I have had the most amazing week. It has been one of those weeks when I knew that I was truly connected, experiencing the flow of life in the moment. One of my favorite images/concepts is that of the hawk and how he flies strait up into the sun when he senses danger--just like we should all do. But I manage to forget a lot of the time.
It started out with my stopping at my neighborhood gas station on my way to Pasadena and smiling at a lady that was also getting gas. I chatted a bit with the attendant; inserted my card into the terminal and the terminal went down......I needed to pay with cash and really didn't have much with me. The lady that I had greeted was standing behind me and said to me "I will give you cash". I was filled with awe: this person did not know me and yet she offered to meet my need. I thanked her and explained that I had just enough in my wallet to pay for the gas needed. When I returned with my little bit of cash, the terminal had gone back up (it was expected to be down for at least 30 mins.) In that instant I knew that God had sent a clear message to me of love and protection that morning.--I am still in awe and gratitude of how, if we choose, we can be connected and blessed by chance encounters.
That was just the beginning of the week......Roberto and I (mainly Roberto) reorganized the shop (it needed it badly) on Tuesday. On Wednesday I interviewed a new pillow fabricator (my amazing fabricator had retired to start a new direction in life--becoming an artist--Kudos for her strength and vision). Finding just the right person for the detail and perfection required to make my pillows is not easy--and this lady can do it. She works with Rose Tarlow and several of the other top Los Angeles designers and she knows her stuff and loves Fortuny.
Then I met with my new furniture restorers to check out their work on my 17th c. table that is having its legs extended.
That is perfect work! The photo shows the leg before the color and patina were matched to the 17th century wood. I was almost jumping up and down with joy--the result could have been awful as this was the first time that I had worked with these men on this type of restoration. (I didn't even care that the table took 3 times longer than expected and that it still wasn't completed when I went to pick it up).
Next up: I went to preview my auction and my good friend Gerry was there at the same time; so we previewed together. Gerry has almost the same "eye" that I do; so we could get competitive (but we don't). There were two pieces of furniture that I had regretted not buying in the prior weeks---and they miraculously were back.... a large period English Regency chest of drawers and a late George III tilt top breakfast table. These are two items that are out of fashion right now (especially in California); however, having just sent a set of 4 English Regency chairs back to London--I felt that nudge to buy them.
Gerry spotted a set of 4 antique open arm chairs. He loved them, I knew that they were really old and good. So I researched the chairs for Gerry when I got home......yep, once again English Regency and grrrreat! They have their original very dark green paint and maintain the original painted details. This (horrendous) photo of the table shows just a bit of the chairs
So on Thursday I walked into the auction (after being stuck in the worst LA traffic) just as the chest was coming to the block. I though that I would nail down the bid really quickly, but another "friend" (maybe faux friend) was biding against me (and I do not back down). I brought the chest home for a still very respectable price.
This photo shows a similar (higher quality) chest
My chest is a little later than the example in the photo and needs some work, but the form is the same. I love the fact that it has a brushing slide and that it's a large size--can use it as a dining room or living room piece.
Next up were Gerry's chairs--for some unexplained reason, no one of consequence was bidding against him. After Gerry won the bid at a ridiculously low amount, he turned to me and said: "do you want to share them?" His generosity stunned me. We are friends and we have bought together before, but this was totally unexpected (although I had been quietly obsessing over the chairs for 24 hours, a promise is a promise). Gerry has another business and is very busy but he knows that I will restore the chairs to the 9's; so that we can realize a substantial profit margin, but still...
And finally, after waiting over an hour (while other items were pushed up ahead of table)... up comes the breakfast table. He looks a little shabby, but his bones are great.
This is a quite large breakfast table and will comfortably seat six. It has a beautifully ring turned pedestal with true George III out swept reeded legs that retained their original brass caps and casters and original tilting mechanism. The finish appears to be original, also. These are all big plus marks---
Now here is his problem
That "crack" right up the center was caused by shrinkage in the dry California weather. The right way to fix it is to take the top apart; fit and glue the two boards together; turn the top over and fit two carved wood "butterflies" into the boards to keep them from separating in the future........this takes a true specialist. Camilo can do this work and Nicolas knows how to apply French polish (very specialized tasks).
My vision for these pieces is for them to sell to customers in the South or East, as that is where the market is.........
But guess what--I was talking to a designer friend today and she just happens to be starting a project in Beverly Hills and is looking for good antique English pieces. And I was reading a design article today (didn't see it before I bought these English pieces) that states that "Boho" is being replaced by a mixing of good Period English (late 18th/early 19th c.) wood pieces (no grandma pieces, thank you) that you haven't been able to give away over the last few years. I guess I was paying attention to the still soft voice. I am grateful.
I need to get to bed to be fully functioning tomorrow.
Sending Blessing for the day,
Mary & Jones & Cole
