I Crave New Old Stuff: Reflections on Being A Vintage Shopkeeper

It's been a couple days of me and myself in this weird pink then grey cloud of a mood. I wonder if it's the weather, the big super moon perhaps? Anyhow, so far this month I have acquired so much new inventory for the shop, and yet there is this unquenchable thirst for more, more, more vintage! I wouldn't say it's greed sort of thing, I think I just always crave new old stuff. It applies to my wardrobe, my apartment, my vintage studio. And it's not just wanting new old stuff, it's also wanting better new stuff.

As a vintage shopkeeper I try to make little investments for my business every month. I set aside a budget for something new. June for example was for a new iron. July will probably be more realistic office furniture. At the moment I use a very cool industrial table for a desk and an equally cool mid century modern folding chair. Neither are well suited for sitting hours upon end editing photos and scheduling product updates! Luckily, my studio has a semi back room (with a curtained wall) so if I do get IKEA (gasp!) furniture for the office, well, at least it won't ruin my French Western Industrial (whatever the hell it is) mojo I got going on in the showroom space.



While I am budgeting for office furniture I think I also need a sign for my shop windows and of course I need a fan because it's getting a little hot in the studio now that it's summer. Oh, and I'd like a nice rug too. And an art deco armoire. And a rad antique mirror. Maybe a couple of those. It's this really annoying domino effect of more stuff I want but then putting on my business hat and saying "Now, now, only one thing at a time!" and then my vintage/decorating crazy person hat shrieks "But I want it NOOWWWWWWWwww" all Veruca Salt like.

So, sometimes I look at inspiring images of very sparse beautiful spaces filled with old things. No need for so much stuff! And then I go into "I have to put everything out of sight right now!" mode. Clean white walls, nothing on the floor, clear off that surface!

I exhaust myself. But at the same time I just love it. Like, I frickin love re-arranging everything all the time! It feels new for a few months, then I have to move it all around again. But it's always old stuff. Objects with character and stories. The newness comes from my perception. A new order of things.

I get tired of the same old thing. But I sure as heck love new old things!