PRESENTS

Thursday evolved into a day when I was definitely "in the flow". I had previewed the auction on Wednesday; so I was aware of what was coming up. But there was one section that I did not preview: the cheap section because it was just a big pile of stacked furniture. I arrived at auction about an hour after the first lot had gone up. Maybe 10 minutes after I arrived, I hear the auctioneer say "a pair of round cabinets" (because I'm not tall enough to see over a lot of heads) I barely caught a glimpse of the cabinets and guessed that they might be old Baker pieces, but really didn't know. But I followed that little voice and bought them sight unseen (they weren't inexpensive for what I thought they might be). When I checked them out after the bidding stopped, I was confused...nope not Baker--but probably English mid-century. On Friday, when Marshall was loading the cabinets into my SUV, I asked him to turned one of the cabinets upside down... I almost went into shock: the pair just happened to be early 19thc. English Regency bedside cupboards and in excellent condition. One of the doors was locked and it looked like someone had taken the keys (you could see the empty tape where the keys had been)--but I have lots of old keys and was pretty sure I could open the door.

Saturday, Roberto brought up the cabinets and sure enough one of my keys opened the door, but best of all-----(drum roll): there was an extra original key that had fallen into the bottom of the cabinet section.

Here are a couple of detail shots.

I had not realized how spectacular the cabinets were until Roberto brought them to shop: look at the stunning crotched or flamed mahogany throughout; the cross-banding to the tops; the very unusual large complete oval form and their amazing condition.

The pulls are replacements and I have ordered new brass pulls from England.

I've been searching the internet (still need to check out Sotheby's/Christies) and have not seen anything comparable.

God does give good gifts, but I'm learning that I need to have the courage to listen and step out without a net.

I'll blog about some other items that I picked up on Thursday later in the week.

Jones say "hey" --he's getting his hair cut next week (right now he's a mess).

Blessings,

Mary & Jones & Cole

ISN'T HE AMAZING?.............BRUTALIST SCULPTURE

Kevin, the owner of Arroyo Artifacts, sauntered in with this petit rooster in tow. Actually it took two strong guys to bring this guy up the stairs. Arroyo Artifacts is one of the top Mid-Century/Danish 20th c. arts dealer in Los Angeles and (lucky me) Kevin is one of my neighbors at the Pasadena Antique Center. This huge Brutalist Rooster is a great example of the Brutalist Design movement that was influential in the sixties and seventies. The sculpture was created with copper sheeting and has acquired a wonderful patina. I love the rooster's energy and movement--I do wish that I had a place for him, don't think he'd squeeze through the door. Brutalism is just starting to come back into the design world idiom--can't wait to see where this piece ends up. Other sculptures created by George Frederick Holschuh are located in museums around the world.

Here are a few detail photos.

 

I took a couple of shots of the auction description of the sculpture.

Tomorrow is auction preview day--and I'm on the hunt for chairs. As some know, I'm a chair addict and really have to be restrained physically from buying chairs. But I have sold 3 sets of chairs in the last three days; so I'm allowing myself the pleasure of at least being able to consider chairs. And chairs end up being pretty pricey as they usually need to be reupholstered. Which means I then get to go fabric hunting!!

It has been in the mid 90's for days. However, tomorrow we'll get a bit of rain (fingers crossed).

Mary & Jones & Cole

GETTING BETTER AT THIS PHOTO THING

I have taken advantage of the "Mercury in Retrograde" January to just be. I'm not completely convinced that Mercury (the planet) has any effects on business--but there is a huge correlation for me. Supposedly, Mercury-in-Retrograde has a negative effect on decision making, communications and other technologies........?? Anyway, as soon as Mercury "went back to its usual", business picked back up.

In the meantime, I've been practicing a bit on my photographic skill base (which is minimal) and I do think that I'm getting a bit more proficient. Take a look----

Pair extra large bullicante & somerso Murano fruit

These three Steuben mid-1950's art glass pieces were designed by Donald Pollard. Steuben has gone through a slow period, but it seems to be returning to favor. During the mid-century, with a change in creative direction, Steuben created some of its most beautiful pieces which were influenced by the Art Deco and Moderne aesthetics. It's clarity and refractive qualities are unparalleled. In the 1930's, Corning Glass (which had acquired Steuben) developed a new glass formulation entitled 10M which allowed the full light spectrum to flow through the glass. It is a tragedy, that this icon of American glassmaking and craftsmanship has ceased to exist. My mother had a few pieces of 1950's Steuben which I still treasure. When I lived in NYC, I loved to walk past the gorgeous Steuben Fifth Avenue showroom to experience the beauty of this art in the modernist expansive setting it was intended to inhabit.
Here are pieces that I've been practicing with:
(1) small bowl 7.75"D x 3.5H

(2) Rare footed pedestal bowl 10"D x 5"h

(3) Large pedestal bowl 13"D x 6"h

Footed Pedestal bowl in delicate and in excellent condition.

This final piece of Steuben is quite large (13" diameter), clear and sparkly and heavy.

It looks like we are going to get quite a bit of rain today. I love it, but the drive to Pasadena just might be a bit treacherous.
I haven't been on the hunt the past few weeks, however, these great, beefy 40's-50's carved oak horses just happened to walk in the door. The cerused original finish is one of the elements that made the lamps so appealing to me. I will have the lamps fitted with new brass electrical fittings and wiring and then they will be set to go. The total height once reworked will be about 30"-32", including shades. There is a small mark on the forehead of the left horse--I think Roberto can fix it. If not, then I won't worry about it.

I need to brush Jones and get him ready for work--he loves to go and he has lots of friends that come to visit.

Have a great Sunday!!
Mary, Jones & Cole

JONES AT WORK

I haven't written about Mr. Sassy Jones lately. He definitely needs to go to the Groomer (next week). Yesterday, he had enough of being restrained when he could sniff amazing food being consumed just a few feet from him and he was letting me know what a bad owner I was.

Trying to be good--just look at that focus (on my brain)...

Well, she does not understand my English--I'll try pointing......

Ahhhh, come on, Mom....just one bite...............

Jones wishes you the best of 2016--and Happy Dinners.

Mary, Jones & Cole

RAIN--SNOW--DOGS

I am so grateful.....rain and snow have finally come to Southern California. After years of praying for rain and a good winter snow pack, it has finally arrived. We still need a lot more to recover from our 4 year drought; it's happening.

(I grabbed this photo from Google images which said it was from the San Bernardino Mountains??) Jones looked a lot like this when he was a puppy--except he was black and started turning blue when he was about a year old. Sweet memories.

Now, on to important things like Venetian stemware. I am not talented photographically. I could put it on my to do list of things to improve on, but it just doesn't inspire me that much. However, when I happen to take a photo that turns out to be half-way decent, I feel a little rush of pride. The Venetian stems that I bought on Thursday (without previewing them--and that's a no-no) turned out to be pretty good--wish there were a few more..... Today I took a few shots of the stems (after I had polished them with Windex)

Not too bad. The stems are really pretty--I love the cobalt blue of the coupes and the mouth blown twisted balls forming the stems.

Claudia Strasser, author of The Paris Apartment, has challenged herself to revamp, refocus and increase the revenues of her business, The Paris Apartment, in 2016.

I love Claudia's blog and this challenge is exactly what I needed to inspire me. I had already planned to redo shop and expand a bit; Claudia has reinforced my gut motivations. Thank you, Claudia, for this 365-Day Challenge. I will be following (perhaps imitating) your daily posts and progress.

Hope that your 2016 has been great so far.

Blessings,

Mary & Jones & Cole 

HAPPY (belated) NEW YEAR

I've been hibernating just a bit...........

To get a head start on 2016 Roberto and I spent  all of Tuesday and Wednesday taking down, taking apart, taking up rugs, moving to a new additional little space, painting, etc. Of course, after we took everything apart (with the exception of the back wall), then we really had to hustle to put everything back together.

Here are a couple of "before" shots of one section

And here are the results of our (Roberto's) work

Still have pictures to hang plus fine tuning, but most of the heavy lifting is done. I love the new gray color with hints of blue. The art work will stand out much better. I moved most of the 18th c. French pieces to the new space; so now there is room for the pieces to breathe a bit......'til I start filling it up again.

I went to my Thursday auction today....there was tons of stuff!!! But with the auction house having been closed for about a month (and I have had serious auction/buying withdrawal symptoms) there were also tons of people and competition. I was determined not to walk away empty handed, but only managed to buy some blue stemmed Murano glass ware....some days are like that; so I will just save my pennies as I know that there is ALWAYS more next week.

I hope that everyone had a relaxing Christmas and New Year's day. Jones and my Holidays were great: lots of cooking (I'm almost back to my former self)--made my traditional black eyed peas and ham shanks to ring in 2016. For me, 2015 was one of those growth (translate traumatic) years that I will not repeat. My eyes are set on 2016 as I'm determined that it will be phenomenal in every way.

Sending blessing for the New Year.

Mary, Jones & Cole

TRANSFORMATION

Lalo just brought these guys back. I was pretty excited to see them. My last adventure with Lalo was not one that I wanted to repeat. But Lalo truly did a bang up job with this pair.

Here's what they looked like before reupholstery

 

Here are the detail photos.

To modernize the form, I had Lalo replace the "puffiness" of the 1940's upholstery with clean tight lines. The blue/gray 100% linen also updates the chairs. The French carved walnut frames are top notch. Note the scalloped bottom edge (not an easy job to apply the welt) and the reeding to the back/side rail. I love the moderne detail of the exaggerated arms. And they are super comfortable. Now, buyers, please walk in the door tomorrow.

I went grocery shopping today. We are having Standing Rib Roast (I usually don't eat red meat--but will make an exception) and shrimp. Plus all of the usual stuff.  I only have a couple of little presents to get for The Girls--so I'm ready--just about everything is wrapped, too.

Sending Christmas blessings.

Mary & Jones & Cole