Swede

Roundtop Texas Spring 2022 Antique Week at Marburger Farm, Blue Hills and Market Hill

Hello everyone.  I thought I would share photos of Antique Week at Roundtop's Spring 2022 event. I believe this is its 50th year.  It is a ten hour drive one way for us to attend but the thrill of seeing so many fabulous antiques is worth it.  Our Tuxedo tomcat, Ascot, did very well in the hotel again and the long car ride.  This is a town of 90 residents that swells to an estimated 75,000+ people during antique week. The event runs 11 miles along Highway 237 in tents and buildings consisting of 100 antique venues in cow and cotton fields. There are also venues in surrounding towns of Burton, Warrenton, Carmine and Winedale. We met two of the 90 residents of Roundtop.  Two women eating at our picnic table at Marburger Farm introduced themselves as original local residents and we saw Ed Gage owner of Crow in Ledbetter, one of the original founders, at his booth at Marburger.  Each year we notice more and more permanent new buildings constructed along the highway. I am wondering how long it will be until all the venues at Roundtop will be open year-round for shopping.  There are a few now that are full-year. We do not cover all the venues; just go back to our favorite ones.  There are too many to ever see them all.  I do appreciate the French vendors who bring containers all the way from France to do this show.  Our favorite venues are Marburger Farm that opens on a Tuesday, Excess II, Blue Hills, Market Hill and The Compound.

We also had a lovely conversation with the incredible Kay O'Toole, Houston antiques dealer, sitting at a picnic table at Marburger.  She was so gracious and friendly. I think of her as royalty of the antique world. She could not have been nicer. When I got home I got out the Spring 2019 issue of Milieu magazine to take another look at her home on pages 106-121. My ad for Swede Collection is on page 97, a few pages before. Be sure to take a look at this article.

Now for photos of what I found. This is just a small sampling.  There has to be several million items for sale. It is hard to take photos in the crowded tents.

Sunburst mirrors are still plentiful. 

This one from Art and Antique Hunter.

Antiquaire de France. 

This was in the new white building at The Compound.

Loved this green long table from Gina Bowhill at Blue Hills.

And this Swedish cabinet at Gina's.

My big love, architectural salvage.

At Blue Hills, this was the BIGGEST table I have ever seen. Mammoth.

I discovered the beautiful venue of Kristin Mullen Designs of Dallas at Blue Hills. Her shop was so beautiful. This cabinet and the following photos.

 

And now, below, more beautiful pieces from Antiquaire de France in a new building at Blue Hills.

 

Swedish corner cabinet. They always have a selection of framed herbariums.

So many dealers, so many beautiful pieces.  Here are some more that caught my eye. Sorry I don't know the dealers' names.

Very long French buffet. 

Love this Swedish cabinet.

This peach chest was beautiful.

I think this was Rick Ingenthron Antiques. They have an incredible selection of brown wood French antiques. They are at Blue Hills.

 

I purchased quite a few items from this dealer, Benton, Hayden & Associates: the Italian document boxes, some French china and French linens.  

 

This is Renouveau Antiques at Market Hill.  Serious eye candy.  If you go, don't miss this shop. Following photos also from there.

Absolutely loved this.

And, last, this is a grocery store display counter at Scoville Brown Cooperative at Market Hill.  I think it was 25 feet long.

I've always said you could furnish an entire home with items from Roundtop.  It's true. If you love items with character, history and beauty this is the place to find them. But don't hesitate. Most of the items I truly loved already had sold signs on them. 

And, now, just months to dream about going back to the October show.  Sigh.

Colleen

 

Roundtop Texas Antiques Week and Marburger Farm

I love going to Roundtop, Texas for the antiques show.  The fall show was moved to the end of October which was much cooler. I thought I would share some of my favorite things. I came back with about 200 photos so this is a small sampling.  Most of these have also been shown on my Instagram feed which is Swede Collection.  I was surprised to see since last year [April show was cancelled] how many new permanent buildings were along Highway 237.  Looked to me like it was moving towards being a year-round antiques market in the future.  Although the Roundtop show is open for a couple weeks in some venues before Marburger Farm opens, we time our trip to be there for Marburger's opening day.  That is our favorite place so we start there first and then go to other places such as Blue Hills, Market Hill, Red Barn, The Compound and Excess II.  Some of the new buildings I don't know what their name is.  We did take Ascot in the car -- 10 hour drive-- and he did incredibly well in the hotel.  We use a pet friendly hotel so we don't take him to the fields anymore.  I think Roundtop is the largest antique show in the US but it could be a toss up with Brimfield, MA. In a week you still cannot see every venue at Roundtop.  In all the years we have been going we have not seen a fraction of the fields and tents.  The Spring 2021 show is the end of March.  Sure hope Covid is over by then. 

 

The dealer was Art and Antique Hunter at Marburger Farm. 

Dealer is BellaVita by Crystal Nichols of Houston.

Dealer is The Side Door.

Dealer is Sheffield Antiques.

Rick bought me four of these white jugs.

Renouve Antiques at Market Hill. 

Absolutely loved this.  From Tres Bien Antiques. 

Tres Bien Antiques again. 

Renouve at Market Square. 

Dealer is Two Maisons at Marburger Farm Tent F.

Art and Antique Hunter at Marburger Farm. 

Tres Bien Antiques again at Marburger Farm, Tent F.

Art and Antique Hunter, Marburger Farm, Tent F.

Renouve Antiques at Market Hill. 

Bone inlaid chest by Adam Babicz Antiques in Tent F of Marburger Farms. 

There is so much eye candy.  I have a sweet tooth for this type of thing.

And this!  You certainly can fill a complete house with fabulous things.  Need a big fat wallet as well. 

Enjoy,

Colleen Martin, Founder

Swede Collection

swedefurniture.com 

 

Spring 2020 Issue of Milieu Magazine

I received my preview issue of Milieu yesterday since I am an advertiser. My ad is on page 181. Our fur baby, Ascot, is sitting on the chair.

The cover photo is fabulous - truly for lovers of blue. Spring issue on newsstands second week in March.

So great to be involved with this incredible magazine.  I hope you will pick up a copy or subscribe. 

Colleen 

 

 

 

Swede Collection in Milieu Magazine Winter 2020 Issue

Just got the preview Winter 2020 issue of Milieu. Pam Pierce, the Editor-in-Chief of Milieu's home is on the cover showing her Swedish pieces. Particularly love her Rococo Swedish carved chair. Lovely article on her home inside. LOVE this issue. On the newsstands around December 1. So nice to see how many people love Swedish design and antiques. 

My ad is on page 157. The puppy in my ad is Milly. 

Colleen Martin

Founder, Swede Collection, LLC

Swede Collection Furniture Ad in Milieu Magazine Spring 2019

 

The Spring 2019 issue of Milieu has our ad on page 97.  It shows our hand-carved white barn doors as a backdrop and three of our chairs.  Will be on newsstands March 1. 

Let me know what you think.  Love Milieu and hope you do also.

Colleen 

Swede Collection Furniture in Milieu Magazine Winter Issue

 

I just received my Winter 2019 pre-issue for advertisers of Milieu magazine.  We get our preview copy about three weeks before they hit the newsstands.  

Cover view. 

My ad is on page 35.  This kitten is precious -- provided by my commercial photography studio.  Would love to be her pet mother.

There are four magazines per year and I believe the subscription cost is $29.95 for two years. In my area the single issue in bookstores and grocery stores is $7.99.  The owner, Pamela Pierce, does a fabulous job with interior content.  

On another topic, if you would like to see the Lookbook I produced for the shop La Maison in Memphis, here is the link.  This is the December issue as a gift guide.  The November issue was for holiday decor. 

https://issuu.com/swedecollection/docs/la_maison_lookbook_december_2018_en?e=0

Wishing all of you an early Happy Holidays. 

Colleen Martin

Founder, Swede Collection

 

 

Marburger Farm Antique Show at Round Top, Texas Best of Show Photos

 

Just got home from attending the BIG antique show at Round Top.  My favorite venue is Marburger Farm.  We also went to Big Red Barn and Market Hill.  

I made a lookbook of the photos I took.  

Here is the link to Issuu to view the lookbook:

https://issuu.com/swedecollection/docs/marburger_farm_lookbook_october_201?e=4041138/64983693

I think Round Top is the nation's largest antique show.  Either first or second to Brimfield.  There are miles of tents and buildings along Highway 237 to stop and shop.  It has it all.  Everything from junk to high end pieces. 

Enjoy!

Colleen 

All The Gold in Paris From a Tourist Viewpoint

 

I haven't done a digital flipbook on Paris for you in awhile -- lots of procrastination -- so decided to work on one again.  It takes several days for me to put one together. 

This one is on the use of gold by Parisian architects, interior designers, landscape architects, iron workers, painters and other craftsmen.  This is what I see as a tourist visiting museums, castles and walking around town.  Put simply, gold is everywhere in Paris.  I limited this flipbook to 166 pages which is only an overview of the massive availability of things to capture covered in gold. 

I am a beauty seeker by genetics, drive and passion.  My passion yells at me "capture this beautiful view", "capture that detail" and "preserve this artistic skill" to soak up for my own deep well of visual need and to share with others who love beautiful moments as much as I do. 

If you've been to Paris, I hope this reminds you of your visit and if you have not yet gone to Paris, I hope it inspires you to visit. 

 

Here is the link. Best viewed on a desktop. Click the full screen button to see all the details.  

https://issuu.com/swedecollection/docs/flipbook_paris_gilt_retry.compresse?e=4041138/63763887

Last, one other tidbit of news, Swede Collection will have a full-page ad in Milieu magazine starting September 1 with their anniversary issue to reach more people about what Swede makes.  

Enjoy!

Colleen 

 

It Is Blue Hydrangea Time

I love this time of year -- end of May -- first of June when the blue Hydrangeas bloom.  Picked these on the north side of the house this afternoon.  Wish they would bloom forever. 

This vase from Wisteria catalog is the closest one in color that I have. 

These plants are ones I got at the grocery store many years ago as potted plants to decorate with. When they finished, I planted them outside in the flowerbed.  I always try to save them and not just throw them away. I put many of them with the shrubs in the greenbelt.

Placed the vase on my swedefurniture.com buffet.  I've been redecorating and moving things around lately. The date stamp on the back of the gray English transferware platters is March 13, 1849.  There are four in the set.  One is huge [not shown].  Love them with the gray finish of the Swede trumeau and buffet.

I saw some dark red ones in a magazine this week.  They were 2Die4.  I also have pink but the bluish purple ones are my favorite.

Have a fabulous week!

Colleen

Swede Collection Makes Hand-Carved Shell Stools

I want to show you another new product Swede Collection showed at April High Point Market.  We made an 18" square stool that is 19" high [dining table height] that has a hand-carved shell on all sides.  I love making little stools.  You can tuck them anywhere in a room.  I particularly make these so men can sit on them.  Extremely sturdy and built to last 200 years.  Have you ever watched a man enter a room and his eye searches for a place to sit down?  Men won't sit on anything they think will collapse under them and are frustrated when furniture is so delicate it shouts out "don't sit on me".   Won't happen with these stools. 

I made three different color combinations so you could see how versatile they can be.  

This one has an Acacia [blue/green] finish with Italian gold leaf and Italian cut velvet upholstery.

The fabric has a teal background with chocolate velvet damask.

This one has a textured Silvermist finish with Italian cut velvet upholstery in blue/gray on a metallic background.  Notice that the shells are on all sides.

This Silvermist finish is the same as my shell-carved barn door with Italian silver leaf.  Nailheads match the Italian leaf color.

This third one is Software Gray with Italian gold leaf and a solid gray velvet for the upholstery. 

The finishes and upholstery choices are unlimited.  The other thing I like about them is they are so easy to ship FedEx Ground. 

They would look great in pairs tucked under console tables. I also made them 19" high so you could pull them up to a dining table for extra seating.  

Swede also makes hand-carved leaf tip 20" square stools which were introduced at October 2017 High Point Market.  Several colors in these as well. These are Swedish in style. 

Now I am thinking about what design to make the next stools.

Colleen 

Easter Day - Colleen Martin at Home

 

Simple Easter Sunday at home.  Here are a few shots around the house today.  I have been trying to pare down my decor and not go crazy with a lot of novelty items for holidays.  Today I am using a few things I have had for many years.  I did put an Easter wreath on the front door - same one I've had for 8 years or so. 

Simple wreath of eggs on my Swedish 1770 cupboard. 

Always love getting this little flying rabbit on a stick out each year. So fun. I've probably had him around 20 years. Wish I had the creativity to create things like this.  Love his egg.

Fried oyster breakfast, a tradition from Rick's side of the family.

Another long time decor piece, this birch wreath with blue eggs on the console table with glass bottles from France and glass floats.

For today's tablescape, I chose a blue charger Lacque de Chine from Haviland. Placemats from Williams-Sonoma. Ricci gold plated stainless steel flatware. 

I started this family tradition of using covered glass objects at each person's place setting for holiday meals. For Easter I have clear glass rabbits from Williams-Sonoma filled with gifts for each guest.  I believe these glass rabbits were made for W-S by Smith Glass of New England.  I've had these about 20 years. 

My theme today is blues and greens fresh for Spring.  Dinner plate is Pompadour by Charles Field Haviland. Love the hand painted birds all round the rim.  Inside the dining room you can hear birds chirping nonstop. Great fit. 

If you know me, my tables are all about the mix of high and low. I don't care where something comes from as long as it can hold its own - trash or treasure.  These bunny plates were about $8 at Pottery Barn. They originally came in different colors but I only chose the aqua ones. 

Simple and cheap stemware - clear and bubble glass. 

I do love the color aqua. This is an antique French monogrammed gravy boat. 

Aqua pedestal cake plate pulled out of the cupboard.

Huge green bunnies for the centerpiece. They are made out of birch sticks and a covering of faux moss. Ribbons around their necks.  Everybody who sees these wants one.  Kicking myself for not purchasing more when I found these.

Rick put a ribeye roast in the oven for dinner. 

I worked in the garden a little bit this morning.  Snow Drops are still pretty as well as the Daffodils.  White Dogwood tree is starting to come out.

And, last, here is a sneak peak of one of my new items being introduced at High Point market in a couple weeks. Not a good shot as it was taken on the loading dock.  Swedish barrel chair with nickel sun faces on the inside back.  For April market, I am introducing Elegant Hand Carved Barn Doors - four styles, some new French shell stools, a Gustavian bench, a huge cathedral candlestick and my triangular sunburst mirror in gold this time.  More photos later after market closes. 

Hope you are having a wonderful Easter Sunday!

Colleen 

 

Swede Collection Pieces Available To The Public

Swede Collection is now retailing some items directly to buyers. No To-The-Trade license needed to purchase these pieces.

 

Ships FedEx Ground in a few days. Still time for Christmas.

This Gustavian stool is 20" x 20" x 19" high. Dining table chair height.

Solid Maple. Hand Carved.

Several colors available. This one is Grey with Lee Jofa chenille fabric. Only 4 of this color left. Hurry.

Ships from High Point, NC.  See our website for all colors and other items.

http://www.swedefurniture.com/online_items.aspx

Swede Collection at La Maison Showroom Memphis

Here are some photos I took today of the space where I show my line in Memphis. La Maison at 4768 Poplar Avenue.  The only two pieces that are not my design are the Mongolian Sheep White Fur Bench and the Spa Blue Wing Chairs.  Please ignore the price tags hanging in view.  The floor constantly is rearranged so this is what it looked like this morning.  This is only a part of it -- not the whole thing.  Some parts were too messy to show you. These photos show the large scale silver and aqua damask wallpaper that I put up two years ago. I LOVE it.  From Seabrook now discontinued.  White/silver wallpaper is from Thibault. To save floor space the chairs are put inside the bed frame.

 

 

My webmaster is getting the website ready to start doing retail sales.  Should be ready next week.  This will give the public access to purchasing some of my furniture line that is not to the trade.  Will tell you when it is up and ready. 

Colleen 

 

Swede Collection at October High Point Market

I am home from showing my line at October High Point market.  Here are the new products I introduced. 

Gustavian sofa with Italian silver leaf accents. We showed this before with Italian gold leaf. 

Gustavian 20 inch stools in three colors.  This one is Silvermist with Italian silver leaf accents.

Here it is in Acacia with Italian gold leaf. 

And this one is textured grey with no leaf. 

Pairs of this demilune table which combined make a 44 inch round dining table. This is a textured grey finish.

French desk in solid Ash with a cerused finish. 

Here is what the inside looks like.

SC0037 Rolling Coin occasional chair in Silvermist and Italian silver leaf finish. 

These panels are for interior shutters on windows or doors. This particular set is 10 feet tall and 2 feet wide per panel.

We are also making them into elegant hand carved sliding barn doors with Italian silver leaf for spring market in April.  Beautiful in a master bedroom between the master and bath areas. 

I have been suffering with Plantars Facitis in my right heel so doing market wasn't much fun.  It has improved a bit from when I couldn't walk on my right foot at all. 

Hope you enjoy what Swede Collection is making. 

Colleen

 

2Die4 Neutral Manor House in Sees France Photos by James Balston Photography

 

Eye candy that is 2Die4. If you have spent any time on Pinterest, you must have come across this photo.  I have come back to the photos of this home time and time again to dream about being in this room. I daydream about being at a flea market in Europe and finding a pair of these huge prickets. Wouldn't that be a dream come true? I probably would put them in my living room, however, not at the foot of my king bed, but they certainly make a huge design statement. The room would look so different without them. Wouldn't you like to know where they came from, a church, private chapel, or manor and what year they were made?  I am curious and always have so many questions.

Look at that ceiling -- the wide plank floors [replaced?] -- the mirrors -- the bed corona -- the linen and the plaster patch stains on the back wall. Those beams must be over 550 years old. Every surface and object is neutral in color. Who said neutral is boring? Think about what would magically happen if you put an orchid colored pillow on the bed, or a turquoise one or a bouquet of orchid Lilacs on the table or a painting on the wall with those colors. The room would become orchid or turquoise or any color you choose. Instantly changeable. Love neutral decor for that reason. I am fully in the process of switching my home to nearly all white. I can't stop looking at that photo.  In September it will be three years since James Balston went to Sees, France [West of Paris] to photograph this home for the London Times published on September 23, 2013. To me, this is timeless decor. This is not a dainty house so scale of furnishings is critical. Do you want to move in and never leave? I would probably change the nightstands, however, and add some of my console tables with the marble tops. And install my Swede Collection four poster crown bed instead of the corona, although in our master I currently have a corona but much smaller than this one. When I was doing my container in Sweden, I found a corona this big size but didn't purchase it as I didn't think I could sell it easily and didn't have the space for it.

And, have you seen this photo of the huge cupboard and just stared at it forever wondering what it would be like to see it in person? I have thought about what I would store in all those drawers. Is it Swedish Baroque?

Well, here it is.

Do you ever look at a fabulous photo and wonder about the backstory -- where is it -- who lives there?  I found the answer to those questions. The residence, the bedroom and the cupboard belong to the owners of Augustus Brandt Antiques in England, Paula and Stephen Parkinson, who spent 10 years restoring this 15th century property in Sees France. Can you imagine the cost to do that? But now restored, it can live another few hundred years. Love preserving things. Would also love to visit their antique shop. 

Preserving beauty is one of my missions in reproducing Swedish antiques. Imagine my delight to see that Paula and Stephen chose Swedish Rococo chairs for their breakfast room.  So similar to the ones I make. And, these are around my kitchen table at home as well. 

 

Side view of the chairs. See how versatile Swedish furniture is to mix in a French home. There is also a Swedish bench shown below -- look in the photos for it. And, note that HUGE mirror that reflects the outdoors.

View of the eight chairs around the table.

Here are Paula and Stephen in the kitchen. 

Thank you both for the joy of the eye candy you have given me. This house must give you pure joy daily.

Also note the close up view of the top rails of the Swedish kitchen chairs.  Look familiar? 

And the epauleps on the chair knees. 

Absolutely love these chairs.  They grow on you over time and you love them even more.

Here is my reproduction Swede Collection Rococo chair based on the original antique chairs that I purchased from Sweden:

I also make it without the arms like Paula's antique chairs. 

More photos of the bedroom. Notice there are no drapes on the windows. There is another Swedish chair by the radiator. 

See the oval commode with drawers on both sides -- if I remember correctly, Henredon made this style in the 1990's. I am not sure how old this one is but it looks English. 

View of the opposite end of the bedroom. Swedish bench in the window at left. Vitra's LaChaise is striking in contrast but very fun. It runs just over $11,000. Okay, I'll dream of finding one on clearance! Bathroom is behind the open doors in the paneling.

I do not know what year this came to production, but the original was done in 1948 by Charles and Ray Eames. 

Let's go on and see more of this house. 

Living/dining room. Love that big cupboard on the left. 

Love the floor.  Limestone perhaps. It would not surprise me to learn that all these floors were installed during the renovation as it is doubtful that floors from the 1400's would still be in good shape. I heard that the staircase was replaced. 

Have you ever lived in a home made of stone?  I have wondered if it has an odor of wet dampness. Some plasters hold moisture as well. 

Lots of lovely details. 

Another photo of the dining room. 

I would love to see the "before renovation" photos of this property.  I hope the Parkinsons write a book about this house. Do you think the left portion where the new kitchen and breakfast room are is a new addition to the old structure?

My Swede Collection furniture line would look fabulous in this house.  Wish I could use it for a photo shoot for my product catalog. 

So what do you think?  Love it?  Would you take on a renovation like this?

To see more of the property photos go to www.jamesbalstonphotography.com.  

Oh, be still my heart!

Colleen

Photos: James Balston, Colleen Martin

 

Tablescape: White Christmas

Simple white holiday table. I wanted to use as much white as I could without introducing another color. A "White Christmas" theme. 

Using what I have around the house, four silver reindeer with white fur collars, an abalone tree standing in "ice" glass garland and two white Orchids in white planters that I got this summer at a charity consignment shop.

Silver reindeer from Target. 

For china for this table I chose white with gold trim and gold plated stainless steel flatware.  Thirty-two inch lapkins are from France with my husband's initials.  Flatware from Ricci of Italy in Raffaello pattern.

Antique rim soup is French Elite with monogramming done by William Lycett in Atlanta. 

Dinner plate is Admiral by Coalport. 

Anna Weatherley charger. 

Quilted boutis tablecloth from Macy's has scalloped edge. 

Stemware left to right: William Yeoward's "Pearl", Simon Pearce's "Stratton" and William Yeoward's "Gloria". 

Oval back chairs from Swede Collection. Oushak rug.

If you wanted to change this table up for another dinner the following day, it would be easy to add green plates and switch out the rim soups with an antique green fish plate.

I am linking this week to:

Wednesday: Wow Us Wednesdays: http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Thursday:  Tablescape Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Friday: Show and Tell Friday: http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Colleen

Photos: Swede 

King Crown Bed - Our Newest Product

 

Just finished on November 10th.  A king bed with upholstered headboard so you can sit up in bed and read or watch TV. Has a gold crown removable canopy for a little flare. Shown is the pale silver mottled finish which I think is just heavenly-cloud like. Made of iron and steel with center support for box springs. Should last 400 years. I am in the works of creating three options for the crown so people have some choices. 

Posts are 92" tall and crown is at 102" tall so it will fit in a room with 9 foot ceilings.  Just love creating new products. So fun. 

Colleen 

Swede Collection Goes to October High Point Market

 

I am taking 13 newly finished pieces to October High Point market. My fabulous paint finish designer created some incredible paint finishes for these new pieces.  If you are attending market, please come see me at The Suites at Market Square, space 1-805. Top floor near the escalators. 

All of my pieces are designed to flow seamlessly in a room with Swedish antiques.  Next to each other, you can hardly tell the difference. 

A classic Gustavian buffet.  I'm in love with this piece.  Six legs and curved ends.  60" long, 39" high and 21" deep, four doors, two drawers and finished in pale grey with silver leaf on the top trim.  I am definitely keeping one of these for my house. It looks so great with some of my antique Swedish cabinets. 

I named this occasional chair Sabylund after Sabylund Manor, a beautiful home two hours from Stockholm built in 1787 and still occupied today by the same family.  Chairs almost identical to these are in the manor.  You can also see them in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Veranda magazine.  I have three favorite chairs and this is one of them. Hand carved in maple with 8-way hand-tied springs in the seat. 

This is a curvy Rococo chair. I brought back this newborn's ancestor from Sweden on my last trip and my guys hand carved it exactly in maple. I designed some brass fleur de lis braces for the back so it could be removable to switch out the back fabric when you want a change of design or color for an event or holiday without having to remove the front fabric.

Here is another reproduction of an antique chair I brought back from Sweden.  I made this one in two sizes, a dining room chair and an occasional living room chair.  Hand carved in maple with a pretty grey finish. Of course you can order any finish you want. It would look fun in our aqua finish. I love how the carving comes off the back and turns and swirls to form the arm. 

This floor mirror is 94" tall and 43.5" wide.  In textured creme and hand applied gold leaf.  All the details are hand carved including the moldings which were hand carved in place. Antiqued mirror glass.  This piece will look good 300 years from now. 

This triangular shaped sunburst mirror is hand carved in maple.  No plastic here.  Then silver leaf and gold leaf was hand applied.  Mirror is antiqued glass.  41" wide at bottom and 39" tall.  Another classic piece. 

We made another size in this oval back dining arm chair.  This one is 26" wide at the seat so it is narrower to place on the sides of rectangular tables if you want arm chairs there instead of armless side chairs.  We also make this one in 28" width for host chairs or for larger round tables. We also just finished this armless side chair in 24" width to save space along the sides of a rectangular table.  All the oval-back chairs have eight-way hand-tied springs for comfort at long dinner parties.  This one, too, is hand carved. 

We made this Rococo dining chair in a smaller size, so now you can choose between a large or smaller chair.  We have the larger ones in our kitchen and just love them.  My husband is very comfortable in it. 

This occasional or tea table was remade in a textured finish created by my fabulous paint guy from Indiana.  

This one got a new texturized finish as well.  

We made a few small changes to this wave rim chair also. 

Here is the Gustavian occasional chair.  It was made wider and deeper than the dining chair.  All the detail you see here was carved by hand. 

I have a full line up of new pieces for the next April market.  Always exciting to make new products.  Lots of work go into making quality furniture so it will last for generations. Hope you like these. 

Colleen 

Photo credit:  Studio323

Swede Collection: Making Our Furniture With Master Hands

 

Many of you said you liked my prior posts on manly machines used in the manufacture of furniture, so I thought you might like to see more photos of the handmade side as well. There are so many steps and processes that all have to come together perfectly to make this quality of furniture. In this post I will talk about making carved chairs. Chairs are probably the most difficult product to design and manufacture so certainly take the most detailed time and attention in the process.

I have an intense passion for making furniture and especially Swedish formal pieces. There is pure joy in bringing back to life a chair that a master craftsman made in the 1700's whose design cannot be improved upon.  Now more people can enjoy owning such exquisite works and passing them down to more generations.

To get the end result of these beautiful Swedish Rococo chairs, you start, of course, with green lumber. 

Having arrived from the mill, these boards are put into a kiln and dried for about 30 days. 

This lumber is ready to be made into beautiful furniture pieces.

Here these boards have been glued together and are being hand planed for that extra special touch. He can tell by the feel if it is just right.

This duplicating carver machine will create a rough shape of the furniture part by eliminating all the extra wood that is not needed.  The hand carvers will then use their skill and talent to put the details in. 

Here this highly skilled man is taking the rough carved piece from the machine and adding all the minute details of the pattern. He has to possess a lot of skill to know what knife to select, how hard to push down on the knife and at what angle.

This is exactly what sets Swede Collection furniture apart from the others --attention to detail in the desire to make each piece lovingly the best.

The first hours of the morning are spent by the carvers making sure their tools are perfectly sharp. 

Round pieces are made on a lathe where the wood spins at high speed while a knife is held up to it to cut excess wood away. The highly skilled person doing this has to have expert coordination of his eye and touch as a slip of the knife, using the wrong knife, or putting it in the wrong place ruins it.  These people are perfectionists. 

Here this expert carver is doing all the hand carving on the top rail of the Rococo chair.  There is no reason these Swedish chairs could not still be alive and well and loved 400 years from now.  We are creating lasting inheritable furniture in classic designs that never go out of style.

Here is what the chair top rail is looking like at this stage. A little more work still needs to be done.

This is bench-made quality furniture.  No detail can be missed. Quality of workmanship is the top priority.  Every part of this chair is in perfect proportion.  There are only a couple places where there is a straight line as nearly every part is curved - concave and convex.

This lady is sanding a cabinet door. Due to all the small spaces and details, the chairs will all be sanded by hand - each and every curve.

A few of the samples are waiting the paint finish process.  In addition to the top rail carving, you can see here the detailed hand carving on the legs, epaulette knees, feet and seat rail. Even the stretcher is curved. There is a carved bird's eye on each hand grip at the ends of the arms. The splat back is curved to fit comfortably when you rest your back.

I keep saying I am the luckiest woman in the industry to have such great talent working for me.  My "paint guy" is exceptional in developing fabulous finishes for each design.  Here he has developed a finish to look just like the original 1790's antique Rococo chair.  A lot of hand work is also done on applying the finish to get it just perfect. Every craftsman involved in making Swede furniture is the best in their own specialty. I am so grateful for what they do and couldn't be prouder of them.

This Swedish Gustavian chair is having some adjustments made to the back so it has been taken apart.

I'm a HAPPY, HAPPY lady! 

Want lasting beauty in your home or your design project?  A few of these chairs in the pipeline to be completed the first part of September have not been spoken for.  Since these are individually made, quantities are limited.  Send me an email for more information at [email protected].

Colleen [Summer] Stratton Martin

Photos: Swede  

Tablescape: Valentine's Dinner

 

As I usually do, I like to mix vintage, antique and new items in my tablescapes.  Here is my Valentine's table.

Another definition of love.  Can love ever be perfect if both individuals are imperfect?  Something to ponder.

Very simple white and magenta theme with a fresh red floral arrangement as the centerpiece. Varga stemware, French plates, mother of pearl flatware, Venetian glass wine stems and French linens.

Close up of the plates with cupids in the center.

Red Roses, Carnations, Alstromeria with red Nandina berries and greenery cut from the shrubs in my yard.

The Swedish Empire chair in the foreground with the X-back spindles is from my furniture line, Swede Collection.  They are available as dining chairs and as an occasional chair.

 This week I am linking to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

and Show and Tell Friday by My Romantic Home:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Decor: Decorating For The Holidays

 

I began decorating for the holidays with my first console table. Many more areas of the house left to do including the staircase. I did get one small tree in the living room done on Sunday. So hard to believe it is that time of year again.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE mercury glass and have been collecting it for a number of years now.  Mercury glass candleholders and trees from Pottery Barn.  Mercury urns from Dillards.  Ice garlands from Hobby Lobby. Console from Swede Collection.

Here is a close up view. Love these ice garlands -- very fun.

Yes, I know I need sconces on the wall.  My electrician is willing to put the wiring in but he won't fix the drywall when he is done.  Still need to find a drywall guy.  You can see here the painting I mentioned that I just finished.  It is 60" tall by 48" wide.  Silver metallic background with damask design done in gold leaf so I get a lot of reflective shine. French chairs by Amy Howard Collection.

I don't anticipate changing this table before Christmas, so check -- one done.

I am linking up to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

and Show and Tell Friday by My Romantic Home:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Paris: Bastille Antique Brocante

The Bastille Antique Show was happening the first week I was in Paris. If you know me by now, you know this was a must attend event.  I don't walk past a brocante or antique show in France without looking.  The thrill of the hunt always gets me. Surprisingly, the Bastille is a short walk from our apartment on Ile Saint Louis down one of my favorite streets, Henri IV.

This was my favorite booth.  I liked the way she styled it.

Wish I could have brought back the big tall candle pickets shown at the sides.  I've only seen ones this big in cathedrals. 

A table full of majolica.

Lots of plates.

More dishes.

Blue and white.

Beautiful white linens.

Interesting paintings.

Lots of artwork.

A few chairs.

Wish I had taken more photos but I was too busy looking.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Swede Collection: Furniture Making Machines

 

Continuing yesterday's post on manly machines used in furniture making, here are a few more machines.

Sure glad my guys are highly skilled with these things because I couldn't operate a one of them.

And, here is a pretty table they make with their talent and a few manly machines.

My paint finish guy did a fabulous job on this Swedish Gray finish.  I'm so proud of all the guys who work for me creating my dreams.

Summer

Photo: Swede 

Swede Collection: Furniture Making Process

 

Since I'm in the furniture design and manufacturing business, I thought I would show you a few manly machines used in the process. 

The Adwood machine is an edgebander. Saw on the right.

Here we have a miter saw and a dust collection system.

And this is what my fabulous team of guys and one gal just finished. I'm so proud of the work that they do. 

Summer

Photo: Swede

I support original content blogging.

Paris Daily Photo: Furniture in Salon des Huets at Camondo

 

Another furniture piece in the second floor Salon des Huets at Musee Nissim de Camondo is this corner chest.

Perfect size for this corner. There are a pair of them; one in another corner.  They were made in 1780 by Claude-Charles Saunier.  You like??

Summer

Photo: Swede

I support original content blogging.

Paris Daily Photo: Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sene

 

As I said yesterday, I would look for more photos of Camondo's Salon des Huet's settee by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sene, and I found a couple more photos. 

Take a look at the gilt wood carving on the side of the settee.

It is so hard in these house museums to get close enough to the furniture to take great photos due to the security ropes blocking you.  And, you also either have a dark room with the drapes pulled or open windows with too much light coming in.  Just have to get the photos that you can.

Here's another photo of the armchairs I talked about yesterday.  2Die4, I say. 

Summer

Photo: Swede

I support original content blogging.

Paris Daily Photo: My Favorite French Chairs

 

Today's pretty Paris photo is of this reception room, Salon des Huet, on the second floor of my favorite Parisian house museum, Musee Nissim de Camondo.  If you go to Paris, do not miss this museum.  I can't wait to go back and take more photos of every inch of this house.  I have shown the fabulous staircase in my digital magazines and product catalog -- totally fabulous! 

My favorite French chairs are the four aqua silk ones with gilt frames. There is also a matching settee. I'll try to find a photo of it for you. These chairs were made by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sene between 1770 and 1780.  The unique thing about these chairs is that they come apart.  Yes, you read that right.  The backs, seats, fronts and arm rests are unscrewed by the metal bolts a few of which you can see in a close up shot.  This allowed them to switch out the fabric with the seasons or for particular parties, or just on a whim.  How cool is that?  The carving on the wood frames is 2Die4.  This photo does not do them justice -- they are incredible in person.  Jean Sene was a cabinetmaker to royalty, a supplier to the kings various palaces in France. 

I encourage you to read the history of Camondo. It is named for the owner's son Nissim who died in September 1917 in WWI when his plane was shot down. The house was given to the city of Paris in 1936 when the owner died. I am so glad he didn't live to witness what happened to his family during WWII.  When you are there you can't help but be in conflict between the beauty of this building and its furnishings vs. the tragedy of the Nazis who killed the family members including the grandchildren. 

The house's owner was a Jewish multi-billionaire banker from Istanbul, Turkey.  He could afford to collect the furnishings of the kings of France for this house, and he did.  Every item was carefully selected and each piece is beyond fabulous.

Summer

Photo: Swede

I support original content blogging.

GREAT NEWS!! Swede is in Coty's April Issue of Styling Magazine

 

 

I'm so thrilled to announce that fabulous Australian publisher, Coty Farquhar, included a story on Swede in her April issue released today.

See pages 11, Swede's furniture style on pages 12-13 and a story about us on 96-100.

The April issue is 148 pages of beautiful things not to miss.  So many lovely stories about other women as well.

If you know someone who would enjoy Coty's work, please pass this along.

Summer

Photo: Coty Farquhar

Tablescapes: Masins Seattle Hosts DIFFA Tabletalk Seminar

 

While in Seattle Saturday, September 8, I attended the tablescape event at Masins Furniture store in Bellevue HERE.  If you have been a long-time blog reader, you know my love for creating tablescapes.  I could not miss this.  Check my archives under the category tablescapes. I moved from the Seattle area in 1998 before the store opened in Bellevue so I had not been in the store before.  At the end of this post, I will show some vignettes in the store.  Thanks to the Masin family for making this seminar open to the public to enjoy. Friday evening was the fundraiser at the store for DIFFA [Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS].

The event panel consisted of three women. First, Tobi Fairley, an interior designer from Little Rock [remember that I blogged about attending one of her first design camps in Arkansas]. I have been a long-time subscriber to her blog HERE. Second, Kathryn Greeley, interior designer and author from North Carolina - I have her book and follow her blog too HERE. Third, Mindy Lockard who I did not know about - blog HERE, who talked about table etiquette.

Tobi Fairley [who was as stunning, lovely and friendly as I remembered her] in addition to doing a tablescape also designed the entrance vignette to Masins store using the young David Masin family as her pseudo design client. I want to show you those photos first before discussing the other 12 tablescapes of the designers.  

Tobi spoke about the design elements she used in this red, blue and white room.

Just ignore the price tags hanging off the furnishings. I apologize for the light reflections and quality of my indoor photos. I spy Tobi's design on the red lantern Rothesay sconce HERE.

I recognize the Hickory Chair Furniture Co. center table HERE.  The framed labels attract close examination and conversation.  The tabletop items on this table have great proportion and tie the blues and whites together.

Here is a close-up view of the accessories.

Aren't those red Tulips dashing? They bring the entire room together. This striped rug is by Dash and Albert HERE.  I am considering the purchase one of their rugs for under my dining table because it is in their indoor/outdoor collection which is easily cleanable. I thought it would be the perfect solution to food spills under a table.  I'm a bit tired of my flat-weave Aubusson and looking for a change.  I need a 9x12 rug which size they don't sell and Tobi gave the audience the perfect answer to my problem - sew two 6x9 rugs together.  Thank you, Tobi for solving my design dilemma. The stripes are too casual for me, but I am thinking of the solid white one. Should look great with Swedish interiors.

Above you can see the red lantern and stripe fabric of the table runner from Tobi Fairley Home.  The wall stripe paint is the same blue from the living room. I like the nine white plates on the wall.  When I've hung plates, I paint the tips of the wires the color of the plates so they don't show.  The white plates are simple but striking. I am also a fan of white dining chairs.  Of course, I have a secret fabric that I use that is extremely durable and cleanable that I have used throughout our home. It is No Fear White. Discussing the centerpieces, Tobi inserted a glass cylinder into a larger one to create space to place red ribbon.  I am going to steal that idea too, only use other items not ribbon -- just think of the possibilities.  Tobi used the David Masin family's blue and white china.  It looks like it could be the Blue Fluted Mega pattern by Royal Copenhagen. I see dark blue Kim Seybert capiz shell placemats [I have the aqua ones] underneath of some red spray-painted acrylic chargers.  I liked Tobi's idea of spray painting inexpensive chargers different colors for various tablescapes you do.  I sprayed some brass ones and the paint peeled off. I believe she said the napkins had an iron-on embroidered transfer -- I will have to look into doing that.  Hopefully less expensive than having my monogram lady do my napkins if they stay on after being washed.  Inside the napkin folds are Recipies For Life messages. 

I struggle with getting my centerpieces low so people can see over them. I'm always looking for ideas to accomplish this.  I will further discuss this later in the post in my thoughts on the other table designs.

I have mentioned before in my tablescape blogs my top five requirements for a successful tablescape.  The first one is relevance.  Tobi's table is a perfect example of my rule.  The most successful design relates the elements of the table to the guest of honor or event of the dinner. Here you see Tobi used red ribbons and chargers for AIDS to salute the DIFFA fundraiser event and each placecard has the name of Me, Sister, Brother, Mom, i.e., people in a family who are affected when a family member has AIDS.  The cards in the napkins also bring this message home.

Up next is this pink orange and black soft orientalist theme table with orange stools by designer Beth Dotolo.

I LOVE that wallcovering of large damask.  I just bought an extra large stencil to do that on one wall of my dining room which I hope to execute in the next few weeks.

The orientalist style on this table is delivered with the abundant white Orchids and Dahlias, metallic gold noodle bowls, chopsticks and black lacquer table. The stools which are probably drinks tables or garden-type stools rather than dining stools are an attractive color, but would be difficult to sit on through a three-hour dinner.  Comfortable seating is rule number two on my tablescaping requirements.

The Dahlias are so pretty and I love Cockscomb.

The moss in the tall vases appeared to be dry, so I surmised the white orchids were in floral water tubes.

It appears that the runner coordinates with the creme underplates to the bowls. The height of the vases was discussed at the seminar and it was agreed that they would need to be removed during the dinner.  I think they would be perfect on the buffet or console table against the wall.  I personally struggle with centerpiece heights in my tablescapes as it seems hard for me to be creative on low arrangements.  You want the impact that these stunning arrangements have yet they are not practical.  I feel bad when a guest gets up and removes my creation. I also struggle occasionally with just too much stuff in the center of the table. But I'm working on it.

On to the next exhibit.

I was very impressed by this purple table by designers Diane Summers and Deanna Dayment.  I loved the shape of the leopard placemats for round tables.  Nice mirrored chargers. Loved the tumbler and stemware.  What was successful about this table was that it had a "real" factor that invited you to sit down by having the red and white wine already poured into the stems and water present in the tumbler.

Congratulations ladies on knocking that out of the ballpark.

Notice the metal screen with stars in front of the purple painted wall. Its see-through effect added just enough visual interest. I also give these designers points for my rule of tieing the table elements to the theme. Here they were designing for a restaurant named Purple. They also conquered the urge to overdo the center of the table with stuff. 

The purple vases of orchids could easily be moved to the sideboard leaving the vase of white Roses in the center to be stunning in and of itself.  Nice job.

Moving to the next tablescape by designers Sue Trudell and Kim Beauregard.

This tablescape had a pink and lime green garden theme. I don't know for sure, but I would guess that the pink and lime votive candleholders are Glassybaby products since that company is headquartered in Seattle HERE.  People outside Seattle might not be familiar with their products and charitable mission.

The centerpiece was a child's chair with white Roses on the seat. Ivy vines ran on the tabletop.

And this moss purse with flowers in it.

Here is a place setting. Loved the pink napkins and silver napkin rings.

Another look at the table.

Next is this table designed by Rich Holliday for The Hunt Club in an animal theme. The blue and white ceramic elephant centerpiece is an attention getter. Note the texture of the three runners that criss-cross the table for the six placesettings.

I believe this china charger is Jaguar Jungle by Lynn Chase. Rich hit the target dead center with my rule number one of relevance to the theme for the Hunt Club.

The opalescence of this platter is stunning.  Maybe not something to eat off of but it is eye candy.  You could serve some types of appetizer on it but its impact is really for a serivce plate before guests sit down. This table design was done by Christie Long for the restaurant Seastar.

I just LOVE the sea colors of blues and greens which hits the theme for Seastar right on target. Love the clear sparkley flatware and the color of the charger.  I would have loved to see this on a much bigger table so there was room for the glass balls, seaglass and tealights.  The centerpiece is a very tall glass sculptural vase that was too tall to get it in the photo.

The rattan table and chairs are fitting for this theme. Notice that the tabletop is covered with irridescent cellophane.  I might use that idea sometime.  About my tablescape rule number five to leave blank space on the tabletop, I want to mention here that the most memorable table I have ever seen was nothing more than a white plate with an old sterling fork on a white tablecloth with an orchid color napkin and clear crystal goblet in an all-white Swedish room that had a crystal chandelier. It was so simple but heavenly I have never forgotten it. No layering of chargers and a multitude of plates -- no stuff. 

One more look at this stunner.

 
This table using green reindeer moss was designed by the team of Meredith Mallott and Lori Broznowski for the restaurant Crush.

Store owner Bob Masin did this sportsman's table for Steelhead Diner. The mission style of the chairs and table are very fitting.  Table elements include the fish theme plates with flies, runner and napkins, fly rods and reels across the tabletop and a fish net.

The centerpiece was a divided tray from a tacklebox holding flies, spinners and sinkers with white Chrysanthemum heads in the squares.

Diane Akana of Neiman-Marcus did this table with McKenzie-Childs ceramics.  I believe that is wild long-grain rice in the bowl.

This autumn design with the velvet pumpkins was for the restaurant Mariposa.

Next, this table for one is the entry of Renee Manier and Page Campau for the restaurant Pearl.

On to the next one, artist Kathe Fraga for the restaurant Rovers. The framed photo is of the chef in the straw hat, Chef Thierry Rautureau. Kathe also displayed a grouping of men's hats on a halltree. 

Kathe used all vintage and flea market finds for this table.  There are three tablecloths layered here with silverplate trays and flatware as well as many whimsical and decorative objects.

Above is a wider view of the area around her table filled with vintage items.  The bird dinner plates coordinate with the birds on her paintings and pillows.

Kathe was at the event and I had the pleasure of meeting her and talking to her about her art.  Her miniature paintings were at the placesettings and a large canvas was behind the table. Her custom pillows were there as well as her greeting cards.

This table is by Tim DeClue for the restaurant Spinasse.

Tim used vintage silverplate trays as chargers.  The metal mushrooms are interesting. You can also see the black stones in the center.

This table appears to be made of metal with log benches.  I like the clear stemware but don't know the maker - will have to ask.

Last of the 13 tables, but not least, is this tablescape by J. David Welch for the restaurant Volterra.

Here is a wider view.

Close up of the place setting.

I promised to show you some vignettes around the store, so here they are:

Vignette One. 

View from a different angle.

Close up of the chair.

Vignette two.  Seeing the black oriental lacquer screens tempted me to consider getting mine out of the attic.

Vignette three.

Vignette four.

Vignette five showing the black buffet.

Masins Furniture is located in the Bellevue area of Seattle at 10708 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004 or call 425-450-9999.

Hope you enjoyed viewing the tables with me.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Paris: Astier de Villatte

 

Astier de Villatte

I had heard so much about Astier de Villatte that I had to check it out while in Paris. I think there are two storefronts, and I found the one on St. Honore. My favorite product of theirs is the Alexandre line which has the little face on it.  HERE

173 Rue St Honore

and  63 Boulevard Messana

This is the front door, although I did not see their business sign.

This is their side window.  Not sure what the ceramic feet are all about.

There is an antique painting of a woman hanging on the wall to the right.

I missed recognizing those red demilune tables as being Swedish because they weren't white.  Interesting vessels on the table.

The door is open, I recognize the product line, let's go in.

So much eye candy. Not sure why they have the animal heads on the walls.

Somebody loves antique Swedish Rococo chairs as much as I do.

Back wall of products on display. The pieces are thin and light weight, not heavy like pottery.

These are their candle products. Most run $75. If you want the lid with the finial, it is another $80. With the dollar/euro difference, add 27% to the prices.

These products all look white but the glaze is more French gray from the undertones in the clay versus stark white. I loved the pedestal plates on the far right but they were out of my price range. I got one of the small plates.

On the far right are the compotes I liked [$195 to $272].  Also like the knobby pitchers on the top shelf [$380] and the small bowls with the faces on them on the middle shelf.

Lots of mugs and cups - items with handles.

I found two US online stores that sell this brand.  You can see the prices there.  Look at Suefisherking.com and mazehome.com.

On our next trip back, I'm sure I will be tempted to purchase more pieces.

Summer

Photos: 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 

 

Daily Thing of Beauty: Antique Iron Console

 

It has been awhile since I've talked about furniture or my love of white. This iron console is one of the pieces of furniture in the house that I did not design for Swede Collection.  It is a piece of iron from a balcony railing that came out of a turn of the century theatre building in New York City.  The reason I know it is an interior railing is that it is finished on both sides to be visible in an open area. It is not an outside window balcony salvaged and made into a table. I see quite a few of those. It clearly has never been outside. The iron is extremely detailed with the winged figures sitting on nautilus curves, grape vines, and torches on both ends. It takes four men to lift it so I guess it won't be going anywhere. It is my understanding that the salvage company had three sections.  I know where two are and the third supposedly was bought by someone in the music industry in Nashville who removed the beige marble and replaced it with black.  I never would have done that unless the marble was broken.  It is one of my very favorite items in the house and I find it strange that guests never look at it or mention it. It will be one of the very last pieces I part with before my coffin is nailed shut.  Love, love, love it.  Why don't craftspeople make things like this anymore?

This is where the photo on the top left in my blog header came from.  I change the display on top frequently.  Here is my love of white coral and white Hydrangeas with some mercury glass.

Summer

Photo: Swede

 

Tabletop: Console Table Decor

 

I have switched up the decor on my hallway console table. This is the one that had my Santos Angels during the holidays.

I decided to put metal pieces here to tie in with the metal balcony in the photo on the wall.  This is a photo of a building taken by Mr. Swede in Paris this summer that I had enlarged and put on 30x40 gallary wrap canvas.

With this wider view you can see that it is a canvas.  Looks like I captured a creative cobweb as well.  This Franco-Swedish console table with brown marble top I designed for Swede Collection. The shadow box being a gray/blue goes very well with the color of the console. This hallway is narrow and has columns for the dining room which block being able to take a photo straight on.

The two metal candlestands on the ends are from Tuesday Morning. The shadow box is from Wisteria and other pieces are from Hobby Lobby.

This week I am linking up to Tabletop Tuesday viewable after 6:00PM Eastern on Monday evenings here:

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

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

Decor: Love of White

 

 

For lovers of white interiors, sometimes you have to feed your inner gray.

 
Pillow by Callisto Home HERE.  Chair faux painted by Swede in Paris Gray Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Best wishes,

Summer

Photo: Swede

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

 

Furniture: Painting Amelia Via Amy Howard Workshop in Memphis

 

Amelia, since you may be wondering, is an occasional chair frame in the Amy Howard Collection. Amelia Chair   The Amy Howard studio is in Memphis, TN. In January 2011, Amy began offering painting classes held at her East Memphis outlet.

 

I was so thrilled to be able to attend and learn her painting techniques.

I just picked up Amelia from the upholstery shop. Done.  All finished.  So, here she is:

 

The hands-on workshop at Amy Howard is actually the third class I have taken there. 

In the photo above, you can also see a chest I painted a couple years ago in a taupe metallic finish. Also shown are some demijohns brought back from France that my husband and I selected at Roundtop antiques show in Texas this spring. I liked the aqua ones and he liked the green ones. Behind the demijohns is an original painting that I did.  The photo is cropped so you can't see much of it.

The first class I took in January was on creating the Toscana finish with gold leaf edge on a small piece of wood. 

 

This class is doing that finish on an actual piece of furniture.  Students had a choice between two different chairs or a bench.  Another student in the class, Sam, and I picked the Amelia chair and Beth chose the bench.

 

I took this photo outside so maybe you could see the finish a little better. It is so dark inside the house.

The fabric is a cocoa colored linen with a gold metallic painted damask pattern.

If you are within driving distance of Memphis, Tennessee and love to paint furniture, I suggest this class.  It was not taught by Amy herself but by Lauren who she trained and Ned who is very talented and works at the studio.  His instruction was invaluable. Thanks, Ned.

 

Here is the raw wood frame that I started with.

 

I know this sounds crazy when you want to end up with a light painted piece, but the first step is to stain it.  Just one of the layers to get to the end result.

 

Then the legno gesso.  Then water based paint.

 

Here Ned is quick drying it with a torch.

 

Here fly speck aging has been applied and Ned has distressed the frame with a scraper.

 

Red boulle water based paint has been placed where the gold leaf will be applied.   

 

Here I have started applying the gold leaf over the boulle paint.

 

The gold leaf is now on.

 

The last step is adding light and dark wax and some dust of the ages.

 

This photo shows how the wax brings out the aging.  I loved this wax but on a future chair, I would not distress it by scraping back the paint so much.

 

 

 

 

 
Students are having a fun time.

 

 
For information or to sign up for classes, contact Lauren Stone at [email protected]. For information on purchasing furniture at the outlet, contact Amy Hyneman at [email protected].

To see a previous post I did on Amy Howard Collection furniture, go here:

http://swede.typepad.com/swede/2010/07/amy-howard-furniture-at-vesta-showcase-memphis.html

Now that we have finished class, do you want to walk around the outlet with me and look at some Amy Howard Collection pieces?  I'll show you some of my favorites.

 

Love this console table.

 

The versatile Darnell chest used beside a bed.

 

Lots of different style chests to pick from.

 

Cute nightstand.

 

Absolutely love this.

 

Lots of mirrored pieces to select from.

 

Including this four poster bed and chest.

 

One of my favorite beds.  It would be hard to choose.

 

Here is another one.

 

 

 So many lovely pieces.  Did you see any you liked?

I'm awaiting the new workshop list to see if there is another class that excites 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  

Searching for Beautiful Things: Guess Where I Went Last Week

 

Here is a clue as to where I went last Wednesday.

 

Isn't she a beauty? Kinda skinny though.

 

My nice husband took these photos for me of the Longhorns. And, here's another clue.

 

Texas Bluebonnets. I couldn't figure out why there were so few wildflowers on this visit, our second time to visit in the spring.  Locals said it was because this winter there wasn't much rain.  Indian Paintbrush was just starting to bloom.

 

This cute little flower below was very plentiful, though.  I don't know the name of it but I think it is an Evening Primrose.

 

It was a last minute decision to go to Round Top, Texas for the semi-annual antique show. We barely found a hotel room in College Station.

I want to show you vendors' booths at The Red Barn, The Arbor and Marburger Farm that I found visually appealing.  I am not giving the vendor's name or prices on items. This is just a visual tour and an overview of decor style that intrigued me.

 

French demijohns are still popular. There are fakes among them with new wine labels. Most were only used to transfer juice from the grapes not wine after it was made. I saw a lot of glass domes as well.

 

 

 

Shown above are four that I purchased. They range in age from the 1920's to the 1960's.  My husband likes the green ones and I like the aqua ones.

 

Here is what they look like in my family room after cleaning them up.  The big green one is very large so it sits on the floor.

 

Everything light and white is still in. I saw a lot of old brown wooden antiques repainted with white or creme paint.

 

 Cast stone in light coloration.

 

Bed coronas and anything crown shape is very popular. I've always like this symbol.

 

The spiritual look was also prevalent. Lots of church alter sticks, religious statues, alter and podium architectural pieces and sconces.

 

Madonnas of all kinds.

 

Angels of all sorts.

 

 

 

Any architectural piece out of a church sells.

 

Someone could write an entire book just on photos of these items found at Marburger Farm.

 

Sunburst mirrors were still plentiful.

 

The Belgian linen look was still strong.

 

 

And, of course, you could purchase yards and yards of linen to upholster your own items.

 

 

I saw a lot of brown wood furniture pieces painted white or creme. The Shabby Chic look seems to still be continuing in polularity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For tonight I will leave you with this unusual booth display.

 

I took over 300 photos and will show more tomorrow. I have selected some of my favorite booths and will show those.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede [exception: Longhorns taken by my husband] 

Shops With Beautiful Things: Annelle Primos, Jackson, MS

 

Whenever I am near Jackson, Mississippi, I must stop in at Annelle Primos. I am always looking for beautiful items for the tabletop, and, of course, I love light painted antiques.

 

Annelle Primos's interior design shop is in Highland Village right off I-55.

 

Have you been to a shop that is so "you" that you want to ask for the key so you can just move in and never leave because everything is to your liking?

 

Annelle Primos provides interior design services as well as a bridal registry. Visit the website here:  Annelle Primos

 

My favorite item in the shop is this French mirror. The chest is wonderful also.

 

Here is a closer view of the fabulous top. Notice the birds.

 

How gorgeous is that? The gold bowl is 2die4.

 

I love light-toned neutral furnishings and painted wood finishes as they are so soothing as well as flexible when switching out accessories.

 

This mirrored pair of white painted doors makes a great backdrop for the Swedish sofa.

 

These light woods make decorating so easy. 

 

I liked the shape of this piece by Bliss Studios in California.

 

So pretty.

 

Another light toned cabinet.

 

Nice console, trumeau and framed intaglios.

 

Antique altersticks. Notice the little bird under the glass cloche.  And, the table below has a bird cage.  Birds are a favorite accessory for spring.

The shop always has several dining tables. I like the way they display the tabletop items on each table in place settings.

 

This makes it so easy to see how these items will look on your own table.

 

Here is a close up of the place setting.

 

The Kim Seybert fringe beaded placemat with the antique china plate. Charger is clear glass with a gold rim. Totally elegant. I do like that this shop carries antique plates and mixes them with new ones just like I do.  It gives the table so much character.

 

Here is another dining room. Note the painted green cane chairs.

 

The tablescapes are designed for Easter.

 

Cute rabbits and eggs.

 

Below is the place setting.

 

Neutral tones with lots of varying textures.

 

This dining table's cloth has a burlap look to the fabric's weave which goes great with the seagrass rug. It is tied so cute at the corners.

 

A really smart way to update a dark wood table that you are tiring of.

  

I love how they have mixed the antique plates here with new chargers and placemats. Note the unusual shape of the goblets.

 

A small table in Easter decor with a "feather" tree. Love the stemware here and the napkin with the aqua colored plates.

 

And here is another one.

 

A cute Easter rabbit with her baby. I like the planted carrots.

 

Another room at Annelle Primos has decor for more casual, rustic interiors and lake cabins.

 

Look how big and sturdy this dining table is. The antique French bench provides interesting seating instead of chairs.

These deer plates were a nice look for a hunting cabin theme.

 

I loved the amber stemware with the glass buttons. They were very reasonably priced. I will show these in my tablescape in a few weeks.

 

The deer napkin rings are unusual. The green placemat and octagonal plates make a great look.

 

This paneled screen is very pretty. Bird cages are very popular.

The registry section of the store carries exquisite china and stemware.

 

The cabinetry was painted by Virginia Weathersby of The Southern Institute of Faux Finishing.  I came to Jackson to take my third class at her shop. I will do a post next on that topic. Virginia is the one who told me about Annelle Primos and I am so glad she did.

 

I see they carry my favorite French china, Jaune de Chrome. The cabinet above is displaying Juliska.

 

You won't want to miss the chandeliers.

Here are a few of my purchases on my dining room table.

 

Maybe I should say this is the "before" shot.  Being a painter, you didn't think I would leave them this way, did you? 

 

These three Bliss Studio pieces didn't make it 24 hours in my house before getting some gold "make up".  They needed some added character so they didn't look like they all came out of the same Chinese factory [which they did]. 

 

Love the shape but it needs some help.  First step is to add French gilding wax.  This took me less than one minute on each piece.  I just put the gold on the pad of my index finger and rub it on. You could use an artist's brush, but I like to feel how it is spreading.

 

I am using two different colors of gold wax for variation in the finish. This is the first step on the finial below. Next it will get a darker gold wax and then some paint.  

 

Here's how all three of them looked after three minutes.

 

Ah, you say they all look the same again.  Yes, they do. But wait until you see what I do to them next in another post.  They each need their own individual character.

I hope you have enjoyed shopping with me at Annelle Primos.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede 

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

 

DIY Furniture Painting Fix Up of Karges Chest

 

A year or so ago I purchased a chest made by Karges knowing I would have to fix up the top surface.  I finally finished this project this past September. When I want to repaint a piece of used furniture, I search for the highest name brand quality I can find which to me is a company like Karges or John Widdicomb. They are probably the most expensive furniture brands made in America with the exception of bespoke custom made pieces. For the most part they are bench made with a lot of care taken by highly skilled workers.  They also retain their value more than other brands so even used you are not going to get them cheap. 

Here is the chest with the drawers removed sitting on the dropcloth ready to go.

 

I do not know when this piece was made.  I would not say it was mid century modern. Maybe made in the 1970's or so.  I think I paid around $515 for it delivered to the house.  I knew it had a dated painted top that was no longer in style and someone had left a drink on it too long and there was a circle where the paint had lifted off.

 

That's pretty ugly, huh? It is not marbelized, just some crazy black string lines all over. I considered for a long time what color I should paint the top.  I finally decided on a metallic gold because the drawers had inlaid brass.

Keep in mind this is NOT how a professional would have done this.  I had several requirements: 1) not to mess up the bottom 2) not to strip it down to the bare wood; and 3) make it liveable but not a high grade finish.  I was wanting a simple fix.  I did not use the kind of paint a pro would.

This is just paint from Lowe's. This is actually wall paint. Valspar Brilliant Metals line.

 

Here's the base coat going on. 

 

Here is the finished piece.  It has a calmer look to it now. I think it looks fine with the brass inlay on the drawers. Designers say you should have at least one black painted piece in a room to "ground" it, so I guess I am grounded. What I do like about Karges is the sound it makes when you close the drawers caused by the air rushing out.  It just has a very high quality sound to it.

I might add, if you have a project like this, do it right, don't do what I did. Since this is a water-based paint, I don't know how well it will hold up over time.  I might have to strip it down to the wood and do it right the next time.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede

Looking For Beautiful Things: Scott Antique Market in Atlanta

 

Scott Antique Market in Atlanta is one of my favorite places to go. Their show is one weekend a month.  I have gone a couple times a year over the past ten years or so and attended the December event.  Before I started blogging, I did not think about taking photos. I am seeking Swedish antiques mostly but keep an open mind to just find anything beautiful in accessories, natural coral, table silver or china. This is  a large show, so there is just so much to see and takes a full day if you walk up and down the aisles fast with just a glance inside seller's booths. I think their website says it is 336,000 square feet but that must include both buildings. When I need to visit Atlanta or a nearby city, I try to plan my trip on the week of this antique show.   http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/

Here are some photos of some of the beautiful things that caught my eye. People buy at the November show for Christmas so inventory was not as high as I have seen it in the past. I have listed the dealer's name where I have that information. Email me if you would like their contact data.

 

Benton Hayden & Associates of Atlanta. Window and door frames are still very popular as backdrops for other accessories.

 

 

A close up of her booth.

 

This lovely candelabra is from Arcing Sky Gallery Art & Antiques as well as the following hurricanes, candelabra and painting. The paintings were very stunning.

 

 

This pillow is created by Joan Garrett of Atlanta. She has hundreds of high end designer fabric decorative pillows that she makes herself.  They were outstanding and in every color imaginable.
The designer fabric used in these throw pillows was amazing. I couldn't narrow down a color I wanted to use in the redo of our living room.

 

Antique European chairs with great character. Note to self - buy every one of these next time.

 

Lots of white ironstone.  It is so loved, I don't think it will ever go out of style.

 

This is the booth of Antique Sanctuary of Atlanta. Hope Fassett, the owner always has a beautifully styled booth.

 

Hope had these pretty painted benches.

 

And the beautiful glass jugs in greens and blue/greens.

 

I just love light painted woods. This large scale bench was wonderful.

 

Lovely pieces.

Hope has a lot of things that touch my heartstrings.

 

Need some silverplate?  Here are just a few patterns to choose from. You can have a lot of fun looking through this pile.  I believe this is Gulf Coast Silver from League City, Texas.

 

Moving along to another booth, this is Illuminati Antiques of Atlanta. Their booth sells out quickly, so come early on the first day of the show.

 

Pretty sconces. They also had beautiful demijohn jugs in green tones of the glass.

 

Wine jugs are still going strong.  It is a trend that could stay awhile.

 

 

Illuminati also carries many nice mirrors.

 

Here we are at the booth of Nostalgia Fine Art from Douglasville, Georgia. They have an enormous supply of framed and unframed prints of pages taken from antique books.

 

Moving along to another pretty vignette.

 

Lots of pretty Majolica.

 

If you love blue and white, this dealer from Dearborn, Michigan has a lot to choose from.

 

Does your heart speak French?

 

This pretty 1870 stepback gray cupboard is from the Hunt's Antiques who specialize in cupboards. They are from Monticello,Georgia.

 

Christy Hickey's booth looked like it belonged on the cover of Country Living magazine.  This unusual display is composed of cotton yarn spools from the old Atlantic Cotton Mill in Macon, Georgia. 

 

Here you see spools of gold thread on the right.

 

Christy is a fun talented gal with a great styling eye.

 

David Herndon Antiques of Atlanta deals in English porcelains, paintings and Black Forest wood carvings of exquisite quality.  Some of the china I have shown in my tablescaping posts was purchased from David.

 

Oil paintings of dogs and other animals remain in constant demand. David Herndon has a nice selection here.

 

You know how much I love painted furniture. This is a stunning piece that would be the focal point of any room.

 

This Italian painted chest from Butte's Antiques of Thomasville, NC is 2die4.

 

Eye candy.

 

Isn't this fabulous!

 

Diane Dunn's shop White Rose Linens has a fabulous selection of vintage laces and linens. 

 

Lovely oil painting in another booth.

 

Another fabulous look.

 

I've had a long standing dream of furnishing an entire house by selecting items from all the booths at Scott Market. There are so many wonderful things to choose from including lighting, carpets and art in two huge expo buildings.  All the photos in this post are from the North Building. You can purchase high and low here as pricing is all over the map.

 

 

More eye candy.

 

 

Yummy.

 

More light painted wood pieces that are loved by so many.

 

Very sweet oil painting.

 

 

Imported wood lamp bases for the look that is so popular now.

 

Beautiful sconces. The dealer was not in their booth, so I don't know the name.

 

 

It takes me a full day to see the hundreds of dealers at Scott. There are several restaurants and food booths so you can stay all day.

 

This is the North Building which has the high end antiques.  There are many estate jewelry and sterling dealers that I haven't mentioned. Literally millions of dollars of inventory.  There are also booths outside and in tents in the parking lot. So much to see.

I will show you more in my next post of a shell art dealer.

All the best,

Summer

Photos:  Swede  

 

 

 

Design Bliss: Amy Howard Workshops Start in January in Memphis

 

Can you believe my excitement when I read my email announcement that Amy Howard is going to conduct workshops starting in January in her Memphis shop??  Wow!  I have been waiting for this good news. 

 

I immediately called and signed up for two of the three classes she is offering.  I am so excited!  I immediately recognized in the above announcement the aqua chairs in the back row.  I wonder if she will teach that finish.

 

Here is one of two of her chairs I have in my home office. My office is currently decorated differently but the chair is still there. You might also recall I did a blog post on Amy Howard's furniture in a showhouse on July 6th.  You can see more of her line at amyhowardcollection.com, but she doesn't picture all her products. I would suspect this is from problems like other companies have of knock offs being made.  Amy also has a blog which can be accessed from her website.

Have you noticed lately how many nationally known designers are now giving camps, classes and workshops?  Seems to be a new trend which I think is smart business. I did a post September 21 on the camp I took from Tobi Fairley of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Tobi also has a variety of new classes, so check them out. http://tobifairley.com/blog/topic/design-camp/

Can't wait to tell you about my class in January.

Summer

Photo Credit:  Amy Howard Collection and Swede

 

 

Looking for Beauty: Are you going to Marburger Farm?

 

Marburger Farm Antique Show starts September 28 -- next week. Are you going?   Twice a year [April and September] thousands of people arrive in Round Top, Texas to look for treasures.  Here are some four-plex collages from my visit in April.  If you are planning to go, I hope these photos get your heart pumping.  If you have never been and you love antiques of all kinds, start packing. April is a great time to go as well. The wildflowers are blooming in fields that stretch for miles and the weather is cool.

This antique show is really the whole county.  Tents and buildings with merchandise for sale are in several towns, in hay fields and in wide spots in the road. 

Driving through the countryside in April we saw many miles of beautiful landscape.  

 

Here are some collages of the individual buildings at Marburger Farm as well as the huge white tents. Be sure to pick up a brochure when you arrive that tells you the layout of the farm.  Also look at the website before you come.

Many of these old buildings were brought onto this site.

There were many of these huge white tents.  Lettered from A to G, I believe.

Let's take a look inside some of them. Many of the dealers are regulars returning for years.

Lots of eye candy from this dealer who was inside Legler House.

This dealer was one of my favorites in the General Store. Love the displays and the light painted wood pieces, lots of mirrors -- just pure eye candy.

This Texas dealer makes new jewelry out of old disparate pieces. I love how she displayed them on old photographs of long lost relatives of somebody's.  My sweet husband purchased a necklace and earrings for me.  In looking at the necklace, I can tell it was assembled from an old buckle, an old dress clip, and a pin. Every piece is unique.  This is definitely up-cycling.

There is no shortage of ironstone, majolica, bone china, porcelain, pottery, transferware, faience for every collector.

There are decorative items of every kind as well as clothing, estate jewelry, garden items and so much more.

 

 

Here are more booths.

The dealers are from all over the United States and some international.

There is so much inventory in all these booths, I commented that I could furnish an entire house in just one visit.

 

There is so much to see just at Marburger Farm alone. We spent one full day there and barely got to all the tents.  To thoroughly look at all the booths, you could spend the full week here and never make it to any of the other venues.

If you have more time to spend, be sure to stop at the Big Red Barn. There are fine antiques in this building that is air conditioned.  It is on the same road as Marburger Farm. You can also continue on and drive to Warrenton where there is much more to see.

I hope this has whetted your appetite for some fall antique shopping. And if you go to Round Top, I hope you find some things that make your heart sing.

All the best,

Summer

Photo Credits:  All Swede

   

Testing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: My Trial Results

 

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  It is all the buzz in faux painting circles. 

 

The newest paint.  The latest and greatest.  There is nothing like it they say. Certainly a lot of excitement.  Once somewhat difficult to obtain because you had to order it from England [but I think it was manufactured in Belgium], but now no more waiting, converting from pounds to dollars and shipping issues.  It is manufactured in the United States to Annie Sloan's exacting specifications and available from the distributor through stockists. I ordered several quarts from The Southern Institute of Faux Finishing in Brandon, MS and had it shipped to me.  You can also take their Chalk Paint classes. 

This is where I first learned about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I fell in luvvvvv with it when I saw Virginia Weathersby's samples at the Institute.  My favorite was Chateau Grey on top of Duck Egg Blue. The cost is $35 a quart. I used less than a pint on my chair.

Duck Egg underneath Chateau Grey is the sample on the right.

My trial of the paint [unscientific, of course since there was no control batch] is done on a French chair I purchased at a neighborhood garage sale.  Since I like Swedish and French furnishings, I chose Paris Grey for the color of the chalk paint.  The chair has a lot of detailed carvings which I thought would look good in gold metallic. For the upholstery, I chose a cleanable white fabric that I seem to use on everything. The cost of the upholstery work is always the most expensive part of the project.  I love white but I also need any spots to be easily cleanable with water and soap.  This fabric is one of my best decorating secrets. This is a new, made in China, reproduction chair that has a gloss seal on it which I presume is varnish.

The test that I was most curious about was the claim on the AS website that you don't have to sand or strip the current finish.  Just paint the chalk paint right over the top.  So I wanted to see if that really worked and if the paint did stick, but further, did it stay on. In Annie's book, "Creating the French Look", on page 83, she also states that the surfaces do not need to be prepared or primed.  Would it stick to my varnished surface?  

http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/copy_of_How_to_use_the_paint.html

 

First step:  Apply the Chalk Paint.  I like working with an artist's brush on small surfaces like these instead of a regular paint brush for better control and neatness.  I applied two coats.  To keep track of which surface I had painted, I rolled the chair in a clockwise motion and painted only the side that was face up and letting each painted side dry before rolling the chair to the next position.  I knew if I didn't do that I would not be able to tell what had a second coat and what didn't.

The second step:  Apply the gold to the detailed carvings.  I decided to try a new product I learned about at The Institute called gilding wax.  It is made in France and costs about $16 for a 30 ml jar.  It comes in about five colors and I chose King Gold since I wanted a lot of metallic contrast between the gold and the Paris Grey.  I applied it with a tiny artist's brush and then rubbed it with my index finger.  The rubbing effect is what makes it glow. I luvvvvvvvvvv this stuff.  Finding out about it was worth the entire tuition to my last class.   

Here is a collage of the painted details:

  Next step:  Apply two coats of Faux Effects Dead Flat Varnish.  I wanted the surfaces to look more antique Swedish with no gloss.  The varnish did "grey-out" my paint with a hazy cast.  It knocked down the gloss of the gold paint. I am debating whether next time I would use Faux Effects Varnish Plus product instead.  

Last step:  Take it to the upholstery shop.  I tried a different one this time as I wasn't satisfied with the last one I used.   So here is the end result. These photos are taken outside on my front sidewalk in the sun to get better light than I have indoors.

So what do you think? I'm pretty happy with the results.

My star system for evaluation on a 1 star to 5 star scale of what I look for in a paint are:

1) Odor - this gets 5 stars for no offensive odor or smell
2) Ease of Application - 5 stars here. It went on very nicely.
3) Thickness/Coverage - I always do two coats anyway, so I'll give it 5.
4) Clean Up - easy here with water, so 5 stars.
5) Sandability - light sanding resulted in "smooth as a baby's bottom" so 5 stars. 
6) Green - see website.  Good here.
7) Cost - at $35 a quart, it is pricey, so 3 stars.
8) Durability - does the paint stay on?  My jury is still out on this as my chair legs came back from the upholstery shop with the paint rubbed off in several places down to the wood that I had to retouch. Not sure how this happened because I transported it on a white soft blanket. This is definitely something that I will continue to evaluate.
9) Looks - 5 stars here.  It just has a beautiful "euro" look when it is sanded smooth and the touch of the finished paint is just wonderful.

For my unscientific summary, the question is would I use it again?  My answer is Yes, but on selected pieces.  I would like to get brave and paint my 1983 Henredon dining room table a light color - Old White or a beige with a gilded edge.  Do I trust this paint for that project? I would not want the paint to scratch off from use of china and flatware.  My sweet husband who occasionally reads my blog just fainted with that sentence. I would use the chalk paint on an antique, new or vintage piece of little value to give it an entirely new look without ruining an important piece if the piece was for my own household. Would I use it in manufacturing new Swedish/French furniture pieces, No.  But I would on a custom painted individual piece for a client. Production finishers do not like working with water-based paints. Long-term durability is a key issue.

Here is another look at the before and after:

 
I look forward to sharing with you my next chalk paint project.

All the best,

Summer Day

Photo Credits:  All Swede

Learning to Paint Furniture at The Southern Institute

 

Last week I returned to The Southern Institute of Faux Finishing in Brandon, MS for a second class.  This one was on furniture finishes.  I loved every minute of it. 

This Institute is close to Jackson, Mississippi.

 
Our beautiful instructor, Virginia, who is not only extremely knowledgeable with 15 years of experience, but also an excellent teacher who makes every second a fabulous event.

Here are my photo collages of the six furniture finishes we did.

 
The finish names from top to bottom, left to right are:  Veranda, Arabesque, Chalk, Chinoiserie, Versailles, and Delicato.

 

Making the Veranda finish.  This finish is named after the cover of Veranda magazine's Jan/Feb 2007 issue of a room in the Belgian residence of couturier Edouard Vermeulen.  The console table is 2die4 also. This cover is probably the most talked about cover Veranda has done.  Another cover in similar blue-greens is the September 2009 issue.  I love both of these.

   

This is the gold-leafed Arabesque finish which uses Aquastone for the raised dimensional look.

 

This is the Annie Sloan chalk paint finish.  The Annie Sloan brand is a new introduction to the United States from England so is all the rage lately. The texture sets it apart from other paints. It is now being manufactured in the US giving better access to it than ordering from England.  Virginia will be teaching an entire class on Annie Sloan chalk paint the end of August at the Institute. Unfortunately, I have to be in Seattle but purchased several colors and am testing them on furniture pieces now.  The cabinet in the lower right portion of the collage was done for one of Virginia's clients.  It is the same finish we did in class.

 

Here is Chinoiserie in black and red as a plaque with the symbol for "home" made with a stencil and Tamise gold leaf.

 

This is the making of Versailles named for the motif found in the French castle Versailles. It is one of my all-time favorites.

 

Here is Delicato which is stunning with the aqua against the black.

 

We also learned about antiquing mirror.

 

Students having soooooooooo much fun.

 

These paint finishes arranged by 12 colors are done on small sample mouldings. Each one is uniquely fabulous in it's own right. It would be so hard to choose just one.

 

These finishes are done in the cabinet class. Looks like another fun one to take.

 

And, here are some inspiring wall finishes to intice faux finishers to take that class.   So many wonderful classes are offered at the Institute.  Is it possible to quit work and just go here full time?

 

I plan to hang some of the samples on my home office wall.  Here is Versailles and Delicato displayed on my office console table.

I hope you have enjoyed being a student with me.

All the best,

Summer

Photo Credits:  Swede with the exception of Veranda cover by Francis Amiand.

 

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