My Weblog

Customer Creations Spotlight Mark Bair's Carvings!

Carver and Artist Mark Bair creates one of a kind fish and whale carvings incorporated with found objects and copper work.   He has them beautifully displayed on early paneled doors that he purchased from the Royal Port.   The doors are a perfect backdrop for Mark's incredible carvings and copper work.  Thanks Mark for sharing your photos.  Suzanne

Customer Creations Spotlight Tom and Trisha Valcich's Shutters Headboard!

Tom & Trish Valcich have been in our Customer Creations spotlight before.  They love to use architectural elements in their home.  There are photos in our Customer Creations Album from their home.  Tom & Trish purchased these late 18th century paneled shutters from our shop and used them to create this beautiful headboard.  They retain some of their original finish and look perfect against the beautiful colors used for the walls and linens.  Thanks again for sharing your creative ideas.  Great job! Suzanne

Customer Creations Spotlight Kristina Zito's Corbels Table!

Kristina Zito is our Customer Creations spotlight of the day.  Kristina wanted to create a table using a round vent she had found a few years ago.  She was excited to find 3 matching decorative corbels from our shop.  She hinged the corbels together with rubbed oil hinges and then attached the round vent.  Then she added a round piece of glass over the vent.   All of the pieces fit together perfectly.  As Kristina put it, " Voila, a unique table for my porch or wherever I decide to use it!"   It's all about recycling, creating and reusing!!  Thanks Kristina!  Suzanne  

 

Royal Port Weighs in on Country Living Magazine's Predictions of the Next Big Collectibles!

When we received the latest edition of Country Living I noticed it was the issue that focused on the next big collectibles.  Make sure you check it out and see how we compare.  I always like seeing what is hot! I also like to see if we are keeping up with the times!  Mike, Sam & I try to stay hip and trendy!!  Some of their 7 categories seem to fit right in with our inventory at the Royal Port.  Category one is Wooden Sock Darners as well as Sewing Accessories.  That has always been a love of mine.  Our photo captures a few of our darning eggs along with a beautifully done quilt patch and some handmade spools.  A nice collection that is reasonably priced for any collector.  Our shop is full of many sewing and weaving items from various time periods.  Category two falls into an area that for those of you that know us is right up our alley, Iron Farm Tools.  I took a quirky photo of some of our small items but have you seen the latest iron hay lifter on our  porch.  I love it.   For Mike, the rustier the better!  So I think we rock in that category!  Category three is another favorite of ours, the Factory Cart.  Industrial salvage is very hot right now.  The factory carts are a perfect fit in our Feed Mill environment.  Our architectural inventory looks right at home on the carts throughout  the shop.  It helps create nice vignettes of various types of inventory.  The same is true in using them as a coffee table to display personal collections and create your own unique space.  Category four is Educational Ephemera such as diplomas and class photos.  My favorites are the early group class photos in front of the early schoolhouses.  I am always on the hunt for them.   I love them for the history of the architecture, as well as the clothing and styles of the time.   We love Category five, Graphic Signage.  This includes advertisements and road signs with great graphics to create unique wall art.   We have had so many terrific signs over the past 17 years come and go from the shop.  I had to add a photo of our huge directional arrow.  Can't miss that one!  Well we fell a bit short on Category six,  Natural Curiosities.  This would be in the Taxidermy department.  We actually did sell an early duck recently but it isn't really our department!  Finally, Category seven is mother of pearl flatware.  They are beautiful.  We look for early flatware including the mother of pearl.   We currently have a few settings of wood and metal but fall short on this category.  I will keep my eye out for mother of pearl.  Well I think we did well in 5 of the 7 categories.  Not too shabby!  Keep us on your list for places to go to keep up with the latest trends.  We have lots of other categories that fill our shop daily.  Stop by and take a look!   See you soon.  Suzanne

It's Not Spring Yet But the Royal Port is Blooming with New Inventory!

I hope you enjoyed the Customer Creations Postings.  We always look forward to getting your photos.  We have been busy adding an eclectic mix of new inventory which includes stoneware, furniture, treenware, early photos, pearl ware (which I love) and industrial. The new stoneware pieces include this beautiful 3 Gallon Blue Decorated Norton & Co, Mass crock along with several other blue decorated and salt glazed jugs and jars.  The stoneware fits nicely on this open bottom drysink/bucket bench.  This is a perfect furniture piece for any collection including stoneware, quilts and fabrics as well as baskets and books.    Included in this photo are additional new inventory  items that include a 5 Gallon Blue Decorated Crock along with 3 Sets of Exercise Pins and a Beautiful Red & White Signed Coverlet.  They all make a great statement in this set up.  I can't forget to mention the 6 Early Industrial Carts that are new to the Royal Port.  Carts are my favorite new items to the shop.  I enjoy doing various vignettes on each cart.  They are perfect for spotlighting different collections throughout the shop.  I think they would make a great coffee table.  Add a small crate or basket for books to add a little height.  Place a few plants, magazines and some of your favorite collections such as a few pieces of stoneware or a stack of boxes.  There are endless combinations.  I used one of them to showcase a grouping of strawberry crates and a few other pieces for texture.   Another great addition to our new inventory is this Early Grain Painted Dough Box with turned feet.  The carrier on top is sporting the latest in antique exercise equipment.  They are my favorite things. (not that I exercise!!!)  We acquired a nice collection of 5 pairs of various style dumbbells in very good condition.  There are additional photos and shop shots in our February Album.  I will be adding a few more things each week.  Check it out!  Always feel free to call or email if you have any questions or want us to hold anything.  Have a great weekend.  Suzanne

 

Customer Creations Spotlight! Pat & Lynette Colligan get Creative with Architectural Pieces from the Royal Port!

Paul and Lynette shared with us a picture of the barn door they purchased from us last year. Lynette placed a wreath on the early board and batten door and hung it as artwork over their bed.  I love the paint and the early strap hinges on the small door. I may have to use that idea!! They also picked up some shutters/door panels from us.  After adding some light brown wax on them to preserve the chipping paint, they hung them on either side of their TV to "frame" it a bit.   I love the look and that great station they are tuned too.  Thank you for sharing your creative ideas.  Suzanne 

 

Customer Creations Spotlight! Nancy & Victor Minnick's Garden.

Nancy and Victor have a very creative home.  They needed a screen door for their back patio door to the garden area.  Victor was able to size a screen door that they purchased from us.   It is a nice addtion to the patio area and fits perfectly with their home. They also purchased a metal wheelbarrel and transformed the color and use into a beautiful planter for the garden.  Thank you for sharing your photos.  I always love seeing your creative gardens and patio area.  Suzanne

Customer Creations Spotlight! George and Kim Reeves Slider Doors Keep the Pooches Out!

George and Kim were getting tired of looking at newer gates to block their dogs from going into the office while they were working.  They had an opening that needed a door but not necessarily a swinging door. Their solution, a few board and batten doors and some great slider hardware that they were able to get here and a metal bar. (from Fazzio's) completed the project. In just seconds they can slide over a door for ease of coming and going without tripping over gates. (I have memories of gates from my Sammy)  I love the look.  It goes with all of the fun things they have gotten from us over the years.  Thank you for sharing your great photos!  Suzanne

Customer Creations Spotlight! Tony Bonfiglio Shares his Beautiful Window Box!

Tony came to the shop looking for windows to create a window box for his home in Greenwich!  I never imagined with the windows he purchased that they could be used to create such a beautiful window box.  Tony shared with us the inside of the window which now beautifully displays his collection of antique bottles.  I love that the sides are window panels too.   He is currently finishing up the outside and will share with us the finished product after it is painted in the Spring.  Another resident in his home seems to be loving it too!! A perfect spot for a sunny daytime nap. The window box is a beautiful addition to your home.  Thanks Tony for sharing your photos!!  Suzanne

Customer Creation Spotlight! Ken & Debbie Gralley's Beautiful Door Restoration!

Ken & Debbie Gralley have a beautiful home in Salem City.  They open it regularly for our Christmas and Spring Tours.  They have done a beautiful job restoring their home.  Recently Ken sent me a photo of a door restoration he did using a door he purchased from us.   He also shared with us an earlier photograph of their home's original door style.   I would say it is as perfect a match as you can get.  Great Job!  Thank you for sharing both photos.