The Family That Blogs Together…

One of my three darling daughters sent this to me today. (The tips are copied in the entirety, below.) We all love the way vintage furniture looks; we probably can’t say the same thing about the way it smells. While vintage things add warmth and character to our homes, who wants our home to smell like someone’s attic? Some great tips. Thanks, Ellen!

1. White Vinegar: There isn’t much the stuff can’t do, but one thing I know for sure is that if it can take away the smell of mouse pee in cabinet drawers, it can handle a little must or vintage fumes. Brush it on gently and allow to dry fully. This trick works great for wood and vinyl pieces alike.

2. Baking Soda + Shade: Baking soda does great things for vintage sofas or assorted upholstered pieces. Just sprinkle it on thick and allow the piece to sit outside if possible. In the past I’ve even used a small nail brush to help grind it into the fabric at hand. Let it sit as long as possible (24 hours would be ideal), just make sure the item stays in the shade as baking soda will act as a bleaching agent in full sun. Yes it has a catch, but it also works wonders on smoke and the smell of someone’s damp basement.

3. 10% Bleach Solution: Many vintage cafe tables and chair sets have been cleaned up using a bleach and water solution and a soft bristled brush. Although this works mainly for the slightly yellow stains that can occur, it also does good things for those cushions that smell a little stale. You might not notice until you sit down on them and the air is compressed out. Clean the vinyl and the material that the air evacuates through is now a bit cleaner. Presto!

4. Strip & Refinish: Although no one really wants to tackle this step unless you have to, some pieces are so thick with smoke damage that they’re unable to be rescued by any other method. Usually smoke will get stuck (say on a coffee table) in the varnish of a piece and simply wiping it down with vinegar just won’t cut it. Read up on the products you’ll be using so you can do the best job you can the first time around!

5. Rinse, Lather & Repeat: With the exception of stripping and refinishing your furniture or special finds, repeating the above methods with frequency is a great way to help keep the smells under control. Unless things came from an especially smoke heavy or moisture laden home, you shouldn’t have to repeat things more than twice, but often, a second go round is needed.

When in Doubt, Make a List

It’s been a mad, crazy month, what with starting the blog, setting up shop at River Market, and now getting ready for the September market at The Mine. What I still need to do:

1. Recover a seat in burlap for a chair.

2. Finish the shiny red chandelier.

3. Fashion a lamp shade out of vintage maps, and make some more vintage map buntings.

4. Figure out how to hang old player piano rolls on a wall in the front entry in a way that is not impossible to dissemble if someone wants to purchase one (or more).

5. Touch up the file cabinet.

6. Wax the metal on a bar I converted from a vintage Cosco changing table. I can’t understand why the bare metal keeps rusting, but the wax should take care of it. (I love paste wax!)

7. Look in the garage for all the autumnal stuff I’ve squirreled away for the season that is shortly upon us.

8. Transport the remaining necessities from the warehouse to The Mine.

9. Make some sense of my booth and finish the front entry.

10. B R E A T H E.

Yes, I think I can do it!

River Market! River Market!

No pictures yet, but I moved into River Market Antique Mall yesterday! This is a big step–the first market I belong to that’s open 7 days a week. Kansas City people, make sure you hustle on down there this weekend for the big re-opening sale. Everything is 10% off through Sunday! Grab some veggies at the City Market while you’re down there.