The ones that got away

This Saturday and Sunday, The Potomack Company auction house in nearby Alexandria, held an auction of nearly 1000 lots including fine art and antiques.

I had gone through the catalogue several times and I had my eye on several items and decided to watch and bid online. The Chinoiserie desk above was barely on my radar, figuring it would go for quite a bit of money.

I really did not have a spot for it but its the kind of thing I would ditch another piece to find a place for.

I clicked one heartbreaking second too late. It sold for $250. $250!!! *sniff sniff*

My intention was to buy this Federal style sideboard but I had guilty second thoughts and watched it go for a fair $550.

The second to last lot was one of three mid-century pieces out of 986 lots so I felt confident that there would not be too many bidders.

The Danish rosewood desk that was ahead of it told a different story and the bidding on this began after a long pause. Up it went and then I saw the fair warning sign and clicked...... nothing happened.... no one else bid

and now its mine! Yay!!!!

What did you do this weekend?

Don't fall in!

Herman Miller

I saw this picture in an article about the Herman Miller collection and was drawn to the mid-century iconic look. The huge windows and roaring fire were enticing too but then I tried to imagine myself, my family, or a group of my friends in the room. Would we all sit on oddly low stools and color? Or would the over 40 set (myself included) ever be able to launch their rears out of those sleek but deep black chairs? Can you really imagine sitting anywhere comfortably in this room with a cup of coffee or a martini?

I have problems with it.

Flipping the mix

Did you ever notice that it is rare to see a room with modern furniture and classic art? The mix, if there is one, seems to generally be classic furnishings with modern art. Its an easy favorite. The kick that an abstract can give to a room that otherwise could seems stuffy is a no brainer but why not flip that and combine modern favorites with a classic old portrait or other traditional art?

What do you think? Which is your favorite way to mix styles?

A Chinese bridge

The bridge I am referring to is not the one in this antique export china but rather the role Chinoiserie elements can play in bridging traditional and modern elements in a room.

Jaimie Meares

Look how the blue and white lamps with their pagoda shades work with the funky wall covering and classic mid-century sunburst mirror. My point is that the lamps could have been in Grandma's house but the inherent whimsy in Chinoiserie helps the newer, sleeker and funkier items come together with the traditional ones to form "the mix" that is so popular.

Melanie Turner

In the example above the country farmhouse style table is paired with Chinese Chippendale chairs and a very mod color palette of white, apple green, and gray. The wicker pendant, side chair fabric and lacquered Parson's tables are more modern than traditional but it all slides together effortlessly.

The toile is an updated Chinoiserie element and smacks of uber-femininity as does the bed. The spare lines of the mid-century lamp and graphic bedding are the modern twist that somehow manages not to clash.

These examples should help anyone wondering exactly how to mix styles of furniture without it looking dumb. Simple, pick some stuff you love and throw in a handful of Chinoiserie to taste.

Stir gently.

and Voila! Chinoiserie fixes it all.

Its a mod, mod, mod, mod world

This room really reminds me of early 1970s mod style. 

There are a few telltale giveaways to see that it is not a vintage room. The technology is one but the wallpaper, room divider, and color scheme make me expect Anita Bryant to step out and offer me a glass of orange juice.

I have been noticing these more lately because I am craving a little more mid-century groove in my mostly traditional house.

What do you call retro, futuristic style, besides a contradiction?

Mod.

Stress= Nostalgia

Coffee tables and sheepskin- think Ikea

After a particularly stressful day, I often long for the good old days.

Really old days if you're me!

I find memories of my family and the places we spent time very soothing.

Most of these interiors are not exactly like the ones I remember but there are some elements that are familiar from memory that resonate with my current sensibilities.

A silver tulip table would be nifty.

David Hicks London 1972

The lacquered walls, the art, the bureau as bar, its all then and now.

Yes, people actually had that carpet in 1972 and the chairs were a common sight. I included it because of the very au courant Tangerine.

I can just see my parents having fondue and a bottle of Lancer's Claret.

I believe this image is from the 1960s but could easily find its way in to a shelter mag today, no?

This is so horrible, but I think we had that TV. The sofa and carpet look sorta familiar too.

In many ways the 1970s visually sucked.

This kitchen is hard to look at but the Moroccan lattice on the cabinets is a familiar current motif.

I would really like an all white kitchen with Cararra marble subway tile backsplash but I'd take this groovy kitchen in a heart beat as long as I don't have to wear the jumpsuit.

For those of you who did not live through the early 1970s and really like some of the mod styling, beware. By the mid 80s we cringed every time we saw any of these things.

Still, they represent to me a simpler time when I was a child.

Barcelona Penthouse

This Barcelona, Spain penthouse is rife with art and just about every mid-century icon there is.

What do you think?