FabSugar

Vintage Typewriters Bring Major Style to Decorated Spaces

Elka Karl — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:08 PST

No matter how high tech your life gets, some classic gadgets should always be welcome in your abode. Let's face it - no matter how sleek and pretty an iPad looks, a vintage typewriter or phonograph is always going to qualify better as an interesting decor accessory. Keeping this in mind, I've rounded up some inspiring ideas for decorating with a vintage Underwood or Empire, as well as an excellent resource for finding your own gorgeous vintage typewriter. See how they can be used in any room in your home, as well as at a wedding, when you keep clicking.

For the Hipster Photog: Vintage 80's Mercedes Camera Strap

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:30:39 PST

You can get a generic camera strap from just about anywhere these days, but this one is streets ahead. Made from vintage vinyl from 80's Mercedes models, the Deadstock Vinyl strap ($35) is affordable, stylish, handmade, and should satisfy even the most hipster of photographers in your life. Of course, if a camera strap isn't enough, you can also get a guitar strap and wallet made from the same material.

Finding "The One": 10 Tips For Safe, Savvy, and Successful Furniture Shopping on Craigslist

Elka Karl — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:00:27 PDT

See this little desk? It's the desk of my dreams. Granted, it may not be the desk of your dreams, but it's "the one" for me. This little oak arts and crafts-era slant-top desk is in nearly perfect condition and is petite and perfect for our bedroom - which means I officially have an office space to decorate after our toddler kicked me out of my old office. I couldn't be more pleased.

However, this little gem didn't just land in my lap. I spent a month combing the pages of Craigslist to find it and actually rejected half a dozen desks in person on my journey to find it. Although, I've shopped on Craigslist before, this time really taught me some great lessons that I thought were worth sharing. I also asked Twitter and Facebook friends to share some of their tips as well, which I've included in the post.

Don't be afraid to walk away. Even if it took you a half-hour to drive to the location of an item you're interested in or three subway changes. If it's not your ideal find, don't buy it. You will find that beloved object, but it may not be until after several more attempts.
Try shopping locally. For me, this meant limiting my searches to neighborhoods that were within 10 minutes driving range. I instituted this rule after two fruitless journeys that took me an hour round trip.
Try a variety of search terms. I used "secretary," "antique desk," "solid wood desk," "slant top desk," "wooden desk," and a few other terms, too. Sometimes people list items under odd search terms, so it helps to try to get creative!
If you're going to look at an item by yourself, tell a friend. Leave the address you're at and the time you should be leaving that location. If you don't text or call your friend by that time, have her call you, and if she can't get ahold of you, call the authorities. This is very, very cautious behavior in my book, but as women going solo into a stranger's home, it's better to be safe than sorry. There's rarely an incident with a potential seller, but I'm always more cautious than need be when dealing with a transaction with a stranger. And if you don't feel safe going by yourself, by all means bring a friend!
Be realistic about how much effort you're willing to put into a secondhand piece. I fell in total love with an arts and crafts-era secretary I saw a month ago and desperately wanted to buy it. The price was right, but the desk needed a leg repair and had a crack along one side. These were definitely doable repairs, but I knew myself well enough to know that I wouldn't get these repairs finished in a timely manner and I let the desk go.

Find more Craigslist shopping tips from fellow readers

Decorating With Vintage Globes

Elka Karl — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:04:06 PDT

You may be too cool for school, but that's no excuse for avoiding decorating with great vintage school supplies. You can't go wrong with globes, and there are many ways to add them to your home. Whether in a large grouping or a single accent piece, there are plenty of corners where this cool educational prop would give your home a bit of old-school style.

Photo by Martyn Thompson

5 Ways to Store Your Vinyl Record Collection

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:11:16 PDT

Retro is in, baby, and if you've got a stockpile of vinyl records hanging out in your living room, why not store them in a more fashionable way than just sitting in a heap on your floor? These five shelves and cases should do the trick.

How to Shop Vintage: Everything You Need to Know From the Pros!

Allison McNamara — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:06 PDT

We all love a new pair of shoes or a beautiful, of-the-moment handbag; but, sometimes, it’s those one-of-a-kind pieces that really make an outfit pop. Vintage shopping can definitely be a challenge - finding those special treasures can take a lot of time and energy. Plus, figuring out where to look can be equally hard! So, we asked a few of our favorite vintage aficionados to give us their shopping tips and tricks! From the best pieces to shop for vintage to the things you need to check out before you buy, we’ve got everything you need to know for your next vintage shopping adventure!

Do You Own a Disco Ball?

Elka Karl — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:00:35 PDT

The Vintage Festival in London, England, is taking place this weekend. Celebrating British fashion, music, food, art, design, and film from the 1920s through the 1980s, it's definitely got something for everyone - including performances from everyone from Adam Ant to Percy Sledge. I know that my vintage-obsessed friends would love to check it out, and I'm interested in seeing what furniture and home designs are featured at the festival. In this photo from the festival, a woman adjusts a disco ball in her booth. It's a quirky and cute addition to her selection of dresses, and I'm wondering who would be likely to take it home. A '70s-obsessed club kid? A quirky home decorator? Tell me, have you ever decorated with a disco ball?

This Vignette Is "Top Shelf"

Casa Community — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:00:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Stephaniepoli from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

A small collection of vintage items on the top shelf of the bookcase in my office. The alphabet blocks were a great find at an antique market near my home and the secretary pin-up illustration is a tear-out from an old wall calendar. The books are both vintage and new editions covering eras from the 1930s and older.

Have you been doing any decorating lately? Be sure to share photos with the Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Bridal Friday Link Time: Beachy '70s Engagement Sesh

TresSugar — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:44:00 PDT

A groovy '70s-inspired e-sesh complete with roller skates - Style Me Pretty
A sweet honey-bee-inspired bridal shoot - The Wedding Chicks
Winemaking enthusiasts tie the knot at this gorgeous Napa wedding - Equally Wed
This guy created a Starbucks in the woods to propose! - Green Wedding Shoes
This couple's loved ones came together to make this wedding happen - 100 Layer Cake
Exploring the "women shouldn't pick attractive husbands" claims - The Huffington Post
Here's a huge rehearsal dinner faux pas! - Glamour
What's the etiquette when gifts arrive early? - The Bride's Guide
Pros and cons of having the "first look" before the ceremony - The Knotty Bride
How to give your wedding that something special - SavvySugar

Witness the History of the Scrunchie

Jaime Richards — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:00:00 PDT

Not too long ago on The Late Show With David Letterman, guest Jennifer Garner revealed that she used to run a lucrative scrunchie business back in college. This got me thinking about these vintage (and oft-mocked) ponytail holders. Just exactly where did they come from, and who used to - or still does - wear them anyway? Find out this and more, when you read on.

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