Bucket list

A while ago I stumbled upon this great blog posting My thrifting bucket list revisited again by The Recycle-ista. In it she lists some of the coolest things she found during her years of thrifting (including a wall piece by Curtis Jeré – SO jealous! Maybe his Raindrop pieces should be on my bucket list), and what’s still on her list.

It made me think what would be on MY thrifting bucket list. In my last post I mentioned that I found something from my bucket list: an Ystad candelabra with Kosta Boda glass. I was so happy when I found it. I still have it, and I’ve been enjoying it thoroughly. In fact, it has multiplied: I got a matching green candelabra for my birthday. It automatically puts the orange version as the first item on my bucket list, because what would be better than an entire set? (I couldn’t confirm if these large candle holders also come in blue.. which would be so nice as it’s my favorite color!)

Next item on my list is a piece of the Bojesen Zoo line. They’re so cute! And I love Mid Century Teak. Especially when it is not perfect but used. Wood gets such a nice patina over the years. Last weekend I was extremely lucky, as I stumbled upon not one, but two Bojesen Flag bearers. They’re fully marked, vintage, and well loved, but SO nice. I will keep one in my own collection, and one will be available in the store.

End of September my husband and I are going on holiday in Malta. As we don’t have a car there, I think there won’t be a lot of thrifting, but we are going to Mdina by bus, and I’m guessing there will be some antique stores in Valletta (if you have any tips, let me know!). My dad has been collecting glass for a long time, mainly Scandinavian, but he also has two beautiful fish head vases by Michael Harris for Mdina. I would be thrilled if I could find one in Malta, where they were originally made, so he can add it to his collection.

Fish head vase on the cover of Michael Harris, the book by Mark Hill

Seeing this is my bucket list, it also needs some West German pottery on there. I’ve mentioned before that I collect Roth Keramik. They are still the ultimate Fat lava. Although my aunt and uncle, who also have the thrifting bug, have found not one, not two, but THREE Roth vases in the wild, I never was so lucky. I did find the one below on a flea market, but it is cracked (I still brought it home, because it is one of the rare blue vases!). For my bucket list I don’t mind which color it is, any would be nice :).

I’m a huge fan of Bitossi. Over the years I have found plenty of vases, bowls, and even some animals, but I have never found a clock. There are a lot of cool patterns, so it is difficult to choose. Perhaps the traditional Rimini Blu has my preference, as it is such an iconic and recognizable décor.

Sorry.. not my pic. See source here.

Over the years I have picked up the occasional piece of Rosenthal Flash, designed by Dorothy Hafner. But did you know she also made her own studio ceramics? Especially her teapots are amazing. It seems like most of them were sold in the US, so the chances of finding any here are small, but stranger things have happened.

Sorry, not my pic. See item for sale here

The final item on my list, for now, would be something – anything – by Memphis Milano. I first learned about Memphis and Sottsass during my internship at Christie’s, and it has been true love ever since. The auction I worked on contained a large collection of Memphis Milano items, and they are just amazing. They’re crazy, colorful, fun. So different from anything I had seen before. I saved the money I earned from my internship and bought a Martine Bedin Super Lamp (not the original eighties one from the auction, that was too expensive, but an official re-issue).

The lamp still has pride of place on my granddad’s antique writing desk. Whenever we have people visiting us for the first time it is a great conversation piece.

I know that the chances of finding a piece of furniture, or even a lamp thrifting is extremely small. However, Memphis Milano also made cool pottery, glass, fabrics and jewelry. It might be more realistic to find something like that!

I think I’ll stop here… I could go on for pages, as there are so many cool vintage treasures. But these are the ones that would make my heart skip a beat.

Let me know which items are on your list. I would love to know!