milk and honey

Before and After

2011-03-23T09:51:00.007-04:00

Remember the project that I started last summer???? The adorable Dutch Colonial that was a complete gut renovation?

Well it's complete (with a few small additions like light fixtures still on the way...). The house is so beautiful now, but it was definitely a journey getting there. I am hoping that now the house is done that my clients can enjoy this wonderful space and make it a home... and forget some of the trials they had to go through.

I wanted to share a few before and after... can you believe it?

Master Bath before:

Master Bath after:

Kitchen before:

Kitchen after:

Kitchen 2 before:

Kitchen 2 after:

Stay tuned for more photos... hopefully I can improve my camera skills!

Wide Stripe Bathrooms

2011-03-22T12:39:00.003-04:00

One of the things we didn't renovate when we did our own house was the master bath (now our son's bathroom). It had been redone in 1995 and while it was definitely not our taste, it was clean and fairly inoffensive. Fairly.

Recently we've been fixating on this bath, partially because we saw a great photo in this month's House Beautiful (Bee Cottage - Guest Wing Renovation). We happen to have that very bamboo shelf!

Like this bathroom, we have white square tile all around the room. Obviously it would be cheaper to keep it although I would love to get rid of it. This bathroom shows how cute it can be despite the tile...

This is a bathroom by Krista Ewart, a designer who is not afraid of color. I adore her style.

I've always loved these huge citron stripes (House Beautiful). Who could be cranky with a bathroom like this?

I'm having my trusty contractor Roger come by and let me know how much it will all cost... Cross your fingers!

My Old Life

2011-02-06T21:09:00.004-05:00

No, I'm not referring to my old, non-mom life. I'm talking about my old advertising life. When I was in my 20s in New York City, loved the liquid dinner, Hogs and Heifers, Walter Chin photoshoots and $400 shoes on a $25K salary. And working in advertising was as exhilarating as it looks on Mad Men - a career for the young of all-nighters (or all-weekers) fueled by crazy substances and a big printer.

When the economy turns sour, ad budgets are cut. Just like the details and jewelry and discretionary expenses are cut at home. But wow. I have seen some advertising recently that blows my mind and I just had to post about it... because it deserves a lot of attention.

Shockingly it's for Chrysler. And it's everything you don't expect from this brand - sexy, expensive, evocative.

Seriously, I might just have to buy a Chrysler.

Tonight I watched the latest ad, featuring Eminem. It's darker but equally dramatic. Wow. I miss that life - my old ad life, my New York life and that sexy richness that this drag of an economy has suffocated.

Thank you, Gotham, for bringing it back for a moment.

CB2 - Who Knew?

2011-01-16T17:43:00.004-05:00

I got a CB2 catalogue the other day and was flipping through it before throwing it in the recycling. But I saw these pendants - the Victory Pendant Lamp - and immediately tore out the photo. There are a few pieces at CB2 right now that have the industrial feel that I love... and at $149, who can resist?

I need to replace the blown glass Rustic Pendants that I got from Pottery Barn... because they're 20" wide and handblown, they don't hang straight and it drives me crazy. I love their look, but they just don't function.

So these might be just the thing... and at this price, who can resist?

What a Summer House means to me

2010-08-15T13:18:00.012-04:00

I grew up spending summers on Lake Charlevoix in Michigan. I loved everything about being there - catching tadpoles, reading bedraggled Archie comic books, riding bikes to the Dairy Queen. I and a gaggle of cousins (and siblings of course) were so carefree, and without a television, we entertained each other.

That house inspired my design aesthetic. The feeling of summer - casual, comfortable, safe and breezy. Unfortunately we don't go out to Michigan that much anymore. It's an expensive trip by plane, and a lengthy one by car with a 3 year old who hates traveling. Oh that it were closer...

This is the coveted bedroom in Charlevoix... chenille bedspreads and diamond panes. One of my favorite dealers at Brimfield is a great source for pairs of bedspreads.

And of course beadboard everywhere. The ceiling, the walls... in Charlevoix it's just varnished and everything is warm and cozy. Even in the summer we light the fire in this gorgeous fieldstone fireplace and wait for the cuckoo clock to chirp and let us know it's time to do... anything.

This summer we spent 3 weeks in Little Compton, Rhode Island with my in-laws in two different houses. It has a similar feel to that spot in Michigan - big, shingled houses with comfortable wicker and beadboard. And a huge plus - the breathtaking ocean and its salty, sticky breeze. I wish I could live here all year. We stayed in two different houses this year... the one above on Warren's Point and the one below at Round Pond. While the Warren's Point house was gorgeous from the outside and had a beautiful view of the ocean, this sweet Round Pond cottage was at the end of a private lane and was lovingly decorated with all things summer.

So what did I love about the house here?

The driftwood framed nautical map... the Little Compton trophy and sweet vintage wooden boats.

The gorgeous teal painted floors and tongue and groove paneled walls...

Open shelving for ironstone, old and new...

A collection of heart-shaped rocks...

The antique decoupaged dresser and ubiquitous fans (although the ocean breeze means we didn't need them much)...

If you're interested in renting a house in Little Compton, ask for Lisa at Little Compton Real Estate - she's amazing. And hopefully we'll be back next summer for longer!

New Project

2010-08-13T17:04:00.007-04:00

I've been so busy with my latest project that I haven't been posting. Not that I was posting much even before that... but I love to be busy and there it is. However I would like to share this home with you and the owners, L and B, have graciously agreed to let me document this gut renovation.

I feel very fortunate that my own architect, Jeff Yates, recommended me for this project. He is the rare architect (and I come from a family of them so I know...) who is completely devoid of a strong ego. He is not only a wonderful designer, with a lovely, flowing sense of space, but he's open to ideas. Anyway, he saw my passion for this work on my own house, my experience from Pottery Barn... and voila! A new chapter in my design career.

This house is a total gut renovation. It's a charming, cottage-y Dutch Colonial with a gambrel roof that was built in the 1920s here in Concord, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, previous owners had a few too many wine coolers in the 80s and built this entryway and family room on the back.

Need I say more?

Stay tuned for gorgeous inspiration photos... even though the house isn't huge we're touching almost every room. Five bathrooms, kitchen, entryways, dining room... it's going to be amazing! We're almost done with demo and framing, so we're kicking into high gear.

And stay tuned for an update to my website... a new career is an excuse for a new look!

Friday Finds

2010-07-23T13:54:00.008-04:00

How did this whole week race by? I have so many exciting things to post on my new project... and the days went by in a blur.

However, I am committed to my new Friday Finds. It seems they were popular last week - things got snatched up quickly! So here we go...

I'm loving this pair of chairs. Recovered in navy with white piping? $100

This very sweet antique couch is a delicious shade of bubblegum. Perfect for a bedroom or child's room: $575

This charming pair of wingbacks screams for adorable box pleat skirts. Or cover them in leather and nailheads - very Ralph: $50 (oh yes, that's for TWO).

OK, this couch looks scary. But it's fabulous, and read the description. Antique wicker with the original spring cushion. That means sturdy and comfortable - recover with some Beth Rawlinson fabric and you're done: $125

Love Rachel Ashwell furniture (and I'm not talking about Target pieces)? I do... but they're expensive. This table is available (from Wellesley, natch) and it's perfect for the kitchen, or put in a corner of the library and pile on the books: $800 (originally $1600)

Lastly, this bed is gorgeous. Really gorgeous. It's at an Ebay auction drop, so maybe you can negotiate the price. But it's worth it, especially if you're tired of PBK and Land of Nod for children's beds. $600

Let me know what you pick up!

Friday Finds

2010-07-16T17:27:00.005-04:00

I'm starting a new post for Fridays... I am always trolling Ebay, Etsy and Craig's List for vintage finds. Most require a bit of work, but the bones are amazing. This week I bought two AMAZING antique wooden signs and will post those next week. But I thought I'd start posting things that are wonderful that I don't have a use for currently - snatch them up before they're gone!

These adorable painted spool beds would be perfect for children's rooms, either together or separate: $200

I love this farm table. Perfect refinished as a kitchen table, or paint it and use it as a desk. And for $75, you can afford to put in some elbow grease.

Finally, some lucky soul will snatch up these Michele de Lucchi pendants. Normally they're $520 each at Unica Home. You can buy 3 and suspend them over your kitchen island for $500!

Let me know if you snatch any of these goodies up!

Happy Birthday to me

2010-07-15T10:47:00.002-04:00

Photo: Lisa Rigby, Flickr

I remember reading this around New Year's this year. It's by Henry Ward Beecher:

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

I love this quote. And on today, my birthday, I would replace January with the 15th of July. Those of you who know me well know that this has been a sad, bumpy year personally. However out of that sadness many wonderful things have happened - new, closer friendships, a stronger marriage, greater compassion and sensitivity towards others, openness to new opportunities and the shedding of any negative in my life. Now that a full year has passed I feel like I can start over.

On that note, I am parlaying my love of design and renovation into a revitalized career path. Today I officially started a new house renovation. Stay tuned... it's a new year, and a new me. I feel very blessed.

Porcelain Farmstand

2010-07-14T09:18:00.006-04:00

I love ironstone - practical, durable and yet beautiful in its simplicity. Originally designed by the British for rural America its starkness is extremely modern and nostalgic at the same time.

Recently I have noticed a trend that is a new twist on that combination. White porcelain farmstand accessories are everywhere, and I for one just love them.

Roost has lovely farmer's market baskets in 3 different sizes - strawberry, raspberry and plum - available at Velocity Art & Design.

There are two artists on my beloved Etsy who are creating porcelain mason jar and milk bottle pieces.

Alyssa Etinger's refined pieces define high/low. I of course love the milk bottle that says Concord Dairy. She also has a new French mason jar - a larger size than her milk bottles and perfect as a vase for summer wildflowers.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics also showcases porcelain mason jars, and they're gorgeous lit as votives (as above).

What do you think of this trend? I'd love some of these for a birthday present... hint hint!

Henn House

2010-05-24T14:33:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite resources in Massachusetts is now an online auction... I'm not sure why I'm sharing this because I want most things listed! It's a great mix of shabby, nautical, beachy, sporty...

I'm really loving these lights - perfect for a kitchen and not the same old, same old.

But in the interest of sharing (which I try to impress upon my 3 year old is a good skill), go and visit their site!

Henn-House
http://www.henn-house.net/

Can Leather be Country?

2010-04-30T19:01:00.010-04:00

While I have always loved comfortable, slightly shabby decor, I am more in love with it because I have a toddler. He crashes and bashes into everything, often with a baseball bat or tinker toys. Sometimes he just everything on a surface onto the floor. Charming. But hey, what's a little more weathering?

We lived in San Francisco when we got our leather couch. We had a beautiful library room that we painted dark red and showed our collection of antique bamboo furniture. I appreciate leather all the more now because our son loves to take a purple marker to things, or dump his sippy cup full of juice. Leather is eminently durable, wipeable - you get the picture.

But our house here is so light... it has very few walls on the first floor and every room works together to be light and bright. The leather couch, at home in our "library" (aka TV room) looks dark. The antique oriental rug looks dreary. So I got to thinking... can leather be part of a country farmhouse?

I have scoured magazines and websites and have come up with a collection of images that say "yes you can!" By combining leather with light counterpoints, the leather adds warmth much like a hardwood floor.

It seems the most popular route is with leather armchairs... a pair nestled close to a light-colored couch and resting on a light colored rug. And some vibrant, country-style throw pillows.

But I have a couch... and so does this homeowner. I like the combination of the leather couch with the industrial coffee table. The white rug and light throw pillows, combined with the fresh green of her topiaries lifts the look up from dark to cozy.

And if the doyenne of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell, can figure it out... well there it is. I am not a huge fan of this couch - it seems overwrought - but I love her idea of upholstering the seat cushions in a different fabric.

So what do you think? Can I use leather and still get the look?

I ♡ Pottery Barn

2010-01-07T14:57:00.009-05:00

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I co-owned a clothing manufacturing business for 7 years, that was started from nothing. It taught me EVERYTHING I know about running a company, financial management, marketing on a shoestring... When I decided to do something different I did not want to work for a big company. The best part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom. No one to say when you have to show up for work. No one telling you how to do things. There are many downsides to running your own business, but these aspects are a HUGE upside.

My husband - an attorney - told me that it would behoove me to work for a big company. Just to show that I could "play in the sandbox" with others. No one would ever question my credentials if I had the approval of a big company. I was randomly offered a freelance project with the President of Pottery Barn Kids. The turnaround was really fast, and the project was intense. But after owning your own business, this was like a vacation. She and I hit it off... and immediately she wanted me to come on board (thanks, Sandra).

About two months later I started working for Pottery Barn Kids in Visual Merchandising. My department did everything visual for our stores - photoshoots, store display, store marketing, gift registry, promotions, store architecture, signage, etc. I had a big, wonderful team who worked really hard for me and the aforementioned Sandra put a lot of trust in me.

My husband was offered an amazing career in Boston; we moved when our son was 6 months old for this opportunity and to be near our family. I freelance, both as a graphic designer and an interior designer, utilizing the skills that were honed from these last two jobs. People are always so interested to hear about working for such a well-branded company as Pottery Barn.

Even though I was only there for a third of the time that I had my business, the brand name of Pottery Barn outweighs all of that experience. I have to thank my husband for that one.

You might think that products from big box retailers are not as special as those found in your Design Center. But this isn't necessarily true. The product designers at PBK were unbelievable - go Allison - and many of the crafters were ex-Martha Stewart employees. Even though what you BUY may be made in China, I can assure you that its inspiration was from an antique, or a furniture artisan's design, or a dedicated crafter. And then sent to China so that you could afford it - or find it.

Today as I work in interior design, I still look to Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams Sonoma Home. Because I know intrinsically that those products were created by an incredibly talented (although underpaid) group.

Which brings me to the point of this post. Don't be afraid to tell your interior designer that you like Pottery Barn. Or Restoration Hardware. Or any of the catalogs that are selling you a wonderfully comfortable lifestyle. So it's not custom and doesn't cost $10K. Good for you - you just saved $7K on that couch. And for those of us with small children who inevitably decide that cream cheese and jelly looks much better smeared all over white matelasse... the Pottery Barn version is even better.

Your interior designer can sign up for the trade discount offered by many catalogs, and then purchase products for you (so email if you need something). I myself am partial to the following: Sundance Catalog, Serena and Lily, Restoration Hardware, Dash and Albert, Velocity Art & Design and of course, Pottery Barn.

Don't be afraid to love them too.

Sandra is now the President of Pottery Barn, so the above images are under her direction. I think she's doing an amazing job, don't you?

Rhode Island Antiques Mall - Part Deux

2009-12-08T12:42:00.005-05:00

I recently went back to RI Antiques Mall and it's still fabulous. In fact there are some new vendors with industrial pieces that I just loved. I was just emailed by the owner of the booth shown above and below, which I featured before. Gary Briggs has an amazing selection of camp pieces - signs, camp blankets, twig furniture. If you'd like to see his style in action, be sure to check out this article that features photos of his home.

I loved this store display cabinet. And it was cheap - $1195 - with beautiful hardware and gorgeous wavy glass.

I am always on the lookout for beautiful Jenny Lind/spindle beds.

Well spindle anything actually... I like the marriage of organic, turned shapes with simple furniture. This piece would be a great desk or hall table.

My newest favorite vendor on the 1st floor. No idea who it is, but a fabulous selection of industrial pieces. Stay tuned for photos of what I bought in this booth.

I also loved these pieces - a large wooden propeller, an industrial-chic drafting table (enormous, but could be used as a kitchen island) and this workbench chair. I love these chairs because they can be adjusted up or down and have a back. For children, this is a great sturdy stool...

Stay tuned for my posts on Portland, Maine!

Sundance - Ribbons and Baker's Twine

2009-11-28T13:20:00.007-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a loooooooong time. But I have to tell you about the fabulous ribbons and baker's twine currently available at the Sundance Catalog.

I ordered all 3 sets - the baker's twine (3 spools, 54 yards each - $18), the velvet ribbon (5 spools, 10 yards each - $28) and the vintage grosgrain ribbon (5 spools, 10 yards each - $28). They come on weathered wooden spools and are much more high quality than anything you're going to find in a craft store. I love them displayed too, as shown in the bowl photo above.

I just received a coupon from Sundance, enter code FF2009 at checkout for 20% off (ends Monday, November 30 so don't delay)!

They look great with simple brown Kraft paper, available at Paper Mart.

I am obsessed with the baker's twine... for more color options Whisker Graphics has just introduced Divine Twine. It's a steal at $15 for 240 yards.

Love the yellow and white for baby gifts!

P.S. I am distracted

2009-03-29T13:36:00.006-04:00

Just a quick P.S. post... I am fairly preoccupied these days with my garden and the impending arrival of my chicks. I am not sure when I became chicken-obsessed, but I think it was when I used this Victoria Pearson photo while working on the Sunset magazine redesign...

We have been in coop building mode, which involves rebuilding our original 1920s shed, and then building a new structure off of that. Of course we needed to bobcat the property and remove all the crap. One can of worms opens another.

I am very grateful to Terry Golson, a neighbor and chicken aficionado, who inspired me with her Farmstead Egg Cookbook.

In case you want to know more about my chicken adventures, please check out the Monument Street Coop!

I love House Beautiful

2009-03-29T13:24:00.005-04:00

Now that Domino has been retired (still so sad), I eagerly await my only non-Martha Stewart decorating subscription, House Beautiful. Sometimes there are vestiges of stodginess, but I am frequently surprised by how comfortable the designs are.

I particularly loved a house designed by Tom Scheerer in this month's article, Cozy is a Mix.

I love how the architecture of this rug pulls the whole room together and invites conversation.

The combination of coral and blue is so inspired! I am going to add some blue elements to my guest room's bright orange antique Jenny Lind bed. Woodard Weave rug as mentioned in one of my earlier posts...

Photos by Francesco Lagnese

Obviously the home's bones are beautiful, but the designer has respectfully designed to enhance them. Love the rug, love the beds, love the mismatched pillows. It's decorated, but it looks like a family actually LIVES here. I give House Beautiful a lot of props for showing this kind of livable decor. Go go go!

Antique Therapy

2009-03-22T12:25:00.007-04:00

There is a multi-dealer shop in Concord called North Bridge Antiques. Compared to some of my go-to resources in town (Thoreauly Antiques, Nesting on Main), this shop was rather sad. However one bright spot was there - Antique Therapy. Unfortunately I went into the shop the other day and this dealer was gone!

I was thrilled to find out that Keri has relocated (good for her, because the rest of North Bridge was bringing her down) to Oh My Gosh Antiques at The Cider Mill, in Sterling. She has a great eye and I hope you'll visit her new shop. You can check out her website for updated inventory at
Antiquetherapy.com too!

Good luck Keri! I look forward to seeing you at your new location!

Antique Heaven - What Antiquing Used to Be

2009-03-09T15:57:00.042-04:00

On President's Day weekend (I know, I'm a little slow on the draw), my parents generously agreed to babysit and Tim and I escaped to the antiquing mecca of York, Maine. Rather it started out as a trip to York, and morphed into an adventure up Route 1 that included Ogunquit, Wells and Kennebunkport.

This trip is what antiquing used to be before the days of Ebay. Mind you, I've found plenty of fabulous things on Ebay, but the thrill of the hunt (and the tactile experience of course) is not the same as visiting a new discovery or an old haunt. But I digress.

We drove up to Maine with our trusty GPS and absolutely no plan (unlike us). Our first stop at Bob Withington Antiques (611 Route 1, York) was a mecca. I wanted everything - but the large pieces weren't what I needed unfortunately. Still, the gorgeous mix of traditional antiques with industrial with primitive was exactly what I was looking for.

I loved this zinc top table (I believe around $900)... nowhere to put it now that we have an island. The set of red-topped stools would be adorable outdoors.

I adore tramp art, and loved the juxtaposition of this chest with the industrial factory lights. On the right, the spindle day bed ($475) was in perfect condition and priced right. Love the nautical lanterns too!

I LOVED this Amelia Earhart (or whomever it was), the needlepoint stool and the pair of industrial swivel chairs. And look at this gorgeous slate top table. Reminds me of Ken Fulk's table featured in House Beautiful.

A fabulous discovery at Withington? A MAP that edits out the hundreds of shops along this stretch of Route 1 to the more edited, upscale dealers who truly specialize in the sale of quality antiques. I haven't been able to find this map anywhere online, so I am happy to share it (make sure you click on the images to enlarge!!!!).

The map is a great guide, but be forewarned that there are no addresses (thus the reason I've added them), and the map is not to scale so it's difficult to judge the distances between each destination. I would recommend printing out directions between your selections or using a GPS.

Our next stop was the York Antiques Gallery (746 Route 1, York) which is a multi-dealer store housed in a barn. For a multi-dealer space, this place had consistently high quality items, but prices on the high side. Particularly in comparison with Withington, which had just a lovely selection at extraordinarily fair prices. However it still had wonderful pieces and is definitely worth a visit.

One of my favorite finds was this pair of armchairs with carved dog heads. They were too fabulous, but at $900/each and then the cost of upholstery, a little much considering I had nowhere to put them. But they are so fun and were very comfortable. I also loved this painted Gustavian table. Perfect as a desk or in our bedroom. Again, too deep for any of my spaces but so pretty.

I'm always on the lookout for trade signs or signs with interesting fonts. It's my graphic design background I suppose. I loved this wood 1882 sign (if our house hadn't been built in 1881 or 1878, take your pick). In Rhode Island they call the wooden folding table at right a "clambake table" but I believe this one had the moniker "harvest table." I also loved the antique croquet set. Fun to display on a wall or a sideboard.

A beautiful partner desk with a lovingly cared for leather top. The dealer at right had a wonderful work table and a collection of painted trade signs. I also loved the child's Adirondack chair.

A vintage school map, probably from the 1950s with the "middle Congo" still there. Perfect for a child's room or playroom. And this very sweet folk art for the Bi-Centennial. Living in Concord, it was hard to resist!

Our next stop was R. Jorgensen Antiques (502 Post Rd. U.S. Rte 1, Wells). I'll warn you, this shop is not for those with lean wallets. But what an incredible selection of fine European antiques. You can browse many of their pieces online, but it's a pleasure to wander through both the house and barn and dream of this exquisite furniture that will be the anchors of your design.

Two of my favorite pieces? First, this English Girandole Mirror. I have seen these Regency mirrors before, but in this piece the eagle is holding chains in its beak (which have balls connected to them). It's truly fabulous for someone with a Federal-style home. My other favorite piece was this blue painted cupboard. He had a tremendous selection of beautiful stepbacks, but this one with the original blue paint and decorative lattice was special.

Our last stop? Wells Union Antiques (1755 Post Road, Rte 1, Wells). This is also a multi-dealer collection of 9 shops. Unfortunately most of them were closed in the dead of winter. However the two we visited had a selection that really mirrored my style - antique wicker and garden furniture, slate-top sideboards and edited industrial pieces.

I loved this laboratory/chem lab cabinet fitted with slate top (not to mention the collection of tin boxes displayed on top). It was about 7 inches too long for my sideboard needs, very very sadly.

And a shot of the whole shop (note the diamond painted floors)... go for the wicker! I can't fit any more in my house.

We also visited MacDougall-Gionet Antiques, but it was disappointing after Withington and R. Jorensen and housed deceptively in a drool-worthy antique barn. And we drove all the way up to Antiques on Nine (a summery, coastal drive even in the middle of winter), but it was closed. We were lucky that so many of the dealers were open and I'd suggest a call if you're planning a trip!

Scratch that. Calling ruins the adventure, and you can tell I love one. Happy antiquing!

Cambridge Antique Market - Don't Bother

2009-02-24T18:41:00.000-05:00

Yelp LOVES the Cambridge Antique Market. On the advice of 22 reviewers, I made the journey to check it out (unfortunately through rush hour traffic).

I am not sure what to write. This place is a disaster, and certainly calling it an "antique market" is marginal at best. It is not even a flea market, but rather a repository for anything missing a spare leg that is dirty enough to be called vintage.

OK, that's a little harsh, but don't waste your gas (it's almost embarrassing that I'm actually writing about this place).

For those who happen to be at the Museum of Science and feel an uncontrollable urge to look at antiques, there are two bright spots. Dealer 44 and Dealer 220. These dealers have edited their collections beautifully and fortunately have some experience in merchandising. Everything they have looks expensive and interesting.

Dealer 44, Booth 1:

Dealer 220; Dealer 44, Booth 2:

Not interesting enough to buy. But interesting.

I love antiques - Rhode Island Antiques Mall

2009-02-22T13:19:00.010-05:00

I thought I would start sharing some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) antique destinations. I have just remembered to bring my camera on these excursions, otherwise I would have been posting about this earlier. Antiquing tops my list of favorite things to do, but with an extremely active toddler who loves to "bang" there haven't been many antique trips recently.

This post I am going to share one of my favorite consignment stores, the Rhode Island Antiques Mall, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (right over the border from Massachusetts). Some people find consignment stores terrifying, but I love them. They have many different dealers and you just have to paw through the various booths. My motto with these is "you never know."

This place got a bad rap for a while by true antiques aficionados because it had so much mid-century stuff. However I think it has a great selection of dealers and I have always been successful there.

Here is a shot of one of my favorite dealer's booths. He has a varied and ever-changing selection of vintage painted trade signs, and unlike many consignment dealers, really merchandises his pieces in groups. Today he had a sweet set of vintage wooden sailboats, as well as some of my favorite (but awfully pricey) antique metal spades in yellow. He's on the lower level...

I spotted this fabulous coffee table that was $275, a fair price since it's really challenging to find antique coffee tables. FYI, most of them are old farm tables whose legs have been cut down. I believe I persuaded a very cute couple to buy this one, so you'll probably have missed it!

A charming black painted desk for $80, and a vintage school chalkboard for $70 (not to mention the very cool galvanized bucket... perfect for keeping brooms and cleaning supplies, tennis rackets and hockey sticks... whatever!

This Swedish bench is priced RIGHT at $950. Usually I see them hovering around $3000. This one had new supports on the inside to stabilize it, but other than that was in great condition. Bench lifts up for storage. The sweet marble bust at right, for $185, has been speaking to me for the past couple of visits. Interestingly the head is a separate piece of marble, carefully inserted into the base of a slightly different shade. I think she is so cute, with her little side bow. Perfect for a library shelf.

Go and visit and let me know what you find!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T18:57:00.005-05:00

I received this very sweet and farm-inspired image in an email blast from Serena and Lily, my favorite children's bedding and furniture collection. I hope you all have a happy Valentine's Day.

Also, if you love their sweet bedding (they even have grown-up items too!) and need some economic incentive, they're having a 25% off sale this weekend. Just enter the code LOVEIT when you check out!

Domino is Dead

2009-01-28T15:09:00.003-05:00

Everyone keeps musing "is this the bottom?"

The other day my husband told me that those financial managers who are usually the most conservative, tell their clients to weather the storm, etc. etc. have told their clients to bail on the market. Supposedly THIS is the sign that we have reached our economy's bottom.

Well that may be, but I'll tell you what has proved it to me. Domino Magazine is shutting its doors. I cannot believe it. Here is the news.

The home design world is now just a snoozefest, with Elle Decor and Traditional Home leading the way (in my opinion). Thank goodness for Donna Hay and Living Etc.

Rian Rae

2009-01-26T16:05:00.007-05:00

I mentioned this lovely resource the other day, but wanted to make an official introduction to the online boutique Rian Rae. The owner, Jeni Crawford, has a sensitive eye for tactile, organic and eclectic pieces - she's like a Bailey's Home and Garden, stateside.

She's one of the few stockists of the glorious line Cote Bastide. Just look at this delicious Meridienne Chaise...

Aren't these accessories lovely? I love that everything Jeni chooses has a patina. Shown are carved wings and the wonderful metal crown. Perfect for your cocktail table.

I appreciate that she really edits collections and just offers you the best. She is a particularly great resource for items by Roost, which is loathe to sell to interior designers it seems (or maybe it's just me when they found out I used to work for Pottery Barn).

This fabulous hanging pendant would look terrific in a modern kitchen or foyer.

And I've had my eye on this stag head for ages... Jeni has it whitewashed by a craftsman. It's gorgeous.

Jeni works with designers so take note!

Biggest Rip-Off on the Web

2009-01-25T12:24:00.015-05:00

I LOVE antiquing. I love it so so so so much. So I was thrilled when I got an email from 1stdibs.com announcing their Saturday Sales, "join us... as we re-imagine the tradition of weekend yard and barn sales."

Now 1stdibs is the BIGGEST rip-off going. Seriously. I think that the dealers are actually delusional. There are some nice pieces, but I honestly think the dealers are egging each other on, putting a price on something to see if some idiot will actually buy it. And I am a well traveled antiques aficionado, toted around since infancy with a mother who poked in them all, all over the country and beyond, so I feel confident in knowing what is a fair price. If something is fabulous, unique, beautiful quality, it deserves a high price. However many of these dealers are actually offering new pieces as antiques, so buyer beware!

My favorite culprit of this is Liza Sherman Antiques. Now Ms. Sherman has a lovely eye and cleverly merchandises her shop. Clearly she is very impressed with "the power of the object trouvé..." and herself, for that matter, if she thinks an object trouvé is found at a Merchandise Mart.

Take her Belgian Bricklayer Table, for instance, supposedly from the 1950s and without a price (read: expensive). ANY designer knows this is courtesy of one of my favorite dealers, Bobo Intriguing Objects.

Or any of the pieces she has selected from Sausalito-based company, Roost. You can buy one of these delightful crocheted lamps from Ms. Sherman for $1200, or you can patronize one of my favorite vendors, Rian Rae (one of the nicest, most accommodating dealers you'll ever meet), for $224.

Many of her pieces are from another craftsman and industrial design maven, Jason Wein of Cleveland Art. The lighting she showcases is cleverly masked as vintage/antique by saying that it is "20th c" and the condition is "good." These are hand-blown, organic, tactile and beautiful light fixtures. There is no "good" to the condition - they're brand new.

I met these guys this summer at Brimfield and they are a) talented and b) super nice. Take a look at their inventory - their pricing is also reasonable for the well-edited selection. Love the rolling cart as a coffee table, and the oak display cabinet for my ironstone.

And don't forget one of these for laundry...

For those east coasters, ask if they'll drive out your piece to Brimfield and you can pick it up there with a truck. Save a LOT on shipping and get a bunch of things...

Now in fairness to Lady Liza, she DOES have some fun things. Their prices are just outrageous. But take her ideas and start scouting on Ebay. Like this graphic display of vintage sand shovels, selling for only $2650...

Head to a REAL flea market - and save yourself about $2500.