The Art of Antiquing in Exeter

This post is a continuation of my last post about my daytrip to Exeter, New Hampshire.  I went to my favorite antique store in Exeter, Art N Tiques. This store is so interesting and packed to the gills with the coolest stuff. If you like to rummage, this is your happy place!

I have a blast when I go there. This was my third time visiting and it did not disappoint. I absolutely love to pick through the piles of "treasures".

This time there were lots of boxes and pieces for storage like trunks and vintage suitcases. Be still my heart! I love finding unique ways to store stuff!

This is Charlie, he is Linda the shop owner's dog.  He has to be the sweetest gentlest dog I've ever met.  Charlie was a rescue dog but Linda says she didn't rescue Charlie he rescued her. I think they rescued each other as Linda loves Charlie and Charlie clearly adores Linda.

Oh yes, the vintage suitcases I mentioned earlier.

Frames, yes!  See that gold one in the front? It came home with me and

I have big plans for that. I'm thinking someone can do something to it for

me and it would make a lovely birthday gift!

This is Linda's section of pieces she uses for her art. She doesn't sell these pieces

because many of them are broken and she repurposes them in her art. She invited me to

her show which will be in August in Amesbury.

Here is one of Linda's creations.

Linda obtained some old high school band uniforms . 

This is the jacket from the band uniform. Linda describes it as Sgt Pepper meets Civil War General.

Another thing I love about Linda is her sense of humor.

I know you are dying to know what I bought at this cool store. Well, my big prize was this antique typewriter from 1910. I honed right in on this baby the minute I walked in the store.  It now sits on my hallway table. I'll take a better shot another time.  I also bought a pair of very old skates and the aforementioned frame.  Yes, I did good. Linda asked if I had a shop because I always pick out the most interesting things. I am flattered by that comment.

I hope your travels will take you to Exeter, New Hampshire. When in town stop by Art N Tiques and say hello to Linda and Charlie!

Daytrip to Exeter, New Hampshire

I had a free Saturday so I decided to go to Exeter, New Hampshire. I love the town and there's great shopping there so off I went. 

I took so many photos I will need to do two posts,  This post is about a new store I discovered on Water Street called Reminisce.

Reminisce is a beautiful shop filled with many lovely items. I was of course drawn to the teacups and china plates. In fact, I purchased some plates. I promise to show them to you in another post.

I had a nice conversation with the owner. She worked as the manager of furniture design shop for nearly 20 years. The shop went out of business and she decided to pursue her dream of owning a shop.

At an age when many people are considering retirement, this woman is starting a new venture.
I find that admirable and very cool!

The owner told me she has always shopped flea markets and estate sales so she has the perfect vehicle for displaying her finds.

She carries some vintage clothing too. This sweet dress is from France.

I did like this teacup but I found some china plates that I liked better.

She sells furniture too.  Of course she does, her background is in furniture.

Another lovely set of dishes and I loved these glasses in such a pretty lavender shade.

A gold teapot and yes that is my reflection.  Such a nice selection of tea items!

As I said the china pieces were stunning. I was proud of my self control.  This is just the type of shop
that would cause me to spend my entire paycheck.

The owner of the shop noticed a crack in the wall and she asked a local artist to paint a nest in the crack.  Can you see the original crack?

The artist's work was fantastic. It reminds me of a Marjolein Bastin work. Marjolein paints wonderful
nature themed greeting cards.

And a bird graces another section of the wall. Taking flight and a leap of faith just like the owner of  Reminisce. You can find Reminisce at 109 Water St, Exeter, New Hampshire.

Those quirky kitties

Never a dull moment in my household. Sometimes it's like having 3 kids, toddlers at that.  There's Oscar about to steal my shoe.

And Percy is where he shouldn't be. I've told him a hundred times not to sleep on the cable box.

Obviously Molly is copping a catitude. She's giving me her backside. She must not have liked something I said. It's probably about the late hours she's been keeping.

And Percy thinks he's King. He thinks he's the boss of me but he's not.

When I see them all in the same room together I think 3 cats is a lot.  But I can handle it. Most days.

Easter Recap

I'm sure you all had a busy Easter Sunday. Mine was busy too. It started with Sunday morning Mass then we had Easter Brunch at the condo.

I had the good folks at Pondview Florist in Winchester fill my Harney Tea tin with a spring arrangement to match the tablecloth. White tulips with one blue hydrangea. They did a great job!

The tablecloth was a recent purchase at an estate sale. The photo doesn't do it justice.  It is a lovely shade of pink and definitely from the 50's

My sister made a couscous salad with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and lemon juice.  It was yummy!

I made overnight baked french toast. I make it for Easter and my Wimbledon Breakfast.

A mix of old and new at each place setting. New plates used as chargers and the smaller plate is vintage and was purchased at Brissonte in North Reading.

For dessert, we had a chocolate Easter Egg cake.  It was filled with chocolate cake and chocolate mousse layers. Delish!

Next, my sister and I went to the nursing home to visit my Mom and to take her to the dessert buffet. We didn't eat much. I had a few chocolate dipped strawberries.

They do a really nice job with variety and presentation. The residents at the nursing home looked like  they enjoyed it.

Too bad I wasn't hungry. I would have enjoyed the key lime pie or the caramel cheesecake.

I changed the entire tablesetting for the evening crowd.  I had friends coming over for dessert and coffee and tea.  This time I used a white tablecloth with the lavender table runner with the little LED lights running down the center.

Everyone got a Lindt chocolate bunny to take home. I am so OCD that I replaced all the ribbons on the bunnies' necks.  They came with red ribbons but that would clash with the purples and pastels of the tablescape.  So I used white and pastel colored ribbons instead.

Here's another view of the floral arrangement with tea tin. The beautiful sugar pot was a gift from my friends Mary and Don.

Yes, I did stand on a chair for this shot. I wanted you to have an aerial view of the table and of the lit runner. I wasn't sure I would like it but I do like the white plates on the white tablecloth. Another estate sale find.

Linen napkins from Pier One and violet china was purchased at various antique stores.

Petit fours in pastel colors. These would be so beautiful on a tea tray. I found these at La Patisserie in Winchester.

My friends all brought desserts.  Mary made a cream cheese pie and lemon cookies. Ellie brought brownies on a 100 year old plate that was her mother's. Debbi brought pistachio salad and flowers.

I also made up a fruit and cheese plate to offset all the sweets.  We had multigrain flatbread, water crackers and Triscuits plus red and green grapes for color and herbed goat cheese, a sharp white cheddar and a wedge of brie.

With all that entertaining yesterday, it was tough to get up for work this morning. I was a little tired but it was worth it. I had such a wonderful time with friends and family.

Architectural detail love

I must say I do love architectural detail. If I'm driving and I spy a really ornate house I have to either stop the car to get a better look or I make note of the street for a future visit.

The other day I took a little walking tour of Winchester, it's not too far from where I live but oh so much more affluent.

This house caught my eye because of it's color and the beautiful detail at it's entrance.

Here's a closer look at the porch railing.. Love the colors.

And the trim is just magnificent. So elegant and historic looking.

This is called dental work I think and it adds some interest to the roof line.

I love a nice balcony.  This one is obviously more for show than function. Aren't those cool windows?

I've always wanted a home with turrets. It must be so beautiful on the inside too.  Maybe it has a curved window seat.

I'm into archways too. They add such grace to an entrance or porch. I would love to add some archways to my condo.

Oh yeah, another turret. Can you believe all these homes are within walking distance of each other?
What a neighborhood!

The front of the houses is pretty terrific too!

More lovely windows and cool architectural details. I like the color too.

Don't you adore stained glass windows? This home was obviously restored. I am glad they kept the stained glass windows.

As I walked around the neighborhood,  I was being watched! Can you see a little face in the window?

Ooh, more interesting mouldings and fab windows. What a joy to see so many gorgeous homes!

Again, my little kitty friend's home. Tudor style.

A rooftop deck and a solarium? Some people are so lucky, aren't they?

And lots going on here. Pillars, gables, color. I love it all.

A closeup of the entryway.

Interesting mini roof. Love the bay windows on the second floor too. Or do they call them bump outs?

Whatever they're called. They certainly caught my eye. My kitties would love sitting there looking out at the world below.

Gee we went from a Tudor style home a few photos back to a Spanish influence. That's what I love about New England, the older homes have variety and character. No cookie cutter homes in this neighborhood.

I don't even mind the pink color on this house. It kinds of suits it.

I know you wanted to see what the front looked like.

And this home reminds me of homes in Salem that are centuries old.

A chimney surrounding a stained glass window.  I am glad they didn't cover it up.

I love this porch, pretty detail and colors.

Same house but looking at the second floor. Cool scroll work, huh?

A bit of a chalet look to this one. I like the little window in the roof and the snow effect.

Here it is in close up.

This is one of my favorite houses.  Not wild about the color though.

This is one of the houses I would definitely stop the car to view.

Don't you love that cupola?

All the homes in the neighborhood were well kept.  As I walked around, I saw lots of houses getting some TLC.

I think this is one of my favorites as it reminds me of my beloved Gothic cottages in Martha's Vineyard.

It certainly looks like a gingerbread cottage.

Stained glass windows and scroll work, divine!

Here's the last home I viewed.  Love the architectural detail around the doorway. So pretty against the red door. This home was very old but well preserved

I hope you enjoyed your walking tour of Winchester.  Do you have a favorite home?