Our 2011 Holiday Schedule

New Auction Window: Bird's Eye View

 Ignore the birds, fellow thrifters, this auction is all for you—although it does seem as though they have the best view!

Take, for instance, this unique iron and wood sculpture, a marvelous piece to behold no matter which angle you view it. Then there's the triangular Cassina side table complete with teak trappings.

Have a seat on the hooked rug to get a better look at the aluminum birds flying over head.

Or, if you'd rather, this Finn Juhl model 48 chair looks like a rather stylish seating option. From there, you'll spot a set of hand-ground dessert plates, two Italian art pottery lidded bowls, a positively glowing perforated sheet metal lamp, and the pièce de résistance, a Day of the Dead diorama.

Auction ends Tuesday, November 22 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy bidding!

New Auction Window: Asian Purple

Ah, yes, another auction filled with Asian treasures —  now with more purple!

Earthy textures, like the terracotta lamps or coiled baskets, play well with the austere elegance of the black console table, while the Southeast Asian puppets dance joyfully above.

 We love the way the traditional materials (bamboo, brass, rice paper, and silk) pop against the modern wall color. Who knew vibrant periwinkle could be this posh?

Swing by the store this week to check out all the items up for bid. Auction ends Tuesday, November 8 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy bidding!

Vintage Thrift Toughens Up for New York Magazine

There's a double dose of Vintage Thrift in last week's New York Magazine.

Look closely at the bottom right, and you'll spot staffer (and sometimes model) Ilana S. representing us in the coolest leather t-shirt combed from our racks-- even we can't resist a great find every once in a while!

What about you? Do you have any great Vintage Thrift finds? Send your pics to vintagethriftnyc@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on the blog!

VT's Holiday Schedule: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah

Looks like we have a couple of long weekends ahead of us. But don't worry! We're still open late Mondays and Tuesdays (until 8pm) and Sundays 11am - 7pm.

Updates! Vintage Thrift will be appearing in this week's "The High Low Project"

Remember this? Well, we just received word that Vintage Thrift will be appearing in this week's episode of HGTV's new series "The High Low Project." The episode follows interiors designer Sabrina Soto as she shows homeowner Danielle Arceneaux how to get the living room of her dreams on a minimal budget. How exciting!

via TVlistings.com

"The High Low Project" airs Sundays at 8:30 pm EST, so be sure to have your remote (or DVR) ready!

Are you coming? Vintage Thrift debuts Fall Collection in 24 hours

This Week! Vintage Thrift reveals first-ever Fall Collection

Presenting the very best of fall at your favorite shopping haunt!

For a special one-night event, Vintage Thrift will open its doors to reveal the most covetable autumn essentials, hand-selected from the archives by clothing overlord Ryan to be the best of the best this season. Aisle after aisle, you'll be greeted by a well-edited assortment of all the things you crave for fall: chic little blouses, wooly coats and jackets, a fantastic array of hats . . . plus all the denim, trousers, and dresses you could ever possibly want. Top off your look with statement jewelry (SO good this time), a unique handbag, and stand out shoes to boot (of which there will be plenty!). And if that's not enough, our fabulous collection of furs will be on hand, too. Featuring a healthy mix of on-trend designer collectibles, vintage wearables, and everything in between, every purchase is bound to become your next favorite thing.

Open fashionably late

Thursday, October 6

6-9pm

$5 at door, applicable to any purchase

All proceeds benefit the United Jewish Council of the East Side.

Save the date! Vintage Thrift debuts first ever Fall Collection

Stay tuned for details.

HGTV's "The High Low Project" Films at Vintage Thrift

Keep your eyes peeled this month for a Vintage Thrift cameo appearance on HGTV's newest show,  "The High Low Project." The crew filmed inside the store for an (unnamed) September episode earlier this summer.

via [MSN]

In the show, designer Sabrina Soto works with a pair of homeowners to create their dream room—but there's a catch. After revealing the fantasy room, Soto then replicates the look on the couple's budget. Some high-end pieces will get to stay, but many will have to be replaced. Will the homeowners love their high/low look as much as the first? 

Designer Sabrina Soto, via [NYdailynews]

If luxury on  a budget is the goal, then certainly they came to the right place!

New Auction Window: Stick with Tradition

Why mess with tradition when it looks this good? That's the attitude our display artist, Paulo, took when designing this classic style sitting room. Anchoring the display are a rich mahogany corner cabinet, 11 yards of beautiful printed fabric, and a wooden-frame looking glass. 

Enjoy a spot of tea and a hefty piece of literature (Dickens, perhaps?) in this damask covered arm chair.

 The porcelain Gibson Girl busts by Colln Meissen (as is), gilded candle holders, and brass and cut crystal lamp finish off this formal affair.

Auction ends Tuesday, September 13 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy Bidding!

New Auction Window: Out of the Woodwork

If the modern lines of last week's lucite auction weren't really your thing, perhaps you'll be into our "Out of the Woodwork" collection.  Featuring a teak sewing cart, elongated wooden bowls, and a rosewood waste paper basket, this auction celebrates the rich textures of one of nature's greatest gifts . . . trees!

A cascade of Playskool toy blocks atop a cowhide rug adds the perfect hint of nostalgia. Other notable items  up for grabs include a pair of steel and leather chairs, a Mid-century lamp, and a hand-numbered Kandinsky print.

You could knock on wood and hope for the best with this auction, or you could get down here and place your best bid right now! Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register. Auction ends Tuesday, August 30 at 8pm. 

Happy Bidding!

Meet Maria

Don't let her pint size fool you; Maria packs a mean one-two punch. Whether she's furiously cleaning housewares (a favorite task) or telling you like it is, our little mama is exactly that. From dishing out advice on how your boyfriend should or shouldn't be treating you to how to find winning lottery numbers in your houseplant leaves (you read that right), Maria is both street smart and spiritually wise. If she calls you nene or nena, two Spanish terms of endearment, then trust that you are golden in her eyes; if you're referred to simply as "that boy" or "that girl" instead, well, you may want to rethink how you're living. The wise one has spoken.

Stop in and say hello to Maria.

Ella habla español!

New Auction Window: Nothing but Clear Skies

While no one appreciates a surprise thunderstorm (say goodbye to another pair of sandals), we're all about a little romantic rain inspiration. This window display takes its cue from a collection of wonderfully carved umbrella handles, each auctioned separately, so that you may pick and choose your favorite rainy day accessory.

Vintage umbrella handles (detail).

Black umbrella stand is also available.

Calling all lovers of lucite! This lucite tray table, bar cart, or serving tray would be the perfect addition to a glam-meets-eclectic style room. Their near invisibility provides a lightness of being necessary for decorating smallish New York City apartments, while their functionality can't be beat.

Add flourish with a sprig of peacock feathers, a pair of glass lamps, or a wrought iron screen, heavy on the scrolls.

Hand painted vintage shot glasses.

And Bakelite collectors, we didn't forget about you. Along with the apple green bottle opener, we know you'll appreciate the red-handled cocktail shaker and Bakelite and chrome ice bucket.

Auction ends Tuesday, August 9 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy Bidding!

New Auction Window: The Modern Man

Is it just us or is there a strong current of cleaned up glamour sweeping over the males of the world? From proper barbershop shaves to gray flannel suits (Don Draper, natch), the boys, it seems, have grown up into fine young gentlemen--and the verdict is that swagger is in. 

All of the items pictured here are up for grabs in this month's auction, and all would be perfectly suitable for the modern man's crib bachelor pad swanky loft space. And what man doesn't need a plaster nose wall hanging?

Take a trip over to the bar area, where you'll find an apropos "BAR" lamp, NY World's Fair memorabilia, and a KitchenAid coffee grinder resting atop a white marble slab (also up for grabs). 

Providing the night's entertainment will be you, trying out your recently honed ventriloquist act (that's a Charlie McCarthy doll) or giving it a go on the baby grand piano or  miniature violin.

Auction ends Tuesday, July 19, at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person on the auction clipboard near the register or by phone (212-871-0777).

Happy Bidding!

Make Music New York Recap

A few highlights from Tuesday's summer solstice celebration. See our  Facebook album for more, and while you're at it, give us a LIKE, too!

 John Brodeur 

 Ramblin' Andy and the See Ya Laters

A E I O U

Special thanks to:

Make Music New York

John Brodeur

Ramblin' Andy and the See Ya Laters

A E I O U

Make Music New York Sampler

As we mentioned before, this Tuesday won't be your average Vintage Thrift shopping experience. That's because we'll have live music playing from 2pm until close as part of Make Music New York.

In true Vintage fashion, we've managed to snag an amazing lineup. Watch and listen for a sampling of what's to come:

2:00pm   You'll think you're listening to a Duncan Sheik- or Ben Lee-esque pop ditty (remember them?), but just like his predecessors, John Brodeur changes the moment with lyrics that waver the line between sentimental and dark and brooding.

3:00 pm   Dexter Scott will serenade you with pop acoustic ballads that remind us of John Mayer, Maroon 5, and their ilk, but it's his smooth, clear voice that'll really sweep you off your feet.

5:30 pm    The third slot of the day belongs to Ramblin' Andy and the See Ya Laters, a quirky quintet from, well,  all over the place. Andy and friends have honed their rustic sound into the seemingly impossible: succinct tunes that take bounce back and forth, but end up right where they started from—a place called home.




7:30 pm    Winding down the night is Brooklyn duo A-E-I-O-U, pronounced "vowels". Band members Kristen Felicetti and Lauren Piper layer sweet vocalizations over plucky acoustics, glockenspiels, and the occasional harmonica.

Vintage Thrift Celebrates Summer with Make Music New York

Those of us at Vintage Thrift are absolutely thrilled to be a part of  Make Music New York for the first time this year. In their words,

"Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21, the longest day of the year. On that day, hundreds of public spaces throughout the five boroughs become impromptu stages for over 1,000 free concerts."

1000 free concerts? Count us in! 

via

Our lineup includes four handpicked acts; two singer/songwriters, one "rambling" band, and one pair of indie rock goddesses:

2:00: John Brodeur 
3:00: Dexter Scott  
5:30:  Ramblin' Andy and the See Ya Laters 
7:30:  A-E-I-O-U 

So, if you find yourself out and about on Tuesday, don't be surprised if the city comes alive with the sound of music. Just follow your ears to wherever the groove takes you. We hope you'll end up here.

New Auction Window: Get Lost

 Wanderlust, cabin fever, or  a bite from the travel bug - call it what you will- this auction window is full of it. 

Trot the globe (or just pick your next destination) with these globe bookends or Byron Lars Earth-shaped leather bag.

Then pack your bags (there are 10 vintage ones to choose from) and hit the open road, air, or waters. This summer is all about traveling in style.

Other memorable items include the darling "Panama Canal" souvenir pillow, framed hotel decals and poster, model train set, and vintage travel hankies.

Vintage toll booth gun

Auction ends Tuesday, June 14, at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or over the phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy Bidding!

For Your Listening Pleasure: Paulo's Choice

Editor's Note: Inspired by the daily complements we receive regarding our store soundtrack, FYLP is an ongoing series in which we highlight a current favorite shuffling through the iPod.

If you work in a retail environment long enough you'll come to know the store's soundtrack by heart . . . and if you work there a bit longer, you'll discover all the songs your coworkers love—and loathe—to hear. Paulo's been with us for over three years now, so that's how we know that when these memorable lines are shouted over the speakers, somewhere in the store (or window) his heart is dancing a joyful jig.

So, grab a chair and fill your platter and dig, dig, dig right in—to Paulo's favorite Vintage Thrift song, that is. Summer's finally here!

New Auction Window: The Carving Block

The stately carved dragon chair and surrounding 1940s bark cloth curtain panels set the stage for this trove of ornately carved treasures. Inside you'll find a wooden box, striking red vase, and several traditional theater masks, including the Korean "Mokjeong" disguise. 

Be sure not to overlook the jewel tone pendant lamp (shown above) or set of printing blocks—two of our favorite items. 

On the other hand, this framed calligraphy by Wu Changshuo is lovely as well.

. 

Auction ends Tuesday, May 31 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy bidding!