Vintage Interior Design Blog | Vintage Swim: Letterpress Trays

Vintage Swim: Letterpress Trays 3 Ways

styling: sana keefer photo: evan wathington

Yes, I know they're nothing new (no pun intended), but they are kind of my favorite right now. I've been finding new uses for vintage type trays and letterpress boards and want to share three ways to use  them around the home.

1. Wall Decor: Hang vertically or horizontally on walls. Position them above a desk in a workspace or behind a sofa. The aged wood is a beautiful work of art all on its own.
2. Jewelry Organizing: Lay flat atop a dresser or console and fill with your favorite pieces. I am notorious for losing one of a pair when it comes to earrings so besides the aesthetic angle, storing your pairs together in different parts of the tray really does work for me.
3. Desk Storage: Because my work studio is in my home,  I'm constantly worried about tidying up. Though most of my assets are digital, I still have odds and ends like rubber bands for shipping, paper clips for printed correspondence and tacks for my old school inspiration board. These trays help me keep them all on hand.

What are your thoughts on letterpress boards and trays? Have you ever used them? And if so, how? Let's hear it!

xx

Pip & Estella

Vintage Swim: Pip & Estella and Limegreen Marbled Wood Candles

I know I've been away for a while but we are working on some exciting things for the Pip & Estella shop! Here's the evidence -- a collaborative line of hand-poured soy wax candles made by Brooklyn artisans, Limegreen with certified organic ingredients and outfitted in Pip & Estella vintage.

I'm super excited to have our candles in Pure Green Magazine, whom I just love -- their mission and their style! Aren't I in great company with these eco picks?! Check out their fall issue! (And find our candle here.) I will be back to post just as soon as I can! See you all soon and thanks so much for all of the lovely comments on prior posts!

xo

Sana

Vintage Swim: Balconies of Old San Juan

During the few opportunities I've had to sign in on Twitter, you asked where was I. Summer stay-cation! It was definitely tough to stay away from the blog-o-sphere. Then again, on the island where I spent most of my time, there was only one cafe in town that had wifi, so I guess I wouldn't have had have much of a choice. Let me tell you, I missed you guys and I'm happy to be back.

I would say that it were by accident that I ended up in Old San Juan but nothing happens by accident, right? A big mishap when traveling from Isla de Vieques back home, lead to an extended stay in Old San Juan Puerto Rico...then I fell in love.

 photography  by so does estella

The colonial architecture of Old San Juan blew me away. And since you can't really call anything that is colonial, vintage, we're going with Antique on this post title. On the trip I met amazing people, I realized that my Spanish verb conjugations need some serious brushing up and I imagined having a cup of coffee with fresh bread on a village balcony every morning during New York's guaranteed-to-be-brutal-again Winter. It might happen.

You know where I'm going with this...if you had to choose just one, which would you go with? As I pose the question, I'm trying to guess which one's I think you all will pick based on what I know of your personalities. :) For me, it's a toss up between #1 and #2. You know the girl has a weakness for  the teal! (Oh and for a bonus #1 has a view of Castillo de San Cristóbal, the Spanish Fort.)

Vintage Swim: ABC Carpet & Home

The Dining Room Dilemma

This past December, we hosted a dinner party for ten at our Brooklyn apartment. It  wasn't until then that I began re-thinking my round dining room table  purchase. Yes, its white cutout criss-cross legs look great against the unfinished oak bookshelf, but really, I can't say it's the best for parties.  On a recent trip to ABC Carpet & Home, I found inspiration and everything but the table...

photography by so does estella

Because we don't entertain here that often, purchasing a permanent large table might not be the best solution either. I must confess that I often steal my favorite tablecloths from Pip & Estella inventory, but still, I envision a well-designed folding table coming to my rescue because there will be occasions where I want the surface to show.

It must be light enough to carry up stairs and narrow enough (when folded) to be stored in the downstairs foyer.

Is your dining area small? Large? How do you accommodate guests for entertaining?

Vintage Swim: Fans And Florals

It's official - I have Spring fever. At the start of the season I am always inclined to re-organize my dressing area and bring the color up a notch. I've been inspired by a set of Chinese fans and their beautiful little boxes that once belonged to my mother. Pleats and florals will be recurring themes in my Spring decor at home and in my wardrobe.

photography by so does estella

1. Chinese Fans: Vintage (Try them on a wall or dresser)

2. Hat: Traditional Boater - Topshop, Shopping Bag: Free People

3. Floral Fan Box: Vintage

4. Patterned Fan Boxes: Vintage

Will you add Spring to your wardrobe? Your decor at home? Or both?!

*read more about the vintage swim series