Starting out, for today’s blog we have a little bit of this and that plus a couple of ReStore Children’s Chairs.
Actually, I saw these two children’s chairs as I was leaving the store. They are both made of wood. However, the first chair has a slightly modern bent wood look to it. Either or both would look cute in a child’s play area or room.
These children’s chairs were in the furniture section of the Reston-Herndon ReStore Shop.
Matching Stools
Then, the next item I noticed was this set of well-made matching stools with either a straw or rattan type of seating. The stools have wooden legs painted black. They are both casual and comfortable.
Really, these two stools look almost new and would look great in a kitchen or bar setting.
Vintage Ironing Board
Today, the vintage Speed Top Ironing Board, Met – L Top is one of my favorite things in the store. However, I’m not sure if it stands up on its own as it seems to be edged into a table. It is made of metal, and the ironing height is adjustable.
All in all, the advertising on the top of board, states it is ventilated, heat retaining, and fire resistant. It is missing an ironing board cover. Online, I saw an old advertising that stated this adjustable heights model was originally priced at $9.95. It is of all metal construction, produces no squeaks, wobble or creeping. Note, I’m not sure how this ironing board would creep, but I guess it could be pushed here and there if it wasn’t heavy enough. Or perhaps the legs are made in a special way.
Geuder, Paeschke and Frey Company Info.
The ironing board came from the Geuder, Paeschke and Frey Company out of Milwaukee. Originally, the factory was founded on January 2, 1880, by William Geuder and Charles A. Paeschke in Milwaukee. The company made tinware, enamelware, sheet iron ware and industrial containers. The company moved to Chicago, IL from 1882 to1883, and then back to Milwaukee from 1883 to 1990.
Briefly, the firm’s plant in Lebanon was sold in 1957. In, 1982, the company filed for bankruptcy protection. Unfortunately, it dissolved in 1990.
Over the years, the Geuder, Paeschke and Frey Company made some of the following items:
- “Cream City” Bedpans
- Fuel Tanks
- “Maxim” Silencers
- Oil Tanks
- Pressed Steel Oil Pans
- Tinware – Pots & Pans
- Water Tanks
When talking about now time, the Geuder, Paeschke and Frey Company building in Milwaukee was thought about in redevelopment terms. However, I am not sure they were able to fix the structure issues, and other things to make the building usable again. But, that’s another blog.
Vintage Wonder Horse
Now to talk about the two children’s rocking play toys at ReStore. The one behind the red vintage Wonder Horse is a wooden rooster rocker with a circular bar to hold on to and a rooster’s tail in back. The rooster has large prominent brown eyes.
The Wonder Horse, in front, is made of wood and painted with red and black paint. The paint is a little worn and peeling but I love pieces like this. It only means it was played with a lot and well loved. I saw many of Wonder Horses online. The springs rocked a child back and forth. It looks like the springs on this horse were replaced at some point.
Think how cute either of these would look as a unique decoration for your kitchen, den, or living room. Add a green plant or two.
So, I remember one year sending out holiday cards with a photo of a child on a “updated” wonder horse. The child had a smile on his face and was wearing a white hat. Oh, memories of a cute kiddo on a fast pony.
Silver Tone Punch Bowl Set
I rather like this silver tone punch bowl set. It would be great for holiday entertaining. I like the fact that everything is made of some type of silver toned metal and if you drop a punch bowl cup, it is not going to shatter. This set is priced at $50.
All in all, I suspect there is some silver in this piece, as it has started to tarnish. Cups look like they have some type of hook on them.
Harvest Moon Corn Meal Craft Project
In conclusion, what did I purchase? OK, so it is a little unusual craft project. I believe it is the bottom of a Harvest Moon Corn Meal Bag that has been ripped out from the bottom of a bag, then pasted on a small board and varnished. I’m thinking the age is at least 79 years old or perhaps older. However, I wonder, why this was done? Was it a favorite corn meal of a housewife or what? So, I really cannot answer that question.
Going back into history, the Harvest Moon Corn Meal was milled by the Red Run Mill Road in Lancaster Country, PA. Samuel Martin built the first mill here as early as 1772. Menno Eberly built a new mill in 1894. Unfortunately, the new mill burned down the same year it was built. Milling operations ended in 1948. At some point in 1959, Leroy Sensenig restored the mill as a tourist destination with a campground around the old mill pond.
Actually, I paid a dollar for this piece of Americana crafting (?). So, I am thinking I might try to donate this unusual piece to a historic site.
Ending notes on ReStore Children’s Chairs
Anyway, Readers, happy shopping at ReStore. There are always bargains, the unusual items, and vintage pieces. As I said it before, you never know what will come through the donation doors.
Non-profit Habitat for Humanity, Northern VA ReStore shops help those who need a little assistance. All items in today’s blog can be found at the Reston-Herndon ReStore Shop. But shop early, since things tend to come in and be sold quickly. Also, thank you to all those who volunteer at the shops.
Lastly, a big thank you to the Reston-Herndon ReStore Shop for allowing me to take photographs and to blog about their items.
Resource Sites: Mycompaniesfandom.com, wiki, onmilwaukee.com
UPDATE: 9-4-2025 – OK, yesterday I dashed out and purchased the two matching bar stools with straw seats. I’m going to use them near my desk. Sadly, they are no longer available in the ReStore.