Brimfield Antique Show, a world-renowned outdoor flea market, has been held triannually since 1950. They offer everything from architectural salvage to collectibles, fine antiques to kitschy classics, mid-century modern to industrial chic. For me, Brimfield is usually an exercise in restraint because I want to buy everything, but I was a bit disappointed by the selection this July. Nevertheless, here is a little peak at Brimfield’s wide variety of wares. A smattering of glove mannequins waiting for high-fives. An action figure injection mold– now I kind of wish I had bought this! An industrial lamp fit for an atomic laboratory. Alphabet soup. A fish and tackle booth. An antique octagonal cabinet. A bright azure Bengal stove. I definitely wouldn’t want to fly in a plane that says “EXPERIMENTAL” on the door… A beautiful set of teak rope seat mid-century dining chairs. The last Brimfield show for the year will be held September 2-7. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack some sunblock!
I just bought a beautiful bergère chair for a master bedroom project, and it got me thinking about how much I love this style. Bergère chairs are characterized by upholstered backs, seat frames, and arm rests, loose upholstered cushions, and exposed wooden frames. This style, which originated in France in the mid-eighteenth century, strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort. There are three types of bergère chair: bergère à la reine has a flat back, while bergère en cabriolet has a rounded back. Bergère marquise has a low, coved back which curves uninterrupted into the arms.
Yesterday I visited Dwell on Design, a three-day exhibition of products, furniture, and innovative technologies at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The show floor is nearly 300,000 square feet and brimming with goodies, but I wanted to share some of the items that caught my eye. Sitskie produces a line of benches and chairs made from a flexible network of wood blocks. As they explain on their website, “It appears to be a hard wooden [surface] but when you sit, your entire body sinks in, the blocks softly mold to you.” Above is the Block Bench from the Sitskie booth. Stikwood makes peel-and-stick wood panels in many different styles and finishes. This seems like a great product for creating wood paneled walls or for decorating cabinet fronts. Fringe Studio provides architecture and interior design, but they also fabricate readymade and custom furniture. This piece, The Watermark Cabinet, has a colorful underwater pattern. Ikea hacks are incredibly popular, and Semihandmade makes them so much easier. They sell cabinet fronts, panels, and trim specifically for Ikea wares. …
I was strolling through Cambridge Antique Market last Saturday, and this handsome devil caught my eye: When I got closer, I realized that it was a painting on velvet of George Washington, modeled on Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait. It is roughly 6-ft tall. The painting has gorgeous craquelure, but it is still in excellent condition. The velvet is plush, and the color palette is rich; the subtle play of greys and blacks is still apparent. The dealer said he bought the piece at an auction, and unfortunately he lost all the information about its provenance. All he could tell me was that the painting is Victorian. Here is what George looked like when I first spotted him hidden at the back of the booth: I think this is a stunning statement piece, and I can’t wait to find it the right home. Perhaps in a living room against a white brick wall. Or in a library with lacquered black built-in bookshelves. We will have to wait …
My Victorian settee is ready for its final reveal! The original piece was in a sad state, with lopsided springs and worn upholstery. I wanted to give the settee a fresh identity, so I chose an off-white fabric with embroidered black tufts. I love that this fabric is a bit irregular and freeform because it provides a nice contrast to the settee’s formal frame. Here is a close-up of the upholstery: Springs are much higher quality than foam padding, but they are also more expensive to replace. Luckily, loose and lopsided springs can often be repaired; they are simply retied in tight, orderly coils. One more reason to appreciate the excellent craftsmanship of antiques! This settee’s springs were able to be retied, and now it has an even, comfortable seat once again. The high contrast between the new off-white upholstery and the dark wood stain accentuates the frame’s intricate detail. I especially love the serpentine carving along the top edge of the frame back. I hope you all …
I stopped by the Kips Bay Decorator Show House this afternoon at The Villard Houses in Midtown Manhattan. I wanted to share some of my favorite spaces from the showcase, and for those of you in New York, the house will be open through May 29th. A Moroccan-inspired sitting room by Alexa Hampton, photos 1 and 2 via Curbed, photo 3 via Architectural Digest. Cullman & Kravis’ rose gold bedroom — further proof of a new trend! Photo 1 via Architectural Digest. Photo 2 via the Anthony Lawrence. Young Huh’s powder room and lounge area, featuring fabric-covered walls and a velvet seating nook. Photo 1 via Yahoo! Homes. Photo 2 via Lonny.
Rose gold and copper hues are cropping up in many areas of design– fashion, jewelry, packaging– and I have an inkling these metals will soon be popular accents in home design. Sources: 1) Joseph Dirand / Interiors / Varenne, Paris 2) Lamb & Blonde 3) Heal’s 4) Slow Luxe Design 5) Helly & Co Sources: 1) Forecast Single-light Rose Gold Ceiling Lamp 2) Anthropologie 3) Swan Chair by Windsor Smith 4) Rose Gold Faucet 5) Elephant Sancal 6) Nate Berkus Lamp
Years ago, I bought an antique Victorian settee for my living room. It served me well, but after several years of heavy use, the original red velvet upholstery was faded and threadbare and the springs had become misaligned. I am never one to give up on an antique, so I decided to give this beauty a top to bottom makeover with the help of my local upholsterer. In the coming weeks, I will reveal the finished product; but for now, I’ll just say, it will be a dramatic change! Antique settees can seem dauntingly formal, but they need not look stuffy or staid. Rigid designs and heavy wood frames can be beautifully offset by modern prints, bold colors, and contemporary accents. Sources: 1) Jessica Helgerson Interior Design 2) Design Par Deux 3) The Yellow Cottage 4) Domaine Home 5) Old House Online 6) Style Me Pretty 7) Tokyo Jinja 8) reStyled by Valerie on Etsy
Those of you who follow my instagram or twitter may remember a vintage lucite swivel chair I posted a few weeks back. I found the chair on craigslist in a little town just north of New York City. The red vinyl was all torn up, and the lucite body was covered with scratches; but I loved the fundamental design of the piece and decided it was worth restoring. Here is the before and after: I decided to reupholster the chair in white fabric. The original mod red vinyl was certainly a cool look, but I wanted to give this chair a real transformation. I found a creamy Italian suede for an excellent price at the fabric store. I love the little perforations that reveal a silver backing. The fabric looks simple from afar, but has a bit of personality up close. The silver backing also coordinates with the chair’s hardware. I took the chair and my new fabric to my favorite local …
Chair back ring pulls have just started popping up on my radar, but I’m betting they’ll be a big new trend. They add a touch of glitz and distinction to any chair, and they would be an easy DIY project. My favorite part about this trend is the potential for holiday and party decoration. Drape a garland of greenery or secure a fresh flower. Tie on a beautiful ribbon. Attach goodie bags or seating name tags. The possibilities are endless. Sources: 1) William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape 2) Politics of Pretty 3) Houzz 4) A Thoughtful Place 5) Beth Dotolo