If Money Was No Object: My Vintage Top 10

What would you choose for yourself if your budget was without limit? I was recently asked this question and was happy to shop with abandon for my dream room, selecting gorgeous vintage items from Decaso, Decorative Arts Society.

If you are familiar with the online vintage site Chairish, this new sister site is founded by the same stellar team.

About Decaso: “It is an ultra-curated selection of exceptional antique and designer furniture offered by the world’s most respected dealers.”

As a blogger asked to choose my “Bucket List” favorites, I fell in LOVE with the 10 vintage items above. Details for each item with links to more info are listed below.

My theme? A classically glamorous room to entertain guests, enjoy a cocktail or two, put my feet up and get cozy.

My fantasy budget? Just over $30,000 (without adding in the cost of the original art). Not unreasonable for custom and vintage, but certainly outside of my typical price range. A girl can dream, right? If I had to choose just one of the ten, I would probably take home the bar cart. What would your fantasy room look like?

1 // Still Life With Upright, Oil on Canvas by Anne-Louise Ewen

2 // Leaded White Glass Sphere Pendant

3 // Italian Brass Chiavari Chair in Mongolian Fur

4 // Regency Style Designer Taboret Bench by Randy Esada Designs

5 // Charles Hollis Jones Lucite Faux-Bamboo and Brass Serving Cart

6 // Four Capiz Star-Shaped Pendant Lights

7 // Italian-Inspired Settee by Stripe

8 // Early 20th Century Oushak Carpet

9 // Pair of Fishskin Covered Chairs

10 // Custom Mid-Century Coffee Table

Choose your vintage favorites at Decaso.com

Adding Style with Saturated Colors

art  //  lamp  //  bachelor's chest  //  carpet  //  bedding  //  accent pillow

upholstered bed  //  upholstered storage bench  //  vintage slipper chair

I was recently asked by Chairish, an online shopping site for vintage and used home furnishings, to create a bold and bright room featuring my favorite accent chair from their curated collections. Vintage chairs are a particular weakness of mine, so I could not pass up this unique design challenge!

I selected an elegant vintage slipper chair in yellow velvet as my inspiration, then paired it with equally bright new pieces from Bassett Furniture that had a classic or vintage feel to them. An over-dyed Persian style carpet, a Robert Allen watercolor-like fabric, and an abstract knife gel giclee combine for a rich and colorful palette. The large scale upholstered bed adds visual balance to the space by remaining neutral in color.

Often times I am working with clients who want to incorporate a much loved piece, like a vintage chair, into their plans for a renovated room. The key is to make all the pieces, old and new, look as if they are speaking the same language. Repeating the shape of a leg, duplicating the finish color, or choosing pieces that seem to be from a similar time period, helps to bridge the gap from the past to the present. Including a modern twist, like these deeply saturated colors, keeps the space looking fresh.

If you are looking to add some lively pieces with vintage patina to your newly designed spaces, check out the decorative objects that are also available via the Chairish site ... 

  

Vintage Fretwork Green Wooden Tray

Mercury Glass Candlestick

Bone China White Swans

California Cool: #BlogTourLA Revisited

#BlogTourLA design bloggers at WestEdge Design Fair:

Geraldine Tan, Gudy Herder and Ronique Gibson

In honor of #TBT (Throw Back Thursday) I am reminiscing about my October visit to sunny Los Angeles with my design blogging friends from #BlogTourLA. One of the highlights of our Modenus sponsored trip was checking out the inaugural opening of the WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica. We also toured a wealth of West Coast design destinations including the studio and boutique of designer Kelly Wearstler, fab shops in the La Cienga Design Quarter, plus numerous art studios and design industry showrooms. There was a lot to love!

Below are my favorite snapshots from the trip that capture a dozen design trends that are currently in fashion:

Malachite

Lighting that Shines

Vintage Glamour

Bright Colors

Nature Inspired

Reclaimed Materials

Industrial Design

Geometric Patterns

Organic Sculpture

Rock + Roll Edgy

Succulents

Brass

faucets as art: Gessi Goccia on display at

Snyder Diamond Los Angeles showroom

Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar and Ashlina Kaposta of the Decorista

visiting Gessi at WestEdge Design Fair with #BlogTourLA

Brass lav faucet from Gessi at WestEdge Design Fair

Natural Curiosities design studio

monarchs as art via Natural Curiosities

vintage screen at Dragonette Ltd.

colorful dinnerware at Heath Ceramics

design bloggers getting cozy at the WestEdge Design Fair:

Veronika Miller, Emily Anderson, Cheryl Kees-Clendendon, Andie Day, myself

honey comb sculptural lighting by Patrick Weder

vintage dining featuring custom wallpaper and brass accents

at Dragonette Ltd.

lighting by Apparatus at WestEdge Design Fair

lighting by David Trubridge at WestEdge Design Fair

furnishings from BDDW at WestEdge Design Fair

unique lighting design from Zia Priven at WestEdge Design Fair

industrial lighting at Lamps Plus

pattern and texture at Mecox Gardens

bright and bold leathers from Moore and Giles at WestEdge Design Fair

repurposed Dhurrie handbag at Will Leather Goods

succulent gardens outside Sherle Wagner on La Cienga Boulevard

sidewalk succulent garden

succulents with orchids

Geraldine Tan, Mindy Miles Greenberg, and Lynn Byrne

relaxing on set at WestEdge Design Fair

colorful mix and match lighting at Lamps Plus

vintage pattern play at Dragonette Ltd.

Kelly Wearstler designed accents: ceramic, brass and stone

brass accents and grand scale in the conference room at Kelly Wearstler studios

photo op with Krista Nye Schwartz, Kelly Wearstler, Tami Ramsay

Marble Kiss on brass etagere at Kelly Wearstler’s LA boutique

ALWAYS IN FASHION ...

friendship, champagne, sunshine

apres shopping at Kelly Wearstler boutique:

Susan Serra, Will Taylor, Cheryl Kees-Clendendon

macaroons and champagne served at Dragonette Ltd.

Lynn, Emily, Gudy, Ronique, myself, Geraldine, Mindy

Krista,Will, and Tami enjoying a West Coast sunset

Click below to discover the design trends that Modenus

and BlogTour have seen lately. Since my #BlogTourLA trip, they have gone to Vegas, New York and most recently Milan!

{updates from Modenus BlogTour}

Winter antique shopping

New England Finery Magazine, Winter 2011,  pages 42-43

Antique shopping is usually considered a summer sport here in New England, but there are actually some great winter shows worth venturing out to, even on a snowy day like today.

In the last issue of New England Finery, I highlighted the New England Antiques Design Show & Sale that was held at the Shriners Auditorium. This weekend the auditorium is home once again to a wealth of antique dealers ... check out the extensive list here. Below are some photos I took while exhibiting there last fall (read more about the New England Finery designed space here).

There are room after room of antique and vintage treasures at the show.

Each dealer sets up their own inspired vignettes.

Vintage items, like these drapery hold backs, can be repurposed in modern ways.

The key is to think creatively when touring each booth.

There truly is something for every kind of collector!

I really could have used this on a recent photo shoot ...

If you are a decorator, photo stylist or homeowner who loves the patina of vintage decor, it is worth it to get on the list to be notified of upcoming New England Antique Shows. Click here to receive discount passes and info. 

58th Annual Winter Antiques Show

All this week in New York, from the 20th to the 29th, the 58th Annual Winter Antiques Show is being held at the Park Avenue Armory. Local designer, Phoebe Lovejoy, who was featured in the autumn issue of New England Finery, is on the interior design committee for Young Collectors Night which will be held on the 26th. If you get the chance to attend, look for her in the crowd and be sure to say hello!

Young Collectors Nigh: Annual Winter Antiques Show

Designers Phoebe Lovejoy and Gerald Pomeroy 

New England Finery Magazine: Autumn 2011, pages 34 – 40

Michael J. Lee Photography

Paris in the spring

Parisian-inspired home decor with vintage

charm designed by Beth Hylan of Studio B

This week I met up with my friend, Beth Hylan, at a fundraising event held for one of the local preschools (organizing kudos goes to Brenda and Jacqui for putting this event together – nicely done!)

It was great to see Beth again! When I was helping her out with her store in Reading, I loved being able to watch her come up with unique design ideas. Since she moved her shop to Concord (she shares a space with Nesting on Main) I have missed seeing her creative collections of pretty objects. Here is a peek at some of her new offerings:



I love what Beth is doing with vintage papers and stamped text. Typography lovers take note!

Her glittery stamped votives were a big hit (I took one home myself!) She always has attic treasures to choose from as well.

Her vintage bits and bobbles in see-through jars were a favorite of mine. The well-edited palette would look pretty in any space.



Look for Beth at Nestings the next time you are in Concord, Massachusetts. She will also be doing trunk shows this spring and summer (I will let you know where and when as I hear details.)




And if you need floral arranging for weddings, events or proms ... give her a call. She is still available to whip up something fresh and fabulous for any event.

Beth Hylan Design
978.369.4133