ASSESSING

I have been uneasy with my purchases of the past few months--I just couldn't put my finger on what was troubling me; so I took a couple of days to assess what I've been buying recently and to bring to light exactly what I have been questioning. Most of what I have bought has been great--no problems in that area. The items are (for the most part) unique--which is what I strive for; nevertheless, I've been dissatisfied when I walk into the shop--it should be making be happy and satisfied. But it is not.

As I was sitting in the garden with my morning coffee (God made coffee just for me, I'm sure), up popped an explanation. At first I discounted the nudge of truth and then I really concentrated. I've been only buying with one-half of my personality--the multi-cultural, multi-national person who loves super collected, precise antiques that are at home on The East Coast, The South or Europe. But there is the other side of me who loves more rustic pieces with deep patinas, great woods that have their history breaking through their surfaces; marble with the stains of a life well-lived. I think that's also pretty true for what I've been revealing of myself. As usual, the nudging revelations weren't just about what I've been buying--but about pushing me to be more revealing of my true nature. This is going to be a hard one as I'm a very private person, true introvert--but if I need to unfold, I guess I'm going to have to work on it. With growth we do have choices: to stay stuck and unfulfilled (not a great option) or to pay attention and go where we supposed to go.

Now that I'm off my soap box and to tie this into my new buying credo: It was early Wednesday morning when I had this growth inspiration and when I previewed my Thursday auction a bit later...........yep, there were several pieces that dovetailed perfectly with the steps that I need to take.

The table above and below is a mid-19th century French pine folding farm table. The moment I saw it, I knew that it was coming home with me. It doesn't adhere to my usual refinement check list, but it has great classic bones and it's 100% original--super patina and soul and it's a great size--about 74"w x 30"d.

Then I spied this stunning pair of 18th century rococo Swedish side chairs and my soul jumped (I have a thing for chairs, especially 18th c. chairs) I wanted these chairs so badly that I could envision their going into the back of the Explorer......

Next to catch my eye was this sweet 18th c. rococo Swedish table

The paint is not original (it has some age), but its an appropriate color--I love the hand forged hinges and curvy sexy legs.

When I arrived this morning just after the start of the auction, another antique Swede was appearing from beneath a pile of stuff and it looked like it had good bones--now the problem is that I really don't have room for all of this new furniture, but you've got to buy when the piece shows up.

I don't have good photos of this third table--just a couple that I managed to take of the base

It has its original black paint on the trestle base with a scrubbed pine plank top (couldn't reach to take photo)--I love old black painted Swedish pieces. (The French or English would never paint a piece black)
So the Swedish trestle table came home (actually Roberto will be picking this stuff up); the folding French table came home; and the 18th c. Swedish table came home...........
.............The swoon-worthy, to die for Swedish chairs went too high for me to make a reasonable profit. And I'm still sad.
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The G20 is in full session and I am so ashamed of "Not My President". How can we ever hold up our heads? I pray that no secrets will be revealed to Putin during their meeting tomorrow. But also secretly relish the thought of him making a fool of himself and speeding up the eviction notice.

I need to get to bed as Mr. Jones and Mr. Cole are waiting.

Blessings,
Mary & Jones & Cole

ME and RALPH LAUREN UPDATE

Remember this photo taken from the new Ralph Lauren furniture line, Rosecliff? This charming white painted pedestal table which copies c.1940-50 mahogany pedestal tables (but is new, of a lesser quality wood and is super pricey at over $2000.00) inspired me to create a similar table using a 1940's mahogany table and redoing the surface. 

Ralph Lauren "Rosecliff" furnishing

My goal was not only to create a table with an equal or higher level of detailing, but also to offer the table at a much reduced price.

I found this sweet 1940's mahogany pedestal table at a little antiques shop around the corner--it had all of the elements that I was looking for (plus the table is 8-sided) and was in great condition. Fortunately, my son was staying with me; so Andrew did the time-consuming work of stripping and sanding that thick early 20th c. finish. (Using green products)

   

Next I spent over an hour at the paint store picking the perfect Swedish-inspired chalky off-white paint. And Roberto finished up the paint job. Looking good.

Yep, I did it! The table looks great.The RL table has a pie crust edge, but mine is more unique in that it is 8-sided and my 1940's table has crisper carved detailing......but this poor little table has sat in my shop because I got stuck.........very stuck!

I wasn't happy simply creating a pedestal table that was equal to or slightly better than Mr. Lauren's table. Oh, no--I had to up the anty. I also bought a larger (31" diameter), top of the line 1940's Chippendale-style mahogany pedestal table with a gorgeous shell carved baroque edge. And this table was what got me stuck.

  

The old finish on this table was super thick and it took many, many goings over to finally strip the table completely and then sanding all of the carved elements took forever (Andrew returned to Thailand before the table was finished).  On top of this detour, I decided that the Swedish chalky white  surface as inspired by Ralph, was a bit too boring for this super table. So I became even more entrenched in my  hole trying to decided what to do with Mr. Chippendale.  He had to strut his stuff.

Finally, last week I spent another hour (more) at the paint store and handed off the table to Juan, my fantastic lacquer person.

  

What do you think? I love him..  Chinese Red high gloss multi-coat lacquer!! Not quite the look that Mr. Lauren was going for.... And I wasn't able to reduce the price by 50% (my goal), but boy does this guy make a statement. (I had trouble taking photos because of the high gloss reflection--I'll try again) I might have to keep this guy--he would look great against my antique Grisaille Dufour wall paper screen. Paired with my tufted black leather sofa??
So now that I'm unstuck, I have finally posted both Ralph Lauren tables to my website. My flights of creativity usually take a bit longer than planned for, but I'm happy with the outcome.

Note: Any time you choose a high gloss or matte lacquer finish the price escalates. The finish sanding has to be just about perfect and a minimum of twelve coats of lacquer (with sanding in between coats) are required to attain the visual depth.

Jones says "hi"--if you look closely, he is helping to strip the tables and for a couple of days he had white paint on his ears.
Thanks for joining me on this crazy adventure.
Mary and Jones (and Cole)

HAVE A SUPER AUGUST WEEK END.