Antiquing Finds & Tea with Barbara Barry

I'm so excited to share a couple of the items I found when I stopped in to a (new to me) local Antique Shop, Harvest Antiques in Hampton, Otario. They have 18,000 square feet of antiques spread out over 2 barns (2 floors each) as well as another building with the 'girly' stuff and chandeliers.


I usually try to avoid Antiquing because it can become very expensive for me...very quickly.


But I was good today and behaved ;) 


I'm head over heels in love with the tea cup and saucer I found. They are marked Bell Fine Bone China England. The deets I've found: they where made in Staffordshire by Shore & Coggins of Longton, who also produced the Queen Anne Mark, who produced from 1911 to 1966. The mark on the bottom of my sweet new set predates the mark in use from 1936-1966. But what I love about them is the pink coral pattern and doily edging. 

How cute is that pattern?!

My second find is the interesting plate under my tea set. Again, I love the pattern. It is so unique. I don't know if it is for decorative purposes only but that's ok. I'm planning on using it for display. 


The deets on the plate:
Mark is 'Ridgways England, Royal Semi Porcelain' which was manufactured by Bedford Works, Shelton, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent (my guess this is somewhere in England). The date for the mark as it is on my plate was used from 1912 on...till I don't know when.

Isn't the pattern great?! I love the black and white graphic used in combination with the illustrations of India. The photo doesn't do justice to the pink sky. 


I enjoyed a cup of licorice spice herbal tea as I worked on this post. I'm going to have to get myself a box of Barbara Barry's new tisane (an herbal tea) Citrine which she created for Tea Leaves. I was fortunate enough to enjoy a cup of Citrine with Ms. Barry when I was in NYC for BlogFest2011. Citrine is outstanding!


My camera battery died just as I met Ms. Barry so I couldn't get a photo although another designer was kind enough to take one for me. Just as soon as I get a copy of it I'll get it up. Till then...you'll have to take my word for it ;)

Elle Decor Modern Showhouse Beneficiary: Housing Works

Housing Works, the beneficiary of Elle Decor's The Modern Concept Showhouse, is a wonderful organization. Their Motto says it better than I could:

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.

I was in the Gramercy Housing Works Thrift Shop on the Saturday before Kravet's BlogFest2011...I'd won a pair of never worn Chanel kitten heel pumps in blush and pink

through their on-line auction...and was so inspired by the work accomplished by the volunteers that I donated $120. I also picked up my Chanel's; I'd won them for $93! In case you don't follow pricing on vintage designer shoes: used Chanel's go for about $200. So my winning bid for New vintage Chanel pumps...was a huge score!

Unfortunately they are a little too wide for me :( but it was for a good cause. I'll likely use them in my dressing room as a display...with the Cole Haan Clutch I found in a basket of small clutches in the shop!

Yes I do have a new DSLR but iPhones are uber convenient!

Clutch was $15 - craziness I tell you! I also got a gold suede Coach wristlette...envious yet?!

The rug you see under the shoes/clutch is a wool Madeliene Wienrib I picked up from ABC Carpets. I love the unique print and the colours are perfect.

You can shop Housing Works online...they offer everything under the sun as well as auction items.

BTW, the furniture you can find in their Thrift Shops is unbelievable. Don't believe me? Take a look at the window display the day I was there:

Prices are out of this world...in a good way!

If you have the opportunity to stop in to a Housing Works take it because stock changes daily. Greater NYC has 13 locations; 10 of which are in Manhattan.

Please share what you find with me. I'd love to see your purchases and will blog your fab style! Because as you know, the find is exhilarating but it is in the gushing of others that you truly get to revel in your greatness!

A few more photos I took while in the Gramercy shop:

Raul, at the Gramercy shop taking my donation. He was as thrilled with my Chanel pumps and Cole Haan clutch find as I was. Very lovable guy!

Oh The People You Will Meet: Day 1 of BlogFest2011

Without a doubt what made the Kravet - Lee Jofa BlogFest2011 event for me was the people in the design industry who I was fortunate enough to get to chat with. 


Highlights of Day 1 for me were:
Scot Meacham Wood

Scot Meacham Wood with Kravet's Jennifer Powell

I had the opportunity to chat with Scot a couple of times. He is so fun loving and easy going. Add to that his unbelievably diverse design talent and you've got one fabulous package! Scot was attending BlogFest2011 with us but I've got him on this list of Design Talent.

Karen Marx

Elle Decor's Karen Marx with Jennifer Powell

I hit the jackpot at Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House. Editors, designers...I got some quality time with them all! I took the photo with Karen Marx from Elle Decor while we were chatting in the Office designed by Oliver M. Furth. We were loving the details of the room. To find out what those details are you'll have to come back and read my It's in the Details post. ;)

Marie Turner

Marie Turner in the Master Suite she designed

Marie Turner did an incredible job with the Master Suite in the first apartment at Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House. The suite included the en-suite bath, walk-in closet as well as the bedroom. I could have moved in instantly! Turns out not only is Marie beautiful but also a very lovely woman who was excited to share her sources for the room. I was stunned when she told me she was only 26 years old. We will be seeing much more of Marie's work in the future as she is a very bright star in the the design universe.


Future post, It's in the Details, is where I will give you insight in to the rooms at The Modern Life Concept House...stay tuned for the deets on Marie's Master Suite!


Aurélien Gallet

Aurelien Gallet

Aurélien Gallet, formally trained as an Art Appraiser is originally from France. He came to the USA about 8 years ago. Aurélien has over seen huge projects around the world working for 2 of NYC's top interior designers, Juan Pablo Molyneux and Robert Couturier before finally deciding in the last year it was time to strike out on his own. He's already got 3 Showhouses (Elle Decor's The Modern Living Show house, Kips Bay Show House and he is the Hampton Designer Showhouse in Southampton! He's also on Elle Decor's 5 Designers to Watch list.



Aurélien has no fear of stepping out of the box. With The Modern Show House he was limited in what he could do with the existing features of the Master Suite. To compensate for the inability to rework the space he had the walls upholstered in velvet (Lelievre Paris' Yeti in Truffe & Trianon in Blue) to create a feminine cocoon. Ideally, he would have moved/removed walls.


I've got some insight to the unique selections of art and antiques Aurélien used so stay tuned to my It's in the Details post where I'll reveal Aurélien's inspiration and thought provoking selections! 


It was a pleasure chatting with him but because he was shy about having his photo taken...I forgot to sneak one when he was not expecting it. P.S. Fabulous french accent, funny and tall, Aurelien Gallet is one hot commodity...err, designer. =)


That's just the first day of the people I met!

Kravet's Blogfest2011 1st Post....

I returned home from NYC and Blogfest2011 last night. I have over 500 photos (after deleting  blurry/redundant/unflattering shots). I was going to watermark before posting them on Picasa but I think I'll simply upload and trust in receiving link love...and I must say, the bloggers I just spent the last 4/5 days with are amazing at sharing the love!


*Update: Day 1 of BlogFest2011 is now available: 





Everyone I met was warm, open and enthusiastic. We were over the top excited about all the plans Kravet had for us and just as enthused to be sharing it with like minded design bloggers. We all left BlogFest2011 with at least 100 potential blog posts and I for one can't wait to read my fellow blogger's posts recapping the week in NYC.


This particular post of mine has no 'subject' per say. It is simply a Thank You to Beth Kimless Greene of Kravet who conceived, laboured and birthed Blogfest2011 and to thank the Kravet Family who where with us each and every day to share their experience and knowledge of the design elite in North America. 


Beth along with Jeniffer Powell blew us away with the agenda they set for us. I will be posting for the next...who knows how long about the wonderful and professionally rewarding week I had in NYC.

BlogFest2011 House Beautiful Luncheon

Live Today @ Hearst Tower

This Decorator/Design Blogger is Live in NYC @ Hearst Tower. You can tune in by clicking the banner below: 

http://www.livestream.com/blogfest2011

Be there with me mes p'tit Chous

*bisous*

Kravet Has Me Feeling Blue

Yesterday Kravet hosted a Social Media Event for Designers and Decorators out of the Designers Walk Resource Centre. Jennifer Powell, Kravet's Social Media Coordinator from NYC opened the morning with an overview of how important FB, Twitter, LinkedIn & Blogging are in the business of design. I've been tweeting (off and on) for a couple of years and blogging for a few years but I still took away some valuable information. 

After Jennifer's presentation Toronto Designers Meredith Heron and Lisa Ferguson joined her on stage for a panel discussion on Social Media. I'll go out on a limb here and say every single person in the room realized the potential boost social media can bring to their business after hearing Meredith and Lisa's excellent examples of how they've personally benefited.

As dry as it all sounds, it was all about social media after all and not one Kravet fabric was seen, it was a ton of fun and there where many laughs...at and with Meredith. Teasing Meredith...we all stalk admire Stephen Drucker! 

Click image to view.

1.     Kravet Couture: Interpretation

2.     Kravet hand tied area rug: All Over Suzani

3.     Kravet:

        -  Delta Sofa with brass caps

        - Kravet silk upholstery fabric for sofa

        - Kravet piping cord for sofa 

        1st Dibs:

        - Cocktail table

4.     Kravet:

        - Murcia Chairs

        - Kravet blue silk upholstery fabric for chairs

        - Kravet contrast piping cord for chairs

        1st Dibs:

        - Large brass palm trees

        - Seahorse side table

        - Globe

5.      Kravet gold leaf glass insert console table

         1st Dibs gilded coral table lamps

6.      1st Dibs copper crayfish

         1st Dibs crab dish

I wanted to thank Kravet for the great day but wasn't sure how until I saw the pillow at the top of this post. The board above is inspired by the pillow and features Kravet furniture, rug, fabric and trim for a sophisticated living room...somewhere where it is summer year round and has a view of the ocean and a sandy beach out the windows. 

Thank you Kravet for the inspiration!

Kravet items are available to the trade. Contact me if you'd like help creating a your dream living room!

Defining What Inspires You

Just looking at what inspires me for my ensuite/dressing room. The ensuite it ready for the radiant subfloor. Yay! But I've not ordered it yet. Boo! But the tile is ready and waiting at StoneTile. Yay! But I haven't found a source for the distressed mirror wall. Boo!


But I've got lots to do this week including tomorrow's Designer's social media event at Kravet. 


Kravet's social media coordinator extraordinaire, Jennifer Powell, is going to be in Toronto & Montreal spreading the word, to Designers, the benefits of having an online presence. If you didn't already know, Kravet has a great blog you need to Follow called Inspired.Talk. , has a Facebook Page for you to Like and of course you will find them Tweeting all kinds of beautiful and useful info!