As summer churns on and the heat cranks up, a cool walk in the woods beckons. It can be difficult, but not impossible, to find a shady grove in the city. Luckily, we have a few in my neighboring Prospect Park. Better yet if you can get yourself far out of a city and fully into nature.
An interesting, and no longer popular pastime, is collecting and preserving wild botanical specimens. It's funny…these days everyone is running around collecting Pokemon rather than meadow rue.
On my recent road trip to the Midwest I found a fantastic collection of antique herbariums as well as a homemade press for specimens.These will be available in the shop. Contact us for availability and pricing.
A few years back I came across an antique painted metal box with a shoulder strap. I bought and sold it without really knowing what it was. In my recent research into botanical specimens, I discovered that it is called a vasculum. Victorian examples can be quite beautiful- lithographed on tin or tole-painted.
Pressed botanical specimens are lovely to decorate with. They fit nicely into a modern rustic style. Below are a few pretty tableau culled from design*sponge and other online sources.
WINDSOR PLACE ANTIQUES 
