Before and after- Chair makeovers, furniture flips

I love taking a piece that needs a bit of attention and making it into a star! It is even better when I take two vaguely related pieces and make twin stars.

One of my clients needed a pair of chairs with a British Colonial feel. I found these chairs with good lines and some caning, a hallmark of British Colonial design, at Hanna Antiques.

In a very "his and hers" classic look, one of the chairs is a bit taller than the other... it is also my fave! The wood splat is a firm support for the back with the caning adding all the character. The client also requested that the backs of the chairs be attractive since they would be seen from the back when entering the room. The second chair in the pictures offers all the good looks from the back, too!

To unify the look of the chairs, I choose to go with the same fabrics for both. I think they look terrific! The small red custom pillows brings out the reds in the fabrics. The pale blue-green background looks great in the greenish blue room.

We are not done yet! Tomorrow brings in the matching pillow for the cane back chair so they match, visually, from the front view. And, the TV "cabinet" is coming tomorrow, too! Later on will be new lighting.

I have added many pieces to this space from Hanna Antiques. I have shopped there since I was in high school and I am proud to be a dealer there now. Antique stores are a great option for those who are looking for well made pieces, with great style at excellent prices! Items used to be made to "last forever", we now call them antiques. Break with the disposable design style and add some vintage/antique into your space.

Picking this weekend- the big art show

There were so many good sales this weekend with great art. The sale I purchased the most from was the Estate of Barbara Evans. I have known of her work for many years and from the article in the Birmingham News in 2008, she lived a life as colorful as her art. These paintings span her trips to Europe and the High Sierras.

I am excited to own this collection! I think I might keep at least one of the six pieces I purchased... but how to pick just one!

Enamel on silver plate- Reed and Barton serving ware

I have found my second Reed and Barton enameled silver plate serving piece. I love the Mid Century Modern style from the 1960's! It just glows.

Cobalt Enamel bowl Reed and Barton Special PD24 on Etsy

The piece below sold about a month ago... but was a handsome devil!

These pieces are lovely with the glowing enamel over the silver plate and were only made during the 1960's. I have never seen a bowl like the top image with the band of silver around the rim of the bowl, usually the enamel comes right to the edge without a lip to the piece. Perhaps that is why it is marked "special" on the bottom!

If you are interested in purchasing the bowl at the top, please click on the link below the image to take you to my Etsy vintage store!

High middle and low great dining tables

Continuing my high/ low series, I am focusing on great looking smaller dining tables in modern styles.

Fantastic tables! The top table is perfect for those that do not use table clothes and love a rustic and vaguely French style. You could add any style of chair with this table.
The second table is handsome in dark grey brown and a metal inlay. Pretty curved lines on this 86.5 inch long table. It would look so fresh with crisp white dinnerware!

Lower price range of tables- still with great style. The half circle table base dining table is so clean and contemporary! The Pottery Barn table is chunky, strong, and great for modern to craftsman style homes. The West Elm table is so clean and would look great with everything from Parson's chairs to high French Rococo chairs... possible even better with French Rococo for an eclectic mix.

However you go with a modern table, by looking at tables in a high/ low method, you will be better able to monitor your budget and keeping your style!

High, middle, low- great apartment sized sofas

In shopping for the perfect sofa for a client I ran across so many that I loved! Button-tufted, exposed wood, down filled cushions, linens, velvets... I focused on loose cushions and/or Chesterfield in feel.

By ranking furnishings for a space as high price, mid range, and low, you can choose what is most important in the space and spend the most on that piece(s). It also allows you to put blinders on while shopping and sometimes it is better to know what you do not want, in order to narrow down what you do!

Almost all of these I have sat on and thought they were good quality... especially for the cost. And, they all have their strengths!They are all apartment sized and the prices will vary depending on the store's current sale, the fabric you choose, and if they offer down filled cushions. The winner was the Chesterfield from Restoration Hardware!

Have you found a sofa you love? Do tell!