and website. We love a complicated process, a troublesome piece of furniture and a dramatic transformation. Tell us about your projects at erin@ vintagekcmag.com. And don’t forget to take high-resolution (large at 300dpi) pictures of the process, because in this case, there’s no going back!
Robin Hammond has spent all her life discovering her own natural talents and taken many workshops and classes to perfect her skills. Her love for people has led her to teaching others. She offers one-on-one classes in addition to teaching at Bella B Decor. Robin has also been trained in kitchen cabinetry and faux finishing. Find her furniture for sale at Hickory Dickory in the West Bottoms and Nico & Nellies in Shawnee. Contact her at whimsyunleashed@gmail.com or at facebook.com/ whimsyunleashed.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 11
vintage spaces
By Erin Shipps Photos by DiMartino Photography
You Can Take the Girl Out VintageKC explores an Olathe home with a vintage-western-girly-chic disposition
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alking up to Becky Budke’s typical suburban Olathe home brings to mind the phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover,”— or in this case, a home by its location. Despite the small hints outside (like a statue homage to her 81-pound golden doodle Chase) of what’s to come inside, from the front you’d never imagine the vintageinspired wonderland that waits just beyond the front door.
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vintage spaces
of the Country... Opposite: Homeowner Becky Budke and her dog Chase. Above: This spacious and inviting living room features a wall of old photos at varying depths and a side table made of stacked suitcases. Above right: Chase lounges in the transition from the living room to the kitchen. A festive table setting adorns an outdoor stone table with mismatched chairs. Right: A plethora of Fiestaware gives a homey, yet purposeful vibe to brighten up any occasion and a darling ceramic kitty holds fanciful flowers. Becky’s heirloom ceramic pieces aren’t simply for display, she uses them with care in everyday situations.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 13
vintage spaces
Far left: Curl up in this cozy guest room with its vibrant green paint. Left: A caterpillar figurine scurries past chic lamps in the guest bedroom. Below: The raised-up wood ceiling, repurposed vanity, chandelier and mirrors all give this small bathroom an open feel.
The first time I met Becky, who is a realtor by trade, she was wrangling her new dog (the aforementioned Chase), who surely outweighs her—by a lot. Her slight build is such a stark contrast to her big, vibrant personality. Becky leaves an impression on you, a deep one. She also leaves you with bread from Whole Foods as a gift. Becky first walked into interior designer Deb Vogler’s office at Comfort by Design years ago. Her daughter had recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and she was seeking solace in the form of a prayer and meditation room. That was the first room Deb and Becky tackled together. Her daughter has been cancer free for six years now and in that time the team has made over every room in Becky’s home. “The only thing we have left is the garage,” Deb jokes. The women say they’ve “Becky-ized” this home. Every room is inspired by days of old by with a western and girly flair. It is full of vintage inklings, rustic treasures and vibrant color. Becky is a farm girl who pulls inspiration from her ancestors and lives life to the very fullest. The saying “You can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of a girl” is definitely true in this case. The relationship between interior designer and homeowner is delicate, personal and requires a great deal of trust. Sometimes relationships are formed through research or word of mouth, but in Becky’s case it was purely luck of the draw. And judging by the cohesive style throughout this home as well as the friendship that has formed between Becky and Deb, luck was on her side the day she walked into Deb’s office. “I walked in her store and saw my kitchen island and from that moment I’ve trusted her,” says Becky. “Deb is honest, and when she sparkles [about ideas, finds, etc.] you know it’s right.”
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vintage spaces
Becky’s favorite stores The value of such a resource is bigger than most people realize. Deb has taught Becky about scale and texture, and that mixing contemporary with old is OK. Designers are a second pair of eyes and color scheme masters. “She’ll call from a store and say, ‘You need to come see these,’” says Becky. “I might have walked right by them and not realized how cute they would have been. She knows about your family and what’s going to make you happy.” “Becky is on the go and works harder than anyone I know, but she uses every square inch of her home and appreciates it,” says Deb. “She’s not afraid to give something a try or take things on herself. You can go into a thousand houses and they all look the same, but Becky takes pieces and makes them her own. She really is creative and it’s so nice to find someone in her business that doesn’t live in a beige world.” “I’m not attached to the outcome,” says Becky. “If I don’t like it I’ll change it in a week or two. Some people don’t move anything in their home and that’s too bad.” While some people are content to display things like ceramic pieces on shelves, Becky finds ways to use them daily. She inherited most of them from her family. “They have a life
Comfort by Design - Deb’s Studio Flea Markets Good JuJu Home Goods Marshall’s Nell Hills Sentimental Journey Antiques Yard Sales
Top: Becky’s cozy, girly-yet-rustic bedroom and master bathroom. Left: More stacked suitcases and a unique lamp in the master bedroom. Above: A worn treatment on a niche showcases jewelry and other treasures.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 15
vintage spaces
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vintage spaces Opposite: An ecclectic feature wall in the prayer and meditation space. Clockwise from left: A rustic cabinet displays treasures. Vintage Kansas Jayhawk designs adorn bar glasses set in a wooden box. One of the sitting areas in Becky’s large basement, which is mostly used for entertaining. The tall lamp and mirror elongate the space and the vintage card catalog adds character. A whimsical table in the basement is made from bowling pins, a suitcase and a piece of glass.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 17
vintage spaces
Top: This fun, yet warm and inviting home office features the wood paneled ceilings continued from the bathroom. It is a perfect mixture of the bucolic and frills. Above left: An old door serves as an inspirational pin board in the office. Above center: With the doors removed and shelves installed, the closet opens up this small space
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and is the perfect spot for showcasing an eclectic mix of vintage finds. Above right: A reclaimed wood bench in the office plays host to dried flowers. Opposite: Make simple but bold statements in unexpected places, like this black and white photograph framed in a box in the living room.
vintage spaces
Ask a Pro
Deb V ogler
I’m afraid of painting wit h color in my home. Which colors are good transitions for a scaredy cat? of their own, you don’t want to just leave them in a cabinet,” she says. Vintage homes allow creativity, as Deb says. “There are basic principles and elements of design that you try to follow through with every design,” she says, “but I appreciate the flow of vintage. It’s a longer process designing a vintage house, and so many places are popping up providing resources. It’s never-ending.” Deb focused on making Becky’s home a welcoming place. “I want to create comfort,” she says. “Whatever style, whatever budget, it can be comfortable and inviting.” She also tried to make small spaces (like one of the bathrooms and Becky’s home office) seem bigger. Using unexpected design elements can draw the focus away from the size of a room. “It’s rewarding to make small spaces bigger,” she says. She also got to use a lot of color. “There’s a lot of yawners in life,” Becky says. “I think a lot of people live too safe in their environment. Well by the time I sell this house, this ice green might not be in, but just paint it. If it’s just paint, who cares?” Whatever the focus, Becky finds peace in her home. “People ask me, ‘Why don’t you move more often since you’re a realtor,” Becky says, “but I’m happy here. I love the wall [in her living room]. I try not to feel sorry for myself for anything when you see how tough life used to be and they were happy.” This beautiful, welcoming home is a true reflection of a beautiful, welcoming person. So much so, that I’m going to move in to Becky’s home office and listen to the soothing sounds of the backyard waterfall all summer. Something tells me she won’t mind as long as I walk the dog once in a while.
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Is your home filled to the brim with unique pieces and vintage treasures? We’d love to take a peek. Contact erin@vintagekcmag.com.
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ore often than anything else, my clients tell me, “I’m afraid of color. Help!” In response, I say, “Is it really color you’re afraid of? Or are you afraid of making a mistake?” Color can boldly go where your home has never gone before. Color sets the mood for a room. Color tells your guests how it is you want the room to be used and how it is you want them to feel in your space. Remember—after all it is your space. My advice first and foremost is, don’t be afraid to try! Before you choose a wall color, select the major elements of the room. Whether it is furniture, rugs, window treatments fabrics, etc. allow these to be your guide. It is much easier to pick a paint color, or change a paint color, than it is to change something like a sofa. You want the wall color to enhance or highlight your furnishings and appointments. When selecting color, opt for a color or colors that you love rather than what’s trending at the moment. Save that for less expensive items like accessories, which can easily be changed out as the mood strikes you. Design is in the details. Let color be one of those details.
-Deb Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. Be it a flat in London, a suburban family home in Olathe, or a shabby chic bungalow in the little village of Westwood, her designs express who the client is and enfolds them in what they love. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a design question for Deb? Send it to erin@vintagekcmag.com.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 19
vintage events
A Helping Hand
A vintage country-inspired wedding steps back in time with a little help from friends By Erin Shipps Photos by The Smiley Face Collective
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These two lovebirds are in two great local bands: Oriole Post and Fullbloods. Check them out at goldensoundrecords.c om VintageKC / Summer 2012 21
vintage events
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any weddings take at least a year to plan. Six months maybe. But for William and Rachel Pollock, a little more than two months was plenty of time to craft the wedding of their dreams. “It was perfect for us. Enough time to get stuff done, but not so much time that we took the planning too seriously,” Rachel says. Walking in to the backyard at Rachel’s parent’s home, you’d never know this wedding took so little time to prepare. From the handwritten name plates to the blankets on the hay bales, a great amount of care was put into this wedding. “We had a lot of help from friends,” says Rachel. “My mom was in charge of the food, my dad got the grounds around the house ready, my friends helped me with crafty projects (and washing and scraping the price tags off 300 thrift store dishes). My friend did the alterations on my dress. Bill’s mom collected quilts and helped with sewing projects. “All of our friends and family helped with setup: My brother chopped wood, a bunch of our friends moved hay bales, set up tables, hung lights, etc.” All the help led to such a magical experience—one that harkened back to weddings of old. An enormous window pane served as a feature during the ceremony. But this beautiful backdrop had a bit of a sordid past. Rachel owns an apartment in Midtown and a few months before the wedding the sewer backed up into the basement. A few of the owners were drudging through sludge to clean out destroyed things: couches, 20 sheets of drywall, etc. “At the end of this big stack of nasty drywall, we found that amazing window. It also was sitting in sludge. We cleaned it off and used it as our altar,” Rachel says.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 23
vintage events
DIY doily bowls DIY seat markers
Table 24 VintageKC / Summer 2012
escapes VintageKC / Summer 2012 25
vintage events While there were many grand elements to the wedding, including the window, mature trees overhead, and reception tents, the love in this wedding was found in the details. “My mom bought the cool metal planters at an antique store that was closing. Her friend has a green thumb and did all the planting for us. She grew them so they would be pretty for the wedding,” Rachel says. “As far as the bouquets go, my friend and I did the arranging. She worked at a flower shop in a past life. The yellow flowers came from Trapp [Trapp and Company] and the white peonies for my bouquet came from my parent’s neighbor’s yard.” The detail that took the most time to create added the most homey, country feel to the event: the 300 dinner plates that required a massive amount of thrifting. But Rachel doesn’t mind, she loves thrifting. “My maid of honor’s mom helped me do the staging for the center pieces. She had lots of stuff, I had lots of stuff and we just put it together,” Rachel says. The tables featured everything from stacks of books to a chandelier, to milk bottles and bowls made out of doilies, to candlesticks and jars adding romantic lighting inside the beautifully styled tent. For the name blocks at reserved tables, the cupcake bar and the band sign, she spray painted scraps of wood with chalk board paint and used a paint marker to write names. The round streamers hanging with lights around the tent were cut from felt and sewn together by Rachel, her mom and her mother-in-law. “I loved my wedding day,” Rachel says. “I loved everyone working together to make it beautiful and fun. It was a really cold day for an outdoor wedding, but everyone pitched in to build a gigantic fire, put up the walls on the tent and warm it up on the dance floor. “It was just what Bill and I wanted. We wanted the wedding to be relaxed and fun so we didn’t do many of the customs that are typical with weddings. No cutting the cake. No first dance. Basically as soon as dinner was over, I just wanted everyone to dance all night – and that’s what happened.”
^
Find DIY projects and more from this article at vintagekcmag.com.
Have you hosted or attended a vintageinspired event lately? Birthdays, baby showers, weddings, we’re into it all. Tell us about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
26 VintageKC / Summer 2012
DIY streamers
Budget Breakdown
Purchased/rented: Dress, BHLDN $600 Rachel’s shoes, River Market Antiques, $25 300 reception plates, thrift $250 Tent, Country Club Tents est. $2,000-$2,500 Streamers, crafted $25
Maid of Honor bouquet flowers, Trapp, $50 Cupcakes, Dolce Baking Co., price N/A Band, The Goodfoot, $100/member/hour Suit, J Crew, Ludlow in Wheat, $526 Free/already owned/borrowed: Veil Hay bales Blankets
Wood crates Lights Old doors for buffet table Tablescape decor Large window Bridal bouquet, neighbor’s yard Sound system
VintageKC / Summer 2012 27
Party Every Day
vintage fashion
28 VintageKC / Summer 2012
1980s
days were all about fun: bright colors, neon, hi-tops, plastic jewelry, highwaisted, acid washed shorts, colorblocking and the shades. I mean, when your future’s this bright? ...
Hair: Lotus, Lotus Beauty Makeup: Ashley Nelson, Ashley Nelson Studios Photography: Layne Haley Photography
vintage fashion
Total Look: $31.49
Total Look: $92.89
Budget Breakdown
On Amber: Sunglasses, vintage, Savers, $5; earrings, vintage, estate sale, $2; pink/white bracelet, vintage, Good JuJu, $2; pink and yellow bangles, editor’s closet; tank top, new, H&M, $12.99; shorts, vintage, Jean St. Tropez, editor’s closet; shoes, new, Target, $9.50. On Ross: Sunglasses, new, Target, Xhiliration, $12.99; shirt, vintage, Spalding, Boomerang, $8; shorts, vintage, Levi’s 517, EtsyPenelope Meatloaf, $11.90; shoes, new, Converse, Journeys, $60. (We have to admit his look is a little rich for our taste, but we saved so much on his next look, we made up for it!)
VintageKC / Summer 2012 29
vintage fashion
Our Fashion P hilosophy 30 VintageKC / Summer 2012
We believe in the cyclical nature of fashion: One day you’re in, the next day you’re ... just kidding. What we mean is, what goes around, usually goes around again and again and again. The editors at VintageKC follow what’s trending this season and show you how to mix vintage and modern pieces to achieve a cohesive look. We’ll snatch thrift store finds that look the part, even if they’re not technically vintage. We’ll splurge on awesome things like shoes. And we’ll tell you where we got everything and how much it cost so you can work on your own fashion hunting skills. We don’t count the cost of items from the editor’s or model’s closets. Like you, we have closets full of everyday wear and vintage gems. Vintage fashion hunting takes a lot of work (we spent months putting these looks together) but it’s all just to prove it can be done. You can pull off these looks, and we’re rooting for you!
vintage fashion
When it comes to 1980s accessories and makeup, there’s no such thing as too much color. Mix and match different brights and neons, as well as pastels. Try a bright pink lipstick, pink cheeks and add some pop with blue nails and eyeliner. Oh, and your hair can never, I mean, never, be too big.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 31
vintage fashion
32 VintageKC / Summer 2012
Our Models
Our models are everyday people. Amber is a 20-year-old art student and Ross is a 23-year-old musician (check out Fullbloods.com) and entrepreneur Web designer. They’ve never done anything crazy like this before (that we know of), but we think they did a totally rad job anyway. We’re always looking for beautiful people (inside and out) to show off our fashion finds. Submit your portfolio or headshots to mandy@vintagekcmag.com and we’ll let you know if you’re the perfect fit for an upcoming photo shoot.
vintage fashion
VintageKC / Summer 2012 33
vintage fashion
Rock and Roll All Night 1980s nights were all about drama, drama, and oh ... drama. Big hair, shiny things, lots of black makeup and bright red lipstick. And then there’s the attitude. Man we love the Eighties.
Total Look: $44.26
Hair and Makeup: Jillian Harris, Hello Beautiful Photography: Layne Haley Photography
34 VintageKC / Summer 2012
Total Look: $4!
vintage fashion
Total Look: $58.96
Budget Breakdown On Amber: Skirt, thrift, Arden B., Through Our Children’s Lives, $4 (half price); Striped tank, vintage, no tag, Blue Tape estate sale, $.30; Solid red tank, new, Mossimo, Target, $9; Jacket, vintage, Partu Ltd., Re-Runs Warehouse, $6; Heels, vintage, Enrique for Bellini, Boomerang, $14.99; Necklace, vintage, Savers $2.99; Heart cuff bracelet, vintage, estate sale, $2 (half price); Earrings, vintage, Savers, $2.99; Clutch, new, Mossimo, Target, $16.99. On Ross: Black jeans, new, model’s closet; Lacoste polo, vintage, editor’s closet; Member’s Only jacket, vintage, Ethel’s estate sale, $4; Hitops, new, Puma, model’s closet.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 35
vintage fashion
We’re looking for vintage fashion hunters! If you live at estate sales, auctions and thrift stores, we need you! Email our fashion director at: mandy@vintagekcmag.com for upcoming photo shoot needs and we may use your pieces in VintageKC!
Think you can top our look for less money? Send your pics and cost breakdown to mandy@vintagekcmag.com and you might see your pretty mug on our website. Find out more at vintagekcmag.com.
36 VintageKC / Summer 2012
vintage fashion Jillian’s Hair and Makeup Tips Amber’s Hair: First part the top middle section of the hair and section it off. Then using pomade, slick the sides back. Next section the back in three parts, tying each part in a ponytail. From there, backcomb the sections in the ponytails and pin the ends down. Back up top, curl big curls, then backcomb them. Then use pomade to smoothe certain pieces and pin them in place. Finish with a firm hold hairspray. Makeup: Start with a primer on the face and eyelids, then use a soft nude eye shadow covering the entire lid up to the brow. Next use a smokey black and heavily apply it to the C shape in the eyelid using a crease brush. Using a blending brush, blend over the entire lid. Next with an eyeliner brush, using the same black color as above, line both the top and bottom of the eye. Go back and defuse the line, "smoking" it out. With an iridescent white shadow and a blending brush, apply all the way around the eye using upward strokes (when going up you open the eye making it look bigger and more open). Next use a mineral based foundation and apply it all over the face using downward strokes. Apply a powder and a bright blush right along the cheekbone, circling it out on the apples of the cheeks. Finish with a matte red lip.
Check out more photos from our shoots, plus behind-the-scenes photos at vintagekcmag.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook ... we might just be giving away a few of these items in the next few months!
VintageKC / Summer 2012 37
diy fashion
8I
Things to do with Clip-on Earrings
n the early 1900s, piercing your ears was considered uncivilized. Thus, clip-on earrings were invented around the 1930s and widely used for the next 40 years. So in our ever-endeavor to reuse and recycle, we decided to showcase ideas for turning all those clip-on earrings (Come on, we see them everywhere!) into useful items for your every (civilized) day. Just don’t go snapping all the backs off, some of these projects use them!
1. Make bobbies 2. Add versatility to a necklace
Using wire, thread or even hot glue, add a sparkly or beaded earring to a vintage or new beaded necklace for dramatic effect. You can also leave the back of the earring on and simply clip it to a chain for an updated and fun look. Cut two small felt circles and glue one to the back of an earring. Slide the other circle through the bobby pin and glue the two circles together with the bobby pin sandwiched between. Adorable!
Supplies
Clip-on earrings (duh) Hot glue gun Needle nose plyers Depending on the project: Bobby pins Ribbon Bangles Feathers Felt Hair clip Magnets Thumb tacks
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3. Add bows to your shoes We’ve all got scraps of ribbon around. Make a bow out of some spare ribbon and clip the bow to your shoe with the earring for a quirky addition to your evening wardrobe.
diy fashion
4. Make a round feather hair clip Cut two 2” circles out of felt. Cut slits in one circle and insert a hair clip. Glue the two circles together and be sure to glue the clip to the other felt circle. Glue two layers of feathers, one around the edge and one closer to the middle (clipping in the center if needed) and top with an earring in the center.
5. Jazz up your bangles Have some cheap bangles lying around? Glue them together and add an earring, for an instant new look.
And around the home...
8. Embellish a gift
6. Make pushpins Another simple idea: Snap off the back and glue a thumbtack on the back for a splash of color on your bulletin boards.
7. Make magnets
This project is as simple as snapping off the back of the earring and gluing on a magnet. You can even leave the back on a metal earring, clip a note with it and let it sit attach itself to a magnet, like our flower earring above.
Snag that bow from your shoe project and clip it onto a plain bag to add sparkle to a gift. You can also tie a bow around a box and clip it with an earring. You’ll give the most beautifully packaged gifts in town! Think we’ll be bedazzled by what you’ve done with clip-on earrings? Share your ideas at mandy@vintagekcmag.com.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 39
diy copycat Supplies
Large ceramic owl Base (optional) Drum shade Spray paint Lamp Kit Diamond tile drill bit Epoxy Painter’s tape
DIY Owl Lamp Think you can’t afford that high-priced look? Think again!
H
By Megan Kapple
ave you noticed that owls are all the rage in home decor right now? You can purchase a wide array of owl inspired objects for your home ranging from crib bedding to wall art. I’m loving the owl trend, but I don’t want to shell out big bucks on my home accessories that might go out of style in a few years. When I spotted a chic white owl lamp from West Elm, I fell in love with it and decided to try to recreate it myself for a fraction of the cost. It turned
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out to be a cheap and fairly easy process from start to finish. First, you will need a ceramic owl. I found one at a thrift store for $4. Next, grab a can of glossy white spray paint (I used Krylon indoor/outdoor glossy white) and cover that owl in a few thin, even coats. Since your owl will be turned into a working lamp, you will need to purchase a lamp kit. I found mine at Walmart for about $7, but they are also available at most hardware stores.
Budget Breakdown Thrift Store Owl: $4 Lamp Kit: $7 Epoxy: $3 Can of White Spray Paint: $4 Thrift Store Bowl Turned Base: $1 White Drum Shade: $10 Total: $29
diy copycat
1 Have you seen something recently that you couldn’t possibly afford but you’d like to see Megan try and recreate? Tell us about it at erin@ vintagekcmag.com and we may just feature a tutorial here!
2
In order to get the wire through your owl, you will have to drill some holes in the ceramic. I used a diamond tile drill bit for this part and it worked like a charm. But these are a little pricy at around $16. I didn’t include this in the total cost of the lamp because it might be something you already have on hand or can borrow from a friend. (Friends and family are great resources for DIY projects!) This darling lamp from West Elm served as the inspiration for Megan’s lamp. If you can afford it, buy it, but we think her The drill bit needs to stay version is just as grand, espcially at about one-third the price! cool as it is going through the ceramic. To make that happen, paint. Make sure to tape off the parts that you pour cold water on the surface as you are drilling don’t want to get painted. (1). This part will require an extra set of hands. Just like with the owl, cover the areas with The top of my owl turned out pretty well, but very thin coats to eliminate drips (4). it’s definitely not perfect. After assembling the Once your base is evenly painted and dry, get rest of the lamp and using some white spray your epoxy out to secure the owl to the base (5). paint for touch ups, the flaws aren’t noticeable. After the epoxy is set, you are almost done! Drill another hole in the back and toward Now all you need to do is find a white drum the bottom for the other end of the cord to go shade and stick it on. I grabbed mine at Target through (2). for $10, but there are drum shades all over Push your cord up through the top hole estate and garage sales. and assemble the other parts of the lamp acWho would have dreamed that an ugly little cording to the package instructions. thrift store owl could turn into a new focal After the lamp is assembled (don’t forget point in your home with a little spray paint, to plug it in to make sure it works), the top glue and elbow grease? will need to be secured to the owl. I picked up Costing a grand total of $29, our DIY lamp some epoxy for this part and so far all of the is an affordable home accessory compared pieces of the lamp have held up great. with the store bought version at $99. Your Squirt your epoxy on the underside of the top friends will never know the difference! metal lamp piece (3) and hold it in place until it’s secure. (Follow the directions on the epoxy package. It takes a few minutes to set up.) Megan Kapple lives in After my owl started looking more like a Kansas City, MO, with her lamp, I knew it needed a few final touches. husband and two daughAdding a base would make it look more anters. In addition to being a chored. I found a perfect little wooden bowl mommy and wife, Megan at the thrift store for under $1. You could spends her days dreamuse a ceramic bowl, plate, or even a piece of ing up projects, scouting wood for the base. out thrift stores, sewing, I was also unhappy with the the way the cooking and many other brass parts of the lamp clashed with the white, creative endeavors. You can read all about her so I touched it up with a little more white spray adventures on her blog: homemadeginger.com.
Inspiration
3
4
^
5
VintageKC / Summer 2012 41
where we’ve been
March 29-31, The Fleeting Flea rolls through Overland Park
April 6-8, Bella Patina celebrates one year and opens Bella Deux on its second f loor 42 VintageKC / Summer 2012
where we’ve been
April 6-8, Good JuJu opens its new location across from the 12th Street Bridge Have an event or milestone this summer? We’d love to be there. Let us know at erin@vintagekcmag.c om.
April 6-8, Hickory Dickory opens in the West Bottoms VintageKC / Summer 2012 43
stores we love
Re-Runs
Westport/West Bottoms Digging through a gigantic vintage closet is just our style, and we always find something we love at Re-Runs! VKC: How long have you been buying and selling vintage clothing? Ken: Re-Runs has existed at some level since 1984, when I began selling vintage clothing and accessories at the Westport Flea Market on weekends. VKC: What got you started? Ken: I met a woman named Susan who had a booth at the Flea Market and began by sharing space/work with her. VKC: When did you decide to open your own business and why? Ken: Susan decided to leave after a year and I had to decide whether or not to continue. By then, I was hooked on the business! My first free-standing store began in 1991 and here we are, with two stores, Westport and the Warehouse, in 2012. VKC: What advice do you have for amateurs? Ken: Buy the most stylish, interesting, and best-condition goods you can find. Stay with authentic pieces and don’t buy “retro,” meaning newly manufactured items designed to look old. VKC: What are your favorite pieces to buy? Ken: I like high-style pieces for both men and women from the 40s and 50s.
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VKC: How would you describe the style of the items in your shop? Ken: We carry a general line of one-of-a-kind high quality casual and formal vintage clothing and accessories for women and men. VKC: What is your favorite era of clothing? Ken: I love wearing 50s and 60s shirts, casual clothing frequently in muted plaids. I respect all eras of clothing for their unique features. VKC: Where do you find merchandise? Ken: I follow up on all calls we receive from customers interested in selling items. I go through attics and basements, anywhere where I’ve been invited (frequently by people who inherit estates) to shop. I routinely comb estate sales and of course, people bring in items daily for us to consider. VKC: What is the most expensive item you’ve ever sold? Ken: A 50s strapless satin evening gown covered with teardrop crystal beads designed by a Hollywood designer (can’t recall the name) who created clothes for Marilyn Monroe for $650. VKC: What is your business philosophy? Ken: Treat your customers as friends, do all you can to help them, and remember, they are
the key to your success. VKC: What experience do you hope your customers have in your store? Ken: I hope they will feel at home, have a sense that the store is fun, and that they will want to take home a special item from Re-Runs! VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do? Ken: I truly enjoy the variety of responsibilities and the creative nature of what I do. It’s great to work with high quality, beautifully crafted merchandise that has stood the test of time! VKC: Name five other vendors/stores you love. Ken: I’m a fan of Boomerang, Vintage Vogue, Arizona Trading Company, Wild Man Vintage (Lawrence), and Wonderland.
The Westport store is open every day, Monday thru Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Re-Runs Warehouse is open every Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the First Friday of each month, same hours. Come shop!
stores we love
TLC Thrifty Boutique
Downtown OP
There’s few things we love more than picking through Grandma’s attic and it exploded (in a good way) at TLC. VKC: How long have you been picking? Teresa: As long as I can remember. VKC: What got you started? Teresa: I come from a long line of pickers. It is something we all did together on a regular basis. A family that picks together stays together! My grandmother got me started. She took me to “The Old Man’s On The River” (somewhere on the Kaw River, in Bonner Springs I believe) when I was very young. The place had tons and tons of junk. I was hooked from that point. The place is long since gone but I will never forget it. It was a picker’s dream. VKC: When did you decide to open your own business and why? Teresa: I decided to open my own shop in February of 2011 after the loss of my husband and the loss of my corporate career. I had always wanted to open my own shop and for years my husband encouraged me to do just that, but I did not want to leave the security of a steady paycheck. So after the loss of both I figured I would give it a shot! I love junk. As my daughter and I say, we love junk so much we get junk drunk! VKC: What advice do you have for new pickers? Teresa: Pick what speaks to you. People love a good story!
VKC: What are your favorite pieces to buy? Teresa: I love all things rusty and crusty, soft and weathered and cracked and peeled. I love it all. VKC: How would you describe the style of the items in your shop? Teresa: I try to have a little something for all junkers. Antique, vintage, retro and repurposed. My shop is kind like going to Grandma’s house with a little twist. VKC: Describe your favorite pieces in your own home, the ones you couldn’t bear to sell. Teresa: My 1930 and 1940 photo frames. Love, love, love them and my Granny’s pink flamingo mirror—it makes me smile every time I look in it. I remember it hanging in my Grandmother’s living room for years. I loved it so much that I would ask her, “One day when I grow up can I have it?” She would always say, “One day.” (She loved it as much as I did.) Well I grew up and I have it. Love you Grandma! VKC: Where are your favorite picking spots? Teresa: I love pickin’ with my daughter or my sisters, wherever it may take us! VKC: What is the biggest item you’ve sold? Teresa: Well this may sound sappy, but the biggest item sold is good memories. I love
it when people come into the shop and see things that bring back memories—memories they have not thought of in years. Some share their memories, some laugh and some cry, but yeah, great memories. VKC: What is your business philosophy? Teresa: To make people feel welcome. When people feel welcome they come back! VKC: What experience do you hope your customers have in your store? Teresa: I want my customers to feel welcome and appreciated. A friends and family experience. VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do? Teresa: I love the adventure/journey this has given me and I love being with family and friends. VKC: What else do you want people to know about you and your store? Teresa: TLC is now opening to vendors who love the adventure as much as I do. Contact us via Facebook, tlcthrift@yahoo.com or call 913-461-3779. VKC: What other vendors do you adore? Teresa: Grandma Great’s Treasures (GGTs on Etsy), Funky Finds Vintage Retro, Gypsy Barn, Weston Primitive Co., Liberty Belle, Hello Sailor, Nook & Cranny, Good Company, and Now & Then, just to name a few.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 45
vintage memories
A Penny for the
By Quinn White Illustration by Glenn Shipps
Scotch
J
ody Gyulay, born in 1941, gracefully describes her mother and father as having struggled as parents. Her father traveled a great amount, and her mother had a short temper. The summers presented a particular problem for her parents, as she and her siblings were out of school and in need of care and attention that they found difficult to give. Thus, Jody spent every summer she can remember in Indiana with her grandparents. The joys that Jody experienced in the small town life with her grandparents, it seems, is what has left an indelible mark on her. These summers were a gift. “They were good, good people,” she confirms as she reflects on the ease and grace in which her grandparents conducted themselves, though she now recognizes that they were “put upon” in many ways. “They raised a cousin of ours and helped raise us in the summer,” Jody sympathizes. She was particularly close to her grandfather, but cannot articulate why or in what way they were close. In fact, she says that she spoke with her grandmother much more.
In the evenings, they sat on the screened in porch and talked. Once or twice each week, she walked with her grandmother to see “the show,” where they would enjoy air conditioning and a film. Afterward they would stop at the cafeteria and have pie. She felt a certain kinship with her grandfather. “Perhaps because my grandmother was the disciplinarian,” Jody offers as possible explanation. She reminisces about his garden—how he allowed them one tomato each Sunday, how they would pick onions, cut them into unique shapes, and eat them raw. She speaks with empathy about his exodus from the Catholic Church. Jody remembers how he would greet the rest of the family with homemade rolls and lunch when they arrived home from Mass. She basked in his pet name for her: Sugarlump. She recalls his reserved manners, his sweetness, his goodness. “He used to give me 11 cents to spend at the general store and say, ‘Here’s a dime for the work, and a penny for the scotch.’ I never knew what that meant, but I still think about it every time I pick up a penny.” It’s funny how everyday objects become
Do you know someone with particularly wonderful vintage memories? Tell us about it at erin@vintagekcmag.com.
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metaphors, become transcendent, when a memory is so tightly bound to it. And it seems that summer is especially designed to make way for and honor these metaphors. The humid air seems to embrace moments a bit longer, impress their significance upon us. It is a time for memory, for family, for tradition. And as I listened to Jody recount her summers, and simultaneously her grandparents’ lives, it was impossible not to recall my own salient memories, and to long for the dense, warm air that seems to encapsulate those moments.
^
Quinn White is a writer, knitter and teacher Olathe, KS. She chronicles the memories from and reflections of those around her because she believes hearing and sharing stories and life lessons can be consoling, galvanizing and transformative.
stores we love
Good JuJu West Bottoms
These vendors are hip to our jive. From painted pieces to natural treasures, the hunt is on at Good JuJu. VKC: How long have you been into vintage? Trish: My whole life. VKC: What got you started? Trish: I grew up with a high sense of value. My mom would save the plastic ware from eating out, not because we were poor, because it was the right thing to do. She said, “You shouldn’t toss what you can use.” In the early 1970a, a big marketing trend was “disposable” and my mom was constantly saying, “How can they think that’s a good idea??” When I bought my first home, I bought everything secondhand because we didn’t have money for new. As I matured, I realized the furniture I bought “used/loved” was better quality than I could buy new. The more I decorated and kept house in that mind-set, the more I enjoyed being thrifty and different. I loved to solve problems “inside the box” by using what I had in different ways. I did one of my boys bedrooms in a safari style and found that lots of things in my yard fit right in with his decor: planter boxes for toys, stiffened landscape burlap for walls, campaign style outdoor chairs, etc.
VKC: When did you decide to open your own business and why? Trish: I opened the store in 2007 because I thought it was a great concept and I believed I had something to offer. VKC: What advice do you have for pickers? Trish: Buy what you love. VKC: Describe your favorite pieces in your own home, the ones you couldn’t bear to sell. Trish: A poorly done water color Jesus. VKC: What is the biggest item you’ve ever sold? Trish: Hmmmmm, a six-tier concrete fountain. VKC: What is your business philosophy? Trish: The customer is always right, shopping is fun! VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do? Trish: I really do love it. VKC: What do you see for the future of vintage in KC? Trish: I think we have a unique niche in that there is an abundance of good inventory still to be found. We have alot of resellers from from out of state and country; last weekend
we helped fill a container headed for Australia. I think First Fridays in KC could be amazing: West Bottoms, Crossroads, Plaza, Sprint Center, a great destination trip. We had people in from Chicago last weekend and they shopped Friday, did Crossroads and went to the Royals/Yankees game. Their summation was: “Kansas City is awesome!” VKC: How is your new space working out? Trish: So far so good. We still have a lot of work to do, but people like the brighter, airy space. We love the floors, the lack of dust and the parking! VKC: Name five other vendors/stores you love. Trish: Deb Dusenberry is my hero (Curious Sofa), Linda Henderson (Liberty Belle) has been awesome support, Ted and Mitzi Hargis (Work in Progress ), Amy Wright Rhodes (A Wright Design), Karen Kessler, I could go on and on ... We love all KC’s vintage, antique and thrift stores and wish we had room for all of you at once. If you’d like to be featured, please contact erin@vintagekcmag.com.
VintageKC / Summer 2012 47
48 VintageKC / Summer 2012