Happy Halloween!

From Here, Sexy 1920's witch in Ispwich stockings.

In searching about for some Art Deco-themed Halloween images, I stumbled across the wonderful, saucy Sexy Witch site, and now I'm a fan! The Red Witch really knows her stuff, and has an impressive collection of, duh, sexy witch imagery -think white witchcraft - from the turn of the last century to the present day, as well as interesting information about all things witchy.

(I've only delved into the early witch images from the teens to the 40's so far; I imagine that the pics get a little racier the more modern they are. So, some images may not be safe for work - you've been warned!)

Promotional image of actress Dusty Anderson, 1944, one of several, from Here.

Design Love: patent illustrations

In some of my wanderings through the interwebs lately, I've been soaking up some random trivia. You know how it is: you start by looking up one thing, which leads you to another and another....

For example, while looking at outdoor furniture, I learned that my beloved 1940's-ish metal porch glider was made by the Atlanta Stove Works Company. (Makes a weird kind of sense since I'm in Atlanta.) Which lead me to a search for info on Atlanta Stove Works (no longer around), which lead me to THIS fascinating site.

They have patent illustrations available for purchase, and pretty affordable at that. I think that a framed grouping of the illustrations could look fantastic in the right setting.

In the Farm and Garden section, under Porch and Patio there's a wealth of interesting illustrations. Here's more or less my glider (patent actually from 1954!):


Here's another glider with what looks to me like an interesting, abstracted wheat sheaf detail:

And there are some definite Art Deco influences in this glider and chair. I love the streamline arm style on the glider:



Much more can be found on the Patent Place USA website, including some patent illustrations by Eames and Loewy. Happy hunting.

The Missed Opportunity....

can haunt you.

I am a self-professed Deco-loving Dame, and I love stumbling onto a great antiques deal. The thrill of the hunt is a big part of it, because really, at a certain point, anyone with enough jack can just walk in to an antique shop, plonk down a credit card, and leave with some lovely little thing. When funds are more limited, and the sky is certainly not the limit, thank you very much, it takes a little more work to find the fab score. That's part of the fun. And sometimes there's the one that got away.

So, on Saturday, imagine my semi-surprise to see this at the monthly Scott Antiques Market....

at a decidedly out-of-budget price.

Seriously, an +800% mark up in a week's time. Sigh. Does this mean I have a good eye?

Wouldn't it have looked lovely in the guest room/study with this chair, its little French soulmate?

With this barkcloth fabric curtain?
Next time.....

What's in a name?

I saw her for the first time, about 18 months ago, on Craigslist.

It was the usual kind of ad, but something about her caught my eye. There was no doubt about it, she was the right age. And those curves, my god! On the other hand the poor girl was wearing the most godawful, frumpy colors I'd ever seen. And her fee...well, not something I could afford at the time. So, I moved on, but I didn't forget her.

Then, a few months later I caught a glimpse of her again, again on Craigslist. This time around, she'd been in a professional photo shoot, and her fee had shot up even more. Girl seemed to be putting on some airs, all things considered. Too rich for my blood, but those curves, oh my!

Months went by, the holidays rolled around, and the Dame's employer seemed to be feeling generous; it had been a very good year. Holiday bonus in hand, the Dame started scanning the ads again. And wouldn't you know it, there she was again! The outfit had improved, and the location had changed. The fee had leveled off a bit. So the Dame decided it was time to meet in person.

The Dame never stood a chance against the the curves. A deal was struck, promises were made. Custom couture was was written into the negotiations. Swatches were fetched, and colors discussed. A rendezvous at a certain time and place were agreed to.

Promises were broken, new dates were scheduled, and broken. The flirt kept the Dame waiting for nearly five months, altogether. But that Swedish accent, those curves....

At long last she made it to the Dame's house. The new frock was not as promised, and was a little the worse for wear. Corners were cut in the in the tailoring, some odd steps had been taken. The Swede, for all her dynamite curves, and despite all the new work, was actually a little saggy in the middle. But for a near-septagenarian, really, what could one expect?

Please meet Ingrid....


















If one is to believe her story, she is Swedish Art Deco, approximately from the 1940's. Also, if one is to believe the tale her last friend told, he of the poorly finished couture, she was shipped to my fair city with a twin. Hard to believe there could be two of them wandering around, breaking hearts.

What better name to give this curvy Swede, than the name of one of the most elegant women to come out of that era?