CHRISTMAS IS REALLY COMING

Here is one-half of the crew (plus Jones). It's looking full of potential for Jones--at least one cookie, PLEASE.

However, his hopes quickly faded.......... the girls weren't sharing.

I've been a little slow getting into the Christmas spirit this year. But when Jones and I arrived home from the shop last night, the house smelled like sugar cookies, vanilla and lots of little girls. And I've definitely sprung into Holiday mode--even going out shopping today--I dislike Christmas shopping to the nth degree, but am determined to make this fun. 

WHEN YOU SNOOZE: YOU LOOSE

I literally was dozing off at auction this week --it can get pretty boring and I somehow became separated from my bidding buddies (we keep each other focused) and lost out on two items that I had set my eye on

This is a mid-ching noire monchrome vase (18th c.) and they rarely come up for auction--I've sold several sang-de-boeuf (ox blood) examples. Although this particular vase has been drilled for a lamp, it is still a great example of this form of antique Chinese porcelain. I waited and waited for it to come to the block--I lost my focus... and away it went. Darn! I'm sure that the price point was low because of the drilling and hairline crack, but it was still gorgeous and large. Note to self--stay with friends.

But I did manage to stay focused enough to spend a chunk of change--I'll post photos in next blog.

Roberto starting restoration of Tommi Parzinger Table:

The table needs to be "tightened"; Roberto will remove the legs and clean out the old glue; then he will re-glue and clamp the legs for 48 hours. After the clamps come off, Roberto will do the touch up finish work to the frame. Once this stage has been completed, I'll take the table to my leather craftsman who will restore the leather top w/o harming the incised gilt scoring and stars...........It's a process, but once it's completed the table will be gorgeous.

Wishing ya'll a stress free pre-Christmas week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

UPDATES, GRATITUDE AND INSPIRATION

One of the reasons that I love this crazy business so much is that every item that I buy provides an adventure in learning and, unfortunately, relearning those lessons that I should have remembered the first time.....

My erstwhile "George III" double pedestal desk is a good example. But this time around I'm learning something new and I have found an affordable leather restorer..... I probably would have passed on this desk if I had really studied the damage to the original leather top (it is all in the details).  But being fearless in the adventure category, once I owned the desk I have been determined to find an AFFORDABLE leather restorer who could rejuvenate the 150 year old surface and match the surface color to the spot where some neglectful person had placed their plant and allowed water to damage the leather.  AND I FOUND HIM. Darren will restore the leather and match the color where the plant had stood. With a desk as large as this one, replacing the leather top would involve not only replacing the actual leather, but also tooling the edges in gold leaf which is exceedingly expensive as is using a split hide. Best of all, the leather will retain its natural patina. And I will have Darren as a new partner in crime.

THE FINIAL ADVENTURE

  

The top photo shows the image of the brass and glass tables that I grabbed from 1stdibs.com. And voila, the bottom photo shows the new finial on my almost  identical brass and glass nesting tables. I know that the finials are different; but this one will "do" until I find  the perfect piece...best of all, I found it hiding on a mid-20th c. french porcelain lamp that sits beside my bed... I'm taking the table and finial to Carlos to make the appropriate fittings.

GRATITUDE

Over the past six weeks I have learned that I am highly allergic to the "night shade" vegetables and fruits. Of course, all of my favorite vegetables and fruits happen to fall into this category and I can no longer eat any fats...no more of my famous Christmas nut cookies (I think that is what really did the sinking); no more avocados or just about anything else that is fit to eat. Plus I'm gluten sensitive......  But I'm learning how to cook what I can eat and enjoying the process--who knew that lentil and carrot soup made with fennel and a touch of cloves and a little salt would be delicious?? I would love to add a tablespoon of sour cream, but since that is no longer an option--I'm good.

I am simply grateful to be back on my feet and able to do what I love to do. (Lost about 10 lbs.--I've decided to make lemonade)

I think that this six weeks' "break" has been good for my soul--I've started designing pillows again and went to visit Pam at Fine Details this morning. We have started the process of creating a pair of 17th c. Flemish tapestry with a fruit motif pillows. The antique tapestry fragments are quite large for each pillow--about 15 x 13--so these should be pretty impressive pillows. I'm not going the usual route, but using a gorgeous Venetian striped "cut" velvet with gold bands as backing and using an antique patinated 19th c. French metallic fringe. When I go back next week, Pam will have blocked the pillows out on a "dummy" striped fabric and we will determine the final sizing and order the 50-50 down fillers. It is definitely a creative process and I am so fortunate to have found Pam who loves working with fine textiles.

Tomorrow Jones and I are previewing my Thursday auction--hopefully, I will be more focused and paying closer attention to the details.

Be well.

Mary & Jones (and Cole)