The most exciting part of treasure hunting is never knowing what you will come across, but even more thrilling is finding something you’ve been dreaming about. When you come across a truly amazing vintage piece, it has the ability to make your heart skip a beat. For us, it’s not unlike love at first sight. I’ve fallen for countless pieces that are now lovingly displayed in my home. But there are a few times I’ve fallen in love with something and had to walk away from it. Whether it was because I didn’t have a spot for it, there was a lack of funds at the moment or I just didn’t decide fast enough, those missed opportunities have stuck with me.
Every flea market junkie seems to have that one thing they wish they bought but didn’t. As I was preparing to write this blog, I remembered a piece one of my favorite interior designers, Emily Henderson, once wrote about the vintage pieces she owned and got rid of. I remember feeling her heartbreak for those long-lost pieces that she regretted giving away. It resonated with me so much because I had similar feelings towards these five pieces that I missed out on. Here are a few of my love stories – of the ones that got away.
1.) Vintage Moira Clock
I have wanted an old moira clock for as long as I can remember. They are the prettiest, most elegant pieces I’ve ever seen. While Jill and I were in Round Top, Texas for Antiques Week a few years ago we came upon a shop that was full of gorgeous old dressers and lots of Moira clocks with different finishes, embellishments and patina. Moving through the shop, I turned a corner and there she was…my dream moira clock sitting there in her cream-colored glory complete with a cowboy hat on her ‘head’. It was like my dream came true right there. I stared at her forever and remember having a long conversation with Jill trying to talk myself into this major purchase. It was expensive – for good reason – but I had recently moved into my new house and paid for this vacation. I didn’t have the budget to spend a couple thousand dollars on this precious piece. So, I had to let her go…I swear Jill had to pull me away kicking and screaming. I’ve seen lots of reproduction clocks that were similar over the years and have even come across a few real ones that were pretty…but they weren’t this one. I still think about her and so wish I had taken her home. One day, I’ll go back to Round Top and hope I get lucky enough to find her, or her twin. I won’t walk away this time that’s for sure.
2.) Angie Dickinson 1975 Dress Form
I mean…could there be anything cooler than finding something that once belonged to a movie star? I found this fantastic 1975 Angie Dickinson dress form at an antique store in Orange, California. My mouth dropped open. I was a fashion major in college and spent a good part of my career in the business…so to come across a dress form that once belonged to a famous actress – I was swooning. She was starring in a TV show called Police Woman in 1975 and won a Golden Globe for the role. I wonder if the dress form was used for either of those? I circled around it many times that day, convinced that it had to be mine. But then reality set in, I couldn’t take it on the airplane home with me and shipping something of that size would’ve been crazy expensive. So, I left her there…and I so wish I hadn’t. I’ve thought about that piece a million times over the years. It would’ve been a perfect accessory in my closet and such an iconic conversation piece. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime find.
3.) Detroit Public Library Vintage Card Catalog
I talked about this missed opportunity in a recent blog. I’ve always thought it would be so cool to have a card catalog. It’s reminiscent of my childhood school days – I loved visiting the library and using a card catalog to find books/subjects I needed. Sure, technology is great, but I miss the tactile, old-school way of doing things sometimes. I found one similar to this from the Detroit Public Library on Facebook Marketplace. Essentially, I took too long making a decision on it while I was communicating with the seller, and it was snagged by another buyer. I consider this one a big fail on my part, because I knew better than to hesitate on a piece like that when I was aware there were multiple people interested in it. It’s been 2 years and I haven’t been able to find anything close to that piece.
4.) Vintage Michigan Map
Honestly, this one doesn’t haunt me as much as the others, but I have kicked myself a few times for not buying it the day I saw it. Maps are fairly easy to come buy on the vintage scene, but I had been on the hunt for the pull-down kind that you’d see in a classroom for a while. This one was large, had perfect coloring and represented our great state of Michigan. I wanted it! But, I needed to measure the space to make sure it would fit…otherwise it would be collecting dust in my basement. I found it at an Antique Mall so there is slightly less pressure to buy on the spot because the vendor isn’t packing up to go to the next event at the end of the weekend. Unfortunately, when I came back the next day it was gone. I know I’ll come across another one someday…hopefully it will be as pretty as this one was.
5.) Mid-Century Ladies at Bridge Club Painting
Y’all know I love a good painting. Nothing defines a space more completely. As many as I have in my archives and on my walls, I was having a tough time picking one to anchor my living room. It had to be a substantial piece in size that depicted something meaningful to me, and could pull all the pieces of the room together. A lot of pressure to put on a painting. Lol. I found this sweet mid-century oil of ladies having coffee and dessert at their bridge club on Etsy. I saw my Nana in these ladies all dressed up in their swanky mid-century dresses, talking over their fine dishes and serving pieces. I thought it was so charming. This missed opportunity was also a case of taking too long to click “buy now”. I was contemplating and next thing I knew it was marked “SOLD.” Another one-of-a-kind treasure that went to someone else’s home. Hope they love it as much as I would have. 😊
So, the moral of the story is – you snooze, you lose. The reason there are so many “highs” in treasure hunting, is because there is a lot of risk of losing out on some pretty special things. But, with all of those misses, I’ve learned a lot about being prepared to make decisions on things I know I’ll be heartbroken to lose.
~ Beckie
Photo Credit: Angie Dickinson in NBC Drama Police Woman – NBCUniversal Collection via Getty Images