BACK TO BUSINESS-----Despite Being a Very Rough Week

It has not been the best of weeks for me.......I am still despondent regarding the election. But I know that there has to be some sort of silver lining in all of this. 

Shopping usually helps and yesterday was no exception........but my goodness these gorgeous chairs upholstered in real zebra hide went for an enormous amount of money--I bid them as far as I could, but it wasn't enough. They will make some one very, very happy. 

 

........And now I know what to do with the next zebra hide that I find (super hard to come by) and a pair of Louis XIII Revival arm chairs.
Although I didn't manage to snag the chairs I did find a sleeper when I previewed on Wednesday--I'll take photos and get a little history next week.
I think I scored with this French Faux Bamboo chest of drawers. The chest is in very good condition--just in need of Roberto's magic fingers. I believe it's marble has been replaced, but it still looks good.

I purchased a few more pieces and then the 100* NOVEMBER heat took over---it is so hot that its bordering on bizarre--I do not like this weather.

And last night we celebrated my niece's birthday at a favorite restaurant

That is my amazing daughter and grandson--isn't he cute?? artist and musician. It will be interesting to see how his life develops (if we can just get him to graduate--he's super smart and as a senior, he thinks school is stupid)

That's all for now. Our amazing country needs to be surrounded in prayer.

Mary & Jones & Cole

OH, MY GOODNESS

I did not expect my sales to pop the way they have since my move. I've sold all kinds of things to all very different types of people and all new clients.

This pair of benches went to a charming young Pasadena woman.

This oak table with the 17th c. top and 20th c. base went to a Hollywood industry person.

Who also purchased these Scalamandre "Le tigre" 

pillows

and a pair of these c. 1970's x-folding stools

Another very well-loved and known Hollywood person purchased a second set of the leather stools.

And best of all (maybe) a third Hollywood person (I hate the term "celebrity" or "star") is sending in her DAD--a super-well known singer in the next week or so.  We shall see what develops. All three of these talented Hollywood individuals were open and friendly and wonderful to work with--no ego issues, which is always refreshing and appreciated.

It was a tough decision to increase my overhead in these still challenging economic times and when this very anxiety-producing election cycle is still in full swing. But God is definitely showing me that I was listening to Him. And I am very grateful. I will be so relieved when the elections are completed. I voted on the third day of mail-in voting in California and then forgot to mail my ballot for a week......  I am so disheartened that individuals within our own political system are attempting to undermine our democracy and election process by mimicking election strategies in third world and former communist countries. I'm so disheartened that there have been attempts to undermine our democratic election process from both organizations within the United States and from without. I pray that all of our newly elected leaders respond to the trust invested in them to govern and to govern well: ignoring partisan divides, voting their conscience independently of other influences. I truly believe that individuals perform to higher standards when they make decisions independently; not adhering to misplaced or false loyalties and crowd mania.  Go HIllary. (Thanks for letting me spew). I'm scheduled to make calls tomorrow to get out the vote. The power of our vote is enormous and each of us needs to honor that responsibility to simply vote our conscience as to who is the most prepared, globally respected, intelligent and measured candidate for the Office of the President.

Blessing for the coming week.

Mary & Jones & Cole 

WE DID IT

Roberto and Moises (Roberto's brother) started moving stuff bright and early Tuesday morning. The Tuscan consoles and Marbro alabaster lamps were the first pieces to be placed. I wish that I could have kept the space with only these objects in it.......... As it was, there wasn't quite enough room for everything; so the squeezing in took effect. I love the gallery look.........

Next came the Chinese Altar Table and Edo "Tales of Genji" screen plus the Marbro lamps.

I wish that I could have left these few pieces alone and by themselves--but that was impossible. When all was said and done, I didn't have enough room for everything, even using every inch avail able.

Today, Roberto hung what needed hanging and I, once again, directed traffic. Here's a close up of a section of one wall.

I think I'm happy. I've even sold a couple of things and have several things "on hold"--we'll see what turns up.

Please Vote!!

Mary & Jones & Cole

MOVING-----HERE WE GO

   PAINTING......

........more painting

MOVING...all of this

As you can see, the take down has begun....and that's just one section..........yikes!!!!! But you just cannot imagine what Roberto can accomplish in one day. Fortunately, the basics--painting and installing a couple of my antique panels--are done. So now it's simply fitting all of the puzzle pieces together.

Wish us luck.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Mary & Jones & Cole

KISS--Keep It Simple (Stupid)

Just about any time that I'm able to stop to ponder, I choose to honor my commitment to KISS. But this time, should I really, really keep it simple? Or should I venture out into the more creative realm of design--out where I'm not too sure that people will be attracted to and actually PURCHASE my flights of creativity.

I bought this great pair of period French Deco Louis XV-style bergeres on Thursday. I had spotted them the week before, but since I only wanted the chairs (and they were attached to an en suite settee), I had decided against them. This week I sat with my friend Hillary who wanted the settee; so I took the chairs. (I am in awe every time the world conspires to grant me my heart's desires)

This is the third set of French Barrel back chairs that I have purchased this year.
Here's a reminder of the others...............
Pair of c. 1950-60's barrel backs before and after new upholstery.

I don't think that I took a photo of this next pair of 19th c. Louis XVI barrel backs before they went out to be upholstered. Don't they look great in the same fabric? Lalo does an amazing upholstery job when he puts his mind to it.

My dilemma is what fabric to upholster this third pair of bergeres in, taking into consideration that I had successfully sold the above two pairs of chairs by upholstering them in the same French blue-gray 100% linen (actual color has a bit more blue) fabric. I have enough gorgeous Ralph Lauren linen in a mottled charcoal gray, but I had intended to use it on the Directoire-style chaise longue.

I have enough of the trusty French Blue/gray linen for the chairs....... maybe I can add a kidney shaped down pillow to add just the right amount of interest to the back of the chairs? But these are a really classic deco form and I do not want to distract from the purity..... Ah, Hah! Maybe a kidney pillow in the Ralph Lauren charcoal linen?

And while we are not on the subject don't you think that the set of French Deco marquetry table would look great paired with the Deco chairs? Hmmmmmm

Yep, it works, plus the tables add the extra interest that I was craving.

Roberto and I will be working on the move all next week..........although the distance is only 100 ftt., it's almost as time consuming as moving across country. I've picked out a blue/gray intense tone for one wall. I'm not too sure about what will happen on the others.

We've had two days of rain this October; I'm thankful that we are off to a good start on breaking the back of this awful drought. However, please keep praying as we still need an additional 15" to be out of the woods.

Sending blessing for the week-end and for great trick-or-treating on Halloween.

Mary & Jones & Cole

FALL RAIN

PLUVIOPHILE. I never knew there was a name for people like me. I love the rain; I love it in all of its myriad incarnations. We have had two nights of unexpected rain in the past 8 days and a full inch of rain is expected late Thursday into Friday.

Our nation desperately needs rain....the blessings of rain to cleanse us of the negativity of this Presidential campaign. Rain to cleanse us of the toxic ideas spread by isolationist fear mongers.

I, like so many others, long for a return to civility and the belief in the importance of truth, generosity, respect for others..........the cult of the bully ending with the vote on Tuesday, etc., etc., etc. PLEASE VOTE. THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION. THE STATUS OF WOMEN NEEDS TO BE AFFIRMED AND PROTECTED.

I am ready for rainbows

Now, for a quick update on another one of my passionate causes. Please stay with me.

Since the Vietnam War Monsanto has been on my radar for its creation of chemical weapons of war and various other chemicals that have harmed, harm and will harm all of creation. Finally this huge corporation is being taken to task. This suit is probably just a small thorn in its bloated, corrupt side--but Rome wasn't built in a day and this mega-corporation will be brought down by individuals standing up to its power and destructive intentions.

And finally, I just have to add in my little business venture news. I'm moving locations within the Pasadena Antique Center to the prime spot!! Yeah. I really have needed additional space (I'm packed to the gills with inventory) and this location will be just about perfect. I have Roberto slated to work with me most of next week--painting and lighting first and then the big stuff. (Wish me luck).

I haven't been buying much as I haven't had any room, but I did acquire this set of period Art Deco Macassar and marquetry nesting tables. They are in fairly good original condition; Roberto will spiff them up and they'll be set to go on 1stdibs.

I love that the marquetry work and the visual movement makes these tables stand out.

Going to Preview today--I wonder what else I can squeeze in.

PLEASE VOTE.

Blessings for the day.

Mary & Jones & Cole

JONES UPDATE

My best buddy did not want to get out of bed........

Isn't he still gorgeous at 10 1/2?

I'm going to the West Hollywood flea market tomorrow........we'll see what turns up. I'm not a flea market buyer as I need more time to decided, but this should be fun. I'll post some photos tomorrow.

Mary, Jones & Cole