Dearest Treasure Trovers,

The time has come for me to officially bid adieu to this little nook on the 'net, as I have launched into the rock 'em sock 'em world of residential real estate.    

Over the last year of school and training, I have really missed my weekends of hunting for Trove goodies, and more than that, I've missed interacting with YOU kind, friendly, vintage-lovin' folk.    When I started this blog in 2009, I had a single goal in mind:  make enough every month to pay my orthodontic bill.    What I wasn't expecting was to meet so many truly lovely gals & fellows who share my love of the quirky bits and bobs that add that finishing je-ne-sais-quoi to a wardrobe or home.    Many Trovers evolved from clients into cherished friends and I've been privileged to attend many of your picnics, children's birthdays, engagement bashes, weddings, and more.

The braces have been off for a while now, and my toothy grin now beams out from a new business card:

I've been spending the last month or so setting myself up at a spiffy boutique real estate agency, with an incredible agency director, and have been learning the ropes.    I am thrilled to announce that my first home sale is very close to closing, and that my first purchasing client is a Trover!    Once it is all finalized, and with her permission, I'll share a few of the fun details of how we found her and her family a stunning 3 bedroom 1925 home near the waterfront in Lachine.

I also have my very first listing client, and, surprise, she is also a Trover!    Her 727 square foot condo in Verdun is a real gem, hidden away behind an unassuming second storey red brick facade.   It has 2 bedrooms, and was fully renovated in 2008, so the kitchen (heated floors!) and bathroom (separate shower and tub!) are top notch.  There is a large patio just off the kitchen - with ample space for a bistro set, a barbecue, and container garderning.   The condo is on Claude between de l'Eglise and Galt, a quiet little street, 6 blocks from de l'Eglise metro and the rapidly evolving Promenade Wellington.   The condo fees and energy costs are low, and you can be downtown in less than half a hour.     Listed at $204,500, the monthly mortgage payment on this condo would be $1027, based on a 5 year fixed rate of 3.79%, and with a 5% down payment.  This is cheaper than renting a 2 bedroom apartment is many parts of the city, and is perfect for the first time home buyer.

Feel free to visit the detailed listing, and I've also put together a nifty floor plan to give potential buyers a good sense of the space.  You simply go to the 'Picture Plus' tab, and then click on any of the orange 'camera' icons to see a photo of the room from that spot.  Screen shot of the floor plan is below.

Whew!   As you can see, the next phase of my life has leapt off the starting blocks and is galloping full speed ahead.   I'm sure there'll be many speedbumps along the way, but I am loving every minute of it so far, and can't wait to head into the agency every morning.

Please don't be strangers!  Feel free to contact me, I'm always happy to go for coffee and treats.  I would be glad to respond to any of your questions about real estate.   Even if you're nowhere near being ready to purchase or sell, I can gab your ear off about the difference between undivided and divided condos, where the best areas to buy are, and what the market is like in the areas you're interested in.

Ladies and gents, it has been a pleasure and a privilege, and I want to thank you all for making my time as Lady Jane of the Treasure Trove so fulfilling and nourishing.   I wish you all the best, and hope to bump into you while out and about very soon.   If you happen to walk or drive by a house while I'm whacking my 'for sale' sign into the ground in front of it (note to self:  obtain a heavy mallet),  please feel free to stop for a chat!

With warmest regards, while feeling a little maudlin', but mostly hopeful and happy...

Mary Jane Caro
Residential Real Estate Broker
Signature Immobilière
maryjane@signatureimmo.com

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I'm always on the lookout for sweet deals on vintage home decor items, costume jewelry, and older books.   Happily, one of my favourite weekly treasure hunting spots for all of these things is just a ten minute stroll from my office.   If you happen to be downtown on a Thursday at lunch, the Boutique in the basement of St. George's Anglican is a delight.

The shop is open on Thursdays from 11am-2pm, and the entrance is a discreet side door on Stanley (corner Ave. des Canadiens, a block south of Rene-Levesque).  There's usually a red sandwich board on the sidewalk outside when the shop is open.   When you walk in, head downstairs and turn left.   There's a small room before the main space, and this is worth stopping in.  It's chock full of fun fabrics, curtains, table cloths, the occasional lampshade, and other house linens.   I've picked up gorgeous Irish linen tea towels there for $2 a piece, and they make me grin every time I see them hanging from our stove.

All photos from St. George's website.

When you walk into the main space, the amount of 'stuff' can be a daunting.    I generally start on the left and browse the room in a clockwise direction.   First, there's the display counter filled with pretty costume jewelry and tiny tchotchkes for the home.   I once found a leather valet box filled with vintage cuff-links there for $5!    Behind the counter, mounted to pegboard, are an assortment of frames and framed artworks.   From needlepoint to watercolour, postcard sized to "hang over a fireplace" huge, the prices range greatly here, but there are steals to be found.   The jewelry counter faces the kitchenware section, which contains all manner of mugs, glassware, vintage tins, and the last time I was there I was THISCLOSE to snapping up a full 8 piece set of 1950s robin's egg blue cookware for only $30, but someone got to it THREE FEET before I did.  (The screaming caps are totally appropriate here!)

I bought one of these vintage clay crocks to hold utensils.

The next section is menwear.  I don't spend a lot of time here, but I do still like to drop in to look at the kooky ties, and to admire the fabric and workmanship of some of the vintage blazers and sportcoats.  I once scored the Perfectly Worn Brown Leather Satchel here for $5, dragging it out from under a pile of cheap backpacks when I caught a glimpse of a brass buckle.

Next up:  the women's section!   There's a rack of belts,  a small table filled with lacy slips, folded printed scarves, and other oddities.   There's a wall of shelving filled with carefully folded sweaters, as well as tote bags and purses.   I always find beautiful vintage evening clutches here, but since I don't need/have space for them, I have yet to pick one up.   The rest of the women's section is comprised of a rack of jeans (I generally steer clear), a round rack of blouses and skirts (I spend time here as the average per item price is $5), two tall display racks with dresses, suits, and some rather extraordinary vintage items.   I once spent several minutes debating a matched lightweight wool three piece consisting of a pencil skirt, collarless blazer, and MATCHING swing coat.   I left it behind, as it needed alteration, and would have ended up in the back of my closet.   Most of all I needed to reign in on my urge to Rescue All the Beautiful Things.   There is a selection of shoes, a rack of nightgowns and robes (most quite Sears-y, but with the occasional gorgeous wisp of display-worthy antique lace) and a large rolling rack just groaning with coats.

In the middle of the room are more home decor items, vintage paper ephemera (many lovely cards at $0.25 a piece!), and the table surface where the helpful volunteers will help you tally and wrap up.  Tip:  if you have several pieces, you can always try to bargain.  It's not always successful, it is a charity shop after all, but hey, a budget is a budget!


My last stop is the well-stocked book section, organized by category, and most priced between $1 and $5.   I've found lovely coffee table books here to give as housewarming presents, at a fraction of the retail price.  I love opening the older books and finding vintage bookplates.

So there you go!  Weekly treasure-hunting, right downtown!  Perhaps I'll see you there sometime?

Cheers,

Mary Jane

P.S.:  Last week's $10 find - brass bookends!  (They were attached to rather sad wood bits, which I wrestled off with scissors as soon as I got them back to the office.)

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Inspiration:

Craigslist:

A - Couch: $120

B - Persian Carpet: $400 (sadly, this has been sold, I phoned the fellow today)

C - Small antique side table:  $50

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Dear Trovers,

I stumbled over a Montreal resource that made me want to toss my hands up in the air and yell, "Well finally!"    Jennifer, of Montreal Digs, spelunks her way into the oft murky labyrinth of the city's Craigslist and Kijiji offerings and presents a daily selection of vintage and antique gems, along with her take on the asking price.  

Her taste is eclectic, so whether your scene is sleek MCM, romantic cottage, or Malibu Barbie, she won't lead you wrong!

I know I'm hooked - I've had to direct spritzes of mental cold water at the "Oh!  Gimmeeee!" reactions that some of her posts have elicited.

Go forth, enjoy, and perhaps find a steal or appeal for a deal with one of her sources.

Cheers!

Mary Jane

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Dear Trovers,

This morning, this circular mirror and I spent ten minutes wandering the apartment (somewhat awkwardly - camera in one hand, mirror in the other), trying to find the best place to photograph it.  Rather than selecting the nicest photo, I've decided to share all five because in the end, this simply framed mirror proved surprisingly versatile.

Room 1:  Trove!  This room also functions as our dining room, and the mirror works well as a focal point next to a table.   I'd place a shelf under it, so that I could have fun with a changing display of tchotchkes, to be reflected and enjoyed twice as much.

Room 2:  Bedroom - the mirror looks very well over a bedside or vanity table.   It would be fun to add sconces on either side of it if used as a dresser top mirror.  

Room 3:  Bathroom - I leaned it on the towel bar for this photo, since there was no handy nail, but you get the idea :)    Our bathroom is pretty small, and I like the idea of using an oversized mirror to help open up the space.   If you position it accordingly, you can reflect a window or fun shower curtain.  We found our 'owl' curtain at Hogg Hardware last summer - believe it or not, Sohrab chose it and had to convince me that it would work in our home!

Room 4:  Living room - one of our treasured possessions is the large oil painting hanging over our mantel.   It was a wedding gift, and our first (and thus far, only) piece of fine art.   We were invited to a vernissage featuring the works of Montreal artist Christine Marlow, and once there were informed that we could pick one out for our home!  Sohrab and I each walked around the gallery separately, there were dozens of beautiful paintings, but in the end, this one called to both of us.   Before the painting found its home in ours,  I'd wanted to arrange a variety of mirrors in that space above the mantel, and this round one would have been an excellent part of that collection.

Room 5:  Kitchen - We've a laminated Miyuki Tanobe poster above our stove ($5 garage sale purchase - whoo!), and her vibrant Montreal scene never fails to make me grin.   Even so, the poster was nearly taken down this morning when I saw how well the mirror would look over our stove, reflecting the open shelves across the kitchen, and adding a soft round shape to an angular room.  Tanobe won!  And the mirror moves on to the Trove.

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Sohrab and I spotted this little side table in a pile of things marked 'free' and thought it worth carting home.   Someone had painted it with a thick coat of very dark brownish red, and it was quite unpleasant to look at.   So last night, while the mister dove deep into the world of Diablo III, I resigned myself to a few hours of video game widowhood and set about giving this table a facelift.

Tools:
Screwdriver
Coarse sandpaper
Soft clean cloth
Paint
Paintbrush

 Steps:

1. Prepare a work area by taping garbage bags (cut open) to the floor,   I layered some newspaper over the bags in case of serious paint spillage.
2. Use the screwdriver to remove any hardware, in this case it was the drawer pull, a cheap plastic thing.
3. Using a coarse sandpaper (we had some stripping grade sandpaper left from our balcony makeover), go over the whole surface to give the paint something to adhere to.  You're not removing the paint, just roughing up the surface a bit.
4. Use a soft clean damp cloth to wipe off the dust from sanding.  Wait for it to dry, or give it a wipe with a dry clean cloth.
5. If you have primer, apply a coat and wait for it to dry according to instructions.  I didn't have any, but  didn''t mind an uneven painted finish in this case.
6. Apply first coat of paint.  I like to start in the middle of the surface and work outwards, to prevent paint from dripping off the sides.   Paint in the same direction as the grain of the wood if possible.
7. Wait as long as you can - ideally over night.  I only waited an hour.  Patience is not one of my virtues when it comes to projects that turn the Trove into a mess!
8. Apply second coat of paint.  Wait til dry.
9. Put in hardware - in this case, a simple but very heavy solid brass pull we'd scored the same morning.
10. Find the perfect space for it!

We're both very happy with our little table - it replaces the larger bar cart we had there before, and doesn't compete with the low profile of our couch.   I'm thinking I might pick up some dark gold metallic paint to give it some accents on the legs, but am willing to live with it a while longer before changing it.

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Last Saturday: Sohrab and I were kerplonked after a hectic day of treasure-hunting, but we spotted an estate sale sign on the way home, and said, alright, last one.   We walked up the narrow stairs into an upper duplex filled with gorgeously framed oil paintings, African wood sculpture, far north soapstone carvings, fanciful antique lighting fixtures, and all sorts of other evidence that someone with great taste and funds to indulge such had inhabited and adorned this home.

We walked into a light-filled living room and our eyes fell on this stunning cabinet.   We looked at one another, silently acknowledged that we had fallen hard and fast for it...and then walked right past it, thinking that there was no way this was going to fit into our budget.   A cursory glance revealed a small brown paper tag with $1500 written on it, crossed out, and $700 written below that.  Worth it?  Oh indeed.  Within our budget?  Not a snowflake's chance in hell.

We spent a few more minutes exploring the home, enjoying the sense of it being a well-loved, tastefully decorated space.  Then we wandered back to gaze wistfully upon the cabinet's time-worn beauty once more.  The owner walked over to us and said, "I bought this 20 years ago, it's Tibetan, and at least 200 years old."   She opened the doors, and showed us the thick planks making up the back and shelving.  She ran her hand over one knot in the wood and said proudly, "Solid walnut."  Then she said quietly, "I'm moving, it won't fit into my new apartment, and if you want it, you can have it for $300."   We thanked her, and walked outside, walked one block, turned, walked back, and said, "We love it and we'll take it."

We headed to the bank, returned to the house, handed over the cash, exchanged contact info, and then tried not to lose our lunches all the way home.  We kept repeating variations on, "Did that just happen?  Is it really ours?  Do you feel nauseated too? I'm SO HAPPY!!!"

This past Friday:  The mover I'd booked on Monday TEXTED me to say he was running late and could he meet us at 8pm instead of the agreed upon 6pm.  It was 5pm. FIRED.  I went into angry panic mode.  Sohrab went into rescue mode, and (miracle!) found a crew of 3 movers who could do it on super short notice.  I dashed home in time to see the movers in front of the building, examining the bottom of the cabinet.  "Hey Peter,"  one said to the other, "check out the nails on this thing.  It must be older than Methuselah."

I ran upstairs and quickly moved furniture and breakables out of the way.   A few minutes later, it was in place in the Trove and I was incoherent with glee.

It is now filled with goodies, and waiting for Trovers to enjoy as much as I do!

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What's this? A rather Unassuming White Cabinet with Shelves? But what can be inside? Shall we take a peek?

My - a pretty ladies' accessories closet, with jewelry, purses & party shoes!

But wait, we close the door, and when we open it again...

A nicely apppointed little linen closet! Perfect for bathtowels, bed linens & bathroom supplies.

Close the door, and open it for the third time...

A neat kitchen pantry! Space for fancy dishes, colourful Pyrex, cans-o-beans, a vintage stand mixer, and your collection of herbal tisanes!

Sohrab and I snagged this little beauty at an estate sale with the hope that it would live on the balcony to store gardening things and BBQ tools. Sadly, there simply isn't enough space for it out there. We're going to see how it fares elsewhere in our 'umble abode, but given the tremendous size of our closets, this wonderful cabinet (pantry, linen closet, accessories storage) may be up for grabs! Feel free to email me if you're interested :)

Update: SOLD
This cabinet has found a loving new home and may be undergoing a dramatic transformation :)

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Step 1:  Go for brunch.  Decide to spend the rest of the day cleaning the apartment and cooking meals for the week.   Drive through Montreal-West on the way home.  Spot these two sturdy oak chairs at a garage sale.  $10 for both?  Done and DONE.   Remember this project on Kindall's Creations, show it to Sohrab, and BOOM.  We've got Project Fever and are off to the races!   So much for the earlier plans :)

Step 2:  Race to Reno, pick up a $10 pine piece that happens to be almost exactly the right size.  Head to Fabricville, and raid the Bargain section for foam (two rectangular foam cushions, $10 each) and outdoor fabric ($14 for some stunning turquoise paisley).

Step 3:  Show up at Sohrab's mom's house, take over the basement workshop.  Cut the excess off the pine board.  Place the board on the worktable, arrange the chairs over it, ensuring the the front of the chairs line up, mark four spots in a square shape approx. 5" apart on each seat where the drilling will take place.  Drill through the chair seats and into the plank - but not all the way through it.  Place chairs on the floor.

Step 4:  Place fabric on the worktable, foam on the fabric, and plank on the foam.   Wrap tightly and go wonkers with three different staple guns (stupid staples kept jamming), making sure that the foam edges out over the plank a bit fore & aft.

Step 5:  Place the chairs on top of the newly constructed bench seat,  feeling carefully through the fabric for the holes in the bench to line 'em up, and screw the bench to the chairs.

Step 6:  Bring the new bench home and place in entry way.

Its new home will be our balcony!  We have a small space out there, and all the benches we've seen were too large, too expensive, or plain old charmless.  Ditto for most of the bistro sets.   This way, we have sturdy seating for two that doesn't take up too much real estate.  If I could do it again, I'd pick thinner foam padding, but then again, maybe not.   So far, everyone who has sat on it has grinned as they sunk down in the cushy seat!

We're also snazzing up the balcony - which was pretty unusable last year due to the fact that everytime we closed the door or brushed against a wall it RAINED NASTY GIANT FLAKES OF PEELING PAINT.  Also, our table and chair set was too big, and since our balcony faces Sherbrooke street, I always felt so exposed whenever I went out to read or loll in the summer sun.   We decided to re-paint, sell the too-large furniture, and put in lattice or fabric for privacy.

Last weekend we rolled up our sleeves and proceeded to remove all the layers of old paint, scraping away like mad things, then we wacked on a coat of cheery seafoam blue and antique white.  Here's what one corner looks like right now - more painting is supposed to happen next weekend.

I'd also like to grow a few things on the balcony this summer, and since we get tons of sun and wind, I'm thinking of growing hardy sun-loving things like basil, rosemary, mint, tomatoes, and maybe eggplant.   We scored some PVC lattice on Craigslist for $4 (retail $40!) and will be using that as both a privacy screen and a wind break for our plants.  Next on my list of balcony wants:  a sturdy shelf for potted flowers and edibles!

More on the balcony makeover in weeks to come...

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Inspiration:  Tea towels as curtains!

Saw this post over at The Kitchn & had to share the idea.  I've snapped up a number of fine Irish linen tea towels, with vague plans to frame them, but this is easier, prettier, and will let the light shine through all the lovely colours.

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Are you a fan of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters that have snuck their way onto design blogs repeatedly for the last few years? I know I am. There's something about the simplicity and cleanliness of the design that makes me smile, and now you can generate your own! They make fun pops of colour in any room in the house, and, if you pop one into a nice frame, they make a thoughtful (& potentially hilarious) gift.

(This second one is for Lorri :)

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VintagePrintable is the sort of site you can get lost in for hours if you're anything like me in the "Oh I lurve me some vintage images, graphics & fonts" department. Best of all, the image files are all quite large, and all in the public domain, so if you have a blah space on any of your walls, you can hit print, pop a pretty into a frame and voila, 'blah' banished!

It isn't the easiest site to navigate, but digging for treasure is half the fun!

I'm thinking of printing a few of the beach adverts and photos for the Trove.

Including this beauty:

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Our new kitchen is blindingly white. It's like an interior designer's blank page, or in my case, writer's block. Then S. suggested that we add some warmth and colour by putting up a mosaic backsplash. It took two days of gluing and grouting (on his part - not mine!), plus a couple of visits to Reno Depot, but the final result is quite pleasing! Now, to create a warm accent wall across from it...

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Stumbled over this site the other day and have dedicated a rather unhealthy amount of time diving into the photos and feeling my neurons snap and fire away as they create excited new connections in the part of my grey matter called "Inspired by Interiors!"

From the site:
"Todd Selby is a portrait, interiors, and fashion photographer and illustrator. His project The Selby offers an insider’s view of creative individuals in their personal spaces with an artist's eye for detail. "

Warning: once you go in...you may lose an hour or so!

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Oh, Apartment Therapy, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...no, wait, that would take too long...

My winning-lottery-ticket dreams include stays in inspiring yet cozy spaces all over the world, and this lovely vacation rental in Port Douglas, Australia, is on that list! I love how they've pulled together so many thrifted finds into an airy, colourful & textured whole.

Their wall of mirrors in the bathroom is giving me ideas!

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Design*Sponge is one of my daily must-clicks, yet somehow I missed this recent post in all the moving brou-ha-ha. I love how much personality these two (landscape architect Gabriel Wick and his partner Olivier) have injected into their grand space. Their collection of whimsical painted portraits has me eying the blank walls in our new apartment with a bit of a dangerous gleam in my eye...

Also, today's review of flea market decor trends is truly inspirational!

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