FEELING VERY GUILTY......BUT I'M BACK.

I can't believe that it has been a month since I lasted posted. No excuses....just super busy and challenged by my meager photography skills--and not enough space to take photos.

But.........I have to brag.....In March, just before everything shut down, I bought this pair of A. Rudin (one of the best American upholstered furniture manufacturers) at my auction for a fraction of their original cost.

As we all experienced, everything shut down and the chairs hid in my garage for months. I knew that I wanted to take the frame away from boring traditional. I kept eyeing my daughter's African mud cloth textiles that she had scattered around the house. And then Dao (daughter) led me to African Ndop ceremonial textiles and I was hooked. Needless to say, Ndops are quite pricey, whereas mud cloth pieces are quite within my budget. Dao went to the Long Beach Veteran's Swap meet 3 weeks ago and via photo I purchased 4 vintage mud cloths and 1 vintage Ndop textile. (The merchant fell in love with Dao--she's gorgeous--and reduced the price by 50% just for her) The Ndop is on the backs........Lalo brought the chairs back yesterday and I have been on a high ever since. Lalo did the most amazing job of following my instructions to the most minute detail--everything is centered, lined up matching, etc., etc., etc. There are four separate textiles in each of these chairs--amazing.

I feel incredibly blessed to be able to work with the talented and faithful people that enable me to do whatever it is that I do without having to worry about level of workmanship and dedication to quality. I also value their input on my creative ventures.

It has been incredibly hot here in Los Angeles. Yesterday, it was 114 in the shade in Pasadena. Cooler at the beach, but still hot. Our fires are still burning with people being evacuated. Please send a few prayers our way--we desperately need a few good soaking rains--but no downpours--to put the fires out.

Less than two months 'til November 2. Please consider volunteering and donating and encouraging everyone you know to vote. This is the most important election of our Democracy. I pray for truth and no outside (or inside) interference in our election. God help us.

Must get off to bed--blessings for the week.

Mary

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

MAKING PROGRESS////GOING WITH MY GUT INSTINCT

Exactly one month plus one day post surgery.......and guess what I accomplished??? I went shopping (without help) at COSTCO!! Now we all know how enormous Costco warehouses are---AND I MADE IT THROUGH (and only forgot a couple of items). Now that is progress. I am so grateful to my surgeon that my hip surgery went so incredibly well, to my daughter for watching over me and to everyone who helped me at shop. I still have sciatica in the leg with the new hip, but it is gradually getting better.........I'm supposed to alternate ice and heating pad most of the time and I'm simply a terrible patient.

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Did anyone take a look at the cover of October's House Beautiful? My antique Chinese bamboo arm chairs are right there ON THE COVER.......well, one just like mine, as I would never paint those beauties. And Nate Berkus (new hero) is on the cover of Architectural Digest. What I am noticing as I peruse (actually, it's more like study) the shelter/design magazines is that a true mix of high vs. low; polished vs. rustic; modern vs. period furniture; abstract vs. representational art is finally coming forward as the next predominant design aesthetic. I have always gravitated towards this design concept--there is so much movement to rooms with this aesthetic: they are usually happy, youthful, and creatively inspiring. I do think that when creating this type of interior it is important to combine elements that balance one another---similar scale, QUALITY, appropriateness....... otherwise, your room could look like a simple hodgepodge jumbled together--and that is not the intent at all. When in doubt, study how the French create the perfect mix.

As I blogged about in June, I made the decision to buy (for the most part) what was calling my name loudly and clearly; to focus on acquiring inventory with soul and a bit out of the ordinary.

And this is how this is working out: Basically, the unique, funky, soulful objects are selling. The items that I over-thought before acquiring are taking longer....note to self: don't think.

These are some of the items that have sold in the past few weeks since I made my decision to go for soulful items:

I finally have clarity........and a changed heart: Chairish has been a superb venue for selling on-line. One Kings Lane--has been sluggish, at best.
The other key is a grateful heart--so hard to focus on gratitude when life is giving you lemons and you simply do not feel like making lemonaide...

Wishing everyone a glorious Fall. You East Coasters please stay inside and safe and dry this week-end. It looks like parched California is going to get some rain also!!

I just purchased CARRIER & CO.'S new book--it is fantastic--the perfect mix.

Be well.

Mary & Jones & Cole 

I LOVE TIMOTHY CORRIGAN

Well, I don't know him; so I can't really really love him...........but I do know his aesthetic, his encyclopedic knowledge, his focus on living well, his fearless stance (who would buy a Chateau in France and renovate it from top to bottom---we know the French "petit fonctionaire") and the fact that he is always photographed with a smile on his face.

This morning up pops an email notice that Timothy Corrigan is featured in a OKL article.......Although I am quite a bit ticked off with OKL (and their attitude towards their vintage dealers), I just had to run to read this article.

I'm going to pull out a couple of quotes and photos from the OKL feature..........I agree with most of what Mr. Corrigan says, but with a couple of major exceptions........

"Research has shown that when you live in a symmetrical space, you feel more at ease than when you live in an asymmetrical one." Notice that the emphasis is on SYMMETRICAL.  Not once does TC mention pairs. It would be so much easier to provide symmetry by simply using pairs of chairs or tables or pairs of lamps---but the interest comes with finding just the perfect mate--one that pulls out the details and interest of its new partner. When you study this room, there is only one pair (the chairs), while there is symmetry throughout.....the wall console vs. the French Empire bouillote  table; the large marble column lamp & shade together with the marble pedestal & bust vs. the large 18th c. painting. The symmetry isn't blatant--it's very subtle and PERFECT.

The above room also demonstrates another TC precept: "The furniture has to be comfortable to sit on, but the use of scale and flow are equally important." "If you go into a room with ceilings that are 16 ft tall and the sofa or coffee table is 12" off the floor, that does not feel comfortable in the context of that space."

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. As some of you may have noticed I love it all: period antiques and mid-century modern; rustic Americana and ethnic, a great mix--but the scale of the room needs to be appropriate to each piece. Just because a piece was designed by a famous and desirable individual, does NOT mean that it will work in your space. A finely lacquered Japanese Edo period low table will simply not work with a French 18th sofa or daybed--the scale is off and it becomes very uncomfortable to even reach the table from the sofa...the same can be said for certain mid-century pieces when combined with period furniture. But when the mid-century piece is equal in scale and quality and inspiration, to the 18th c. piece then the energy between the elements starts to sing.

TC: "I think that when you have disparate items in very different styles, there's a tension that is created. Whether you are mixing new and old, or expensive and inexpensive, or ornate and simple, I love the exchange that happens whenever you put two very different pieces together."

The breakfast room above, perfectly balanced and symmetrical demonstrates this concept of one period playing off another--take a look at the glass and metal table--2nd half of the 20th c. But the chairs derive from an early 18th c. French form. The feel of the room is French, but the painted cabinet is 20th c., with English inspiration. The light fixture is a rustic 18th c. style piece which one would not instinctively pair with the high-style glass table--yet, all of the elements of the room work to bring a sense of balance to the room.

Now I do have a couple of bones to pick with TC: being a seller of fine and unique lamps, I do not agree with his design theory: "You don't have to spend a lot of money on lamps, if you have good shades. I paid about $100 for these and then spent the money on the shades."

I, personally, would love to see a pair of period (these are my Louis XV brass candlesticks) electrified and then paired with those great silk shades!!! TC's shades probably cost close to $400 (or more) for the pair........so you make the calculations.

I'm also pretty well-know for my vintage and antique lamps and I personally think that a great lamp speaks volumes. Especially Chinese export porcelain lamps in a traditional interior and Chinese porcelain monochromes: sang de boeuf (ox blood), celadon, black, intense blue or robin's egg blue or that gorgeous Chinese chromatic yellow for modern 20th c. interiors.

(That is what inspires Christopher Spitzmiller)

I worship at TC's feet for espousing this belief: "SAVE MONEY: BUY ANTIQUES"...........Of course I'm in total agreement. TC goes on: "an antique has already depreciated. But if you buy a table from Pottery Barn (or Restoration Hardware) and you try to sell it tomorrow, it's nothing more than used furniture." Yep!! That just about says it all. THANK YOU.

BUT I DO HAVE ONE FINAL LITTLE BONE TO PICK WITH TC: He mentions shopping all over at auction houses around the US for great deals---and that is true there are great deals. But the flip side is that it is the knowledgeable person who gets the great deals--and it is always buyer beware. THAT IS WHY YOU SHOP FROM REPUTABLE ANTIQUES DEALERS (like me) WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR STRIPES.....

Example: a client came in yesterday who had requested that Angie and I find her a long mid-century credenza. She found one herself, then had to have it restored (natch). Well the restorer (she had had no prior experience with restorations) did a really bad job on the credenza which she did not notice until the piece was delivered and paid for ($800+ in restorations/delivery). She's not really happy with it (and she is a perfectionist), and she definitely did not save the money she thought she would by doing it herself.

Moral of story: I LOVE TIMOTHY CORRIGAN--but please consider patronizing reputable and knowledgeable (as in "me") antiques dealers.

Thank you to Timothy Corrigan for staying true to timeless beauty and quality while adding in your personal style and soul.

HAVE A SUPER WEEK!!

MARY & JONES & COLE

PROBLEM CHILD---The Upholstery Mini Nightmare

Finally......these guys have made it to completion...almost.

This is what the chairs looked like when I acquired them

This what they looked like while being painted

When I had completed painting the chair frames, I had a difficult time deciding what fabric to upholster them in. The fabric had to be appropriate for the period and design of the frames without looking "Grandmotherly"--so I first purchased a deep gray velvet, but wasn't happy. Then I purchased a top quality linen in a Chinese Chippendale pattern.......too boring. Finally, I found the perfect fabric--a top quality velvet printed in an abstract/ethereal lime green, ivory and gray pattern. I knew that there would be just enough fabric for the chairs, but just in case there wasn't enough for the welting, the gray velvet would be a perfect accent. Off the chairs went to Lalo (with whom I have worked for almost 6 years). Four days later I get a call from Lalo........help, there isn't enough fabric for both chairs!!! Lalo had cut and completed one chair without making sure he had enough fabric for both chairs and the welting. I have been doing upholstery for almost 25 years and I used to make my own clothes--so I really do know how to make the best of yardage and how to measure--Lalo had obviously been very careless and wasteful. And of course, I couldn't get any more of that fabric.........So I found another great fabric, but had to buy 7 yards and spend another $140. Lalo dropped off the chairs yesterday, when I wasn't at the shop. When I went over the work this morning, I noticed that pieces of straw were dropping out of the bottom of the chair. Lalo was supposed have replaced all of the insides--many times early 20th c. chairs (and period chairs) had padding created with horsehair and straw. When Angie and I turned the chairs over, the bottom liner was the old stained fabric!!! So when Lalo came to pick up his payment, off the chairs went again to have their undersides worked on......Ayyyyyyy!

But do love how these guys turned out

I think Lalo is going to be very surprised when I deduct the cost of the original fabric that I had given him. But perhaps he will be more careful the next time.

Next Up

The Jacques Adnet style occasional folding tables are ready. And they are show-stoppers!! I think I will hold off with cutting the 1/2" glass--the buyer can decide the dimensions of the glass top.

    

I love the vintage 1980s faux bamboo brass frame. And the workmanship is fantastic. Now that I have this new employee of the leather craftsmen (this is the shop that crafts all of the Disneyland fantasy costume shoes) who can do superb custom leather, I have started designing again.  Let's see what I come up with.

It's getting late and Mr Jones is starting to prowl as he waits for me to go to bed.

Hope you all have a wonderful spring day.

Mary & Jones & Cole