It seems the Underdog’s attic and its contents were left untouched when the house was turned over to us. Who would’ve touched them if they didn’t have to? As I mentioned way back when, the laundry dryer vents into the attic {not to the outside like it’s supposed to} so the attic and everything in it was covered in a thick layer of dryer lent. Ick. In order to make room for electrical upgrades and to vault the ceiling in the kitchen/living room, we had to empty the attic. Well, more like Handy Hubby had to empty the attic and I got to sort through all the stuff. As much as I was hoping to come across a stash of cash or a treasure chest of gold coins or even a rare antique worth thousands, it didn’t happen. What I did find was mainly a slew of Christmas decor – the majority of which was either broken or hideous or both. Seriously, how many Christmas ornaments does one household need?! I’m still trying to figure out where all the decorations went when they were on display. There’s just not that much room in the Underdog! Anyhow, all the shattered ornaments and broken-beyond-repair string lights made finding the most irrelevant unbroken items seem like worthy treasures. I even decided to keep a few of them. Wanna see?
First up is this faux leather suitcase. It’s pretty beat up but still in working condition and I actually adore the patina. It looks well traveled, no?
It comes complete with a Delta Airlines luggage tag {which looks to be anything but recent} and locking key. Apparently, the leather lookalike exterior is Tolex which was most commonly used as material for guitar cases and boat upholstery in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. Layne has already claimed this ‘new’ suitcase as his own. I can see it being used as hidden storage for either toys or out of season clothing in his bedroom.
Luckily, so as not to cause a brotherly fight, I found this plaid suitcase for Everett. It’s more petite than the Tolex luggage. The luggage I.D. tag still has the name and address info of the previous owner…the Underdog’s previous homeowner. I haven’t found the need to remove it yet. I may just slide Everett’s info right over top and keep it with the bag.
I also came across a little bag for myself. I wonder what its use was back in its heyday.
Laptop bag? Nah. Probably not. But I think it makes a great preppy one. Slightly Ralph Lauren-esque, don’t you think?
I found multiple sets of these vintage Nestle glass coffee mugs. They’re from the ’70’s and not too rare as I found multiple listings for them on Ebay, Etsy, etc.
They have a global scene etched onto them that I immediately fell for.
I only kept 4 mugs, a creamer dish and a sugar bowl since we’re going to have limited cabinet space in our next kitchen. There was also a small matching coffeepot that I didn’t think I’d use. It seemed a tad redundant to pour coffee from my regular coffeepot into another coffeepot and then into a mug. I don’t need any extra dirty dishes, thank you. The boys have already enjoyed using the glasses as their pretend coffee mugs. I pour chocolate soy milk into the mugs and Layne and Everett mimic coffee convo and the gestures that go along with it. It’s pretty darn cute.
I was curious about this 1956 Lowe Brothers Paint ad program that I found. It’s not my intention to keep it forever…just long enough to research it and take some pictures of it for the blog. The booklet contains all kinds of information on how to market and advertise a Lowe Brothers Paint store franchise.
Very cool. Especially considering Handy Hubby and I have done our fair share of painting walls, furniture, cabinets, etc. I wonder if the previous homeowner owned a franchise or offered painting services? She was a painter/artist after all. According to the Paul Laurence Library at Wright State University,
“The Lowe Brothers Company was founded in September of 1872 by brothers Henry C. and Houston Lowe. It began as a small store on E. Third Street, between Jefferson and St. Clair streets in Dayton, Ohio. The Lowe Brothers began by selling paint produced by others. However, in 1882 the Lowe Brothers Paint Company opened and the Lowe Brothers incorporated their business in September of 1893. The Company reached national notoriety before being sold in the later twentieth century.” – Amber McPherson
The ad program is on the cheesy side. Definitely in cahoots with the general 1950’s mentality. Check out one of the suggested radio ads…
“The quarterback is fading – looking for a receiver – there’s the pass. Right into his arms…forty yards! What a beauty! Another breath-taking beauty is Lowe Brothers Mello-Gloss, famous semi-gloss enamel for walls and woodwork…”
Nice segue, huh? Check out this beauty…
The last attic item that made it into my keep pile was this framed canvas art. It’s a painting {I’m guessing not original} by John Ford Clymer who created it for the June 23rd, 1956 Saturday Evening Post cover.
After a little research, I discovered it’s either titled ‘Painting the Garage’ or ‘Helping Dad Paint.’ Here’s a view of it on the original cover…
I have no idea if the canvas I found is worth anything. I should probably ask Handy Hubby’s sister. She’s an art museum curator. Even if it’s not worth a penny, I still like it. I think it’d look cute hanging in one the boys’ bedrooms since it shows a young boy helping his dad paint. I may try to stain the frame or just leave it as is. It will be exactly 55 years ago this Thursday that the image was on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
So even though I didn’t find a secret cash stash, I had fun looking at all of the attic contents and making up stories about how the pieces fit into the previous homeowner’s life. Do you remember me telling you that the previous owner was a female artist? In my mind, she was a well traveled, coffee drinking artist who also owned a local paint store franchise and had an affair with a talented male painter. At the end of their short romance, her lover gave her a copy of one of his paintings to remember him by always. She couldn’t bear the pain of looking at it every day so she stowed it away in her attic.
See that? See how my mind takes the teeniest bit of info and runs with it? Craziness. In all reality, I’m probably waaaaaaay off. Have you ever found something interesting in your home left by the previous owner?
images: 1-18 ) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 19) my mags
budget decor, DIY