Antique Porcelain…Mixing and Matching

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Trish in 18th century Porcelain

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Was happy to see my new pieces of late 18th century French porcelain from Magdalene came in looking even more lovely than anticipated…and worked perfectly with my shell like wedding limoges and later pieces of Herend Rothschild bird. I remember 26 years ago…feeling like you needed 12 place settings…all pieces! Now…I love a little tête à tête set here, a ladies who lunch set there. Sets of two…sets of six…much easier to find room for in the china cabinet…and more importantly…to use! And I especially love mixing and matching…we’ve come a long way from perfect sets!

Still…since I spend entirely TOO much time on the computer…I just found a matching set to Magdalene’s set of six cups and saucers on Ruby Lane…

From Ruby Lane store Classic Tradition here

How perfect is that!??

It’s not always easy finding more than the random cup and saucer here and there. Forget a set of twelve…a set of six is impressive! And now…a matching teapot, milk jug, and sucrier…finding their way from late 1700′s France!

I have updated the Private Collector’s Sale of 18th century French Porcelain here..or just click the bar at the top of my page. Some prices have been dropped, sold pieces removed or noted. And since Magdalene’s company is called Pillows et Plus…I added a plus at the bottom…a tease photo of a beautiful signed 18th century Swedish trunk. If interested…just email Magdalene for more info and additional photos.

Also…met Tricia Rose of Rough Linen here and Kit Golson of Chic Provence here for lunch the other day. Speaking of ladies who lunch! I actually won a set of smooth white linen from Tricia…will post photos of the beautiful set soon. Wanted to quickly mention Kit has two more spaces for her Spring tour still open, if you’re interested! It’s always nice to relax and have someone else who knows the area well help you get the very most out of a very special trip!

Boudoir…

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Trish in Beds

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Bella Notte Linens, Flea Market Style, French curiosities, luxury bedding

Trouvais antique paperbacks I am deep in closets this week. I have even bought a bit of Bella Notte from the outlet to dye and add to the pile of Bella Notte for my Trouvais sale. You do know that this is the best time of the year to go to flea markets, don’t you? All the sellers with their pent up stocks!

The books are a keeper…Rousseau…in French…with a lovely pattern on their c. 1800 paperback bindings. Your thoughts on bloomers? I’m on the hunt for my clothespins so I can show you a clothesline full of them…

What colors are your bedrooms these days…are we still all gray?

Carolyn Quartermaine

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Trish in Script

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Carolyn Quartermaine French Script, Carolyn Quartermaine Signature Script, Carolyn Quartermaine silk screened fabric

Carolyn Quartermaine’s iconic (and much imitated) 18th century script fabric has been slavishly adored by many of us since it was first created. Her book published in 1997 in both the UK and USA can be found under two different titles…but it’s the same book: Carolyn Quartermaine Revealed…or Unwrapped…by Kate Constable, photography Jaques Dirand. One of the few design books that remains fresh and timeless. I love her artist’s approach to decorating and creating her beautiful silk screened fabric. Her website here is replete with gorgeous images of the work she has done from Chateau Beloeil in Belgium to the Bluebird in London. If you search Quartermaine on my blog, you will see a generous sampling of her work. I purchased quite a bit of fabric from Carolyn a few years ago, and even had the pleasure of talking with her via phone. If you are interested in her purchasing her fabric she encourages you to email her directly. Her script and floral fabric are in stock and can be purchased via Paypal in 2 meter minimums and shipped direct. Her newer pieces like the bespoke toile have 3 meter minimuns, with longer lead times. More info at bottom of post.

COLLECTIONS CQ 2013

Eau de Nil taffeta Signature Script gold CQ1
Gold Signature Script on canvas CQ22

Would love this backed with stripes and edged with pleated grossgrain…so many ideas…so little time!

This golden piece of floral screen-printed satin is 33″ wide and 59″ long..just waiting patiently for the perfect wide chair…though I could see a strip of pink taffeta on one side.

My last bit of Fruity Pink taffeta with French Script. Sue from Castles and Cliffs here emailed me immediately when I mentioned I would be selling a wee bit of Quartermaine and bought my larger pieces of this gorgeous color. Sue is a designer/equestrian, building her dream house, with the perfect settee in her office to go with this color. I have just enough to keep me happy…and love that she’s got such a great project for the rest of it. If someone is doing a larger project, I have over 2 meters of the Eau de Nil Signature Script taffeta above. I am busy sorting through my trunks and armoires…making those tough choices. What to keep…what to let go! Hope to start a month long virtual garage sale by the first day of Spring…and then it’s back to the garden!

If you have any additional questions you can email me at lyonallen@hotmail.com

Great Finds…

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Trish in Flea Market Style

≈ 9 Comments

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18th c portrait, Antique Turkmen tribal jewelry, Antique Turkoman jewelry, Vintage Baccarat crystal, Vintage etched crystal decanter

18th century Italian School oil painting…just listed on Ebay by Magdalene of Pillows et Plus. She shows the painting both in and out of the accompanying 19th c frame…but I must admit, I love the look of dark unframed portraits against whitewashed walls. She will be listing the crystal chandelier you can see in the bed photo here as well.. as soon as she can have it wrestled down and photographed. Magdalene is making serious dents in her collections…looking forward and starting fresh. I’m inspired!

here

Marnie Poms is one of my earlier readers, one with whom I’ve exchanged many private emails over the years. She started Ciara Dolce Caramels here in 2005, inspired by her Italian grandmother. She’s just learning her way around Facebook here. Marnie sent me a link to some gorgeous antique Turkoman tribal jewelry she is selling on Ebay here…

More info on Turkoman, or Turkmen, jewelry at the MET here

If you have time, watch the short video of Marshal and Marilyn R. Wolf. It’s a wonderful perspective on collecting and sharing your passion.

Maison French Kissed here

and here

Jermaine of French Kissed is one of my oldest blog buddies. When I stayed with her in Santa Barbara several years ago she showed me her closets full of the “props” she uses for her Real Estate staging business, upgrading already impressive homes with her fantastic styling. The woman knows how to shop….and opened her own shop on Etsy, Maison French Kissed, right before Thanksgiving last year. She’s a year older than me…had been an empty nester longer…with daughters settled in New York and Paris…but I am doing my best to follow in her footsteps!

Is it possible to have too much Bella Notte? Well…yes….So…I am thinking of doing a little Trouvais virtual garage sale soon. Trouvais has been all about finding and collecting since I started my blog in 2009. Bella Notte, Quartermaine, a few antique textiles…March is the perfect month to start a little Spring cleaning! It’s not always easy letting go…but we all need a little editing from time to time!

When my best friend from college visits…she walks through my home and says…”how about this….or this?” I usually say…no…and no. Maybe I’m softening with old age!

Well…Hello There!

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Trish in Architectural salvage, Flea Market Style

≈ 8 Comments

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Big Daddy's Antiques, Flea Market Style, Rough Luxe

I was in San Francisco earlier today and stopped by Big Daddy’s Antiques….

Loved how he’s throwing color and chairs around!

The top set of blue were sold (to a fabulous Northern California designer…think St. Helena)…but the deconstructed red white and blue was adorable, affordable, and available.

More to see at Big Daddy’s Antiques here