Fridays Finest

If you are interested in Fresh Quince devoting a Fridays Finest post in your hometown, please 'like' Fresh Quince on Facebook or follow via Google Connect and leave a comment below to let me know where. Fresh Quince will dedicate the first Friday of every month to cities of your choice! I have a few places lined up so far... Minneapolis, Virginia Beach and Raleigh. I truly look forward to 'travelling' around the country once a month and possibly finding just what you've been looking for!

Here are my fave's on DC's Craigslist right now...

Glass Top Lucite Dining Table $250 {i have seen lucite lamps more expensive than this}...

Inspirational image for the lucite table above...

Timothy Whealon via Elle Decor

Queen West Elm headboard and frame $300 {the combination new would cost over $600. maybe paint if you're feeling saucy. maybe red}...

Antique Ceramic Asian Lamp $130 {a blast from the 50's past. vintage lamps can be pricey}...

'50's Modern' Rocker $100 {oh shoot forgot to link. a fun conversation piece}...

French Country Dresser and Mirror $200 {pretty. this girl can be dressed up or down depending on your style}...

2 Wassily Chairs $125 {hot price. hot chairs}

Hot inspirational interior for the above chairs...

via Houzz

Uttermost Raindrops Mirror $200 {brings in an element of light and airiness if you have too many frames}...

You could hang the mirror above in your bedroom (just make sure it is securely fastened)...

via flikr

Asian Peacock Panels $70 {hip above a sofa}

Ikea Desk $79 {nice streamlined desk and it's already assembled for those that dislike ikea}...

Large Hexagon Mirror $50 {love hexagon shapes. remind me of bee hives and love bees.}...

And another bedroom idea for the craigslist mirror above (honestly though i think it would be bad feng shui to hang a mirror or anything heavy above your bed, but it looks cool)...

via Marie Burgos Design blog

Beautiful White Desk $150 {just lovely and hey you don't have to paint}

Restoration Hardware English Roll Arm Sofa $800 {adore english roll arm sofas and chairs. this one is already dressed for success in camel velvet}

Here's how gorgeous the above sofa could look in your living room...

via decor journal

Bamboo Umbrella Stand $25{could be spray painted if that's your thang}

2 Slipper Chairs $285/pair {sweet girls that may not need upholstery}

Or you could do this with the above chairs...

Shaun Jackson Design

Chairs McGuire 6 $300/piece {i adore these chairs as they remind me of a spider web}

Mid Century Modern Dresser $250 {so mad men}

2 Mod Chrome & White Leather Chairs $80/pair {cheap and sexy. just how i like it ;)}

Beautiful Dove Tale Lane 'Acclaim' coffee table $225 {can you believe that i was given this exact coffee table over 10 years ago and i didn't like it, so i gave it away. what was i thinking? my older eyes love it}

Free Dresser {free}

For the free dresser above, you could paint it blue like Cassie at Primitive and Proper did...

What a transformation, right? Click on Primitive & Proper to see the full story!

Vintage Ginger Jar Lamp $75 {sumptuous pagoda red lamp. great price too}...

Milo Baughman Style Console $250  {a real beauty for sure}...

Sunny Yellow Patio Set $60 {are you ready for spring? you will be with this lovely set. i'll bring the tea and biscuits}...

Free Dresser {paint}...

Large Asian Style Armoire $349 {this looks like a real substantial piece. love the red! i think my friend doreen from style maniac would fall for this beauty}....

Jens Risom Style Walnut Reversible Table $150 obo {buy this and why not offer to buy that gorgeous orange sofa behind it}...


Hope you all were inspired to search Craigslist before going the retail route! And remember to comment to let me know where you would like me to go for a Fridays Finest tour of your town.

Have a happy weekend! xx Danielle

Dining Chairs...What Would YOU Do?

This is my dining room as it currently looks (with a mischievous little monster on top of my Craigslist table)...

The current chairs were purchased over 4 years ago at a local Flea Market. I wish I took before photos as they have gone through quite the transformation. If you can believe this...they were originally painted white. Yes, I know all I ever say is paint, paint, paint. But the white was dirty and I prefer table/chair contrast for interest. So, I had them stripped (tried to do it myself with natural paint thinner to no avail). I then reupholstered the old blue/red/tan morning glory fabric with linen and black velvet brocade. I have since tired of them and have bought replacements...see below!

Enough about my old chairs let's chat about my new $10 Bamboo Craigslist chairs, which will now go in the dining room above...

So here's my question (note that I will upholster the seat and the back area where the wicker is now):

Do I keep them, as is, in natural wood and reupholster them in peacock velvet (I bought the velvet over a year ago and it has just been sitting in my office patiently awaiting dress rehearsal)??...

Or do I paint the chairs black and reupholster in  same peacock velvet (no tufting though)?...

Inspirational Image. Garouste and Bonetti Chairs.

Or do I paint them peacock blue?...

Inspirational image via oc prop girl

And reupholster in this fabric?...

Papillion Fabric

 or this...

Nepal in Citrus

I have a love for insects and animal prints in design, a simple connection to nature! 

So, please tell me your thoughts...what would YOU choose? 

p.s. My sister has delightfully offered to take my old chairs in exchange for a big hug and smile.

What to Wear Wednesdays: TZR style

Do you all get the Zoe Report, TZR, by Rachel Zoe? I do and if you're interested go here. I really enjoy the glamorous ensembles she puts together. Like the one below...

Image TZR

The Zoe 'recommended' chic outfit above has inspired my vintage outfit of the week...

1. Vintage 70's Silver Shirt, Etsy $24 2. White House Black Market Black Flare Jeans, Ebay $26.99 

3. Chloe Patent Leather Platforms, I-Ella $210  4. Vintage Goldenrod Clutch, Etsy $25 5. Vintage Gold Zebra Charm Necklace, Etsy $38 6. Vintage Black Enamel Bracelet, Etsy $12

Happy Vintage Shopping!!! 

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they to, have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in our own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe; no less that the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him/Her to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your should. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

The quote was written in the 1920's by Max Ehrmann. My sister gave it to me and my mother years ago and we all have it on our fridge for quick meditations. I wish you all a peaceful week! xx Danielle

Image credit: David McMahon

Color Recall: 40's and 50's

I am hosting a new series called 'color recall' written by my dear mom...Sandy!

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COLOR RECALL

While some people may spend a lifetime without giving serious thought to color, I think about it all the time.  The other night I was recalling my aunt’s kitchen in the 1940’s and 50’s.  Her appliances were aqua and her kitchen accessories pink.

 

Image via History Scoop

 I realize now that she kept up with modern trends even though I didn’t realize it at the time.  For instance, her decorative objects had all the earmarks of 50’s design:   a starburst clock, a sleek black leopard statue, fiesta ware, and boomerang shapes on fabric cushions.  

fiestaware via you go girl

Black Panther on Etsy $10

boomerang fabric via no pattern required

Her kitchen table and chairs were vinyl with metal trim—the table top was a mottled gray faux marble—I frequently see people who are trying to get the 50’s look by buying similar sets at flea markets .  I really admired two Chartreuse clad Asian ladies that served as lamp bases in her living room.   Coincidentally, they resemble a second-hand lamp that currently sits in the living room of Fresh Quince...

This aunt favored aqua, pink, black, and chartreuse during that era—she was also the one who made delicious fried pork chops and ate the all surrounding fat (it was crispy and delicious).  Her more delicate sisters (one of whom was my mother) discarded this part and severely warned that there would be dire consequences of eating pure fat.   These warnings went unheeded and my aunt  passed away in her 90s. More next week!

Written by: Sandy Tuberson
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Thanks so much mom! For inspiration, below are some modern interpretations of the 40's and 50's decor...

Pink kitchen. Domino

Turquoise kitchen. Judith Balis Designs

Black Panther painting. Miles Redd

Happy Presidents Day and hope you enjoyed 'color recall'!!!!