My mother-in-law moved back to Oak Park from Des Moines, Iowa last year. She downsized, going from living in a large home to a small condo… plus fourteen thousand storage units that she is now renting.
She’s working on getting rid of a few.
We, along with Brandon’s sisters, have been the beneficiaries of said downsizing. Sometimes the stuff is a little odd (she has an extensive collection of fake food), but sometimes it is awesome. Like these vintage cups and saucers (a set of twelve).
She thought I might like them because they seemed like my style, and they reminded her of our living room chair. She was right. Aren’t they fantastic?
Also, I just got this email from her today:
I noticed somewhere on the blog something about “what do you do with 150 yardsticks?” We have a similar amount of antique ones, some with very entertaining ad slogans on them. When we get our act together, we are making a wainscoting (vertical placement) in the powder room here. (The one with the tree stump sink.) They will look awesome and will provide for some good reading for visitors, seated or standing.
She’s referring to this tweet, but there are three things that stand out here.
- She is in possession of 150 antique yardsticks. (Please refer to the earlier mention of fourteen thousand storage units.)
- “tree stump sink”
- She is conscientiously thinking of both genders when designing her bathroom.
My mother-in-law is pretty great.
Love the cups and saucers. Maybe you can post a picture of the water closet wainscoting when she is done (from a seated or standing presentation)?
Please show photos once it is complete! Sounds awesome :)
Oooooh I LOVE the cups and saucers, so jealous! I am trying to find somewhere that makes retro dishes, any ideas? BTW you are looking so slim! What’s your secret, you look fabulous :)
Oooh, I can’t wait to see the wainscotting. Cool! The cup/saucer is perfection and SO you! No wonder she loves you!
I adore my mother-in-law and grandma-in-law too! And that cup and saucer – I just died of jealousy.
This was awesome.
Lucky girl!!! Your “Mil” sounds like fun!
I need to see a picture of the tree stump sink. Who’s with me?
I’m with ya!
Okay yeah, your Mother-in-Law is pretty awesome!
I live in Des Moines, Iowa! Is that where Brandon grew up?
No. He grew up here, but his mom grew up in Des Moines.
that rules. all of that.
OK, I am absolutely, positively drooling over those cups and saucers, AND the MIL with 150 antique yardsticks!!!!! If I didn’t enjoy this blog so much I would call you a bee-atch just for being so lucky.
:-)
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17340357&parentid=A_FURN_PRETTY&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,&navCount=35&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_PRETTY&popId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=
you need that…and no I don’t work for Urban Outfitters.
You married well! :) I think I would get along with your MIL!
Oooh, the wainscotting sounds very cool. And, love those vintage cups & saucers. What a great mom in law you have.
Anyone who says that you can marry the man without marrying the family is either delusional or lying. And a good mother-in-law can make all the difference in your journey of a long and happy marriage.
Congratulations on the treasures–the divine teacups and the mother-in-law.
I totally agree and was thinking the same thing… couldn’t have said it better!
I love vintage cups and saucers! They are always so charming!
Those are spectacular! Love.
Your daughter will go through a fake food phase. Best to save some.
I’d love to see a photo of that bathroom some time!
Super jealous that you have those. All my MIL has is chewed up furniture and unattractive hand-me-down baby clothes :( I still love her though.
Those cups and saucers are fabulous! Sounds like you have a very nice MIL!
Those are great and they really do match the chair well!
Time for a tea party. Those are very cute.
Nicole, do you remember this table from VivaTerra? It’s pretty awesome:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/vintage-ruler-table-and-chairs-from-vivaterra-076598
Of course, she’d need your DIY expertise. Here’s another one, where just the top is covered in yardsticks.
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/diy-table-project-0909
I think it would be pretty cool to cover a coffee table top with them. Please show us pics of what she comes up with!
she’s from des moines?! i live in des moines!!! and i moved here from the suburbs of chicago!
see nicole? we were totally meant to be friends! or maybe i was just meant to stalk your blog and succumb to your subliminal advertising. you’re such a sell-out.
OH NO, you’ve figured it out!
I am completely in love with those vintage cup and saucers. The antique yardstick idea sounds fun, but how to you end of acquiring a 150 antique yardsticks?
so cute!
ohhh fun, I love getting stuff from my mother in law, she has fabulous taste! Aren’t they great :)
how can it be that nobody has questioned the “tree stump sink” yet? can we get a visual on that?
I’ll ask for some photos.
I’d love to see the tree stump sink! We just moved from Des Moines to Santa Monica!
1. I want to see the sink.
2. I also want to see the finished wainscoting.
3. That cup and saucer is TO. DIE. FOR. sigh.
oh yes. you MUST post a picture of that powder room! i cannot even imagine a tree-stump sink! i’ve seen the idea of decorating with antique yardsticks before but usually as a chair rail. i think it’s pretty great she has enough to consider it as wainscoting. i also love love love that cup and saucer. it is, indeed, pretty awesome. you are one lucky girl.
We, too, are often on the receiving end of MIL hand me downs. Sometimes it’s so bad, it’s good.
she sounds super awesome!
No wonder Brandon turned out to be such a fab husband – what a great Mom!
You lucky girl to have such an awesome mom-in-law, and lucky Eleanor to inherit all the great style and creativity genes she’s getting from all the branches of her family tree!
How did you say 14,000?? storage units – are they small boxes or something. I’m in Australia and I’m used to storage units being about the same size as a garden tool shed. I’m currently clearing out my house from one end to the other, I thought I had alot of “STUFF”. ha!
fake food is a little bit odd?
hey Nicole, is it really you, saying that?
I remember your fake turkey (tee hee)
thumbs up for those cups. like them!
your mother-in-law sounds terrific. :D fun post.
Oh wow. These are why we get married, right?
That tea cup is so coffee-luscious reminds me of Starbucks; and your Mother in law is such a sweet and thoughtful lady, you truly are blessed.
Have a great weekend
Sarah :D
Lovely teacups. I love it when people have collections like these. You are lucky with a mother in law like that!
Please post a picture of the wainscoating when it’s done! I’m so curious. :)
That tea cup and saucer is beauoootiful! Lucky you!
Wow, love the teacups and saucers. Is their a manufacturer’s name on the bottom? I live in Des Moines …mayyybe I can try to find them.
hello! new to the blog. love the cup and saucer but where did you get that wallpaper? i’m sure you’ve covered it in another post but just wondering. thanks!
she is all sorts of fabulous! this post made me smile big time!
I just bought a salt and pepper shaker set that has a pattern that looks very similar to these, only in light blue. All the bottom of the set says is “Japan” Does the bottom of your cup & Saucer say anything? I am dying to find out more about these awesome dishes! Thanks in advance for any help on the identification of them!