WAS THE NEWSLETTER #57

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where thrifting is our sport.

This is the last newsletter of 2024. So today we’re going to be all about the show and tell, not unlike what you could expect on the last day of grade school before Christmas break. Except instead of sharing treasures from our childhood bedrooms, we’re sharing what we unpacked from the Brimfield Antique Fair haul. I could share my childhood bedroom one day, but I digress.

You saw the original video last week. We filmed our first day of shopping where we purchased the smaller items, like dishes and mirrors. But we still shopped for two days afterward, and we concentrated on the larger items, like furniture and art.

The shipping container arrived about three weeks after we sent it. (Presumably, it took the scenic route to LA, perhaps checking out historic Route 66.) We unpacked everything in Kate’s garage, which is also where we organized and photographed it all.

Let’s be honest, after three weeks, we’d forgotten some of what we purchased in my caffeinated haze, so it was especially fun to unload everything. We were HYPER.

We bought everything in anticipation of our vintage pop up. Some pieces were ready to sell as-is, and some took a little extra zhuzhing, like new frames or upholstery.

So here are the highlights.

THE FURNITURE

The prices are Brimfield were a little higher than we anticipated. Our goal was to find cool stuff to sell at the pop-up. If we could break even, great. Eke out a little profit? Even better. So we tried to keep everything as affordable as possible when pricing.

THE LIGHTING

We wanted to find cool lamps. Mission accomplished, I’d say. We do love lamp.

THE COOKING/TABLEWARE

Brimfield had an embarrassment of riches when it came to tableware, but I am confident that we sourced the most interesting pieces. Shockingly, after the pop-up, we had a couple of bowls and mugs left. I think that’s because it was a Saturday night and people didn’t want to go out with a breakable mug they’d have to protect all evening.

THE DECOR

We talked a lot about “MIRROR” in the video. That’s because we loved them, as well as the vases and other assorted decor we found. Every single piece here is a conversation-starter; count on that.

THE LINENS/BLANKETS

We definitely thought there would be more textiles but love the ones we found. We ❤️ textiles.

THE ART

Everyone told us we couldn’t find art. Everyone underestimated us. Here’s what the pieces looked like before we matted and framed them.

And here’s the after.

THE CHAIRS

The chairs particularly excited me because I’ve been hoarding vintage fabrics to reupholster my finds.

The lesson learned on the chairs was similar to that of the delicate mugs—people don’t want to haul around chairs when they go out on a Saturday night. Weird, right? But I’ll keep the time of day in mind when we have our next pop-up.

THE DENOUEMENT

My, God, did we love this whole experience. We’re hoping to do something like this again at Round Top in 2025, fingers crossed. And if you’re feeling some kind of way, thinking about those couple of bowls and chairs, fear not. Let’s just say they’ll be addressed when I announce my big plans for next year…

But you’ll have to wait until 2025 for that.

KATE’S PAINT COLOR OF THE WEEK

Sherwin Williams: Eminent Bronze

Finish: Flat or Eggshell

Room Light Level: Any

Check out Kate’s paint consultation business here!

xx,
P