Progress Report

First, I must apologize. Last week was pretty much a wash for me. Helping to take care of my in-laws and volunteering at my children's school left little time to write a blog post, let alone read or comment on any of yours. What free time I did have I used to write a guest blog post for another blog. I'm trying to get caught up and back into the swing of things, so I thought I would show you some progress I've made on my bedroom. It actually got kick-started when I found some great (and rather inexpensive) chests at a local antique mall.

I was immediately drawn to them and loved their style. While they're not exactly matching they have the same black lacquer base and top with the fronts being dark walnut stained, and both are in excellent shape. 

Of course, one has drawers with massive brass handles and the other has cabinet doors with a shelf inside. 

Both have slight gilded details which seem to have worn off a bit but that I'm thinking of enhancing possibly with some Rub-n-Buff. When I opened the top drawer and saw this, I knew I was in good shape:

Ah, Henredon. I knew they had to be fine quality after seeing that, and the antique mall employee told me the man who brought them in said they were his mother's pride and joy. I could tell. Of course, I got home and did some research on Henredon furniture pieces, and what do you think I found? You guessed it - the same piece (the chest of drawers, at least) only in white lacquer on 1st Dibs . . . 

Source: 1stdibs.com via My Interior Life on Pinterest

And get this, the 1st Dibs site attributes them to Dorothy Draper for Henredon and lists the pair of them for sale at $5,200! I will tell you I didn't pay even one-twentieth that price for mine. Now, I don't have any way to verify that they're Dorothy Draper other than the 1st Dibs listing. All I kept finding when I typed in Dorothy Draper for Henredon was the rather famous Espana chest that everyone in blogland is so familiar with . . .

Source: 1stdibs.com via My Interior Life on Pinterest

I don't really care what they are . . . I just like the way they look and think they coordinate nicely with the Asian panels I got from Tag a while back.

I finally hung them the way I've seen other people on blogs do gallery walls . . . trace the pieces on brown paper then put them up and nail through the paper for perfect placement.

Love this idea, and it worked like a charm.

While I still haven't found the perfect bedding yet (duvet, bedskirt and Euro shams), I did pick up a faux fur throw at Marshall's and mocked up a yellow bolster pillow with some fabric and trim I had. 

Here's a reminder of what my bedroom looked like before . . 

I think the darker bedside chests ground the bed a little more and contrast better with the light headboard. While there's still work to do, I really like the direction it's headed.

Progress is a good thing in my book. What do you think?

Craig is Looking Good

Sorry, I was planning to post this on Thursday before I went out of town this weekend but Blogger had other ideas. During one of my recent Craigslist trolling sessions, I found some interesting pieces. First up, this Brutalist/Cubist-style mid-century dresser/credenza . . .

It looks to be a twin of Nelya's (of Head Over Heels) that Naomi (of Design Manifest) was lusting after . . .

I alerted Naomi to its presence, but alas it's too big for her space and she can't truck down to Tennessee to get it anyway. So, if anyone out there is looking for a cool piece, it's still available. A slight hitch - they're only selling it as a set (with a bed, highboy and bedside tables).Why people refuse to sell things separately is beyond me. Here is one of the bedside tables . . .

And speaking of bedside tables, I also spotted a pair of these up for sale . . .

which bear a striking resemblance to these on 1st Dibs . . . 

And while we're on an Asian kick, I thought this little side table/cabinet was pretty cute . . .

I also saw some great mid-century modern chairs . . . 

and barstools . . . 

Lastly, some cool rugs.

Love the colors in this kilim rug. Where could I put this??

I usually see these in red, so cream is a nice change.

And last but not least, this handmade Greek rug. Just loved the colors . . . 

So, have you found any great Craigslist goodies lately?

Anyone live in or near Charlotte . . .

and need a vintage sofa/settee? I just happened to stumble across this one on eBay (totally by accident, I was searching for blue velvet fabric for a chair I have) and thought it needed a good home. It looks black in the photo but the description says navy blue - yum. I, of course, don't really need this nor do I live anywhere near Charlotte, NC (it's for local pick-up only), but I love the shape and the current price (it's only got one bid but four days to go). Someone please get this so I can live vicariously through you.

This is my first time using Skitch. Have you tried it?

Anyway, just wanted to share the sofa love. And speaking of sharing the love, Ashley from Meet Me in Philadelphia was kind enough to nominate me for a Stylish Blogger Award. Thanks so much, Ashley! I just ran across Ashley's blog recently, and I am loving her style . . . I think we are kindred spirits. You must visit her blog if you have not. Check out the adorable chair and curtains in her blog header . . . you just know it's going to be good.

Since I was fortunate enough to receive this award earlier in the week, I won't bore you with 7 more things about me. I'll just say thanks again, Ashley for thinking of me!

And as this is turning out to be a rather random post, I'll just share a couple of things I found while poking around on Friday once my daughter finally went back to school after almost a week off for the snow/ice. 

Of course, I hit the Habitat store and found this . . .

Asian-style coffee table. This would be great painted/lacquered any color - I would do white or black. I think it was about $60. 

Of course, there were two matching side tables too for $45 each.

It reminded me of a coffee table makeover I just saw on The Huntress Lives. Here's her coffee table that got a makeover. The before:

And, after:

And I found these . . .

a pair of temple jar lamps. While they've been hanging around the Habitat shop for a while (I can only imagine it's because of their less than flattering rust-brown color), they're a great shape and size. Plus, there are two of them . . . I love pairs of things. They've been marked down to about $12 each. Paint them the color of your choice and with the right shades, they'd be perfect on a console table or sideboard. 

Hope everyone is enjoying a happy weekend!

Asian Invasion

In an earlier post, I hinted at an obsession I have for Chinoiserie (Orient-inspired furniture and accessories). I'm not sure if it's a full-blown obsession really, maybe just an extreme fondness. You be the judge.
 

I realize this is too much Chinoiserie in one place. I didn't mean for this to happen. 

It was an accident really. The vintage lamp is from eBay and was $60!! 
And the bottom lights up . . .

how cool is that?

 I love my eBay emperor.

My chandelier is from CircaWho. Great resource for Chinese Chippendale or 

West Palm Beach fabulosity.  Just email Tracy there for prices/shipping.

 Asian garden seat. I had been searching for one of these forever when I finally found it at a local antique mall where someone else had it on hold. But my luck and patience prevailed. I adore the color.

Scored these ginger jars from HomeGoods for $19.99 each. I say jars because you know I had to get two as I'm also obsessed with pairs.

And, of course, you remember my foo dogs (also from eBay).

Oh, who am I kidding? My house is starting to look like Chou Imports. The first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem.


I even drive my Acura while listening to this song incessantly . . . what is wrong with me?

If you want to hear more from the Bird and the Bee, you can check them out here.

Considering my abundance of Far East inspired treasures, you'd think my interest might be waning or that I would be sick of this style. You'd be wrong. 


Things I still long for . . . 
Chinese Chippendale style chairs. These have been on my list forever. Preferably in a bright colored lacquer finish. So pretty.

And something covered in Chiang Mai fabric from Schumacher. This fabric has been around a while, and some may think it's a trend who's time has come and gone, but I still love it.

What do you think? Do I need an Asian intervention?

Sources: MIL, Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Point Click Home, Windsor Smith Home, Plum Cushions, O at Home Magazine

Saturday at the Flea Market

I love a good flea market, don't you?

 

I'm not sure how "good" our local flea market really is, but it was a sunny day and I wanted to get out for some fresh air. Albeit cold air. So, I dragged the husband and two kids along with me. This is no small feat, believe me. There were plenty more appealing options for them to partake in (basketball game watching and play dates, to be exact), but I can be very persuasive especially when I promise fast food on the way and a $5 spending allowance for each child. Family togetherness and my favorite activity, shopping/bargain hunting . . . score!

So, what did I find? Not much but frostbitten fingers to be quite honest. I guess the cold weather (it got up to a balmy 46 degrees with a lot of wind) scared off some vendors. There were some cool things, but nothing that I needed or couldn't live with out. Darnit.

Here's some stuff I did find interesting enough to photograph:

I'm a little teapot (I think?) in a delicious turquoise/teal glaze. Even at $9, it wasn't tempting enough.

I didn't get the price on this little Chinese jar/vase, but I really don't need any more Asian stuff in my house right now. Trust me. If you don't believe me, I'm going to do a post on this very obsession issue soon.

I love the blue of this little table. Perfect for an entryway. Don't love the scalloped edge/skirt . . . would have preferred a clean line, but could overlook it. For $129, I thought it wasn't a bad deal. If you needed a little table. Nice shadow. Can you tell I'm not exactly a photography expert? Note the deer head next to the table. It freaked out my dear daughter.

I was drawn to these light fixtures. They're a little too industrial chic for me but I still appreciate their rustic awesomeness. When I get a loft these are definitely on my list.

 

Matt captured this image. I didn't even notice the gigantic "NOT." But it was in the same booth as the light fixtures. This guy makes some seriously cool stuff. Tables with nails and steel. Heavy metal. Once again, wouldn't work in my far too traditional home but I dig it.

Do you love the shape of this chair as much as I do? Needless to say, it would have to be reupholstered. But what fabric? The possibilities are mind-blowing. Possibly throw some nailheads around the edge, paint the legs. Now I'm bummed I didn't buy it. Of course, it had no price on it, and the owner of the booth was nowhere to be found. So, it was not to be. 


Now for some artistic Matt shots. If you don't know, my husband is a much better photographer than I am. His favorite subjects are usually under water, but today he turned his artistry on the flea market.

Who doesn't need a Kit Kat coffee mug? Or a Mt. Rushmore or Liberty Bell bottle?

Sweet old bike.

I think Bud's Pump 'n Diner got Matt's attention. Can't imagine why.

 

Ah, pretty colors.

Nice rack. I mean mannequin form. My husband is a guy . . . what else can I say?

 

Looks like a prison garbage can.

 

Off to get their much-deserved reward . . . $5 crystals!

Hope you had a great Saturday too!