A footstool is a treat for your feet. And we have a lovely one in this week’s fresh to market vintage. But it got us thinking about all the other names used for the things you rest your very deserving tootsies on.
An ottoman is a larger upholstered piece that can be used as a footrest, a seat or a coffee table if you add a tray. The name comes all the way from the Ottoman Empire days, when large low armless sofas were found in most Turkish homes. The style made its way to France in the 1700s, and the name was bestowed as a throwback to its Turkish origins.
A hassock is a sturdy, firm and usually upholstered footrest that may or may not have legs. The name goes back to either hassuc or tussock, which were matted clumps of grasses in a marsh. Hassocks made their first appearance as a bundle of grasses covered in fabric used as kneelers in churches in the early 1500s.
A pouffe is a legless, soft ottoman that’s puffy. The name goes back to the pouffy hairstyles popularized by Marie Antoinette in the 18th century.
And, our personal favorite, a tuffet is a padded seat or footrest with the fabric covering hiding the legs. The name comes for Old French or Anglo French in the 1550s. It too refers to a tuft or clump of grass. It is also controversial. Was the tuffet Miss Muffet sat on a clump of grass or a little footstool?
In the US, hassock and ottoman are used differently by region. Hassock is used primarily in New England, the midwest and Appalachia. Ottoman is used nationally, particularly on the west coast and among younger generations. Ottoman has evolved to mean a larger, fancier footrest, perhaps with storage inside.
Whatever you call it, what matters most is that you have a favorite one to give those feet a rest at the end of the day, right?
And with that, we move on to this week’s fresh to market vintage.
Neutral Colors Beaded Necklace w/a Hint of Gold
This is not your grandma’s beaded necklace. This one is modern with a bit of glitz. Done in lightweight chunky round beads in neutral shades with a hint of gold splashed along each bead for a bit of pizzaz. Just the thing to set off your look for that corporate meeting. Or perhaps, jazz up a simple blouse or T-shirt and slacks. Either way, it will add some fun to your look.
Chunky Beaded Necklace, $25.95
Pam, Vintage Renude
Antique OOAK Walnut Foot Stool c 1900s
Offering a folk art footstool dating to the turn of the 20th century, seeking a new home. Made of walnut, it measures 19″ long, 9″ wide & 9″ tall. Very sturdy despite a few dings and an old repair to one leg, which is a sure sign someone cared about it.
Recently recovered in a grey and white contemporary print that provides a nice contrast to the ornately carved wood.
Folk Art Carved Walnut Stool, $125
Linda, Selective Salvage
1955 Buick Roadmaster Hood Ornament
My dad was a lifelong GM employee. In the 1950s, he worked in the Buick Zone Office in Manhattan. A zillion years later, when we were packing him up for a move to an over 65 community, I found this genuine 1955 Buick Roadmaster hood ornament among the decades of flotsam around his workbench. As was his policy with most things, his name was on the box, just in case. I stuffed it in a moving box to bring home to think about later. That was 20 years ago. I wish now I had asked him if he and my mom had the Roadmaster sedan or convertible and what color it was. I know he could have told me every detail about that car. Somewhere out there is a Buick Roadmaster than needs this hood ornament to complete its restoration. I love stories with happy endings, and I can’t wait for this one.
1955 Buick Roadmaster Hood Ornament, $125.
Laurie, NextStage Vintage
Why We Can’t Wait, 1964 Paperback
Martin Luther King Jr.’s third book, Why We Can’t Wait, is his account of the 1963 Birmingham, AL, campaign, providing a first hand narrative of strategic protests, arrests and the harsh opposition the movement faced in what King described as America’s most segregated city. King outlines the important philosophy and necessity of non-violent protest. His “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is included as well.
This 1964 Dell paperback first edition, third printing comes directly from the time and place when the urgency for equality could not be delayed and could no longer be denied. It’s a historic book from a historic time, once held and read by someone watching the civil rights movement unfold around them.
1964 Dell Paperback “Why We Can’t Wait,” $22.
Available from this week’s guest Greg, Book Shop Apocalypse
Whether you’re adorning yourself, your car or your brain or just resting your feet, we have what you need in this week’s fresh to market vintage. Variety is always nice when it comes to adornments.
Variety is also nice in blog posts about la vie vintage. We try and offer that up every week. Never miss a post–subscribe to our email newsletter and get one email a week with links to all of our posts from the previous week. And your info is safe with us, we would sooner lick a flagpole in New Hampshire in January than ever share your info.
