nostalgia

0 In Inspiration

Vintage Art

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso

Art is such an important element in helping a house become a home. At Park & Oak, we appreciate art in all its forms, but there is one type of wall art in particular that we turn to over and over: vintage art.

What qualifies as vintage? Firstly, it must be an original piece of art. The second qualifier — age — is a little more fluid. Some define vintage as over 20 years old, though others consider 50 years to be the right marker. We think anything in this range fits the bill. What is the difference between vintage and antique? Antique has a more rigid definition — must be over 100 years old!

When searching for vintage art for your own home, we have some tips for what to consider:

First and foremost, buy art that speaks to you. Sometimes, that’s as simple as the visual interest you have in a piece. But we also recommend looking for an artist’s signature, so you can do a little research on the artist, as well. Do they have a gallery? Or news stories written about them? Maybe a biography? Sometimes the life and body of work of an artist will resonate with you based on your own life experiences. If you have a personal connection to your art, it will hold a more meaningful place in your home.
Check to be sure you are buying an original piece and not a print. Reputable sellers will clearly distinguish prints from originals.
Physically, the frame is just as important as the art itself. If you are new to vintage hunting, you may be picturing only ornate, gilded frames, but vintage art comes in all different frame types to fit all different tastes (much like the art inside it!) Sometimes, we will even buy a piece for the frame alone and switch out the artwork.
Make sure the piece you choose fits into the scheme of your home. In a gallery wall, use similar colorways, or try to focus on one form: for example, a collection of nude sketches, in different mediums like watercolor, charcoal, etc.
Consider the age/condition of the painting. We love when a painting shows its age through cracklature and don’t mind discoloration in spots, but if you see a rip/tear or other markings, you may want to consider if the art can be salvaged or would work in your space.

However you approach it, vintage art brings soul to the wall and to extension, your home.

Inspiration

October 18, 2022 By Park and Oak

0 In Research

Antiques & Vintage

When we were preparing to launch Collected, there were a gazillion decisions to make about what types of products we would carry. Vases and planters. Glassware, flatware and bar accessories. Kitchen tools, table linens and serveware. Pillows and blankets. Baskets, bowls and decorative objects. Our heads swam.

But, one of the product lines we are most excited about is the collection of antique and vintage items that we’ve hand picked for Collected. This is a feature of our shop we are so passionate about. There is no replacement for the patina and timelessness of a vintage or antique piece. And hunting for these one of a kind gems is one of our great pleasures!

One thing we see a lot of questions about is the difference between antique and vintage, and also about thrifting versus antiquing. Lisa, our vintage and antiques specialist, shared some notes on these topics, and below, we’ve included a gallery of some of our current favorites from Collected.

Thrifting vs. Antiquing

Thrifting is often inexpensive and these stores price items to sell, so there is usually no room for bargaining. Items are priced quickly, typically with little to no research involved: think Goodwill and Salvation Army. These stores usually have a lot of piles, and there’s typically a lot of sifting you’ll need to do to find something of value. That’s not to say it can’t be done – did you hear about the ancient Roman bust purchased at Goodwill for $34.99?!

Antique shops typically have items with more value, and you’ll usually pay more there. Sellers do their homework on their inventory, and price it accordingly. Antique shops are usually set up in a booth format, and the owners of the booths rent the space from the store. Sellers are responsible for pricing and selling their inventory, and so there is usually room to negotiate prices. The store clerk can call the booth owner if they aren’t in, and ask if they are willing to offer a better price. A lot of times they’ll do 10-15% off list price!

Antique vs. Vintage

Antique is at least 100 years old. The definition of vintage is a little more fluid, and often depends on who you ask. Most experienced sellers define vintage as at least 20 years old, though they will often say that “true” vintage should be at least 50 years old.

Ready for some of your own vintage and antique pieces? Listed below are a few of our favorite spots throughout the U.S., some with markets upcoming. And after that, shop a few of our favorites from Collected – no need to leave the comfort of your own home!

Alabama: First weekend in October: https://www.vintagepickin.com/fallmarket

California: First Sunday of each month: http://www.alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/

Illinois: July 30-31: https://randolphstreetmarket.com/

Indiana: http://www.westburyantiquemarket.com/

Massachusetts: September 6-11 https://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/ (noted to be one of largest outdoor markets in the country and has been running for over 50 years)

Shop the Look

Inspiration

July 20, 2022 By Park and Oak

0 In Inspiration

We can’t be the only ones pining for simpler times. Summer often brings with it a bit of longing for ages past, memories of childhood, and the idea of slowing down. Reliving the best parts. We feel this deeply in this, the heart of summer. Summer nights by a fire pit, lazy days riding the neighborhood with friends, reading books in the grass in the late afternoon. Nostalgia often carries with it the unspoken importance of family time — cooking and eating together, spending time at the lake, watching old movies well into the night. Speaking of movies, even popular culture gets in on the spirit of nostalgia each summer as classic movies are re-released, or long-awaited sequels are dropped (hello, Maverick, Lightyear, Firestarter).

Of course, the centerpiece of time with family is our homes. At Park & Oak, we feel so lucky to work in these most personal spaces, and one of the things we pride ourselves on is how we incorporate clients’ sentimental and personal things into the overall design, because part of what we react to in certain spaces is the feelings evoked. This aspect of home design is so important to us, as it honors each family, and allows them to celebrate nostalgia in a way suits them best. This is also why as a rule we love vintage pieces, because they add patina and history to a space. They tell a story.

These days, as many of us seek something to soothe the soul a bit, we wanted to revisit the personal touches in our projects. Below are some of the ways we’ve used a family’s own collected objects — or the original details of an historic home — to evoke the positive, comforting feelings that go along with nostalgia. Here’s to slowing down, and appreciating the best things in life.

An antique apothecary cabinet belonging to the family at #POgrovenewbuild
via Park & Oak

Family heirlooms on display at #POlelandlakefront
via Park & Oak

An antique table belonging to the family for the entryway at #POwinnetkanewbuild
via Park & Oak

Preserving the details of the 1920s Georgian architecture the homeowners fell in love with at #POwinnetkahome via Park & Oak

A cozy spot to read from the family’s extensive library at #POgrovehouse
via Park & Oak

Celebrating the original details of this 1873 Victorian, with a nod to the living spaces in the home that were renovated by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908
#POoakparkreno via Park & Oak

Showcasing some of the family’s extensive collection of artwork in the upstairs hallway at #POwinnetkanewbuild
via Park & Oak

At Collected, we’ve tried to curate items — be they new or truly vintage — that indulge a nostalgic soul. Here are a few of our favorites.

July 7, 2022 By Park and Oak