A tour of the Red Bench

RED BENCH ANTIQUES
Silverton, Oregon
by
Marionberry Cottage

One of my favorite "never disappoint" antique malls is located in the small quaint city of Silverton Oregon. On a recent Saturday, I remembered to throw in my camera, so I could share with you this wonderful place where you can find every kind of cottage style

upon arrival, soft comfy overstuffed rose chairs beckon that this is a comfortable and inviting place to shop

A good time to drool over the fab collection of depression glass displayed artfully in crisp white cabinets. The collection of wall art with beautiful roses was incredible!

On to the next "room" we step back into time with country cottage style. This reminds me so much of my grandparents farm and the things they cherished.

on to the next, I could play dress up here!
What a wonderful collection vintage apparel.

*giggle*
Anyone who knows me all too well, knows that
this is a destination stop for me-
I am crazy, passionate and obsessed with old linens!

Imagine my delight as I enter this tucked away alcove of vintage treasures~
and my DH says uh oh, we are gonna be here a while....

After I finally drug myself out of the linen closet with an arm load,
I decided I could just move into this romantic pink room!
I stayed in here quite a spell too...

A light and bright room overlooking the river below, I fell in love with this pretty pink roses bench. I think it might be an inspiration to create my own!

A place for vintage kiddy treasures...I actualy saw a doll clothes carrier just like my daughter owned--guess at 29 her items are vintage now too!

And last but not least, this French European inspired room was a delight to visit with the rich colors of that decorating style. I hated to leave, but DH had enough after over an hour. It was time to move on. I decided the next time I return, it will be when I am by myself!

I hope you enjoyed this fun tour as much as I did. When you get a chance, stop by my website to see just how much I do enjoy the cottage style and my love for recreating and repurposing yesterdays treasures into tomorrows heirlooms!

Debbi
Marionberry Cottage

Vintage Art

Hello everyone, My name is Lynn and Denise has graciously ask me to be a team member on Le Vintage Journal. I am a passionate vintage and antique hunter mostly for the cottage style of living. I have a boutique on line called The Vintage Nest.

I consider it a very happy day when I am out treasure hunting and run across an antique Victorian floral oil painting. Oh happy day, as I silently giggle and clap for joy. More passionate in conviction than technique, the late 19th century and early 20th century amateur paintings are still a subject of obsession today. We collectors hunt for these paintings on gut reaction, buying from our hearts without the aid of any experts. I can spot a floral a mile away. Often I am accompanied by a friend who will be on the look out for me, will spot what she thinks is one, come running, only for me to tell her it's from the 1930's or 40's or 50's or a new painting painted in an antiquey method. I once spotted a yard long in a sweet little antique shoppe in the suburbs of Chicago, while visiting my son, paid for it and held on to it for dear life all the way home to Virginia via air.

These pieces were painted in oil, often with varnished very dark backgrounds (my favorites) by amateurs studying still life, at their leisure and often on Sunday afternoon.....thus giving their work the name of Sunday afternoon paintings. Oil requires time, care and concentration and should the painter deliver less than a perfect stroke, it's very plain to see. Most of the ones I find I sell but I have one that I have kept which, frankly speaking, is pretty bad but I fell in love with it because of the pink roses and soft green leaves and the very elaborate gold guilt frame. The florals have become very popular with the cottage and shabby decorating style. They are less than perfect and easy to live with, just like some of my old antique furniture (and me). If you love it it works. Digging around in dusty antique places is my idea of a perfect outing. Pictured below is one of those now loved, but forgotten treasures I just recently acquired. This painting is of lilies and a tulip and executed on board. It measures approx. 15" x 12". For more photos of this charming antique painting you can go here. My personal quest is to find one of these lovely old paintings in white roses.