Saturday, December 11, 2010

Subway Sign Giveaway!


Here is a great giveaway for you! Last two days to enter! Winner announced on Monday!

Chris from Subway-Sign.com offers a choice of any "standard" products sized 20" x 30" selected from Subway-Sign.com Subway, Metro and Streetcar 20" x 30" Photographs or Subway-Sign.com Destination/Personal History 20" x 30" Photographs
It is only available for shipping to USA addresses. The prize winner will need to provide her/his street address and email address.

You know the drill - please go to Subway-Sign.com HERE and look at all the cool choices. Come back here to Visual Vamp and leave a comment telling us which sign you like. The contest will go on for one week, and the winner by random choice will be announced next Monday. You must please leave a comment here on this post in order to win.


Visual Vamp has a subway sign in the kitchen!


Say what???!!!! Can this be the dreaded subway sign dissed on many a decor blog as another trend that bites the dust?

Like many of you, as a trend gets popular and trickles down to entrepreneurs like Chris, it becomes affordable and accessible to us mere mortals, of which I am certainly one.

I am a great fan of the art of typography, and have loved vintage subway signs, since I saw one hanging in a friend's loft in New York twenty years ago. These genuine vintage signs have become rare and collectible and pretty expensive, and I have always had my eye out for that miracle flea market find.

Buenos Aires subway sign HERE
Visual Vamp kitchen


Over the past three years printed reproductions have been cropping up most notably at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn. Oh the kiss of death for sure for so many that wouldn't be caught dead using such pedestrian stuff. And the signs were pricey. And then one showed up in a JLo movie, and the coffin lid was creaking shut.


Visual Vamp kitchen with chicken wire insets on upper cabinets


As many of you who read Visual Vamp know, Alberto and I have been working on a progressive kitchen project HERE, as in we progress when we have some money and energy to DIY improve our kitchen. It is a quirky space in an old New Orleans shotgun house. Alberto has been refacing the cabinets, and yay! he felt well enough to hang the last two cabinet doors he made with chicken wire inserts to show off the white ironstone.

Eventually we will replace countertops, and maybe do a new backsplash. In the meantime a concrete treatment I did six years is holding up, and I love the color. There is a boxed in chimney from an old fireplace that has also been walled in (by the previous owners), and this provides a very long and narrow wall space to uh hang something. I have always envisioned a subway sign in this space. Read more HERE

Of course I always thought it would be a New York subway sign of some sort. Or maybe a sign with the streetcar stops in New Orleans. Or maybe a Paris metro sign.


New Orleans streetcar stops from Subway-Signs.com
It was added to Chris' great selection at my suggestion


But since our devastating trip to Canada, Alberto and I realize we may never be able to fly to Buenos Aires again. So what does this have to with our kitchen and subway signs? Well after trying several art options on the long narrow wall space, with nothing looking right, I bit the bullet, swallowed my pride, and gasp, started looking for a subway sign for that wall. I immediately knew I wanted to have one from the B Line from the Buenos Aires subway, and couldn't find any such thing, because, uh, it doesn't exist.

I found several sites that do custom signs, and I found Chris and he/she (still don't know if Chris is a man or a woman ha ha) immediately came up with a design based on the information I sent.
I wanted do the canvas sign, but the size I needed is not available. So I opted for the paper sign, a super glorified poster, great quality on a superior heavy paper stock, and at a terrific affordable price.

The Buenos Aires subway sign is so perfect for anyone who loves the city, or for a tango lover. Two of the stops on the B Line are named for two important and beloved tango personalities: Carlos Gardel and Osvaldo Pugliese.

The sign did need to be framed, and a huge custom frame job like that would break the already broken piggy bank. After a little Google shopping I found a DIY frame and ordered that too from HERE

Framing it was a two person job, and not that easy, and I am sure there is a hair or two and a speck of something under the plexiglass. But all and all, it came out so great, and Alberto and I love it.

I sometimes let the idea that something is "out", influence my decor choices. Often this is valid concern and a good thing. But sometimes when you know something that has been trend trashed is really right, and it is something you really like, you just have to say fuck it, I like it, and that's that.

Enter the giveaway - you will love having one of the high quality signs from Subway-Signs.com in your home, or giving it as a holiday gift.

If you don't win this time, just buy one! It won't break the bank.

And thank you Chris for providing this wonderful holiday giveaway to the readers of Visual Vamp!


60 comments:

  1. I like the Paris subway sign. Please enter me! thanks judy

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  2. I'm so glad to hear about Alberto hanging cabinets!

    I love the Paris Metro Also the Europe destination sign. I think they are cool. Please enter me.

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  3. I like the Paris subway sign as well. So glad to hear that
    Alberto is feeling a bit better. Happy Holidays.

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  4. How fun are those! Your kitchen turned out great! Hope Alberto is recovering......I'm going to check out the New Orleans signs....Maryanne xo

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  5. Valorie, this is wonderful news, that Alberto sounds better.

    I adore The Paris Metro Sign! What a wonderful Giveaway!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  6. THese are so fantastic! I'd go with the London sign! :o)

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  7. Valorie,

    Thank you so much. My husband and I love the blog post and are excited about the prospects. (I'm a woman, BTW.--I thought I mentioned that when you asked.)

    All of your links point to my website perfectly. Thanks!

    Thanks for all the compliments! All of your pictures are really nice. Can I use them on my website?

    Have a great day!

    Chris
    Subway-Sign.com

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  8. Vamp! What a great way to bring Buenos Aires right into your kitchen... I purchased an original bus sign a few years ago and still LUV it.. don't care if it is in or out... it has names on it that are sentimental to us.
    Luv the dishwasher too! xo

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  9. Paris or Washington DC, okay, I love them all. Oh, and I love your concrete counters, we have concrete counters as a part of our kitchen redo, and love them too. Enter me in the drawing please.
    debi
    Atticroute66.com

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  10. New Orleans, hands down, since these are the signs my mom saw when she was riding the streetcar to high school (they didn't have school buses).

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  11. I'd love to have a sign of St. Petersburg's metro stops ... that crazy, ruined watercolor city.

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  12. New Orleans!!
    marymc50(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. It's good to see a post like this as it tells me you and Alberto are still doing okay. I'll be back later to talk about subway signs.

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  14. Hi Valorie, so great to hear Alberto is doing better..Yay!! Please enter me for the New Orleans (of course!) subway sign...crossing fingers!

    xoxo

    Kit

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  15. He hung the remaining chicken wire doors? Thats good news to hear he is up and slowly walking.... BIG SMILE!
    Your kitchen is so well loved and fabulous! And who gives a hoot what's in and out? I always (try to) do what I want... and pay the price not to be the front runner design blog.... HaHa! Not trendy enough! I reached the confidence where I say I don't give a flying fruit!
    And those lovely signs? Enter me for the city sign... love that! My roots are showing!

    xoxo Victoria

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  16. Valorie- What a great kitchen! I'm so glad Alberto is feeling well enough for a little project! Those cabinet doors look fantastic!

    For the subway signs I'd take New York!

    Loretta

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  17. I'm torn between the London subway sign {just spent a week there with my husband... it was magical} and the Washington sign... being i live an hour away! They are all wonderful!!!
    xo,
    LuLu

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  18. * Val~ Glad to hear Alberto's up to par enough to do a "honey-do" (or two!)...that's always a goooood sign!

    Can't believe I never thought of having something like this being made (!)~~~ 38 years as an Army Officer's wife, w/ 28 moves (and 18 of those years all over Europe, plus a tour in the mid-east)~~~ Yessireebob, now THAT would be QUITE a "sign"!

    And, OUR sign would HAVE to HAVE "GARMISCH-PARTENKIRSCHEN" (an hour South of Munich, in those magnificent Alps!, & our VERY FAVE spot on EARTH!!)...

    FUN!!!

    Hugs,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  19. angiespeer@hotmail.comDecember 6, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    I took my 7 year old twins to New York this past summer so would definitely choose a New York sign as a reminder. Enter me!

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  20. The Paris Metro, and your kitchen looks fantastic.

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  21. So I love this giveaway, but I feel sick that the lovely person in the comment above me wants the same sign I do. I swear I am not a copy cat, I just LOVE that Paris Metro sign!

    xoxo

    Rebecca June

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  22. Leone at lionsrrroar@gmail.comDecember 7, 2010 at 2:29 AM

    Glad to hear Alberto is doing better!

    I like both the European Cities sign and the Africa sign...hard to choose!

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  23. Paris sign definitely or the New Orleans.

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  24. I love all of them, but would like the Paris Metro sign. Thanks for such a great give away. Hope I win.

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  25. I love them all and have been looking at the site for the last 30mins determining which one would be perfect for my home. I think I have to go with the European Cities. Reminds me of the cities I've been to and the ones I want to go to in the future.

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  26. This is great! I worked with Chris on an Austin, TX sign. It proudly hangs in our living room and is always asked about!

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  27. Hill House RamblingsDecember 7, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    Valorie, your kitchen looks fabulous! The sign has such wonderful visual appeal and I love it with the Union Jack on your diswasher. It's so great to hear Alberto was well enough to finish the chicken wire!

    H.H.

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  28. Thank you for the opportunity. I just went over to the website and ordered the New Orleans sign for my daughter who is graduating from Tulane this week. Thank you and please enter me in the contest. I would love to win the subway signs from London which is my favorite place! Bonnieeschmidt@aol.com

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  29. Bonnie, Thank you so much. Chris

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  30. Very cool signs. I don't know how anyone can declare something so timeless and basic as the printed word as "out" or "dated." As much as I love the foreign versions, I'm going to have to keep it close to home and go with the Los Angeles subway sign.

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  31. Mz. V! I would love the London sign! I think it would be cool even though it's not subway stations, but to list all the places I have lived!
    Your kitchen is looking great.....hug that tango man for me!
    xo

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  32. Valerie...I'm so glad to hear Alberto is better...this is excellent news! And you stoneware showing through the doors is wonderful. I really like the sign...it's perfect in that spot!

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  33. I'd love Paris or New York sign. I can't choose. Okay if I have to pick one, I will go with Paris sign.

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  34. I love the Paris sign and would love to win.

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  35. I love the Paris sign. They are so cool!!! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  36. Hi Val & Alberto - I'm sorry I've been so quiet but always thinking of you both. I know it must be sad to think you may not travel to Buenos Aires again, a place you both so love. Thanks to you & Chris for such a great give-a-way. You are right, once trends become obtainable but the masses, it becomes passe'. I for one would buy one no matter. I would pick the Seattle Destination sign as it makes all my memories of home come flooding back. It sums up life for me in the PNW.

    I really love the charm of your kitchen. Every element is divine Val. You both are so very creative!

    Sending love

    xo xo

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  37. Deborah (dumbwitteller): I'm a PNW native, too. I like the signs of the PNW (Puget Sound and Seattle)-they remind me of home.
    Thanks for liking my signs and my Facebook page.

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  38. Even though I live in Philly, i'd love the London sign!

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  39. The Paris sign pour moi, s'il vous plait.

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  40. Whenever I think of subway signs I think of NY. Great giveaway - glad things are getting back on track for you both!
    xx-G

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  41. Oh my!!! I just moved into my new apartment in Chicago and would LOVE a subway sign. I also think of NYC and just moved from there. Pick me pick me. I know exactly where I would hang it;) Thank you!

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  42. Sign me for the Paris Metro! Tracey

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  43. Gosh I love them all...the Paris subway signs are amazing as are the New York, but I also love the street signs!! I ant one of each ;)

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  44. I love the London sign. So glad to hear that Alberto is recovering. Merry Christmas to both of you!

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  45. LOVE the European Sign!
    Thank you and Merry Christmas!

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  46. Oooh! They are lovely! Please enter me in this giveaway!

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  47. Love the London Underground sign! Elephant & Castle, Piccadily - wish I was there for the holidays!

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  48. I LOVE the Paris sign. I would love to win it. They look fabulous. Please enter me. Thanks, Stanna
    (shabbyloft@aol.com)

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  49. I absolutely love the Paris Metro Subway sign.
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  50. I love your site, you pics are beautiful. I could spend all day looking at everything!
    My favorite sign is the Paris Metro, it would look beautiful hanging over my sofa with all the other Paris street pics.
    Thank you for such a lovely site...
    DSS
    dssoleena101@yahoo.com

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  51. i'm going to have to go with new york because that's where i'm from! thanks!!!

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  52. Your kitchen is gorgeous & I love BA, too! If I win your drawing, I'd love a sign from my home city...NYC. Thanks!! xoxojess

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  53. Hello. Think the Blog is fabulous and love the signs. I would choose the London sign as a gift for my Anglophile daughter. Again, many thanks for a wonderful blog.
    Jen
    goatgal13@gmail.com

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  54. Def the Africa sign. But they are all cool and unique.

    pcemilyfaith@yahoo.com

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  55. I would love to hang the London Underground sign in my living room.
    Thank you for the chance to win!

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  56. Love the 42nd street sign

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  57. Two favorites: the London line and the Puget Sound line. I guess I'd choose the London line(with King's Cross) if I had to pick one.

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