STUFF--SOMETIMES IT DOES MAKE YOU HAPPY

Contrary to the popular saying and despite the fact that I'm not very materialistic or consumer oriented, some times "stuff" does make me happy. The stuff that makes me the happiest is to see a project that I envisioned FINALLY materialize. Like the leather clad tables above. I've been blogging about this adventure for at least a year and then some. I found 4 c. 1980s (1970s ?) brass frames and immediately saw that I could copy (or find inspiration in) Jacques Adnet tables. The first pair were completed and sold last year

I had envisioned covering only the top bars and the leather straps--this is a photo of the tables taken from 1stdibs. I was happy with the results and with the fact that the tables sold quite quickly (cash flow is a challenge). When I took the second pair of frames to my leather person, the new employee came up with this 

......now that is what I call taking an idea and running with it. There has been one problem (and it has taken months and many trips back to leather guy to resolve): the new employee is creative, but the details were never right (all stitching must be the same, the seams must be all going in the same direction, the brads and strapping must be equal, etc., etc., etc.,). This week was the week that everything came together and eureka. I am so grateful that the owners of the leather fabricating company didn't kick me out the door (they have multi-generational contract (for at least the last 30-40 years) to fabricate all of the specialty shoes for Disneylands every where--they do not need my little projects!). When I get back to normal after my hip surgery, I will design a similar table and THE Leather Guy will figure out the leather. Now, to make the iron guy understand that everything rests on the details. (Surgery has been delayed--don't ask....)

This week at my auction I continued my quest for more soulful objects......I bought three paintings. One is a little 19th c. seascape which I didn't even preview, but the other two are a pair of 17th or 18th c. panels of a "Nature Mort" type with a black background. I didn't take a photo of the paintings...I'll post photos next week when I go pick everything up. But I did take a photo of the pair of French Walnut Louis XIII style corner cabinets that mysteriously ended up on my invoice (no mystery--I just couldn't keep my hand down).

Right now French (or English or American....) antique furniture is not selling too well, but these were too good to pass up and they fit the soulful category. Although these cabinets are not the period (ie. late 17th/early 18th c.) that I really love, they do date to the last half of the 19th c.; are solid walnut; are beautifully carved; have a superb natural deep patina; don't need too much restoration work; have a "look"; and are a matched opposing pair--not that common. These cabinets are the perfect Santa Barbara pieces--could work with a Spanish Colonial inspired house, a French house, a Mediterranean house, a Tuscan Villa, a great kitchen, wine cellar--etc.

And finally look at this frittata that my daughter made--meat free and gluten free (maybe it has a tiny bit of gluten?? in the chorizo) and delicious. It is made with Trader Joe's soy chorizo, kale, grated cheese, eggs and half & half. So easy and so yummy. I think that the prep time was about 10 min. She chopped the kale super fine, which took up the most prep time.

  

IT RAINED YESTERDAY AND TODAY. NEED I SAY MORE? AND IT WAS A GOOD HEAVY AND LONG SOAKING RAIN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. This will not relieve the drought, but it will definitely help. And it looks like we will have a strong El Nino this year. We desperately need several years of normal rainfall to break the back of these years of drought with dried up lawns and severe water restrictions.

Have a blessed week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

IN THE ZONE

Today is Friday and the only day of the week that I do not "do" LA freeways. So I stopped by the fabulous leather craftsman that I use for custom pieces.

This is the second pair of Jacques Adnet style tables and look at the design improvements. Here is the second set

Here are a couple of shots of the first pair.

The initial pair was good; but the second pair is going to be phenomenal. I am definitely in "The Zone" with this project.

After my disaster with my upholsterer last week, I needed this encouragement. I love it when someone takes initiative. Of course, if I had not liked this new design, nothing would have been lost.

Yesterday was the memorial service for Emily (and her birthday), my niece. I spoke on love and based my talk on 1 Corinthians 13.  It was a challenge to keep my emotions in check, but I felt so completely in His presence that I was fine. I have been meditating on 1 Corinthians 13 since Emily left us in November. It's hard to look with honesty at my failings and judgements. But that is the only way to grow in faith and love.......

Spring is finally here!! It's been a perfect week. Beautiful clear sunny skies and mid-70s.

Have a great week-end.

Mary & Jones & Cole

JACQUES ADNET STYLE TABLES--STILL NEED SOME PRACTICE

The above photo really doesn't do what I want it to do......compare it to the quick shot I took with my iphone. The iphone photo is so much better in so many ways.

I guess that I was hurrying to go have lunch with a friend (haste makes waste) and just didn't take the time to position the tables in proper lighting, focus and angle--now I have to go back to the West Side and face 3 hours of LA Freeway traffic (got stuck on the 5 with a huge accident involving a tanker yesterday-yuck!) to retake the photos. Here are a couple of detail photos that just miss. (Note to self: take your time and get it right the first time.)

  

Oh, well. All is not lost. At least you can see the hand stitched leather wrap on the top faux bamboo supports and the custom leather strapping.

I love these tables--I'll be picking up the second pair tomorrow.

Have a wonderful summer day.

Mary & Jones & Cole

Update: The fish, cats & Cole survived my days of babysitting. All is well.

MAKING PROGRESS

Here's a quick shot of the pair of Jacques Adnet-style side tables that I've been working on for months. The leather "people" did a fantastic job of wrapping the top faux bamboo supports in leather...I just have a couple of touch-ups to do--but the tables are fine just the way they are. It is a little scary to design/envision a piece when the artisans who will be executing my vision have never done this type of leather work...... I'll take some better photos next week showing the details. Needless to say, I'm really happy with the results. I like the brass pagoda lamps just sitting pretty on their partners, too.

Now on to Flavio...........Aaaaaay! Well, Flavio did redo the doors and drawer fronts and they are up to snuff. Roberto will give them the once over and then I think that we are done.

This shot shows the credenza before the redo--but it essentially looks the same---except that once you really get into inspecting the details, it is infinitely more finely done. Will I ever use Flavio again? Well, I think that I will put him on the shelf for a little while--I've learned not to burn bridges as Flavio can RESTORE (not refinish) French polish and that is a skill that is ranked up there with gold and diamonds. I definitely will NOT be using him for any lacquer work (or just about anything else).

UPDATE ON PILLOWS

My absolute all-time favorite Fortuny Pillows sold within 10 hours of being posted to 1stdibs. I was sad to see them go so quickly. I will probably have to really hunt to find another textile like this beautiful mint c. 1920 Fortuny--but this piece just walked in the door; so you just never know.

For the next three days Jones and I will be baby sitting 3 cats and one dog and one lizard (at Dao's house) while James and Dao and families take a quick vacation down to Rosarita Beach in Baja. I thought about going, but decided to stay in LA. Our weather has been gorgeous and I'm not really a beach person with my Irish skin. Besides, I need to be Nana to the beasties--not too sure about the lizard as he and I have never really bonded. I guess that as long as I have crickets to feed him, things should be fine.

Be well!

Mary & Jones & Cole & Cats & Lizard.