Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A little luncheon chez Trianon Antiques

Louis XV Period Oak Table, France, Circa 1750
French Louis XV period provincial table with scalloped apron, cabriole legs and leaf forms on knees. The border has been stained black.


I invite y0u to join me here in the Trianon Antiques showroom at the Boston Design Center for a little luncheon a deux...

Pull up a chair to the table...
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Caned Armchairs France, Late 19th century
Pair of French Louis XVI style canded armchairs in carved walnut. The chairs feature carved ribbon and reed detail on the crest rails and arms, terminating in scrolled acanthus leaves on the arms.

Let's have a little light...

French Gilt-Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with Colored Fruit, France,Circa 1830
Gilt-bronze chandelier with cut crystal central column and colored bohemian glass drops in the shapes of apples and pears. The chandelier dates from the Charles X period (circa 1830), but the fruit drops were probably added later.





Pair French iron sconces with gilt-tole detailing, and clear and colored crystals in the style of Maison Bagues.



Pair of French Neoclassical Candelabra, France, Circa 1880
Pair of gilt-bronze and patinated bronze candelabra featuring neoclassical figures supporting four gilt-bronze arms. Bases are black marble.


Pour the coffee... do you take cream?

Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Service with Napoleonic Emblems, France, Circa 1870
Old Paris porcelain coffee service with gilded Napoleonic emblems, including bees, stars and laurel wreaths. The set includes a coffee urn with cover, creamer, sugar with cover, and ten cups and sauces -- 25 pieces in total. The pieces are signed, probably by the person who painted the ornaments.

Some warm bread with fresh butter...

German Painted Porcelain Jardiniere, Germany, Circa 1870
Lovely German hand-painted reticulated jardiniere in the neoclassical style with molded flowers, detailed interior painting.

Perhaps some cold meats and cheeses...

Carving service, Late 19th century
French silver carving service comprising a knife, two forks (one with bone tines), bone spoon and handle for holding a leg of lamb. Stamped with the Minerva No. 1 hallmark.

With fresh fruit for dessert!


Details from a signed Italian 19th Century Still Life Oil Painting, Italy, Circa 1860
Italian oil painting of still-life with woodpecker and fruit in beautiful carved giltwood frame. Signed by the artist, Francesco Malacrea. Malacrea was born in Trieste, Italy in 1812, and died there in 1886. He attended the Academie de Venise and among other things is known for painting the ceiling of the Palais Sartorio in Trieste.


Will you join me?




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The Skirted Rountable: On Blogging Content and Inspiration

Join Megan, Joni and I over at The Skirted Roundtable for today's discussion about how we make decisions around our content for our blogs, what inspires us and how we decide what's in our out!






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Monday, April 27, 2009

Angel Face

{click image for larger view}
A few little sweeties here in the Trianon Antiques showroom.




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Sponsor Love: Welcome Columbia Flooring Originals


I am pleased to welcome Columbia Hardwood Flooring & Laminate Flooring as a new sponsor of ::Surroundings::! Columbia specializes in hardwood and laminate flooring and they have a wide selection of beautiful floors in both! Their hardwoods are locally grown, harvested and crafted here in the United States and the laminates have taken design cues from their premium hardwood flooring and found inspiration from the finest ceramic and slate tiles - and replicated those beautiful looks for an affordable flooring option. Columbia Flooring makes it easy for its customers to do their part for the environment when selecting new hardwood floors or laminate floors for their homes. While a lot of companies talk about being green, Columbia Flooring demonstrates environmental leadership in every step of the process.

Some styles that caught my eye:

Coral Embers Cherry - engineered hardwood

Amelia - Roan Maple engineered wood

Cascade Clic - Evening Mist laminate

Augusta Oak - Cider Oak laminate in 3" or 5" planks

You can visit Columbia's website here and their Facebook page here, which shows many images of their wide variety of flooring options.




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Friday, April 24, 2009

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

[click on images for detailed view]

As I sit in all the gloriousness of the Trianon Antiques showroom here in the Boston Design Center, I wanted to share images of some of the mirrors that they have brought over from France. Every where you look - each mirror is more glorious than the last! I feel like Marie Antoinette in Versailles, without the big dress and high hair!


Speaking of Marie, this painted Louis XVI period Trumeau mirror has a classic shepherdess and shepherd painting on the top - she's playing the flute so I'm especially partial to this piece! The frame is painted a slate gray, with gilded detailing including urns, ribbons and bead and reel edging. The mirror is old mercury glass. Dating to 1780.


This Trumeau mirror is newer, dating to the late 19th century. It's large at 66"h x 50"w. It has neoclassical detailing and is painted a dark matte green. The carving at the top and roping along the sides of the mirror are really finely detailed with swags and urns, truly befitting it's classical roots .


This smaller mirror dates to 1700 and is in the Louis XIV style. The beveled glass is newer.

This is a Rococo style mirror in the Louis XVstyle, dating to 1880. Very femine - wouldn't this look amazing in a ladies dressing room or master bathroom over a vanity?

This is a giltwood mirror in the Louis XVI style dating to 1880.

This is a Empire period painted trumeau mirror with neoclassical detailing, including winged cherub, in dark green and gold. It dates to 1810 and is made of wood, with gesso, paint and mirrored glass. Very refined and, as compared to some others of this style, fairly restrained in design.


This is an unpainted waxed Boiserie Trumeau mirror with a hunting motif. It's in the Louis XVI style, dating to 1790. It's really interesting to see this style of mirror unpainted, as it shows off the carving work nicely.

This beauty is a Louis XV style Trumeau mirror dating to 1750. It has a painted border in a beautiful blue/green with gilded engraving around the mercury glass mirror. It's large 60"h x 30"w. It shows its age around the edges (wouldn't you if you were 259 years old?) but the gilding is to die for!

Ah... the mirrors are my favorites. No, wait, the sconces... the bureaus... the porcelain... so much more to come!



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Do you know what this is? Contest time!

So, any idea what this decorative item is called and what purpose it served? The first to answer will receive their choice of a design book from my library.

Hints: This type of item dates back to Greece circa 500BC and was used for a specific purpose. This pair above is circa 1880, France, in the Louis XVI style. They are made of solid burgundy-colored marble with prominent white veining, gilt-bronze mounts and separate covers; neoclassical detailing with floral garlands, swans, ribbons and acorn tops.





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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Shop Girl in the lap of luxury

My friends Diana and Scott, owners of Trianon Antiques here in Boston, are packing their bags to head to France and have asked me to watch over their fantastic Boston Design Center showroom while they are away. Talk about a cushy job! I am sitting here amidst some of the most gorgeous French antiques!

They have a specialty in antique chandeliers and sconces, which I've purchased for clients, but really, everything is too amazing for words!

I plan on doing a series of posts while I'm here on some of my favorite things, their provenance, etc. But, for today, I'm going to showcase some of their items on 1st Dibs.

How glamorous are these sconces?? The amethyst and smoked glass crystals are just amahzing!

France,Circa 1880
Pair of nice French gilt-bronze three-light sconces in the Louis XV style, with clear crystals, as well as some amethyst and smoke-colored crystals.



Everytime I walk by this jardinier I just want to touch it - the detail work is so fine.
French Marquetry Jardiniere France
Circa 1870
French jardiniere with gilt-bronze mounts, petite-point floral marquetry flower, and original tin liner. Beautiful form, in the Louis XV style.



And I have been coveting this coffee service ever since I first clapped eyes on it... I may have to have a little tea party for juste moi while I'm here...

Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Service with Napoleonic Emblems
France, Circa 1870
Old Paris porcelain coffee service with gilded Napoleonic emblems, including bees, stars and laurel wreaths. The set includes a coffee urn with cover, creamer, sugar with cover, and ten cups and sauces -- 25 pieces in total. The pieces are signed, probably by the person who painted the ornaments.


Oh, and if you're in the Boston area - stop by and say hi!




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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sponsor Love: Welcome Arcadian Home Decor

I'm so pleased to welcome Arcadian•Home as a new sponsor of ::Surroundings::! Arcadian•Home offers a wide selection of transitional style decorative accessories for the home.

I am totally loving this Time Zone clock!
Time Zones Clock

A little soothing sound for your back yard:

Kenroy Costa Bravia Outdoor Water Fountain


A little something to serve the lemonade on:
Harris Marcus serving tray

And a little sparkle for the wall!
Uttermost Raindrops Mirror


Arcadian•Home has a little something for every style!


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