Antiques Archives — Page 2 of 5

A Most Fetching Friday

This week’s Fetching Friday features signature design and decor interpretation, fashionable words, a perfect blend of antiques and modern, a summer settee, a full on fall preview, and a question for you all.

fetch·ing

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming, prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

ff-office

As illustrated in the Domino magazine feature “High Style Made Easy”, Interior designer Mary McDonald captures decorating lightening in a bottle in this office kitchen with her signature bold design choices.

Decorating in a straightforward fashion strictly based on the function and purpose of the space does not always a statement make.

Doesn’t this office/workspace with its playing it not so safe accents and accessories pop a bit more than a conventional just get the job done look?

ff-Oscar De La Renta

The pairing, mixing and blending of antiques with modern and contemporary style elements is a decorative endeavor I highly recommend trying.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

ff-sophisticated-retreat-feel Style at Home

A Marina Rust, Penobscot Bay, Maine summer home and a pink settee seasonally in Vogue.

pink-settee

This Traditional Living Room by Springfield Interior Designers & Decorators Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home defines full fall glory in apples, feathers, rich colors and warm accents detail.

Maggiano's

What favorite person, place or thing will be a part of your weekend plans?

I hope you have a most fetching Friday.

Love your style!

A Most Fetching Friday

This week’s Fetching Friday places the accent on classic.

Fetching

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming,prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

portrait Traditional in Gold via New England Home

‘Tis the weekend of the 127 Yard Sale aka The World’s Largest Yard Sale.

The Places In The Home Gang hit the sale in Gadsden, Alabama many moons ago on our way back home from our annual trek to the hills and mountains of East Tennessee.

The already overloaded Excursion and U-Haul ( it was very normal for us to pick, hunt and buy enough treasures, trinkets and trash to warrant renting a u-Haul).

Have any of you ever been to The World’s Largest Yard Sale?

Please share!

I love this pic from Authentica Classics on Facebook.

world's-longest-yard-sale Discovered Treasures – World’s Longest Yard Sale via Authentica Classics

Gone with the Wind is as famous for its lines as it is for the movie itself.

If I had a nickel for every time “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” has been quoted well, you know.

Good Housekeeping recently informed its readers the infamous ending almost wasn’t the famous ending as we know it.

An alternate ending has been revealed through the recent findings of a script.

Take a look at what words Scarlett may have spoken over at Good Housekeeping.

gone-with-the-wind-script Heritage Auctions

Speaking of iconic, the image below is of the interior of the actual brownstone on 64 Perry Street, New York, New York -otherwise known as Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in Sex and the City.

Ornate-crown-ceiling-moldings-make-apartment-historic Pop Sugar – Sotheby’s Realty

ships Classic navy never looked so beautiful! via Traditional Home

The classic interior beauty and architecture of the St. Louis Cathedral make it a premier historical New Orleans landmark.

I hope yours is a most fetching Friday.

Love your style!

Styling the Table Between Two Sofas: How To Style a Coffee Table

Attention grabbing titles stump me at times. The backspace on this keyboard should start up its own CrossFit class because this baby gets in an impressive and exhaustive daily workout erasing first drafts, not so PG-13 wording and the like.

Title considerations for this post ranged from Not Another Boring How To Style a Coffee Table Post, Putting Stuff on the Coffee Table and Why It Matters and the winner, Styling The Table Between Two Sofas.

Anyway you title it, how to style a coffee table is a hot topic of decorating interest.

coffee-table-books

I like to incorporate individual style and objects that capture the soul of the life lived within your home.

The only hard-and-fast rule I follow in regards to how to style a coffee table is no sight obstruction.

I don’t know about you, but I hate to sit down to gab, read or watch television only to get right back up to move a decorative accent out of my sight line.

High, medium and low is a working concept with considerations to factor in.

When I’m styling a coffee table I sit down on sofa, chair, etc… and choose the primary sight line.

X marks the center spot- the prime location for a medium or low height object placement.

The “outer” areas balance the method with graduated heights to continue the flow, theme and visual engagement.

how to style a coffee table

The rule of you effectively applies to decorating and should be beautifully evident throughout your home.

Styling a coffee table with a sense of individual style is easy.

A treasured keepsake, great read, conversation piece, a decorative box to house remotes (a necessary evil), framed picture of something, somewhere or someone that when you look at it a smile instantly touches your heart- the essentials!

Here’s the background on the pieces presently calling the top of my coffee table home.

shell

The shells were found on the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas by my mother when she was eight years old.

shell-Texas

My great-grandparents owned tourist courts in the beach area, and on one of the many trips to Corpus my mother picked up these shells.

Treasures of time and travel for sure.

rose-bowl

The rose bowl was an anniversary gift from Dave the Builder.

A fellow antiques dealer brought it into the shop, and my heart skipped a beat.

Dave surprised me with it, I bawled like a baby, and up this keepsake went.

Fast forward to moving day when Miss Grace Kelly (me) dropped it, shattering it into several pieces.

The water works began, but I sucked it up and let it go.

No use crying over chipped and cracked porcelain- the thought behind the gift was still in one piece.

I picked up the pieces as best I could, placed them in a box, and set it out in the garage.

tall

Dave saw the box when he came in and asked me what had happened.

I filled him in, letting him know I had made peace with the pieces.

Dave wouldn’t hear of it.

He grabbed the glue and went to work.

When he finished gluing the pieces back in place he offered up a rather profound explanation.

He told me to look at it in a new light.

Things that are perfect one minute may not be so perfect the next. That doesn’t mean you throw it away- you dig in with determination and fix it.

The cracked and glued back together rose bowl is even more beautiful to me now.

Valorie-Hart

Louisiana is known for unique characters, creatures, homes, food and culture.

House Proud: Unique Home Design, Louisiana by Valorie Hart and Edwin Edwards Governor of Louisiana by Leo Honeycutt are both interesting reads and wonderful conversation pieces.

Two birds, one stone.

The dried bouquet in the image below is a memento from my nephew’s wedding.

bouquet

What do you consider essential decorative elements in the pursuit of how to style a coffee table?

Love your style!

One Kings Lane Home Decor Resource

Home furnishings and home decor bring function and beauty to a space, but is that always the point?

Sometimes in the decorative discovery phase of design and decorating we stumble upon a particular piece that catches the eye, and perhaps for a brief moment takes our breath away.

Thoughts of practicality and function never enter into the picture.

It’s love at first sight, and all that is left to do is find the perfect place in the perfect space.

These gotta have it pieces serve the most important purpose of this thing we call decor- to make our homes a beautiful place to be.

antique desk chair Traditional Home

I know I am not above putting decorative value first and function second in certain situations.

The design, lines and form of beauty often trump the ace of function.

antique accent chair

As my favorite composer wrote and my all time favorite singer sang, “A chair is still a chair even when there’s no one sitting there.”

The intrinsic value of a chair is function, but some chairs simply do not exist by function alone.

There are many antique, vintage, designer and unique accent chairs that qualify as absolute works of art.

prie dieu Live Auctioneers

Even with my background and experience in the world of antiques, there are times when I have to consult with Dave the Builder or another source to dot the i’s and cross the t’s of period and provenance.

Between the excitement of auction and the flame and ribbon of mahogany, you can easily get your barley twisted.

Victorian slipper chair One Kings Lane

I am thrilled to discover and share with you a newly discovered tool of the trade, One Kings Lane Home Decor Resource.

Italian painted chair One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane created this resource to inspire, aid and educate home decor enthusiasts when purchasing and reupholstering the perfect statement chair.

It is a one stop guide to put you in the loop of all things accent chairs.

The easy to navigate guide identifies styles and periods of chairs from pre-1600 to present and offers maker information as well.

One Kings Lane Home Decor Resource

Do yourself a favor and bookmark the One Kings Lane Home Decor Resource, an essential tool in the pursuit and identification of all things accent chairs.

*this post contains affiliate links

A Notch Above: A Corbel DIY Home Project

A recent trending Twitter chat topic brought much attention to the subject of dining room trends for 2013.

On trend for 2013 is the double the light, double the look and the mix and mingle of dining room chairs, banquettes, and bench seating.

A recent article in Better Homes and Gardens brought much attention to the need for a corbel DIY home project. Inspiration is everywhere!

architectural pediment Houzz

With the conversation still fresh on my mind, I thought I would search for images to further feature the trend.

All thoughts of dining room trends were dashed as my eyes zoned in on two architectural accents hanging and sitting pretty all in one space.

Pediments and corbels used as home decor accessories continue to make a decorative power point presentation.

architectural corbel Houzz

One of the occupational hazards of this thing I do and love is that I stay in DIY home project mode.

How could I not?

When I spot swoon worthy accessories in the many images I see in my style spotter daily rotation, especially ones I tend to gravitate toward as tried and true decorative accents of choice, I am inspired.

Karen Fabian Better Homes and Gardens

Inspiration hit big when I saw the corbel accent between the kitchen and dining room in the home of interior and landscape designer Karen Fabian in the March issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

architectural corbel on Etsy

My local source for all things antique and architectural didn’t have a corbel to be found, but Circa Time on Etsy did.

Well, she did until it sold before I could consult Dave the Builder about modifying it.

I contacted the shop owner to see if by chance she had another one.

It was my lucky corbel day!

corbel

When we did the kitchen/dining room remodel and wall removal we did not intentionally leave this in an unfinished state of Anjou Pear meets Fired Brick.

When we repainted the kitchen I told Dave the Builder not to worry with it until I decided exactly what trim, molding, or finishing touch I wanted to use.

Why get in a hurry and settle for something you really don’t love?

DIY home project

The corbel is blessed with the right amount of chippy goodness, patina, and size (27 3/4 inches tall X 10 ½ inches wide).

Dave the Builder is going to notch out the crown molding so the corbel will mount flush with the ceiling and wall.

It will serve the dual purpose of breaking the eye between the spaces and finishing out the cabinet back.

Are you in DIY home project mode?

Love your style!

Design and Home Decor Trends of 2013

My decorative and design energy is fired up for the New Year.

I’ve spent the last few days checking things out fresh and new for 2013 aka the design and home decor trends of 2013.

As we all know, fresh and new is not always fresh and new.

You may spot more than one renewed, refreshed, repurposed, and/or reinvented idea from decor trends pasts.

That’s the great thing about good trends- they possess the quality, look, and decorative chops to become even better the second, third or hundredth time around when done very well.

Like, love or hate them- the decor trends and forecasts are in.

Color is color once again, a romantic renaissance is coming back around and look what blast from the past is set to lead the way- the big brass band of beauty.

Layering for warmth also applies to inside warmth, comfort, and coziness.

Layers of color on color, texture on texture, pattern on pattern- pile it on!

What could be easier than spot updates?

Better Homes & Gardens

Adding lux linens and throws in seasonal fabrics, patterns and colors will infuse the look, the feel of comfort, and softened impressions to the space.

Traditional Home

You’ll hit a trending trifecta with this wood, metallic, and gold gilded drift wood sconce from Clayton Gray Home.

Clayton Gray Home

Wood accents, meticulous metals including going for the bold and gold, texture, pattern, and shades of green will make an impact on the interior design and decor radar for 2013.

Pinterest

Antiques as pieces of art will serve as focal points and conversation pieces.

Better Homes & Gardens

I’m thrilled to see the encouraged use of antiques as art coming around.

Last week as I was viewing Million Dollar Decorators I was cheering on Jeffrey Alan Marks.

His comments regarding the use of antiques as the final touch of personality in decor made me an instant follower of his train of thought.

Unique.,

One-of-a-kind.

Unusual.

Whimsy.

Conversation pieces.

Yes, yes and YES!

If only one piece brings this to the space then I say bring it!

Can you tell I’m a huge fan of antiques as art?

It’s a new year full of new trends. I’m definitely inspired!

Are you?

Three for All: Planning A Fall, Harvest and Thanksgiving Tablescape

Planning a fall tablescape is both a labor of love and one of the best parts of the fall home decorating season.

Blending the best of the season can carry the theme through to a harvest and a Thanksgiving tablescape.

table-2012

Natural elements provide a canvas easy to work with, color that only nature can produce, and the opportunity to treasure hunt close to home outdoors as well as indoors.

tablescape2012 That which nature doesn’t provide, Hobby Lobby, Tractor Supply, eBay, and my brother the avid goose hunter does!

place

A savvy tablescaper keeps an eye out for future holiday table setting ideas and clearance sales from holidays past.

Patience and an additional 40% off clearance sale at Dillard’s secured the six new dinner plates, dinner napkins, and hammered copper napkin rings for my fall tablescape.

copper-hammered-napkin-ring

Burlap sandbags from Tractor Supply make casually chic, virtually indestructible and very affordable placemats.

creamer-2012

To know me is to know I love the opportunity to show and display items from my antique plate and creamer collection.

The Prussia Royal Rudolstadt bread and butter plate is a find from our last antiques inventory shopping trip.

pinecone-in-plate

It’s odd how decorative accessories that normally would not be paired together do, in fact, create the perfect look.

centerpiece-2012

When Dave the Builder brought the Wedgwood candlesticks home from the antique shop I was not feeling it.

But wait.

After careful reconsideration it dawned on me that the steel gray goose feathers in the centerpiece cast an elegant shade of Wedgwood blue all their own.

“A September to remember. An October full of splendor.

A November to treasure.”

-La Prevenchere

My thoughts exactly!

Historic Homes And The Beauty Of Their Architectural Elements

Architectural integrity through architectural elements is the indelible mark of historic homes and landmarks.

Longwood

It is usually the only tangible proof of bygone golden eras ruled by classic styles.

Cornstock Hotel

Restoration efforts and day to day upkeep of historic homes can be financially mind boggling.

The sheer expense of replicating these styles in today’s market can create financial hurdles difficult to clear.

Aging and changing neighborhoods coupled with a natural progression away from this style of living places most of these homes in the private sector on an endangered species list.

historic homes of New Orleans

The craftsmanship, detail to details, and artisan skills used to envision, shape, form, and build these homes fascinate me.

Over the years we have had the opportunity to tour, consult on, and donate antique pieces to several state and privately owned historic homes.

Bishops Palace

As much as I love antiques, I will walk right by a period piece without so much as a glance to get to the heart of the historic matter.

architectural elements

Architectural elements grab and hold my attention.

window-door

In our city we have a block that is known as Mansion Row.

Anchoring the far left corner of the block stands the Thompson-Hargis Mansion.

Built in 1907, this Greek Revival home with characteristic Ionic columns, porte-cochère, triangle pediment, and transom entry was once a jewel in the crown of our city history.

The exterior and grounds showed the weathered look of sun and time- nothing paint and repair could not fix.

The property was structurally sound and the architectural integrity intact.

Thompson-Hargis Mansion

The furnishings were removed years ago, the windows and doors boarded, and the grand dame beautifully sat idling until this past Sunday evening when she fell victim to a senseless demise.

historical home

Neighbors who recall the elegance of what was and admirers of what could have been mourn the total loss of of property, history, and hope.

Thompson-Hargis

It is a sad turn of events and an even sadder realization that original, historic, and one of a kind architectural elements were destroyed.

Dollars do not factor into the equation, there is no replacement value for the architectural integrity of this 105 year old home.

RIP Thompson-Hargis Mansion.

historical mansion

Preserving history and restoring things runs in my family.

Dave the Builder and I preserve antique and architectural pieces.

My brother purchased, moved, and restored his circa 1903 Victorian home – his second property to restore.

I am currently in the process of photographing his home to feature in a future post.

Stay tuned.

images: Preservation in Mississippi, New Orleans Homes and Neighborhoods, Galveston History, History of a House Museum, NOLA, Old Houses, Frenchtowner, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Perpetual Renovator, We Saw That