Did You Know?

The commercial signs of yesteryear - which were all painted by hand - offer a kind of beauty, personality, and longevity that today’s industrial signs have been unable to duplicate. We see them almost every day without a second thought. Weathered by time, distinct characteristics shining through, hand-painted signs are a product of a fascinating 150 year-old American history.

What was once a common job has now become a highly specialized trade, a unique craft struggling with technological advances. These vanguards of unseen originality are leading a renaissance with a keen creative purpose and exemplify the working class American success story. While exploring what’s left of the old sign-painting traditions, there are several young and up-and-coming artists who celebrate keeping the tradition intact with an appreciation for a balance between art and commerce.

This box of decals would be used by sign painters to make their job a little easier. Each letter individually packaged to better assist in the creation of a new sign. One of our vendors, Brave Relics, stumbled upon this vintage lettering kit from Chicago over one of their many travels. With sign painting making a comeback, we thought we’d share a little history with you.

Tuesday Tip: Vintage Kitchens

Remodel season is officially in full swing! If you're anything like us, you have a mental list of everything you want to update around the house. The kitchen is typically the biggest update to try and tackle, but not everyone can dish out the cash needed for a complete overhaul. Today we're sharing a few tips & tricks that can give your kitchen a new look while sticking to a budget!

Collect

Don't just decorate, collect! The kitchen is a great place to start and share a collection. Old soda bottles, antique china, & rolling pins, are an easy way to get things started without breaking the bank.  

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards can add texture and depth to your space in a snap. We recommend finding and displaying aged ones on the wall while making a stack of more functional ones on an adjacent counter. 

Scales

Vintage scales abound in most antique stores. Look for ones that have their original logo for more visual interest. If you plan on actually using the scale, make sure it measures in increments suitable to your needs (ounces/pounds). They make a terrific place to set that banana bundle or use them to hide unsightly outlets and switch plates.

Cookbooks

Our rule of thumb when it comes to cookbooks is, never pass a good one up! They're a versatile decorating tool that's also functional. They make wonderful housewarming gifts as well!

Repurpose

Not all collections are functional, and that's okay. There's a reason why a lot of kitchen utensils and appliances have been updated over the years, but bring new life to something old by thinking outside the box! 

Built-Ins

Turning vintage crates into drawers is a genius idea, but if that seems a bit overwhelming, try adding vintage wooden shelves or an old Hoosier Cabinet to warm things up! The possibilities here really are endless!

Canisters

Canisters are a customer favorite here at The NAT. People are always looking for a little extra storage on their counter, and a stacking canister set does just that while looking cute! 

Mixing the old in with the new is always a stunning combination. Take a look at some of the vintage kitchen goods we have in store right now!

Vendor of the Month: September

Name: Karen Wilson

Business Info: Furniture: Restyled

Name three words that describe you. Creative + Nurturing + Innovative

What items do you specialize in? I have a wide variety of interior items in my booth. For the most part I work with furniture. I love giving new life to old things!

What is your favorite place to source antiques? I mostly go to estate sales and auctions. I also love getting to go to Canton.

What is your most prized possession that you've "picked" over the years? A few years ago I was lucky enough to find an amazing Broyhill Brasilia bedroom set. It is one of the most unique sets I've had - I even kept it at home for a long time because I wasn't ready to part ways with it just yet! I eventually brought it into my booth at The Nat, and it found a new home from there!

Where do you find inspiration? Mostly through Pinterest. I have family and clients who live in Austin, so we get to visit fairly regularly. I always make it a point to stop in clients' stores to see what their selling, what displays catch my eye, that sort of thing. Any time I'm in a bigger city, I like to check out their antique stores to find more inspiration.

How do you spend your time when you aren't at The NAT? I retired not too long ago, so I get to spend a lot of time with my grandkids! If I'm not chasing my grandkids around, I'm usually found painting. There aren't many days now that I'm not covered in paint!

What's your personal motto? Honesty is the best policy! I've found over the years that telling the truth, even when it hurts, is a great lesson to follow.

Tuesday Tip: Favorite Vintage Finds

We know better than most just how overwhelming Antique stores can be ...especially ones like The NAT. There's just so much to see! We understand that it can be difficult to see potential in specific items when there's so much to look at. Scoring big at a vintage store requires some preparedness, creativity, and sometimes you have to simply cross your fingers that it works! Ahead are some great vintage finds that you may (or may not) be passing up, but we're here to help! 

Vintage

Frames

Ignore those boring images housed inside antique frames. The image itself can easily be popped out and replaced with treasured ones you already have!

Upholstery

Reupholstery isn't  your only option when it comes to furniture with dated fabric. There are plenty of fabric paints + dyes out there these days that can make a drab chair fab in a snap!  

Candle-

Sticks

Whether you're planning an event table or if you simply need a great centerpiece at home, a plethora of candlesticks can be found in malls like ours. Sand down wooden ones for a  weathered look or snag several different metallic ones for a little added glitz!

Depression

Glass

Depression glass is a hot ticket item around here! It's available in all different colors, shapes, and designs. Even trendy bars are serving up fancy cocktails in them as of late. Whether you plan to display your collection or simply stock your bar cart - these are a must have!

Paint by

Numbers

These artworks may seem a little cheesy at first glance, but mixed with the right elements they can bring a curated, fresh, and modern look to any space.

Pyrex

Not only is it a fun, kitschy addition to your kitchen, but it's useful! Start a collection of one style or go full on mix + match! There are a lot of pyrex collectors out there so if you decide to go a different route later on, you can typically recoup your money by reselling them.

The NAT boasts the widest selection of items like these in the Texas Panhandle. If you've been on the hunt for something specific, we'd be happy to help you out! Simply give us a call or swing by today!

(Here's a small selection of in-stock items similar to those listed above)

Spread the Love

Alright guys, so we're going to try something new over here and we hope you'll help us out! We're lucky that so many of our lovely customers are just as creative as our vendors themselves, and we WANT to see that creativity when it comes to life! You may have noticed that most of our posts include the hashtag #natcessity. See what we did there? Anyway, what we're wanting is for you to share with us what you do with all those one-of-a-kind finds! Whether you simply collect a specific item or say you purchased an old work bench and turned it into a kitchen island, we're asking that you please share it by posting a photo to your facebook or instagram using the hashtag #natcessity. Simple enough right!?!

To kick things off, we're offering a free NAT tote bag to anyone that participates in our Spread the Love campaign throughout the remainder of this month. Remember, if your account is private, make sure you also tag @thenatroute66 so we don't miss it! As a token of gratitude going forward, we'll select one lucky participant each month. They will receive  a $20 NAT gift card or merch item of their choice!

See you on the web!!!

(Tote bags only available while supplies last)

Get it Before it's Gone!

Each month at The NAT several of our vendors put their items for sale. Here are just a few items that have been discounted from Junk'N'Disorderly, Strange Natives, and Peach Tree Antiques!

Stop by before the month is up to explore all the new markdowns in the store! 

• Select items from Junk'N'Disorderly marked 50% Off
• All clothing from Strange Natives is 50% Off
• All cookbooks from Peach Tree Antiques are 25% Off

So Long, Summer

Our So Long Summer Event is just around the corner so go ahead and mark those calendars! We'd love for you to join us Saturday, September 8th for discounts, drinks, and door prizes! We'll be giving away some awesome NAT merchandise as well as a few large gift cards which means this is an event you do NOT want to miss!

Click the link below for updates and to RSVP!

See You At The NAT

As some of you may know, The NAT has quite an interesting past! It was originally built in the early 20s as an open-air swimming pool, only to be reconstructed a few years later as a dance venue. Whether you remember the Dancing Days at The NAT or if you've always wondered about the history of our castle on the corner of 6th + Georgia, make sure to tune in to our local PBS Station this Thursday (August 9th) at 7pm!

See You At The NAT

Thursday, August 9th 7:00pm

If you can't watch it, be sure and set those DVRs to record! The NAT is truly an amazing place filled with memories from people young and old, local and abroad. You don't want to miss it!

Tuesday Tip: Nightstands

We've all seen the generic nightstands at the furniture store: smaller tables, usually with a drawer or shelf. But all they really are is a place for you to store all the things you need before and after bedtime. With that said, why not break from the traditional table you have in mind?

SUITCASES

Vintage suitcases make a great alternative! You can make them functional while putting your collection on display. 

VINTAGE TRUNK

Trunks of any kind have an old-world vibe, with plenty of surface area for all your bedside necessities. 

BAR CARTS

Vintage carts come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes! Find a metal cart with a great patina for an industrial feel, or go gold for a more glamourous look. 

You'll more than likely end up with more storage space than a traditional nightstand too!

LADDERS

Don't have the space for a trunk or cart? Build up! A ladder gives plenty of space for knick-knacks on top of the popular farmhouse vibe.

Take a peek at some of the nightstand alternatives we have in store right now!

Did You Know?

Chalkware is a staple in most antique stores. Popular figurines were created from the late 18th century up into the 20th century, primarily during the Great Depression and in the Mid-Century Modern era. The earlier chalkware pieces were mostly intended as a more serious decorative art, as a form of religious and devotional art, and later on became more playful. It was even given out as carnival game prizes during the early 20th century, especially during WWII, but was later replaced by stuffed animals. (Also known as "Carnival Chalk.") Since chalkware is heavy and can easily be chipped, it eventually was replaced with ceramic and plastic alternatives in the 70s.

At The NAT, we are in no short supply of chalkware, and we run into plenty of the religious variety. This piece is one of the most unique we've had in store. The reverse-painted glass along with the statue give this piece so much character. Although they look similar, this is not a catholic sick call box, making it even more special. Instead of the bottom opening up to the typical contents of the sick call box, the bottom half has two windows, with a wooden toggle on the side that scrolls through different pictures and text of prayers of the Rosary. 

If you're looking for this, or any other type of religious décor, look no further! We have a wide variety in-stock, and would love to show you around!