Our Last Tango in Paris

Well, my friends, as you know I am leaving Paris. I am leaving happily but I will never forget everything that I have seen, learned, explored and experienced… and I will bring all of this back with me and it will remain with me throughout my life. Grace has one more year left at college in Paris… don’t worry, the little brat/angel will be fine without me until she graduates in May.

Over the next few weeks we will discuss more about why I want to go home…no big deal but I think it will be interesting to share with you as I am sure a lot of you have the same sentiments. However, today I am still in Paris and we have some very exciting news to discuss!

This will be my last Have Some Decorum Home Shop sale from Paris and boy, is it going to be exciting. It all involves a charming back story…

Let me start by saying that not everything can be an antique, ya know! The French know this best… It is all about an eclectic sensibility… combining the “vrai with the faux.” That is to say, true design is incorporating the real with the reproduction and there is no shame in that! A whole house of antiques is called a museum…not a home.

In Paris, there is a shop dedicated to this design philosophy. The clever owner is dedicated beyond belief to the craft of offering true French designs based on originals. Scouring the country of France, the owner purchases all of the originals and takes them back to his atelier, works with his craftsmen to replicate down to the exact detail a new life for the pieces…and offers them to you.

The success of my shop, Circa, in Santa Barbara was based on the same philosophy…to combine the old with the new. And today, by the grace of God, I have been selected/vetted to offer the line to you. Trust me, this was no easy feat and I have been working on it for almost a year. None of these pieces that will be sold on the Have Some Decorum Home Shop, Friday July 8, are available in the US. This is purely “a French thing.”

All of the designs are based on originals…at a fraction of the price…but have the same joie de vivre of the French style.

I have selected 8 styles to start with and we will grow from there…let’s take a look…

There is nothing more French than a French barometer! Every detail is perfect down to the patina to the French script. Purely decorative, this barometer would be perfect in any room of your house. 

 

 

You know how I love my French herbiers and these do not disappoint! Sold as a set of 4, they are to die for.

 

 

My heart always lies with chinoiserie but it is getting harder and harder to find the originals these days so we are fortunate that I will have 2 different styles that will always be available. A set of huge tea boxes that are so perfectly French chinoiserie, you will never know that these are reproductions and who cares if they are…they are fabulous. Secondly, we can never have enough chinoiserie boxes and now we will never run out!

 

 

 

A set of brass snails! My favorites! A perfect charming French decorative item that brings a sense of French whimsy to any décor… In a bookshelf, on a coffee table, on a stack of books, on the dining room table setting…anywhere!

 

 

You know all of those beautiful blue and white chinoiserie vases? Well, now we have a place to put them…on these perfection of perfection French gilt wall brackets! I have 2 sizes available.

 

 

Now, nothing says “French” like lighting. The French have perfected the art of lighting. The first day that this shipment of lamps arrived to our shop from France to Santa Barbara we sold out of them in 15 minutes. You just can’t get this kind of French classicism in regular ole America. I will have 2 styles available on the shop Friday. The first is a charming electrified lantern that would be perfect on your desk, your bedside table, even outdoors! The second style is the lamp that everyone wants when they come to my apartment. A brass and glass lamp with an oval gold shade. It is marvelous!

 

This is a very exciting sale and everything will be shipped to you before I leave for America. After this sale, our beloved little Gracie will take over the handling of these “French Style Reproduction.” I will select the merchandise and Gracie will make sure it gets to you within a weeks’ time. This month we have 8 styles but there will be so many more added in the future…candelabras, mirrors, lamps and more decorative items… We will never go without!

The sale starts Friday July 8, 2016 at exactly 10am Pacific Standard Time. I have just started with limited quantities but if something is sold out that you had your heart set on, just email me and I will order more for you.

This is super exciting because all of the pieces are only available in France and on the Have Some Decorum Home Shop!

Happy shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L'Herbier

Very exciting blog today!

I have always been obsessed with botany, if you can believe it. I think one of the most charming aspects of the study is the art of preserving herbs.                                                                                          

For five centuries botanists have dried and pressed plant specimens and attached them to paper as a means of recording different varieties. They would then be labeled with their Latin names, family names and location and date of gathering.

 

Collections of these “herbiers” are coveted. Usually housed in museums and herbariums, dorky people like me always make a point to visit these prized treasures...And I always drag my daughter with me which is probably why she hates my guts. To a teenager there must be nothing as boring as looking at dried herbs with her mother. I understand her pain because it’s the same way I felt when my mother used to drag me to Bullocks department store in Los Angeles to look at china patterns. But now I appreciate what my mother exposed me to and I am sure Gracie will as well… when she is about 85 years old.

As usual, with me, everything reverts back to interior design. And decorating with antique herbiers is no exception. Let’s take a look and then I have a big surprise at the end…

 

It’s not easy to find these collections and they are super pricey. Collections can run into the thousands.

 This set of 19th century herbiers is on 1stdibs.com for $12,000!

 

And now here comes the surprise! I found a collection and they are available in the shop! It’s the first time in all of my antique-ing life that I have ever come across a full collection. 38 total! I have framed 32 of them in a sublime antiqued gilt frame and 6 of them in a striking Monet blue faux bamboo frame. Each herbier is unique and labeled, circa 1920-1993.

 

Gorgeous as singles or in a grouping, they work in nearly every type of setting… Kitchen, powder room, bedroom, living room, entry or even a potting shed!

They are available in the shop today in the antiques category! Priced individually at $145 for the antiqued gilt framed herbiers (32 available) and $155 for the Monet blue faux bamboo framed herbiers (6 available). You can purchase as many as you like and what works for you. Just specify your quantity.

Click HERE to shop!

For more inspiration for decorating with herbiers, you can check out my HERBIER board on Pinterest HERE!

Psst!

I know I am supposed to be working on my book and not blogging but this is just a quick little posting about the shop!

In 2008, when I first started collecting pieces for my antique shop in Santa Barbara named Circa, the second stop after Paris on our buying trip was the South of France. There is a little town in the middle of Provence that is known for its antiques. Luckily, it’s only 30 minutes from my house! The antique dealers always have charming pieces without the overinflated Parisian price tags.

Over the Christmas holidays, on a quiet Sunday, I had time to peruse each shop without the frenzy of the summer tourists. Truly, there were some remarkable pieces… Statues, chandeliers, mirrors, daybeds, and my favorite… Accessories.

I had my eye on and took home two pieces for the shop that I think you will love as much as I do! In my humble/not so humble opinion, I don’t think any home should be without a gilt mirror and a little chinoiserie no matter the style of the house. These pieces always work. So here we go…

The first piece is a Louis XVI style giltwood mirror. Circa 1890. I love everything about this mirror. It’s a perfect size, not too big, not too small. Would work over a chest of drawers, over a bar table, in the bathroom, over a dressing table, even in an entry hall. The musical cartouche gives it that little something special adding to its charm. Octagonal shaped with the perfect gilt. It is in mint condition for its 19^th century age. Measures 33" tall and 19.5" wide. The interior mirror measures 16" tall and 14" wide. The price is $1200 which includes packaging, shipping, insurance and tracking number. Let’s take a  look…

The second piece that I have for you this week is a dropdead gorgeous gigantic antique chinoiserie tray. Napoleon III. Circa 1870. Papier-mâché. Gold trimmed. Mint condition. Beautiful scene of China men and women wearing traditional dress, enjoying themselves in the garden. The colors and details are what make this tray extraordinary. Birds, chrysanthemums, tea service, fans, pomegranates, Chinese lanterns, junk boat, beautiful dresses… Colors of black, gold, persimmon, ivory, reds and blues. This would be a great cocktail tray, appetizer tray and beautiful to display. Measures 22" tall and 28" wide. Because of its large size I assume that it was used as a tabletop as well. The price is $990 which includes packaging, shipping, insurance and tracking number. Let’s take a look…

 

 

 

 

 Okay, let’s talk about price. The price of these pieces is indicative of its value. These are forever pieces and hopefully pieces to pass down. French antiques are not cheap… Never have been, never will be. However, the price for these pieces is considerably less than what you would typically find at antique stores or online. I have been selling antiques for half my life and I know a good piece for a good price when I see it. I have built good reputations with the vendors and I have learned to negotiate from the best. The prices include shipping so you don’t have to worry about anything… I will take care of the details.

Voilà! The shop is open. Click HERE to shop. These pieces are under the antiques category. Email me if you have any questions.

*I have been a busy bee working on my book. I hope to have it finished at the end of February but I will be back to blogging regularly mid-February.

Not that you asked but since we are friends I’m going to tell you…

I finished all seven seasons of The Good Wife.

I just started season one of Downton Abbey.

I’m going to a dog show on Saturday hopefully to find a little a little puppy because Teddy and I need something to cuddle.

I actually got a stomachache watching Sarah Palin endorse Donald Trump but laughed out loud at one of the newspaper headlines that had a picture of Donald Trump and Sarah Palin that said, “I’m With Stupid.”

Because I am a lover of all things Real Housewives… I watched Real Housewives of Potomac and cringed because it was the worst reality television I’ve ever seen in my life short of 16 and Pregnant and Honey Boo-Boo.

My husband is going to make me the Barefoot Contessa’s beef bourguignon this weekend. Do you know it calls for an entire bottle of wine?

I am looking into a supercool new app called Share The Meal, that, through the World Food Program, supplies vouchers for food for pregnant and nursing mothers of Syria. Go HERE!

And that’s it! What have you guys been up to?

 

 

Surprise! Surprise!

I can’t even tell you how much it makes me smile to hear from all of you dog lovers! I don’t think I’ve ever received so many comments. Thank you so much for all of your well wishes and your sweet stories about your own pets that provide you with comfort and love. Teddy definitely has a personality, going from chair to chair in our house. We started his own Instagram account because we are dorks but if you want to follow Teddy’s trail you can follow him on Instagram : @teddyinprovence.

We have been having some great adventures in Provence that I will write about this week but first…

I have received a lot of emails from readers asking me if I’m going to have a December sale. The answer is no but the good news is that I decided to have a Thanksgiving Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. Who doesn’t love to shop the day after Thanksgiving! It would be un-American if I just ignored Black Friday! So, a sale we shall have!

This is going to be a very special sale. It is going to be threefold. Let’s talk about the first part of the sale…

I have been scouring the flea markets of Provence and I have to say they are F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.! Beyond fabulous. This sale is going to have over 35 items that I have found here in Provence. Let’s take a look…

The good news about Provence is that there is black lacquered chinoiserie here just like Paris. May be even more so none of us will have to go without!

I thought it was time we all recognize my majolica obsession. For those of you who don’t know what majolica is click HERE for a complete history. I did a little sleuthing myself and learned that artichoke and asparagus plates were in high demand and were a sign of wealth and prestige back in the day. King Louis XIV even had a special garden for asparagus alone at Versailles. Of course, one could not just serve beautiful artichoke and asparagus on a plain plate so these majolica plates were born. Take a look…

Look at this little well for sauce!

 

You all know how I feel about antique French gilt mirrors. #Love. I don’t offer too many on the shop because usually they are trés expensive but I met a charming gentleman in Provence who collects and sells antique French gilt mirrors that will not break the bank! Take a look.

 

With great happiness, I discovered that the flea markets of Provence share my love of antique French faux bamboo from the 1800s. Mirrors, coat racks and three very special items that I never saw in Paris… Take a look.

 

 A bamboo bathtub towel rack!

 

 Bamboo chairs!

 

 A bamboo kitchen towel rack!

 

Another one of my favorite items for the Thanksgiving sale was inspired by Carolyne Roehm. For years I have been lusting after a bronze planter that she showcased in her book. Take a look...

 

 Carolyne Roehm's bronze planter!

Isn't that the most gorgeous bronze planter for flowers that you've ever seen?

 

Guess what? I found an almost exact replica but without the million dollar price tag.

Your bronze planter!

 

And the linens down here in Provence are off the charts! Not fancy, just every day usable, with complete charm. Take a look…

 

And that is just the beginning of what I have found here in Provence. I really think you’re going to like this sale as there is something for everyone in every price point.

The second part of the sale is going to be a sale sale. Items from the previous sales will be ON SALE! How many times can I say sale in this paragraph? Sale sale sale! Take a look…

Remember that dropdead gorgeous mustard yellow soup tureen from the previous sale? Well, this month it is on sale! 30% off!

 

Remember that set of apothecary jars? 30% off!

 

Remember that antique French manifesto? 30% off #PrayersForParis

 

The third part of the Thanksgiving sale is the most exciting! For the past year I have been working with a company to offer you… THE GREATEST CHINOISERIE BLUE AND WHITE PIECES! I know better than anyone how hard and how expensive it is to collect antique blue-and-white Chinese porcelain and it’s getting harder year-by-year because there are some definite blue-and-white hogs out there, myself being one of them. Reproductions are usually horrible. But the good news is that I have working with a company that produces the most incredible blue-and-white you’ve ever seen. They are not antiques but these pieces are handcrafted, handcarved and hand-painted using a centuries-old technique. Each piece is fired in China’s oldest firing kiln using the same methods as those expensive antiques! The company goes the extra step as well to make these pieces “look” like antiques because who wants a brand-new looking blue-and-white vase! No one! We want the blue and white porcelain that looks old but doesn’t cost a fortune and that is exactly what will be on the Thanksgiving sale!

I am very particular about my blue-and-white. I like a bird and flower motif the best. And it’s got to be just right. I have two Pinterest boards titled: good blue-and-white and bad blue-and-white. You can check them out HERE and HERE. I have been collecting blue-and-white my entire life and it takes a certain eye to know the difference between good and bad blue-and-white. I have taken the guesswork out of it for you and am offering you the best blue-and-white. I have for you three lamps, three different sizes. You can do these as singles or pairs depending on the placement. Each of the lamps has a Lucite base because I love the juxtaposition of an antique lamp with a modern base. The lamps have a basic white shade that is easily replaceable with a custom shade which I recommend. A custom shade takes your lamp to a whole new level.

 

In addition to the lamps, I will be offering vases and jars! No one can live without a blue-and-white Chinese vase/jar! I have put together a great collection. These are great in sets of three. A tall one for branches like cherry blossoms or tall flowers like delphiniums and the smaller ones for flowers. In actuality, you can never have too many of these vases. I have also included an orchid planter. So excited I can barely stand it!

 

 

For this Thanksgiving sale, I will be offering 10 of each but if they are sold out and you still want one or two or three or four, just email me and I will make it happen for you. The delivery for the blue-and-white Chinese porcelain will be approximately three weeks. They are shipped within the United States so no overseas shipping charges or customs. Yay!

So how’s that for a surprise! I have kept all of the prices very reasonable because I’m cool like that. I know times are tough for a lot of us, me included, but I know that we all still want pretty pieces for our house and I hope I can offer that to you. Is it weird that I love you guys?

The sale starts Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, at exactly 9 AM Pacific Standard Time. I will be giving lots of sneak peeks on Instagram this week to whet your whistle! Follow me HERE!