Antique Style

Office Update with Paris Map on a Budget

2012-01-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

I have been working on staging the office off the entryway. I have a wall that I really don't want to put furniture on the map wall, but I didn't like a blank wall. My solution was a $69 map. It is a map designed by Turgot in 1739--so it is pre Hausmann.

It comes in 25 pieces that you have to tape together. I've read on the internet how to print them out and trim them--but for $69, this seems like quite a deal. You can read about it on Pigtown Design's blog, and even download the map.

The detail is quite nice. It is nostalgic for me as we went to Paris quite a bit when my husband was working. I think he was there every other month, although my daughter and I would join him once a year. When my nephew was 12, he went with us. He would scare me by standing too close to the trains. We still giggle about him sawing his pizza in a Louvre restaurant with a plastic knife. He wore out the blade, so we finally let him pick it up and eat it with his fingers (much to the amusement of the french lady at the next table). What fun we had!

Back to the subject at hand....

Some of my other projects in the office were: covering books with script paper, and I got some moss balls which looks great with the pale green walls of the office. Confessions of a plate addict wrote about some great deals on moss balls from the dollar store. Alas, none in my town.

Moss ball is sitting in a lovely old piece of Moore Bros porcelain. It is from the 1870's. Moore is very distinctive because the porcelain is very fine, and (fragile) tends to have cherubs with some kind of fauna/flora. Cactus are the most common, but I have one with hydrangeas.

The office is off the entryway, and we had a second office in the basement. This really didn't look like a functional office, but a great collection of antiques. The downstairs room need the modular furniture removed so we could strip the wallpaper. Below is a "before" photo.

Office "Before" the great furniture move

Office "After" the big move

Moving the modular office furniture took a day. We had to unload it and figure out how to get these units up the stairs. Unfortunately, we spent quite a bit getting nice, solid cherry. Being married to an accountant and being a computerholic myself, purchasing modular furniture seemed like a great idea years ago. It really is very functional, but not my first choice in decorating. The great part is you can have it installed without a carpenter moving in, building a custom library. THAT would have been my first choice. Wouldn't this look great as a built in library? Oh wait, that's what the owners had in here when we bought the place...except it was a complete nightmare with amateur cabinets. We tore it all out in 1985...... My husband says someday the house will look just like it did when we purchased it. (Except I don't think I'll ever own the fabulous Astor breakfront that was sitting in the dining room!) I didn't put all of the modular furniture in the new office. I had desks all across the window, but decided I like to walk to the window, and other people might like that too.

I've added a center table, which is actually quite handy in addition to looking good. There is a swedish mirror to the right, which I wrote about here in November. I have an oil painting next to it, but I'm not really happy with it there. I feel like I want a set of 4 prints next to it--I just need to find the right prints. (That will be my next mission.)

There is a second door-to the right that goes to the kitchen (and garage, and staircase)

Almost all of the accessories came from estate sales, with the exception of the mirror and a chair, which came from an antique shop and show, respectively. Below is a bronze camel lamp with some green antiquing or patina. That was $45. I added the riser and linen shade. The shade was probably that much.

Estate sale lamp

The drapes in the room are my favorite, even though they are years old. They are done in a chintz fabric by Mario Buatta. I wish I could still get this fabric.

Mario Buatta chintz fabric drapes and
an estate sale staffordshire cottage $150, and fancy bracket $65

For some reason, I love portraits. I don't know why. Instant relatives? Someday I'll share my favorites. I notice that portraits of women and children are more expensive than men. Ugly people don't cost as much either, hee hee.

Estate sale painting $300 is a copy of a famous painting. The face is nicely done, but look at those
spider hands! The hands always give it away! I suppose I should have that hole repaired...

This edwardian chair was found at an antique show. The needlepoint above it is one I made.
The chair was expensive, I can't remember how much, maybe $4-500?

I love painted and inlaid furniture. This chair is 1900-1920. That ribbon with swagged flowers,
who can resist?

The needlepoint is a copy of an antique beaded piece I didn't win on Ebay in 2003.
I thought it was an interesting subject, so I decided to do it myself. I used an interlocking mesh canvas, 12 stitches per inch, with Appleton wool. My favorite wool, a great value compared to all the fancy yarns available today. The frame was from an estate sale $65. I didn't put glass on it, because I don't like the glare.

This is the original photo that I copied. The entire piece was done in beaded needlepoint.
Wish I'd bid higher. The piece was from Germany.

Victorian needlepoint chair. I love the color and thought it was an interesting design--not to typical. It came out of an estate sale less than a mile from my house. It was $250, and I complained that I overpaid. It's very sturdy and comfortable as a blogging chair!

I hope you've enjoyed my office redo. The very pale celery green wall paint is Sherwin Williams 6414 Rice Paddy. I'd strongly advise you to do samples. That was my third color. We live in the NW where it is cloudy and dark every day, so color is important. This shade really is quite lovely, even Mr. Antiquestyle loves it. The room faces north and needs lights on most of the time. The color couldn't be better! I don't say that too often!

The estate sale items were "shopped" from other rooms in the house. If it had a hint of celery green, it came to the office. I should go to more estate sales, but with the price of gas, and horrible traffic, I've been preferring Ebay. I hope I've encouraged you to do some antiquing to add something interesting to your rooms.

Now I'm off, I have wallpaper to strip out of the old office!

OMG, isn't this scary! I've loved my red office, but it's been about 20 years. I hunted for photos and this was the only pictures I could find of the old office. The glass went to auction, we had too much and lost interest in it. One of these days I'll have to do a post on displaying a collection!

Wish me luck. Dif wallpaper remover is my best friend. Our realtor should be happier with both rooms. Have a great week and .... Happy Antiquing!

Updating the Bedroom - Antique Textile & New Quilt!

2012-01-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a few weeks since I've last posted. Most of the decorations are put away, and I'm thinking about other things. When you grow roses, there are several hundred that have my name on them...calling to be pruned back. The weather in the NW is not cooperating, so I've turned my attention indoors.

So I'm continuing to work on updating the Washington house. The paint redo last month in the kitchen is growing on me a bit, but I'd still like it a darker color to complement the counters. The office is almost done, but this weekend I did a quick fix in our bedroom with new bedding. I got to thinking-- I purchased the bedding for an apt. in Philly in 2004! How time flies. I think it's time to splurge for something new.

I hunted around for old photos of our bedroom, pre "moving all the clutter out", and found this:

Excuse the sloppy made bed--must be the lousy maid service...
the towel on the bed is for our cat who liked to sleep on towels.

We moved the highboy out of the room as it "takes up valuable visual space" (per stager, house is for sale). Post-stager, the room looked like this:

How did I miss the messed up dust ruffle?

We kept all the seafoam bedding. The bedding is lumpy because of those down comforters--it really looks too sloppy.

Added a new white quilt. I'm liking the fresh look, and introduction of a neutral. There was too much color before--the walls, dust ruffle, drapes....Should I replace the dust ruffle with a neutral check? Hmm.

I also removed the lumpy comforter. I remember Bunny Williams wrote about using something that is heavy enough to make a nice smooth bed. She's definitely right on that one. I like to use antique matelasse or trapunto coverlets, but king sizes are hard to come by, so this one works. I really wanted to make this room seem more spa-like, and not scare anyone who is looking at the house. It looks inviting to me!

(So what to do with the pile of "dead" lumpy down comforters in the attic? I wash old down pillows in my washing machine & dryer, and then cut them to size for comfy throw pillows for the sofa. )

I have 3 rows of pillow, plus a lovely aubusson "snake" pillow.

The "snake" pillow.

The aubusson pillow is a reproduction. Antique textiles are wonderful, but they are expensive and fragile. Using a reproduction is perfect for my needs. The antique here is the framed embroidery fragment over the bed. I swapped it out for the oil painting that was more of the same color as the walls. This fragment has the perfect antique patina the room needed.

French metallic embroidery fragment

This is one of my favorite pieces of embroidery. I framed it in a period frame, mounted on silk. I suspect this was on the back of a chair at one point. As with all silk, it is fragile and has splits in it. It is really tough to use for pillows given the fragile condition.

You can tell I'm nuts about antique textiles. I have two over the nightstands that have to go now. Maybe I'll move the bigger one on the right to be over the bed. I'll share the closeup of that one soon. I should move those now that the room has been "emptied". There's always tomorrow.

Covering Books With Script Paper

2011-12-20T23:51:00.000-08:00

In trying to clean up for staging my study, I decided it was time to deal with the books. The room is dark and the old leather books seemed visually heavy. You see many trendy book covers that are very plain. They can be linen or paper. Below are some photos from Restoration Hardware.

The photograph below reminds me of a project my daughter told me about. She helped a friend stage an apartment and used brown paper sacks to make dust jackets. It would be so easy to use a wax seal to embellish your work. Below is a photo from Restoration Hardware.

From Restoration Hardware. I love the wax seal!

Juniper Books has many books to choose from. I love this one:

From Juniper Books. Isn't this soo clever! It's pretty artistic to me!

There are some wonderful sources for beautiful vellum look books. The real thing is quite expensive--an antique vellum book can easily have you let go of several hundred $$. Click here for an article Willow Decor did on antique vellum books. The reproduction books also look nice for a fraction of the price. I googled script vellum books and found these two sources:

E. Lawrence LTD.

http://www.booksbythefoot.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=99

While I'd love to buy some of these beautiful reproduction books, I'm afraid I don't feel like spending the money to do a bunch of books in my library - I'd need about 200 books! Someday I'd like to purchase some of the "books by the foot" for my pretty antique secretary.

I thought perhaps I could copy some old documents and make some interesting dust jackets for books that way. It seemed like alot of work, and I haven't gotten around to it. I then found this paper on Ballard Designs. It is called Document Gift Wrap, and it is $24 for 3 10-foot rolls.

I wrapped a few books -- and now have a trendy shelf of books. It's perfect! The shelf looks cleaner and less cluttered. I also was going for a lighter look. The 33" shelf below shows you how much one roll would cover. The tallest books took a 10" high strip of paper.

Ballard Designs Document Wrapped Books

I'm off to continue working on the bookcase--and staging all those shelves! In addition to doing the books, I thought about papering the back of the bookcase instead.

I hope someone else will enjoy my inexpensive decorating tip!

Fabric for Wingback

2011-12-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to the upholsterer. I selected a fabric for the wingback chair.

In the running was a Schumacher fabric:

This seemed kind of old-lady ish to me!

The Highland Court Fabric, always a better cost selection:

Same problem as #1, and it had too much yellow in it.

Groves Bros,

It turned out to be too dark. I don't have a nearby showroom, have to send away for more colorways.

Bennison,

This was the runner up

and a Brunschwig fabric.

The Winner!

The winner was chosen because it is the softest effect, pattern wise. The project is this really old wingback. It's English in origin, and looking at the frame dates from the early 1800's, or earlier.

What a sad mess! Can you believe I see potential in this?
The huge wings on the side are really fun!

If the fabric looks familiar, it is because it was in the April '11 issue of Veranda.

April '11 Veranda, design by James Michael Howard

The fabric is on the valences. I really like the effect of this. The Bennison fabric was a more crisp design, and at the last minute I thought I'd go for a more subtle design.

Unfortunately, the fabric is thinner than I'd like, I'll see if the upholsterer thinks it should be knit-backed. I've never done that before, I usually just pick a fabric that will work.

I had written about the original upholstery that would have been on the chair here. However, I didn't feel like spending the money for a Chelsea Editions fabric.

This would have been a cool choice too!

Off to battle the traffic!

Merry Topiary Christmas

2011-12-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

There's nothing that says Merry Christmas like a topiary reindeer.

They don't eat your roses either! Wrap one up and send it prancing over to my house!

Pinecone Deer

2011-12-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

I was out shopping and stumbled across a pinecone deer in a store window. It actually is a dik dik, made completely out of pinecones.

I came home and hunted around on-line, and I found the artist!

Here's the website, Catherinegreenup.com, and a better photo.

Some of the other photos on the website were really fun!

I wanted to take the little dik dik home for decoration, but the $1680 price tag meant it stayed in the store. I guess my deer won't have a companion this season. However I did get to enjoy a beautiful piece of art!

Needlepoint Christmas

2011-12-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

I just pulled out a needlepoint pillow I made. It is probably the only modern canvas I have used. I love the effect of a sampler with a happy reindeer bounding through it!

Winter Sampler - by Birds of a Feather

I think I should take the fringe off the pillow for a fresher look. I might even put a trim of toile instead of gimp.

Stay Warm!

Stockings, Nutcrackers and Mohair Snowmen

2011-12-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Some of our favorite things about this time of year is pulling out family christmas collections. With a German background, we like collecting many handmade christmas items. My favorite collection is our Steiff snowman collection. They are the cutest mohair snowmen! Steiff comes out with one almost every year. Every time I get them out, I have to giggle about how it all started.....My husband left my daughter and I to entertain ourselves in Munich. We were to meet up with him by taking a train to Paris later that week. When he opened his suitcase of casual clothes...it was filled with teddy bears and snowmen!

Between a trip to Rothenburg and Katha Wolfart, and the huge sale at Kaufhof in Marianplatz, we wound up putting Steiff creatures in dad's shoes, and every nook and cranny in the suitcases. It was great fun! (My husband keeps saying, if only I didn't have to share my doll with my 5 sisters while growing up, I wouldn't have buy many toys as an adult!)

This year they are standing guard over the cute needlepoint stockings....

Russian Santas are standing on each stocking holder. They were a souvenir from a trip to St. Petersburg.

Cutest Quimper Couple Needlepoint Stocking! I purchased at Pierre Deux
in Carmel after Christmas last year. (I'm so sad that they are bankrupt... )

My daughter wrote a guest blog about her nutcrackers that she pulls out for Octoberfest here. I thought that I should try to limit my collecting to shepherd nutcrackers. My favorite ones are by Ulbricht.

Shepherd Nutcrackers

My daugher has a collection of santas with reindeer. Isn't this one cute!

She has this one on loan to me for the holiday--the beautiful white Santa

Ulbricht White Santa in Center

We were in Gumps on Sunday and spotted this nutcracker by Ulbricht. Isn't he cute! OK, maybe I need to start another collection!

And for my favorite wall decoration, who can resist this reindeer? He is about 5 feet tall, and traveled half way across the country to settle at home with me.

I must continue my hunt for boxes of decorations. We really enjoy all the handmade German ornaments. It is a way to enjoy the holiday with craftsmanship reminding the family of the old country.

Fresh Look with Kitchen Paint

2011-12-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

Before the holiday, I posted that I was painting the kitchen. Well, we finished the job, jumped in the car, and left. We have been gone so I have to rely on photos I literally snapped as we were walking out the door.

The reason we decided to paint was that the house didn't seem to flow very well. The kitchen had a toile wallpaper that was an aqua shade with the adjoining room in a stripe. I really love the color, and it is very cheery in anotherwise dreary climate. For those of you who haven't lived in the northwest, we only get 60 sunny days a year!

So I decided to do 2 shades lighter than the paint on the main floor. Looking from the living room, through the doorway, you see the contrast I am talking about.

The color is brighter than the contrast shown above. I thought that going with a lighter shade of the living room would make it flow better.

"Before" with 2 different wallpapers

After is below.

Freshly painted walls, and moved island. I couldn't decide whether I wanted an island, so I made it so you can move it. I'm thinking I should change the cherry barstools. Perhaps something black? I love black in a room, and tend to do it with trays.

I love my cabinets. They were made by my dad who is 83 now. He copied a Smallbone kitchen photograph for me, how sweet is that!

Yes, I know the photo over the chest is too big. The problem is I keep moving furniture to the other house
as this one is for sale, and I forget to move the photos. This will have to do til I get back.

On the paint color: I went 2 shades lighter than the living room.

Living Room Color - BM Richmond Gray

Kitchen Color - BM Misty Air

The color on the walls looks yellower to me. I checked the sample and it does match....but that does show the difference in what happens when you add the variable of lighting.

At night, the color looks a little more intense, but not by much.

Wall color at night

The color seems to be more complementary to the granite on the counters. Check out my nice Thermador wall oven. The first time I turned it on, it didn't work. I was in trouble because I was out of warranty...hee hee, that meant that I hadn't turned it on for over 2 years! Cooking, not my favorite thing.

So why is it that I can pick someone else's colors in a flash, and my house gets loads of indecision. That's why the settee in the above photo isn't reupholstered yet. I'm waiting...

On my jaunts this past week I did manage to swing by George Smith for some Bennison fabric samples. Wish I'd remembered to pull out my camera, their showroom floor was awesome. All the upholstery was in white, so you could really see the lines of the furniture.

George Smith Chair

So should I repaint? I miss the old color. I thought about painting the beadboard the Richmond Grey color. My husband said I shouldn't touch the beadboard as all the trim on the main floor is a creamy white. I was thinking that something half way in between

BM - Abingdon Putty

The screen colors are lousy. I was thinking about going a little green-gray with November Rain, but at the last minute decided to go to the similar shade as the living room.

What do you think?

A Staffordshire Dog Followed Me Home...

2011-11-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend is a work weekend. We're stripping wallpaper that was hung in the kitchen and family room in 2003. ( I put it up for my daughter's high school graduation. Relatives came in from all over - and we proceeded to have a wonderful weekend with family. My daughter calls it her Big Fat German Graduation! )

Friday night I got the idea that I needed to change the kitchen. I stayed up til midnight, and got 1/3 done. The rest was stripped yesterday. Today is spackle & sand, and prime. We're dealing with a room that was added on 3 times since 1940, so you can bet walls are not even.

My pretty kitchen - before I destroyed it. Toile in the kitchen, blue stripe in the family room. My inspiration was those fabulous Diamond Baratta rooms. (edited per realtor, sigh)

My destroyed kitchen...

Yesterday, my husband comes in from his post office trip and says, "you're missing an estate sale a few houses down"... so off I went...., wallpaper glue sticky fingers.... and found a little poodle, who enjoyed the walk back to my house!

The Staffordshire poodle is sitting on a bunch of Marvic toile fabric samples that I am contemplating..
for something.. I don't know what, I just like them!

So when my husband asked me Friday if I was going to estate sales this weekend, and I said no, I didn't realize I would be called on to provide a good home for a homeless poodle!

18th Century George III Wingback Chair Upholstering Project

2011-11-17T01:56:00.000-08:00

I purchased a really fun chair--an 18th century George III wingback with exaggerated wings. The curves of the wings, seen from any angle, really makes this a wonderful chair. So now my project is--what fabric do I select? I could use it in 3 different living/family rooms. Colors that would go are likely to be a neutral cream/tan, blue, or red.. The 3 rooms could be one that has a country french yellow toile drape in it, a family room with brown la declaration drapes, and a living room with a coral sofa, blue would be great in there.

Finding an old chair made me wonder what it may have been upholstered with originally. After hunting around, I found a reference Judith Miller made in one of her antique guides. She says that originally these chairs were upholstered in grospoint or petitpont needlepoint.

So I started my hunt for pictures of what a wingback chair from the 1700's would have looked like. There's a website called Furniturestyles.com that had this example. (See link below to read more)

Furniturestyles.com

This beauty is on Ist Dibs - (click on the link to view ad.). Interesting floral pattern. Sort of a Jacobean influence?

Ist Dibs Chair $18,000

Another wonderful example with large bold flowers:

George II Walnut Chair, circa 1730. Christies
More of those wonderful bold flowers.

I went to my favorite website for pictures, Liveauctioneers (yes I got permission, ok to use if I put in a link), and found this --and subsequently went to the Bonhams website. Again, a lovely floral needlepoint.

Fantastic chair from a Bonhams auction - photo Liveauctioneers.com

So I checked out a few English antique websites and found more floral needlepoints. I'm assuming that the backs may be replaced?

Wakelin-Linfield Antiques had this chair. They said it is a George I period chair with most of it's original needlepoint.

A 1750's chair with later 1800's needlepoint.
Notice the background color is different from the other examples.
Not liking that. At auction.

A GEORGE I WALNUT AND NEEDLEWORK-COVERED
WING ARMCHAIR CIRCA 1715 - ($62,500) Christies.
Hmm. An interesting departure from the other florals.

I thought that I'd check out what museums have, and found this at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. -- An American chair. I totally love this back. The front is interesting, a geometric patten. Date: 1758. I find that fascinating.

Fantastic needlepoint on the back of a chair, dated Newport 1758
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Front of 1758 Chair at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The back reminds me of a needlepoint sofa-back - I'd just love having something like this. Don't you just love this.

Here's another to die for chair with a price tag equivalent to a few houses in Iowa:

Christies Auction Nov 2010 Sold for $113,000

From the Christies catalog:

A GEORGE I WALNUT WING ARMCHAIR
CIRCA 1720
With associated gros and petit point needlework, the back with a panel depicting a maiden by a well, surrounded by trailing foliage and flowers, the sides and back with plain cotton, on shell carved cabriole legs with pad feet and leather castors, some reworking to the needlework, the back seat-rail replaced, restorations to the ears of back legs

Check out the detailed stitching.

Below:

A GEORGE I WALNUT WING ARMCHAIR
CIRCA 1720
Upholstered in associated 18th century close-nailed gros and petit-point floral needlework, the back and seat depicting classical figures, on cabriole legs with pad feet

Christies Auction Nov 2010 $55,000

Here's one in an upcoming auction. I have to say this is what I think most motifs are, although most of what you see is floral, I suspect that many I see in my price range (ok, not in my range, but ones I am able to see) may be later than 18th century.

Christies Nov 2011 Auction

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY WING ARMCHAIR

MID 18TH CENTURY
With associated 18th century figural needlework covering, the back legs later and oak...

ANYONE READING want to buy me a christmas present? !!

Judith Miller said most of the antique chairs would be figural or I assume she meant like these scenic. I do love the huge flowers. Given the age of these pieces, can you imagine how bright the chairs really were? If you think about the times, I'd like to sit by the fire, curtains pulled, dark rooms, most likely, to stay warm in the winter. A bright color would be needed, don't you think?

So now that I've seen all these fabulous examples, needlepoint that is only 100 years old just doesn't have the same look:

This French chair with needlepoint looks like a later design.
It is circa 1900 from http://www.oldplank.com

So how has the design community reacted to wonderful old needlepoints and tapestries? We get stuff like this. YUK in my book after seing so many wonderful antique pieces.

From Liveauctioneers. Don't do this fabric.

There is another option: Crewel fabric. The chair below is probably the type of crewel that is available.

Chair from auction, probably not antique.

If you decide to go crewel, set the bar high. Using a colorful crewel is definitely the way to go. Often times the crewel is only used on the inside of the wing chair--I assume to save money as you can spend upwards of $500/yard for some of this stuff.

http://pontysporch.blogspot.com
Read her fun article on wingbacks.

I spotted this on Ebay, one of my favorite dealers who carries textiles has this in her house: She is spot on, having found a wonderful tree-of -life crewel fabric. Don't you just love how the pattern fits on this chair? Wonderful! I would love to find something like this for my chair!

from a favorite eBay dealer: rivervalleytextiles. Click here to read her bio, and read about this project. (Check out her listings, she has the prettiest pictures. Plus she gives you great tips on care and collecting of textiles.)

Chelsea textiles makes a dynamite option $510/yard wholesale.

OK, so I don't have any connections to get crewel on the cheap, haha. So what other fabrics are an option?

After checking out all those wonderful English chairs, I thought I should check out what you see on American chairs. I immediately thought of Colonial Homes, and how you saw two things: plaids or damasks. Talk about two extremes. Both are really strong statements, I think... Here are two plaid examples:

This is actually more historically correct--most of the chairs did not have a cushion, and if it did,
it was a thin cushion.

Another example of a blue plaid chair.

Probably more historically correct - no bottom cushion, according to other reading.
Then I read that they sat on plump pillows. HMMM, this is confusing. What do you think?.

(FLAT CUSHION DIVERSION) Here's another chair with that flat cushion.

This chair is interesting--it has the flat cushion. The photo is a bit blurry--
I can't really tell if it is a tapestry or chinoiserie fabric. Bonhams auction

So I checked out alot of photos on historic wingbacks in the U.S. There are alot of beautiful chairs at Winterthur, the White House, and Blair House --it seems as though damask is what is used on these expensive chairs. I looked around on the internet, and found these beautiful chairs.

Interesting UK website

Isn't the chair above really awesome looking? I think the yellow fabric really looks the best, but I am pretty gutless when it comes to using yellow. Coral would work better for me than yellow.

The same website has all kinds of interesting wingbacks. I thought it would give me a good visual of what a pattern damask would look like.

Interesting channel back. I like the soft colors. Cut velvet is something that is actually "antique".

Of course if I do cut velvet, only $500/yard (guess) Lee Jofa will do.

Le Notre from Lee Jofa

But what if it winds up looking like grandma's velvet from the 60's? OK, back to damasks.

Killer green chair. But how would it look in a room? I really love many shades of green,
but this one I think would whack me over the head when I walked into a room.
Ist Dibs

I actually love this bright chair. Great pattern. I think the damask pattern needs to dominate the back, don't you?
These chairs are so big, it needs a big pattern.
Ist Dibs

I thought about blue. This one is too baby blue, I'm thinking an indigo blue. However, I am showing this one because I like the large cartouche on the chair back, works for me.

Or you could go conservative cream:

A fabulous period chair. Very formal.
Ist Dibs

Of course, my version would be less pricey than $30,000

liveauctioneers

OK, another rule, give up the arm covers. I have never liked them. No, I don't care if the chair gets dirty. The big problem with damask is that the "authentic" looking stuff is silk. I am way past doing chairs in silk, unless they're a little chair that I'm just going to look at, and never sit on. (had to qualify that)

For those who were looking for wingbacks, and got stuck reading my blog, I'll throw in some current chairs on the market, that aren't museum repros breaking the bank:

Hollyhock has this one:

I don't think I'm in a "busy pattern" mood. Could be fun in the right room.

Jacobean fabric. I always like the free flowing vines on Jacobean fabrics.
Chair on http://assemblageltd.com

Below is one from Anthropologie. It made me think, toile!

So of course I had to grab a Charles Faudree book and see what he likes.

Plaid -hmmm. Country French? or too early American?

Pierre Frey Petit Parc fabric. A nice rich bold color.

Look no further than the front cover of Charles Faudree's book.
I think this is a Groves Bros fabric. I sent away for samples.

I don't really like all toiles. I'm not really liking the chair below, I don't know why it seems flat to me.

apartmenttherapy.com

Red or blue would work very well as an option for my chair. This pattern below is lovely, very Fortuny-like.

A nice large pattern works best on such a large chair--don't go for a wimpy cartouche!

Not sure if I like the look..............

Bright red pattern. The larger the pattern, the better.
Aspire Auctions

I do like this red pattern better.............

So what would you do. My chair is like the one above. I'm getting fabric samples. Stay tuned. Feel free to chime in on opinions. I'm just so paranoid after the 80's and people putting huge floral patterns on everything...but I don't want plain linen, don't want country check, don't think I want velvet, saving that for the moss green upholstery job on the sofa. I wish there was something out there that has the feel of the fabulous old needlepoints, but it doesn't seem to exist. I would love that!

What would you pick?

Swedish Empire Neoclassic Mirror

2011-11-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

I purchased a mirror today--to add to my mirror collection... and post purchase, thought I'd do a bit of research on my new treasure.

The mirror is Empire, which can be confused with Biedermeier as they're both very neoclassic. Empire basically started under Napoleon, and influenced styles across Europe and the U.S. in the early 1800's. I was going to write up an article on the origins of Empire, but thought that this website did a nice job: Rupert Cavendish --check it out after you read my blog, of course!

Usually when you think (French) Empire, you think of furniture that can sometimes be over the top with all kinds of gilding and ormolu. Some examples I found on the internet that aren't too far over the top, and ones I like:

This mirror sold for $200 in 2010. The mirror itself was replaced, hence the bargain price. (where was I? Wow!)
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7042509

This is one at Sothebys,

This one is Italian. See how varied these are in origin? Don't you love everything in the picture!
Sothebys.com

Here's one at Christies.

Sold for $454 in 2007
Christies.com

All of the ones above have gilt ormolu on them. It's a feature in my limited world that always makes me think French or Italian.

Christies had another one I really liked. The mirror was really plain, a square. I love the cherub wrestling with the lion.

Lion and Cherub! $1,593 in 2009. Christies.com
OK, so again, they're really expensive. CHEAP compared to trumeau's though!
You can get nice examples for $200-$600.

Nick Brock at Ist Dibs has a mirror, fabulous. He attributes it to French Empire.

This fabulous beauty can be yours for $4,850. The swan is amazing!

There is a trumeau mirror on Ist Dibs that I thought was worth looking at because of the gilt carved cartouche on it. It is a beautiful basket.

French Empire, circa 1815, $8,500

I love trumeau mirrors, except you need a giant space and a wagon to haul your wallet for them. The Empire mirrors I am talking about are not the giant Pier Mirrors, they are about 45"-48" tall, and 20"-22" wide. The Swedish Empire looks more like the plain American Empire, except it has a carved wood cartouche above the mirror. It's a mini trumeau mirror, in a natural wood finish.

The antique dealer that sold me my mirror said it was Swedish in origin. I was baffled, thinking how did he know? After digging around, there's more than Swedish painted furniture...he's right!

I did a search for Swedish mirrors at live auctioneers,and here is one that is quite lovely. Quite a bargain at $400. Notice the simple lines with the very ornate carving over the mirror.

Identified as a Swedish Empire on Live Auctioneers. Sold for $400 in May 2011.

Bonhams had an interesting mirror. There was a label on the back that had P.G Bylanders, Spegelfabrik..., Gotheborg.

In a 2004 catalog, auction estimate $1,500-$2,000.

The style is closer to mine, but it has side pillars more typical of the French Empire. This one was identified as Northern European.

Sold for $900 in 2005 on LiveAuctioneers

The mirror below on LiveAuctioneers is very much like the top of mine. I really like this one!

Sold for $1700 in 2004. Prices seem to have softened alot since then, but really fabulous mirrors are still high.
What else is new?

A third one, but is much larger: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/531658

Sold for $525 in 2004

Most of the mirrors are 48" long by 21" wide. The one above is 77" x 32", but I thought it was interesting in that it didn't have the ormolu, it's wood carving. I'm suspecting that all these without ormolu may be "northern european"?

The one below has a cornucopia and wheat on it. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9125778

Sold for a bargain price of $250 in 2011

So now you've seen similar styles to what I purchased. My find is below:

(I have to giggle every time I see my reflection in a mirror for a web photo. I am reminded of the picture of a half dressed woman taking a picture of an item she's listing on ebay. It was scary!)

The wood carving is of pomegranate branches. The Romans thought the pomegranate signified marriage and fertility, and brides would wear pomegranate-twig wreaths.

The wood carving on it:

Now that I have it home, I'm looking at it...and wondering... is the wood carving upsidedown?

I think that Empire furniture is a good buy right now. I am amazed at what pieces from the 1810's-1840's goes for. Sometimes its cheaper than Victorian, and often cheaper than new mirrors. I'm not so wild about American Empire, I think it tends to be more clunky. Most of the mirrors above were 48" x 21", a narrow size, but not completely overpowering in a room.

However I do like the cleaner, plain lines that Empire often has. I was in St. Louis, and fell in love with a mirror at Clark Graves Antiques. I particularly liked this one:

I was only in St. Louis for a few days, and ran out of time. I missed this one.

It was my first introduction to Biedermeier. The 3 mirrors above are Biedermeier. I'm not sure what the difference between Biedermeier and Empire are--other than the wood color is lighter on Biedermeier. The mirror I missed out on had oromolu, not carving. I thought I'd share them here if you are considering this style of mirror.

So what do you think? Is my carving upside down? Would you consider owning a piece of Empire? Which was your favorite mirror in the article? See my article on an Empire Dressing Table, to look at other empire pieces.

I'm obsessed with antique mirrors. I have a "collection" which I wrote about here, you might enjoy reading. In the mean time, I'll fuss with where my new mirror will go. OK, it's not empire, but I'm thinking over a Georgian chest. Oops, that's sitting in the garage. That was last weekend's antique fix!

UPDATE: We turned cartouche "right-side-up"!

Country Living and Roosters

2011-11-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

So have I gone too far with a rooster topiary? Country living didn't seem complete without one! He is temporarily sitting in a raised flowerbed that is waiting for the rock face.

So much work, so little time....

Oktoberfest and Nutcrackers

2011-09-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I'm Simone's daughter and I am doing a guest post as she is traveling again.

As you may or may not know, the official Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany kicked off last week and lasts until October 3. Now, you may be thinking, shouldn't the Oktoberfest occur in October and not September? Well, yes. The official first Oktoberfest began in October 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig I to his new princess. The Germans enjoyed celebrating the marriage so much they're still celebrating. However, to take advantage of the nicer September weather, it was moved up to start in September and end in October. The wedding celebration also coincided with an older celebration of drinking the previous years' beer before it went bad. Hence, all the beer drinking.

Since I'm not in Germany, to me the Oktoberfest is a wonderful excuse to display my nutcrackers. (Ok, who am I kidding, they're up all year round...)

Personal photo- this is actually a smoker, not a nutcracker, but it said Oktoberfest on it.

Nutcrackers

The traditional wooden nutcracker dressed as soldiers and kings that are everywhere during the holidays did not start appearing until between 1800-1830 in Southern Germany in the Erzgebirge region.

Personal Photo- a Steinbach nutcracker dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing

Antique wooden nutcrackers from that era are difficult to find as people actually used them to crack nuts instead of to display on shelves. As a result, they would eventually break from use and get thrown into the fire. All of my nutcrackers are new. If I ever found an antique wooden one I would buy it right up, broken or not!

Personal Photo- another Steinbach nutcracker dressed as a wine maker

Nutcrackers used as Christmas decorations didn't begin until the Victorian era when children would receive miniature versions in their stockings. Then of course, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet played during Christmas only enhanced their image as a Christmas symbol.

Personal Photo

I leave these nutcrackers up all year long, I just don't display them front and center. Before Tchaikovsky and the Victorians, nutcrackers were left up all year long, so I am merely following an older tradition! During the holidays I move them to a more central location and then add my Santa nutcrackers in as well. I'll have to post the Santa nutcrackers later as they are very cute!

Today there are two main German nutcracker makers... Christian Steinbach and Christian Ulbricht. All of the German nutcrackers are handmade. During the holidays you can buy nutcrackers at many stores, but they are made in China and are not high quality. Plus, they just aren't as cute.

There is a nutcracker museum located in Leavenworth, Washington. Leavenworth is this picturesque little village in Northern Washington located in the Cascade Mountains. It is called the "Little Germany" because it looks like a little German village nestled in the Alps.

Photo from Wikipedia. Click on photo for link to official Leavenworth website.

It is a cute little town to visit if you ever find yourself up in the Northwest corner of the U.S.

Hopefully that encourages you to display your nutcrackers at other times other than Christmas. The holiday nutcrackers will be posted in the holidays. I hope you enjoyed the little history lesson too!!
Thanks to my mother for letting me guest post!

Fall in The Air!

2011-09-19T20:09:00.001-07:00

I've never been that good about decorating for the seasons. My daughter enjoys it very much. Here's what she has set up in her entry:

The little owls greet you when you walk in the door. You can't help but smile!

Baltimore Antique Show - Ending Summer With Fun

2011-09-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

There has been much going on this summer, but I've always wanted to attend the Baltimore Antique Show. This show was hampered by the hurricane. People were worried that the show, held in the basement next to the harbor, would flood. It didn't, but they did have an earthquake during setup. My California friends paused a moment, and then continued working. About 20 minutes later, the building was evacuated. You can tell the east coast doesn't know how to handle earthquakes. ( #1 Rule: DO NOT stand on the sidewalk outside brick skyscrapers. Those bricks can come down and kill you....)

This is the first time I've been to the Baltimore show. I've been to Miami, Philadelphia and my husband has been to Brimfield, but I tend to stay on the West Coast. The Left Coast is the best coast--for hiking, weather, etc (or life, as my daughter says)--but go to the Right Coast for antiques!

I intended to take alot of photos, but wound up not thinking about my camera or blogging. The show opened at 11 AM, and I didn't complete the first "walkaround" until 3 PM. That's unusual for me, and I can usually blow through a show in 2 hours.

On to what you want to see--pictures. I don't collect French faience, Quimper, but thought that it has a nice look. Given that I collect early transferware, it seems like a nice collecting category to pursue. So I'll think about what it is that would work for me in a collection. I like to look for unusual items in a collecting category, but ALL of these pieces seem unusual.

A wall of Faience

The next thing I thought was something I could use was the wooden plaque below. There were a pair of them. They were either European or Mexico.

Part of the Baltimore Show is a book show. I've never sought out an antique book show, but I was delighted to have stumbled into such a wonderful show. When we were first married, all I bought at estate sales were books. Who could afford expensive (ha) antiques every weekend, but a $20 bill would buy me a stack of wonderful old bindings "decorator books by the yard". I still can't pass up a nice book, however, instead of $2, it's more like $20-$60.

I took the business card of this dealer, I'll add his name when I find it...

Don't you just love all the wonderful bindings? They are works of art. Books add interest to a room. I've got them stacked everywhere. I am always amazed at how many estate sales didn't have a single book in it. How sad not to have that dimension in your life.

Wow! Check out these really old books. Homer Iliad from 1664 in Greek for $1250? Really, I can own something that old?

Check out all these wonderful books, many for $200. Wouldn't you rather own one of these than an I-phone?
(I would, and I don't have an I-phone)

I'm thinking about all the books that I see in the upscale shops like restoration hardware. You see books wrapped in plain vellum. Now I get what they were trying to copy. I'd rather save my pennies, and buy one of these!

Owning books that are hundreds of years old is like owning art--literally. This was quite an education

Of course the French Prayer Books with the embroidered tops were something I'd like to prop on the edge of my bookcase!

This was a German table from the 1700's. Being German, I think I should consider owning something like this.
Oh wait, I have one like this!

This English Penwork table has my name all over it. Never go to an antique show without a mini-van....
That's my new motto. Shipping this to the west coast would probably cost as much as the table.

This was like visiting a museum. Many fabulous pieces, so over the top to own. Can you imagine the size of room you'd need to hold this massive desk? I think this was MS Rau from New Orleans.

My husband really liked this lamp. It was very cool, you can't really see the molded glass that is a cameo like effect of a head. I think he liked it because it was for holding the dealer's business cards, not for sale. hee hee.

One fabulous booth loaded with beautiful English antiques. Close your eyes and point, you'll take something fabulous home!

I wish I'd thought about the blog and taken more photos. This booth was soo wonderful. They had many intriguing flags and I didn't even photograph the wonderful ones!

OMG! You know how much I love needlepoint! This was WONDERFUL! I want this! My husband said I couldn't have it because you can't sit on a piece like this, it would probably tear the needlepoint. Sigh. Someday....

The mosaic box was something that even caught my husband's eye. The dealer wasn't in the booth. I circled back later--his favorite box was from the 1700's, and was $24,000! Oops, not going home with it unless we win the lottery! See what I mean about feeling like you are in a museum?

Isn't this painting charming? It was $475. I thought I would come back for that, but we ran out of time, had a flight to catch, and I forgot where this dealer was. So a big hint for "possibilities"--write down the row of the dealer. There must have been 50 rows of dealers. 500-700 booths?

The two pictures above are Antique Legacy, my friends from California. They are the nicest people and OMG you wouldn't believe the fantastic clock that they sold. I'll see if I can get a photo for you.

The two silk needlework pictures were a purchase. However they never made it out west with me. My daughter in St. Louis has them. They'll stay there til next spring when I pick them up.

There were a couple of other purchases, but I wanted to share with you some of the fun of seeing the show. Next year's advice: Plan on two days to do the show. Take an empty suitcase of bubble wrap so you can take a suitcase home on the plane with your treasures.

Since I've been home, I've been wandering through listings on Ebay. I found another wonderful platter in mulberry transferware. I'm working on a wall of platters in my bedroom.

It's great to get an antique fix without spending all day on an airplane too!

German Banner

2011-08-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

In honor of making some progress on my German family genealogy project, I decided to share a German Choral Group banner dated 1886. The phrase "Manner Gesang Verein" translates to mean "Mens Singing Club". The embroidery is ornate and heavy, but some of the velvet is shredding here and there.

The style includes both elements of regency and biedermeier design often used in needlework throughout the 1800's.

I will post later about my escapades at the antique show in Baltimore.

Just in Time For School: Alphabet Sampler

2011-08-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

I've seen posts from all my friends about school starting. It made me think about my Biedermeier framed needlepoint alphabet sampler. I'm not sure what this item fall into: My screen collection, or sampler collection. I think I have about 7 firescreens.

The world has certainly changed since this wonderful sampler was made! Young girls would practice the discipline of stitching and have a wonderful accomplishment to show for it. My nieces are masters with their hands too--texting in shorthand, lol.... I wish they'd have a sampler to show for their summer's work....

I love the pastoral scene underneath the sampler. It is done in needlepoint, with a handpainted face on the shepherd. It is considered Berlinwork.

Currently, the screen lives in the uncluttered study. How uncharacteristic of me!

I'm off to Baltimore for some shopping therapy at an antique show, then swinging by St. Louis to visit my daughter. I am looking forward to it, minus the flight across the country. Have a great week!

Antique Clock Face

2011-08-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

I mentioned that yesterday was an adventure attending a small antique show. One item that I couldn't leave there was an old clock face.

The name on the front of the clock is Wright, Birmingham. There were companies in England that just made clock faces. Thanks to the internet, I found out within seconds that there were two companies that made clock faces in Birmingham:

Wright, B&Co. From 1805 - 1820
Wright, Christopher From 1835 - 1845

Clock faces can be dated based on what is in the corners of the clock. The link below talks about how to date a clock face. If there are flowers in the corner, the clock is earlier, 1770 to about 1800.

For more information about clock faces: http://www.dialrestorer.co.uk/date-painted-dials.html

I wondered what kind of clock case it must have lived in originally. I hunted on the internet for a clock case that had a similar looking dial with "Wright-Birmingham" and found the following photo:

From Liveauctioneers.com

It looks very similar to my clock face, wish they'd had a closeup. It appears there is a girl and a fence in it like mine. .

This little 200 year old gardener brightens up my day when I look at her. Notice the sheep dotting the hillside. Is this a scene out of the Cotswolds? Maybe I'll put a battery operated clock and hands on this, and tuck it in a bookshelf near the TV. Or maybe I'll just talk about how I'm going to do that someday.

Antique Patina: Antique Letters and Papers!

2011-08-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to a cute little antique show. I got there a half hour early, and still missed a few great things. One thing caught my eye was a stack of old French documents. They range in date from 1751 to 1818. It appears that some are letters of introduction. The old paper has watermarks on it, plus impressed seals. I don't know if it came with the paper, or it was added when the document was written.

I have a vitrine display table. I know alot of people use them to display fancy smalls, but today I decided to fill it with antique papers. The only thing that is missing is the old quill pen!

The papers aren't viewed best from the side, but the sight of them makes you curious!

Looks like a piece of history to me!

I hope you enjoy seeing this as much as I enjoyed buying them and putting this together. I will probably layer more items on top of them. They also would be great to copy and use for other clever things--like wrapping books, perhaps make a photo mat...Hmmm... what fun!

UPDATE!

A follower, Dr Vacuum, found that I'm not the only one interested in these pretty documents. She found them on Williams Sonoma Home, too! I was amazed that the date of 1753, is so close to the papers I have (1751-1818+)

Description from their website:

From Williams Sonoma Home

Logged by hand on November 22, 1753, these ledger pages record the transactions of a working French farm, including such everyday events as items bought and sold. Today these pages from history look romantically genteel, and our prints reproduce their graceful script and weathered paper in exact detail.

• 20 1/4" x 28 3/4" high overall
• 16" x 24 3/4" high image
• Archival giclée prints on acid-free paper
• Set behind Plexiglas and floated on an acid-free cream mat
• Italian wood frame with black stain and gold-leaf finish
• Made in the USA; frame made in Italy

Are you sitting down? $525.00

Don't they look nice framed. I'm enjoying my messy pile of them though!

French Wire Hamper on Wheels!

2011-08-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ever look for a stylish hamper and get tired of all the baskets? Yesterday I stopped by Pottery Barn with my husband. We were really just goofing off, killing time before lunch. I spotted the cutest hamper ever and had to have it.... I like to use vintage wicker laundry baskets for clean clothes, but I've never seen anything with wheels!

Photo from Pottery Barn website.

I only bought one, but I love it! You know I always want to have new things that look old. The Crate and Barrel might seem more functional given the narrow shape, but this one is really nice because you don't have to bend over to empty it. They only had one color liner, but I bought it anyway, thinking it would be easier to use it as a pattern if I wanted to redecorate. You can get the porcelain tags that say "lights", etc. but I only purchased one, so I didn't need the tag.

The only thing I didn't like about it is that it looks like rusty wire. I like the look, it's just not that functional--don't put damp clothes in it. The really cool part is--the basket collapses flat! I thought I'd share, as PB always seems to place one-time orders and when it's gone, you're out of luck.

I saw this hamper at Crate and Barrel's website.

It's function, and you could roll it down the hallway if you're like me and do 3 loads at once. I hated those cheap looking plastic wheels and it just doesn't have the charm of my new one!

Berlin Work: Creating Needlework Using Antique Patterns

2011-08-10T18:49:00.001-07:00

Isn't this a wonderful piece of petitpoint? The frame is a wonderful old birds-eye maple, the glass is wavy and has seeds in it here and there.

A closeup of the stitches shows meticulous detail. There are 360 stitches per inch. The work is a combination of cotton and silk on a linen background.

I love the subject--3 doves on an urn, with gilt bronze handles. Wouldn't you love the urn too!

I do needlepoint, and can't understand why people do all these modern designs when history is loaded full of beautiful designs. I did so many projects as a teenager and gave them all away. After I had "the empty nest", I decided that I wanted to do needlework based on historical designs.

At the time, all I could find was Elizabeth Bradley's work. I've done alot of her Victorian animals.

A kit. I modified the colors a bit.

Another kit. It's a really great piano stool used at a desk.

A design from one of Elizabeth's books. I made up the border from another kit.
I had a friend with terminal cancer who picked out the design, and looked forward to my
visit every week to see my progress. I have to work like crazy to have some "expected" progress.
I was happy to finish it before she passed away. I don't walk by it without thinking of her!

This Elizabeth Bradley sampler was made by my daughter.
The urge to do something while sitting goes to another generation..

This is another sampler kit I found. You can buy it here on Ebay for under $10

By Permin of Copenhagen
Anna Thies 1859

So you can imagine my joy when I found A BOOK that describes exactly the kind of work I like to do and collect. It is by Rafaella Serena. She wrote 3 books in all. The one below is "Embroideries and Patterns From 19th Century Vienna"

Cover

Back Cover

Pattern of above doves, From "Embroideries and Patterns from 19th Century Vienna"

Rafaella goes into detail about the style of the times--covering more than just needlework. She talks about the influence of Empire and Biedemeier on needlepoint designs. It is fascinating and worth reading. It helped me hone my collection and what I am looking for.

Yes, I made the framed needlework of the doves. I made the decision to make the roses pink, because of project #2, pictured below. I also changed the center of the urn color, I had trouble finding the right color to match that in the pattern. This was about 10 years ago, and now there are all sorts of wonderful threads, silks, etc, thanks to the internet. Lately, I've been using alot of Trio, and Silk & Ivory by Brown Paper Packages.

The linen used was special linen for samplers, about $75/yard. It was a colored linen, and this time I didn't mess with dying it with coffee or tea to give it a more aged or stained look. That is popular. I am always on the hunt for period frames and glass, as I like to use them for my projects. Sadly, I just broke a large piece of wavy glass in a frame in my move. So a spare picture frame is always nice!

However, I'm off on other things. I'm in the middle of two projects, and I'm scoping out the next two projects. I think the dove picture needs a mate:

"Someday" Project #2: This is the mate that I plan on doing next. From "Embroideries and Patterns from 19th Century Vienna"

If you want to find out more about Rafaella Serena, she has a website here. She sells some kits and patterns.

http://www.raffaellaserena.com/

You can find her books on Amazon, Ebay or Bookfinders, sometimes at incredible deals.

She wrote about the Nowotny Collection. There is a store in Vienna that sells some fine needlepoint going back in time to that original collection. They have a website. I'll be sure and go by the shop if I'm ever in Vienna!

http://www.nowotny.at/English/Welcome.html

My family didn't have any treasures passed down through generations. Wars and running for your lives has a way of making that not very relevant. After collecting other families heirlooms, I think I should make the effort to share something for future generations in a thoughtful way.

Either that, or someone will have a great $20 buy at my estate sale someday.

Do you have a favorite designer who does antique reproduction needlework designs?

Hanky Primer #3: Embroidered and Petit Point Hankies

2011-08-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!

I have written 2 previous blogs on hankies. I need to cover a few more things. I am not covering lace wedding hankies as that is a VERY complex subject. You have to know different kinds of handmade laces before shelling out $50 to $300. There are bargains to be had on eBay, if you know what you are doing.

This primer is about embroidered hankies. There is very little written on collecting embroidered hankies, and I feel that sharing a huge amount of photos is the best way to educate you on hankies. Many people are concerned about where a hanky was made. I am more concerned about the quality of what is in my hand, rather than whether it still has a label attached. However, if you're not able to judge well, buying hankies with a label is a way to start a collection.

A collection doesn't have to be 300 hankies--you can just purchase a dozen to put in that antique box. Think about your guest room. What do you have in the nightstand drawer? A box on the dresser? How about that top drawer in the dresser. Wouldn't it be amazing to open it up, and have a wonderful display of hankies in there. Think about being a guest, and you've gotten up too early, because you're on a different time zone. You've already read the magazines in the room, enjoyed the water and snack left on the desk. You don't want to disturb anyone, but every drawer in the dresser is laid out with all these gems!

Who cares if they think you're the crazy hanky lady. It's alot less work than the crazy cat lady.

Click here for Primer #1, and here for Primer #2. I do petitpoint myself, so admiring fine petitpoint and embroidered hankies was a natural extension of that.

Don't forget to click on the hanky if you want to view an enlargement.

Petit Point Hankies

I have only found Switzerland stickers on petit point hankies. They may be made elsewhere, but I've not seen other labels. The fabric used to make petit point hankies tends to be a linen or cotton lawn fabric.

The photos below have 3 hankies. The quality of all three are very high. Check out the workmanship. The edge is very well done.

Pansies are very popular to collect. Think about the Victorian era and the popular flowers then--and you'll find them on a hanky!

This is a wonderful hanky. I've shown a tiny spot in the photo, but it is inconsequential based on the beautiful work--and the fact that it is embroidered in 4 corners.

This is a combination of petit point and crewel embroidery. It is very common to combine the techniques.

This poppy is very well done. The floral spray is very large, worthy of the best collection!

This is a wonderful hanky. I sometimes wonder if a hanky with drawnwork isn't made in China. So I look for high quality work. This passes the test.

Awesome work! Iris is a wonderful old-fashioned flower.

Poppies are a popular theme too. Great quality, nice colors.

I love the fact that there is a simple rose in each corner. Nice quality.

Violets are popular, they fly out when I find them.

Wonderful made in Switzerland hanky set. I love the tiny colored embroidery. Notice the edging isn't as high quality is Madeira hankies.

Crewel Embroidery Hankies

These are made all over, from Switzerland to the Philippines. Again, look for quality in the workmanship. They are works of art, so look for the thoughtful design.

Nice work, quality embroidery. This gets a thumbs up.

I totally love this hanky. It's definitely one of my favorites! There is a border woven into the fabric,
an interesting design. I sure hope I kept this one... it's got to be somewhere.

These 3 hankies are a fine quality. The center hanky is interesting--you often find a single rose the the stem going from the center of the hanky.

This hanky says "ALL COTTON" MADE IN SWITZERLAND. It's a nice quality of heavy crewel embroidery. You can feel the difference--it is not on linen. Notice how the bouquet starts in the corner. I'm baffled as sometimes they make the spray upside down.

This one is a favorite! Don't you just love the garden scene someone did? I think this was amateur made, but very well!

This is a wonderful hanky with applique bows, and bullion technique embroidered flowers.

Beyond cute! Between the little bird and the flower faces, who could resist?
I took the label off because I washed this adorable hanky.

Fabulous quality, extremely fine work, great quality cloth. A real winner.

Very heavy embroidered pansies on a cotton cloth. It's sort of boring as the decoration is small,
but I liked the work because it is very well done.

The cloth is very distinctive--made in Switzerland. The embroidery is a nice quality. I've
seen this fabric on alot of Swiss hankies. It's almost like a mini-calico printed linen.
One caveat is that the edge isn't as nicely done, it looks machine-finished to me.

Great quality on the flowers. The stems almost have a machine look to them. Wish I had it so I could look at the back and see if there's a bobbin thread.

Interesting, looks like someone did one petit point flower, and then switched. It's a really fine quality linen cloth.

This is an interesting boxed set. They always charge more if there's a box. I got the set because I loved the birds. Isn't it cute!

Very Victorian Basket. The crewel rose is well done, as is the basket. However I don't think the flowers
are a great quality. The overall look is nice.

Machine embroidered silk flower. Really nicely done for a machine! It looks like a Royal Society Silk embroidery.

I totally love these! Any hanky with an animal is a winner for me!

Hankies with Embroidered Borders

Embroidered borders often wind up as a bridal hanky or gift. They can coordinate with wedding colors and are great for the bride that hates lace--and you can't find a monogram.

Both of these are winners. The work is amazing. Hard to find!

I've seen work like this with Madeira, Switzerland and China stickers. Look for quality work.

Similar to the 3 above.

Possibly Hong Kong? Similar to the 4 above.

These tend to be sold as Appenzell. If they have the grey pencil underneath, pretty much guarantee they're from China. These don't,
the two top ones are more elaborate expensive Appenzell.

Madeira Organdy

Made in Switzerland. Superfine quality. Check out the work that went into attaching the border. Hard to believe you can pick this up on Ebay for under $20. The original price was probably around $75.

Beautiful quality work! Swiss.

Totally fabulous border! Almost always Swiss.

Madeira Applique, Shadow-work and Embroidery

Madeira hankies are very distinctive. While they are best known for the monograms, there are some very fine floral hankies.

This has applique leaves, organdy inset--alot of work. A little funky for me.

Really fabulous high quality embroidery. Notice how the bow has an organdy insert--right through the border. I think the wheat stock is unusual. Probably has some meaning to be included in a bouquet. Notice the border. When you have a hanky that has a border woven into the fabric, it is almost always a more expensive hanky.

Fantastic hanky with embroidery in every corner. Could be Madeira, could be Swiss. The edge is hand-rolled and hand-hemmed.
You want that. Newer ones are machine hemmed.

OMG! Isn't this cute. Living in rain country (Portland, Or has only 60 sunny days/year) I had to have this one!
It's a Madeira hanky. Notice that it has a border woven into the fabric.

Has the Burmel label, made in Madeira. The most common look in Madeira floral hanky.

Slightly less elaborate than the previous Madeira hanky.

Another applique hanky. The applique rose was enhanced with embroidery to give it more of a 3D look.

Maderia 3D Organdy Applique Hankies

These hankies are really fun. Some collectors look only for these.

Really fun hanky--stuffed cherries.

This hanky had the original Madeira sticker. Tough to find. Love the grapes! Definitely a show hanky!
Isn't it wild!

I have to say this is my favorite---what an unusual motif!

Great blue roses!

Monster pink rose!

Care & Cleaning of Hankies

Sure, you can throw it in the laundry in a laundry bag. I know, most people think that's sinful. Just don't put it in the dryer. If you don't put them in the laundry bag, they wind up going the way of the missing sock. I will actually iron them while they are still damp. That's about 10 minutes out of the washer.

For serious hankies with lots of embroidery, just soak in the laundry tub for 5 minutes to 5 days in Biz. They'll come out good as new. I rinse with a bit of vinegar to make sure all the soap is out. I never use starch with linens, they say it attracts bugs. The reason I don't like starch is it gets on my iron and is nasty to clean up. If you must use starch, spray it on the reverse side of the item you are ironing. I prefer to use sizing (not as heavy as starch) if I've got trouble with an embroidered piece that isn't squaring up. Don't forget to iron it embroidery side down with a (once) fluffy towel underneath.

I don't know if I've inspired you to collect hankies. Think about carrying an emergency hanky in your purse. It can be folded up in your wallet or makeup bag. It's much smaller than a pack of tissues, and alot more durable. I'm not a blow-you-nose kind of girl, but I am a cry-baby, so even if it's a just a bad pollen day, I'm not going to dab my eyes with a pile of lint from a tissue that has started to fall apart in my purse. Besides, it dries in-between sobs, hee hee.

A vintage shoe-holder used to display print hankies.

PS. If you wonder why I've copyrighted my work, it's because I've had other collections I've owned wind up in books. Yes, it does happen.

Empire Dressing Table

2011-08-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

I am looking for nightstands and end tables for the casita we are building for my parents. After combing all the antique stores in the area, I've come up with -- nothing.

The bedroom is a bit of a problem as I have two twin beds, and would like to put a table in between the two beds. I really don't want to use a chest of drawers--they tend to be too deep. I spotted this little dressing table, and decided it was perfect. It is 18" deep, 52" to the top of the mirror, and about 29" wide.

Empire furniture dates from the early 1800's. It originated in France and refers to
Napoleon's Empire. Most Empire pieces you see are from 1810-1830. Federal
pieces from the U.S. have an Empire influence.

I was going to look for something more rustic, but then I realized my dad has a federal chest of drawers, and this could work. OK, I was a sucker for the ormolu cherubs above the front legs. It's not in the best condition, some chipping of the mahogany, but I really don't get too excited about that. It can always be repaired, and I didn't pay a museum quality price.

Dressing tables tend to be huge, and the little ones are hard to find. I took a spin through the auction houses, and found Christies had the following in past sales:

The wood is beautiful, but that ormolu is way too gold for me!

This one is a bit more like mine, not size-wise, but it has the same kind of ormolu around the mirror, and the smaller cherubs. Mine also has some on the side of the piece.

Live Auctioneers had these:

The gold heads and gold paw feet are way over the top for the room.

I'm happy with my purchase-- I like the crusty ormolu on mine.

I can't wait to get the bedroom pulled together. I don't think the beds I have will work with this.

Now what have I done? Empire headboards? Upholstered? AGGGH, the one thing worse than making a decision is having an idea that I can't execute because I can't find what I am looking for! The biggest problem in using antiques to decorate is that you are limited to what is available at that very moment.

Hanky Primer #2: More Monogrammed Hankies

2011-08-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!

I am continuing from the previous post--it got so large I needed to break it up. Why am I doing this? Because when I first got interested in hankies, I couldn't find anything on embroidered hankies. There are books on print hankies, but nothing to give you an idea of what is out there.

Monogrammed hankies require that you discern between machine made newer hankies, recent imported hankies (just look at the ones on Ebay for sale from China), and low quality hankies.

The finest quality hankies are always on a handkerchief lawn fabric--basically this is a very thin linen fabric. Sometimes it is a cotton fabric. There are hankies from the 50's & 60's, I think by Desco, that are a cotton poly blend. Normally I would say, "Pass", but actually, if you use a hanky, this blend hanky is kinder to a very sore nose. Tuck a hanky in your purse or wallet for emergencies, it takes up less room than a pack of tissue, doesn't get tattered and is a lifesaver when you need one! Many have high quality embroidery, so that is what I judge them on. They have a softer feel to them, and it smells different when you are ironing it. It is always easy to tell the differnce by the smell!

I attended a wedding last weekend, and I could see why grandma tucked a hanky in her bra...it would have been handy...except can you imagine the fun my nephews and nieces would have if they saw me do that!

There a photos on the internet of hankies used on bouquets in a wedding. Search on brides bouquet wedding hanky, you get a bunch of photo's on Google. I think Martha Stewart wrote about this somewhere. Use the hanky wrapped around a bouquet with ribbon. I'll have to do one so I'm not "stealing" anyone's photo's. Check here, I'll add it later.

I wrote Hanky Primer #1 HERE. There will be a Primer #3 in the future. The whole hanky collecting thing got started for me when I purchased an antique hanky box. It is in my guest room. What do you put in an antique hanky box if not hankies? Imagine spending the night and opening up the box and finding all these wonderful treasures to look at!

Plain and Simple Monograms

There are alot of monogrammed hankies that have a wonderful script monogram, but not a bunch of fussy embroidery. This may be a consideration for a gift for a bride. When considering a hanky for a gift, try to get the first initial. Most women would use a hanky with their first name initial, but if you're getting a hanky for a male, use the inital of his last name.

Great monogram--a little fun with the flowers--a great French style script complete with the flowers.

This is a great hanky. Very simple. It is by Marghab in their Simplicity Pattern

One of my favorite plain hankies. The workmanship is amazing.

This hanky has a smaller monogram on it. The edge is unusual, they are usually a rolled hand-stitched hem.

Is this fun or what! There are little dolphin heads on this monogram.

Purchased at the same time as the previous hanky, this was a cute hanky!

Not super-plain, but all the embroidery is associated with the monogram, very French in style.

Can you see the quality of this hanky? The drawnwork, the double monogram, simple elegant, wonderful!

The Skinny Monogram

I put these in a category by themselves. They are a good design for a gift if someone doesn't like things too fussy. A good choice after the plain monogram.

Hmmm. When I see too much grey, I wonder: Imported Hanky? It's sort of skimpy, even though it's nicely embroidered.

Test: This is a machine-made hanky. Remember to turn it over if you think it may be--and look for that bobbin thread.

This is a winner in the category. A narrow N on openwork surrounded by fine embroidery.

I like the script embroidery of this L. Just a bit of flair to "jazz it up".

The embroidery is wonderful--a double monogrm filled with embroidery on a background spray of flowers.
I love the "relaxed look" of this R.

Hankies with Embroidery on One Side

These tall skinny letters are intriguing to me. I think that they are in a class by themselves. They are a distinct style. Do you suppose one person in Madeira made all 3?

The nodding applique flower is really pretty. Unusual too.

The open cutwork making up the "D" is very nice.

Great quality. The rosebuds are very unusual!

Floral Letter Hankies

This is a distinct category--there are alot of hankies where the letters are out of flowers. Some of them are petitpoint, others crewel flowers.

I put this in the simple category--because it's just an A monogram--no extra embroidery. It was a quality hanky with a wide drawnwork hem. These tend to be Victorian. This one is AWESOME!

Not as fine a quality as the previous hanky, but still a nicely done hanky on a beautiful linen lawn hanky with a ribbon border woven in the fabric.

This M is a shadowwork M, with embroidery on top. It's one of my favorite in this category (ok, so I have lots of favorites)

Not sure what category to put this in, it is a simple E, but has petitpoint flowers around it.

A Frnch style script monogram, with petitpoint flowers around it.

Testing: Can you tell that this is a machine-made hanky? I should have photographed the back for you--that's where you can really tell. A hand-embroidered hanky will not have a second thread which comes from a bobbin--and it's usually white, by the way. Notice how the stitching isn't exact on the flowers. Looks a little sloppy even though the overall effect is pleasing.

Silk Embroidered Hankies

It seems like years ago these were super expensive. Now you can find them on eBay for really reasonable prices. I tend to sell them as wedding hankies. They are nice because they tend to be a cream color rather than a stark white, matching cream wedding dresses. I assume silk hankies are from Asia, either Japan or China.

I can't believe I sold this hanky. It's the same design on both sides. That is quite a feat if you're embroidering hankies.

A monogram hanky. I don't think this is a very high quality hanky, looks machine stitched,
except the edge has sloppy hand-stitching.

Silk hanky, more typical design that you find vs. the first one shown. Slightly higher quality than the last one, even has some drawnwork on it.

Silk monogrammed hanky. It is a higher quality than the 2 previous.
You find this type of hanky more often on eBay.
It's a nice monogram, ranges in price depending on the dealer.

Men's Monogrammed Hankies

I don't really find that many men's hankies. I suspect that is because they were used and worn out! I get alot of requests for hankies for men's tux pockets in weddings. Really tough to find appropriate ones though.

A very casual hanky with the color, but a nice large hanky with a triple monogram

Men's monograms tend to be plainer, more masculine.

A monogram in a square is pretty common in a man's hanky.

Almost the same as the previous hanky, but look closely, it is different.

Another monogram in a square "D"

A monogram in a square.
Men's hankies are great even for women--if you like to carry a hanky for use in your purse!

Personalized Name Hankies

Don't give up, you can find personalized hankies if you are looking for them. Here is a selection...some are fun, definitely Grandma's old-fashioned names.

A wonderful punchwork hanky someone has personalized.

"Amanda". This was probably done by an individual. It is well done, but it's not the heavy French script .

"Anne" is a really fine monogram. It's got the heavy padded satin stitch and multiple
colors of embroidery. The flowers are forget-me-nots, which are very common on Madeira hankies.
They are always well done. The branches are pretty skimpy though.

"Elsie" This is not a Madeira hanky. I don't really know where it is made. I have had hankies like this made in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Ireland and China.

This was a wonderful Victorian hanky. It is huge--I tend to see what you would call Victorian whitework on
larger hankies, I think they're from England or Ireland.

"Eleanor" - fabulous quality, superfine linen. Madeira.

"Gertrude" had a wonderful hanky!

"Gladys" - Simple, with a flair at the bottom

Sort of unusual to see the last initial "Joan M."

"Katherine". This went to someone with a new baby "Katherine". It falls into my "Fabulous" category.

"Lillian" Notice the extra L's worked into the design. Wonderful. It has some grey pencil. Japan? The linen is great, and the L is a fine French script. I wouldn't pass this up because of the grey pencil.

Can you tell the superfine quality of this linen? It isn't as heavy of a monogram as the "Katherine" hanky, but it's a fabulous hanky for "Margaret".

"Mary" has a wonderful hanky. A hint of grey from the pattern.

Monogrammed Hankies with Lace or Cutwork

These hankies tend to be from Brussels if they have lace. Cutwork is a Madeira trait often used. Some others are from Ireland or England.

A small monogram with an extremely fine drawnwork lace edge.

Looks like this is a Madeira Hanky. V's are hard to find even though I've shown quite a few.

This isn't cutwork, this is eyelit work, wanted to show you the difference.

This has cutwork scrolls

More cutwork scrolls, wonderful script B, with applique rosebuds.

Monogram F, a smaller monogram, with cutwork leaves in the forget-me-not flower embroidery.
I don't think this is a Madeira hanky. Looks more like an Irish or Belgium hanky.

I usually think Swiss when I see this type of openwork on the basket.
You really don't see it much on Madeira hankies.

Very well done embroidery and cutwork. It's a small monogram.

Original Brussels hanky in box. Notice the openwork / lace bottom. Look closely
at the embroidery. Can you tell the difference between this one and the ones from Madeira?

This has the Burmel tag showing it is made in Madeira.

Another hanky like the Burmel hanky above, Madeira.

The only "O" hanky I've ever seen! Olivia?

Cutwork on the border. Madeira.

Lace border hanky. Shadowwork. Madiera? HMM. Ma
kes me wonder if someone added the lace? Very professionally done if they did.

Madiera hanky with cutwork on the bow.

Very unusual hanky! Love it. I've never seen a design similar to this.

Cutwork Letter

OK, So we've viewed alot of hankies here. I want to finish up sharing a few that didn't seem to fall in the other categories.

All the Rest!

I didn't put these in any of the previous categories, but want to give you lots to look at. Enjoy. Don't forget to click on a hanky to view the larger photo.

This hanky looks like it is on cotton. The fabric is thicker. Can you tell by the photo? It's important because alot of eBay sellers can't tell the difference. In fact, sometimes I can't. A linen lawn fabric is very thin and delicate.
I really liked the colors in this one, the French style monogram gets me every time.

Great quality Madeira Hanky. Very clean crisp design.

Desco tag says Linen Madeira. Great cutwork.

You have to love those script monograms. They're the same as the fancy French sheets, only a fraction of the price!

A wonderful Victorian Hanky. This is probably an Appenzell hanky (Swiss). It is stunning!

Don't you love the way the "H" is part of the bow? I don't think this is Madeira, could be Irish.

Has a double monogram, two colors, plus some shadowwork.

A Kimball label shows Madeira. This is a very simple design with the bow and sprig. A very elaborate script K

Very simple classic "C"

These wonderful nodding flowers got to me. The label says ???? wish I could read it. It has that grey pencil
underneath, but the flowers are so cute, who could resist?

Unusual Red Embroidery. I save these for xmas.

Great M! surrounded by embroidery

Sort of modest embroidery, love the circular design.

Pink and Grey again, wonder who did this?

This is a Madeira hanky with a label showing Poly content. Remember what I said about poly. It's softer on your nose. However,
it can ball up as it ages. The quality of the embroidery is high.

Wow! I totally love this hanky design and color! Can you imagine the hours it took to make this?

A simple design. Do I see some grey under those dots?

Gee, I wish I could read the writing. The style indicates Madeira. A great hanky.
Love the N with shadowwork and heavy embroidered satin stitch.

An interesting stylized C with intricate flowers in 3 colors.

Test: This hanky says Made in Hong Kong. When you look at it you realize it is machine made.

Another hard to find letter "I". The design is a bit unusual. Definitely Madeira.

Appenzell Hanky. Design all around. Wonderful.

This hanky embodies everything I love about a Madeira hanky. The linen is wonderful, has sort of a translucent sheen to the fabric. The monogram is super crisp, as is the embroidery.

Another M Madeira. Great pink hanky!

Some greyness underneath, drawnwork. I really love the design.

This design has the W at the top, with more design below. Beautiful!

Another fantastic N. I'm a sucker for a design with a bow.

I am not done. There is more to write: floral embroidered hankies, hankie holders, boxes, etc.

Photos are copyrighted by myself and may not be used for your book without my permission!

Hanky Primer #1: Antique Monogrammed Hankies

2011-08-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!

I've spent alot of time drifting on my blog--you get whatever is happening in my life. However the purpose was to share my knowledge--or what I like about antiques. First and foremost is my love of antique textiles.

Not many people understand my fascination with hankies--except other hanky lovers. To me they are fine works of art on a 10" x 10" square of the finest linen. To purchase a hanky with the same level of detailed hand-embroidery would cost you several hundred dollars today.

While hankies were made all over the world, my favorite workmanship are hankies made in Belgium, Switzerland and Madeira.

You don't have to be a hanky collector to appreciate a nice hanky. The non-collector purchases a hanky most often for a gift--a bride being the number one recipient. Brides often buy from me, and use the hankies as gifts or part of a gift basket for bridesmaids, in addition to using the hanky for "something old" and "something blue" if it has blue embroidery on it.

If you see a fabulous hanky damaged, make a sachet out of it. Don't let the fine embroidery go to waste.

I've attempted to categorize hankies in a way that you'll understand and encourage you to spot a fine hanky.

Applique & Shadow-work Hankies

Madeira hankies must have invented the use of applique and shadow-work. Applique is when they take a piece of fabric and stitch it on top of the hanky--hence "applique". Shadowwork is when they put the fabric underneath, or stitch underneath, to create a "shadow" on top. I don't think I've seen a Swiss hanky that has this.

The blue flowers are the applique-work on this hanky.
Note that the L is made up of embroidery and shadowwork, making a large monogram.

White version of the L hanky

Like the L hanky, the W below was made by the same manufacturer.

same hanky in pink

Below are some variations, possibly by the same manufacturer.

A variation of the L hanky

A pink variation of the B hanky above

Note the flowers are the same for the last 3 hankies compared to the earlier ones.

The embroidery on the hankies with the applique letter can become more elaborate.

Rather than applique, this hanky has the letter done in shadowwork and embroidery

Similar to the D above, only in white shadowwork

Don't forget to click on a photo if you want to see the enlargement.
This is another variation of a spring bouquet around the monogram.

The hanky below is a real favorite of mine. It has pale grey embroidery and a separate organdy flower with loose petals not attached to the hanky. This design with the flower is a whole collecting category by itself--which I will share with you later.

Note the attached organdy flower on the corner.

Hankies can also have the letter be an applique, instead of embroidery

M hanky with a nice drawnwork hem, in a medallion of delicate stitching. It has a 40's look to me.

Doesn't this hanky remind you of the 50's monogrammed sweater (the "L" on LaVerne's sweater?0

While this is simple, notice that the appliqued fabric is enhanced with embroidery

Below are some appliqued monograms that are more elaborate. The K in this hanky has leaves that edge the hanky.

The hanky below has the label "Madeira" and has some wonderful bellfowers accenting the somewhat modern-looking angular H.

The hanky below is an M done in a french script style. I love the detailed embroider surrounding the M.

Click on photo for enlargement. Notice the applique flower has some openwork, buratto I believe.

Lastly, I'd like to share my favorite applique monogram, complete with embroidery and a lace edge.

Beautiful!

This next section of applique work shows applique flowers in combination with shadowwork and french style script monograms.

The bows are shadowwork, the R is french script in heavy padded satin stitch, with an applique flower in the corner.

Another example with applique flower in the corner.

Applique flowers in the corner

The next group shows hankies with applique flowers surrounding the monogram--making more of a "medallion".

The applique flowers are a creamy satin - interesting texture.

One of those unusual hankies with the all-white applique.

I hardly ever see red in a monogram. I love the contrasting grey stitching. The flowers are applique.

Applique flowers make a medallion.

Unusual V Hanky--V's are hard to find. White creamy applique flowers.

Simple medallion with one applique flower, shadowwork and embroidery. I like the pink G monogram

The lavender monogram looks great, I think all these flowers are shadow-work.

Most of the shadow-work tends to be colored, although not always. They are Madeira hankies, I don't think I've seen any good Made in China knock-offs. Below are two examples of P Monograms.

Below are more examples of shadow-work. Don't forget to click and view a photo if you want to see an enlargement.

Simple shadow-work making up a medallion.

I totally love the brown embroidery. I can't seem to keep any of the blue, brown or grey in stock, everyone loves them for weddings.

I t

This hanky is unusual with the flowers on one side of the B monogram. I love the applique and shadow-work flowers

The shadow-work bows are really sweet. Great for a wedding hanky.

Another example with grey shadow-work, some cutwork and pale aqua contrasts beautifully.

I love the brown on this hanky!

Applique medallion with shadow-work leaves. Great aqua blue embroidery

Isn't it interesting that they managed to have such a classy combination of grey complementing the pink!

Great wedding color, don't you think?

I love the shadow-work medallion on this monogram, plus a shadow-work edge on the hanky. Beautiful!

Organdy Flowers

The hankies below are really special. They have organdy flowers/ butterflies attached to create a 3-D effect. The organdy is light and delicate.

Butterflies look like they landed on the hanky for the photo shoot!

Note the petals of the organdy flower are not attached. Hanky has Madeira label.

Fabulous hanky with loose organdy leaves surrounding this R monogram.

Monogrammed Hankies - in a Circle Medallion

The hankies below are all hand embroidered with a french script style monogram, padded satin stitch. There are various designs, all circular.

Shadow-work medallion of circles

Simple delicate blue embroidery makes an elegant statement

A bit of shadow-work, and wonderful Madeira flowers.

A small medallion of flowers and scrolls enhance this B

The C monogram is on an organdy insert, enhanced with the grey scroll embroidery.

A double row of padded satin stitch makes a great enhanced script monogram. love the daisies, french knots and scrolls.

This is too cool! I love the cicular design around the H!

Unusual D hanky with eyelit embroidery making a cicular medallion with pink embroidery

Another great pink/grey combination. The french script R stands out in this circular medallion of scrolls.

A great hanky with cutwork border, lots of padded satin stitch and Madeira forget-me-nots.

Unusual find, a triple monogram hanky in a medallion of flowers and scrolls.

The next 4 hankies are still a circular medallion, but the monogram is not the heavy padded satin stitch--the monogram is done with embroidery making the letter wider.

This A monogram has a border with cutwork.

This monogram is a combination of padded satin stitch and embroidered fields filled with tiny french knots.

This F monogram is great--I love the double circle of embroidery. Notice the detailed embroidery on the bell flowers.

The bright blue monogram combined with the white embroidery really makes the monogram jump off the hanky.

The two hankies below I've owned years apart. They are the same, made to look like a rose petal, with the outer leaves out of organdy. Beautiful!

Great W monogram

M Monogram with organdy leaves inserted and cut out to make them sheer.

Organdy medallion, cutwork on the border, shadow-work bows and flowers.

Square and Oval Medallions

Square R Medallion, original label.

Probably my favorite "square" medallion.

The next 11 hankies are monograms surrounded by a heavy square of embroidery. I have noticed there is a distinct style of hanky that is filled with scrolls and flowers. It is likely the same manufacturer.

Looks very much like Victorian Whitework embroidery

Talk about scarce, an "I" monogram.

This is one with the scrolled embroidery I was talking about.

Has some shadow-work leaves

Distinctive Madeira forget-me-not flowers surrouning this F monogram

Another heavy whitework Victorian hanky

Scrolls and flowers make up the medallion

Unusual green F monogram

I can't resist the field of flowers on this hanky!

Hankies with Double-Wide Monogrammed Letters

Some of these hankies don't have huge monograms, but the embroidery on the lettering is extra detailed. Some of them are two-color, for a shadow effect, and others are letters filled with embroidery.

Hanky reeks with quality embroidery. OK, reeks is not a good word, but you get the drift.

Wonderful French style script monogram.

The embroidery is delicate on this hanky, but has a wonderful effect with the bouqet.

OK, I threw this in as a test. This hanky is NOT hand-embroidered. It is NOT antique, err, at least by my standards. It's still not bad for a machine made hanky. Check it out, you need to know how to tell the difference!

Can you see the quality difference in this hanky vs. the last one? This one is a fabulous hand-embroidered hanky.

Another unusual hand-embroidered hanky. It is not Madeira, but still wonderful!

Your red Christmas "I" Hanky. Wonderful!

The double lines of the R add to the graceful look of the monogram. The ribbon intertwined with flowers is unusual.

There are 3 colors of embroidery. Doesn't it add to the beauty of this hanky!

Simple forget-me-nots enhance this monogram.

The colored embroidery is extremely high quality--look at it closely!

All white embroidery, tiny french knots inside the monogram.

Great looking whitework!

Go back and check out a B hanky earlier in the post. Very similar to this one.

This was as 13" hanky, huge, wonderful embroidery! Open cutwork in the monogram.

I think that the previous W hanky was made by the same manufacturer. The grey pencil lines underneath the embroidery suggest that it may have been made in China. At least that's what I think when I see them.

Great blue ribbon border with those Madeira forget-me-not flowers . The H is a french script double-wide on the right.

I love the detail on this hanky. Great design.

The green embroidery is a very unusual find!

Check out the quality on this hanky--isn't it wonderful! I don't think I've come across a pink lawn hanky.

OK, another test. this is a machine made hanky. The colors were fun so it got purchased.

This is an English Victorian Whitework Hanky.

Looks like a design from the 50's or 60's. Still great. The embroidery is an extremely fine quality.

This blog is so big, I'll continue this later with Hanky Primer #2. So what is your favorite hanky that I've shown today?

Have a Seat!

2011-07-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

I've always liked interesting antique chairs. They can be tucked anywhere and have more functions than just seating. I have to say that--because most antique chairs are small, and may work better for stacking books than sitting.

The first chair that ever caught my eye was when I was a teenager. (check back, I'll add the photo next week) It is a hall chair, and part of a set with a desk and a second chair. My dad and I bought it at a Ventura County swap-meet, and my mom was MAD when we brought home that "junk".

The first chair that I purchased on my own at an estate sale was a corner chair. Well, actually, it was round. I liked it because it is hand-made. I know it is probably edwardian, but the interesting part is that is was handmade probably at home by someone. The reason I say that is that the design to the left and right of the center splat is not symmetrical. What's not to love about a chair with a heart?

The next chair that made it home with me was one of those that makes my husband roll his eyes and say "what were you thinking?". This one I liked because of the inlaid work. When people ask me what I collect, I say I collect antique object that demonstrates craftmanship.

Hubby didn't like the chair--it's rickety, and has had the back broken off and reglued (poorly). However, a doll usually sits on the chair, so it's not a problem.

Closeup of the marquetry

I then went a bit country. The chair below is a ball and stick Victorian chair with a cane seat.

The next country chair was a pair of grain-painted chairs with the manufacturer printed on the back of the chair seat: W.Corey, Portland, ME. They were done in the 1850's, painted grain to look like rosewood. It has a ribbon of gold painted on the chair.

I had these recaned as they were broken. They were hand-caned, rather than the sheet caning. I was told that the caning darkens with age, but I'm afraid I don't have enough years to wait. The problem with staining is that as the chair sags, the unstained cane shows. Why don't they stain the cane before they weave it?

The chair above is definitely my venture in the American furniture. I love the eagle painted on the back. It's pretty rickety, I should have it tightened.

I keep finding chairs that have inlay. The chair below is a wonderful sturdy chair with original horsehair stuffing. I put a red silk on it, love it!

Note the mother-of-pearl center, and the flowers. I loved the simple design of the back.

I saw this chair at an antique show. It is probably 1900-1920. It is an Adam style shield-back chair.

I love the swags of handpainted flowers.

I have a pair of these chairs. They have really tall backs. The upholstery is needlepoint. I'm a bit puzzled about the age of the chairs. They are an old style that you see at auction, but the needlepoint is later. However someone worked very hard to make the needlepoint for these chairs--the upholstery is well done.

In 2009, I picked up the cutest hall chair at Hillsborough, it has a squirrel on the back.

I apologize for the photos. I don't seem to take good ones. I'll try to upgrade these. Back to the chair, isn't it whimsical with the squirrel!

So why did I write this article? This weekend I picked up a dutch queen anne chair with marquetry that has a turtle in the back splat.

This little turtle had to come home with me. After finding the rabbit chair, it seemed like a good excuse to get the turtle chair.

Do you have a favorite antique chair?

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A GEORGE I WALNUT AND NEEDLEWORK-COVERED WING ARMCHAIR CIRCA 1715 - ($62,500) Christies. Hmm. An interesting departure from the other florals.

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Hanky Primer #3: Embroidered and Petit Point Hankies

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Hanky Primer #2: More Monogrammed Hankies

Hanky Primer #1: Antique Monogrammed Hankies

Have a Seat!

A GEORGE I WALNUT AND NEEDLEWORK-COVERED
WING ARMCHAIR CIRCA 1715 - ($62,500) Christies.
Hmm. An interesting departure from the other florals.