August 24, 2011

Farm Tables - What Color?

I have two small tables to paint and I am having trouble making a decision about paint.

I have two coats of primer on both.  The first is a table I've had for years.  It had been painted with crazy colors in multiple patterns.  I had used it in my classroom in my past life as a teacher.

The second table is a good bit heavier and maybe a little older and more rustic.  I fell in love with it at an auction, which means I bid a little higher than I should have.  It also means there's a very good chance I'll keep this one.

The safe way to go would be to paint them both white.  They could go right into the white booth and they'd definitely sell.  That may be what I do with the first table.  But the rustic farm table?  White?  Oh, I don't know.

The above photo is from Cottages and Bungalows magazine - the May, 2011 issue.  I've been saving this photo since May.  I fell in love with the strong green and blue, so much so that I bought a quart of paint in each color.  I haven't used the paint yet.  I've been waiting.  I had thought to paint something unimportant and try it out.  Nothing unimportant came along.  Do I dare use it on my farm table?  It's only paint.  The worse that could happen is I have to paint over it.

The first place I looked for inspiration was my recent post on farmhouse tables.  There are some respectable tables on that page in white.  There's also a soft green.  I definitely have green paint in safer hues.

But I needed more adventurous inspiration.  I didn't find much, but I did find one similar table.

Carol Wingert had no fear of bright green tables.  She didn't have to paint hers.  I t came that way... all the way from France.  That must be a sign.  My ancestors came from France and the French are noted for their amazing style and taste.  Can you see that I'm trying to work up my nerve to paint my table kelly green?

Here's another peak at a vignette on her table -

My original inspiration table is more distressed than this one and looks like it has a good coat of glaze as well.  Plus it has sprinkles of tiny black dots.  It looks like they used the toothbrush trick to create a spray of dots.  That's a messy task, but I definitely plan to add that.  You know - I think I've talked myself into it. I have nothing to fear but fear itself. 

August 1, 2011

1930's Book - The Art of Drinking

One interesting thing I came across during my latest thrifting adventures was an old book, The Art of Drinking by Dexter Mason.  It was published in 1930 and is apparently a sought after book for those who collect bar-keeping and cocktail books.

The book itself was a nice find, but there were tons of little goodies stuck inside the book that are even more interesting.
There was a stack of attendance diplomas.  Cross and Crown is church related, so a cocktail book seems an odd place to store these.

Most interesting of all were the old pamphlets with drink recipes stuck throughout the book.  It's quite a collection.


I have no idea how old they are, but just guessing, I'd say they were from the 1930's, 40's or 50's. 



I had originally thought to sell this book in my booth, but I don't think it would go to the right home that way.  This seems to be something that a serious collector would most appreciate, so, I'm thinking maybe I should list it on Ebay or something.  I feel responsible for finding it a good home!

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