26.12.08

Happy New Year to you all . . .



First sung in 1929 by Guy Lombardi at midnight on January 1, 1929, in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.


The words of which are sung in English-speaking countries around the world each New Year's Eve.




A happy New Year!
Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest


Joyeux Noel

and to all a good night

21.12.08

Updated photos of the shop - it's constantly changing!

As things sell, the store gets messy pretty quick even though we're popping in new merchandise daily. Here are a few updated photos after my designer friend, Simone, came in to help me display. I LUV what she did.
The table in this display sold right after the display was done so it had to be done all over. Too funny, happens all the time. The couple who bought the table felt bad, we were all laughing about it - that's the point, to sell the merchandise!

































































This year we have burlap Christmas stockings with bling stars which have been a big hit. They're by Melissa.

















The contrast between china and iron or wire works well for display and in decorating. It's a great look with lots of appeal.



























One of our vintage mannequins is the perfect way to show off some of our latest jewelry offerings.















This is one of my all-time favorite displays: Hanging this 8 ft. wide building facade and putting a crystal chandelier in the center. It's a great look and one of the first things customers see when they walk through our front door.

12.12.08

Great gifts for the antique collector










Gift Ideas for the Antique Collector

Someone who collects antiques might be a bit difficult to buy for at Christmas. It's not as easy as running to the mall for a gift. You can however give them gifts that complement their hobby, and if you have a bit of the collector in you, maybe you can even pick them up a piece or two to complement their collection.




1- A gift certificate to an antiques store
Try to find out one or two of their favorite shops and get them a gift certificate or gift card to a antique shop.

2- Magnifying Glass
A magnifying glass that can be stashed in a glove box or purse for those times they need to check out a hard to distinguish mark on an unexpected find can be the best gift they will ever receive. Look for a folding magnifying glass in a protective case so that they will not have to worry about it breaking in between uses.

3- Tickets to an antique show
Almost every city or town has at least one major antiques show, or nearby. Antique afficionados love to go to an antique show so give them a couple of passes for the show so they can take a friend.

4- Journal


A blank journal with lots of room for them to fill with information on their favorite antique haunts, want lists, and more is a great gift for even someone on a budget to give the antique collector on their list. Take it up a step and give one with a leather cover with their initials engraved on it.

5- Subscription to Antique Trader
Antique Trader is America's weekly antiques and collectibles marketplace. It is published every week of the year, meaning a copy will land in their mailbox each week reminding them just how much you care.

6- Tickets to a Museum
Try to pick a museum in a historical building that is featuring antiquities, antiques or something related to their interests.

7- Buy them one of their favorite collectibles
If you're comfortable shopping for them and know exactly what would really add to their collection and you can do it economically, then do it. Don't make the mistake of buying something you're not really sure about because then they feel obligated to display it because you gave it to them.

8- A book on their area of collecting
There are so many great books on antiques and collectibles. Chances are thtey have some of them but most likely appreciate any books on their area of collecting. Avid collectors usually love to amass books about their passion.

9- Antique photo frame:
If you are giving a family photograph for a gift, frame it in an antique frame. Collectors love and appreciate that.

10- An antique Christmas ornament
Antique collectors usually love anything antique or vintage and would most certainly love an antique tree ornament. It's very special because each year when they put it on the tree, that person remembers you. You can't go wrong.







cordelia

30.11.08

57th Annual Christmas Home Tour

Here are the four homes that are on the 57th Annual All Souls' Christmas Tour, the longest running Christmas Home tour in the country. We are honored to have been asked to be included on this year's farewell tour.

Featured in San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine, December 2007 issue, the entry hall décor sets the tone for the rest of the house, with walls painted red and the ceiling of the entrance to the dining room painted Federal Blue with gold leaf stars.As you visit this home you will find that the homeowner enjoys “touches of whimsy” that will surprise and delight you throughout, especially to be noted under the trees in the enchanting backyard. A white picket fence, red front door, classical portico welcome you into this fascinating home filled with an exceptional collection of 17th, 18th, and 19th century folk art and antique furniture.


Originally built as a tiny New England cottage on three lots in 1926, the property offered a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego skyline and Mexico in the distance. Dr. Charles Harrison May purchased the property from a sea captain and his family in 1963. The original house has been added to in every direction; up, down and on either side, always with the view in mind. The house contains many collectible items and furnishings collected by Dr. and Mrs. May during their years of travel; he to lecture to professionals in other countries; Mrs. May for furnishings and clothing for her design studio and clothing stores.


Originally built as one of two identical lighthouse keepers’ quarters at the ‘new’ Point Loma Lighthouse, Quarters C now serves as the home for a senior USCG officer stationed in San Diego. The house, built in 1890, reflects late Victorian Stick style architecture. There is nothing modest about the 270 degree views of the Pacific from the house and grounds. Every room has an ocean view! You will exit the house just as Tom Cruise and Tom Skerrit did in the movie, “Top Gun”. The grounds also include the Lighthouse, service buildings, and Quarters B and A, which were built in 1913.



This charming Loma Portal home was built in 1935 by a local architect and purchased by George Edwards. Mr. Edwards was the first Boy Scout troop leader in the Point Loma area. Two generations if the Edwards family were in this home and then the Mendozas purchased it in 2000. It is a transitional style home, a variation of a Cape Cod with six-on-six double hung sash windows adorned with Colonial-style shutters. A pitched roof and partial clapboard siding gives it a cottage look. The wooden picket fence is new, each picket being individually hand cut and painted by the owners. During the past eight years Bob and Cordelia Mendoza have changed the configuration of indoor doors, moved walls and adjusted the interior to complement their antiques and collections. The kitchen was remodeled in 2006, with a soapstone countertop, subway tiles, and farmhouse sink. The kitchen was featured in Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen Makeovers magazine, 2008 summer edition.

A Point Loma Tradition
the
Fifty Seventh Annual Christmas Home Tour
and Christmas Arts Sale

Saturday, December 6th 2008

29.11.08

Feet hurt & we're tired but had a fun, fun day!

I couldn't take photos while we were busy so tried to sneak some pictures of customers browsing and shopping after it slowed down a bit. We had a great time seeing everyone. It was a beautiful day in Ocean Beach. Sun was out, not too chilly, not too warm, perfect shopping weather and the street was packed!






22.11.08

Christmas Open House Saturday, November 29th - Please join us!

We all can't wait for our customers to see the fabulous vintage and antique finds we have waiting for them at the open house Saturday. We'll be working all day Tuesday and Wednesday getting ready, taking a break for Thanksgiving festivities and unveiling the shop this weekend.

17.11.08

Old bottles with bling and glitz!

The contrast of the old bottles with rhinestones make the best displays for jewelry.

15.11.08

I'm always eager to share our new finds. . .

We have a weakness for great American country cupboards. This one had been painted many decades ago so the patina is wonderful.
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We have a wonderful collection and display of signed rhinestone jewelry, Weiss and Eisenburg

How about an enameled victorian decanter, very hard to find!


I couldn't resist posting this photo of the figural bird on top of this lid - so whimsical.

These French tole lamps are so appealing. This one has sweet porcelain roses.