July 16, 2012
House a Home
House shopping is addictive. I now spend hours trolling Etsy for the best vintage shops and finds. I comb the Antique Mall and my favorite affordable websites for the perfect end table. But maybe the most gratifying task is re-purposing or moving things we already have to make them look new or different. Making the utilitarian looking wire rack into a bar; framing old favorite postcards to be hung as art. A few weeks ago we were at a party at our friend Kelley’s house and I was so inspired to see how she remade items she already had into beautiful pieces for her home. Every table, every tray was either a Goodwill find or something they had laying around that she transformed into a new item.
I’m slowly starting to step into the world of DIY (although I’ll never be as good as my pals Kelley or Claire), but I don’t think I’ll ever stop being a bargain shopper and Etsy hunter. Here are some of my favorite recent finds and some items at the top of my home wishlist:
HAVE IT: Over the couch lamp ; gray tweed couch (we found this one on craigslist after I had been adoring it from the IKEA website); Kilim woven pillows all from this shop; telescopic print of the moon from a French magazine printed in the 1940′s
WANT IT: A big piece of art to hang over the sofa—I love how this one feels like it was pulled from a science classroom; gray tweed chair (love this); vintage kitchen finds (scale and pitcher); side table (such a great find)
Interiors
Comment by Jennifer — July 16, 2012 @ 1:00 pm
Thank you so much for writing this post! I’ve been searching high and low for affordable pillows of that style and vintage educational charts!
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Comment by Amanda — July 16, 2012 @ 1:50 pm
Hi Ana!
I’d love to see a post of your favorite etsy shops! Thanks for the pillow link – love them!
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Comment by Ana Perkins — July 16, 2012 @ 4:46 pm
Glad y’all like the pillows—a personal fave : ) Amanda that’s a great idea. I have so many favorites…not sure where to start! xo
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Comment by Nikki — July 16, 2012 @ 9:18 pm
The perfect blend of old and new! Love all of your finds – both the haves and the wants! And thanks for including my kitchen scale in your wishlist!
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Comment by celine {starbies and sangrias} — July 17, 2012 @ 8:06 am
Love your eclectic style!! Looking forward to following the process!!
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Comment by Chloe — July 17, 2012 @ 12:45 pm
do you know Joss & Main? it’s horrible. horrible in that I want to buy so much stuff from them and I have to stop myself before I spend all my money.
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Comment by sara @ the by & by — July 17, 2012 @ 4:46 pm
I’ve been eyeing that metal side table for sooo long! Too bad my new apartment has more furniture than space – the curse of downsizing. Great finds!
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Comment by Ana Perkins — July 18, 2012 @ 8:00 am
Thanks girls! Can’t wait to put up some actual photos of the space soon.
Chloe, no I haven’t!! Looking at your invite email now : ) thanks for sending!
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Comment by Mumsie — July 20, 2012 @ 12:22 pm
What a great photograph Chelsea of you, Ana! And a wonderful post to read. You radiate such happiness and it makes me so happy for you.
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Comment by Pixie — July 20, 2012 @ 7:45 pm
Arg! I have serious thrift store envy. I never see anything remotely cool or quirky. Just a lot of chipped dinnerware and cheap Christmas decor. year ’round. always Christmas…lol.
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Comment by Kelley — July 24, 2012 @ 12:29 pm
Well, your blog post inspired me (and Kris) to start re-purposing and selling our vintage finds. Blog post to come very soon, my dear, talented friend. Thank you for the shout out, Ana!
xo,
Kelley
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Pingback by Hemlock and Heather: Re-purposed furniture now available « — July 24, 2012 @ 2:07 pm
[...] Kelley would like to thank our friend Ana over at Grown Up Shoes for giving Kelley the inspiration and confidence to take the first step. Thanks, [...]
Pingback by Grown-up Shoes :: Blog, Vintage Shop, and Styling :: Austin, Texas — August 16, 2012 @ 8:46 am
[...] know that I just told you I was in a sort of mid-century eclectic phase in terms of interior design. And that’s still true — it’s definitely the vibe that [...]