One thing our house is seriously lacking at the moment (besides color) is accessories. Coming from a small, two-bedroom apartment (check out our first place here), we didn’t really need a lot. Now that we’ve got 2,000+ square feet of living space, the accessories we do have are thinned out throughout the house causing things to look a little sparse. For example, the dresser in our master bedroom:

Even though I’m anxious to accessorize, I don’t want to just go out and buy a bunch of “stuff” for the sake of having “stuff”. I’d much rather keep my eye our for things that are really us and collect pieces little by little. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

As far as decorative accessories go, Greg and I both like seeing a modern designed room accessorized with quirky vintage pieces . Like a random typewriter, camera, or old milk crate. While we aren’t gung-ho antique enthusiasts, we both have an appreciation for history and the idea of marrying the old and new in our house.

In an effort to fill our empty spaces, I’ve been getting into the habit of spontaneously hopping in the car and driving to antique malls and flea markets. Even though I’ve been using a lot of gas driving all over town, I’ve found quite a few new favorite places to hunt down potential vintage accessories. One of those places is the Cold Harbor Antique Mall. Yesterday, I felt like I needed a break from looking at my office. So I decided to go back to see if anything new came in since I was last there about a week ago. When I was walking through the parking lot, I realized I should probably take some photos to share on the blog. Good thing I had my iPhone with me!

Don’t let the outside fool you. Once you step inside, every corner you turn, it keeps going and going and going.

This place is filled with tons and tons of stuff. The store is divided up into sections, each section being a different vendor. Because of that, there are all kinds of things scattered throughout the store, so you have to spend a lot of time and really look. There are a variety of ages throughout the store including late 1800′s all the way to the 1970′s. And, like any thrift store or antique mall, you’re going to find some rather odd things, but you’re going to find some real gems, as well. Here are a few things that caught my eye…

I sorta kinda fell in love with this brass rabbit. Our backyard seems to be the local hangout for the neighborhood rabbits, so it would make a perfect subtle conversation piece. Sadly, I didn’t take him (or her) home with me… kinda wish I had, now that I think about it. I also liked the Kodak camera, but we have more than enough vintage cameras around here at the moment.

I’ve been looking for a crate similar to this for weeks to use it as Bentley’s “toy box”. They’re practically a dime a dozen at places like this, but I’ve been keeping my eye out for one with a cool company on it. I loved this one, but it was too big. We could have fit five Bentleys in there! (The dog, not the car, of course!) It would have been perfect too because sometimes we call Bentley “Biscuit”. Major sad face.

I’m totally not exaggerating when I say that every single nook and cranny of this building is absolutely packed. It’s kind of like going on a hunting expedition. I feel like I’m one step closer to becoming a Picker Sister!

I loved this chest of drawers! I could totally see it spruced up and put in a bedroom or a nook in a hallway. If we had a place for it, it’d be in the back of our SUV.

Like the brass bunny, I fell in love with this vintage typewriter. It was only $45 and 30% off of that. I stood there for a while wondering where I’d put it and if it was the kind of thing I was looking for. (When it comes to our house, sometimes I’m indecisive like that.) The “T” key isn’t sitting straight but from what I could tell, it could be easily fixed – cosmetically speaking, anyway. I finally decided to leave it, but now I’m thinking about going back to get it. Though one thing I can tell you for sure, that thing is majorly heeeeeavy.

Just when I thought I was coming to the end of the store, I found a hallway leading to even MORE!

And more…

Another “If-I-had-room-it-would-be-coming-home-with-me” piece of furniture was this mid-century dresser. It was marked at $145 and 20% off that and in really good condition.

Add a hook to the back, and this barrel top (Maybe? I’m not completely sure what it is.) from Mollenhauer Sugar Refining Company would make really interesting wall art in a kitchen. I was curious and did a little Googling to find that Mollenhauer Sugar Refining Company was established around 1869 in Brooklyn, NY. I think it’s fun knowing the history on pieces like this!

That about wraps up yesterday’s visit to the Cold Harbor Antique Mall. I ended up coming home empty handed but planning on going back soon for the “wish I should haves”. Are any of you antique mall regulars? Come across any good finds lately?

Btw, I’m not digging the iPhone photo quality, are you? I’ll be sure to bring one of my other cameras the next time I bring you along for my accessory hunting.

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