Estate Sales Aren't for Sissies

Okay, so it's Friday and I realized I haven't posted since Monday. Busy. Life. What can I say? Since I hit an estate sale this morning, I thought I would do a sort of an "anatomy of an estate sale" type post. Although, I realize a lot of you are estate sale veterans, others are not. My number one tip: preview  estate sale photos online if you can - you can find some gems. Well, while perusing the sale photos for one of today's sales, I spotted this . . .

Oh, yes, I see you little Espana Chest. So, of course, I immediately thought this piece might look great in a client project I'm working on. After checking in with her, it was agreed - I should go check out the chest. So, this morning I put my husband in charge of getting our kids to the bus stop and darted out the door at 7:45 to hit this 8 a.m. estate sale (just for the record, I prefer 9 a.m. estate sales, but no one asked my opinion). When I pulled up at 8:07 I found the street was totally packed with cars and had to park at the bottom of a very large hill.

This was taken after I left looking down the huge hill. I was too busy trying to get to the sale and not pass out on the way up to take a photo.  I trudged on knowing there was gold (well, a chest) in them thar hills.

Once again, this was at the top of the very steep driveway looking down.

And here is the house that hasn't been touched since the 70's. Seriously.

So, once I arrived at the house at the top, I desperately needed some oxygen and a nap (I'm not big on exercise if you hadn't guessed), but knew I had to press on. I think you can guess what happened next -  I squeezed my way into what I'm guessing was the living room to find this on the Dorothy Draper Espana chest . . . 

Yes, foiled again. Being the nosy person I am, I peeled back the "Sold" sticker to see that it was only $60. Bummer.

But, I did notice the bottom of the piece had some water damage, and I'm not convinced it was an authentic Drexel/Dorothy Draper piece since I could find no markings. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. 

Since I had trekked up two steep hills to get there, I figured I might as well poke around. This house was in a serious time warp. To prove my point, here is a TIME magazine celebrating our country's centennial . . . 

This house also reeked of cat urine and looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in years (maybe since the 70's). Think hoarders. That's why I said estate sales are not for sissies.

But, don't worry, I didn't leave empty-handed. I picked up this lamp for $20 and the black shade for $2 (they didn't come together). I just need to get a shorter harp and I think it will work just fine.

As you may have noticed, I have a bit of an addiction to vintage lamps. I realized today that all eight lamps in our main living areas are vintage. 

I'm now in Memphis for a few days visiting family during my children's spring break (I started this post in Nashville, but finishing it in Memphis), so hopefully I can hit some thrift stores or estate sales while I'm here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

Loi Thai of Tone on Tone is Blogging!

Did you know that designer Loi Thai of Tone on Tone Antiques, based in Bethesda but recognized nationally as a premier source for 18th and 19th century Swedish antiques, has recently started blogging? I was so excited to come across his blog just a few days ago. Today he posted about his former home - gorgeous! The thing that strikes me most is the feeling of openness and warmth at the same time. You almost expect to feel a fresh summer breeze while walking from room to room. (Traditional Home 2008, photography by Erik Johnson)

Doesn't everyone who loves design know this image? For me, the picture of this swedish secretary is one of the most memorable interiors shots of this decade.
For more images of Loi Thai and Thomas Troeschel's previous home, go here.

Hope you have a great spring weekend!

From across the Pond - Caroline Paterson

Thrilled is how I felt when I came across the portfolio of London designer, Caroline Paterson. Named by House & Garden to their Top 100 decorators list, I find her work inspiring and the attention to detail amazing. The first picture makes me swoon - love the blue/green silk pillow and hand blown glass vase paired with the contemporary styling of the bureau and the traditional artwork.
Abstract art, its colors reinforced in the fabric choices, adds a bolt of energy to this traditional library.

What drew me into this photo is the lamp - amazing how one carefully selected piece can make a space. It very subtlety picks up on the fabric on the ottoman.
The bird sculpture and the abstract painting play off each other - although everything is stationary there's movement in this space.

A great reminder that a closet is all you need for a functional home office space.

For me, these narrow horizontal stripes are unexpected and add so much interest to this space.

To see more of Caroline's work, click here.

DC Designer's Own Home - Tricia Huntley

One of my favorite designers, Tricia Huntley of Huntley and Company, had her home recently featured in The Washington Post and I almost missed it!...because it appeared in the Real Estate section. I had been following along with sneak peaks from her blog Luxe and Lucid but full blown pics are so much better. Tricia's transformation of her midcentury home is full of chic, luxe goodness with classical elements throughout. Hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I did. (First five photographs by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Now that's a powder room! More images from The Washington Post feature here
Detail pics by Tricia Huntley here. If you're interested in seeing her work up close, be sure to go to the upcoming DC Design House to see Tricia's take on a master bedroom sitting room.

Flea Finds

I'm a little late on my flea market recap, but better late than never, right? On Friday, Bri and I hit the flea, and it's always fun to catch up with her and see what she's up to . . . never boring! First of all, it wasn't a stellar flea market - there just wasn't a ton of great stuff. But, of course, a few things caught my eye and one thing even made it home with me. First, my favorite - chairs, duh. I thought this set had a great shape . . .

Then, I ran across these . . .

Now, I've seen plenty of caned-back chairs, but none with such a modern profile. I loved their mid-century vibe. Did I mention that I love Mad Men (did anyone watch the premiere last night? So glad it's back!)?

A pretty little pitcher . . .

A federal style resin eagle mirror. Only $7! Just needs a coat of gold paint . . .

And this is the piece that made it home with me . . . 

I'm not sure of its provenance, but it's a hand-carved drum table. Well, it's a drum, and I'm going to use it as a table. I found some online that were Asian, but the meander (like how I slipped in my newly acquired word?) at the top and the horse-drawn chariots makes this one look kind of Greek. Hmm. Who knows. But, it has a hidden door/compartment so I can stash my crap valuables.

It's pretty big and I wasn't sure where I would put it, but I couldn't leave it behind. For now, it's in the tornado room serving as a side table. 

Excuse the granny shade on my lamp. It's a place-holder.

I'll probably need to have a piece of glass cut for the top because it's rather unstable seeing as how it's actually a drum. I'm pretty sure the top is old worn leather . . . 

I put the lamp on top to see if it would sit flat. Not so much. Oh well, something to add to the list. 

All in all, not a bad day at the flea!

A Guest Post & Chairs

I'm off to the flea market and a couple of estate sales pretty soon to do some shopping for clients (and maybe myself too), but you can find me over at Interior Design Musings today where I'm sharing some of my favorite picks for spring. Thanks so much to Mandi for having me . . . her blog is always chocked full of inspiration, and I'm honored she invited me. While I usually focus on interiors, a lot of my spring picks are more fashion-related (shocking, I know), so go check them out.

And since I can't do a post without something to look at, here are some chairs I've found on Craigslist lately. I'm a chair fanatic, and while I really don't need any right now, I can't stop myself from looking.

I really might get the white and chrome one for a desk chair for my daughter's desk. Oh, to be Kelly Wearstler and have a warehouse just for my chairs!

Happy Friday!

It Does Exist

So, since my last post was about something other than tortoise shell sconces, I thought you might be having withdrawals. Thus, I've got good news for you . . . I found the tortoise shell sconce! Well, technically I didn't find it, it found me. Or rather, the lady who sold it at the flea market found me. Confused? Don't worry, I'll explain. But, first, without further ado (and so you know I'm not making the whole thing up), here is the actual gold faux tortoise shell sconce I didn't buy at the flea market last month . . .

See, isn't it cool? A very sweet woman named Anastasia was the seller of the tortoise shell and told me more about it/her. She's a recently retired lawyer in Nashville with three young children who has always loved interior design/antiques. It's her intention to have an antique booth somewhere someday, but none are available right now, so she and her friend rented a spot at the flea market. She bought this sconce last year at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta and had it in her home without any real intention of selling it, but decided to part with it after failing to find the right spot for it (I can relate). A friend of hers who is an interior designer came by the flea market that Friday after I did and said she wanted to buy it, so Anastasia pulled it aside for her. Soon thereafter, she saw my blog post, took pity on my crazy obsession and shared the back story. Oh, and just to give you an idea of the scale of the sconce, she shared a photo of her sweet 3-year-old holding it.

And, by the way, how cute does her house look? Thanks so much Anastasia for alleviating my curiosity about the tortoise shell sconce!

Also, thanks to everyone else who has given me ideas about where to find some tortoise shells to make my own sconces. I've checked out the West Elm ones and those are a definite possibility.

Winner from Willams Sonoma

Brass is in in these versions of a French Chef's Kitchen Island from Williams Sonoma. Love the styling and the depth of 17 - 18" makes these a great option even for a smaller kitchen.

A Charleston Cottage to Envy

Usually when I'm virtual hunting for a great house in Charleston, they're large, stately homes so it was a nice surprise to come across this 1750+ square foot home built in 1870. Casually chic and full of charm, it makes me wonder if an interior designer or blogger lives here.

(For more images of this wonderful home go here.)
The middle cushion in this sofa is wider than the other two. I think it looks great and wonder if it's a vintage piece? Love the mirror and the built-ins.
Notice the cat in this pic? He/she is near the triangle glass end table, something you don't often see. Over to the right, love how the homeowner stacked art from the floor to ceiling for such great effect. A console table behind the white sofa creates interest and pulls the piece in for a more intimate conversation area.

I think that's a table lamp on the counter below those floating shelves.

Fab light fixture.

Another terrific mirror - this one in the master bedroom.

All lit up at night - a great reminder of how well placed landscape lighting can make such a difference.