Tuesday, September 27, 2011

and I'm off

A week long trip to NYC is just what the doctor ordered...


Murray Hill Hotel; From Park Avenue and 40th Street
November 19th, 1935
Photograph by Berenice Abbott

Monday, September 26, 2011

Flight (and Barr) of Fancy

After discovering a fantastic Flight & Barr Worcester porcelain inkwell with feather decoration on 1stDibs (view here), I decided to delve into the archives of Sotheby's and Christie's to see what I could find... 
Please click on the images to be directed to either Sotheby's or Christie's to view details on these sybaritic examples of early 19th century porcelain...








 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Biggs Powell on One Kings Lane

Biggs Powell, who recently opened a store on King Street in Charleston, had a fantastic sale on One Kings Lane that opened yesterday. His store, located in one of my favorite buildings on lower King, is a jewel box of unique antiques, reproductions, and contemporary pieces. 

I love this 19th century hall chair... it's so modern in its severity and geometric shape

A pair of fantastic vintage French lamps...

Obviously obsessed with this vintage eglomise mirror...


These are so incredibly beautiful... I've been in love them for a while



And finally, my favorite piece from the entire sale...


These gilt and painted grotto brackets are quite possibly some of the most unique things I've ever encountered. If only I had an extra $3,000 lying around...



from his website you can visit his listings on 1stDibs

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

New Inventory

So after a very successful first month at Antiques of South Windermere here in Charleston, I've added a lot and have almost doubled my inventory.

I found the Old Paris cup, saucer, and creamer this weekend at a local antiques show for next to nothing...

An overview of the booth... the drop leaf table in the foreground, the Tudor Revival chair at the console table, and the marble topped cocktail table against the back wall are all new to the booth...

This beautiful slab of marble is what initially attracted me to the table... the blackamoor bracket is new, but it has a great look...


These were my favorite finds... fresh from an antiques store in Asheville, NC, I love the frames, mats, and the coloring of these antique plates... 


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Vines

At a recent estate sale I came across this unusual object. I'm not quite sure what it is... the scale of it (it's only about 4 inches tall) makes me doubt that it was just simply a vase, and I assume it's made of glass, but it looks more like a simulated alabaster rather than bristle glass...

...it appears to be quite early as well, I'm guessing circa 1800-1830. However, what I was drawn to most was the trailing gilt grapevine... one of my favorite decorative motifs.

A Flight and Barr Worcester creamer in the Brown Grape Vine pattern, circa 1792-1807

A Flight and Barr part dinner service in the Purple Vine pattern, circa 1810

A modern pattern, Hampton Court, by William Yeoward in Burgundy

A decanter in the Cordelia pattern by William Yeoward

... and the matching glasses

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A Bedroom

My dream bedroom to be exact. 
After watching The Affair of the Necklace, not only did I learn to endure Hilary Swank as an actress, I also discovered the most amazing bedroom...


I'm not sure if this room is academically correct... it seems a little bit more Louis XVI a la Maison Jansen... but it's perfect. I LOVE the mirrored wall, the iron bed, and that fantastic side table. 
If only it were mine...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Mad Men Style: Part 2

Roger Sterling's office... I love the classical marble statue. Completely unexpected.

The faux draped fabric wallpaper in Sal's home is fantastic...

The Drapers' formal living room pre-'redecoration'... I love the wall color and the pair of Asian chairs are wonderful

The 'redecorated' living room...
The wall color is the same and the drapes are suspiciously similar. However, the pair of chairs and the Asian inspired sofa are great.

The lobby of Conrad Hilton's hotel in Rome... I love the columns and the gold-leaf domed ceiling...

A detail of one of the mosaic columns... fabulous

Roger Sterling's new office... so completely chic then, and still as stylish today. I could do without the mushroom shaped lamp, but the Saarinen desk and the black and white art work are to die for...

Sterling's home... I love the juxtaposition of the antiques such as the harp and the wood paneling with the modern leather and chrome furniture.
I can't wait for the next season...