As I write this, I am on my laptop looking out the window at the Hudson River waiting for a tropical storm/tornado/hurricane. Thanks to the news and weather apps, the warnings have been constant for the last few days. This has me thinking of the months to come and preparing for the unpredictable.

During shelter in place with time to access my home, I was constantly rearranging my living room furniture and making a wish list. A leather sofa was a priority to anchor the seating area. The rest of my furniture in the living area: 2 sets of occasional chairs and a club chair/ottoman with accent tables easily move around for multiple options.

As soon as stores reopened, I hit the ground running to shop. For furniture, I prefer to sit and try out seating, especially a piece I will be using every day.

I ordered a new leather sofa, 6 new dining chairs and a dresser for my bedroom, all delivered within a week. The old dresser was posted to give away for free. The old chairs will move to the basement. Once that area is cleaned out, it will become my office/art/workout spot and storage.

My favorite pieces in my home are items I purchased while shopping at antique stores or spotted online in their social media posts. The thrill of the hunt is finding the perfect piece, including artwork, you connect with.

 

My favorite finds

Mid-century modern nightstands painted turquoise at a barn sale were stored in my former home for 2 years before I used them in my new house.

Custom made 60” round table with matching 30” Lazy Susan made from reclaimed wood with a turquoise pedestal base. I knew what I wanted, and Bill Rieschl of Old Wood and Rust built it. I saw his work at his booth at Newburgh Vintage Emporium. Between the original location and their Newburgh Vintage Warehouse, walking around the aisles stirs up many memories. You never know what you will find. I have found art to glassware to a ‘Perennials’ hand painted sign on my mantel to an antique blue, copper lined wooden basket that holds my turquoise poinsettias for Christmas and magazines year-round.

My beachy buffet, my green slim hutch, a mirrored armoire for the guest room and a shelving unit for convenient storage on the landing to the basement on my main floor were all pieces I noticed in my newsfeed from Retro Modern Antiques. My walls feature quite a bit of art from the store.

A reclaimed media stand I purchased a few years ago at Brimfield Market in Massachusetts holds the TV in my bedroom and continues my coastal vibe. A distressed apple picking ladder from last year’s stop at Brimfield stands next to the green hutch.

 

Local Locations

Newburgh Vintage Emporium
5006 Route 9W, Newburgh, NY

Newburgh Vintage Emporium-WARE-HOUSE
10 Route 17K, Newburgh, NY

Retro Modern Antiques
331 Route 94, Warwick, NY

These stores refresh their space regularly with new inventory as things sell quickly. Follow your favorite local stores on social media for new inventory posts.

 

Best advice

Create the space you desire so that when you are home, you are comfortable. You may have everything you need to repurpose, rearrange and restyle by shopping your home. Make a wish list to prioritize and shop sales, thrift and antique stores. Get rid of items you do not use, like or need. This is key. Check with local charities to see current protocols for donations.