Inspired by Vintage: The Stories Behind Stray Dog Design’s Best Sellers

Guest Post Written by Alicia King

Not much makes me happier than tooling around back roads on a mild day, windows open and music blaring, with not a thing on my agenda other than keeping my eyes peeled for a side of the road junk emporium. I think I was about 18 or 19 when I was first introduced to the joys of wandering through dimly lit, dusty old downtown stores stuffed with cast off furnishings. I was dumbstruck by the obvious potential in the bedraggled beauties on display  and the down and dirty prices….heavens above! I was hooked from the get-go.

Funnily enough, I am not much of a shopper, otherwise. Big box stores and malls have always overwhelmed me. I distinctly remember being a child, waiting in the car with a cold Coca Cola and receding headache while my irritated mother continued her perusal of the newly opened and much anticipated local Steinmart. It’s been many moons since anyone has dragged me through a big discount retailer, thank heavens. All my bargain beauties come from the assorted second hand shops. I also occasionally dabble in online auction house procurement, which can be quite satisfying and fruitful. 

There is no doubt that my life long habit of perusing antique and vintage stores has directly or indirectly informed my style and decor sensibility and, in turn, my designs. I’m sure bits and pieces and parts of many vintage lovelies have seeped their way into the assorted baubles and froufrous that my cray creations tend to feature but there are 3 products that were unquestionably a direct result of a vintage lovely.

1. The Artichoke Lamp, one of our all time best selling and iconic Stray Dog pieces was inspired by a large moss covered and badly chipped artichoke garden finial that I spied leaning against a cement block wall in the back parking lot of a local auction house outside of Chattanooga. Sadly, the base of the finial was too compromised to make it worth hauling home but the idea sure did make its way back with me and right into my sketchbook when I returned.

2. The Terrell Swann Chandelier is a melding of numerous floral motifs that typically adorn the bevvy of vintage tole chandeliers that can be found in re-sell shops everywhere. You know the ones I mean… metal, mostly mid century Italian and all absolutely adorable. 

The Terrell Swann is just my interpretation in papier-mâché and the Very Chihuahua Chandelier is a super sized version of the same.

Attribution: Design by Natalie Guertler Interiors, Photo by Rebecca McAlpin

3. The Lotus Chandelier was inspired by a framed watercolor I saw in an antique store in New Orleans. The artwork was actually a turn of the century design for a Mardi Gras float, of all things, and it was captivating. A very Cinderella-esque type of carriage  but with a floral motif rather than a pumpkin. I could not afford the picture but the image stayed with me and, before long, I had adapted the idea and the Lotus chandelier was born.

General Link: https://straydogdesigns.com/ 

Junk shopping, along with reading, walking in the woods, and working crossword puzzles are the most rewarding and enduring addictions I have picked up along the way. Enjoyable at any time, I find these activities also have the power to soothe my soul and distract my clamorous mind when life is overwhelming. so be quite satisfying and fruitful.