If you are a smart cookie, you will put these four antiques & vintage-related books on your own wish list this holiday season. Or, if you aren't a selfish wench like me, I guess you could buy them for your favorite collector, dealer or hoarder. I've read and loved the first two, and last two are books I am hoping Santa will bring me.
1. Found, Free & Flea by Tereasa Surratt
This book is filled with photographs and stories of the vintage collections from the camp that Tereasa bought with her husband in Wisconsin: Camp Wandawega. She gradually expanded those collections by buying new pieces at flea markets (or getting them free with a little negotiation). I could go on and on about this book, but the bottom line is: if you like my blog, then you will love this book.
2. Killer Stuff and Tons of Money by Maureen Stanton
This reads more like a fast-paced novel then a staid book about life as a high-end antiques dealer. Maureen Stanton writes about her long-time friend, Curt Avery, as he wheels and deals his way through antique shows and flea markets along the east coast. And that's not even his real name! So, as you can imagine, this book divulges some of his secrets and tips for buying and selling antiques. A must buy!
3. Fresh American Spaces by Annie Selke
I took a "Peek Inside" on Amazon, saw all of the brightly colored furniture and textiles and immediately added it to my Wish List. The author, Annie Selke, is the founder of Dash & Albert Rug Company (I have a little one in front of my kitchen sink), which explains why I was drawn to all of the colors in the preview pages. There is also a Fresh American blog to accompany the book. Have you read this book?
4. Have Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas by Susan Waggoner
This just looks damn cute. And so do Susan's other Christmas-related books. I even saw three of her books at the gift shop in the Smithsonian Museum of American History last weekend when my family visited Washington, DC. If that's not a testament to her uncanny knowledge of vintage holiday pop culture, then I don't know what is!
BONUS BOOK!
Last year, I tweeted to Kathy Griffin during a Q&A session and asked her if she likes flea markets. And her response was "I've gone once with @laraspencer".
Well, I was browsing Amazon today and came across this book that is set to be released in April 2012: I Brake for Yard Sales by Lara Spencer with a foreward by Kathy Griffin. I hope it's a good one! (Even if you hate Kathy Griffin, which I know a lot of people do, but I don't.)
Read the whole list of fresh gifts.
1. LOVE it. makes me want to build a cabin just so I can decorate it in camp style. Although I admit massive jealously issues when she talks about just finding all that amazing junk just laying around the place.
2. Read it and didn't love it. I found Avery's attitude towards the junk that we like (mid-century, anything not "pilgrim era") pretty condescending. Boomers have money, and that's what they want to buy. Deal with it.
3. haven't read
4. Just bought all 3 of her vintage Christmas books at Costco last week for 11.99 each. I'm reading the second one right now and have really enjoyed them! There is some information duplicated in the two other books, but it's not so much that you wish you had only bought one. Haven't read the craft book yet (the one you pictured.)
5. Haven't heard of this one, but I'm looking forward to it! I like Lara Spencer, and I like Kathy Griffin in small doses.
Posted by: Heidi German | December 06, 2011 at 11:46 PM
I fall under the selfish category. I want them all for myself.
Posted by: Into Vintage | December 07, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Would love them all. Now to print this list for my husband to find...
Posted by: Anna | December 07, 2011 at 12:16 AM
a little off the "flea" theme here ... but East of Eden (and a vintage copy is awesome) is beyond fantastic!!!
Posted by: Catherine Jennings | December 07, 2011 at 02:26 AM
Oh the first and third had me with their covers but the Vintage Christmas one...swoon. I have to put that on my list. My daughter always buys me a book. Thanks!@!
Posted by: Elaine | December 07, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Gimme one of each! I loved Theresa Surratt's first book about the tiny cottage she saved, so can't wait to buy Found, Free and Flea. And coincidentally, I watched an old Seinfeld episode last night where Kathy Griffin made a cameo as comedian who hates Jerry. Merry, Merry, Colleen.
Posted by: Mary Kay Andrews | December 07, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Read the 2nd, Killer Stuff and loved it! It is truly a great read for all!
Posted by: jarak | December 07, 2011 at 01:42 PM
I heart Kathy griffin too! Saw the episode where Lara Spencer redid kathy's house and it looked amazing! Will check out her book over a box of wine!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage | December 07, 2011 at 06:56 PM
I love Kathy too !@$%&*+@#@
Posted by: Stacy | December 07, 2011 at 09:01 PM
Admittedly selfish...read the Curt Avery one already and just added Found, Free & Flea to my wish list which hopefully *someone* is paying attention to! It is on my list along with Mary Kay Andrew's newest book which is funny since she commented on this post.
Posted by: Dana | December 07, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I'll definitely be scoping out (and perhaps requesting for Christmas gifts!) these books! I have so much vintage stuff, I'm always looking for ways to display or craft with it!
Posted by: Kathy | December 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM