So, it turns out my first blog post is not actually about op shopping. It is, though, about something that felt as magical as finding a 1950s Dior dress in an op shop (something I haven't yet encountered but dream of).
I happened upon a garage sale a few Sundays ago, being held in the front yard of an old house. For $20 I bought a wooden coffee table which trumps any white lacquered IKEA version just waiting to bow under the weight of a few books. The real magic began, though, when the new owners of the house said I could have a look inside as everything was for sale. Walking through the house felt like being inside an issue of Frankie magazine. I'm not sure exactly what era the decor would be but it is gorgeously, unashamedly, from a whole other time. So much pattern, colour, texture, liveliness, character and joy. Here are some photos the new owners kindly let me take*:
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| The first thing you encounter upon entering the house, this photographic wallpaper covers the entire wall in the front entrance. |
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| I want this wallpaper. |
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| Saloon style doors, hours of fun, I imagine. |
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| Another wall of photographic wallpaper (plus a quirky gnome clock). This doesn't look as surreal in real life as it does in the photo. |
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| Blue bathroom tiles... |
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| ...and blue bathroom curtain. The bath and vanity are also blue... |
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| Golden |
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| Ornate lighting |
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| Simply stunning Art Deco doors. |
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| This massive old TV was bought by two hipsters for $30 . |
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| Quite the lounge room! |
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| This album cover sums up the vibe of the whole house. |
However unrealistic this is, wandering through that house made me imagine spending the hefty sum of a house deposit on a similar 'time warp' place. I see myself renovating, yet saving some elements to restore as quirky, interesting features. I would like to at least be greeted each day by the magic of sublime Art Deco doors...I know this might fit into the 'Dior dress in an op-shop' category of dreams but it is still a lovely idea to hold onto!
*When I spent an extensive amount of time with my tripod and SLR camera taking photos, they gave me looks of friendly bewilderment you might give someone who appears harmless yet slightly unhinged.
