I was playing the piano this Sunday afternoon.  A simple melody really, yet one that always brings me to emotional heights.  It’s romantically haunting.  I’m not sure if it’s entirely the music or if I’m also visualizing the scene from the movie it accompanies.  Playing, the piano notes filled the house & I knew … this is its song.  Its theme.  Its anthem. 

Closing my eyes & listening … I floated from room to room.  I smelled the salt air.  I heard the ocean.  I saw the comings & goings of guests, friends & family over the years.  I heard laughter & footsteps.  I felt the soul of our home.  The peace & its beauty through music.

We have been on a long journey.  It has been over a year since my family & I left our home for its grandiose makeover.  I remember the preliminary discussions with our architect.  Rather than spacial planning & architectural specs … I spoke of the “feeling” I wanted the house to have, referring to homes in movies.  But now I know it was also the soundtrack to those movies I wanted to hear & feel when I walked into our house.  I believe within the brick & mortar of a building, there lies a soul.  It could come from the beauty of the architecture, or the way the light filters in.  Perhaps it’s the sounds of life & laughter from a family.  But there is always a story within, a history that has occurred that gives it its own character, its own melody.

Vintage Hardware will soon be moving.  We have the honor of bringing life back to a revered building. I have yet to hear her song, but through her wear & somewhat decay … she is indeed the Grand Dame of Astoria.  Somewhat like the estate of Mrs. Havisham’s in “Great Expectations.”  The Astor Hotel on 14^th & Duane – built in 1922 will soon open her doors once again.  Vintage Hardware is taking its new occupancy very seriously, as a duty of sorts.  We look forward to announcing the opening of the old doors to our new home very soon.

Vintage Hardware has proudly carried Sweep Dreams brooms since our inception.  They are a staple in our store & are ever so popular.  This is their story & you’ll see why …

Only $28.00!!

The Sweep Dreams brooms are designed & built for daily sweeping.  Made in the mountainous jungles of Thailand, each piece is carefully woven to produce an elegant classic that’s the perfect addition to any kitchen or garden.  You can be proud that your Sweep Dream is made from 100% renewable sorghum & bamboo, dyed with natural non-toxic colors & assembled by workers under fair labor conditions & compensation.  Look for their signature seeds & buds in the bristles:  According to American & European folklore, these buds bring good fortune for the coming year, making your Sweep Dream not only beautiful but LUCKY too.

A few years ago I stopped carting the cumbersome bag of sand toys down to the beach as I noticed on occasion when we did not have the entourage of buckets, shovels, Frisbees & balls … the kids hunted, scavenger & discovered a wonderful world through their imagination with what nature and (unfortunately) debris had been washed ashore.

Girls organzing their fort.

Boys defending their fort.

Help keep our beaches clean!

Some suggestions for reducing marine debris they offer are:

~ Volunteer with SOLV & their partners.

~ Bring your own reusable water bottle, coffee cup & shopping bag (I was stunned by the amount of water bottles just in the 6 block radius we roamed). 

~ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

~ Choose products with less packaging.

~ Properly dispose of all waste – it is less likely to end up in the ocean if it is recycled or put in a trash can.

Vintage Hardware

DUNGEON

SALE

 Saturday Only 

(Parts & Pieces that didn’t make the cut.  A DIY must see!!)

May 29^{th …} 9am – 3pm

13^th & Duane …  Underground

A little over a month ago I challenged myself with learning a new instrument … a ukulele. Has this “sweet, petite & underestimated  instrument” brought that toe-tapping, heart singing experience I was seeking?  Indeed it has.  It actually came to fruition today when I accompanied Paris (my six year old daughter) at her elementary school talent show.

Eventhough I have a passion for music, combined with a personal appreciation & perhaps an above amateur’s capacity to  play it … I know my limitations.  Vocals.  Paris shows an apptitude for music & singing (memorizing lyrics).  So, I convinced her to learn “the” song … my muse … Ingrid Michaelson’s “You and I.”  I love the song’s sentiment & whimsy.  It’s become a family affair, which led to our performance today in a gymnasium in front of 250 children, teachers & parents.

It wasn’t Yo Yo Ma by any means … but guess what?  I did it!  Not only did I “re-claim” a creatitive & musical void in my life … I’ve realized it’s never too late to learn something new or challenge one’s self & what a gift it is!!!  (Maybe not to those in the room with you while you’re learning.)  But most importantly … making the time.  Somehow I was able to sneak ukulele sessions – be it at a stop light (the magic of a small instrument), waiting in the car for the kids, hiding out in the bedroom, but usually sitting at the dining room table (the revolution of reading sheet music on the internet). 

MEANWHILE … Vintage Hardware has been challenging itself to continue to inspire & provide merchandise for our “friends.”  (Funny … “customers” sounds too impersonal.)  Vintage Hardware is your store.  It’s for the neighborhood & our community. And what a wonderful representation it can be for Astoria & her visitors.  Paul & I strive everyday to make a visit to VH personal.  As this is a very personal endeavor for us – one we’re grateful for everyday.  We experience magical moments daily … whether it’s the discovery of a hard to find latch, a new front door or simply someone walked up the street or turned the corner & found us & love what we do.  But it’s the personal stories that are shared. The recollections that our inventory inspires & conjures up.

Thank you, Astoria.  Because of you … big & wonderful things are in store for Vintage Hardware.

[WARNING:  If you believe in the Easter Bunny … read no further.]  On the eve of Easter, Paul and I went to the local and oh so popular discount store after Vintage Hardware closed.  Okay.  I admit … I wasn’t crazy about spending a bunch of money on candy and Easter basket frivolities for Paris (6 yrs) & Beau (8 yrs).  But we all do, don’t we?

Nevertheless … this burdensome errand turned into a hilarious outing (this shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows Paul).   Of course, they don’t have any of the “traditional” Easter candies left, so we were left scavenging for something decent that can be pawned off as something the Easter Bunny would actually leave. 

Peeps.  Easter, right?  Oh no.  They make 4^th of July -  red , white & blue star  Peeps.  Did you know that?  What about jam?  They had lots of jam.  Pickles, too.  Okay.  Looking, looking, looking for chocolate.  Found some chocolate Santa’s.  Ahhhh, no.  Then we found something that said it was candy, but actually looked like lumpy rabbit turds in jewel tones that were tougher than gravel.

I was starting to get somewhat exhausted & annoyed (mostly with myself for waiting until the last minute).  Paul sensing this, started to dig into boxes that weren’t yet unpacked.  These boxes were the mother load of random bounty from the likes of a hardcore trick-or-treating marathon.  “You think it’s okay if we go through these?” I ask Paul while peering down the aisle.  “Absolutely.  We’re scavengers.  This is what we do.”

Well, lucky for you … Paul is right.  Vintage Hardware pledges to always be on the hunt for something that we think you might need for your project.  We have no shame (actually that’s Paul’s department) – to dumpster dive; beg, borrow or … ummm … beg; search & rescue anything that we think is pertinent to your project or will pluck at your heartstrings … for “this is what we do.”

In closing … allow me to quote an extremely eloquent stuffed bunny that now resides at my household: 

The true story of Easter can be found in all the wonderful symbols we use to celebrate this special holiday.

The cross is the most familiar symbol. It represents Jesus coming back to life.

The lamb represents the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.

The white Easter lily symbolizes the purity that came from the resurrection of Christ.

And the chick breaking out of its shell is the symbol of the rebirth of Jesus.

The Easter Bunny is the symbol of new life of the spring season.

Because Jesus … is the true reason for the season.

What if we stop or forgot to have  fun?  What if we fall further away from something or someone?  Where or how do we reclaim it or ourselves? 

Vintage Hardware’s sole responsibility is reclaiming things from our past.  Pieces that are necessary to put something back together … a hinge pin, window stay, a set screw, caster, drawer pull … door.

But sometimes in life we are looking for a piece to put ourselves back together as well.  I witness people strolling through Vintage Hardware experiencing a nostalgic journey.  Nothing warms my heart more than when a visitor stays … unexpectedly longer than they intended, as they meander, touch & reminise.  This is the secret gift of  Vintage Hardware.   The old, painted, crusty stuff or architectural piece that conjures up guesses of its origin or purpose, speaks to & touches the core of some people.

Reclaiming pieces for our home or restoration project is much easier, more tangible than searching for or replacing  that piece, spark  or challenge our soul is needing.  It is much more complex to recognize that we are in need of retrieving, recovering or regaining something for ourselves that would bring happiness & perhaps peace.

I have started a retrival process.  A journey indeed and most definitely a challenge.  My muse?  My tool for salvaging the pieces and finding greener grasses?  A ukulele.  (I, too am perplexed by this discovery.)  It started with a song that makes me smile. It makes my heart sing & my toes tap.  A feeling I want to experience and incorporate into my everyday life of responsibilities & obligations that don’t usually allow time for whimsical acts or idle play.  But now – somehow this sweet, petite & underestimated  instrument found me & I am discovering the  joy.  (“Hearing” the joy will take some time yet.)

So … is there something that perhaps you need to reclaim or restore in your life?  If so … what is your ukelele going to be? 

 While Vintage Hardware is a participator and has proudly featured amazing  artists from different fields for the monthly Astoria Art Walk … Saturday night (March 13th) was extra special as we have collborated with locally renowed glass artist, Jim Hannen to present “A Series of Doors.”

The creation of glass colors, blending, design and vision by Mr. Hannen is married into an old door from Vintage Hardware that has been brought back to life, yet still shows it’s years of stately and protective duty.

Miles Davis set the mood for an evening of imbibing, browsing, shopping and  a-dooor-ing … the DOORS, of course!! The night was clear and  the mighty Columbia River calm – a perfect backdrop to another Astoria Art Walk which locals look forward to and visitors are delighted to discover.   

We welcome inquiries on prices, measurements or even on the weather… [503]325.1313.