Virginia Larsen, who chaired the Fall Fox Valley Show, shows off a pair of adirondack chairs and foot stools with a patriotic paint job priced at $395 by Patriot House Antiques, a West Chicago dealer. Larsen is a partner at Sign of the Whale Antiques in Glen Ellyn.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
The election is finally here.
Whether you're relieved or will miss the constant news and competition, Tuesday's the big day. After that we will try to drop partisan labels and work together as Americans.
Wouldn't it be good for our country though if we could bottle some of the excitement and keep up our interest in the affairs of state?
To that end, we sought out some patriotic items that could enhance your decor.
All of these, new or old, have a nostalgic, historic feel. But we envision some of them warming up even the most contemporary room.
And while they look good paired with an American flag or bunting, your palette does not have to be red, white and blue to fit in a touch of Americana.
Note: Wood carvers are Ed Pribyl of New Traditions Wood Works in Grayslake and Vernon DePauw of downstate Jerseyville, in the St. Louis area. Both display their work at the spring and fall Country Folk Art Festival in St. Charles. The antiques were found at a recent show sponsored by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association, which also stages a Fox Valley sale each spring and fall.
A 1930s whirligig was offered for $285 by Kandy Craig Antiques, which sells some items on signofthewhaleantiques.com. Whirligigs are decorative items with parts that twirl in the wind.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Ed Pribyl calls this his Duty Sam. His figures sell for $550 to $1,800.
Courtesy newtraditionswoodworks.com
These lighted stars might be from the early 20th Century. Deer Run Antiques from Waunakee, Wisc., priced them at $1,250 and said they were used for parades.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
This 1930s wooden plaque was priced at $450 by Van Deest Antiques and Art of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
This drum, restored in 1948, dates from the Civil War. It was priced at $1,995 and displayed by S. and R. Ferris Antiques of Madison, N.Y.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Vernon DePauw's Phoenix Eagle is priced at $1,050.
Courtesy vldwoodcarver.com
Lady Liberty is an example of work by Ed Pribyl of New Traditions Wood Works in Grayslake.
Courtesy newtraditionswoodworks.com
Vernon DePauw does his old-fashioned carving at special shows. He is based in downstate Jerseyville, near St. Louis.
Courtesy vldwoodcarver.com
The booth of Acquired Taste Antiques of Crystal Lake features a 49-star flag, which was only official for one year after Alaska became a state in 1959 and before Hawaii was granted statehood 18 months later. The Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association sponsors a show every spring and fall.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
A copper eagle weather vane from about 1890 was priced at $1,600 by Liberty Tree Antiques from Glen Ellyn, at the Fall Fox Valley antique show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Lady Columbia by Vernon DePauw can be used to advertise products - just like she traditionally sold tobacco.
Courtesy vldwoodcarver.com
The Abraham Lincoln Eagle by Vernon DePauw is $650 and up, depending on size.
Courtesy vldwoodcarver.com
Here's one of Ed Pribyl's Uncle Sams getting ready for a holiday.
Courtesy newtraditionswoodwork.com