THE VAULT--Antique Fortuny Fabric

I just sold my last antique c. 1920 Fortuny pillow to one of my favorite clients.

Which means that I GET TO DESIGN SOME NEW ONES. I need to search out just the right silk for the backs and teeny tiny welts that I insist on. Perhaps a fine Italian silk velvet? Or pop it up with a more contemporary silk faille?

Here are the two lengths of c. 1920 Fortuny that I have in "The Vault"

The first was once a drapery panel. You can see the wear to one edge that was exposed to sunlight (the opposing side is in excellent condition)--I will trim the damaged edge and measure the width from the center of the textile to each side. Unfortunately, I will loose a few inches on the right side--but that seems to be a reflection of life--retain the core of one's being (enough of my philosophy).

The pillow at top was fabricated from the deep hem and headers of the drapery panel that had never been exposed to sunlight--you can see how the sun has faded the panel, but it is still gorgeous and will make gorgeous pillows measuring approximately 18"w x 15" to 17" high.
Next up is the fragment of a 1920's wide Fortuny border that came directly from the estate of an intimate friend of Mariano and his wife. The border measures 15" wide--I'll design pillow fronts with the border, framing the sides with a three inch silk border and with the connecting seams overlaid with antique French gilt metallic trim (more hunting).

I love the fact that the carved wood printing blocks were lightly pressed in certain areas and with more pressure in others. The unique qualities and rarity of this textile makes it very desirable. The fact that it retains its original color intensity after almost 100 years is also very unusual. I'll make a trip to see Pam in the next week or so--just need to pull in the silk and the antique trim.

Usually the hunt for vintage and antique Fortuny textiles is arduous, but this fragment simply walked in the door and right to me. Perhaps I am learning to let go??

Mia and Grace are home. I see the cyst dissolving and Mia happy, running and well. Thank you for all of your prayers and love.

Be well,

Mary & Jones & Cole

MIA

Mia's surgery was postponed!!  THANK YOU. An emergency arose with another child at St. Judes, Tennessee; so My Mia's surgery has been postponed. She is rescheduled for the end of January.

I am so grateful: I am convinced that Mia's little body is going to take care of the cyst and that Mia just needs a little bit more time to heal.

Please keep praying as I am sure that all will be well and healed and whole.

Thank you so much for all of your support.

Mary

MIA-- HERE WE GO AGAIN

I wish it were not to be----Mia is scheduled for yet another surgery on Thursday. She is a trooper and bounces back from every surgery and all of the radiation in flying colors. But my heart aches. She is getting the best medical attention available. 

So I will leave her in God's hands and will. Please cover her and James and Grace in prayers.

Be well.

Mary

CHINOISERIE--ARE YOU COMING BACK?

Back to Business

We are now officially into 2014 with a full work week ahead of us and so.... let's ring in the New Year with passion and design and joy and creativity. 

I designed and my wonderful friend and painter, Sharon Hutchison, painted these pairs of large chinoiserie** pagoda sconces a few years ago. And then the market for all things beautiful came to a screeching halt. Which caused me to put my designing desires on hold until the economy became healthy and vibrant.  As we know, things are better--but not quite where we would like. NEVERTHELESS---I'm putting my design hat back on for the new year. And it feels good.

Michele Nussbaumer used these sconces in her design for the Greystone Manor Design House sponsored by Veranda a few years ago. 

These sconces are quite large with a lot of bells and whistles (those are 2" rough cut rock crystal pendants at the bottom), with a different craftsman creating each elements of the sconces--making them a little pricey. I still love them. I also created a pair in a Chinese cinnabar red that is more subdued in theme--but that red really makes them stand out. And I love red (AND BLACK).

I pulled the Cinnabar pair from storage to take photos for a web client--and thought....I bet that chinoiserie is going to make a come back.....I had noticed that 1stdibs.com did a write-up of chinoiserie items and had pulled many items from the site to showcase. With a New York inquiry coming through....why not pull these guys out and list them on 1stdibs.com and go for it. (I also sold a large Chinese black lacquer 20th c. screen just last month)

I have a few more items that qualify as Chinoiserie.... This is a pair of c. 1950-70's Chinese painted and lacquered storage trunks that were made in Hong Kong. I love the fact that they have acquired just the right amount of patina over the years, yet are still in excellent condition. Amazingly, I bought the trunks individually, about 15 months apart and they both have an identical maker's mark in the interior. Serendipity--I love it when that happens.

And then there is this table that just jumps up and down. I bought this highly detailed 1940's Chippendale-style Mahogany pedestal table with the intent of doing a white washed finish, but this little guy seemed to be calling for something more......and here he is

The table was given 12 coats of cinnabar red lacquer.

Saucy. Unfortunately, he has been waiting for just the right time for chinoiserie to make a resurgence....

I'm ready for more richness in design, a little more character and a lot more COLOR.

Check out the 1stdibs' chinoiserie selections--they are varied, providing a good sampling of Chinoiserie decorative elements.

Hmmmmmmm....I just remembered that I have a set of 8 early 19th century hand colored engravings of Chinese architectural views....I'll get those framed this week in pairs and in the vintage gold leaf frames that I just found. 

  

I think that these will work......Now what color mats?? Ivory with a black liner? 1`09mm------'? Maddy (small hissy cat) just sauntered across my keyboard--oh well, her signature can stay.

Have a great week.

Mary & Jones (and Cole)

** Chinoiserie (also known as Japonisme) is the term given to decorative items designed in the European interpretation of Chinese furniture or other decorative elements. The European decorative art of Chinoiserie dates to the 17th century. During the Baroque period Chinoiserie pieces were in very high favor and demand throughout Europe, with the most refined pieces originating in France and Germany. Chinese Chippendale is one example of the Orientalist influence that has remained in favor through the 20th century and into the 21st. European artists found inspiration in traditional Chinese design elements and lacquered pieces such as coromandel lacquered screens and furniture and the highly desirable painted papers. Often, actual Chinese or Japanese elements would be incorporated into European made furnishings.

NEW YEAR'S EVE---AND I'M COOKING

I usually take New Year's Eve and Day rather seriously...it is a time for me to take stock of the past year and reorder myself for the coming months.....

That said, I did my homework early this year. It has been a different type of year for me, definitely letting go of expectations and learning not to plan too very tightly so that the unexpected can break through.

So today I'm cooking. I'm making a humble attempt to honor some of the countries in which I have been blessed to have lived and celebrated New Year's Days.

My childhood memories in Mexico of course include pozole and tamales....I'm not very experienced at making tamales--but we live in Southern California and the corner (and excellent) taco restaurant makes great tamales.

Then there are my five years living in the South--North Carolina and Texas; so I'm making black-eyed peas and ham with biscuits and corn bread.

And of course, my most beloved years in Spain--we'll be celebrating with grapes and Spanish sparkling wine. To ring in the new year and bring luck for all of the coming 12 months, Spaniards eat one grape for each time the clock strikes at midnight. Note: they are really good if you soak them for a while in wine!!

And to finish off, I think that I'll experiment with some almond cookies.

What traditions are you honoring this year? Do your plans include a few hours apart? Celebrating with family or friends? A trip to The Big Apple for sheer joy and madness?

Jones is staying home (sigh)--he gets too excited at New Years.

Sending Blessings for a fantastically prosperous 2014.

Mary & Jones (and Cole)

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER.......(Remember the "A Team?")

This is just a teaser. These guys are pretty fantastic (I do need to sound my own horn)--even the detailing of the bronze finial is top notch:

   

But there is more. A lot more.

And more.

   

And more.

  

And more.

  

And more.

  

And here they are.

  

These boys were many months in the creating. First, I missed the bid on them, but Richard bought them and they were hiding in his garage for months until I spotted them. Deciding on the best fabric to reupholster these beauties (and they looked quite awful before their spiffing up) took a while. Just about the time that Andrew returned from Thailand (he is my best polisher), I found the perfect fabric. I needed something that would be a neutral, but that would also be a great contrast to the polished bronze detailing. (The bronze was super dark and it was a little tough visualizing the end result) Andrew spent almost two days polishing the bronze and when the RALPH LAUREN MOHAIR VELVET arrived, I knew that we had a winner (just look at that silvery-sage tone). Alex (my fantastic upholsterer) brought back the chairs on Saturday afternoon....I had an offer as soon as the chairs walked in....but it was a bit low.

******Now to the best part: 

                   THIS IS A SET OF FOUR !!******

The "Savonarola" or "Dante" Chair  appeared during the Italian Middle Ages, but had its design roots in antiquity. This X-form carved wood (and most commonly folding) chair design spread throughout Europe during the Renaissance. These iron mid-20th century chairs clearly show their Renaissance roots with the highly detailed bronze finials and seat construction identical to the construction of wooden Renaissance Savonarola chairs.

I'm offering the chairs as a set of 4, but will sell as pairs, if desired. Just contact me for pricing. (Alessandra Branca has a single chair (not as detailed as these) listed for $3200---these guys are much lower.

Thank you so much for reading this blog over the past year...I'm approaching my SECOND anniversary of blogging. The time has zoomed by. Thank you for all of your support (that's you Karena and Loi, especially).

Sending blessings for a wonderful growth-filled 2014.

Mary & Jones & Cole

CHRISTMAS EVE 2013--So many reasons to be thankful

The happy face of a little girl who has overcome so much. I am reminded daily of what a miracle it is to have her here, with us. There are still so many hills to climb. Grace and Mia leave for St. Jude's Children's Hospital (Tennessee) just after New Year's Day for another consultation. Hopefully, the decision will be that no further surgery is needed at this point and that the cyst has decided to simply go away.

Here is another shining photo of a very excited little one (Kaia) with her FIRST present of Christmas.

  

And Sam, trying to figure out his Mom's camera.... My oldest, James, and Cole are in the background. Jones had to stay home.

  

I just can't help it....here's another one of Mia wearing just about everything that she could possibly put on her little body. She must have been really hot as it hit 81* here in "Sunny California"......... Ethan--the brilliant skater dude is in the background with Cole checking for crumbs....

  

Sending love and blessings to all.

Mary & Jones & Cole