Business & Tech
Antique and Vintage Elegance on the Cheap
For a change of pace, we've done a two-part roundup of affordable items from Laura Cousineau's Upstairs Downstairs.
People have a tendency to associate Beacon Hill antique shops with big bucks. And make no mistake, you can certainly find plenty of spend-y items; not long ago we ran a unique piece of furniture in this column that was going for nearly ten grand.
But at Laura Cousineau’s , there are five rooms of merchandise to peruse. A store like this one has something for all ages, all price ranges and virtually all tastes. We wanted to give Patch readers a roundup of items that will pack less of a wallop on their wallets and Cousineau obliged with a fun sampling of 14 odds and ends at $135 and under, from elegance to kitsch and just about everything in between. Here is the first half—you’ll have to come back next week for the rest.
1. Onyx Lamp, $95 – “From an elderly woman here on the hill,” Cousineau says. “Note the heavy brass detailing…”
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2. Antique Cast Iron Doorknocker, $125 – “Another local piece, which dates back to the Egyptian Period, maybe 1870’s or thereabouts.”
3. Painted Mahogany Tables/Stools, 30% off $95 – “This is very popular in summer especially: vintage cottage furniture… very informal, charming.”
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4. 1950’s Murano Glass Bowl/Ashtray, $45 – “This has that great vintage-modern look. I got it from a New Hampshire estate sale.”
5. Silent Butler, $40; Silver Spoons, $25-$35 – “The butler came from a client here on Beacon Hill. I’m not sure the date on that one, but silent butlers were very popular in the 1930’s and ‘40’s. The silver spoons, which many people collect, come from estate sales far and wide.”
6. Jewelry Assortment, $65-$95 – “The beaded turquoise piece is newer and it came from overseas, as did the freshwater pearl and coral bracelet. The pendant is a piece of costume jewelry from a local woman here on the hill.”
7. Glove Box, $50; Hankies, $5-$10 – “These are vintage – not quite antiques, but I think they show off the versatility of the shop. The box is hand-painted, probably from the ‘50’s or ‘60’s. The hankies, of which I’ve sold quite a few, are usually from the same time period and come from far and wide.”
Stop back next week for seven more examples of affordable treasure from Upstairs Downstairs!
