Swede

Paris: Daily Capture of Beauty

 

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is look at the old buildings. I am surprised that so many of them still have their original components -- doors, windows and hardware. The quality and the detail are marvelous.

The sun angle cast too much shadow to make this photo great, but I wanted to show you anyway.  The battered wood on the lower door, wood carvings, hardware, metal insert grilles in the windows and the overdoor of limestone all tell a story that I would like to hear.

Summer

Photo: Swede

 

Paris: Daily Photo of Beauty: Esmeralda

 

When we walked over the bridge across the Seine River from our apartment on Isle Saint Louis to Isle de la Cite, this is the first building you see.  Esmeralda is a restaurant on the ground floor.  I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the restaurant owner named it for the gypsy in the book, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Notre Dame cathedral is just across the street to the left in this photo.  Victor Hugo wrote the book in Paris in 1831.

We noticed thousands of these little Smart cars. Great idea to own one of these as the streets are so narrow and parking is difficult to find. Love the architecture of the buildings with the black iron railings. I don't know about this one, but many of the buildings on both islands were constructed around 1650.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Paris: Daily Thing of Beauty

 

Love this beautiful green damask-covered French chair at Versailles.

The painted frame is 2die4.  Love the running coin, twist legs, gold trim and that scene in the damask! 

Here is a close up view of the damask design. Love the design, but I would choose another color other than green if it was my chair.

And, how about that table.  Looker isn't it?  Wouldn't mind having it in my master bedroom.

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Paris: Shopping for Antiques at Saint Ouen

 

Today's photo of beauty is this tablescape in an antique store at the Paris flea market Saint Ouen de Clignancourt.  This was the view into the shop from the sidewalk as you walk down the alley. 

I loved the white chairs [would love them more if the frames were painted], white marble on the tabletop, the candelabras, white and gold trimmed compotes at the back of the table, and the oriental soup tureen.  Behind the table you can see a C-scroll desk. I am not a fan of cane-backed chairs, however.

I am still sorting, straightening and fixing all the thousands of photos I brought back.  I hope to do a post on my experience with this large flea market, including Paul Bert and the other divisions soon.

Summer

Photo: Swede

 

Paris: Grand Trianon at Versailles

 

Continuing along with more photos of our trip to Paris, I am showing below some of the furniture at the Grand Trianon on the Versailles estate property. This is where the king and queens went [across the property several hundred yards, maybe] to get away from the goings on at the palace.  I am only showing furnishings in this post as the gardens were not planted yet so no flowers in bloom to speak of for vast colorful sweeping views.

I thought the chairs in the first photo above were totally unusual with the pierced seats and backs.  I've never seen anything like them.  Very intricate carving.  They also had small benches in the same design.  I like the ormolu trim on the table's rim but not the urn and pheonixes on the stretcher. There was a time in my past that I would have liked the savonnerie rug, but not now -- just too much color and too much pattern.  This estate is a good place for it to be together with those rose damask chairs.

This is one very large sitting room.  You could probably entertain 100 guests here for cocktails. Notice the lavender paint trim on the chairs.  Very unusual don't you think paired with the turquoise damask?

Of course, you have to see the queen's bedroom.  I don't think I could do the gold room either.  Just tooooooo much.

Nice console table but I probably would get tired of the swags. Some more unusual chairs.  They said that during the revolution most of the furnishings were looted and they have slowly gotten some of them back by donation or acquisition.  Some pieces were brought here from other palaces that they owned in the kingdom.

I enjoy looking at the interiors even though much of it is not my taste.  What I did love, though, were the doors, interior shutters and door hardware --  oh! much to love there.  Look for a later post of those objects.

I did also want to mention that it was difficult to get great photos inside the palaces because of the light.  It was either too dark with the drapes pulled, or too bright with so much light flooding in.

Summer

Photos: www.swedefurniture.com 

 

Paris: Versaille's Petite Trianon

 

Love this staircase -- honey can we have one like it in our next house?

For love of white and iron, this was eye candy.  Do you ever think about who the craftsmen were who made things like this?  In the 1700's no less.

Summer

Photo: www.swedefurniture.com

 

Paris: Collage of Beautiful Things

 

Below is a collage of photos I took in Paris the past few weeks.

There is the rear courtyard at Versailles, an interior door at Versailles, a ruin wall overdoor from the remains of a chateau in the town of Roissy en France, and an old French document dated 1741 that I purchased at the Vanves fleamarket.

Just starting to sort out all the 2,000 photos. Enjoy!

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tablescape: Winter White

 

Still in love with white in all its various shades. Whether winter or summer.

Mr. Swede and I just celebrated our 20 year anniversary. This would be great for a bridal dinner anytime of year as well.

White coral is so easy to decorate with.  Put a few pieces in the center of the table and you're done.

Stemware is Simon Pearce's Stratton pattern on the left and William Yeoward's Flavia on the right.

All the china is Anna Weatherley.  I just got the chargers and love them. Undulating edge in gold and totally plain in a great size. Dinner plates are Anna's Simply Anna pattern in white on white. Bread and butter is very simple with a cute shape.  Butter knives are French made by Jean Dubost.

This is really a simple table. No flowers, no placecards, no service plates, no fuss.

Napkins were purchased from a very sweet American lady living in France who loves the brocantes and flea markets like I do. This is Mr. Swede's monogram, so I had to buy them. Also came with a tablecloth. Napkins are actually lapkins as they are 30" wide. It took me a while to learn how the French fold such a huge lapkin to get it this size.

Flatware is mostly antique mother of pearl sets I have found at places like Roundtop and from various antique dealers.  The forks and fish knives came as a set.  The ice tea spoon is new from Vietri. I'm not sure regular spoons were ever made in MOP as I have never found any.  You see mostly knife sets.

Heavy quilted cotton cloth with scalloped edge.

When guests know this can be thrown in the washing machine they relax. I have found many people have a fear of white. Pillow on the sofa in the back of the room is from Callisto Home.

View of the placesetting.

Clear glass candleholders and four inch chunky candles are from Pottery Barn.

Most of the large coral pieces were a gift from Mr. Swede over a period of years and are from the Iron Gate shop in Franklin, TN, which we love visiting.

There is more white coral in the mercury glass on this console table I designed for Swede Collection. This is the mercury glass I showed in my New Year's table last week.

Also in the dining room is this Swedish buffet cabinet I designed for Swede Collection with the leaf tip trim and stepped base. Of course, it is full of plates!

I love the natural beauty of white coral so much I can't imagine getting tired of decorating with it and storing it away.

I'm going to keep this one on the table for a few weeks as I never tire of white.

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Daily Dose of Beauty: Crown Symbols

 

I can find something beautiful in unusual places. I am particularly fond of crown symbols. When I saw a photo of a French wine bottle with a crown formed into the glass, I asked Mr. Swede to see if he could locate the bottles on his business trips to Paris.

Mr. Swede was successful. Apparently several wineries bottle their wine in this bottle.

There are two different wine bottles here using the crown logo -- just slightly different in the design on the crown.

I will save these wine bottles and use them to decorate. Perhaps using a candle or as a bud vase for flowers.  Very fun.  Brings me simple joy. Thank you, Mr. Swede.

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Decor Style: Shopping Marburger Farm at Round Top

 

I attended the fall antique show at Round Top, Texas last week in the 96 degree heat.  I came home a day early. Yes, unheard of for me to be a quitter at an antique show. I got to the point where I was drained of energy and just couldn't focus on another booth of fabulous stuff. I guess I shopped until I dropped. Just too hot to shop after about 10:00 in the morning. On the second day of shopping it rained for all of five minutes and didn't even get the ground wet. Texas has a big struggle with livestock survival this year as the long-term intense heat dried up all the grazing land and ponds. Driving across Texas the land looked desolate. Even the Red Oak trees couldn't survive and the Live Oaks were struggling. Everything was brown. On the highways we noticed truck after truck hauling hay bales into Texas.  

 
To see past posts I've done on the spring antique show at Marburger Farm, go HERE and HERE. Marburger Farm is just one venue at this event. There are more venues all up and down Hwy. 237 and in the small surrounding towns near Round Top.  Mile after mile of antiques. I did notice that the former sign that said the population of Roundtop was 77 had been changed to 90.  Now imagine 20,000 people showing up for a week of antique shopping. We certainly helped the local economy. 

First, if you have never attended, I want to show you how big the tents are at Marburger Farm. They must be the length of a football field.  There are three this big [below], another one this long but only half as wide and then another two that are almost this long and wide and three a little bit shorter and then two small tents.  To get through the eight major tents and 11 wooden buildings on the promenade takes a full day if you move fast.  I try to move through them at a moderate pace and take two days.  Then I go down the road to The Red Barn [air conditioned!!!] for a half day. Sometimes I hit Bahia or go to Warrenton.  You really can't see it all even if you stay a week.

 
Do you think this tent is 100 yards long? These tents are not air conditioned. See how brown the ground is - grass has all died. If I go back again, I think I'll only go to the spring show in April.  I saw Leslie Sinclair outside one of the buildings under an awning selling her new book, Segreto. That's a dedicated but brutal way to sell your book. Also signs were along the road pointing to Rachel Ashwell's place but I decided not to go to her book signing party at her new ranch Tuesday evening.

Walk through the tents with me and I will point out the things I liked and the best booths. They claim to have 350 dealers on 43 acres, so I only photoed a few. My camera got very heavy in the heat so I didn't take as many pictures as I have in the past. I must say that they do have fabulous items - so many incredible things your head spins.  I have never found a bargain here either. Mr. Swede calls it "high retail".  The most I hope for is just a fair price. Much of it is out of my price range, such as a set of 8 Swedish small kitchen chairs for $16,000. Looking at the eye candy is inspiring and I find it uplifting and joyful.

 
This is the General Store. Inside are six dealers with fabulous china, glassware and other decorative treasures. On the porch is Maison de France of Leeds, AL. I never miss stopping by the porch for antiques brought over from France by Ginny. I purchased a metal floor candlestand here.

 
I like how the antiques are displayed. Mirrors stacked in front of mirrors, architectural salvage and big French chairs.

 
Designing with alter candlesticks is still going strong. Nice country fruitwood chest.

 
Sconces, neutral pale pottery, and big meat domes are plentiful. Gilt and silver leaf finishes always get my attention. I am seeing severly distressed objects being considered "perfect" condition. I like aged finishes but not distressing on purpose to create age.

 
Sunburst mirrors of all styles going strong. I loved the pattern on the frame of this silver mirror. I still see many lamp bases made of iron salvage. Those looks don't seem to have faded in popularity.

 
I don't think French chairs will ever go out of style. These Louis XIV chairs have been recovered in linen. Beige linen upholstery or white upholstery is still a great neutral choice.

 
Small tables and French mirrors of any size are always in demand. I always get my fill of eye candy at Ginny's booth.

Next building - Legler House on the promenade.

 
There are two wonderful dealers in this building, Designs by Grace and Kelley Zeleskey of Houston.

 
These dealers show repainted furniture in lovely shades of gray and white. Here you see some 1960's blue dining room chairs waiting for reupholstery. Do you remember this style? There were thousands of this style French chairs made in the 60's and 70's.

 
They do a great job of merchandising and display. They always have nice mirrors. I enjoy this very pleasing booth since I am a lover of white and neutral interiors.

 
Here are two cute white painted chairs and another look at the French cupboard which was probably brown wood before. Now it is sporting wire door panels.

Next, in big tent A, we have Willow Nest Farm from almost local Burton, Texas. It is a booth not to miss.

 
If you love white, romantic interiors or feminine style, don't miss this booth. Above you can see the beautiful white children's clothing.

 
The Aubusson flat weave rug and coverlet is in a soft shell pink color. Just beautiful!

 
Linda and Ludmil put together a stunning booth.

 
Linda's attention to detail of small objects is just total eye candy.

 
In Tent A, this is California dealer Machtolff's Mercantile. Linen and hemp fabrics are still going strong along with Belgian decor.

 
This is a wider shot of their booth.

 
A couple dealers had these zinc baskets. None of them could nail down what they actually were used for. Machtolff's said they were to dip olives into a brine during harvest and were from France, others said they were from Turkey and others said they were to dip flowers into water during field harvest [don't think so]. I first saw them online at Atelier de Campagne HERE in California. I also got the popular zinc wire baskets from Machtolff's that dealers weren't sure what they were originally designed for.  They reminded me of baskets to pick potatoes [but too tall] and one dealer said they were for harvesting mussels. Lifting those filled with mussels would ruin your back! I would guess they are from the 1960's.  I think it is best to buy them only if you like them and not count on dealer information to be accurate. HERE are the wire baskets at Atelier de Campagne in California. It would not surprise me if some dealers purchased them there at the recent container sale to sell at Marburger Farm.  Mine has a maker's mark on the handles that does look Belgian.

I bought two zinc baskets from Machtolff's to use for burgundy colored fall Mums for my front porch.

 
I saw prices all over the place on these -- from $65 with a lot of rust to $295 - that's crazy! You could use them like I am as cachepots for plants with internal pots such as ferns or any seasonal plant or for rolled bath towels at a beach house. Pretty much as versitile as a woven wicker basket. Mr. Swede loved buying wayyyyyy too many gourds and pumpkins in Burton at a roadside stand.

 
Louis Vuitton trunks are for sale outside the Gulf building.

Also in Tent A, I always stop at Antiques on Holiday's booth.

 
I'm always anxious to see what Ann and her husband brought back from France and Belgium.  They have the best prices on glass demijohns.  Ann always has things like bird cages, antique books, china, tables, chairs and this time a taxidermed blue peacock.

 
Here you can see the peacock.

 
Ann's shop is in Destin, Florida. She has a good eye for selecting merchandise.

 
Sconces, paintings and architectural elements like shutters and doors are still going strong. People are still faux painting in light paint these brown wood French buffets, chests and armoires. The two big books above are French dictionaries.  

Another dealer not to miss in Tent D is Mitra of Houston's Art & Antique Hunter booth.

 
Mitra has fabulous trumeaus, chandeliers, tables, mirrors and chairs.

 
I believe she said she is a fourth generation importer of Italian and European antiques. My eye caught the coronas on the table.  A wide variety of lovely things to choose from in this booth.

Next in Tent A is this eye candy booth which I think is East of LA. One thing I don't like about Marburger Farms is that the booths do not have the seller's logo prominently displayed so you know whose booth it is.

 
I love this gal's style. She does a great job of merchandising her wares. Gold leafed chairs and metal objects, white/light fabrics, great display pieces.

Maybe because I am attracted to white and light interiors, I found many booths at Marburger in this style. I don't think it is going away anytime soon.

 
Cute little French desk in the front. Lots of white pillows, slipcovers, etc.

 
White chest, white marble sculpture, white iron planter, etc.

 
Light wood chest and mirror with iron lamp bases.

 
Another light wood chest, metal lamp bases and painted metal box for flowers.

 
Every shade of gray is still going strong. Notice the salvaged wood used to back the sconces.

 
This painted white antique chair is ready for reupholsery and a better faux finish on the frame. Very unique and a true antique. If there were do-overs, I would have purchased this.

 
There was an unlimited supply of brown wood furniture painted light colors -- gray, white, beige and pale greens or blues.

 
Chairs reupholstered in white.

 
Chests and nightstands ready for a new life.

 
I am so glad the recycling of these pieces is popular. I can't imagine how much furniture went to the landfill before this style became chic. Sorry I don't know the name of this dealer.

 
Here is another dealer with a fabulous booth. Wonderful canape/settee.

 
Needlework pillows and a framed piece on the wall.

 
We do see some brown wood tables that were not repainted.

 
Old beds are always popular especially with white bedding. Lots of ruffles. I think this dealer is J. Hill Designs.

 
Very attractive look of the lace top on the dress form. Nice French cabinet also.

 
Clock faces in decor hasn't faded. This dealer was also selling Leslie Sinclair's new book, Segreto.

 
Silverplated meat and food domes are in the height of popularity.  Very beautiful display.

 
Crackle painted old kitchen cabinet.

 
And, here is the latest style --typography used in interiors.

 
What do you think? Do you like subway style?

 
And the industrial look. 

 
Another building not to miss is the Silver Dollar Saloon. The dealers in here sell excellent transferware, majolica and estate jewelry.

You can also find an English transferware dealer at Zieger House.

 
Christopher English and Dennis & Dad are the dealers here.

 
They have an extensive collection of transferware, earthenware and pottery. I have a platter very much like this one.

 
Some nice painted chairs here on the porch.

Note to Dealers:  If I could not find you or your business card in your booth to identify you in my photos, I want to give you credit. Please send me an email and I will add your name. I don't want to leave you out but I couldn't be certain from the Howdy map who the owners of the booths were.

We came home to a cool 70 degree temperature.  My flower garden is loving it -- and so are we!!

Hope you enjoyed your tour of Marburger Farm.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Travel: Love Of The Old Buildings in Paris

 

You know I'm crazy about detailed architecture on the old buildings in Paris. I'm showing today a few of the photos Mr. Swede took on his visit to Paris last week.  He had a morning to walk around and take photos for me, however, it was sprinkling and you can see the sky is pretty dull in some of the shots.

 
 Everyone knows what this is.

 

 No explanation necessary.

 
This is the Dome des Invalides and surrounding gardens. It is the chapel as part of the barracks to house 4,000 war veterans in 1676.  Doesn't look bad for being 335 years old. Information about it is Here. 

 
Here are a few more photos of the domed building.

 
View from the street.

Now walking around to the other side of this complex you can see the military barracks buildings.

 
I don't know my world history enough to know who France was at war with in the 1600s.

 
These buildings are now museums.

 
French architects were really great about putting detail on their buildings. They sure liked putting statues on the rooftops.

 
A closer view of the top.

 
More statues on top of another pretty building. I sure hope they don't fall off.

 
These statues are on the ground.  The French are great at landscaping their public spaces.

 
Very pretty garden. Doesn't look like it suffered from the summer heat.

 
Another nearby church.

All for now. I'll show more Paris architecture in another post.

Have a great weekend.

Summer

Photos: Mr. Swede

 

Travel: Strolling The Streets of Paris

 

When Mr. Swede's job takes him to Paris each month, he has a permanent standing assignment from me to be a street walker. Anytime he has a few free hours, I ask him to walk up and down the streets near his hotel and take photos of the architectural detail of the old buildings. He has done a great job of getting some fabulous shots, maybe some by accident. I am holding those in reserve and not posting them until I figure out how to use them, hopefully to make some revenue.  I've told him that if he can come home with two to four 2die4 shots and 10% great shots out of 100, he's done an excellent job. I'm very anxious when he comes home to get his camera [okay, so I'm standing at the door squealing with delight] and download the photos to see what he has brought me.  Last week he was in Paris three days and was able to get out to take photos one of those days but the weather was not good being gloomy with overcast skies.  Maybe the next trip will be better. He has had to pass on leaving the hotel a few trips because it was raining too hard. 

It seems Paris is crazy for red Geraniums as they are in alot of his shots, mostly in potted windowboxes or planters.  Maybe they are easy to grow for balconies.

 
I do love the black iron balcony railings and find all the different styles very interesting.

 
Here they are in planters sitting on the pavement.

 
That blue door was interesting too. 

 
This is attractive. Great balconies and carvings.

 
I love this shot. It has everything to admire.

 
Someone liked pink Geraniums.  Almost like they didn't get the memo on red.

 
I am wondering if Paris has the most fountains per square mile in Europe.  Under Napolean III, Paris was renovated from a Middle Ages style city by city planner Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann. This took place from 1853 to 1870 and continued on after Napoleon. Haussmann's plan put the wide tree-lined boulevards in place as well as many beautiful buildings that are still standing today.  Read about Haussmann Here. 

 
Jean Charles Adolphe Alphand, as Directeur des Travaux De Paris, the chief engineer of parks between 1855 and 1870 added so much beauty to Paris. Notice on the above statue the people working in gardens with shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, shrubs, etc. You can read about the parks created under his direction Here.

Mr. Swede walked down both sides of the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and was particularly interested in this building at 109. 

 
This building was constructed between 1897 and 1899 to be a hotel for the Paris World's Fair of 1900. The architect was Georges Chedanne. It was known as the Elysees Palace. I'm not sure if that was tongue in cheek or not because the real Elysees Palace is a few blocks away at 55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, built 1718-1722 and has been the residence of the President of France since 1874.

The building was purchased in 1919 by HSBC Private Bank and is their headquarters today.  It looks like the architect commissioned French sculptors to carve the marble around the round windows as they are signed. On the North and South side of the building, the windows are oval and I could not find a signature on the marble.  Notice in the above photo on the first floor the round and oval windows at the corner of the two streets.

 
Above you can see the signature on the left side of Mr. Hippolyte Jules Lefebvre [b.1863/d.1935].  Mr. Swede brought me photos of three of his.

 
Above is the work of sculptor Louis Baralis [b.1862/d.1940].  He did several on this building as well.

 
Above is one by sculptor Francois Leon Sicard [b.1862/d.1934].

 
Above is an example of the oval windows.  I just love this kind of work.  They sure don't design buildings like this anymore.

 
Above is another style of round window.  I wish these were all signed.  Researching the sculptors gave me a history lesson in archicture of Paris.

 
Above is the Arc de Triomphe. You can see people on the roof who climbed the stairs to get a good view of Paris.

 
Lighting is not great due to the overcast skies on this photo, but I adjusted it the best that I could.

 
There are always plenty of street vendors for fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers.

 
Want an apartment in Paris?  They are plentiful.

 
I like looking at the roof details. Always interesting.

 
And here's another one.

 

 

 
Studying the detail on all these buildings would take a lifetime.

 
Here is the Claridge Fraser Suites hotel.

 
And the Marriott.

I'll save the rest for another post.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Mr. Swede

 

Tablescapes: French Porcelain - Big Bang Bronze

 

I have a love affair going with a French porcelain company, Jaune de Chrome.  When I walked into a china shop a few years ago and saw their plates on the wall display, I was struck with awe and couldn't quit staring at them.  Since that time, I have been able to aquire several of their patterns when I found them discounted. I love all the patterns for different reasons and would be hard pressed to choose my favorite. Today I am using Big Bang Bronze. It also comes in Gold and Platinum.

 

I am using this as both the charger and the dinner plate as I like larger plates when the rim is quite wide and leaves a smaller white center for the food.

The glazes and designs are so unusual.  I don't think there is anything like them.

 

This is a close-up view of the pattern Big Bang Bronze.  The glaze changes in the light as your eye moves. I suspect that "big bang" means explosion of pattern in the glaze or some translation between French and English.

 

Here it is shown with another French antique fish plate painted by Muville. The glaze seems to always pull out the shades of antique plates that you never noticed before. The aqua of the tumbler pulls out the color on the backs of the two fish.

 

I am using French napkins by Le Jacquard Francais and Italian flatware and Italian glassware.  The tumblers are from the Italian maker Bormioli Rocco & Figlio in the Bicchiere Sorgente pattern "acqua" colorway.  For flatware, I am using gold plated stainless steel made by the Italian company Ricci Argentieri in their Raffaello pattern. You can find these at neimanmarcus.com and the non-gold ones [all stainless] at some Dillard's stores. They were recently on sale at both stores with extra percentages off. The knife blades are not gold plated. I loved them because of the fish scale pattern and the handle is round. The fish scale pattern goes perfectly with all my antique fish plates. Sometimes sterling, being gray, just does not go well with gold rimmed plates. 

 

Above is another fish plate from the set with a slight color change. For this small setting, I am using as a centerpiece some old world looking objects instead of flowers. I am using one of my go-to tablecloths made out of neutral canvas.

 

I just purchased the French hand painted birds plates from an estate sale in Missouri.  They are in mint condition -- can't beat that.  And the painting on them is beautifully done.

I  am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede  

 

Romantic Tablescapes: Parisian Woman Reading

 

This magenta tablescape centerpiece is a statue called Parisian Woman Reading that was found at an estate sale in France.  I got it directly from the dealer in central France. I believe this statue was probably on the top of a clock or some similar object at one time.

 

 

I chose the magenta colorway based on the color of the cherubs on the service plates. The dealer I purchased them from told me they belonged to a granddaughter of Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly [died 1952], who was one of nine children of William H. Vanderbilt. Apparently there was a large set of this china but by the time I found it only the dinner plates were left. According to the dealer, much of the set went to a man who collects Vanderbilt memorbilia.  I did not buy them because of the V connection because I thought that was just sales talk, but checking into it further [I Googled], I did find the last name of the seller [Burden of Connecticut] and it matched the family name on her family tree.  That doesn't really mean the granddaughter got them from Florence.  They could have come from another source or even the other side of her family.  This is when I really wish antiques could talk and tell the story of their lives.  A lot of times there is more fiction than facts to inflate an object's value.  I know that I could never sell anything that I inherited from my Grandmother or GreatGM even if I was starving.  Here is a fun New York Times story about Florence's oldest daughter's wedding in 1904. Here  I wonder if these plates came down from her inheritance.  I will never know.

I do have a William K. Vanderbilt sterling slice from the special commission made for him by Tiffany.  Apparently, a few years ago a division of the Vanderbilt Tiffany silver service was sold at auction after it had been previously split among family.  My piece was bought from someone in Canada. When it came up for sale, I recognized it from a book I have on Tiffany sterling and was the only bidder.  I did make sure it was not a fake. 

 

I just know you are not going to notice I haven't polished it.

 

I'm not sure if it was used for slicing blocks of ice cream or something else.

Here is Florence's portrait by John Singer Sargent done in 1896. Photo: johnsingersargent.org. Here

 

 

There are several different cherub scenes in the centers of the different 12 plates. They are marked on the back with both the Dresden mark and Fraureuth of Germany. 

 

Since I am doing this dinner for two in the living room on the marble-top center table circa 1902, there isn't a lot of room for a floral centerpiece so this statue works out nicely.  On one end of the table I am also using a candlestand with white candles that I purchased earlier this year at a church rummage sale. It has cherubs in white porcelain around its base.

 

 

In the above photo, you can also get a glimpse of the milk chocolate walls and seagrass rug that I did as a loving gesture to my husband who loves brown.  I've never had brown walls in my life, so that was a big departure for me. I think he was very surprised when he came home and found me in the middle of brown paint. I'm sure he thought the walls would become some shade of fleshy peach. Yum, yum.

 

I pulled the chairs back so you could see this 1902 center table.  When I bought it at an antique shop, the dealer told me it came from Marble House mansion on North Parkway in Memphis when the mansion's contents were sold when the home became an office for a church.  There were two tables for sale but the other one was huge and although I loved it more, I had no place for such a big piece of furniture.  You always regret not buying those things later.  I did drive past the house once but it is on a busy street and there is no place to park and take photos.  It is possible the table came from there, but who really knows????

I think the Vanderbilt plates with frolicing cherubs are very romantic in style.  I am using French maker JL Coquet's Hemisphere chargers with another French maker - Jaune de Chrome's dinner plates in the Feuille Or gold pattern. These plates are currently being made. They are not vintage nor antique.

 

For salad plates, I am using another German plate with a magenta floral border.

 

Here is a bigger photo.

 

Bread and butter plates as well as dessert plates have a darker shade of magenta in them. They are made by Haviland of France in the Malmaison pattern.  I think the couple fishing is romantic as the wife is sitting  on a rock holding their baby while keeping her husband company as he fishes for their dinner.  So French!

 

Below,  you can get a better view of the Jaune de Chrome dinner plates as more edge is showing.

 

I do love the unusual glazes that Jaune de Chrome puts on their china.

For napkins, I am using French maker Primrose Bordier Le Jacquard Francais's pattern Cassis Graphic Black Current. I have tucked them in between the charger and dinner plate as well as using them for a runner. They were a gift from Mr. Swede when we toured the cute little town of Franklin, TN and stopped in The Registry china shop on Main Street.

 

In the above photo, you can also see the glassware I have chosen to use in the closest color to magenta that I have.  The stemware is by Moser in a cranberry cabachon panel pattern that I do not know the name of.  They were inherited by my husband from his Mother. The tumblers are from the Italian maker Bormioli Rocco & Figlio in the Bicchiere Sorgente pattern "rosa fucsia" colorway.  The day after I ordered these from a local china shop, I found out that Marshall's and TJ Maxx purchased a warehouse inventory of them in every color they were made in.  I went down there to see if it was true, and sure enough they had the factory stickers on them.  Price: $2.99.  Well, you lose some and you win some, as they say.  I purchased all the aqua ones they had but didn't like the other colorways that were left. When I was checking out, the clerk confirmed that they did indeed have them in all colors.  What do you think Miss Vanderbilt would say about my putting these cheap glasses with her fine plates? The sides are undulating??? so you can put your fingers in the recesses to hold on to them better.

 

For flatware, I am using gold plated stainless steel made by the Italian company Ricci Argentieri in their Raffaello pattern.  You can find these at neimanmarcus.com and the non-gold ones at some Dillard's stores. They were recently on sale at both stores with extra percentages off.  The knife blades are not gold plated.  I loved them because of the fish scale pattern and the handle is round.  Sometimes sterling, being gray, just does not go well with gold rimmed plates.  This is a good alternative.

 

Below, and above, you can see the Coquet Hemisphere's deep groove lines. They are very heavy.

 

It is fun to turn the forks upside down like the Europeans do.

 

 Put on some romantic music.

 

 I do like using the height of a center table as a coffee table so it can be used to dine on occasionally.

  

On the sofa in the back of this photo, the center pillow is a new one I just got made by Callisto Home here.  I love all the embroidery on it.  Don't tell Mr. Swede it was about half the cost of the Vanderbilt plates. Lovely, but ouch! Good thing my bonus check came in.

 

 

 

  

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

All the best to you,

Summer

 

Tablescapes: Introducing My Virtual Dining Room

 

 

I decided to try something new for me in tablescaping -- the virtual tablescape.  Several reasons for this: 1) I want to introduce my readers to dinnerware that they may not know exists, ranging from the stunningly beautiful to the quirky  2) I cannot ever afford most of it to do an actual tablescape, and 3) I cannot do 52 weekly tablescapes each year at home for Tablescape Thursday.  So, on the weeks I don't do a real tablescape at home, I am going to try to do a virtual one.  Nice thing about virtual ones -- you can spend the king's money and pretend to be Queen Antoinette and pick anything your heart desires!   Since money is no object, let's just pick a beautiful home in Paris. Today's color theme is turquoise.

 
Photos: Mr. Swede

This beautiful Paris door photo that my husband brought back for me is the perfect color for today's turquoise tablescape theme.  Let's put our dining table in this Parisian dining room. I have chosen one from Amy Howard Collection called the Manhattan Spider.

 
Photo credits: amyhowardcollection.com [top table] and nicholsonantiques@cox.net  of Laguna Beach, CA [console table below] Let's put the console table on a short wall with the Swedish mirror above it.

Dining table is mirrored [price unkown].  Beautiful turquoise and gold console table is $7,500. Luvvvvvvvvvvvv that console.

 
Photo credits: bjorkantikt.com [left] and massant.com [right].

Swedish 1820 mirror from bjorkantik in Atlanta is $2,450. That will look nice in our white room with turquoise accents. On the right, gold carved wood chairs by Massant. Surrounding the dining room table, let's place 12 of these Louis XVI beauties.  They are Massant's L16TF9 designed by Poirier Cabriolet in 1777 the original of which is currently in the Louvre.  These chairs are just 2die4. I have no idea what the price is, but way beyond my budget, I'm sure. Sigh!

 
Photo: massant.com. More swooning! A closer look at the chair. I love white upholstery with gold leaf frames and the running coin carving.

Now lets put in a chandelier or two and some sconces from julieneill.com. Since I like white, I am picking her Lizette models.  Don't know the price of these either.

Photo credits: julieneill.com.  Love the leaf fronds formed into a crown.  I love crowns as a symbol. The chandelier would look great in a Swedish dining room. [hint, hint Mr. Swede]

Since the dining table is mirrored, I think I want to put the chargers right down on the table without a tablecloth or placemats.   

 
Photo credits left to right: 1) limogesfrenchchina.com 2) albertopinto.com 3) kimseybert.com and 4) kimseybert.com.

French maker J. Seignolles chargers are $313 each in the Petrouchka Bleu pattern.  Have you seen these before?  2die4  Dinner plates by Alberto Pinto in the Mer Turquoise pattern at $220 each. I like how the gold centers of these dinner plates will pull up the gold on the edges of the charger.  Next, Kim Seybert tumbler in Bubble Teal at $60 and knobbed goblet in Bubble Teal at $130.  Here is a closer look at those fabulous Seignolles chargers.

 

These were love at first sight - brilliant turquiose and gold. As you may know, I don't like my china all from one pattern or one maker.  I like to mix up the patterns but keep things all in the same color theme.

 
Photo Credits: 1) Top left: linens from kimseybert.com and her cuff napkin ring below left at 4/$112. The dessert plate, top right, is by French maker Raynaud in the Jardins Celestes pattern at $78. Let's use Alberto Pinto's bread and butter plates in the Filet A Papillons butterfly pattern at $135.

 
Photo Credits:  Left: bernardaud.com; Right: raynaud.com.

For after dinner coffee, let's select another French maker, Bernardaud's Eden Turquoise cup and saucer at $230.  And let's use a salad plate from Raynaud in the Cristobal Turquoise pattern at $95.

Since we are in Paris, it is only fitting that we select French flatware. I will let you pick from my two choices.

 
Photo Credits: Left: Alain-Saint-Joanis.com.  Right: puiforcat.com

Turquoise or gold?   You may wish to stay with the turquoise theme with the color handled pattern from French maker Alain-Saint-Joanis's Tendances Seville pattern. Five pieces for one person runs $520.  Or on the right, Elysee vermeil from Puiforcat at $5,025 per place setting. This was the official service in the 1940's of the French Presidency for the Elysee palace.  Also available via neimanmarcus.com.

 
Photo credit: tacori.com

Before dinner, let's slip on this ring from Tacori's 18K925 Collection made as a doublet from quartz over green onyx with 18K gold and sterling "ringing" in at $1,150.

So there's my turquoise dinner in Paris. Did I forget anything other than food and flowers?  I used Picasa3 software to make the collages to double up the photos to save space.  If you know of a better way to do this, please email me.  I am a true novice at this. Doing the virtual tablescape certainly took more time to put together than a tablescape at home. 

Hope you have enjoyed shopping with me and spending alot of virtual money.

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

All the best to you,

Summer

 

Travel: Rooftops of Paris

 

When my husband is in Paris for work several times a month, if he has an extra day to explore, he always brings me back architectural photos of Parisian details on buildings from his walks around the streets by his hotel.  I love it when he stays in different areas of the city. I want to share just a few photos with you of his aerial views and rooftops.

 

Here is the beautiful rooftop of La Chapelle Royale built 1699 at Versailles for the royal family. Love the windows also. I hope my husband will be able to see the inside on his next visit.

 

And look at the roof detail in this section of the palace of Versailles. I also loved the detail on the fence.  I am wondering if this is real gold leaf or gold paint. There is a type of real gold for exterior use shown in my gilding supply catalog.  Versailles started out as a small hunting lodge in 1624 and then expanded by all the Louis kings.

 

 

This church is Saint Louis Cathedral in the city of Versailles. Churches seem to almost always have great roofs. Here's the plaque.

 

Below is another pretty rooftop of a building visible from the backside of Versailles. I would think Paris has more statues than any other city.

 

Below is an aerial view of Paris. The population of France is roughly 65 million and Paris is 2.1 million.

 

In looking at all those rooftops, I don't know about you, but I consider Paris high density living.  I don't think there is a square inch of unused space. I think we are looking at all 2.1 million homes.

 

I love this photo also.

 

Doesn't this high rise hotel look out of place sticking up above the other buildings? What happened to zoning codes?

 

 

I absolutely love this photo.  He took it from the top of La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre.  Great job, Honey.

 

Now here's a rooftop for you! Since Sacre Coeur sits up on a hill, it has commanding views of all of Paris.  It would be hard to know how many thousands of artists have painted this building.  I have collected over the years oil paintings by unknown artists who painted Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame and other places along the Seine River and sold them on street corners and parks.  Most of mine were probably done in the 1950's and 60's. I always know where the painting was done if I see the domes of this building.

 

And, this building is lovely also. Sorry I don't know the name of it.

 

Do you see Sacre Coeur in the distance? Aerial view in the opposite direction.

 

Rooftops of Paris. Sigh.

 

Not a bad view.

 

And, how about this rooftop view with that old brown metal thing in view?

 

I want to live here. Pleeezzz? We could just occupy only one floor.  

How's this view?

 

There is no lack of beautiful buildings in Paris.

 

My husband climbed the 382 steps to the top to get those photos.

Thank you, Mr. Swede, for the views.

Summer 

ACS Showhouse Memphis: Amy Howard and Post 31 Interiors

 

I am crazy about attending charity design showhouses. If I am traveling anywhere in the U.S. and find I am near one, I always try to attend. I started attending them in the mid 1970's. I remember the first one I attended in Jacksonville, Florida in the Ortega neighborhood. It had bright hot pink painted walls in the living room. It was shocking. I have never forgotten it nor the Coronado, California Ocean Boulevard 1888 mansion where the designer painted the dark woodwork purple. All the hundred since then still draw me in to see what the latest ideas are. Love the oval windows below. The double-door covered entry is great if your home faces West. It cuts that tremendous heat from the sun. I also like light color coated brick.

 

Sunday I went to see the American Cancer Society showhouse in Memphis, TN built by Kircher-Belz to see what Amy Howard with her assistant, Julie Nicholson, designed [all of the first floor] with her furniture line Amy Howard Collection and sponsored by F. Schumacher Fabrics.  Teresa Davis, owner of Post 31 Interiors, here designed the second floor.  The builder, Eddie Kircher, was there to greet everyone and show pride in his French-style beautiful home. The showhouse is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until July 31 if you are in the vacinity to attend. And, by the way, I want to mention that 100% of the $20 ticket goes to the American Cancer Society, a very rare occurrence.

 

It is just incredible to me that the designers donate so much time and resources doing a showhouse.  I think it is extremely generous on their part.  Both Amy Howard and Post 31Interiors have done showhomes in the past. I believe this is the third one that I've attended where Amy Howard contributed extensively and the second for Post 31, whose shop is on Poplar in Germantown.  To see my post on a showhouse done by Amy last year, go here.  To see a post I did on taking her workshops, go here.

There are certain features I look for in showhouses each time.  I love to see a stunning bed in a master bedroom, a large lovely dining room, huge kitchen walk-in pantries and fabulous craftsmanship in iron staircases, lots of French doors, fireplaces and built-ins.  Homes with 12 foot ceilings seem to be just right for my eye.  Shorter is too short and taller is too tall.  My husband requires a fabulous kitchen to wow him and his ultimate requirement -- the range must be vented to the exterior. I won't show you the entire home but let me show you some room designs that I liked. Let's look at the master bedroom first.

 

This is my favorite bed, the Keats, in Amy Howard's line.  You know I love painted furniture and gold leaf trim and a bed done in white linens. Note the Schumacher fabric on the headboard, drapes and acrylic leg Gloria bench. I love all the neutrals -- whites, silvery grays, creams and beiges. Although framed intaglios have past their in-style heyday, I still think they are interesting and need to reframe mine.  I like framed French antique documents also which I found in this home in the living room. Even though I can't read many words in French, the beautiful script, ink and seals intrigue me.

 

I believe all the artwork is represented by L/Ross Gallery here.  I prefer white painted wood wide plank floors, but my husband likes dark wood as shown here. With any successful room design, it is all in the details.

 

Here you can see the chandelier and the coffered ceilings. There were a pair of Tate slipper chairs by the French doors with an Avalon cocktail table between them. 

 

Here is a closer look at the art. Stanley mirrored nightstands are on each side of the bed. Mirrored furniture is having a long run in interior design, which does sort of surprise me. Of course, the vintage 1940's French pieces are highly sought out.  The bedding and pillows are also available at Amy Howard Collection outlet on Perkins in East Memphis.  Amy Howard has also opened an outlet in Nashville, TN.

 

The Giometti console cabinet for the television at the end of the bed. I believe the sliding doors are shagreen style leather.

 

In the master bath, Ravello mirrored consoles were used as sink cabinets. The sconces used throughout the house were very unusual including these in the master bath. I do not know the manufacturer.

 

I liked the large gray tiles and the marble around the tub.

The Amy Howard spaces are not overdecorated like you see in so many showhouses.   Next, let's look at the dining room.  I love a large dining room where you can actually put all the leaves in your table, have 12 chairs around it and have plenty of room for cabinets.  This dining room is a wonderful size.  In my ideal dream house, the dining room is a multipurpose space, however. My philosophy on dining rooms is either make them spacious and 2die4 if they are going to be constantly visible, or put the table on casters and wheel it into a closet when not needed for a dinner and use the space for another purpose. And, who doesn't love French doors. I like the kind that lead out to a private walled patio filled with flowers, fountain and potted trees.

 

Love the neutrals here also and the ceiling design. The Gueridon painted and mirrored cabinet for a buffet on the right and a black painted Wesley armoire on the left.  The shine on the rug is where it is taped down for safety.

 

Here we see just a little light blue brought into the room in the carpet and a look at the Wesley china cabinet.

 

Here we see a dining chair with the fabulous F. Schumacher drapery fabric.

 

Shown below, the breakfast room was to the left of the kitchen.

 

And here you can see the light fixture and the beautiful drapery fabric.

 

The dining room, kitchen and living room were open to each other. I consider this a great room effect. This is where the family would really do their great "living".

 

You have balance on both sides of the fireplace with two Maya chests and sunburst mirrors. 

 

I liked the fragment lamp and framed antique documents as accessories, partially out of view on the right.

 

The Bridgett coffee table holds a variety of books and is of substantial size.

 

The daybed is placed in front of the French doors, just as I did in my home.

 

The neutral upholstery and carpets give great flexibility.

 

Here is a closer look at the fireplace.

 

The front metal staircase with the architectural remnant figural table.

 

I love seeing these objects used as accessories and given a new life.

 

A Tivoli console used in a hallway.

 

A Madison mirrored console and St. Regis bench in the study.  This study could be used as a small formal living room if desired, but I think it would be best used as an office.  I would add built in storage cabinets for files along one wall.

 

This study was somewhat remote to the other living spaces. I would have liked to see a large table desk in here with chairs instead of the two banquette-like sofas.  I am perplexed about the live chicken/rabbit transfer crate as a coffee table and assume that it was some kind of inside joke we weren't privy to.  The blue dyed carnations and green Boxwood under both windows (ouch!).  Love the Schumacher fabric on the throw pillows.  Overscaled floor lamps.

There were many other nice features to this home, too numerous to show you all of them.  Let's go upstairs now and see the spaces designed by Post 31.

 
This is the first bedroom. Lovely linens and a large wall mirror. Great for guests or a mature older daughter.

 

Distressed chest and a lantern filled with collectibles.

 

Contemporary floor lamps on both sides of the tufted headboard.

 

Second bedroom upstairs with the gold metal bed and luxury linens.

 

Demilune table and mirrored door accessories.

 

Seating area at the foot of the bed with the metal drum tables.

 

I really liked this room with the dormer window which would be great for a bedroom for an older boy.

 

These display cabinets lined the walls between the bedrooms.

The home is for sale by River City Land Company at $889,000. It is 4869 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths with a three-car garage located at 5254 Winestone Cove, Memphis.

For sales information on the home: 901-756-0808.

For furniture sales for Post 31: 901-529-7670

For furniture sales for Amy Howard: 901-547-1448

Hope you enjoyed taking a look at this showhouse with me.

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Getting the Look: Marburger Farm Continued

 

Continuing my prior post about antique shopping at Marburger Farm in Round Top, Texas.

 
 

I want to show you some of my favorite booths. I am going to just post the photo with no comments about each one so you can enjoy the details in your own way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who have never been to Marburger Farm, or attended the Round Top antique show [there are hundreds of venues], just at Marburger Farm alone, the brochure says there are 350 dealers on 43 acres.  There are old buildings which look like they were brought onto the site as well as HUGE white tents.  Four or five of the white tents are each the size of a football field. Below is a photo of one of the smaller tents. There are probably 3 of these.  There are also venues in Carmine and Warrenton. I don't think it is possible to see every vendor in the county in a week's visit.

 

Below are some of the old structures where vendors set up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we are traveling down the two-lane back roads to get to Round Top, we go through this one-lane arch.

 

If you love antiques, and have not been to this antique show, I hope you are able to attend soon.  They are held twice a year. Check out their website.

Summer

Photos: Swede  

Finding Beauty in Paris: Historic Buildings

 

 

Today's pretty picture is the back gate of the French Republic in Paris taken from Avenue Gabriel.  My husband walked down from his hotel to the American Embassy and took this photo of the gate to the residence of the President of France.

 

Hope you are having a nice weekend.  I have to get back to weeding my flowerbeds.

Summer

Photo: Nice Husband

Searching for Beauty: Doors of Paris

 

I have a standing request with my husband when he is in Paris for work that he take photos of doorways and other architectural elements.  I consider this free beauty. No cost for looking.  This trip he stayed near the Arc de Triomphe which has the Avenue des Champs-Elysees on one side and the Avenue de la Grande Armee on the other. He brought me this photo of 22 Avenue de la Grande Armee.

 

The architect was Victor Gaucher.  I tried to find the date of construction but wasn't successful.  I would presume it was the late 1890's as I found other buildings in Paris he designed around that time.

 

That's some teal paint! I wonder what the original color was. This building looks like it takes up half a city block.

Have a super weekend.

Summer

Photo: Nice Husband

 

French Collectibles In-house Antique Sale in Memphis

 

 

 

Joni Webb, on her blog Cote de Texas, mentioned that New Orleans antiques dealer and stager Mignon Favrot Topping was doing an in-house antique sale in Memphis, TN this week.  The information is at the very bottom of Joni's post on February 22 where the main story is on Jackye Lanham. Last year, Joni did a post on Mignon's in-house sale staged in Houston on June 25, 2009. To read it go here.  The home used for the June 2009 sale was very large.

The Memphis one is a very small 1940's English cottage style 3b/3b home in a very established older section of Memphis called Belle Meade. It appears that Mignon's business plan is to host these sales in vacant homes that are for sale.  Unique idea, I admit.

To see the house when it was listed for sale, go here.

Here are some photos of the French Collectibles Memphis sale.

 

4143 Gwynne Road in Memphis

 

 Stone, brick and metal entry.

 

French Collectible's sign hanging from the huge old tree.

 

The front door opens directly into the living room. Here we have a Swedish bench in front of the window holding silk pillows, an acrylic coffee table, silver metal and glass-top end tables, contemporary art over the fireplace, a black French occasional table, faded Oushak rug, leather folding screen, French chairs, and in the wall niches painted black, some small artworks.

 

Near the front door, an inlaid chair and a large walnut French chest. Notice the rugs.

 

 

 On the left you can see a painted corner cabinet that is nice. In the foreground is a Swedish daybed in melon silk.

 

 

 

On a short wall, there is a mirror on top of a Swedish chest and a wooden box for a statue. Of course, you could put a lot of wonderful objects in this cabinet.

 

 

Here is a close up of the small double door tabernacle.

In the hallway on the left there is a small wooden chest, a black painted wooden art piece and a candlestick.

 

Below is a bedroom with twin beds.

 

Modern tables at the ends of the metal beds.  Cute chest in the middle.

 

I think this was actually the master bedroom as the other two bedrooms were smaller.  

 

A closer look at the chest.

 

And a leather screen.

 

And antique framed wallpaper panels.

 

 The third small bedroom had a coffee table, bench and chest.

 

 

Here is a French vanity with inlay, probably walnut.  

 

A pair of pretty white chairs.

 

 The third small bedroom had a French trumeau.

The dining room was my favorite.

 

The relief panels of putti above the Italian console were wonderful.

 

The opposite wall in the dining room. Trumeau above the pine cabinet.

 

More views of the dining room. The carpet was made in patchwork squares.

 

 

 

Here you can see the candlesticks are not gilded on the backside. This is the way they were made at the time because gold was precious in cost and when placed on the alter, nobody saw the backside anyway.  

 

 

 

This kitchen table had two benches.

 

The kitchen banquette area displayed these bamboo-style chairs and a bamboo trimmed wall cabinet shown on the right.

The upstairs family room was a sales display area for smaller rugs.

 

I have intentionally not given prices on this post.

Mignon's sale runs through Saturday, February 26th.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the photos.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

What's Under Your Glass Cloche?

 

 

I'm sure you've seen these a million times in decor magazines over the past few years.  They are a decorative take off from the original glass cloches used in England to keep frost in the spring from nipping plants. Today they are used for a variety of different things.  Recently I decided to place some antique French documents in mine.  These are letters and official documents from the 1810's to 1860's.  Some have royal stamps on them. I wish I could read French to know what they are all about.  I can read a few words which are the same in English as in French.  One I can tell is a prenup as it uses the words marriage and discusses what property the bride brings to the marriage.  I think they are just pure fun.

 

I had some thin purple ribbon from a gift that I cut up and tied around the documents.

 

I love the beautiful script of the handwriting on the parchment paper. This cloche is sitting on a mirrored brass plateau.

 

Since this cloche is quite tall, I used a photocopy machine's enlargement feature to print some of the letters on 11x17 paper. All the documents are loosely rolled so as to not destroy them with creases.  I think this is just a fun way to display these papers and protect them under glass.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

 

 

Beautiful Places: Paris at Christmas

 

 

My husband forgot to tell me he had a few photos on his camera from his trip to Paris last week.

 

One of the Laduree stores decked out for the season. Everybody knows what this store sells.

 

Isn't the decor on this building unusual?  Look at those Christmas trees and the green draped bunting.

 

It was very cold so he didn't venture far from his hotel this time.

 

 

I have a standing order with him to take photos of Paris doorways, architectural details and balconies.  He brought me this doorway.

 

And here is a little holiday decoration on a balcony.

 

And, I have another standing order with him to take me with him next time.

All the best,

Summer

Photos:  Mr. Sweet Husband

 

 

More Beauty in Paris: Palais du Luxenbourg

 

Continuing our sightseeing in Paris, here are more photos of the Palais du Luxembourg and its Jardin mentioned in my earlier post.  I believe today it is used as a Senate building.

 

 

One very smart thing my husband did was take photos of the signs explaining where he was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos are from another lovely park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pretty flowers before the first frost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed.

All the best,

Summer

Photo Credits:  My Husband

Beauty in Paris: More Building Exteriors

 

Here are more Paris exteriors. Enjoy.

At the heart of Quartier Latin and close to Paris Universities, the Place St-Michel is a famous Paris landmark. The fountain in the center of the square was created by French sculptor Davioud in 1860 and represents Saint Michel, protector of France, slaying a dragon.

This is the Fontaine de St. Michel. It is a favorite place for young kids to hang out. Here is a photo that shows it is only on the end of the building.

 
Here is a close up of the sculpture. This dragon looks pretty fierce.

 

Next we have the church.

 

 

One of the smart things my husband did was take photos of the street signs where he was so he could return or remember where he took that photo.

 

Next, the Pantheon.

 

The inscription above the entrance reads AUX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE ("To the great men, the homeland [is] grateful"). By burying its great men in the Panthéon, the Nation acknowledges the honour it received from them. As such, interment here is severely restricted and is allowed only by a parliamentary act for "National Heroes".

 

 

 

 

In the center of Place de la Bastille is the Colonne de Juillet, the July Column, a steel and bronze column standing 52 meters high and weighing 170 tons. The architects Alavoine and Viollet-le-Duc designed it in the likeness of the Trajan Tower in Rome.

 

The top of the Colonne de Juillet is adorned by a gilded statue called the "Genie of Liberty". It is the work of Durmont. It has a star on its forehead and is carrying a torch in one hand and in the other a broken shackles chain.

The Colonne de Juillet commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, three days of battle called "Les Trois Glorieuses" which resulted in the overthrow of Charles X and the installation of Louis Phillipe.

At  8 place de la Bastille, 75011 Paris, France is the Bastille restaurant near the July tower at the former Place de la Bastille.  The Bastille was a fortress and prison from 1370 to 1383 an demolished during the French Revolution.  Some remaining stones of the fortress can be seen on Boulevard Henri IV.

 

 

 

Now a bridge over the Seine built in 1904.  

  
 

 

The Via Duc d'Austerlitz is a single-deck, steel arch, rail bridge that crosses the Seine in Paris. Its usage is solely dedicated to the railroad traffic.

 

And, of course, below, this is always a famous landmark for American tourists.

 

That's all for today.

Summer

Photo Credits:  My husband  

Finding Beauty: Musee du Louvre

 

Continuing with more photos of Paris, the following are of the Louvre's exterior.  Beginning as a fort around 1190, there were many renovations and extensions during the 1500's by various royals. It was vacated as the seat of power for France and the royal residence of King Louis XIV in 1692 but continued to house the royal collections.  It opened as a museum in 1793 and has undergone many changes since then.  Housing 35,000 artifacts and spread out over 652,000 square feet, it is impossible to see at one time, maybe not in weeks.  

Located on the right bank of the Seine River in the 1st arrondissement.

 

Here are some photos of the exterior architectural details.

 

The camera is tilting,not the building [smile].

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also located on the grounds is the Arc de Triomphe.

 

Close up of the top.

 

 

 Here you can see the Eiffel Tower in the background.

 

You could literally take thousands of photos of this structure and spend many days here.

More on other parts of Paris coming up next.

All the best,

Summer

Photo Credits:  Hubby

Finding Beauty: Autumn in Paris

 

My husband's job takes him to Paris frequently for about four days at a time. I have been encouraging him to do more sightseeing around the area near his hotel. He stays in three different parts of Paris; this time he was near Bercy in the 12th arrondissement. When he left for this past trip I put a camera in his hand with instruction to take photos of Paris details.  That's it.  No further instructions, preferences, wishes, begging or pleading.  I don't know why I didn't ask him to do this on his many trips before.  When I downloaded the photos I was totally surprised and thrilled with the results.  Maybe he's been paying attention to my love of design all along.  Who knew?  Maybe he's the best photographer in the household.  He did a really great job.  325 photos in four days. He did a lot of walking around Paris.  I want to share some of them with you over the next few weeks so as not to overload.  I have divided the photos into different subject matters.  

I am calling these Autumn in Paris as the leaves there are starting to turn but have not dropped off yet.  His first visit is to the Jardin du Luxembourg, a 55 acre park started in 1612 by Marie de Medici, the king's widow and regent for her son, Louis the XIII.  She asked for the planting of 2000 Elm trees.  They have been replaced over time, I'm sure with new ones. On this day they were looking magnificent.  In the park are 20 figures of French queens and female saints, only a few of them shown below. These figures were added in 1848 by Louis Philippe. There are over 100 monuments on the entire 55 acres.  I think the ones in the center of the green lawn below are the four Times of Day - looking toward the Fontaine de l'Observatoire.

  

The golden tone of the tall Elm trees along the park are captured. The grass is amazingly green. Notice that there is a fountain at the end called various names including Fountain of the Observatory, Carpeaux Fountain after the sculptor of the women statues, or Fontaine des Quatre-Parties-du-Monde.  The park is in the 6th arrondissement.

 

 

Love the turtles. Emmanuel Fremiet designed the horses, turtles and fish.  Here are some close ups of the fountain's features created in 1874. Gabriel Davioud developed the Avenue de l'Observatoire in 1867.

 

Europe has some incredible fountains and that is especially true of Paris. There are water features everywhere.

 

 

The sculptor for the garlands around the pedestal was Louis Vuillemot. Love the seashells.  Next is a view of the detailed structure on the top consisting of the armillary by Pierre Legrain and women representing four of the continents. The nudes were designed by sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. 

 

With the weight of responsibility in holding the world up, they forgot to get dressed but found time to put on their earrings.

I think the colors of the leaves are majestic as a backdrop to these queens.  Probably prettier than just green leaves during the summer.

 

I like Mary Queen of Scots's crown. Below she is full size. The plaque says:  Marie Stuart, Reine de France 1542-1587.  Note the small waist. I like the folds of her skirt, too.  Not so much the collar of the cloak.

 

I just love the leaf color here.  Great job Hubby.

On the women statues, I was noticing the size of their hands compared to the size of their waists.

 

 These leaves are just fabulously varigated and just postcard perfect. She is Clemence Isaure by Abtoine-Augustin Preault. 

 

Moving along to the next one. She is Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans.

 

 

 

I couldn't find the name of this statue.
Let's look at some other architecture surrounded by fall colors.

 

Notre Dame's gardens full of golds, reds, oranges and yellows.

 

Here you can see the trees starting to change surrounding the buildings.

 

You are looking up from the Seine River at Notre Dame. This is in the 4th arrondissement.  

This is the front of Maison du Jardinage in Bercy Park in the 12th arrondissement. I wonder if the vines on this building turn crimson red at frost.

 

This is more of the Palais du Luxemborg's gardens in the 6th again. Lovely tree color as a backdrop to the statues.  

 

Geraniums and other flowers are still beautiful until frost. You can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

 

These rose bushes are still in full color.

Tomorrow I will show you some architctural details on beautiful buildings.

All the best,

Summer

Photo Credits:  My Hubby [with hugs and kisses]

 

Design Inspiration Board Blog Contest

 

I want to share with you my interior design inspiration boards that I submitted in Tobi Fairley's contest.  Tobi is an interior designer in Arkansas and held a contest via her blog for students at her summer design camp, her staff and those following her blog.

http://tobifairley.com/blog/2010/inspiration-board-winners/

You can read about the camp and the winners via this link.  I didn't win, of course, but it was fun and I learned how to build a collage board via Picasa software. I actually submitted two inspiration boards, one using one-of-a-kind antiques selected from various online antique shops and a second one selecting new furnishings from websites where the products are available to everyone. 

I took an imaginary house and filled it with things I liked.  Since I used Picasa collages, mine is not a photo of an actual board with fabric pieces, three-dimensional items, family photos, carpet samples, etc.  Using the collage limits you to just a few photos, so I was not able to select items for an entire home or even one complete room.  

Here is the first inspiration board created with mostly antiques and vintage items:

Product List:

Let’s go online shopping for inspiration for a dream home on the outskirts of Paris.

1)   First, let’s go to Jacqueline Adams Antiques for a Swedish sofa.

2)   Then, hop over to Cote Jardin for a trumeau.

3)   Next, click over at Avolli for a pair of white chairs.

4)   Let’s go to Robert Shapiro for an Italian aqua & gold center table.

5)   Next, to Robert Kime for some English damask for pillows.

6)   Then, click over at Ann Kroener Antiques for some sconces.

7)   And, we’ll need a chandelier from John Roselli.

8)   How about a side chair with a gold frame from Cupboard and Roses Antiques.

9)   Take some gold edged china from my pantry.

10)   And some white coral and mercury glass from the living room.

11)   Install some white marble overdoors.

12)   In this lovely house outside Paris.

Here is the new products inspiration board:

 
I am decorating this house in Atlanta on Peachtree Battle that I found in the real estate listings:

 
Product List:

Although I do not decorate in blue, it seemed that these items went together.

This collage is of all new furniture available now [not one of a kind antiques].

1)    Faux Effects International  faux paint on wood door panel

2)   Chaise from Councill Craftsmen

3)   Floor mirror from Restoration Hardware

4)   Haviland Prestige Turenne china at china shops where Haviland is sold

5)   Chandelier from Julie Neill

6)   Buffet by Randall Tysinger via EJ Victor Furniture

7)   Commode by Amy Howard Collection

8)   Console by Amy Howard Collection

9)   Four Poster bed by Corsican

10)   Occasional chair by Hickory Chair

11)   Sofa by EJ Victor

12)   Trumeau by EJ Victor

I have not provided the links to the product websites, but they are easy to pull up with Google.  Hope you enjoyed my picks.

All the best,

Summer    

 

Product Design Inspiration - Antique Bed in Paris as the Source

 

Where does new product design inspiration come from?  Is there much that is truly original and new?  Is it okay to copy what someone generations ago has designed if you cannot identify who the original maker was?  What actually defines "inspiration", "re-imagining" or "re-designing"?  These questions could be a bit controversial in the design world. Those topics came to mind when I was very surprised and delighted today to see Cote de Texas's blog post. 

I have been reading Joni Webb's blog Cote de Texas for a long time. 

http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/

On today's post "Darling French Apartment for Rent", which I just loved, imagine my shock and surprise to see this photo.

There it was, the design source for a new iron bed I purchased a couple years ago from Corsican in Los Angeles.  The company that made this antique iron bed many years ago must have made many in this style and a few have survived the years.  It is hard to know how old this bed is or who the original maker was unless it has a nameplate attached to it somewhere.  I would guess that a designer for Corsican found another such antique bed at a brocante or, perhaps, at the Paris Flea Market. Then the designer took the best of the design as inspiration to create a new product.  As controversial as it may seem, after all those years there would be no copyright, patent or trademark infringement.  It would be nice to honor the original maker, but in my opinion, it also honors the maker, although silently, by reproducing his design and letting it live again for more people to enjoy for another 100 years or so. 

Go to Corsican furniture's website and plug into the search field at the upper right each these numbers: 6072, 40128, 40048, 6924, 6834 and my bed 41632.  You will see how the original bed inspired these products.  

http://www.corsican.com/

Even I redesigned this bed, having never seen the antique.  I asked Corsican to take style number 40048 and make some changes.  I added the crown on top for this "king" bed [as I treat my guests like royalty!], the frame structure at the top, and I added a padded headboard for my guests' comfort.  Iron beds are very uncomfortable to lean back upon to sit up in bed and read a book or magazine which I wanted my guests to be able to do.  Adding the padded panel solves that problem. The style shown on the website 41632 is my exact guest room bed photoed in Los Angeles before they shipped it to me. 

Here it is in my guest room.

King size Corsican bed 41632. Pillows have been removed so you can see the padded panel.  

Added crown from another style Corsican bed.

Added frame at the top.

A close up of the footboard.

Be sure to look at the other photos of this apartment called leTurenne on the Provence West website:

http://www.provencewest.com/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=3147803&A=SearchResult&SearchID=995365&ObjectID=3147803&ObjectType=35

The entire apartment is just wonderful.  Neutral, light and white furnishings that I just love with accessories having aged surfaces.  I also want to mention that I love the trumeau and the salvage iron made into lamps that are shown in the photo.  How fun it would be to rent that apartment and stay in that bed!  My husband flies to Paris almost monthly.  Maybe it could happen if all the stars align!  Wow!

If I remember, the MSRP on these Corsican beds for a king size was around $5,600 before the $800 additions I made to it.  If you would like any of Corsican's products and do not have a connection to a discounter, send me an email via "email Swede" and let me know. I think queen beds were the same price but full and twin sizes were, of course, less.

I am a big fan of brass and iron beds.  In another of my guest rooms, I have Corsican bed number 5698 which is very romantic with the birds and vines. It, too, comes with various available modifications to customize the posts, footboards and canopy. It is hard to believe that I have owned it for 20 years and was the first bed I purchased from Corsican.  If you want to look at it on the website, type that number in the search field. I had mine finished in gold leaf. I wish I owned a private luxury hotel so I could own more of these beds.  I know which ones I would select.   

Well, how fun was that! 

All the best to you,

Summer

Photo credits:  1) Cote de Texas via Provence West of Paris

2-5) Swede

Blog content:  Joni Webb of Cote de Texas; and Swede