Sybil Style

I’m not yet sold on 2011.  Sure, the Year of the Rabbit sounds all warm-n-fuzzy, but my experience thus far is mixed.  There was the armed robbery in my office parking garage (I as victim, not assailant).  Then, the Passat break-in (again, victim).  And the death of my partner’s father (see, it’s not all about me).  Oh, and on an irritating side note, this week I was alerted by a neighbor that the ‘hood busy-bodies have been complaining via listserve about the lovely and legal (albeit blue collar-tinged) Bianca the Van being parked on the public street in our historic area of Arlington.  I guess Class Snobbery is Prestige’s first-cousin.

On the flipside, the year began rather pleasantly.  On January 8-9, “As Luck Would Have It” once again participated in the DC Big Flea at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia.  Readers of this Blog (to whom I must be a huge disappointment, since I’ve neglected my writerly duties for months) should be familiar with my previous three Flea adventures.  You’ll recall that my prior Flea offerings have reflected my ‘eclectic’ (read: multiple-personality) tastes, running the gamut from “Mid-century Glam” (a’ la ‘Mad Men’) to “Cottage Chic” to “20th Century Eclecticism” (inherently identity-challenged).  For the Flea’s inaugural 2011 show, I focused my collection on mid-century modern….That is, if you consider ‘mid century’ as encompassing the years between 1939 and 1980 (it was a long century, was it not?!?).

Vatne Mobler Sofa (c. 1960)

Once again, Assistant Andrew was invaluable in helping me prepare for the January show.  Between Christmas and New Year’s, we had managed to load Bianca with the largest mid-century representatives, including a most phenomenal find:  a Vatne Mobler sofa of rosewood and leather, dating from 1960.  This extraordinary Norwegian piece is a stunning example of organic modernism, with clean lines warmed by the rich tones of the rosewood frame and the lusciousness of down cushions wrapped in full-grain leather.  And, fortunately for Andrew and myself, the sofa’s small profile typical of Northern European designs made the piece much easier to transport (unlike the gi-normous Henredon sofa from my “Mad” collection!).

The Vatne Mobler was accompanied by other highly stylized vintage pieces, each fabulous in their own right:  a Milanese-influenced faux leather swivel chair, identified by its label as “The Original Lounger” by the North Carolinian ‘Carter Brothers Furniture Company’; a pair of butterfly chairs with their 1950s wrought-iron frames, clad in natural cotton canvas; a 1960s chair of solid Lucite; and, a pair of Italian chrome and Lucite barstools -- representing the disco era, along with the brown swivel chairs (in ‘chocolate fudge’ velour!) and the chrome-and-glass coffee table.  View the entire collection, organized chronologically beginning with the Russel Wright ‘American Modern’ dinnerware collection, in the video (apologies for the jittery cinema verite quality….I was highly caffeinated):

The January Flea was an exciting show for ALWHI.  The response to my offerings was quite positive, and I met many people who shared my enthusiasm and appreciation for mid-century design.  As in past shows, I had the opportunity to converse with other Russel Wright enthusiasts, and introduce the ‘American Modern’ line to those previously unfamiliar with this extraordinary collection.  It was particularly thrilling to have several of my items, including the black swivel lounger, purchased by young 20-somethings for their first apartments; indeed, how refreshing to see that good design is appreciated by all ages!

French-style Armchairs (c. 1950)

So now, exactly one year after initiating the “As Luck Would Have It” enterprise, I’m faced with how to proceed.  Admittedly, the challenges of starting a new business as a sideline to my full-time Job That Pays The Bills, along with the daily demands of being a Man of a Certain Age, are emotionally and physically exhausting.  I’ve also found myself in constant struggle with my boundless décor tastes.  As evidenced by the aforementioned ALWHI collections, I find it impossible to limit my acquisitions to one particular period, style, or provenance.  I not-so-simply appreciate good design, whether exemplified by the sensuous curve of a Norwegian sofa, or the intricate carvings of a 1950s French-style armchair (like the pair pictured here, awaiting a makeover by Furniture Redo Diva Blanca).  Granted, my MDPD (Multiple Design Personality Disorder) might make it difficult to develop a particular fan base/client following.  However, as I continue to explore the far reaches of my décor creativity, I can only hope that others who share my affliction can come to appreciate the endless possibilities of vintage home furnishings.  As the interior designer William Sawaya stated (in an article serendipitously discovered in a 2008 issue of Metropolitan Home magazine), “The mixing of periods reveals the personality and self-confidence of the owner.”  Perhaps, especially in my case, it would be more correct to say that such a practice reveals one’s personalities.

And, to those Cretans who would criticize the presence of Bianca the Van, I suggest they judge her not by her exterior, but by the extraordinarily eclectic treasures that lie within.  

This is How We FLEA!

It was quite a weekend!  As heralded by my previous post, the latest-and-greatest DC Big Flea was held last weekend.  And, as exhausting and feet-numbing as it was, I nonetheless was thrilled for As Luck Would Have It to be included!  This being my third experience in four months on the seller-side, I feel like I’m fast-tracked to becoming a regular.  And Bianca the Van has the battle scars to prove it!

Although Bianca had already been loaded weeks prior with the more ‘substantial’ (read: heaviest) pieces, thanks to the help of my perennial assistant Andrew, there was much work to be done in the days/nights/hours prior to Set-up Day on Friday.  And, as usual, the packing of the last-minute items took the most time and energy: the extraordinarily large and delicate lampshades, the ornate (and unbending) wooden picture frames, and the gargantuan Stiffel lamp that rode shotgun, safely strapped into the van’s front seat.  

Finally, with everything packed as tightly and carefully as possible, Bianca and I set out at 7:30 AM bound for the Dulles Expo Center.  After a brief stop at the Falls Church warehouse to load the almost-forgotten dolley (Andrew threatened me with bodily harm if I forgot this key piece of moving equipment), I proceeded to sit in the typically torturous traffic-laden trip to Chantilly.  Once Assistant Andrew arrived, began our ritualistic unloading of the van, piling the smaller items into the bed and cab of his pick-up.  When the doors to the Expo Center’s South Building were finally opened for the vendors at 10 AM, we were ready and rarin’ to go.

English Cabinet Desk (open)

The cacophony during Set-up is quite energizing.  As long as you can avoid being hit by oncoming trucks and vans, and side-step the porters and vendors pushing and pulling sometimes unwieldy carts, the constant activity takes on the frenzy of a rock concert/circus.  It’s fun to reunite with vendors I’ve come to know from previous Fleas, and see the wares they’ve brought for the current show.  There’s a lot of pre-show shopping that takes place on Set-up Day!  Items that start in one booth often end up being offered by a vendor across the aisles!

English Cabinet Desk (closed)

After unloading the biggest, bulkiest, HEAVIEST piece of furniture – a most interesting mid-century/British-made/Danish-modern style desk which folds into one compact cabinet – I proceeded to agonize on the precise placement of the satin drapes for my booth’s backdrop, while Andrew unloaded the remaining items from Bianca.  (Amazingly, I completed my decorating task just as he brought in the last bin….Such timing!)   From that point on, the unpacking and placement of furniture and accessories went quite smoothly.  By 2 PM, I sent my most helpful assistant on his way; I, however, spent the next five hours carefully unwrapping and fretfully placing my Russel Wright ‘American Modern’ dinnerware.  Since my collection had expanded since the September show – now to include several important pieces in Chartreuse and Chutney – the table space dedicated to this mid-century icon almost doubled, requiring hours of undo and redo to achieve the display I’d envisioned.  And behold, in this video:  As Luck Would Have It presents, “Exotica: 20^th Century Eclecticism”!

The next two days were a whirlwind….The foot traffic was brisk, and the attendees were most enthusiastic and appreciative of both my booth décor and its offerings.  I reveled in the attention given to the aforementioned British/Danish desk, and even had one observer iPhone video my “how-to-fold-into-a-cabinet” demonstration (might it be YouTube bound?!?).  But by far the biggest hit for ALWHI at this show:  Russel Wright!  I had such fun educating ‘newbies’ to the glories of ‘American Modern’, and discussing the collection with other afficionados.  Some folks purchased an item or two to initiate their collection, while others carefully selected pieces to accompany treasures passed down through generations.  I’m so thrilled to be able to offer the largest group of Russel Wright at the DC Big Flea, and hope to continue provisioning new and established collectors alike.

Many thanks to my friends who stopped by to lend their support (and provide coverage for restroom breaks!), including BFF Diana the Lady D, dear friend Jeri, and my new pal and ‘treasure finder’ Misha, with whom I share a love of all that is funky mid-century (BTW, this particular relationship all started with a Russel Wright chartreuse creamer featured on CraigsList….How fortuitous!).  I also had the distinct pleasure to finally meet Carol Paulsen, the most helpful and energetic office manager of D’Amore Promotions, which produces the DC Big Flea.  (Many, many thanks go to Carol for all her assistance!)

And here we are, days later, and I’m still recovering.  You see, I’m not one of those vendors who set up their wares and then sit back to more passively assist those who wander into their assigned booth space.  Oh no, honey, I can WORK. A. SHOW!  With an enthusiasm and intensity that’s part circus barker/part streetwalker (minus the tawdry outfits and well, illegal behaviors), I’m in constant motion during from start to finish.   Consequently, by the end of the show, I’m physically and mentally exhausted (not to mention hoarse!).  But alas, after the last attendee has left the building, there’s the dreaded end-of-show break-down (no, not the emotional kind…that’s usually a few hours later).  Everything that was not claimed during the show must be reloaded into the awaiting vans.  Thus, you have the same frenzied activity displayed on Set-up morning in reverse, except now it’s Sunday evening, everyone is much more drained and – depending on their respective success – somewhere between post-show elation and distress.

Finally arriving home feeling a bit battered and worn, yet satiated by a much-needed meal of Taco Bell, ALWHI’s third Flea had come to an end.  On the return trip (yes, once again in the ever-present Northern Virginia traffic), I had time to begin planning for the next Flea, January 8-9….2011 .  Where did the year go?!?  For me, I know a great deal of 2010 was spent collecting/moving/storing/refurbishing/photographing/selling vintage décor.  Onward to the New Year!

Time to FLEA!

It's that time again!  "As Luck Would Have It" will be participating in the DC Big Flea Market November 6 & 7, in the South Building of the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia [4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly VA 20151].  For this occasion, I'll be presenting a new and exciting collection I've dubbed "Exotica: 20th Century Eclecticism".  The pieces in this collection are truly unique, and represent decades of fabulous design -- from handcrafted early-1900s American to mid-century European modern, to 1970s traditional!

Mid-century Walnut Bench

1950s Stiffel Lamp

Pictured are but a few of the items in this collection:  a curvaceous mid-century walnut bench; a stunning 1950s Stiffel ceramic lamp of generous proportions; an early-1900s sewing table with beautifully turned legs; and, a mid-century folding rope chair in the style of Hans Wegner, marked “Made in Yugoslavia”.

Early-1900s Sewing Table

There are also many other pieces so recently acquired that they haven't yet been photographed -- the Flea will mark their public debut!  Such items include: a pair of 1970s barrel chairs upholstered in a bold paisley in shades of rust and brown; an awesomely unique English mid-century desk that folds into a cabinet; and, an assortment of ornately carved wooden frames.  Oh, and something not to be missed:  a fabulous pair of early-1950s lemon yellow ceramic table lamps with green tiered shades, designed as abstract male and female forms – simply amazing!!

And once again, I will have my ever-expanding collection of Russel Wright ‘American Modern’ dinnerware. These iconic pieces, manufactured by the Steubenville Company 1939-1959, established Russel and his wife Mary as the original lifestyle tastemakers.  Now, in addition to my original collection in coral, seafoam, and granite, I’ve begun adding pieces in the richly bold colors of chartreuse and black chutney.  I will be showing many new, very rare and hard-to-find items in all the colors, including a stunning Open Carafe in coral.  As Luck Would Have It is the Flea’s definitive source for ‘American Modern’! 

Hans Wegner-style Chair

Of you're in the Washington DC-metro area, I hope you’ll be able to visit me at the DC Big Flea.  (And if you're not in the area, well, book your flight TODAY!)  My exhibit area is in Row C, spaces 173-174, to the left of the main entrance and near the front.  With colors and textures reminiscent of a Moroccan bazaar, the As Luck Would Have It offerings will be hard to miss!

Postette: Flea Party -- Day 1

Oh, Dear Readers, I am positively exhausted!  This weekend marks the second participation of “As Luck Would Have It” in the DC Big Flea Market.  After spending the past several days finalizing the collection being offered for this event, I was up and out of the house at 6:35 this AM, loading the last boxes into the waiting Bianca (my trusty white cargo van, of course).  Helper Andrew met me at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, to assist with transforming the bare booth space into a dreamy cottage getaway.  I promise tomorrow there will be pictures of this dreamscape, along with chronicles of the day’s activities.  But for now, I must stagger to bed, and leave you with a pic of one of the items in the ALWHI Cottage Collection – the floral club chair, clad in an oh-so-casual-chic linen and denim floral.  Til tomorrow!

Oh, BTW…. Do stop by if you happen to be in the ‘hood….ALWHI is in Row E of the Expo’s South Hall, just a few booths down from the main entrance!

FLEAdom

A few weekends ago was the quarterly DC Big Flea, held at its usual venue, the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly Virginia.  And, although I did find myself on those esteemed premises those days, I did not wander the Expo’s hallowed halls in search of treasures. No, Dear Readers, I did not meander down the many aisles of the two buildings that were bursting at the seams with hundreds of purveyors of fine vintage goods.  I did not join the throngs of shoppers as they carefully (and sometimes maniacally) chose their precious bounty of the day.  Why, you may ask, was I at the Expo Center but not partaking of (and, as has become my habit, filming) this quarterly shopping ritual??? Because I was there – for the first time ever – as a VENDOR!

Yes, Yours Truly brought “As Luck Would Have It” to the DC Big Flea!  After many excursions with BFF Diana The Lady D, I decided it was time to take the plunge and sign-up for not one but TWO Flea booths.  It was an invigorating (and exhausting) experience.

"MAD about MID-CENTURY"

The Thursday night prior to the Flea weekend, Sig-O graciously agreed to assist me with the ceremonial loading-of-the-truck.  And by ‘ceremonial’, I mean ‘pain-in-the-nether-region’.  For although I appreciate having the ability to transport large quantities of vintage home furnishings, thanks to Bianca the Cargo Van, I nonetheless find the loading/transporting/unloading cycle both daunting and tiring.  And, due to the selections I made for the ALWHI’s Flea debut presentation (“MAD about MID-CENTURY”), several items of the collection were not only bulky but weighed a bloody ton:  an eight-foot Henredon sofa from the 1960s; the hand-painted mirrored screen (recently seen in the Home Store Manassas “Wild Things” collection); and, a Thomasville mid-century Danish Modern-style dining set with a table that extends ad infinitum.

So, with godson “V” supervising, Sig-O and I loaded up Bianca.  But, because I am incapable of doing anything simply, I had designed a booth space requiring an inventory that far exceeded even Bianca’s capacity.  Therefore, we filled not only the van but also the trusty Passat to the point of critical mass.  And, if I must say so myself, we did a phenomenal packing job.  By the time we squeezed the last lampshade in place, there was barely room for air to circulate.

Bright 'n early the next morning, Sig-O showed up at Casa de Howard to begin the convoy to Chantilly.  Admittedly, I was a tad anxious about My First Time as a Flea vendor.  Oh sure, I’ve shopped it, but now I was about to embark on my maiden behind-the scenes voyage.  Where would we park?  Does one stand in line to be allowed entre’ to set-up, or is it a big free-for all?  How would I find my space?  Would all the other, more experienced vendors be able to spot the newbie?  It was like the first day of high school (oh GAWD, don’t let me start reliving that hell!).

But first (speaking of Hell), we had to get through Northern Virginia traffic.  Ah, yes, NoVA…. Where there’s no such thing as “going against traffic.”  There’s congestion and gridlock in every direction, including the westward trek from Arlington to Chantilly.  However, once we broke through the disaster that is The Beltway, we quickly made it to the Expo Center – with ten minutes to spare!

Rosanna's FAB Florentine Purchase

First thing I noticed was that the other early arrivers had parked their cargo carriers not lined up in front of the building’s entrance, but in regular parking spaces in the lot.  And while some vendors were just milling about, coffee in hand, others were busily unloading their wares into parking spaces adjoining those occupied by their vehicles.  While pondering this activity, I noticed a lovely woman walking towards me from across the lot.  Lo and behold, it was Rosanna, a friend of Furniture Redo Diva Blanca and fellow Furniture Addict and shop owner!  Rosanna informed us that she wasn’t there as a vendor, but as an early shopper….Turns out, dealers often show up at the crack of dawn on Set-up Day to shop the vendors as they’re unloading their vehicles.  As Rosanna explained, a few savvy Flea vendors actually get to the Expo super-early, and unload their wares to enable such opportunistic shopping.  Now we know!  You can bet that “As Luck Would Have It” will take full advantage of this activity next time.  The lovely Rosanna even shopped the back of my van – and twirled away with a Florentine chandelier that just screamed FABULOCITY!

As soon as we vendors were allowed into the Expo Center’s North Building, the real fun began.  Having located my space, Sig-O and I proceeded to unload Bianca and drag all my carefully selected (and did I mention, heavy) offerings inside.  Naturally, everything that needed to be set-up first was packed into the back of the van, or underneath all the smaller, more fragile items.  But, with the help of our assigned porter Bob, we made haste with the heaviest of pieces – the Henredon sofa and the mirrored screen.

This being my first time setting up my Flea space (and being the consummate perfectionist, much to Sig-O’s chagrin), the most time-consuming part of the morning was getting every item in my “Mad about Mid-Century” vignette placed just so.  However, it finally all came together, and as I hope you will agree from the photos, it was Mid-Century FAB! (Be sure to view the video to get a partial idea of the effort involved!)

The next two days were a blur.  Your truly accepted many compliments on the design of booth space, and the “OOHs” and “AHHs” were in abundance.  And I even sold some treasures!  Of particular thrill was the purchase of the orange Danish ladder-back chair pair, selected by a dealer for his mid-century modern shop in tony Georgetown.  Russel Wright enjoyed popularity on Sunday, and several collectors (including Ray and Jose – fellow vendors featured in one of my earlier Flea videos) left with cherished additions to their collections.  BFF Diana The Lady D was on-hand throughout the weekend, supplying me with caffeine and other nourishment.  Friends Cundy and Ginny, along with Gin's daughter and grandkids, stopped by to lend moral support.  And Butch and Barry even made an appearance; Barry seemed pleased by the place of honor given to his mother's Russel Wright collection.

Hand-painted Mirrored Screen

Alas, all good things must end, and the DC Big Flea was no exception.  Unfortunately, however, for us vendors the end of the Flea does not mark the end of the day.  Au contraire, it’s only the beginning of what some (myself included) would argue is the hardest part of the event – breaking down the booth, repacking and reloading.  UGH UGH UGH.  I had decided to let Sig-O off the hook, after all his hard work on the packing and set-up, and instead had hired handy-guy Craig to assist with these loathsome post-Flea tasks.  Along with his GF, we spent the next five (yes, five) hours completing the cycle of Flea participation.  This included sitting in the horrid NoVA traffic back to Falls Church to unload a portion of the remains into The Warehouse, then on to my Arlington home to unload and place – for the final time, I’ve sworn – the most fab mirrored screen (after all, my heart cannot take the danger of transporting such a fragile – and monstrously weighty – item again!).  No tears, though; I get to enjoy this beautiful treasure each time I walk through my living room.

Battleworn, tattered and torn, I somehow managed to crawl upstairs to my awaiting boudoir and felines, where I dozed a fitful sleep filled with replays of the weekend’s events.  It was great fun, albeit exhausting.  And if you missed it, SHAME.ON.YOU.  However, you will get another shot at being in my good graces; I’ve signed up for the next DC Big Flea, September 18^th and 19^th.  You will be there….Resistance is futile.

Perfectly Wright

I do so miss writing my Furniture Addict postings.  Alas, my accelerated acquisition activities, coupled with frenetic shuffling of furniture from Point A to Points B, C, D, n, have required every bit of energy I can muster.  While I have tons of addict-related events and treasure discoveries to relay to my Dear Readers (who must by now be doubting my dedication to this Blog), time and exhaustion have prohibited me from putting pen to paper, so to speak.

But today, I am taking a much needed (yet brief) respite from my vintage furnishings hunting and moving.  Sitting by the pool in beautiful Rehoboth Beach Delaware, surrounded by the July 4^th vacationing hoi polloi, I am sufficiently rested to relay at least one episode of décor drama.

Recently, I was contacted by Barry, of Butch-and-Barry – a most interesting and fun couple to whom I was introduced years ago by Sig-O.  B&B, being inveterate collectors of some of the finest vintage home furnishings, have decorated their lovely Arlington Virginia townhome with an extremely well-edited collection of furniture, china, and objects d’artes.  So, I was quite intrigued when Barry called to ask if I might be interested in an extensive collection of – wait for it! – RUSSEL WRIGHT DINNERWARE!

Yes, Russel Wright!  Now, for those of you who, admittedly or not, are unfamiliar with the glories of Russel Wright, allow me a pedagogical moment.  Mr. Wright, along with his wife Mary, was among the earliest home décor lifestyle gurus.  While they also designed beautifully streamlined furniture, they are perhaps best known for their iconic American Modern ceramic tableware, whose definitive sleek and simple styling is nonetheless imbued with organic shapes – the perfect marriage of Form and Function. 

My first encounter with the design ingenuity of Russel Wright was during a trip to NYC more than eight years ago.  The not-so-sig-o of the time suggested a side-trip to the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, which most fortuitously was featuring a Russel Wright restrospective.  I was immediately enamored with the gracefully simple curves and subtle yet bold colorations of the dinnerware designs, especially the pieces comprising the American Modern collection, produced by Steubenville Pottery 1939 to 1959.

Our friend Barry had become the caretaker of a beautiful batch of Russel Wright American Modern collected over many decades by his mother.  Desiring to pass the collection along to someone who might be interested in acquiring the set in its entirety, and being aware of the newly formed "As Luck Would Have It” vintage décor business endeavor, Barry most fortuitously thought of yours truly.

Once I enthusiastically agreed to consider Barry’s collection, he and Butch invited me to a home-cooked dinner.  But the first order of the evening was my introduction to Russel Wright.  Barry had painstakingly displayed the entire collection among two tables in their well-appointed basement.  And I was immediately awestruck by the bounty!  Having grouped the pieces by color – seafoam, coral, and granite – I couldn’t believe how many different items Barry’s mother had amassed.  Placed among the stacks of dinner plates, cups and saucers, and salad plates were some of the most iconic American Modern gems:  a water pitcher, salad bowl, coasters, chop plates, covered casserole…just to name a few!

I must admit, I had tried to prepare myself for this moment….In the days since Barry’s initial call, I had planned to make a well-informed business decision, based on careful consideration of  how this collection could factor into the As Luck Would Have It inventory; how I might best use this opportunity to acquire such a large collection, perhaps to launch ALWHI as a definitive source for Russell Wright’s American Modern.  I had planned to meticulously research the ‘net for competitive retail prices per item, and, at some later date, approach Barry with an offer based on sound business principles.

But, once I gazed upon the most beautiful and lovingly amassed collection of this most iconic mid-century tableware, all rational thought evaporated!  I simply HAD.TO.HAVE.IT!  And the most gracious Barry, undoubtedly sensing my extreme desire, accepted the offer that I had determined I was able to fund.  What a wonderfully mutually beneficial arrangement!  I acquired a stunning collection, and Barry had found someone who appreciated and desired the pieces in toto.

After sealing the deal with a handshake and a friendly hug, we commenced with the other pleasures of the evening -- a most jovial dinner of wine, pasta with homemade bolognese sauce, and   a sinfully tasty cherry pudding derived from an heirloom recipe, all within the context of storytelling and gossip sharing!

Who could ask for anything more!

Vintage VANguard

Recall, Dear Readers, the trauma I experienced with my inability to transport that most glorious French Settee?  Or, all those moments of doubt when pondering the capacity of the trusty Passat to transport all the delightful treasures I would amass in one vintage décor expedition?  Recall, too, the cry I would lift up to the furniture gods in such times of anguish:  “I NEED A VAN!!!”

Well, TAH-DAH!  May I present…Bianca the Van (not to be confused with BLANCA-the-Furniture-Redo-Diva).  Yes, I finally took the plunge into the world of ubiquitous white cargo vans.  Fleeting associations with snipers notwithstanding, after much deliberation I succumbed to the fact that I needed a workhorse to handle the ever-increasing demands of my vintage décor addiction (and the “As Luck Would Have It” business it spawned).  This was not, I repeat NOT, a decision made in haste.  Oh, no…I thoroughly researched various and sundry vehicles that had the potential of meeting my requirements – some of function, others of form.  There was the Conversion Van, which had the cheesy allure of retro decadence, with its interior limo lights, faux wood trim, and rear seat that folded down to bed (disco ball not included – but was definitely a post-purchase must!).  Then there was the comfortable yet not quite sufficiently utilitarian minivan, which could be dual-purposed to accommodate Sig-O/godsons D&V/god-dog C to and from Rehoboth (and maybe even a vintage trinket or two) – but not, say, a French settee that one might happen to find abandoned on the curb (yep, still obsessing over that one). 

Then, during one fortuitous perusal through CraigsList, I happened upon an ad that sounded most promising: a Ford Econoline “E150” van, which as it turned out was being offered by a local audio-visual company.  After hastily making an appointment to visit said vehicle, I rushed to the company’s location and was pleasantly surprised by the near pristine condition of the van.  And, as if customized for hauling the typical objects of my affection, this particular vehicle had even been outfitted with an interior lining that included chrome toggle-hooks for attaching bungee cords – thus enabling the secure transport of acquired treasures!  (I know…whoever thought I’d be in such a state of amazement over a cargo van?!?)

Only days later, after having a local mechanic give the van a reasonably clean bill-of-health, the once transporter of audio-visual equipment became a regal chariot blessed by the vintage décor gods!  Thus far, Bianca has enabled yours truly to acquire a pair of 1940s dressers from a new Fave Source in the oh-so-trendy Alexandria, Virginia neighborhood of Del Ray (the topic of an upcoming post, I PROMISE!); an early ‘50s card table and chairs set (OMG, just wait til you see pics of THAT beauty!), found at another newly discovered treasure trove in my hometown Ashland, Virginia; a Danish mid-century modern easy chair and ottoman set from yet ANOTHER new source – which is located mere yards from Bianca’s previous owner!….and other terribly fabulous items, all of which will provide fodder for many, many future Furniture Addict tales.

And, guess what just arrived in the mail?  The magnetic signs to be ceremoniously placed on Bianca’s doors, announcing to all that this glorious vehicle belongs to “As Luck Would Have It”!  If you happen to see us during one of our vintage décor hunts, be sure to honk if you’re a fellow Furniture Addict!  But be forewarned:  we brake for treasures!