The Upcycled Garden

Self-proclaimed “Garden Junkers” Patrick McChesney and Sherri Johnson stick plants in almost anything sitting empty on their properties.  Moss roses are tucked in a hanging dust bin.  Petunias cascade from different levels of a cream separator.  Mini gardens sprout in wheelbarrows and washtubs. 

“The rustier and more dented the better,” says McChesney who is currently installing the front end of a vintage truck into the side of a small hill in his landscaping.  “What some people consider junk, I consider yard art with character.”  And what could be more “green” than recycling containers and metal that might otherwise end up in the landfill? 

This spring, think outside the terracotta pot and use your imagination when planting containers. Flowers can flourish in almost anything as long as they have proper drainage and exposure to light.  Galvanized buckets and tubs, copper boilers, vintage carpenter’s tool boxes, crates, wire baskets, suitcases, and Radio Flyer wagons all make great containers. 

One of my favorite planters is an old, red Emerson seed separator that I purchased at an auction.  I lined the cavities at the top of the machine with thick plastic, poked holes in the bottom for drainage, filled it with soil, and planted both cascading and upright flowers.  With smaller containers at its base on the steps, it became a focal point on our front porch.

If you need a bigger planter, try a wheelbarrow, claw footed bathtub, or a canoe.

I have an old wheelbarrow upturned in the garden with flowers planted to look like they “spilled” out.  Another idea is to set up a vintage iron bedframe in the garden with the side rails level with the ground.  Filled with flowers, it literally becomes a flower “bed”.  Long chicken feeders or hollowed out logs make effective border planters.  For an upright, layered planter, paint an old dresser a bright color, set it outside, and plant flowers in the opened drawers.  

An old chair with no seat can hold a pot of bright flowers and is easy to move to various locations such as a porch, by a fence, or by a mailbox.

If you want an unusual hanging planter, add wire or small chain and an S hook to a colander, a globe cut in half and hung upside down, or a birdcage.  

A scale with plants added to the hanging basket would work well.  For a wall, try attaching a fishing creel, a vintage mailbox that opens at the top, or a pair of bright rain boots nailed right through the rubber rim.  Fill with ferns or bright flowers.

Upcycling your garden doesn’t need to focus just on planters.  Repurposed trellises can be made from metal grids, vintage bedsprings, or funky 1970s room dividers.  Make a tipi trellis out of old garden tools by sinking the long handles partially into the ground and tying the tops together just under the metal part of the tools. 

Old grates, metal headboards, or vintage implements are not only sturdy trellises but also become focal points in your landscaping.

The Garden Junkers recommend taking a good look around your barn, garage, or attic for great pieces.  “Have an open mind and get creative,” Johnson says.  “Yard art is everywhere, and the more imaginative you are, the more fun your yard will look!”  

The Real McCoy

           Be warned.  Collecting McCoy pottery is addicting.  With hundreds of designs in a plethora of colors to choose from, you may find yourself adding shelf space to display your finds.  McCoy is fun, affordable, and fairly easy to find as you get started.

            McCoy began in America’s heartland—Muskingum County, Ohio.  Ohio is also home to Shawnee, Hull, Weller, and Roseville, all popular with collectors, but McCoy became the country’s largest pottery manufacturer, making more product than all the other companies combined.  

Today, you can find the pottery at a variety of places from yard sales to antique stores, many for less than $10.  The McCoy family began producing their pottery in the late 19^th century and continued for four generations.  Their first pieces were functional—crocks and cookware for everyday use.  In the 1930s and 40s, McCoy introduced vases, cachepots, and novelty shapes like animals and fish for flowers and plants. 

After WWII ended, McCoy’s popularity soared, and the company developed hundreds of new styles to meet public demand.  At that time, the pottery was sold in five-and-dime stores.  The massive volume of production then is why pieces are still readily available today.

            Each design and line had names such as Blossom Time and Hobnail.  Collectors could mix and match patterns in different styles—such as a pitcher that matched a flowerpot.  The colors used were in line with midcentury tastes:  glazed turquoise, pink, yellow, and green.  

Today, collectors have the choice of specializing in certain colors, styles, or decades.  “Lunch hour” pieces are intriguing to most collectors; they were painted by McCoy employees on their lunch hours in colors that didn’t match the rest of the collections the company put out, so one may find unexpected designs in one-of-a-kind colors.

            Be sure to look for the McCoy mark on the bottom of pieces.  There are copycat pottery company products that may fool you, but as your collection grows, your eye will become trained to recognize the distinctive glaze and color of McCoy. 

Dedicated collectors have formed the McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society that puts out a quarterly journal for members.  Every July a week long Pottery Lovers Reunion is held in Zanesville, Ohio where people come to buy, sell, look, learn, and trade stories.  Some collectors have amassed hundreds and even thousands of pieces. 

            This spring, a great piece to start your McCoy collection with is the simple flowerpot.  Imagine some violets in a bright colored pot on your windowsill, and the hunt will begin!

Source:   “McCoy Pottery,” Country Gardens, Early Spring 2014, pp. 68-73.

Pillow Power

          This time of year we long for warmth and color—a change from the winter doldrums.  You can infuse energy and fun into your rooms merely by changing your pillows and throws.  Pillows are inexpensive and low risk—you can try a variety of colors and patterns that can be interchanged to suit the season or your mood without breaking your budget or creating lots of extra work.  Experiment with different textures and fabrics, and don’t be afraid to mix and match.  From burlap to chintz, there’s a style for every personality.

            Many sofas and chairs come with matching pillows.  Designers recommend recovering them or finding pillows that have their own personality that will stand out against the furniture fabric.  When you choose new pillows, try to pull colors and fabrics in the room together.  Find designs that mimic color tones in your artwork or draperies.  If you choose patterned pillows, make sure that at least one of the colors picks up on color you already have.  When shopping for new pillows or fabric, take paint chips that match the current colors in your room or fabric swatches.  They will help you determine if the pillow you like in the store will go with your room at home.

            Throw pillows can help support you in a too-deep sofa, but if your sofa or chair is fairly narrow, be careful not to overcrowd the space.  While you want your pillows to overlap, you don’t want to have to move them every time you want to sit down.  You should also leave some space around the pillows to show them off.  You can match size, shape, and color to create a more formal look, or mix and match shapes and graphic designs to make a more playful look. 

 Match the style and size of the pillows to the furniture.  For example, pillows with lots of ruffles and fringe wouldn't suit a modern sofa, and a tiny pillow would be overpowered on a large chair or bed.

             If you purchase vintage pillows or linens, check carefully for stains and tears.  Stains can be permanent from years of washing/drying, but there are a few methods you can try to remove them.  First, check for color fastness in the embroidery or design by gently dabbing the thread against a damp, white cloth.  If no color comes off, you may probably wash the piece safely.  If color shows, have the piece dry cleaned.  Remove the fabric from the pillow if possible.  It is recommended that you presoak the fabric in clear water.  It may take some time to remove decades of dirt.  Then gently swish the fabric in lukewarm water and mild, non-abrasive, phosphate-free soap flakes.  Avoid using modern bleach as it can destroy delicate fibers.  Rinse at least twice to remove the soap and do not wring the fabric to dry it.  Instead, lay the fabric flat on a white sheet or towel, press gently, and then lay outside in the sun to air dry.  If the fabric is white, you can try the old fashioned method of bleaching and rub lemon juice and salt over the stain before laying the textile out to dry in the sun.  Some antiquarians frown on sun-drying textiles, but many experts recommend this technique, and I have had success with refreshing my linens using the sun.

            Never underestimate the power of pillows and throws when redecorating.  They are an inexpensive, quick fix for a ho-hum space. 

Decluttering Vintage Style

     Winter is a great time to get organized.  Putting things in place, however, doesn't have to mean plastic totes or cardboard boxes.  You can sort clutter into vintage receptacles that will give your space a distinct and classy new look.  Here are some ideas for storing your stuff: 

      Pile old suitcases, trunks, or crates to form an end table with storage.  Suitcases can also be placed on top of a wardrobe or underneath a parlor table for designer storage.  I have two old homesteader boxes that I’ve piled on top of each other to make an end table in our living room.  They hide magazines, blueprints, notebooks, and other items that used to clutter my coffee table (an old factory cart).

       Place old hardware bins or cubbies on top of a desk to hold small essentials like paperclips, rubber bands, index cards, and erasers.  Large bins can look great as furniture that doubles as storage space.  Library file cabinets and apothecary drawers can serve the same function.  Crafters can use these multi-drawer pieces for beads and jewelry findings.

      Paint blackboard chalk on Mason jar lids, fill the jars with smalls from your junk drawer, and line the jars up in the drawer.  Write the contents on each lid to easily locate what you need.  You could use this idea in the garage with nails and screws or in the potting shed with seeds as well.

         Hatboxes make lovely storage receptacles for linens in the closet, bedroom, or bathroom.

       Metal lockers in the mudroom help hide boots, coats, scarves, and gloves.  In the craft room, lockers can hold supplies and cloth, and in a child’s room, brightly painted lockers become a fun storage area for toys.  Metal locker baskets make great storage boxes anywhere—on shelves in the kitchen, an office, the potting shed, or the laundry room.

        Place an old muffin tin in a drawer to hold small items from jewelry to beads to office supplies.

       If you have knick knacks but no shelving, turn an old crate sideways and attach its back to a wall to make an instant shadow box for smalls.

       Nail a metal time card rack on the wall to organize cards, bills, and mail.

       An old ladder (single side) in the bedroom becomes a decorative rack for jewelry and scarves.  A metal grate or old fence section could be used for the same function.  Turn the ladder on its side and affix to the top of cabinets or partial walls, and you have a ready-made shelf.

       A map drawer has lots of room for wrapping paper, bows, tissue, and over sized ephemera.

  

       If you have a four-tine rake without a handle, hang it on a wall, and it converts to a jewelry or wine glass holder.

       An armoire is a beautiful way to store blankets, pillows, or quilts.  One could also be used in a bathroom instead of a linen closet to store towels, tissue, and soaps.  In the family room, use an armoire to hold games, books, or movies.

     You are only limited by your imagination when repurposing old things into useful storage.  Getting organized is lots more fun when you are decorating your house at the same time!  

A Nostalgic Noel

     My delight was embarrassing really.  After all, it was only an elf clad in red and white felt.  He wasn't that handsome—he had pointy ears and a jutting chin, but he grinned cheekily, and his eyes sparkled.  I bought him on the spot.  I grew up looking forward to unwrapping the “elf on the shelf” every Christmas, but our family had a house fire, and the elf perished.  To find another perched on some vintage Christmas ornaments in an antique store years later brought back childhood in an instant, and there was no question that he was headed home with me.

           

Much of how we decorate and celebrate at Christmastime is tied to tradition and nostalgia.  Decking our halls with vintage décor keeps memories and childhood alive for new generations.  Here are some suggestions for using antique and vintage Christmas collectibles in your home:

1.       Wire a wreath to a vintage sled and prop outside your front door. 

2.      Fill ceramic Santa mugs with candy canes or small treats.

3.      Arrange pewter candlesticks and Santa statues across a mantle with some greenery.

4.      Top your tables with mid-20^th century Christmas linens and hang vintage stockings by the fire.

5.      For a little sparkle, accent your table with a collection of glass finials.  These vintage tree toppers were made in varying heights and finishes and were popular before stars became the topper of choice.

6.      Use green or red and black plaid wool throws liberally on chairs, tables, or mantles.

7.      Display mercury glass, sometimes called silver glass.  It was made in the early 19^th century by blowing a silvering formula into glass shapes.  Unlike silver, mercury glass doesn't tarnish, but it adds a pretty touch anywhere in the house, especially when paired with greens or flowers.

8.      String a piece of jute across a frame, wall, or window, and hang Christmas cards with vintage clothes pins.  Hanging vintage holiday cards or postcards creates a nostalgic look for your garland.

9.      Deck your tree with vintage ornaments and glass balls, or attach the ornaments to a gift bow to make your present wrapping pop.

10.  Set your table with collectible holiday glassware in greens, reds, and whites.

11.  If you like a more natural feel, fill primitive dough bowls, crates, or baskets with fresh greens and berries.  Use burlap on the tree, around your presents, and as a table topper.  Burlap also works great as a wrapping accent.

12.  Duplicate older lighting on your tree with replica bubble lights, large colored stringed bulbs, or LED candles.  If you do find original decorative lighting, be sure to check the wiring for safety before using.  Place replica candles in your windows.  Electric versions with realistic soft tops in candle holders look especially appealing.

13.  Go fifties with an aluminum tree in a variety of colors.  This is a fun accent in a child’s bedroom.

14.  Make a seasonal kitchen valance out of vintage holiday aprons.

15.  Place an over sized holiday advertising poster in your entryway and frame with garlands.

16.  Don’t have a fireplace?  Build or purchase a faux mantle made of barn wood or molding for your wall and place a neatly cut stack of wood at its base. 

     Sentimental style will add whimsy and warmth to any home.  Go back to a simpler time this year, and make fresh memories with antique holiday collectibles.

Pretty Women

     We have been displaying flowers in a variety of containers for centuries, including vases, urns, buckets, jars, and glasses, but one of the prettiest containers of all originated in the 1950s and 1960s. Head vases were made in both the United States and Japan, and florists gave them away with their arrangements or occasionally sold them with sachets as gift items. The semi-porcelain ladies were made with either a high glaze or matte finish, and they were stylized in popular dress of the time, down to their miniature pearls or imitation gems.

 Many wore hats, gloves, or ornaments in their hair, and if you think you see a resemblance to Jackie Kennedy or Lucille Ball in some of the ladies, you’re right. Their glamorous look was never compromised with a smile; head vases bear an aloof, almost haughty look.

Most early head vases directed their gazes downward with heavily lashed eyes, but later styles include open eyes or upward glances. Many ladies have an uplifted hand cupped in the air or daintily touching their cheeks.

     Head vases had amazing detail and color considering they were mass produced. Collectors began finding head vases in second hand shops in the 1970s, and one can still find them in antique stores and flea markets today. Mint condition, rare vases can command several hundred dollars, but more common vases can still be found for as little as $10. Most head vases are marked with makers’ information. Several companies made the vases including the National Pottery Company of Cleveland, Ohio (Napco), Enesco (a Japanese paper label), and Betty Lous, produces by artist Betty Lou Nichols whose style included detailed ruffles, curls, and hand painted marks on the base of the vase. Women also purchased lady head forms to take home and hand paint, so one might find vases with signatures of the painter on the bottom. Those vases will be one of a kind.

     Collectors can’t seem to stop just at one or two head vases. Some collectors have amassed hundreds of heads and are constantly hunting for a rare, unique vase they can add to their treasures. You can display your head vases in a cabinet or lined up on shelves, but consider scattering them through the house on mantels, bookshelves, dressers, or even in the bathroom to hold hair or tooth brushes.

 They can contain pencils, paperclips, and sundry items in the office, and they will add a touch of glamour to any room. If you choose to display them en masse, consider using suitcases, books, cake stands, or satin covered blocks to vary heights and vantage points.

Head vases are a lovely way to reflect on a slower, more genteel time…a nice reminder in our busy, hectic lives.

For more information, go to AntiqueHeadVases.com, or refer to The Encyclopedia of Head Vases by Kathleen Cole or Lady Head Vases by Mary Zavada. A beautiful gallery of head vases can be seen at LadiesOfTheHouse.com.
Information source: "Lady Friends," Romantic Country, 2011.