I’m often asked why I buy what I buy. It’s a very unscientific process, unfortunately. I just buy what I like and go with my gut. I think the best way I can explain it generally is to say I buy what I think will look great…in a room, in a photo, in my retail space. I look for the decorative quality in furniture, antiques and accessories. I rarely buy something because it’s “collectible” or “valuable.” If you want more specifics…here you go!
I always look for…
…solid wood antique and vintage furniture. It has to be well constructed and have great lines.
…things I can use…
…to make other things.
…things that are a little quirky.
…things that once were functional and can now be art.
…ironstone. ‘Nough said.
…things that are good for display.
…daily, household items like alarms clocks…
…fans…
…and scales.
…containers. Think baskets, caddies and totes.
…things that make great photo props.
…warm woods and great texture.
… and things that you won’t see in your neighbor’s house.
That should give you a good start at a “Miss Mustard Seed Shopping List.”
What are the things you gravitate to when you’re shopping?
53 Responses
For me it's texture, texture, texture! I love the tobacco basket!
Susan
Garden – wooden benches, hand tools, wooden tool caddies, aqua sealers, wooden spools, blue and white dishes, white…
I'm also like you, if it speaks to me, I buy it. I'm definitely still learning though. I love seeing the things you pick up and your ideas for them.
I don't have a process either but I mostly gravitate towards textiles and silver/metal pieces, awesome picture or mirror frames, and well-made furniture at a great price.
Same here. Auctioneers say I buy the strangest things. I go for rust and chippy over expensive and valuable items
Love these!
I like things that aren't perfect. Chippy works for me.
i love cottagey fabrics, tablecloths and roses. things from the 40's, 50's and 60's. i am all over a lot of things i can repurpose too. your list is the dream list for many of my own crossover items… it is great to see what will catch your eye formally.
thank you for sharing. xow.
Great pics. I love anything that screams "farmhouse" or "schoolhouse". And of course I love anything that I find at a flea market that I just saw in the Pottery Barn catalog (at a third of the price of course).
Loooooove me some ironstone!! And furniture, of course. But I'm a sucker for a decorative wood frame, or any type of metal basket….
Love your style! Errrrr…and if you ever run out of ironstone platters, etc…I'm your girl! YIKES! I have an embarrassing amount with lack of proper display space. I think I have a disease! 🙂 lol
I love rusty ornate! Cast iron scrollwork is divine and rusty gears are just as purdy to me! Cottage-y is the look I like, especially outdoors, but anything that is unique really screams at me and I really like finding out-of-the-box uses for things, to give them a "repurposed life." You've given me tons of new inspiration on many things – THANKS so much!
Awesome tips here! You have a good eye too, and that helps a lot when looking. I too, don't buy for the value, although some things turn out to be of value that we had no clue did. Best part is we did not pay a lot for them. I love all that you share with us! Thank you.
I like the beauty of a perfect teapot juxtaposed with a very primitive furniture piece. I love colorful items ~~ anything pink catches my eye. I love pieces of old jewelry ~~ I like to re-purpose the beads. I also love to collect old patterns. Just the other day I spent a few fun hours re-acquainting myself with my collection. My darling hubby of 31 years tolerates my collections, but he doesn't really like the primitive look. If I lived alone, I would have a pale pink bedroom with a few primitive pieces. I have learned throughout the years that because I love pops of color, I must limit my collections, to allow the eye to rest 🙂 If I sings to me and makes me smile, I buy it. I do not purchase as much volume now. I tend to spend more money on just one piece… I can't help it… especially if it is singing a song that I love! My little blog has pictures of my collection. http://www.melodyejoy.wordpress.com (I hope it's okay to put that link ~~ if not, just delete it)
Blessings, Melodye O
I often go for the things that nobody else even looks at. The auctioneers know when the bid is getting down to $2, my number is going to be shaking at them. Of course, explaining that the really, really heavy chest of drawers was in a package of 2 for 2.50 did not endear me to the bf, but this girl is learning. The lines and construction of a piece are so much more important to look at than how "pretty" they are on the day you meet them.
Pretty, pretty plates preferably delicate flowers and vintage aprons are my favorites. I use my pretty luncheon sized plates all the time and I have a stack of depression glass saucers that I got for FREE that we use for desserts!
That's how I shop! My hubby has stopped asking me what I'm going to use it for! LOL Now if I could only train him to pick the right junk!
Jody
Yep, that about covers it…….
I agree! If you like it, the object will look great. It's important to follow your passion and gut. Rarely does the "in thing" mean much to us personally. Thanks for the great advice!
Reading your post is like reading my 'shopping list' 🙂
For me it is all funky and antique. I love things that have a history to tell!
With a smaller house and 3 little kids, I've turned to buying things that are fun to look at, but practical and useful (I'm loving baskets right now); can be hung high if fragile or super sturdy if on their level; and not too pricey, so if it does get broken, I don't die in utter pain at it's loss.
Thanks for the great tips. You definitely have an eye for "wonderful."
I like the beauty of a perfect teapot with a very primitive furniture piece. Your collection is awesome, I also stored same stuffs in my garage.
I adore your style and love all of the things you buy. I think trusting your gut to purchase what you love is wonderful..and I must say you have a great gut 😉 Thanks for sharing!
I like vintage antique wood furniture, have a passion for vintage scales, love books old books with decorative cool front covers, some old linens I have a love for pillowcases adorned with hand crocheted and embroidery. I too only buy what I would put in my home or what looks awesome in my space every now and then I step outside of that for instance recently I bought 40 old vintage metal cow tags that I was unsure of and put in my space I had another dealer trade me immediately giving me an old red scale with the weights and a victorian side table for them……..before they made it to my space so that was just a gut feel not a I love and want to decorate with but I ended up with what I love and put the two items traded in my home. I love your style and would love to shop in your antique room!
Although I adore antiques furniture, my biz name is a play on Kentucky and Antique, so in MY mind, I'm on the prowl for solid wood furniture, preferably old, (antique at a cheap price would be awesome) that I can "make" to look "Kentique", lol! My eyes just gravitate toward a piece, and even if I walk by it at first, I will have to go back! It WILL call my name, especially if the price is right! It's gotta have good bones, and prefer some texture, character, and purpose.
Oh and for now, accent pieces that are not to big for me to handle.
Texture. Chippy. Wood. Earthenware. A sense of past…but functional. Except I'm a softy for anything sheepy, because I raise sheep! 🙂
Your last comment is the best…things you won't see in your neighbors house. I am the same way, I like unique pieces–vintage textiles, folk art, antiques. When I do craft shows I almost always spend my profits on another artisan's work. I love PA textiles and can't get enough of them.
http://Www.notesfromthequiltlab.blogspot.com
My Mom and Grandmom didn't cook much so I look for ironstone, fiestaware, transferware and glassware to use with the family and so my girls have something they like when they set up their own homes. Also love Oriental items from mid-century or older. I pickup framed art to change the mood of a room. And small hard-covered books. I love the way they look stacked on a table or a piano.
As a new graduate and soon-to-be homeowner and wife (busy year!), it is an inspiration to read your blog and see what catches your eye. I have been hooked on Miss Mustard Seed for the past few months, and yesterday got the chance to visit your space at Luckett's! Thanks for inspiring me over and over.
Wow, your blog and pictures are just getting more and more amazing! Congratulations!
my criteria has always been:
WHAT CAN I NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
and…um…for starters, i can't live without vintage french beer bottles and black leather falling apart bibles.
michele
I love so many things, however, I need STAFF and help to do all the things I don't like to do, so that my time can be free to do all the projects I want to do. So the stuff I collect jut sort of sits and waits for me to get to it….sad, I know!!
I can never pass up clear glass. I especially love older pieces. I also love glass dishes in all colors b/c my mother collects and I love to see if I can find unusual colors or pieces.
When "it" takes my breath away I buy it!
Interesting post! By the way, those folding rulers really aren't quirky…my dad used them all the time as a carpenter. They were invented to put in a pocket before the retractable measuring tapes we have now were invented. I have his old one and I treasure it.
I just came home from D.C. yesterday and noticed we were driving through a little town called Lucketts. We rounded a bend and there was the store!! It was a sweet surprise! I wish we could have stopped but we had two sleeping kiddos in the back and my husband wanted to get home. Next time we go down I am going to make sure I can stop! I noticed there is a house a few doors north of the store that had an amazing black glass cabinet sitting on the porch. I wondered who would leave that beautiful piece sitting on their front porch!!
You summed it up beautifully!
I love anything with beautiful typography, particularly french, I love old ointment pots and anything vintage with an interesting advertisement, as well as furniture with gorgeous swirly detail on, I love the Rococco style too.
I love things that shine, like silver, crystal, mirrors and beautiful lamps!
By the way, I read recently, that you can brighten ironstone by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide for 5-6 days!
Barbara@thetreasuredhome.com
Loved this post Marian! My husband and I love to go to the local auctions or antique barns together and more often than not, our 6yr old enjoys it too (mainly because they slices of cake!). The hubby and I like different things – I gravitate towards ceramics, baskets, etchings (hubby thinks they're too gothic),linens, copper molds and pots, while he buys old bottles, fans crates and furniture. We love having interesting pieces in our house and everything has a story behind it.
My husband tells people that I buy & decorate with anything that would require a tetanus shot if you cut yourself on it. In other words, old, rusty, chippy goodness : o )
Anything that looks like it has a story to tell. Old, beat up, rusted out… cool.
Pretty sure you and I are long lost sisters. I agree with every single thing on your list! Love it!
Andrea
Great Post! It is so nice to have things you won't find at your neighbor's house. I love the little high you get the first time someone visits your home! My grandmother brings her friends over for tours!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
Typewriters, aprons, cake stands, fabric, and Pyrex. I live in New England — land of great antiquing! I love when I find things that are unusual. I went to the Brimfield Fair for the first time two weeks ago and I'm definitely going back.
Hi Marion,
I love all your finds, especially the clock and camera. I too shop with my gut. I recently posted about my finds–check them out–most are from PA, but some are from Lucketts Store.
http://allaboutvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/07/so-haute.html
I am drawen to the primitive. Rough. Simple. Once useful.
anything galvanized! love the patina of vintage wood and metal. i see that i have the same taste as you. 😉
judi
I love old,chipped and aged looking items..They have so much character..
Janet
You are certainly drawn to beautiful things with lots of character! I love your choices. I am probably similar in the things I am drawn to, although I seem to have a real weakness for any type of vessel – vases, urns, etc…I have more right now than I can possibly use and everytime I hit a market I want to buy more! 🙂 Thanks for your sweet comments – I'll keep you posted on my plans!
These are great things to hunt for! I like to look for monogrammed items, vintage office items and old signs ~ at the moment!
Love the "things you won't find in your neighbor's house" item on the list (smile). I love typography, sailboats, a very specific teal color, a not very specific yellow color and vintage children's books. And boardgames. No particular reason. Quirkiness I guess.
Bernadette @b3hd
I gravite to things with interesting lines; great wooden pieces with an excellent patina; stuff that is a little unusual or that can be re-purposed into something else.
http://inspiredantiquity.blogspot.com/