July Sweet Salvage

I know, I know – it would be nice if I’d post a recipe today since I missed posting so many days this month due to vacation. So sorry, but we ate the second foil packet for dinner last night, so I got nothing for you today … recipe-wise.

I have something WAY better!

Via

My vintage finds from this month’s sale at Sweet Salvage! I was pretty bummed when I realized that I was going to be out of town for the 3rd Thursday of the month. I’m usually there, standing in line with the other Sweet devotees when the doors open at 10:00.

Even though I’ve gone on Fridays, Saturdays, and even Sundays in the past, I feared that all the “good stuff” would be gone by the time I got there this past Sunday afternoon.

Not so! In fact, I couldn’t even buy all that I wanted. I had to really edit myself and use every ounce of my limited self-control to not spend four times more than I spent.

Via

For instance, I did not buy that fabulous vintage “Log Cabin Bread” display stand at the top of the page. Oh, I wanted that so bad! And I did not buy the wonderful cabinet pictured above, although I went back and forth on “where I would put it” – I just couldn’t justify spending the money, so it was left behind.

Not to worry, I found plenty of treasures.

Want to see?

Good, cause I want to show you! Let’s begin with this…

Do you have any idea what it is? Sheila was my shopping partner and it took the two of us a moment to figure it out.

It’s a 1920’s collapsible drying rack with twelve spindles that pull up and out. A cool rustic gadget for drying clothes, linens, lingerie, and such.

Made by the Art Moore Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I envision using it at pool parties for towels…

… or at a dinner party to hold napkins, or menus, or party favors, or… the possibilities are endless. Can not wait to use it!

Next up – is a vintage glass 5-gallon water bottle in a metal tip stand.

(TEASE -Notice the construction in the background of this shot – more on that in the days ahead.)

Check out the 2 letter – 5 digit phone number. That, on its own, is totally awesome!

I’m still not certain if I’ll clean it up and use it for beverage service at parties or leave it as is and turn it into a terrarium.

If you’re not super cool like me and in the loop with the young design crowd and creative types (yeah, right!), you may not know that terrariums have recently begun popping up and gaining favor on design and craft blogs … and on Pinterest.

Image swiped from Pinterest

Do you remember when terrariums were exceedingly popular in the 70’s? They are back in a big way! Google “terrariums” and see what I’m talking about.

Before I get to my favorite finds, here are a few of the little items I scored…

A narrow, long, and deep galvanized box with metal and rubber handles – possibly a future ice bucket for beer and soda or maybe a planter – not sure yet. For the kitchen – four lion head bowls, three butter pats, and an escargot dish.

This salvaged metal tin ceiling tile border trim has such great patina!

I was inspired by the gorgeous salvaged tin valance in Sheila’s Coronado Island house. I’d planned to use mine as a window valance in my bathroom, but turns out it’s not long enough. I’ll let you know when I figure out how to make it work or I find another use for it.

I already have a collection of more than 15 vintage glass seltzer bottles, but this is my first metal-encased seltzer bottle. It is most likely from the late 50’s or early 60’s.

Another of the fantastic design features at Sheila’s California house is the metal-encased seltzer bottles, turned into light pendants, in her kitchen. Yeah, my girlfriend has true decorating style, taste, and talent.

Finally, my last and favorite find!

A 1924 “Universal” silver-plated nickel coffee percolator urn, manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark in New Britain, Connecticut.

The coffee urn is detailed with an engraved leaf pattern and has 2 Bakelite handles, 4 Bakelite feet, and a Bakelite spigot. Best of all, it works!

Plus, I got the matching tray for a song, thanks to Sweet Salvage co-owner, Kim Rawlins, who tracked it down for me and then slashed the price by more than half. Thank you, Kim!

Alas, Kim Rawlins isn’t the only sweet Kim I know… my dear friend and Canada vacation pal, Kim Howard, also did something amazingly sweet for me.  Kim knew I was disappointed that I couldn’t be at the Thursday opening day event. She and her sister shopped on Thursday and Kim bought me adorable vintage kitchen treasures she knew I’d love. And oh, how I do!

A colorful recipe box and three spice jar “books” – so dang cute!

How kind, thoughtful, and adorable is she?!?! Thank you beautiful Kim. xoxo

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Here’s some cool history I dug up on Landers, Frary & Clark:

Landers & Smith Manufacturing Company was established in 1853. In 1862 Landers acquired the firm of Frary, Clark & Company, of Meriden Connecticut, the company name changed to Landers, Frary & Clark.

In the 1890s the trade name “Universal” was adopted for the company’s products.

The number of products manufactured by Landers over the years was enormous. They not only made stainless percolators but also steel bull-nose rings and electric ranges, kitchen scales and vacuum bottles, window hardware and ice skates, mouse traps and can openers, cutlery, and aluminum cookware.

That’s not all… meat choppers and sausage stuffers, screw eyes and strap hooks, door handles and floor scrapers, molasses gates and faucets, meat hooks and harness hooks, cast iron match boxes and curry combs, fancy brass hat hooks and eyes with porcelain knob ends – even toys, and thousands of other products.

In 1965 Landers, Frary & Clark was acquired by the General Electric Company’s Housewares Division.