Five Ways to Get Vintage Stuff for Free

There’s only one thing better that getting awesome vintage wares on the cheap from your favourite op/second hand emporium. And that’s getting stuff for free.

It’s been a long time since I wandered out of my house early one summer morn to find a gorgeous (though black varnished, d’oh) dining chair just sitting there on the street, free to a good home (I hope, otherwise the fuzz might be after me). 

Rene Lalique: Le Grand Fromage of Art Nouveau

Chances are that if you’re a fan of Art Nouveau, you would already be familiar with the works of Rene Lalique, the most well-known and influential designer of the Art Nouveau period. If this guy is news to you, then read on – Lalique’s wares are stunning, and he’s broadly collectable, so I thought it was worth giving youze guys a crash course in who he is.

Rene Lalique lived to a ripe old age, and was active across a number of periods and in a variety of fields. However, he is most revered for his work in glassware and jewellery, and original pieces from his eponymous company are fetching a pretty penny today. Example: on eBay right now there’s an original Lalique chandelier selling for just over $6000 (and the bidding will probably heat up before the auction closes). Even the small pieces are in the hundreds of dollars. Why?

Stakeout: Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop, East St Kilda

Can you believe I never knew this op existed? I knew about the other Sacred Heart Mission op shop. I thought I had it covered. But no – while on a visit to the Australian Poetry Centre (across the road, they had a bit of a fest last weekend), I realised that this awesome op, hitherto unvisited by yours truly, had been nestled away on the corner of Inkerman and Hotham streets all along.

Quirky Detective

I’ve been tagged (i think this is the correct terminology – as the ‘minimalist chic’ of this here blog shows, I’m not exactly au fait with Cutting Edge Trends in Technology. I don’t even have a computer at home. This may go some way towards explaining irregularity of posts etc etc) by Trish at Trish Hunter Finds to reveal six unspectacular quirks about myself.

Aunty Detective: Auction Houses in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne

More question related goodness! Huzzah!

This comes from NB in Melbourne:

“Love the blog and decided to test your super sleuthing skills by asking if you know of any auctions/ auction houses in the Western suburbs and have you bought any vintage items at auction.”

OK, first things first. Let’s have us a little talkee about the antiques and auctions culture in Melbourne.

Aunty Detective: Glomesh’s Mystery History

Oh, how I love a good question. Here’s one I received from JR:

“Hi Chloe,

I’m just wondering if you know of any history behind ‘Glomesh – Glo International Australia’.
 
I can’t seem to find anything on the net other than people selling it or a brief comment like yours.”

Hmmm, as I once heard on a snappy TV show, ’short answer no with a but, long answer yes with an if’.

If Wednesday Adams Digs the Kitty Foyle, Then So Do I

‘Kitty Foyle’ is the name of a rather charming 1940 film starring Ginger Rogers. It tells the tale of a working girl (in the sense of Dolly Parton/working 9-5, not in the sense of Julia Roberts/Pretty Woman) who falls in lurve and marries a young, rich socialite. The family of said socialite are generally rude and snooty to the modest-but-loveable Kitty.  

I won’t ruin the ending for you, but it’s a story of class, family, society, finding one’s place in the world etc etc. From a feminist perspective, the end of the film puts out a pretty lousy/disturbing message, now that i think about it. But, textual issues aside, this film also gave us what became a Classique of understated, chic dressing – the ‘Kitty Foyle’ dress. Typically, this is a dark, long sleeved dress with contrasting collar and cuffs (which are usually white). It can be seen here (sort of):