Art By: Christi Payne

But to see one’s own visual creations through another’s artistic eye is so very humbling and delightful. The 2^nd Saturday Astoria Artwalk (December 10^th : 5pm until 9pm) … illustrates the unique depiction of Vintage Hardware at the Astor Hotel from a highly talented group.

Vintage Hardware has hosted a local (professional) drawing group for several months.  They quietly, covertly disseminate throughout the store.  Their inspiration?  Perhaps the eclectic inventory curiously and whimsically placed.  However the majestic degentrification of the building is also a stimulus – a backdrop of once plaster perfected columns; laboriously placed tiles and stained-glass skylights.

Breathless, their renderings.  What captures the eye of each artist?  Come see as the group features their depictions and creates new and fresh renderings throughout the evening.

Celebrating the season and complimenting the show will be another local talent of the musical sort … Experience global travel through the musical styling’s of multi-lingual vocalist, Dolores Levine.  Whether you enjoy French jazz, Cape Verde mornas, Italian love songs, Argentinean tangos, Portuguese bossa
novas or Spanish boleros, Acústica provides an international musical atmosphere in global languages.” www.acusticaworldmusic.com

The unique finds, custom crafted pieces and inspired whimsy continue at Vintage Hardware with the launching of PURL GIRL.  A new, innovative line of soft furnishings for your home and lifestyle.  Materials are up-cycled knits that are reconstructed into unexpected products that have texture and pattern.  Vintage Hardware will be exclusively offering Astoria based Purl Girl and its one-of-a-kind inspired pieces.  The line perfectly reflects the overall artistic model of VH … visualizing and creating a new intent for items that perhaps have met their initial tenure.

Also debuting is the long anticipated Vintage Hardware’s Playlist II which provides the mood setting audio for our website.  The selections were thoughtfully compiled and laboriously chosen to ultimately reflect SOUL.  As what we do, what we create and what we hope to accomplish comes from the depths of our souls.  A passion for the lost or longed for; the rescued and salvaged; the battered to beautified. 

The soul of Vintage Hardware is the blend of our artistic offerings with the reclaimed.  Pieces that were nearly lost or forgotten … now rescued for your discovery at the historic Astor Hotel. Visit us soon to experience the artistic designs of My Grandfather’s Nails, Savannah House, Gypsy Poet and latest, PURL GIRL.

“What a wonderful little cottage by the sea!  Thank you so much for your hospitality – everything was amazing! Can’t wait to come back!!” …Steve & Michelle

“We had a wonderful time.  Everything is so clean & inviting.  The kids had a great time with the beach & shopping right around the corner.  The weather was gorgeous!  You guys have made the place so bright & warm.  My husband was very impressed & has some ideas for our house!” …Jenny

“We had such a great time!  We were here celebrating our 2^nd anniversary & I can’t think of a better place to have spent it!  The location is perfect – we had so much fun shopping & hanging out on the beach.  Awesome weekend!” …Kacie & Travis

“Thanks so much for letting us stay at your fabulous Seaside cottage!  Everything worked out great & hope to come back soon!” …Catherine & Sophie

“Thank you so much for the use of your terrific home.  You have done a great remodel.  We like the décor.  We enjoyed our stay very much.  We had a great time!”…Sue & family

“Thank you so much!  We had a wonderful time & were very comfortable in your great beach house.  It is so cute & cozy.  Great location; close to the beach & downtown Seaside!” …Eric & family

“Seaside beckons us to visit every summer.  We answer the call with anticipation – it never fails to deliver.  We were blessed to find this place to call home – even if for a few days.  We felt its hug of warmth through its intentional worn design.  We hope this is the first of many stays to come & will become woven into memories!”…LaDonna

“We fell so lucky to have found this place to celebrate our 11^th anniversary.  The weather was amazing this weekend.  We hope to come back & stay here again.  You guys have done an outstanding job fixing up this home.  Thank you!” …Tracy & Greg

IDAHO STATESMAN JOURNAL …

5. The architecture

“Astoria is one of the oldest towns in the West, and it has the cool, old buildings and beautiful Victorian homes to prove it. The Flavel House, once owned by an early boat captain, is now a museum. The Elliot and Commodore hotels are in restored old buildings downtown. For one of the coolest glimpses of the past, go to Vintage Hardware on the corner of 14th and Duane streets. The used furnishings and hardware store is in the partially restored Astor Hotel, and you can wander through the hotel’s once-grand foyer with its vaulted ceilings, second-floor balconies and elaborate plaster work.”

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/07/17/1729183/10-reasons-to-head-toastoria-ore.html#ixzz1UvYtaYjF

Vintage Hardware featured in Green Living magazine … Daily Astorian 8/11/201

“We are very proud that our efforts of being eco-conscious and upcycling with furniture and house parts is being recognized outside our community,” said Johnson.  “However, the success of Vintage Hardware is largely due to the support and excitement of our local community.  Their purchases, contributions and support prove that the North Coast is hip and environmentally savvy.”

AT A NEWSTAND NEAR YOU…Oregon Home Magazine annually publishes a GREEN LIVING issue … 2011 issue has an article featuring Vintage Hardware and the furniture Paul creates using salvaged materials.  Pick up your copy available mid-July.  The entire issue is dedicated to being green and sustainable.  We are so thrilled and honored by the acknowledgement of what we’re doing … that by using materials and objects we are rescuing and upcycling is positively affecting our footprint (as well as being really hip).

“Upcycling is a reminder that we can ‘cycle’ energy; we can recapture and utilize the energy in objects and put them back on the top of the wheel,” Daniel Thomas, Hammer and Hand.

A 300 YEAR OLD FRENCH TAVERN TABLE, its Italian peer – a church bench.  Dainty upholstered pieces; an inlaid Italian desk (featured in Martha Stewart’s Wedding Magazine); a French sofa in cashmere; unique light fixtures & candelabras … these are but a few of the “new” guests in the lobby at Vintage Hardware.

A very special opportunity has occurred – an assortment of pieces that were selected in Europe has found its way to Astoria, Oregon and is available for purchase at Vintage Hardware due to the friendship created between us and the guardian of such a lovely collection.

Ironically, this week Vintage Hardware has had several visitors from France, including a couple from Italy.  I sheepishly approached them as I can only imagine what a “Vintage Hardware” would contain in their respective countries that are centuries old.  Their comments on the store and the building was hardly what I expected.  THEY were in awe.  Of OUR store!!!  Apparently the majority of our merchandise (furniture, lighting, distressed, primitive, etc.) is much desired across the great Atlantic.  Needless to say … our prices are very attractive as well.

Vintage Hardware is approaching its first anniversary in the Astor Hotel.  I am so proud that we have adapted, matured & evolved in bringing the Grand Dame back to life and the host to such dignified pieces… Merci.

“Out with the old … in with the old!”