Caning, Asian influences, shopping with a friend and good housekeeping practices because it's the LAW.

Greeting! After a busy few weeks, I have just completed restoration of a homemade oak rocking chair with cane seat and back I picked up earlier this year.  I took it on because I have successfully replaced sheet cane early in my restoration career and decided I was ready for another go.  I am happy to report it all went smooth and the chair is now available!  Here are a few pics from the process.

The first pic is the chair as found with a blown out back.  Step 1 was removing the old cane and spline.  The best way to accomplish this is with a $40 steamer.  The steam loosens the old glue.  I would say it took the better part of an hour to work the old cane free.  Then I visited my local basketmaking and caning supply shop (yes, that is a THING!) called the Country Seat and they helped me match up the cane and spline to the right sizes.  The spline has to be big enough to fit in the channel tightly as that what keeps the whole structure intact.  Then I returned home ready to work.  After soaking the new cane and spline in water for about 20 min, I got to work using the wood pegs to insert the cane into the channel.  Working from side to side and and making it taunt.  Once I had it all lined up and inserted as I liked, I would trim off the excess, cut the spline to size beveling my ends for placement.  Then adding wood glue in the channel, inserting the spline, pounding in with a rubber mallet and my peg and wiping off the excess glue.  Overall, this project took about 3 hours of my time.  The chair looks fantastic!  If you have an eclectic style like I do, you may fall in love with the texture of caned and woven goods. Sheet cane replacement can be tricky, but it is a lot easier and less time consuming that outright caning!  Stop by my etsy shop if you want to read more about the chair. CLICK HERE

While I was at the caning shop, I picked up some material to repair a 1930's Heywood Wakefield rattan rocker.  It is shown on my Diamonds in the Rough page.  I am going to get started repair the one arm that is a little dogged up and then redoing the seat.  I have some golden yellow fabric I thought would be a good choice with the aged orange finish of the rattan, but I am open to  using a pattern.  If you want to claim this baby now I will finish it per your specifications.  Amazingly enough, the rattan is actually a very tight twisted paper and not a reed at all!  When I snapped off a piece to take it along to the shop, I was suspicious and the woman at the shop confirmed it!  I will be replacing with a reed in the area that needs repaired and hoping I can do a close match of the orange paint to blend it in.  These kind of details are always challenging and fun for creative types like myself. 

NEW ITEMS.

I just picked up a few new items that I am getting ready to list.  I love to know the history of what I find so being able to select things from the home they lived in is a fun yet melancholy part of securing my inventory.  I was able to visit a home that is getting cleaned out after it's owner recently passed on.  She was a working artist who made her living selling prints and original oils.  I am still trying to get more info on her business but she did copyright everything she sold so there were definitely savvy practices being followed.  Her home was filled with late Bombay Company furnishings in near perfect condition.  I picked up a pair of 2005 era MING style end tables in a black finish with gorgeous burl tops.  I quite enjoy the Asian style and think it would be a great match in an eclectic or boho décor.  This will be photographed and listed in the next 24 hours- hoping for no rain and a little sun! I also picked up 2 very large original oils on canvas in beautiful gold gilt lighted frames.  They are both floral subjects.  One is marked Not Copyrighted DO NOT SELL.  The other has been copyrighted and her notes show pricing and editions for canvas and paper reproductions including her asking price on the original, $4,000.  I am trying to get some more info regarding where her work was being sold and what galleries she had relationships with.  

One  of my friends mentioned they wanted me to look for a couch for them.  A few hours later a lovely living room set gets texted to me from an estate guy I buy from. Well turns out my friend was as smitten as I and trusted me to handle his deal. He got my full services including condition evaluation, pick up/delivery and a complete cleaning and sanitization.  He is handling a structural issue with the couch himself.  My Facebook page blew up after I posted the pics so I think lots of people loved it! It is Bassett Premier, often misattributed to Adrian   Pearsall.  It is in amazing condition too! Looks great in his home and I get to visit them. 💕

Speaking of sanitizing, in other exciting news, I decided to apply for a license from my state to be able to tag my own used or restored upholstered goods after I clean and sanitize with one of 2 products the state authorized to be used. I chose Steri-Fab, which is an insecticide, germicide and fungicide.  I will vacuum and steam all upholstered goods and follow with sanitizing all areas I can get to, I am certain that not all places do a thorough job with this especially thrifts, who are required to tag and any other retailer you shop with in PA.  I was letting my mall handle it for me but decided it would be something I would do for every customer I ship to. I am already following procedures but am waiting for my license to be approved so I can order the yellow tags. Buyers can remove them after receiving the item but it is piece of mind for all of us! I welcome local people to use my services! I would gladly sanitize and clean something you found or are selling commercially so you can comply with the law. Message me and we can talk about it!

HALLOWEEN

Just to let you know I have some fabulous NEW Halloween kitchen towel from Primitives by Kathy available locally at my Fleetwood Antique Mall space and currently a few styles are on ebay.  Please stop by and check them out!  ebay.com/usr/madmodworldvintage

This towel available NOW in my ebay shop or locally at Fleetwood Antique Mall!

order now so you get yours in time!  

Thanks for reading, your comments and emails!  XO Malissa

Fall happenings.

After a wild week of getting ready and then moving spaces, I am all settled into my new space at Fleetwood Antique Mall! I am thrilled with the new space and everything went together very smoothly. Seeing the day bed set up and looking fabulous has made me love it even more! Try to make it over and see it if you are in the area. I am offering it at my rock bottom price at the mall. I do have another daybed ready for restoration as well, you can find it on my website, madmodworldvintage.com under DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH. Here are some pics of the new space. 

I went with a college theme and I think the daybed is a great accessory. It is extremely comfy with all new cushions. I left a little paper with info on the piece you can read about what was done.  

I have a great selection of Halloween items (not vintage) which I hope everyone enjoys! I love being able to offer fun things locally!  

Lots of new pillows available!  

Next up! I am officially registered as a vendor for Pyrex and Vintage Fest on September 30th in Havre De Grace, MD.  There are about 50 vendors expected to be setting up along the street outside JoRetro vintage shop.  Last year was a lot of fun and I expect this year to be even larger! If you enjoy pyrex and Comradery from like minded old souls, you will be in heaven.  Havre De Grace is an adorable town and an easy drive from PA, NJ, MD and D.C. Here is a link to the event info. https://www.facebook.com/pyrexfest/ 

I will be packing a bunch of pyrex which I think I will be blowing out flat pricing so stop by and see if I have anything you need. I am up for orders so if you are hitting the fest and would like me to bring something for you please message me!  I think I will be bringing the cafe set and afew summer left overs and offering af clearance pricing.  Would love to squeeze some furniture in the van! My bestie will be coming along to help and will have lots of vinyl to poke through.  

Sad day, but I sold my violin that was listed all summer and looking for a new home. That said, I will soon start collecting the Adrian Pearsall items that were offered to me by a friend of a friend. I am excited to dig in there and make them beautiful again! Here is another peek!  

These 4 pieces will probably be my first pick ups. The table glass on the coffee table may need to be replaced but otherwise, they are ready to go with some cleaning and maybe a repair or two.  I love the Havana chair and ottoman. Tempted to keep that one! 💕 

I will most likely ofer AS IS or RESTORED pricing. If you want to handle your own restoration, that is fine by me but I would love to coordinate that for you! 

At this point, I am planning on restoring this couch for my own living room!  Just need to convince the husband it's time to ditch our sectional. 😆 

Speak up if there is something you are interested in as I would accommodate you when I select what's next. Due to my budget restrictions, restorations would require 50% deposit to start, balance due on delivery. None of the upholstered items are usable as is and I have not inspected the strapping supports which may also need replaced.  

Thanks for following along and hope to see some fans in Havre De Grace!  

xo Malissa

X Bench Love and Custom Restoration Info.

First off, wanted to let you know I will be off the Grid in the Catskills next weekend for a camping trip and know I will have little to no service over the weekend. I will respond immediately when I get a signal but no shipments, quotes or measurements while I am away. Also we are spending the holiday weekend at a vintage camping event in Catawissa, PA called Kampers at Knoebels. It is a tradition and attracts many of us VW bus drivers but also other vintage camper types.  Search for the group on Facebook if you want to come camp! The highlight is a caravan to Knoebels Amusement Resort on Sat morning where we all park our vans in a row and hang out in the park. It's a fun old time amusement park where you can bring your own food (but park food is excellent) pay by the ride if you like and have a cheap fun day out.  The ride for us takes us through CENTRAILIA, PA, home of the famous underground mine fires that vacated the whole town. Empty eerie streets of where homes used to be! Have a great holiday everyone!

i am almost ready to work on the sewing part of my X Bench restoration. I have the first Bench in the final steps of disassembly. It really is a beautifully constructed piece and I suspect either custom made for a client or made by someone taking an upholstery class.  That said, there are a billion staples and tacks in it so very slow going.  I am thrilled to get the horrible plaid flannel off and get some cream velvet on!  

Although I am not in love with their fabric choice, they did a great job matching up the plaid! 

it's going to look awesome in cream velvet!  And I have a pair! Perfect choice for the foot of a bed.  

CUSTOM SOURCING AND RESTORATION.  

As you may have read a few posts back, I will do custom sourcing for clients.  This is tricky for me as I do not always have the budget for buying things so if you would like me to shop for you reach out.  Typically, I will be on the hunt for a piece in you interest based on some loose criteria like piece (dresser, chair, credenza), wood or finish type, brand...maybe if I am lucky I can hone in on a specific brand, but if budget is concern this may be a difficult task! I look and when I find stuff that may work I will shoot you pics. In most cases, things disappear fast so it is important to consider as fast as possible. I will provide my opinion on condition and issues and will know what I can clean up, repair and what blemishes you may need to live with plus dimensions and other info you need to check your space.  If you agree to the piece, I may ask for a deposit upfront, especially if we have not done business yet. I will purchase and get to work cleaning it up and getting it ready for you. In many cases this takes me a few days of work.  We set up a delivery date if you are in my region or if shipping, I will set up a listing for you to pay the balance owed which you will need to do before I ship. You will get pics and stories along the way because I am just as excited to be working on the piece for you as you are to get it in your home! I really love working with clients and helping you get a piece you will love!  Any upholstery or fabric seats can be swapped out by me at this time too! I have a stock of some fabrics and could purchase to order as well. I have trade accounts with Joybird and Schumacher and would gladly order what you need. 

READY TO RESTORE. 

When I see a piece I would love to restore, I buy it. That said, budget and time does not always allow me to transform it quickly.  I do many repairs myself but some upholstery projects I prefer to use a professional.   I have posted on my webpage MadModWorldVintage.com many of these pieces that are here waiting for their day to shine. If you love one, I can work with you to make it your own! After we discuss where you would like the project to go, I will work up a firm quote based on fabric choice, upholstery cost, etc. I enjoy coordinating these restorations and knowing it will go to a loving home right away makes it better. I think hard about my color choices but when things sit in my house for a long time I wonder if I made a bad decision. I would much rather have someone choose what they want and I just get it done. Pop in and check out my ladies in waiting periodically and see what you like. I have a beautiful Adrian Pearsall wave lounger right now I cannot wait to attack with new fabric. 

REFERRALS WELCOME!  

Not in the market but know someone shopping for furniture? I know you know that vintage is better than new!  It's hard to compete with all the reproductions out there. Even Target is launching a line of mcm themed items this fall.  That's all fine when you are in college or your first apartment and all you can afford but in most cases, a quality restored piece will last the rest of your life and is often not much more of an investment.  I take the time to really inspect what I buy, clean it well, replace anything sketchy and do my best to watch out for hidden issues that crop up so they can be remedied before you get it home.  Sure you can thrift your own deals, but I hear horror stories every day of saggy chairs, hard foam and God help us....bugs.  Yes friends, these stories are real. There are dealers out there that don't care about this at all. Trust is a big thing for me and something that I try to build with all my clients. I have been getting some referrals for repairing items for people which I will coordinate if I can.  I work with a shop full of master woodworkers and many of them do side jobs so if something is over my head, I've got people. 😂✌️ Please send your friends to me if you think I can help them fill their home with glamorous Mid Century items. I also work with interior designers around the country and provide them with amazing items for their clients.  I love what I do!  

Always thankful, Malissa 💕