Monday, June 24, 2013

After seeing so many real antique shops...

...I had to make some adjustments to Then Again.
 Nearly every shop had at least one silver tea set. I adapted another few pieces of the toys that I purchased at Christmas time. The teapot is a sugar bowl with part of the handle cut out. The sugar bowl just had the base cut off, as did the creamer, so that the teapot would stand taller. The tray is just a painted wood  plate.
 I didn't like the long tablecloth on the low table so I just left a circular mat on the table top to better show off the tools. They look great, I think. The cowbell and the mallets are pieces I added to the display.
Nearly every store had things hanging from the ceiling. Often it was baskets but it wasn't uncommon to find buckets, washtubs, chairs, etc. hanging. When the floors and walls are covered, there's only one way left to go. ;-)
The coffee grinder is a real antique.It has moving parts but when hubby was turning the wheels, spindles started falling out until one wheel actually fell off! With the wonders of super glue I was able to repair the damage but I placed it in the back up high on purpose. I have friends who like to play with some of my minis and I want to keep this one safe. On the window sill you can see that I painted designs on the teapot and pitcher (and also on the plate not shown in this photo.)
The wooden bowl was one of the unfinished pieces I purchased. It's been stained brown on the inside and a rustic red on the outside. Then I waxed it inside and out. I love how it turned out. Since the photo was taken, I have filled the bowl with tiny shells.

The wooden bucket was also unfinished. I stained it to give it a worn look and added a black wire handle. The large terracotta pot holds rolling pins for display. I saw a lot of those at each shop, too. The aqua planter now holds vintage magazines, although they are not pictured here.
 Here's the lower entry level. The patriotic mirror was aged a bit to tone down the bright white. It looks nice opposite the star quilt. The two small plaques above the painting came from a couple of the wine marker rings I purchased.
Since I decided to use the candlestick table to hold the silver tea set, I moved the golfer statues to the desk in the lower level. These also were charms used on wine glass markers. I snipped off the rings, sanded them smooth and mounted them on button stands. Simple but effective. I got a lot of use out of that $1 bag of markers. (And I still have all the beads to use, too. :-) )

I think the inside is about as full as it can get. I really need to finish the last stone wall and then the roof so I can call the building finished. I want to add a sidewalk to the front and side. Then I can display a few items outside as well. This has been such a fun project. There's an interesting mix of genuine antiques, artisan pieces, random knick knacks and recycled junk. Hmmm, that's a lot like a real antique shop.

Have a great week, everyone!

7 comments:

Lady Jane said...

I love to go to antique shops and you really captured one extremely well. This is a shop I would love to browse in.

Mini Addictions said...

I love your antique shop. It looks just like the real antique stores here in NE Georgia. You did a great job!

April D said...

It's delightful! I feel like I could spend hours just looking at all the STUFF in there! Great job! :)

Unknown said...

it looks great! I spend hours browsing antique stores and flea markets. I could definitely spend hours in your store if I was 5 inches tall!

Marisa said...

what a lovely tea service! your little shop is adorable

Hugs
Marisa :)

De said...

Thank you so much, everyone! I was really trying for the overcrowded/treasures everywhere look. From your comments, I think I got it. :)

Fabiola said...

I like the details in your antique shop.
Greetings, Faby