My home is a craftsman bungalow built in 1926. When I purchased it, forest green carpet covered almost the entire first floor, hiding stunning oak floors. The walls were covered in dark wood paneling, and an acoustic drop ceiling made the living room ceiling a full foot shorter. All the woodwork was stained walnut brown. My original vision was to strip the woodwork down to its natural color and modernize the space, but the more I peeled back the layers, I found that I loved the original design. As I worked, I realized the house did not need to be updated; it needed to be brought back to its original condition. It carries an air of timeless vintage elegance.
At the beginning, most of my home came together with furniture I picked out online. I liked the pieces, but the quality did not match the expense. I found that old furniture was far superior to anything I could afford, so instead of buying new, I started thrifting. And so began almost an entire year of waiting for the perfect pieces.
Already a regular at thrift stores searching for frames for my photographs and artwork, I stopped passing by the furniture and shelves full of knick-knacks and housewares. I no longer wanted anything new and began collecting bowls, planters, lamps, and other things. All vintage goods. Before mass production. Before plastic. Before “the cheapest way possible” became standard.
You can feel the quality of a vintage object when you hold it in your hands. Handcrafted glass with tiny bubbles trapped inside. Sturdy furniture made from solid wood, with dovetailled drawers. Hand-carved picture frames with glass glazing. When I find something vintage, I feel like I am holding a piece of treasured history. Some objects I have found, like a glass jelly jar embossed in a ring of ship helms, take me right back to my grandparents’ kitchen when I was very young. My grandpa used to serve us orange juice in these little glasses that fit perfectly into our tiny hands. Finding these objects brings back long-forgotten days, and I find a certain comfort in that.
While I would like to, I cannot keep everything I collect along the way. I began Three Crows Collection with the hope that there are others who share a love for these fine things, and that they, too, will find them meaningful.
I invite you to explore these objects, each with a story of its own. If one speaks to you, may it bring back a memory, kindle happiness, and continue its journey with you.