Antique Stores in RI, Nostalgia Providence
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In The Shop: American Primitives

6/29/2018

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American primitives are harder and harder to come by these days. The handmade furniture and everyday objects from 1700-1900, a time before manufacturing, were made with purpose and care and meant to last for years.
These kinds of items have been popular among collectors for their history, craftsmanship, and beautifully aged looked. Younger generations of collectors know less about this era, so here is a short run down on a few pieces in the shop to spur some interest!  


Below is a collection of primitive objects found on the top floor of the shop.
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  • The bent, curved and braided wire pieces with hand carved wooden handles are rug beaters, also known as a mattenklopper, carpet whip or dustbeater. These were popular items until the invention of the mechanical carpet sweepers. Often made of bent cane or wire, twisted into decorative and functional shapes, these were often hung on the walls of an early American home for use and decoration.

  • The wooden buckets are called, Firkins, which were designed to hold liquids or for use in churning butter. In the 16th century they were so commonly used, a Firkin was used as a term of measurement, mainly used for ale, beer and butter. The use of the Firkin evolved with time, being used in the 17th century as a compost bucket for food waste and later used to reference a lunch pail. Find out more about the Firkin here.

  • The three spools in the middle of the two buckets are from textile looms. Wooden, hand hewed spools with various hold for thread to run through when attached to the production loom.  

Here is a nice collection of wood carving tools, mashers, mallets, muddlers and pestles. These were likely made by a farmer or craftsman for personal use or trade. Most primitive objects that were used in the house were made by the homeowner. These items would be passed down generationally until they were no longer usable. Most primitive American pieces have been well worn, creating a beautiful aged patina.   
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  • The back row of tools are a mix of food mashers, pestles and wood carver’s mallets. The wooden masher is one the oldest kitchen tools that we still use today. The first masher can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Very similar to the wooden masher is the wood carver’s mallet was often used to tamp a chisel while carving wood or stone.

  • The pestles, have a rounded end and a formed handled made for gripping. These tools date back to early civilization, and are still found in kitchens and workshops today. They were used with a bowl or a shallow container to grind down materials into fine pastes or powders.

  • The large mallets in the foreground were used for a variety of tasks, used much like a hammer but made to give a less powerful blow. The mallet is a very common tool that has also been around for centuries and is still used today.

  • The two pieces in the middle that resemble barbells, have been hard to identify. If anyone knows what these items were used for please let us know!

These timeless tools have proven to be mainstays in modern everyday activity; so, next time you’re vacuuming or making mashed potatoes try to imagine your ancestors using these tools, and think about how easy you’ve got it.  
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SHOPPING FOR VINTAGE CLOTHING

1/5/2018

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For those of us who adore vintage clothing, whether for collecting, wearing, or both, there are some important guidelines to follow to be sure that you are getting the greatest bang for your buck, so to speak.  If you’re new to the game, understand that it takes time and experience to truly realize a great piece of vintage clothing when you see it.  To start you on your journey, or to keep you learning, try following these tips:
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1.  Although there are many reproductions out there, it is fairly easy to determine if the piece is vintage by looking at the label.  Older labels are woven vs. printed and can tell you a great deal about the age of a piece.  Vintage Fashion Guild has a wonderful label resource on their website that can help you in this area.  Older garments often don’t have labels, so come in contact with as many pieces of true vintage clothing that you can before starting to purchase.  You will quickly learn to spot an authentic 1950s house dress vs. a 1990s look-alike or a reproduction garment made last year.

2.   Be sure that you check the piece for damage.  I can’t tell you how often I bought clothing when I first started collecting without thoroughly examining the piece visually or giving it a good “sniff.” By skipping this step out of excitement in finding a great vintage dress, for example, I may not have noticed the musty odor coming from the piece until I had already purchased it and brought it home.  There may be damage that you won’t be able to live with, so be sure to check that piece out completely before purchasing.  

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3.   Quality counts!  I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve learned to appreciate excellent craftsmanship and tailoring by having contact with many garments over my years of searching and by examining historic garments in collections.  Look at seams, hems, button holes, fabric integrity, linings, and any other details that you can see that will help you determine whether or not you should purchase the garment.  Keep in mind that one of the great things about vintage clothing is that it was just better made back then.  Clothing was meant to last, not to be disposed of after one season.  So, in addition to owning a unique piece of clothing that one cannot find at the mall, you’ll also enjoy the garment for years to come.

4.  Finally, so many wonderful books exist that can give you visual and factual information about vintage and antique clothing that will indeed help you to become a savvy shopper, particularly if you combine your reading with hands on experience to increase your confidence.  Again, it takes time, so be patient and have fun!
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WHERE TO SHOP FOR VINTAGE CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

12/5/2017

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Do you love treasure hunting?  Would you rather shop your grandmother’s closet than the mall for your outfits?  If you enjoy looking unique and not like everyone else, then vintage shopping is for you!  Shopping for amazing pieces to add to your wardrobe is exciting, fun, and challenging.  When I first got started, there still were stores that sold strictly vintage clothing and accessories, but the market has changed.  Although great pieces of authentic vintage can be found today, one often must scour thrift stores, consignment shops, and church charity shops, which means looking through lots of cast offs that are neither old nor desirable.  At our store, Nostalgia, we have vendors who source true men’s and women’s quality vintage clothing, and they are quite experienced at knowing which eras are “hot” and, so, what the customer is looking to buy.  At other antique co-ops, you may find booths or areas that contain vintage or a combination of second hand clothing and older pieces.  Again, you often have to dig through or hunt for those can’t-live-without garments.  But, I promise you, it’s worth it!  The following tips will help you to shop wisely while in pursuit of that vintage gem!
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  1. Try antique stores or co-ops.  These stores tend to have a little bit of everything, which may help you to hone in on exactly what you’re searching for without spending too much time in one location.
  2. Thrift stores or charity shops can have great bargains, but you must dig through quite a bit to find even one great item.  It’s a good idea to frequent these local shops regularly in order to get first dibs on the recently delivered pieces.  Sometimes, shop owners or workers are willing to let you know when a particular garment or accessory that you’ve been looking for has arrived.  For example, you may be looking for a 1950s-alligator bag, and a regular customer is more likely to be informed when that piece shows up at the store.
  3. Which brings me to an important point: KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!  Otherwise, you may wander around wasting precious time, rather than focusing on hunting for that perfect ‘60s beaded sweater.  I often will ask a client about his or her “fashion personality.”  For example, do they like ruffles, bows, and flowy shapes such as what might be found in a 1930s dress? Or, do they prefer the tailored look of a 1940s jacket?  Often, body type will determine preferences, as in a woman with an hourglass shape enjoying the look of a curvy 1950s wiggle dress.  Knowing what looks good on you helps you to carve out your shopping list, avoiding pieces that will sit in your closet unworn.
  4. Shopping for vintage clothing and accessories online is a very popular option.  However, I must warn you, it is extremely important that you have accurate body measurements before you purchase a garment online.  Not only can you not try on the piece, but older fabrics don’t have stretch, so there is no give when it comes to sizing and fit.  Most online sellers specify the importance of measurements, so be sure to allow for a little extra room in those older pieces.  Many vintage shoppers just starting out begin by purchasing accessories online, so that they don’t have to worry about fit.  Accessories such as jewelry, bags, scarves, and belts are wonderful additions to a more modern wardrobe, and they provide a unique statement without risking the discomfort of feeling “too different.”
  5. Finally, be patient and enjoy the challenge of shopping for vintage.  Many of our customers also love older furniture and home décor as much as they enjoy vintage clothing and accessories.  It can become a whole lifestyle.  Find your voice and share it with the world!
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​Nostalgia
​236 Wickenden St.
Providence, RI 02903-4330

​401-400-5810

NOSTALGIA HOURS
MONDAY - SUNDAY
11 AM - 7 PM

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