A MIAMI VIBE and RESTORATION EXPOSE

This is what the shop (part of it) looked like before Roberto and I got busy reworking the front.....

And this is what it looked like after a little bit of love and those amazing Palm Trees.........love the Jansen chair, too.

Please note: Jaguars, cobra, alligator (only tail is visible), swan, palm trees in planters, silver plated cocktail shakers for those Palm Beach parties, bar cart (Aldo Tura) and those Paul Laszlo lamps add just the right beachy touch.

18th c. ITALIAN GAMES TABLE RESTORATION

Darren and I bought this unusual games table a couple of months ago--I just picked it up brought it to Pasadena to begin the restoration process yesterday.

When I turned the table upside-down I discovered a few details that I hadn't noticed:

Look at this great natural patina--a sure sign of a very old piece.

When I bought the table, I thought that the little piece of wood at the bottom of the foot (toe) was an add-on (as I had never seen feet like this) and had planned to remove it. But on close inspection, that is one continuous piece of walnut. (You learn something every day and a little bit of funkiness never hurts)

The table still has a bit of active wood worm--that means that it must be treated to kill all of those hungry beasties--see that hole on the lower front leg? This is a true tell-tale sign of infestation as the hole is new without any traces of dust or old wax. (Walnut just happens to be woodworm's favorite dinner.)

Next Roberto and I checked out the break in the upper right leg. There had been a prior old incorrect restoration; so we decided to disassemble the old repair; reinforce the leg and then restore the leg properly with clamps and fine dowels.

Once the leg repair is complete, I'll fumigate the table. ***There is a very easy but great way to fumigate small pieces of furniture. Take a very large extra heavy-duty plastic leaf bag; place the item inside; insert a flea fumigator bomb into the bag; close bag leaving a small opening to set off bomb; seal bag securely and let sit for 4-5 days.*** Voila, the beasties have died and it's on to the next step in the restoration journey.

Next up is the surface restoration. This table is beautifully detailed with inlay, pen work and tinting of inlay, but the top surface has seen a lot of use

There's a bit of damage to the inlay, but more concerning is the small dark circular stain. Roberto will carefully attempt to bleach it without touching the surrounding wood (we don't want to harm the deep beautiful natural patina). He will also restore the bits of inlay that are lacking.

The open flipped top surface shows a bit of darkened areas, but I think that we will leave these alone. Roberto will next apply several coats of hard paste to the entire table. The surface has to "rest" a few days between each coat of wax.

Notice the added detail of a small inlaid drawer--another example of great detailing. (We'll try to lighten the areas of staining) Another very unusual feature is the inlay found on the back of the table. Usually the backs were not fine finished, but left in a semi rough state.

I'm finally getting into the Christmas spirit--I was down with the flu for about 10 days; so I'm a bit late to the party. Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season--I'm trying not to stress about the fact that I have only bought a few presents....it does all finally come together. We're having 16 for dinner on Christmas Eve and it will be great to have the entire crew together.

Blessings.

Me, Jones & Cole

ZOO TIME

I love animals. However, on Thursday I went a little overboard and now have a zoo at the shop. I intended to only bid on the crab, but the auctioneer put all of these bronzed garden beasties into one lot; soooooo---I just couldn't resist. Here are the newest additions to my already  existing menagerie of objects (lions, camels, dogs, birds, horses, people, 1 huge grasshopper and cats) that form lighting elements, bookends, tables or whatever. 

The crab is the most desirable

Everyone has loved the cobra (my least favorite as I do not love snakes)

I guess I won't have to worry too much about the cobra getting crazy as I also adopted a hawk

And to round out the zoo acquisitions is the 25 inch alligator

And let's not forget Mr. Snail (top photo)--he's pretty cute, almost cuddly.  These are all very sizable--the crab measures about 14" x 13"; they are perhaps French or English in origin and date to c. 1950-60??

Although, these guys are big, they are still the perfect size for bookcase accents. Some one once told me that my eye goes to life or living things and I think that's true--static, frou-frou objects such as elaborate porcelains or bronzes hold little appeal. Now I just have to get the rest (maybe 30%) of the buying world to agree with me.

I hit a milestone yesterday. About 11 or 12 years ago I decided that I needed Nate Berkus and Oprah to come into shop and absolutely love what I did. The scenario came to life almost as I envisioned with a few minor changes. It was three locations later; Nate and Jere brought in their client, who just happens to be the President of OWN.....good enough for me. Setting intentions does bring results; sometimes, you have to be patient enough to see the outcomes. (I think you must also let go of the outcome.....hard one) So I took the day off today: have to set some new intentions.

Blessings,

Mary & Jones & Cole