transforming my grandmothers bed

Two pieces of my grandmothers bed remained for years, almost burried in the dusty basement.
Made of fine rosewood, these hand made masterpieces, where in the back of my head,
waiting for the right moment!
The work of a skilful young carpenter transformed in a miracle way
the two pieces into a fantastic vintage bed that I could't even dream of it's perfection.
Such a silk touch...how simple it was...
A classy bed is now decorating my bedroom, saved to conquer the style!!! 

Retro Chair Styles - Make Your Home Funky! By Emma V Smith

If you want to create a relaxing and comfortable place for your friends and family, check into the many retro chair styles available now. If you need a special place to write in your journal, to play games, or just to sit and visit, retro chairs are the way to go. You can select from many styles of chairs, tables and sets that are well-constructed and beautiful, and very funky, too.

Acrylic telescoping chairs look super around a bistro style table, and they stow away for storage. Bucket bar loungers give a special retro look and style to your office or home. A lunar lounger is made in the shape of a half moon, and it will be an excellent conversation piece.

You can select dining chairs in classic 50's style, in various colors of vinyl for a retro look. These can help give you a contemporary or vintage look, your choice. Or rock and roll and have chocolate malt in retro dining chairs. A pub table will add that special ambiance to your family or red room. Many other styles are also available.

You can recapture memories of your happy and carefree childhood with colorful metal dining tables and chairs. Take your family back to those warm summer evenings at Grandma's house with retro metal lawn chairs. Vintage patio furniture is a desirable and timeless addition to your deck or yard. You can find the retro chair styles in many bright colors, so there will surely be one or more that will suit your style and strike your fancy. Retro chrome chairs have a finish that is powder coated and hardware made from stainless steel, so that they will resist chipping, fading and rusting.

Children love tie dye designs and animal prints, and they are becoming more popular today. Your whole home will probably not be retro-inspired, but a room here and there will be a refreshing change from current styles. Your kids will enjoy the designs that were cool and "hip" when you were young, because of their bright colors and patterns.

There are various types of retro vinyl chairs you can choose for your home. Retro dinette chairs or retro diner chairs will make your dining room a blast from the past. A retro chrome table and retro dining chairs will brighten your day and make mealtimes more interesting.

For your kids, select Fuf chairs in zebra velvet and leopard suede. They are convenient, super soft and comfortable. If you purchase an inner liner, you can remove the outer cover for cleaning. In this way, you can keep your chairs looking great.

In selecting retro furnishings for your house, include retro office chairs for your work space. If you don't have vintage retro stores in your area, you can even find Cosco retro chairs for your home. You can find retro furniture in many colors and styles. Incorporate a bit of the past into your home with retro chair styles, and you'll enjoy the pleasant memories.

Retro Chair provides the best information about retro chairs styles, retro chair cushions, retro chair with step stool, retro sofas, club chairs, wassily chairs.

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Top Tips For Taking Care of Vintage Furniture By Jeff Salmon

Taking proper care of vintage furniture can help to preserve its value and overall look for future generations. The key to maintaining historical or antique furniture is that it should not be cared for or repaired in the same way as modern furniture such as with harsh polishes and cleaning agents as these can ruin antique pieces. Vintage furniture can be affected in three different ways, through environmental changes such as humidity, through biological changes such as insects and through human intervention such as polishing or handling the furniture. If you want to keep your vintage furniture in pristine condition then see the tops tips below...

Protect furniture from the sun

Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight as UV light is damaging and can degrade wood and fabrics. Ideally vintage furniture should be placed out of the sun and blinds or curtains should be used to block direct sunlight where possible.

Invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier

Placing your furniture near radiators, fireplaces or air conditioning vents can mean that the difference in temperature shrinks the furniture which can loosen glue joints and veneers. Your furniture is affected by the amount of moisture in the air so any change to this can cause expansion and contraction which can loosen or stick drawers. Investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier can create a constant temperature in a room.

Isolate and eradicate any pest infestations

Insects can find a comfortable home in leather, wood and fabrics. Termites and beetles can eat their way along the grain inside wood for example until they bore their way out and cockroaches can feed on the build up of grease and dirt on surfaces of wood. You can quite easily identify pest infestations as the insects tend to leave a trail of exit holes behind them on the surface of the furniture. It's vital to take action straight away if you have a pest infestation as the damage can be irreparable if left untreated. You should call an exterminator or conservator to inspect your furniture as soon as you notice any holes.

Use the appropriate polishes for the surface

It used to be the case that furniture oils and silicone polishes were used to clean antique furniture, although this enhanced the look of the furniture, it can actually contribute to the deterioration of the finish over time. The best way to maintain a varnished finish is to apply a thin coat of high quality paste wax every year. Furniture paste wax is long lasting and it helps to protect the surface from moisture and dust. To keep it dust free the rest of the year, use a slightly dampened, soft and lint free cloth.

Move your furniture with care

Chairs should always be carried by the seat as opposed to the back or arms and tables should be moved using their legs and not the top as this could pull it loose from the base. It's always wise to remove drawers or shelves from furniture before carrying it as these can become loose and get damaged during moving.

Vintage furniture can look amazing in the home so make sure yours stays looking great by following the tips above.

This article was written by Jeff Salmon of Decoratum, a London based vintage furniture gallery and shop.

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Try The 1950s Retro Look! By Trevor Kassulke

The fabulous era of 1950s reminds one of rock and roll music, Elvis Presley, popular TV shows of Lucille Ball, side burns, and polka dotted prom dresses. The 1950s retro products available in the market recreate the magic associated with this period. Getting nostalgic by wearing retro dresses and shoes and using other retro products has a charm of its own.

Retro dresses and shoes of the 1950s look especially good on women. If selected properly and worn with or without slight modifications, they can make a women look a class apart. The Tulle Gowns, Satin Stretch Wiggle dresses, mesh gowns, poodle skirts, and the disco outfits, are truly reminiscent of the 1950s era. Some other very popular dresses of 1950s are the Polka Dot Swing Dress, Appliqué dress, Strapless party dress, Navy dress, Leopard Wiggle dress, Taffeta dress, Bubble dress, and bustier.

The 1950s retro clothes and accessories range for men is generally considered incomplete without a hat. Retro shops have different styles of hats and men's cardigans which ruled the fashion in the 1950s. Pink colored clothes, cowboy style clothes and boots or even plain suits were also quite popular and are available in retro shops. Even the 1950s styled bowling shirts can easily be bought from online shops dealing with retro products.

There are several other retro products available in the market which reminds one of this era. Purple colored mint condition sunglasses with green lens were a rage in those days. Beaded purses and stripped sandals, pyramid and fur coats, Chandelier crystal clip earrings, were other very popular fashion accessories from 1950s. These retro products are available at slightly higher rates at the thrift shops.

Even electronic products of 1950s like the refrigerators, AM/ FM retro radio with cassette player, washing machines, and much more can be found at reasonable rates. Retro toys, pedal planes, trikes and more can also be procured from retro shops. Other very popular items, especially on online shops, are the retro candy gift boxes, cigarette ashtrays, retro lighters and retro books. These retro items not only bring back sweet memories but also have terrific gift value.

Retro home furnishings are very popular especially among the elderly. Fabrics, tiles, dining table and chairs, bar stools, and other furniture attract a large number of buyers. Hand painted ceramic dishes, dinette sets, wine glasses, mugs, cocktail shakers, shot glasses, soda siphons, baskets, pans, are all widely available. With the help of these retro products, a 1950s atmosphere can truly be created in the home.

Finding retro products is not very difficult because there are specialized shops dealing with these products. The best way to shop for them is to shop online. 1950s retro products can in fact be found in one's grandparents' collection itself. With slight modifications these can very well become the latest fad.

Trevor Kassulke owns and operates http://www.findingretro.com
Finding Retro

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London, England - Spencer House By Harry Preston

In 1772, 16 years after Spencer House was commissioned by the 1st Earl Spencer - an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales - the travel writer Arthur Young wrote: "I know not in England a more beautiful piece of architecture... in richness, elegance and taste." After a restoration programme that brought together the country's finest craftspeople in the 1980s and 1990s, the same might again be said of the Palladian mansion. As well as being open to the public, it is one of the most lavish places to entertain in London - its eight state rooms can be hired out.

The architect John Vardy was responsible for the exterior, but it was James Stuart, newly returned from Greece in 1758, who introduced accurate Greek details to the interior. It began a neoclassical fashion that was to sweep the country.

For almost 150 years, the Spencers lived in this lavish house overlooking Green Park and made it a stage for high-society gatherings. The 4th and 6th Earls both served as Lord Chamberlain to the Royal Household.

From 1895 on, however, the house was let out, for a while as a club, but mostly as offices. By the end of World War II, when the contents - including fixtures such as fireplace and doors - had been removed to the family's country seat at Althorp, the property was a shadow of its former self. The deterioration was finally reversed after its purchase in 1985 by a consortium led by Lord Rothschild.

Two years later, work began to bring the house and garden back to it's 18th-century state. It was decided to retain additions, such as the dining room's Greek Ionic columns, made in 1780s and 1790s by the major English architect Henry Holland.

For more tourist and destination information about London, England, visit http://www.guidedtourlondon.com

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Renting a Beach Chair Or Sitting in the Sand in Saint Tropez Beach - Which is Which? By Rumble Romagnoli

For travelers, it is sometimes hard to decide whether to rent a chair or simply sit on the sand in San Tropez Beach. It is important to remember that there are advantages and drawbacks to both. Let us learn more about this issue by reading the sections found below.

Factors to Consider

A summer at St Tropez is perhaps one of the most exciting encounters you could ever experience in life. Tourists who visit the Saint Tropez beaches are often enchanted by the beauty of the white sprawling beaches and the delectable treats the restaurants have to offer.

If you choose to visit one of the St Tropez beach clubs, you might want to consider renting a chair or sitting on the sand when you get close to the sea. To some travelers, feeling the heat of the sand beneath them is the perfect way to enjoy the St Tropez beach. But to others, renting a chair is a more preferable and comfortable way of spending their time in the beach.

There are actually various factors to consider when deciding on whether to rent a chair or not. Let us name all these factors to serve as your guide in your visit to St Tropez beach.

*Your Comfort

Your comfort is the primary factor in choosing whether to rent a chair or sit on the sand in San Tropez beach. If you feel more relaxed having a chair around, you can certainly buy a chair or rent it in your visit to the beach at St Tropez.

*Your Budget

Chair rentals may be a tad costly to some travelers. Since these chairs are in high demands, you can expect the prices to soar high. At times, St Tropez beach travelers bring a chair instead of renting them. Those who can afford could just rent a chair nearby and enjoy the summer at St Tropez.

*Your Preferences

Chair rentals may sometimes depend on the preferences of the traveler. Most of the tourists sit on the sand to feel the Saint Tropez beach much better. Others do not opt for the sticky feel of the sand and rent a chair instead. Your preferences greatly matter in the decision process. You always have to choose the best and most comfortable way for you to spend the summer at St Tropez.

*Your Location

If you are in a Saint Tropez bar or restaurant, you no longer have to rent a chair. Since there are available seats everywhere, you can freely use them to enjoy the beach. However, the seats can be used in a particular establishment alone. You may have to rent a chair again when you exit a Saint Tropez bar.

The Advantages and Drawbacks

There are several benefits in sitting on the sand or renting a chair. There are drawbacks to both decisions as well.

*The Advantages of Renting A Chair

*There may be a thick crowd of people in some of the beaches at Saint Tropez. When your legs get too tired, the only thing that can save you is a chair.

*Chairs can be more convenient and comfortable for some San Tropez beach travelers.

*The sand heats up easily during summer at St Tropez. You might need a chair for such times.

*Adults and the older population are more comfortable on chairs than sitting on the sand.

*The Drawbacks

*You might not fully enjoy the San Tropez beaches without sitting on the beautiful and warm sand.

*The chair rental may be costly to some travelers.

St Tropez Beach Club: St Tropez Beach has all the Saint Tropez beach clubs and restaurants on Pampelonne Beach including Kon Tiki Beach, Nikki Beach Saint Tropez, le Voile Rouge, Club 55 St Tropez, Tiki Club, Morea Plage, Tahiti Beach and more.

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The Unique Appeal of Retro 1950s Advertising Art By CeLeste Christopher

Retro is a word taken from the Latin prefix "retro" that means from the past or backwards. It is seen in words like retrograde and retrospective and refers to nostalgia. In the case of retro 1950s advertising art prints, it refers to past magazine advertising. Anything retro is considered trendy and unique in today's society.

If you have seen those reproduction advertising posters and other paraphernalia like retro 1950s advertising art t-shirts in retail stores and online you already know that it is appealing. Many people have gotten creative with these old ads and placed them on products like coffee mugs, art prints, refrigerator magnets and many other kinds of products. You can find your own vintage magazine ads from the 1950's and make your own products for your own personal use.

Where can you find retro 1950s ads? You need to look online at places like eBay, Etsy, Amazon and other online retailers for starters. These venues can offer you auction style or buy it now style listings. You are likely to spend less money on the original ads than on any product reproduction. You will also find a few sites that have these ads for sale like Ad Classix and Vintage Depot Direct.

Many people actually collect this type of vintage ephemera to mat and frame and hang on their wall as retro home decor. It goes great with any kind of furniture and home decor. These old 1950s advertising art prints make great conversation pieces no matter how you use them.

Artists and craft enthusiasts enjoy making things from retro 1950s ad art prints. Scrap booking, home made card making, decoupage any other kind of artwork are areas where these ads are used.

You can choose from a huge variety of vintage retro 1950s print ads.

Cars and trucks like GMC, Pontiac and Ford
Tires like Goodyear and Michelin
Sodas like 7-Up, Coke and Pepsi
Home appliances
Electronics like TVs and radios
Celebrity endorsements
Movie ads
Foods like Quaker Oats and Betty Crocker
Beer and liquor like Budweiser and Four Roses Whiskey

These are only a few of the areas in which you can find these old retro 1950s advertising art prints. While there is a large selection of various categories, many are rare and hard to find making them highly collectible. You want to watch for the condition of these ads when you are buying them since not all are in collectible condition. If you plan to use them for anything other than collecting the condition won't matter as much.

CeLeste Christopher writes about 1950s advertising art prints at: http://www.coololdprintads.info.

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Caring For Vintage Retro Art Posters By Eve Duncan

Vintage retro art posters continue to be popular items for collectors or casual art lovers. These art posters originally were created to inform the public about news, entertainment or to advertise products. Prices for these posters vary greatly depending on who the artist is, the condition and the rarity of the vintage poster. Popular posters for collectors include travel posters, retro advertising posters, Chinese propaganda posters and theatrical posters.

Of course you don't need to be a serious collector to enjoy vintage retro art posters. These art posters are visually appealing to most

people and are a great way of adding character and uniqueness to today's homes. They shouldn't be displayed only in art galleries and since they're available in many price ranges, there's no need to. So enjoy finding and owning art posters. In order to ensure you preserve and enjoy your posters for many years to come, you'll want to follow a few guidelines.

* When you do purchase a vintage retro art poster do consider having it professionally framed. These posters require special attention to framing in order to ensure preservation.

* Hang your vintage poster away from direct sunlight, as it will fade or change the colors in your print.

* Do not mount an art display light directly over your art poster. Use spotlights placed several feet away from the poster.

* Most collectibles prefer the same environment that people do, that being a space that is neither too cold, too hot, too wet or too dry. Try to avoid exposing your posters to extremes in temperatures.

* If you needed another reason to stop smoking here it is. Cigarette smoke and fireplace smoke will damage most art pieces. For regular dust, cleaning gently with a cloth is okay but never use detergents. Also for heavier dust or dirt accumulation, take your art poster to a profession art restorer.

* Don't forget children and pets. They don't have the same respect for vintage art as we do, so make sure your posters are not easily accessible to them. Heaven forbid Fido decides your vintage Guinness art poster makes a good chew snack.

I hope you enjoy collecting vintage retro art posters and stop buying mass produced, department store prints. Not only will you have a unique, beautiful piece of art but you'll also have a piece of history. Most retro art posters have an interesting background story. I encourage you to investigate the development or history of any posters you own. Enjoy your vintage retro art posters for its visual design and a look back at olden times gone by.

Eve Duncan is a freelance writer,researcher and web publisher from Canada. To find vintage retro art posters, visit Retro Runner where you can also find popular retro scooter helmets.

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The Dominican Republic: The Heart of the Caribbean By Carl Liver

The Dominican Republic is growing in popularity as one of the most popular destinations for Caribbean holidays. Not to be confused with Dominica; a much smaller island located in the Caribbean Sea between the Windward and Leeward island groups some 500 miles south east. The Dominican Republic shares the much larger island of Hispaniola with its neighbour Haiti and has a population of around 10 million. It's capitol city, Santa Domingo is home to 3.2 million people and is located on the countries south central coastline. Santa Domingo was founded in 1496 and is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the Americas and is also home to the first cathedral built in the Americas too.

Tourism accounts for 14% of the nations' employment and is a major contributor to the Dominican Republic's economic growth as tourism provides 1 in 7 jobs. The Dominican Republic is now the largest tourist destination for Caribbean holidays. The currency is the Dominican Peso, however both US dollars and the Euro is accepted in most tourist spots making it a popular choice for both American and European travellers. The main language is Spanish but many of the tourist hotspots do have more than their fair share of English speakers.

As well as a multitude of hotels, there is also a growing number of villas for rent throughout the region. Many of these are purpose built and feature air conditioning, swimming pools and tennis courts. It's also not uncommon for a butler or maid to be on call in many of the Dominican Republic villas for rent and in some high end luxury villas, a security guard can also be provided. With over 250 miles of coastline and the world renowned pristine white sandy beaches, many villas for rent can be found in beach front locations with unhindered views of the Atlantic ocean or Caribbean sea. Many inland villas pride themselves on having hill top locations with expansive views over the island and the seas beyond its shores.

The people are passionate about baseball, however the tourist industry has made way for golf and a multitude of water sports including swimming, wind surfing, scuba diving and water skiing. Historically the capitol is home to many medieval buildings dating from the 16th century as well as The Royal Houses Museum which is home to many artefacts dating from the 15th century and the archaeological museum featuring much older artefacts from the indigenous Taino people. From a huge range of hotels and luxury Dominican Republic villas to rent, to stunning beaches, sports and tourist traps, it's no wonder why the Dominican Republic is a major destination for Caribbean holidays.

Carl Liver

For Caribbean Holidays or Dominican Republic villas for rent, then make sure to visit us!

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The Beauty Of Antique Art Deco Lamps By Brian J Daly

The right choice of antique art deco lamps can bring a classy, warm feel to any room. Lamps are generally used to light rooms for functional, leisurely or simply decorative purposes. The kind of lamp installed also influences the feeling and the mood of the room considerably. There are many lamp styles and shapes available for you to pick for your room, and antique themed lamps are often a popular choice for their classy feel.

Despite the implication of their name, however, antique art deco lamps are not antiques, or more than a hundred years old, yet. They can though be considered vintage, which means that they are older than fifty years, since the earliest antique lamps came out in the 1920s. However, they are already being sought out by antique collectors, mainly due to the thought that in a few years time they will already become antiques, thus boosting their value and potential profits made from reselling.

Antique art lamps come in the styles from dated periods, like Edwardian, Nouveau, Oriental and Victorian themed lamps. They can easily enhance the room they are in, as long as the owner takes great care in putting them in the immediate surrounding that the lamps can easily blend into and complement.

Antique art deco lamps are based on designs depicting different dated periods. Art Deco antique lamps for example are based on the refinement of the Rococo period that took place in Europe during the 18th century, using hand blown Italian glass, and pieces of them are often used as table lamps and floor lamps. More modern style Art deco lamps feature sleeker designs that have been the basis of the design of modern day buildings such as the Empire State building.

Another thing is that the beauty behind these lamps is not just their style but also their shade. They can be made from glass, wood or metal, but most lamps get their appeal from their multicolored or stylish shades that bring a warm, colorful appeal. The shape of the shade can also be the eye catcher, which can vary from a simple round to a more distinct, edgy form.

There are also types of antique based lamps styled after those that use oil to light up. Some may have been modified to use electricity, though there are some that have kept the original design.

But despite the many styles and looks of these lamps, it remains that they are now being used as high quality decorations. Nowadays, the uses for antique art deco lamps are mainly decorative, and they are put in bedrooms and hallways to serve as such. They are also used in offices and other functional rooms for decorative pieces and less on the functionality side.

When choosing your lamp, you have to keep an eye out on the quality of your choice. If you are an experience antique collector, you can virtually buy your lamp from anywhere you like, so long as you are sure to check that your lamp is in good condition and that if you are going to place it in a room, make sure that the lamp will match the décor of its new home.

However, if you are looking for a mere decorative piece and don't know where to start, you should invest time in researching on the lamp you want and going to authenticated antique dealers for help. They may cost a bit more than other sources, but at least you'll know that you are bound to get good quality antique art deco lamps.

Brian is an antiques publisher. For more information on antique Art Deco lamps, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.info

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Why You Should Consider Buying Antique Desks By Brian J Daly

There are quite a number of antique desks for sale in the marketplace today. Numerous antique outlets have these pieces of furniture in their inventories. The shops and stores selling these old desks are locally located or in other places which are easily accessible to antique enthusiasts. These sellers are also private individuals who are investing in antique furniture, including desks. The buyers are selling the antique items in turn to others who are interested in antiques.

The desk is a form of furniture. The piece of movable object, in most case, is commonly seen in work areas. It is ordinarily used for writing and reading. Desks have drawers wherein documents, papers and office supplies are kept.

Furniture with styles of desks is traceable to the ancient times. The type of furniture is present in many periods of history as well as in different civilizations from around the world. The various periods in history have their marks in the make and designs of earlier desks. Steel desks are developed in recent generations. There are desks purposely made for computers in this modern period of time.

Similar to other objects of antiquity, antique furniture are on sale. Antique desks for sale are on offer for antique lovers who are looking for pieces of antiques. The antique furniture, desks in particular, are good investments for an individual. The investment in buying them can yield a good income for the investor. Authentic antique desks that you may find for sale are expensive objects.

Like other pieces of antique furniture and items of jewelries, antique desks for sale are getting to be more valuable in the passing of time. The money used in buying them has greater worth in its value after a period of time. Unlike other items for sale, furniture and jewelries are becoming more expensive when years are added to the age of the objects.

The value of antique desks is not depreciated in the passing of time. There is a quality that an individual who is investing in the business of buying and selling of antique desks should have. The person must have a sense of history because the person must have the knowledge of the kind of desks were made, and the designs of desks in a particular period of time.

Different generations are making and using desks. Desks of various periods of history are made of various materials. The desks in succeeding eras have designs of their own styles. The desks become antique as the period of human history are changed.

There are distinctive marks on antique desks to prove its authenticity. Genuine antique desks put on sale can be expensive to an ordinary individual. Experts can determine if a desk is truly antique. The experts are looking for specific signs of a particular generation to authenticate the trueness of the particular desk on hand.

Antique desks for sale are numerous. The majority of them are authentic. It is not a remote possibility there are desks that are purported to be antique but in reality are fake. Care must be undertaken, not only in desks but also antique furniture in general.

Brian is an antiques publisher. For great information on antique desks for sale, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.info.

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