Vintage treasures at Midland Antiques
August 15, 2011
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Vintage treasures from Midland Arts and Antiques in Indianapolis.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting up with my friend Myra from My Blessed Life – her family was in town and we took advantage of the chance to spend an afternoon together!
At first I suggested we go shopping at HomeGoods, but then I remembered one of my very favorite spots in Indy:
Midland Arts and Antiques is a glorious spot for any shopper/thrifter/DIYer. Two massive floors of antique and vintage goodies. It’s ahhhmazing. I knew Myra would love it too!
Some trips I only find a couple things, some I find so many I can’t decide what I’m going to get. This was one of those trips! Here’s some of my favorites!
This aqua chip and dip bowl was gorgeous:
I’m still kicking myself for not getting it! But alas, I had run out of hands. ;)
I LOVED this huge bell:
I got a smaller version at HomeGoods a few months ago and this one was HUGE!
I’m still kicking myself for not getting it. ;)
The Bub wanted me to show you the choo choo:
He’s crazy about trains! :)
I was nuts for this mirror:
It was awesome – it was a concave antiqued mirror and the frame was so. cool. But it was already sold – DRATS.
Such a tease.
This one had us both salivating:
It was HUGE – we thought it would be a fantastic kitchen island! (In a HUGE kitchen.)
So here’s what I filled my hands with – an old, rusty in all the right places watering can:
It works great – no leaks!
The Bub loved this phone:
And I am slightly offended that it’s considered antique, or even vintage. I used those phones, hellooo. ;)
It works too! We all get a kick out of it.
I loved this platter:
It was only $6, and the tag said it was made in Italy:
I still can’t tell if it was made in Italy or made by someone named Jaly. ;)
I found a big honkin’ wide mouth Ball jar:
It was only $6 – I’ve never seen a Ball jar that big!
It makes a perfect vase:
Sunflowers – they scream it’s late summer and fall is coming soon!! LOVE.
They have had a TON of these amber jars for months now:
Both Myra and I were thinking up ideas because they were such a beautiful color and only $2 each!
I ended up getting three, and so far one is a vase:
And I filled one with sand and plopped a tea light inside:
It will look a whole lot better with dry sand. Nice.
We had such a great time! We just needed a shopping cart (or two).
What would you do with my finds? How about the amber jars? Found any fun antique finds lately? Want to go to Midland with me? ;) Do tell!
Hi Sarah, I so wish I lived close enough to go with you. Your finds were awesome and that platter of your's would totally look great in my kitchen.
ReplyDeleteOh and don't you so hate when you actually forget what you were initially going to say in a comment because you were so excited about the post? That's me! I was going to say that I would love that platter on top of my kitchen cabinets. I was inspired by your post on how to decorate on top of the kitchen cabinets but have yet to find anything good to go up there!
ReplyDeleteWow, I used to live near Indy and never even knew about that place...darn it! I love that Haauuuge ball jar! The sunflowers are perfect in it. Good finds! :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, I need to check this place out! Never been there before.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I LOVE going shopping at antique shops and markets. Midland sounds so DREAMY!! Would love to go...wish I didn't live so far away. :-) The last time I went antiquing was with my hubby and we headed over to Gruene (pronounced Green), Texas. It's an old German town in the Texas Hill Country...a gorgeous little town. One of those that you feel as if you've stepped back in time. There were all kinds of lovelies in the Gruene antique store. Here's a link with some pics...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cupcakesandmudpuddles.com/2011/03/taste-of-gruene.html
Glad to hear you and your friend had so much fun -AND- survived the heat! :-)
~jennifer
Awesome finds! I love places like that... I just need to find more in my area!
ReplyDeleteTiffany {Living Savvy}
I was at Midland two weeks ago and I felt like I was on an antique safari it was so hot in there. I may have to make a trip back down there to see if they have the side table and prints I passed up.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, Sarah! I loved every minute with you and the Bub! :) And I adore every single thing you found too. Seriously, WHY did neither of us get that chip and dip!?? (bangs head on wall)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you again! xoxo
P.S. I was dripping with sweat too, silly girl!
I love Midland!! Everytime I go there I just get irritated because I wish I had unlimited time and $ because that place is where DIY projects are born!! [Plus I just like going up & down that huge, old creaky staircase!] And YES I want to go there with you... true, I don't actually know you but with a name like Thrifty Decor Chick you've got to be my kind of shopping buddy :)
ReplyDeleteooooh. GREAT finds. I am heading there next time we are in Indy!! and, YES, I want to go with you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in the South, I had a friend tell me that she was "only glistening,".... to a Yankee like me that meant: SWEATY!
:))
The aqua dish is yummy. Please tell me you went back and bought it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect day. WOW, look at all those treasures.
ReplyDeleteYou have made a monster outta me! I can't go antiquing without buying a Ball jar. Our favorite spot here in MD has a TON of the blue ones with the zinc lids!
ReplyDeleteI too missed out on a mirror just like that one. My fault though. I cheaped out at an auction years ago and later regretted it!
ReplyDeleteMidland is fantastic! I was there a few weeks ago when we were experiencing our 100 degree weather and it was stifling hot! I'm planning to go again when it cools down a little :)
ReplyDeleteGreat finds Sarah! Wish it was me who snagged that mirror. That was gorgeous!! And who doesn't love a Ball jar? I have a little aqua one, with the lid and seal, that I picked up at a yard sale years ago for $1! I'll bet by now people know to charge more. ; ) Soo, when do you see pics of your deck? I noticed the love seat with a nice throw pillow and your table you did. : ) Can't wait for the big reveal!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'll definitely have to check out Midland sometime soon. Great finds! I love the Ball and amber jars!
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana, and go to Indy often, but have never heard of this place! Think I'll check it out on Friday!
ReplyDeleteUmmmm... yes, I want to go! And, you'll be happy to know that I not only sweat, but I also get very red-faced. Ahh, the joy of being Irish!
ReplyDeleteI have that phone! still :-)
ReplyDeleteI saw Myra's finds the other day! Great treasures, indeed!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome place! I'll have to hit it up next time I'm up there. Right before I read your post, I posted my finds at the world's longest yard sale on my blog: justdownthehall.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have you stop by & check it out!
I like the candle and the dry sand. A great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fun place to shop. Wonder if you could make a lamp with one of the amber jars. My mom and I have done that a number of times with old bleach jugs but they have a smaller neck. Sunflowers against the amber is the perfect arrangement for August!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing finds. The phone is hilarious. I remember we had one in our home when I was growing up. I just remember when it rang, it was so looooud!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! What a treat that must have been:) I would be kicking myself for not getting the bell too:) I Absolutely ADORE the can and the phone and the jar... and I LURVE (oh yes!!!:)) the way you transformed the amber bottle into a lantern - it look fab! And I think I would read the plate back as Jaly as well:)
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, made me really wanting to go treasure hunting just this instant!
PS. If by any chance you will find 5 min of spare time, please visit http://moorlandhome.blogspot.com/2011/08/dartmoor-folk-festival.html . I am desperately looking for some linguistic advice for my blog:) Love, deZeal
Um yes, I want to go to Midland with you! Love the finds. I've been pinning a lot of ball jars lately....so I'd probably just copy a Pinterest idea if I had some of those beauties. :)
ReplyDeleteSUPER CUTE! Looks like you had a lot of fun!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! You got some great things! I love the brown jar, it's like the one I made into a demijohn with macrame!
ReplyDeleteNice haul!
Susan
I just knew there was a reason I enjoy your site to much, and this post explains it all! I'm grew up in Indy and still live here, and Midland is one of my all-time favorite places in the city! I swoon and drool every time I go there. Have you also been to White River Salvage just up the street? Lord have mercy! I've almost (except the paint, coming soon) remodeled my entire first floor over the last couple weeks thanks to your site! And I so must make the moss-covered "S" for above my mantel, too. (Trust me, the place needed a re-do.) Thanks for all you share! It's so fun to "find" a great neighbor!
ReplyDeleteFabulous Finds! Wish the mirror wasn't sold. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI saw a cool post on a forum the other day to figure out how old Ball jars are :
ReplyDeletehttp://idigmygarden.com/forums/showthread.php?p=816700#post816700
We figured out that my friend has some from 1923-1933! She has the pretty blue kind!
Thought you might be interested to see it!
I sooooo wanna go to Midland with ya......
ReplyDeleteWow what great finds!! I may just have to head there over Labor day weekend to see what I can find.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indy and have been to Midland a few times with hubby, but I'd love to go with you! Last time we were there we purchased 3 old windows and they are hanging in our bedroom, beautiful! Perhaps you could organize a group trip to Midland so we could all go together. :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to go to Midland with you! If I still lived in Chicago, I'd totally be over there! I can't wait to read some of the suggestions for your buys. I'm always seeing stuff at the ReStore thinking, "I know that has potential. What would Sarah do with it???" Thanks for sharing your fun trip. I read you in the mornings and it just makes my day :)
ReplyDeleteI'll go with you any time! I've lived in Indy for 10 years and never been. I think I need to go!
ReplyDeleteI live in Indy as well and love trying new places. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I've just stumbled upon your blog, and I must say I'm already in love. I love thrifting for home decor as well and also DIY-ing my own things :)
ReplyDeleteI've actually just opened up an Etsy shop that sells cheeky posters for people who are into home decorations and things, just as a way to liven up a room. Do come and stop by, and if you like it please share it with your readers as well!
Keep up the great work
- Michelle
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissInsouciance?section_id=10289394
I laughed outloud when I read the part about the old telephone. I'm with you on that one. Remember party lines? Did I just say that outloud? Now I'm really telling my age. Sounds like a fun shopping excursion.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
That green ottoman is so gorgeous,I would love a huge sideboard like that in my kitchen displaying all of my crockery xxx
ReplyDeleteLove everything! And love that place...sure wish I was closer to you to visit that store!
ReplyDeleteI gotta tell you, I love that phone. Boy, does that bring memories of my childhood back. I remember thinking how cool it was when we got a cordless. ;)
ReplyDeleteI live in southern Indiana. This place sounds just like where I need to go. Is this downtown Indy? I have been looking for somewhere to go to find more treasures, think I have found it. Thanks for sharing the shopping spot and your blog, really enjoy it. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fellow Indy blogger and love thrift/antique shopping but haven't been to Midland yet! However, I did see this post yesterday before at trip to Goodwill and came home with an amber mug just like yours...can't wait to find some pretty flowers to style it up!
ReplyDeleteLove you blog. Its simply amazing. I found some really thrifty stuff here at http://homedecormissionviejo.com/
ReplyDeleteThat amber glass would be amazing to try etching with etching cream. I think I'll be looking for those in my corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteI love Midland Arts, too!! A favorite Indy haunt! I'm impressed that you braved it in the 90 plus degree weather that we've been having here in Indy!!! Hugs! Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteThese are really great finds! I wish I had the same creativity as yours. Such awesome finds as well. I'm not sure antiquing is cheap here in the Philippines but it is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor now I let my eyes feast on the beautiful things you and your friends find and decorate :D
You feel the way about the chip & dip as I do about 2 blue ball jars (blue of course) that I didn't take home from my local goodwill (arrrggghhh!!!). I say have a contest to go shopping at Midland w/u! I could SO see that round mirror in my living room after a good dose of silver Rub & Buff...
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou are truly AMAZING! I am so jealous of your projects and really wish I was more talented like you. Trust me, I TRY and it ends up looking like a 5 year old tried to make a slip-cover, lol. I will keep reading and getting inspired to try again and again!
Great picks! Did you know Ball Jars were made in Muncie?!!
ReplyDeleteI so NEED to go to Midland! I haven't even been to a homegoods store yet! I'm in SW Indianapolis and I always frequent Treasure flea market in Camby and TraderBakers in Martinsville! I think I need to branch out to Midland!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of 'Ball' jars...I saw some HUGE ones at Target a couple weeks ago on an end-cap, and immediately thought of you. I would guess they were 14"-16" tall & a total decor item...obviously. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMidland!! That is my FAVORITE place to shop in the world. I miss it so much since I moved back to Dallas. Thanks for showing us your wares. But now I'm a little sad. Between that at the goodwill outlet, indy is a great place to by old stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnna
lassothemoonshop@gmail.com
Stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago, LOVE IT, then saw about Midland. We are from NW Indiana, but have friends who live in Beech Grove, this past weekend we made a trip down to visit and stopped at Midland. Thank you! It was AMAZING!
ReplyDelete