JAPANESE SCREENS

I love writing this blog. The act of writing forces me to organize my thoughts; challenges me to research items a bit more intensely; allows me to connect with the world; helps me see myself more clearly; and when I reread an older posts, shows me trends and where I'm going in my life and business. Thank you all for allowing me all of these pleasures.

A few months ago I discovered that I was acquiring items when I heard a voice in my ear that said "BUY" and I learned that I shouldn't buy when I do not hear that voice (I have gone off the wagon a bit in that area and am suffering the consequences of some "bad" impulsive buys--oh well, mistakes makes me sharper)

Anyway.....last Wednesday, at Preview, I found this Japanese screen and bells started going off in my head.

I think that this particular screen depicts one of The Tales of Genji--a 14th c. (?)  Japanese ruler (a very famous and good theme).

In the past, I have acquired several Japanese paper screens and one Chinese paper scholar screen (my personal all time favorite) dating to the early 18th c. (and several coromandel screens). I bought this small Japanese table screen last year (just for me as the condition is pretty degraded). While researching the large screen from this week, I discovered that this little beauty dates to the 17th c. early Tokugawa or Edo period. I love her despite her well-lived condition. The floral scene is painted on fine gold leafed paper affixed to calligraphic paper.

But I digress....... Anyway, I bought the big screen and with that screen came a second, bigger screen, that I hadn't even looked at because it had a puncture in the gold leafed paper. More restorations and $$$$. This second larger, more minimal screen was created using only beautiful gold leafed paper with faint outlines of mountains (and clouds, think). As I went through my photos, I realized that I had already purchased similar items (Huuummm...trends?). This Renzo Rutili cabinet has door fronts that are very similar to that second screen--lots of gold with mountains. Of course the screen is much bigger measuring about 6' x 8'--but still.

I had already acquired this 8.6 foot Chinese altar table which would work well contrasting the refined gold leaf of the screen with the rough aesthetic of the table...... 

And let's not forget the Daqi lacquer altar table.

Of course, the Chinese Black and "gold" mid-century chest needs a focal point pickup. 

And last, but not least, these great Marbro lamps with Japanese mirror black porcelain bases would look amazing in front of the gold leaf screen or the Tales of Genji screen.....

As I sit here writing, what comes to mind is that I've drifted a bit away from my usual daily practice of reading The Tao. The simplicity, but perfection, of all of these items reminds me to refocus my internal eye to what really matters to me--my connections. I'm still that little Catholic convent-raised girl, but with eyes more open and embracing. When I read The Tao, I center more easily and my ears hear what they need to hear and my faith is strengthened knowing that there is order in the universe, that we are as intended.

I hope all of this makes sense---thanks for sticking with me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL.

Mary & Jones & Cole

POWER THROUGH THE LOWS

The last couple of months have been a stretch of climbing mountains.....so many of the lessons were ones that I thought I had already learned (silly me). Fortunately, I've come to the point where I know that these mountains will be climbed and conquered--but that knot in my stomach tells me I still have many steps to go before I reach the point where I'm engaged in life--no matter the circumstances.

When I was talking with my dearest of dear friends, Angie of Bonita Interiors, she said a few words that hit me like lightning. She said: "I'm going to power through this......" Yep, POWER THROUGH. In the past I would have interpreted this to mean take control, micro-manage all the details, stand up and yell, etc. But what came to mind is that I can be in my own power, asking for help when needed--I'm super independent--without feeling out of control, I can allow situations to flourish trusting that the solution will arrive and that help is really on the way as I know that we are all connected in some miraculous fashion. (I DO NOT MEAN LIE DOWN AND DO NOTHING! Which I have tried and have ascertained many times the ineffectiveness of this strategy) Above all, I can stand.

I've written about my restoration disaster(s) regarding Flavio--I trusted him to do what he said and I MESSED UP BIG TIME (notice that I did not say F*******up). I trusted him; did not go over his work on the credenza because his prior restorations had been perfect. What's more-- I paid him. The result was the hit-and-miss (cra****) restoration of several pieces that had to be PERFECT. And he refused to make them right. Not only that, I have about $25,000 of poorly restored inventory that is unsaleable and I keep a very tight small shop. Here's just a few of the problems on the credenza

From a short distance, it looked great

Yesterday, while talking to Bill (he called me) (who had referred Flavio to me) about internet promotions, I just mentioned what a terrible job Flavio had done on my pieces (not asking for help just updating Bill in case he made any other referrals)--Bill is a very big and influential antiques dealer here in Los Angeles and Flavio has worked for him for 20 years....

Bill told me to tell Flavio that if he "didn't make it right, Bill would give no further referals and that he would not call Flavio in the future.....WELL, boy did that message light a fire....Mind you, I had already gotten a quote and scheduled the piece to be redone ($600 for just the drawer fronts and drawers) plus another $400 for the other pieces......Ayyyyyy.

Anyway, Flavio is supposedly going to shop today (of course, I can't make it today so we'll have to communicate by phone)... 

Lesson Learned: Unexpected help did show up, plus I had to let go of my control issues (anger, frustration and fear).

Lesson Relearned: Check everything out from top to bottom. (Make No Assumptions --from "The Four Agreements")

I have quite a few more Mountains to "Power Through" and/or over on my plate......I wonder what serendipitous (dont' you just love Spell Check?) help or inspiration will arrive on the scene next.

Anyway, I'm powering through and STANDING ....knowing that all is well.

Have a fantastic week-end and Father's Day. We are having a fantastically cool month of June. It's just about 75* with sun & soft whispy clouds --just like the East Coast.

Be well,

Mary & Jones & Cole

INSPIRATION

Inspiration arrives on quiet wings from so many miraculous (as in God orchestrated) connections. As I was coming home tonight after taking everyone out for sushi and sashimi, Seth Godin was being interviewed on an NPR program. Seth Godin just happens to be one of my motivators and speaks truth to my soul. He was speaking of the transformation of the role of artist from that of a lofty spot to the role of the artist in every one. I fully believe that we humans are called to notice the details of life so that we can conceive of new ways to live and create beauty in our world. He talked about the concept of success and how it is changing from being measured in units sold or profit earned to being conceptualized by how an artist (which is anyone of us) makes a unique and positive impact on those he comes in contact with. Success being not about quantity, but about quality. What is the quality of good that we bring to the world? What is the quality of integrity in our lives or work that has an impact for good on another. Isn't art that one positive word said to another that inspires change or growth in that person's life? Good art has always been considered to be memorable. How memorable would it be if we listened attentively to "the other" and were able to say that one word that freed her to create her life anew. 

That's what my secret designer did for me this week. I'm pretty sure that he is not aware of his positive impact. He is a creative being and I think that he is unconsciously extending his artist's hand into other areas of creation, leaving his ego behind in the process.

Truly great art does involve a loss of ego: for it is only by loosing our false pride can true creation result.

Fortunately Jones doesn't have an arrogant bone in his  body--but he knows he's handsome.

Be well.

Mary & Jones (& Cole)

INSPIRATION--FOLLOWING THE NUDGE

    

Yesterday was Thursday, which means auction day. But I felt certain that I was supposed to be at the shop...what to do?  I stopped at my favorite Thursday haunt and saw the most gorgeous, to die for, huge English style carved wing chairs in a perfect pale blue-gray linen and in perfect condition....I started drooling......but still felt that I needed to be at the shop for no particular reason. 

I left and called my friend and neighbor, Roy, who offered to bid on them for me since he wasn't interested. I set my mark at $1000 for the pair. That is quite a chunk of change for a pair of vintage chairs, even if they were fantastic.

I arrived at the shop convinced that a huge sale was just waiting to happen....I waited, and waited and waited expectantly....Just as I was thinking of leaving to avoid the horrendous Thursday traffic (and being a bit puzzled as to the fact that no one even the slightest bit interesting had come in), a charming pair of ladies stopped to study my chinoiserie Marbro Lamps

  

We started talking, they were dealers from Seattle and I realized that I recognized her shop as being on 1stdibs.  We chatted some more and she was interested in several other items. In a short period of time we realized that we had many connections and interests in common--I love it when that happens.

I gave the Seattle dealer great quotes on what she was interested in and then had to leave to hopefully miss the TRAFFIC and stay with THE GIRLS while their parents went out. (I followed up my visit with the Seattle dealer with an email firming up the quotes)

When I got home, I tallied up the dollar amount of the items that this dealer is interested in and that amount exactly matched the dollar amount that I had set as my goal for the day. I really don't know if any of these quotes will develop into sales, but I do know that I needed to be at the shop for a specific unknown reason and I followed the nudge. 

Inspiration is great, but without follow through--doesn't count for much. It is all in the listening and acting.  I think I'm finally listening.

And the to-die-for wing chairs sold for $1750--way more than I was willing to spend (but I'm still drooling).

Have a wonderful inspiration-filled week-end.

Mary and Jones (& Cole)

ATTITUDE: THE POWER OF INSPIRATION (being in spirit))

Last week was a tough one for me. So many cares crept into my usually positive mind....worries about one grandson (about to be 13 and the usual issues with that age), worries about two children and their current life choices, worries about my precipitous crash in sales numbers (normal for this season), the murder of innocent people seeking freedom in Syria, sadness over Spain's (I lived in Spain for 7 years) economic turmoil, Monsanto and its lies and its poisoning of our foods (GMOs)--you name it, I ALLOWED "IT" (whatever the "it" was) TO BRING ME DOWN. Where was my strong faith that God was in charge and working behind the scenes for the good of all of creation? Obviously, that faith was not present in my pity-party.

So Thursday (auction day) I was out in the garden with my wonderful first cup of Espresso strength coffee of the day (finally coffee is considered to be healthful--which I have known forever) feeling very sorry for myself and STILL wishing I had bought that pair chairs from 2 weeks ago (how in the world can God bless me if I'm stuck in the past--when God is in the present--which is where I know that I should be--I know, I'm rambling).......when into my head pops: "there is a pair of chairs waiting for you in the "pile". (At my Thursday auction, the pile means a big mound of furniture items--and I do mean big--that are considered to have little value.) 

There was no doubt in my head where that voice came from. And I changed my attitude from pity-party to GRATITUDE and ACTION. I jumped up; showered; threw on my clothes; slathered on the make-up; apologized to Jones for having to stay home; picked up a banana and my remaining coffee and was out the door. Even LA's traffic gods were lined up in my favor and the usual heaviest-day-of-the-week LA freeway traffic parted--and I made it to my auction in record time and just a bit after the auction started at 9 am.

About 40 mins. into the auction, the pile was becoming much smaller and my expectation of the perfect pair of chairs had not waned (not even a bit). A great pair of Drexel, early 1960's chests suddenly appeared from the pile.....

I had no room for them and immediately envisioned these beauties (they are top quality walnut and in super condition) lacquered in a deep turquoise...I gave Angela (my upstairs dealer neighbor) a call to see if she could use them--yep, she could. So I brought these babies home at an unbelievable bid--where was everyone who should have been bidding against me? Yes, their eyes could have been temporarily blinded.

My chairs had just made their appearance from the pile (which by this time has been whittled down to almost nothing). I don't like to look closely at items that are coming up to the block--I hate to draw attention because I just might inspire other bidders to bid against me. From about 30-40 feet, these guys were looking pretty good. I have to admit that they weren't exactly what I had in mind--but when dealing with inspiration and gifts, one has to keep an open mind. Once they came to the block, I held off bidding for a few bids (good auction strategy: wait for a lull in the bidding to start your bids--it knocks other bidders off their rhythm). And then I kept the bid, bringing these amazingly beautiful chairs home.  Remember: I had not really inspected them carefully--always a risk. But, as they say: NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.

.............GORGEOUS!!!!

And just take a look at what I brought home.........

   

I plopped a pair of my vintage Fortuny fabric pillows on the chairs........perfection.  I'm going to give a few detailed shots as these bergeres are perfect example of mid-20th c. chairs created in an 18th c. style. I believe that they are English.

   

Note the gracefully down slopping carved back rail and the finial detail where it meets the reeded vase turning of the leg support.

See the beautiful reeding of the legs, the turning/carving of the sloping back rail, the tiny finial (in the first photo at top you can see the tiny pointed tips of the legs--ballerina legs) are all marks of top quality furniture making. AND I haven't even started talking about the upholstery: it is a c. 1960's light peach (that shades to deeper peach in the light) top quality silk velvet upholstery that I think dates to the early to mid 1960's --no staples, the upholstery work is done with nails.  While inspecting these chairs once they arrived in the shop, I found very, very old storage stickers still attached to the chairs. The only way to explain the absolutely perfect condition of the upholstery on these chairs is that they must have been in storage for 50 years (or so).  Oooops--forgot to mention the caning--so many times old/antique caned chairs have holes in the caning which is very, very pricey to repair--BUT NOT THESE GUYS!

Roberto is coming in Thursday to clean and polish (hard paste wax) my new loves--I'm going to leave the patinated surface as found as I think this old surface adds interest and depth to the chairs.

-Angie loves her chests...I'll post on Angie's shop, Bonita Interiors, later this       week.

-Jones got his hair cut and he looks AMAZING.

-One child has had her faith restored (the situation is still a work in process-- aren't we all)   "All works for good......."

-One child will always be a work in process--at least he is actively in process.

-Spain received bailout money....that is definitely a reason to rejoice (the Euro really turned Spain on her head 12-13 years ago when the peseta converted to the Euro).

-It seems that progress is being made regarding Monsanto and GMO's.

-Syria is still breaking my heart.

-I have some potential sales lined up--a few prayers needed in that direction.

And I love my chairs...if I had not listened to that "still soft voice" in my head I would not have received the blessings of the day. I would probably still be stuck in my pity-party and what-ifs, if-only-----not a good place. Instead of in the peace of Gratitude.

Have a wonderful week, thanks for joining me in this crazy adventure.

Mary and Jones (and Cole)