Dixie Highway Shopping with The Empress II

 More Fun With Liz and Jane!

http://empressoftheeye.blogspot.com
 

Jane, explained why the Dixie Highway is the best bargain hunting in America: "You have to understand, Florida is a big drain. As people downsize and retire South, they bring their favorite things. Eventually, a lot of it ends up on the Dixie Highway. " High and low Palm Beach style flows down the alluvial layers of possession. Remnants of great castles and estates mingle with common rubbish. Chinioserie, hand painted furniture, Italianate pieces, paintings and ceramics are heaped together, quite unlike Worth Avenue, a few miles away. The rule of thumb is: The more jumbled the shop, the better the buy. You have to sift for the gold, ignoring the prevalent common objects. Lighting can be dismal, chairs sit on tables, upon tables, and precious antiques are dusty.

A. Abbott Antiques Mall and Design Center overflows with everything from six foot 19th century Venetian Blackamoors, to this unique vintage folding writing desk, with an asking price of $499.00. Cleaned up, it would make a chic little laptop desk for a cramped apartment. I am imagining note paper, pens, love letters and party invitations, sorted within the nooks.

 

 Moving down the road, there is an Ali Baba cave at Shi and Erhard. It is dark, dusty and good.

431 Bunker Road, West Palm Beach

This opulent 18th century French Regency mirror is a real knock out. So is the asking price at $12,000!

Everything is relative. Down the road, without the dust, you can pick one up for $24,000 at Cedric Dupont.

 

Why, oh why, is this antique frame and glass, so shiny and new for this much money? Excessive restoration destroys value.  I have also witnessed the equivalent in the $75,000.00 range. Train your eye! Bruce Erhard's dusty mirror, way, way off  Worth Avenue, Madison and 1st dibs might be a clever negotiation.

This wicker valise has Brooke Giannetti's name all over it. Texture and patina add character and convert the generic to the unique personal.  This hardy, organic traveler would happily settle down in front of a sofa for a well deserved rest as the perfect coffee table. 

I do yearn for this chic vintage Greek Key outdoor furniture. With a $1,400.00 price tag, which includes the shipping, it is not a deal maker, as it still requires extensive restoration. Fellow shoppers, I have been stalking the elusive and perfect outdoor furniture grouping for way too long. If you see a bargain, send photos to liz@dovecotedecor.com!

Niki's shop: Sold as of Feb. 1 (561)-568-7288

                                                                   5109 S. Dixie Hwy

We're all about the Zebs!! If you really think about it, Zebra's do not look like anything in nature. The Greeks and Romans don't have a design god, but there must be one who envisioned this outlier.  What a stunning graphic gift. George Stubbs (1724-1806) painted the iconic zebra image that launched a thousand rugs.

Lars Bolander is in on it. Note the Venetian Blackamoor. I've seen the same one at Trelliage on Madison, but haven't found the source. 

 

It's all happening at the zoo, so..... Dog portraits are well represented up and down these streets. This holy terrier by Thierry Poncelet  is exhibited at Sold (address above). I love how the aristochiens' expressions match their garb.  This philosophical fellow will run you about $2,800. 

 

This congenial ancestor is coming up for grabs at Bonhams New York: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 [Lot 00214] Dogs in Show and Field: The Fine Art Sale  31 x 25 in.  oval

Estimate    3,000 - 5,000 USD.  The frame is magnificent and compelling for a price comparison or bargaining position. There is a wide range of prices realized at auction for this artist, so if you love Poncelet, do your homework. I can't resist my favorite Poncelet portrait, that reminds of of my precious miniature long haired Daschund, Violet. 

As far as events are concerned, Kofsky's Estates opens periodically to tout le Palm Beach. 

The front of this line is the place to be. You need a clear understanding of how things are categorized and located--collectibles are inside, center and to the right. You need to be on a mission, get to it quickly and grab it. The friendly staff will tag your items as you point. He who hesitates.... would be me. 

 

A pair of these tole, Italian flowers were still standing when the music stopped for $650. 

This pair of exquisite tole lemon tree luminaries (I can't call them lamps) sold for the same amount. If I saw them again, I'd jump. The dealer, that bought them, said they sold for twice the price before "le recession." I am all for price corrections. 

A pair of these contemporary, hand painted Chinoiserie wall paper panels sold for $1,200.00. They have perfect, understated frames, but I already have one in my living room and decided two more in the dining room were a bit much. The real find would be water color on silk panels, with bumble bees and butterflies--moving on.  We hit several more stores plus a 10 acre salvage yard before the end of the day, so I'll keep you moving. 

 

C. Bell is a high Florida contemporary and vintage shop that is fun to see. Many of their products are on our website, so if you like the look. poke around Dovecote Decor. Which reminds me. Lars Bolander has our carved chair, on his show room floor for $895.00. I presume shipping is added.

 

Dovecote Decor's price is $563.00 with free shipping, so we are looking out for our buyers! 

 

Circa Who has good quality vintage Palm Beach style, in a crowded, though well merchandised space. They have an excellent website, but I can't say the prices make me reach for my Visa card. Remember, bargains are usually covered with dust, take your antihistamines.  There is always something new, and my favorite discovery was at Donovan and Gray: 3623 S. Dixie Highway

West Palm Beach, FL 33405 Tel: +1 561 838-4442 email: info@donovanandgray.com

These are Roldan figures--fun Spanish touristy souvenirs. Roldan and Klumpe dolls have a very specific and stylized look. They are made of cloth and felt, and were produced in Barcelona, Spain from the 1950s to early 1970s.

These dolls began as traditional Spanish flamenco dancers, and matadors. They range from 8" to 12" tall. At some point, somebody in the workshop lost their mind, and began creating animated caricatures. They might be the first action figures.

Energetic movement, professional clothing, exuberant hairstyles, and detailed accessories make these dolls the best I have ever seen--trust me. I had dolls, dollhouses, dollhouse figures and three daughters. Viewed as a collection, they represent a celebration of life in all stages, moments and identities. I'd like the entire shelf, which is for sale for $4,500 and has different 35 figures. But, I became distracted by the vintage clothes. I've never seen a better collection in my life. The clothes are a Proustian, croissant, inhale of fashion memory. I never owned or wore these clothes. I saw them in the New York Times Magazine Fashion section in 1967. If you love clothes, you will weep. Ripping through racks of vintage Pucci, in perfect condition, will tear any epicurean heart to pieces.

Other Great Stops on the Dixie Highway

Jay Millstein 

Antiques to Modern

5105 S. Dixie Hwy

www.jgallerydesign.com

The Sugar Chest

960 N. Federal Hwy

Pompano Beach, FL 

www.thesugarchest antiquemall.com

Greta S.

Decorative Antiques

3803 1/2 S. Dixie Hwy

West Palm Beach

Paula Roemer

505 Belvedere Road

West Palm Beach

Faustina Pace Antiques & Interiors

3633 S. Dixie Hwy

faustinapace.com

N.P. Trent Antiques

3729 S. Dixie Hwy

West Palm Beach