Currently Adoring. Pastels!

Fabio Costa's Spring Collection for Project Runway / DIY Ombre Lights via DesignLoveFest

Dreamy Macarons / Folded Paper Lamp found on Etsy

Pretty Peter Pan Collared Shirt from ASOS / Vintage Hazel Atlas Mug Set found on Etsy

Vintage Ski Sweater found on Etsy / Festive Balloons via Hello Sandwich

Ombre Hair Extensions found on Etsy / Lovely Pastel Floor in Cioccolato 

Swap It [shoes]

This week's swap is focused on shoes!  Up first are these cute, rust colored heels with bows. 

The new ones can be found here and the vintage here.

I'm also loving both of these patterned creepers....I've got a little obsession with platform shoes right now! 

The new ones are here and the vintage here. 

And how gorgeous are both these brown, leather ankle boots?!?  

The new boots can be found here and the vintage here.

Business Tips [Developing Your Brand]

I just celebrated my shop's 3 year anniversary the end of September this year.  It's been a huge learning experience and I'm happy to have a place to share some tips with young entrepreneurs.  I field a lot of questions the name of my shop, so I guess thats a good place to start.

During my senior year of college, I was working a co-op quarter in Palo Alto, CA.  This is were my dream of opening a vintage store really begin to take place.  When getting back to school for my last couple of quarters,  I convinced my college professors help me develop my shop for my senior capstone project. Creating the identity for the shop was my first step in the process and here's a couple tips I have to get the most out of it:

1. Have a Meaning

I spent weeks coming up with the name of my shop.  I thought I would never find the right fit and then one day it came to me - Atomic Number Ten, which inspired by the element Neon.  (I've always had an affinity for science and at the time was really into neon/80's fashion).  I took graphic styles from the periodic table and what looked up the color most associated with neon, which happens to be a bright reddish, orange.  I had not had much graphic design instruction, so I decided to keep the logo clean and simple. Here's a look into my logo inspiration: 

People seem to like hearing about the creative process of naming your business, so have a store to tell and be ready to share it!  

2. Details
I decided to run with this science theme in the details of my shop for a little added fun and quirk.  For my capstone project, I decided to focus on an accessory display.  I couldn't really find much that fit the look I was going for, so I created my own perforated wall and used test tubes to hang the items on. I also made these movable skeletons which have orange lines from the accessory category to the corresponding body parts. Here's a couple photos:

 

I found these black circuit board parts and decided to use them as price tags.  They follow the industrial, geometric look of my brand and I just safety pin them to the item and reuse them once the item sells.  Not everyone notices these smaller details, but overall they reaffirm the identity of the brand you're creating.

  

3. Consistent Identity

I searched high and low for the right clothing racks and display tables.  I happened upon some perfect rectangular display tables at a used fixture store, gave them a coat of orange paint and they were ready to go.  The clothing racks are called Z-racks, which have orange, angular bases, a perfect  fit for my brand. 

Overall, my brand consists of simple geometric shapes and dark tones, with pops of bright orange and slight scientific undertones.  Having this thoughtful foundation helps in making choices in the future. I think there's always room to grow and change, but these decisions are important building blocks of your brand. 

Currently Adoring.

 1. This cute outfit by Lauren Moffatt    2. A pretty collar from Anthropologie    3. This simple stick lighter from Canoe    4. An awesome leather bucket bag from Pour Porter    5. A poppy print from Society 6    6. This dreamy tunic top from ASOS    7. Polka dot and plaid washi tape from Poketo    8. A terra cotta piggy bank from Brookfarm General Store    9. Awesome wedge oxfords from Totokaelo    10. And lastly, a ceramic moose head with gold glittery antlers from Etsy

Hope you have a great weekend!

Designer Days [Grete Prytz Kittelsen]

Graduating from college with an Industrial Design degree and then opening a vintage shop, I have a thing for learning about designers of the past.  I'm also drawn to the simplicity, functionality and quality of vintage goods; they we're made to last yet care & money were invested to also make them gorgeous. 

I scored this CathrineHolm lotus bowl set at a garage sale a couple of years ago.  I knew $4.50 for all three pieces was a steal, but I wanted to learn more about the designer of these lovely enamel bowls. 

Mistakenly, I thought CathrineHolm was the designer's name, but found out that was the name of the manufacturer and the designer, pictured below, is Grete Prytz Kittelsen.  She was born in Olso, Norway in 1917 and and became well-known in the 1950's for her enamel collections, like the photo below.    

The "Queen of Scandanivian Design" as she was known, not only designed enamelware but also was a goldsmith and designed stunning jewelry, like this ring and bracelet found here and here.  What a talented lady!

I also stubbled across some photos of Kittelsen's home in Norway, designed by her husband Arne Korsmo, a famed Norwegian Architect. I love the huge windows, minimalist decor and how the natural tones are complemented by the bright blue and red details.  More photos can be found here. 

 

I think product, interior, fashion and graphic designers are an important part of history and I love learning their stories.  I hope you enjoyed this one about Grete Prytz Kittelsen!  More to come soon.

Swap It. [coats]

I'm often asked about how to incorporate vintage pieces into your wardrobe.  This "swap it" series takes idea of wearing a vintage piece instead of piece you might by new in a shop today.  Up first is outerwear!

First we have this cute, new red coat with back accents, found here.  Get the same feel with this 1970's coat, found here. 

How cute is this cute 60's inspired swing coat (found here)?  Why not try the real deal with this one from the 1960's (found here)?

And last, but not least, capes in the perfect color for fall - oxblood!  The new cape can be found here and the vintage swap, here.

Easy right?  Swapping out one piece of your wardrobe at a time is a perfect way to add in vintage items to your daily outfits.  And with so many options for buying vintage now, it's easy to find the all current trends. 

Hello and Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm often fascinated by things of the past, whether that be perusing the ads of interior design magazines from the 60's or spotting this crazy hodgepodge of wooden old radios, trunks and drawers (found at the Ecseri Flea Market in Budapest this summer).  I delight in the imperfections of found objects and find myself dreaming of their previous life.  I guess that's the mindset that lead to me opening a vintage shop.  Anyway, it's off to shopkeeping tasks for me, but I hope you'll check back soon!