I did the mundane yesterday – recycled.
And then I treated myself to a visit to a an antique shop I’d had on my radar for a while. It’s in a neighboring town, not far at all. I think I thought it was more of a hike than it was. It’s absolutely beautiful; Milne Antiques and Design. At the risk of using an overused word, it’s beautifully curated.
I’ll share some pictures of the shop tomorrow, but today I’m going to share my finds. I follow them on Instagram so I knew they carried antique and vintage English pots and I had a hankering for some.
This pair of pots is lovely, quite large, and from the 1940s. Patina like this has to be earned over time. I really love them.
And then I saw several antique garden ornaments, also from England. My eyes fastened on one which I initially thought was a duck (don’t ask me why, now it seems absurd) until the owner told me it was a dove.
A dove. Hello. I had to buy it.
I’m in love.
Then, my unexpected splurge. I saw this, fell in love with it, had no idea where I’d put it, but I couldn’t leave it there in the shop. It’s a one-of-a-kind bookshelf. Really, it’s a piece of folk art.
Ignore the plant and the pieces below the shelf, the bottom needs a bit of support, but I’m going to find something better eventually. It was clearly made for a girl. Let me show you the details.
It has the original paint and the beautiful wood shelves. And the sides have this handpainted girl in a navy nurse’s uniform, reading a book. British navy? American Navy? I’ll have to research.
Clearly, the recipient was named Martha Jane. It’s painted on the cover of the book on all four sides.
How could I pass this up? I just felt in my gut that if I didn’t buy it, I would regret it. Originally, I thought it could go behind the sofa in place of the green shelves. But when I got it home, I realized it was too tall and didn’t look right. Since space is at a premium here, I put it upstairs on the landing. I have to style it yet. I thought about putting my Nancy Drews here along with the Hardy Boys. What do you think?
It was a fun, if a wee bit costly, day.
Happy Thursday.
Eileen Bunn says
Love every purchase! You are one wise buyer.
Eileen
Claudia says
Thanks, Eileen!
Donnamae says
Oh…what great finds! Love the dove…and that shelf? My first thought…what a great place for your Nancy Drew collection. I’m sure you have a great place in mind to put your pots…I’m curious as to where. Enjoy playing with your new finds. I’ll be pulling weeds…I’d rather be playing! ;)
Claudia says
Once I find the plants to fill the pots and can mow a bit around here, I’ll show you!
kathy in iowa says
hooray for you having such a nice day (especially after the scary storms and back-aching business); those finds look made for you and your home. glad you didn’t walk away from them, especially the bookshelves! i agree … think your new shelves are the perfect place for the nancy drew and hardy boys books. enjoy the puttering that comes with a new find!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
I will. I’m really happy with these purchases, though I always feel a stab of guilt!
kathy in iowa says
oh, that guilt can just leave; it’s not wanted or needed!!! :)
also? i can relate to that feeling sometimes … but we do need treats in life. plus your purchases are not only sweet, but practical … so enjoy them!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Ah, thank you so much, Kathy!
shanna says
All great finds and so you! Happy day!
Claudia says
Thank you, Shanna!
Deb says
So glad your storm wasn’t any worse. That is the weather we are used to here in MO, still not fun.
The new pots and the shelf are wonderful. I think the Nancy Drew collection would look very much at home on it.
Claudia says
I think so, too, Deb.
Deb says
I forgot to mention the dove! She (girl, am I right) is extra fabulous!
Claudia says
Yes, I think she’s a ‘she.’
Linda @ A La Carte says
Well first i’m gasping at the pots and then the dove, love them!! Perfect for you. But then you share the incredible little bookshelf and I’m ‘gobsmacked’! I love it and yes Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys on there. What an incredible find. Whimsical and practical at the same time. I can’t wait to see it styled!
Claudia says
It’s an amazing piece, isn’t it? I almost left without it and then I thought, “What am I thinking???” Thanks, Linda.
Margaret says
Just perfect for Nancy, Frank and Joe.
Claudia says
Yes, indeed! Thank you, Margaret.
Linda P. says
You may feel a twinge of guilt now, but ten years from now, when you’re still cherishing those items, I bet you won’t.
Claudia says
Maybe even a year from now! Thanks, Linda!
tammy j says
i love your idea for it!
they’re the kind of books Martha Jane would like. :)
xo
Claudia says
I think so, Tammy! Thank you.
Tana says
Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys on that bookcase? Ahhhhh…..PERFECT!!! I am so glad you got that bookcase. No one could love it more than you.
Claudia says
Oh, thank you, Tana! I really do love it.
Wendy T says
Claudia, That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the photo of your sweet bookcase…Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books! What a find. Splurge or not, go with your heart, right? I love the pots too. I wish there were places in California that sold things as old as the places back East. The dove is beautiful. I bought my daughter a mourning dove from Etsy. A woman crafts them out of some concrete/resin mix (?) and paints them realistically. My daughter absolutely loves mourning doves. Show us photos of where you eventually place your new things, and the plants you put into the pots. What fun finds!
Claudia says
I’m with your daughter. I love, love mourning doves. I will show you photos when everything is in place. Thanks, Wendy!
Joy says
Before I finished reading your post, the second I saw your wonderful shelf I thought ‘Nancy Drew books’. What a treasure.
Joy
Claudia says
Great minds, Joy. Thank you!
Christine Hunt says
I think it is lovely, and yes I would call it Folk Art and that is so sort after. You couldn’t leave it behind.
Claudia says
I couldn’t. I’ve never seen anything like it and never will! Thanks, Christine!
Vicki says
I got little goosebumps looking at your shelf; WHAT a find, Claudia! Of course you had to have it. I’m glad you bought it. You’re the right owner for such a precious thing. Never seen anything like it; completely unique, as you say, piece of furniture art. Really special. How could another person let go of something like that? Must be the case of nobody left in a family to protect it – – but, now, you will. This made me feel happy to see this today; thanks for sharing your wonderful buy. What a treat.
Claudia says
I’m going to take care of it now! It’s a honor. Thanks Vicki!
Judy says
I love the pots and the shelf. Good for you, you’ll find a great place for the shelf and there will never be another one like it. I’ve passed on a few items in antique stores over the years that I still remember in detail! Guess we all do it.
Claudia says
We sure do. I have a few etched in my memory, Judy!
Janet in Rochester says
The deed is done. The Nancy Drews MUST go there! Couldn’t possibly go anywhere else, now that you have this great piece. Twas meant to be… Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Claudia says
I think it was! Thanks, Janet!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Those pots are just beautiful! Can’t wait to see them filled and placed. And the precious little dove!! But I am thinking of sweet Martha Jane and how much she was loved ~~ that someone crafted that little shelf for all of her very own books. Oh, my!! Don’t you wonder how it ever was let go by her family? Although I know I have thrown and purged some things over the years that I think about to this day.
Glad you had a fun day after the storms. And you deserved each thing you found on your treasure hunt!!
Claudia says
Can you imagine her reaction when she saw her new bookcase? Goodness!
Thanks, Chris.
Alice Noriega says
Oh my goodness…..love that bookcase!!
Claudia says
Thank you, Alice!
Trudy Mintun says
You had a great day! Love the pots. The dove is precious.
I have to tell that my find in the local thrift store for $4.25 is the best deal I have ever made. Sit down Claudia, I don’t want you to fall and hurt yourself. For the $4.25 I got a FIRST EDITION of To Kill a Mockingbird!!! Can you believe it? I almost can’t, and I was there.
Claudia says
That’s a great deal. Somebody didn’t know what they were pricing! Congratulations!
Beverley says
I think that bookcase was just waiting for you to find it and I’m sure Martha Jane would love you to have it. My immediate thought, also, was ‘perfect for the Nancy Drew’s’ (and the colour is just right, too). I love your other finds, too, especially the dove…he will love living at your house.
After the terrifying ordeal you went through, you deserve a treat.
Claudia says
Thank you, Beverley. I think I definitely deserve a treat!
Grace says
The shelf seems made for your Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys and how special the little dove is!
And,the pots are lovely! I’m just catching up on some posts and just as happy to hear about the Tornado Watch after it’s all over! That would be incredibly scary,all the more so for being on your own! I’m grateful it all worked out.
Claudia says
I am, too. It was terribly frightening. But all is well. Not so for many others in this area, who have had damage and still don’t have power. Thanks, Grace.
Melanie says
Your finds are magnificent! I am “in love” with all of it – the pots, the dove, the shelf.
Claudia says
Thank you, Melanie. The shop is simply wonderful. Nothing is cheap but it’s all high quality. I had to choose wisely.
Marilyn says
That bookshelf is enchanting. Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys would be perfect on the shelf. The mourning dove is lovely. I enjoy watching them and their cooing is comforting. The pots are pretty. Glad you had a nice time and found a lot of great things. Enjoy your finds.
Marilyn
Claudia says
I will. Thank you, Marilyn!
Kay says
Those pots! That shelf! And, yes, it is crying out to hold your vintage books. You had a very good day yesterday.
Claudia says
I did! Maybe too good!
Teresa says
The bookcase is loads of fun , but since I have a weakness for garden ornaments, I especially love your lonesome dove. What a great couple of finds! Enjoy.
Claudia says
I love that dove, too. Thanks, Teresa.
Nancy Blue Moon says
What beautiful finds Claudia…the pots are so nice with their borders of flowers…that little dove is the sweetest thing…I love old garden ornaments….and that bookcase…how wonderful that it was specially made for young Martha Jane and is now in your care and will be loved just as much as she did…I do wish that when people let go of treasures like that they would write down the provenance and attach it…How great it would be to know who built it and when and a bit about Martha Jane…Have fun playing with your new toys!…I almost forgot…perfect place for those books…
Claudia says
I wish they would, too. I’d love to know the whole story of that piece. Thanks, Nancy!
Audrey Johnson says
Love the gorgeous pots. I’m sure you will find something great to plant in them. Sounds like you had a fun time and got some great finds.
Claudia says
I did. I’ll be going back for sure! Thanks, Audrey.
Lily says
I adore the English pots and mourning dove!
Claudia says
Thank, Lily!
Donnameeker says
Perfect place for your “nancy ” books. Love the pots, fun stuff!!!
Claudia says
Thanks, Donna!
M.J. says
I haven’t had time to look at your blog in awhile and I was suddenly surprised by your find, of the nurse book shelf. That’s my name, Martha Jane. A name I was given by my mother in honor of her mother and her grandmother. It was just a nice surprise! It’s an old name, my grandmothers were a mix of English, Scottish, and Irish.
Claudia says
Oh, how wonderful! Martha Jane is a beautiful name.