Antique Sale! Day 5: Old Soul

 

My friend Yolanda’s husband, David Foster, asked me once how I have such an array of interesting friends and how none of them are alike in the least. I told him that it’s because I always root for the underdog and I think that people’s flaws are the most interesting parts about them. This theory holds true with my antiques as well. My friends are quirky, imperfect, interesting, intriguing, compelling… And beautiful. Ditto for my antiques.

To me, total perfection is a big fat bore. I like a little patina, a little fading, a little asymmetry, something that tells a story, something that has a little history, possibly with some wounds. I think we learn the most from our flaws, our defeats, our tragedies. It’s what makes us stronger. And don’t be fooled, no matter how perfect you think something is, there is always a back story and that’s what makes everything interesting and charming.

And this brings me to today’s item up for sale…

A regal antique asymmetrical garden urn

First, let’s look at some inspirational antique garden urns…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” could not be more true, non? Some people may see “damage and age” but all I see is “character.”

Without further ado, let’s take a look at today’s offering that I have for sale…

Regal Stone Garden Urn

Asymmetrical, yet unique garden urn.

Price: $550

Place of Origin: Paris, France

Materials: stone

Period: early 1900s  

Condition: good

Wear: Wear consistent with age and use. Missing one side arm

Height: 1’ 10 1/8 inch

Width: 1’ 8 1/8 inch

Number of Items: 1

Location of Item: Los Angeles, California USA

When my mother first saw this garden urn at a dealer’s booth in Paris the first thing she said was, “She’s beautiful.” Instantly, we knew this regal queen was coming home with us flaws and all. And now, in the vein of paying it forward, the urn can come home with a lucky one of you.

Fill her with plants or books or seashells… Whatever you would like, but just remember to respect her imperfections and display her proudly.

If you would like to see more inspiration, follow my Pinterest Have Some Decorum Garden Urns board HERE.

So, this beautiful garden urn is the fifth item for the sale. If you have any questions, just email me at havesomedecorum@gmail.com. If you would like to purchase the garden urn, just email me at the same email address, havesomedecorum@gmail.com, and put the title of the piece in the subject line. This is a first come first serve basis and I promise I will not play favorites (unless it’s Princess Caroline of Monaco… Obviously). You can pay with either PayPal or Wells Fargo Bank deposit. You can pick it up or arrange transport for it. If you need to ship it long-distance, I use a company called Vintage Transport.

Voilà! Stay tuned for Day 6 of the sale. Hint: Monastic.

Antique Sale! Day 2: Toujours Provence

Well, good morning from Paris!

It is a beautiful spring day and we have finally opened all of the French windows in our apartment to let the spring air pass-through. Even though Paris is a big bustling city, there is nothing better than Springtime in Paris except maybe, Springtime in Provence. Can you imagine! I currently hate my husband because he said we cannot move to Provence because he said he has a little something called “work” in Paris. Annoying.

So, when life gives you lemons… Make a panaché. So, my new plan is to bring Provence to Paris. I am literally going to pretend that I live in Provence and my apartment will reflect that. There will be a sign at my front door requesting that all guests change out of their high heels into a pair of espardrilles. I have already started to grow lavender in my window boxes and all of my furniture is going to be ivory, beige linen and a little Pierre Frey floral thrown in. I’m taking my inspiration from my Provence mentor Janet de Botton (she doesn’t know who I am, but in my world/fairytale we are best friends.) Her house/bastide in Provence, as my grandmother would say, is “divine.” My second Provence inspiration is a hotel in Avignon that is just beyond. Beyond! It is called La Mirande. Take a look…

 

If you are like me, I think everyone belongs in Provence, except people I hate. Provence is for happy people who see the importance of a good ratatouille. People who let dogs sit on sofas, know the rules of pétanque, and don’t confuse aioli with Miracle Whip. People who would willingly, without provocation, kiss an olive tree.

So, without further ado, let me introduce today’s antique sale item.

A pair of authentic Provençal Green Anduze Garden Pots.

Bonjour Provence!

Last year, I wrote an extensive blog about these type of garden pots. Everything you want to know about them is in that blog post… Their history, where I found them, how I got them back to the states, their significance, the styles etc. Click HERE to read and then come back (there will be a quiz).

First things first, let’s look at some inspiration via my Pinterest board…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If these don’t say Provence, I don’t know what does. Quintessential Provence.

So, if this kind of thing is your “thang” you are in luck because today I have two of them for sale. I think that they should be sold as a pair but I’m willing to sell them individually because I’m cool like that. Let’s look at some of the details…

French Provençal Jumbo Anduze Garden Pots

French terra-cotta Anduze pots typical of the South of France. Extra large size for olives trees, citrus trees, topiary etc.

 

Price: $2600 each

Place of Origin: Southern France

Materials: terra-cotta and glaze

Period: 21st century

Condition: Good

Wear: Wear Consistent with Age and Use. Perfect aged patina

Height: 2’ 7 ¼ inch

Width: 2’ 6 ¼ inch

Number of Items: 2

Location of Items: Los Angeles, California USA

 

How gorgeous are those? Don’t they just brighten your day and make you forget all about the fact that your husband won’t let you move to Provence?

If you want to see some more inspiration, check out my Provençal Garden Pots Pinterest Board HERE.

So, these two amazing pots are the second items for the sale. If you have any questions, just email me at havesomedecorum@gmail.com. If you would like to purchase the pot or pots, just email me at the same email address, havesomedecorum@gmail.com, and put the title of the piece in the subject line. This is a first come first serve basis and I promise I will not play favorites (unless it’s Princess Caroline of Monaco… Obviously). These two pots are in Los Angeles California. You can pick them up or arrange transport for them. If you need to ship them long-distance, I use a company called Vintage Transport. You can pay with either PayPal or Wells Fargo Bank deposit.

Stay tuned for Day 3 of the antique sale. Hint: Swedish meatballs.

Antique Sale! Day 1: Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

 

So here we are! The first day of the antique sale!!!

 I want to just take a second to tell all of you thank you for all of the support and well wishes that you gave me this week. I feel like I have a whole army of you guys behind me rooting me on. So, thank you.

Okay, so for the first day of the sale, I thought I would come out with guns blazing.

Today, I am offering something that honestly every household should have.

 19^th-century giltwood mirrors of course!

On our buying trips to France, mirrors were always our first priority. You know how with decorating a house you start with the sofa, the rug, the coffee table… The basics. A mirror is one of the basics but one of the most important basics. It’s your focal point of the whole room. It’s the first place that your eye goes to so it better be freaking amazing.

First things first, let’s get some inspiration via Pinterest, shall we?

 

See? Now don’t you see how you cannot live another day without a giltwood mirror?

Good news. You don’t have to live another day without one because I have not one, but two available today for the sale!

Let’s start with the first one that I am offering for sale…

Fine French Rococo Giltwood Mirror

French Louis XV Rococo Style mirror with arched top frame mounted by a pierced and carved acanthus shaped cartouche.

 This is the mirror in my mother's breakfast room.

 

 Little blemish on the scroll. You can have this professionally fixed or, in all honesty, I would just paint it with a little gold leaf paint with a tiny brush.

 

Second little blemish. No biggie.

 

Price: $3600

Place of Origin: France

In the Style of: Rococo

Materials: Giltwood, Gesso

Period: 19^th century

Condition: Good

Wear: Wear Consistent with Age and Use. Needs minor repair to the left scroll and minor 1 inch repair to base.

Height: 5 feet 3 ¾ inches

Width: 3 feet 1 7/8 inch

Depth: 2 inches

Number of Items: 1

Location of Item: Los Angeles, California USA

 

And the second mirror that I am offering for sale…

 

French Louis XVI style Gilded Mirror

French Louis XVI style gilded mirror with acanthus cartouche, floral motif with roses, indented interior corners with rosettes and egg and dart molding.

 The Louis XVI mirror over my mother's fireplace. Sorry for the crooked candles on the sconces... that's probably my sister's fault.

 

 Little blemish. I would just gold leaf paint this as well.

 

Little blemish. No biggie.

 

Price: $4200

Place of Origin: France

In the Style of: Louis XVI

Materials: Gilt, wood, gesso

Period: 19^th century

Condition: Good

Wear: Wear consistent with age and use. Top right needs 1 inch repair. Left of frame needs 1.5 inch repair

Height: 4 feet 9 inches

Width: 3 feet ¼ inch

Depth: 2 inches

Number of items: 1

Location of Item: Los Angeles, California USA

These types of mirrors can be used in any type of house in any room. The most obvious place is over the fireplace but what about using it over your bathroom sink, what about using it leaning against a wall in your dressing room, what about using it over a great entry table. What about using it in the kitchen! I have three of these mirrors in my Paris apartment (relax, it came with the apartment). The first one in the living room I keep simple…

 

My living room mirror.

 

 

 My living room mirror with Frances. She thinks she looks best next to gold gilt.

The second mirror in my dining room is where I decided to have a little fun. I like to tape up little souvenirs of my life on the mirror… Pictures of my friends and family, postcards of my travels, little cards from my friends, little cherished memories.

 My dining room mirror.

 

My dining room mirror with my souvenirs.

The third mirror is in the guestroom over another marble fireplace. I usually place a vase of welcoming flowers for my friends when they come to visit. They use the fireplace mantel and the mirror as a dressing table… A 5 foot mirror is exactly what my friends like/need. :-)

My mother is always reminding me that the placement of a mirror is superduper important. You need to watch what it reflects. Make sure it is reflecting something beautiful.… A view of the garden, a beautiful painting, or it can even reflect another mirror which is super chic and gives a room major depth. Whenever the holidays roll around, our mirrors are the first thing my mother and I decorate.

David and I decorating the mantle and mirror for Christmas. Yes, I always decorate in a dress and leopard heels. Just kidding, I just wanted you to see that I actually could walk at one point. :)

 

Don’t be afraid of these mirrors just because they are hoity-toity. These mirrors can swing both ways… Fancy and uptown or Bohemian and downtown. A beach shack or a villa.

There are a few things to remember about mirrors… First of all, mirrors give space… They don’t take away space. So, even if you have a small room, a big mirror will only make the room look larger. Secondly, antique mirrors will always have little blemishes. I like to refer to these as beauty marks. With age comes character (#NoteToSelf). This only adds to the charm. Antique mirrors are valued for their history, uniqueness, collectibility as well as for their inherent attractiveness… So say the experts.

For more inspiration, I have put together a great Pinterest board for Gilt Mirrors. Follow HERE.

So, these two amazing mirrors are the first items for the sale. If you have any questions, just email me at havesomedecorum@gmail.com. If you would like to purchase the mirror or mirrors, just email me at the same email address, havesomedecorum@gmail.com, and put the title of the piece in the subject line. This is a first come first serve basis and I promise I will not play favorites (unless it’s Princess Caroline of Monaco… Obviously). You can pay with either PayPal or Wells Fargo Bank deposit.

These two mirrors are in Los Angeles California. You can pick them up or arrange transport for them. If you need to ship them long-distance, I use a company called Vintage Transport.

I think we are off to a very good start, don’t you?

Stay tuned for the next item up for sale… Hint: Provence.