"Neat Old" stuff...

Old restaurant sign off a bldg in St. Louis

I am absolutely intrigued by "neat old" stuff!  Antiquing is something that I enjoy...it's like  treasure hunting.  You just never know what you'll find or what you may want to bring home!  As February rolls in, it's one month closer to the Warrenton Antique Fair, also known as Round Top. Picture farm fields transformed into a tent city of antique dealers.

I'm having heart palpitations just thinking about it.

czech rocking horse...i have a thing for horses

My rummaging buddy and I am always looking for deals, so we head to Warrenton a week early for preview week.  Now when I say "antiques", don't picture your Grandmother's high end family heirlooms.  I'm talking pieces that have a story, but aren't necessarily costly.  I like pieces that have character...things that I like or can see using in a unique way.

salvaged pediment   

I've gathered items throughout the years and took some pics to show you some of my favorites that I have around the house. The last week of the Antique Fair, you can visit Marburger Farms. It's a show that has grown over the years into numerous tents filled with dealers who showcase their style and particular finds. I always leave with ideas on displaying or decorating, and often a unique piece!

vintage luggage and trunk

2 piece

This piece is a favorite. I needed something very narrow for this wall in the breakfast area. The interior color is a duck egg blue, and the outside patina is crackled, peeling and chipped....perfect!

The last pics show the before and after of my most challenging item to load and bring home.  But, I think it was worth it in the end...:)    I placed the car front (actually my husband and our neighbor had to lift it, after cutting out alot of the extra metal and weight) above the window in our bonus room...which is now retro and groovy with a pool table and other fun stuff. Here's a peek below...

Oh, and for fun, we figured out a way to get the lights to work...we strung Christmas lights through the headlights and behind the front grill, then wired a switch for it to the right of the window.  Soooo fun!!

I love interiors that mix the old with the new!  Wouldn't you love to hear the stories these "neat old" pieces could tell....