Water and Main

Vintage Maps and Nautical Flags

Tracy — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:26:05 +0000

I was so thrilled this week to be able to be featured on the Daily Grommet, a website with a different approach to online shopping. They emphasize the people and the story behind the products they choose to carry.

I love feeling connected to the things that I choose to put in my home. That’s probably why I love going to antique shows and auctions, because something inevitably pops up that I feel connected to – I must have it.

For the next month the Daily Grommet will carry four vintage maps that I found while out at an auction. They are U.S. survey maps that depict parts of Cape Cod – Falmouth, Oyster Harbor, New Bedford, (Marion, Dartmouth) between 1949 and 1953. The blue and green colors are beautiful and the original coastline is very cool to see. They are reproduced so that I can offer them in a smaller 11 x 17 size.

The Nautical flags are displays that were used in NYC on a Tommy Hilfiger Window. They were part of a nine foot vinyl shade. All of the images are reproduced and the Daily Grommet is carrying it in an 11 x 17 size.

I love the philosophy behind the company and think it really is the people who make the product – literally and figuratively.

The Daily Grommet

Tracy — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:50:17 +0000

Today is an exciting day. Today I am thrilled to be launching one of my products on The Daily Grommet. For those of you who have not heard of the Daily Grommet, they are a Boston based company who launch a brand new product every day at noon time. Everything from kitchen items, toys, gifts, home accessories, etc.

What makes the Grommet different is their philosophy. They want to provide the world with an opportunity to shop for products that have a story and introduce consumers to people who have a purpose. Their philosophy is different because they introduce you to new products and people who really care about what they’re creating.

“Grommets are products with a purpose invented by people with stories.”

I am happy to have an opportunity to be featured on The Grommet. Check out Water & Main on The Grommet today at noon to find out about our latest product.

Much thanks to Cecilia Walker and Sheila Igoe for their constant inspiration!

Vintage Bathingsuits

Tracy — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:42:01 +0000

A fun way to add unique artwork to your wall is to shadow box it.

I know it sounds a bit old fashioned but today’s version of the shadow box is a fantastic way to showcase children’s clothing, sport jersey’s and yes, vintage bathing suits.

Vintage blue suit photo courtesy of countryliving.com

In Country Living’s online magazine Katy McColln writes about showcasing vintage suits under the Antiques and Collectibles section.She gave these fantastic examples of framed vintage suits.

Unisex Suit photo from countryliving.com

This1920s Unisex Swimsuit sells for $450 at glamoursurf.com a site owned by Pamela Fierro of San Jose, California. (courtesy of countryliving.com)

Jantzen suit Photo from countryliving.com

I love the idea of hanging a vintage suit in a family room maybe even surrounded by a gallery of picture frames and signs. Very beachy, very unexpected, very cool!

Boston Proud

Tracy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:03:39 +0000

This picture is from a website called Always Proud to be an American. They have a Facebook page where they have touching photos and inspiring pictures of our flag.

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After this weeks events, I’m reminded of how heroic people are and how proud I am to be an American.

Stripes

Tracy — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:50:03 +0000

I’m in love.

I love clean, classic designs. A little bit preppy, totally coastal. Definitely love a farmhouse and definitely change my mind when it comes to what I like BUT always LOVE a horizontal stripe! I recently had this chair done for a client and friend and it’s become a chair that I keep going back to.

I’ve done this particular stripe a couple of times and I can’t get enough of it. This piece makes such a statement and I love that it’s not the traditional vertical strip that you would expect. Stripes are everywhere in fashion and home decor and I’m on board.

New York International Gift Show 2013

Tracy — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:24:27 +0000

The New York International Gift Fair is an extraordinary show featuring the latest and greatest in home and gift items. I attended with Cecilia Walker from www.everythingin3s.com.

I went in search of new home decor pieces that would fit nicely into Water and Main’s coastal vintage look. And I was not disappointed.

Beautiful totes by Pehr, Jamie Dietrich accessories and brass hurricane lamps by Riado really caught my eye because of their vintage and coastal aesthetic.

Cape Cod map and metal fish cut out by local artist.

I began Water and Main with a vision that your home should be filled with things you love and since I love all things vintage and coastal that’s what I buy. Pieces that are original, unique and hand-picked.

At the gift show it was exciting to find products with a similar story. I looked for products that have been created based on a vintage look, companies with a similar start from scratch story, and pieces that would add a uniqueness to someone’s home that haven’t been done over and over.

I enjoyed the gift show tremendously and I found exciting home furnishings that will make a great impact. Look for new items from W&M coming soon.

Road to Woodstock, Vermont

Tracy — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:00:32 +0000

We love to spend our Christmas vacation in Vermont at our 1700′s farm house. Getting away with friends and family is the perfect ending to the rushed holiday season.

If you’re in Woodstock, Vermont one place you have to visit is Wigren – Barlow antiques.

They carry 19th century American and English antiques as well as antique garden ornaments.

I grew up antiquing with my mother and enjoy early American pieces but am also intrigued by things that are architectural and unusual.

They have a wide range of pieces from early pine case pieces, to primitives and smalls. Classic pieces like early stitched samples, andirons, a corner cupboard, cherry dining tables and traditional antiques are displayed along with a collection of school pennants, a school map and early upholstered pieces.

Artwork from local Vermonters is found in several galleries in Woodstock but Wigren – Barlow also features an artist from Toronto who uses small animal molds and an antique tool box to create a visually, striking red display.

The shop is easy to navigate through and holds many treasures. A perfect stop on your way to skiing or lunch at the Woodstock Inn.

Inspiration

Tracy — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:59:57 +0000

For Christmas this year my good friend Sheila gave me a book: Charlotte Moss A Visual Life, scrapbooks, collages and inspirations. I couldn’t wait to dive in!

This book is filled with images, quotes, and nuggets of inspiration. Editors from WSJ and Vogue, Interior designer Alexa Hampton and several others contribute to the book.

I love this image, in particular, because the house in my head is constantly changing. Often I start out on one track – I want the family room to feel light with blue’s and whites and pine – then I see a chic photo with striking wallpaper and white lacquer tables and I’m inspired in a different direction.

“Today, blogs have become digital forms of collage. Many bloggers act as curators, taking a bit from here, an inspiration from there –defining their aesthetic by synthesizing and putting looks together on the screen.” Quote from Charlotte Moss A Visual Life.

I’m inspired, after reading Charlotte’s book, to capture my life, memories, quotes, fabrics, images, cards, colors, snapshots all in one place.

2012 was a great year professionally with a successful trunk show and the opportunity to be a part of the Junior League of Boston show house (thank you Cecilia Walker!). I know 2013 will be a year of change and inspiration and I’m looking forward to it.

Goodbye to a Boston Landmark

Tracy — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:44:11 +0000

Locke-Ober restaurant has been an institution in Boston for 137 years.

With it’s rich, carved wood bar, cozy lounge, and gentleman’s club decor many memories were made and had at Locke-Ober. That’s why when the contents of the historic restaurant was auctioned off this past Friday I wanted to be apart of it.

Plates, stainless steel food covers, coffee makers and coffee cups were part of the 250 or so items that were auctioned off.

The handsome detail on the bar will be preserved in a new restaurant that will take over the space.

People arrived at the auction hoping to go home with a piece of Locke-Ober.

The silver needed polishing but would have been magnificent to take home.

I’m always intrigued with furniture but I didn’t have room for this lot of chairs.

Fantastic mid century style chair.

An antique game table and one of a kind artwork of Locke-Ober restaurant.

I would have loved to take home this settee in gold velvet with a fringe trim.

An exciting day with lots of treasures and memories for those that had been apart of the Locke-Ober history.

Bonjour Paris Flea Markets

Tracy — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 03:21:45 +0000

Recently, I was able to fly over to Paris to meet my husband who was there on a business trip. Ooh la la.

Photo by Water and Main

I had never been but had always wanted to go. The incredible European history, the architecture (I love), the fashion (how do these women afford to dress this way?) and the antiques. The shopping and the scenery were incredible but I couldn’t wait to check out the world renown Paris Flea Markets. Marches aux Puces is one of the largest.

Photo by Water and Main

We took the Metro to the last stop and arrived at Porte De Clignancourt. As we came up to street level we realized we were in a less than desirable area but we continued on for two blocks until we found the safe haven of the market.

Photo by Water and Main

Once we were in the maze of alleys we were able to see the wide array of antiques. This shop looked more like restoration hardware.

Photo by Water and Main

These aluminum stocking forms look striking against the black of the wall.

Photo by Water and Main

Vintage Lithographs, botanicals, postcards, maps and school charts.

Photo by Water and Main.

Inspiration was everywhere.

Photo by Water and Main.

This rod iron and glass screen was architecturally interesting to me.

Photo by Water and Main.

The Hippo wouldn’t fit in my suitcase but I love it and the mod mirror.

Photo by Water and Main.

Terrier not for sale.