Tag Archives: antiques

tiny modern retreat in north georgia

Ellijay_facade

Jennifer Sams is a hunter by trade—an antiques hunter. It makes perfect sense that the owner of City Issue, one of Atlanta’s best sources of pristine midcentury furnishings, should wind down with her partner in a modern weekend cabin outfitted with Danish sconces, tulip chairs, and abstract paintings. Andrea and I spent a couple of days last October photographing, styling, and interviewing at the 500-square-foot cabin in the blue hills of Ellijay, Ga., and the article is finally out in Atlanta magazine’s HOME fall issue. Here’s a peek at the photography, including a couple of outtakes.

Ellijay_fireplace

Ellijay_living

Ellijay_dining

Ellijay_bedroom

Ellijay_telescope

shop spy: city issue in atlanta

City Issue midcentury modern boutique in Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted

As the only freestanding midcentury specialist in Atlanta, City Issue is Mecca for local Mad Men fans. A full-time vintage dealer since 2000, owner Jennifer Sams has enviable knowledge of the modern design movement and cross-country experience with finding exquisite pieces. I photographed her Inman Park shop and asked her to dish on topics to titillate the growing mass of midcentury style seekers: her favorite cities for antiquing, the best buys for starting a collection, and more.

City Issue midcentury modern boutique in Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted

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mom’s house and me: milk glass

We both like antiques, but she’s turn of the century, and I’m midcentury. She likes country accents, and I keep things modern. While my taste has changed a lot over the years, it’s always been really different from my mom’s. During my Easter visit to my family home in Louisiana, though, a few of her prized possessions appealed to me in a new way. I suddenly felt drawn to her milk glass collection, sherbet-colored Tupperware, and cornflower blue dishes. So, in honor of Mother’s Day, here’s the first post of a series that showcases some of Mom’s favorite stuff  . . . and my own spin.

Here’s how Mom does milk glass — casual, shabby chic storage in the kitchen.

Milk glass vase with utensils

And here are some milk glass pieces I’d be happy to host in my Lustron.

milk_glass_mosaic

Product info clockwise from top left:

Hattie Carnegie milk glass and rhinestone necklace from kiamichi7 on Etsy // Set of 3 gold-dipped vases from NellieFellow on Etsy // Danish modern milk glass and teak pendant from AvantGarden on 1stdibs // Paul McCobb brass and Vitrolite table from Black & Gold on 1stdibs

favorite finds at the rose bowl flea market

A literal stadium full of antiques and crafts lured me to Pasadena.

Andrea and I just spent a long weekend in Los Angeles, exploring midcentury neighborhoods and relaxing near the beach. Sunday we drove to Pasadena for the monthly Rose Bowl Flea Market. I’d been looking forward to this shopping trip for weeks. This was a flea market in CaliFORNia, a modernism mecca! I was armed with a carry-on bag filled with bubble wrap and newspaper, thinking I’d load up on vintage goodies for my Lustron. Too bad I didn’t stuff one of those pockets with sunscreen and a giant water bottle. We saw only about a quarter of the vendors because the intense heat was draining us and frying my skin. How hot was it? 102F. The guys selling cheap hats and frozen lemonade made a killing. I did come away with two lovely Fire King bowls, some fun photos, and a lot of know-how for next time.

This orderly rainbow of Fiestaware got my heart thumping.
Too bad this basket chair wouldn’t fit in my suitcase!
I narrowly escaped a 60s sundress splurge.
Did someone whisper to the flea market flippers that I was coming? My favorite shades of seafoam and turquoise were everywhere!
My only take-away: two Fire King bowls to use as planters.