Atlanta Market and Scott's Antiques January 2014

"Nothing comes cheap though the educated eye

 will always spot very nice things for the least money."

                                             Albert Hadley

The Atlanta Market for me always begins with a trip to one of my favorite antique sources-- Scott's Antique Markets on the South side of the city near the airport. It is the perfect destination for loading up on furniture, paintings and other accessories. The best time to attend is during the Atlanta Furniture Market downtown at America'sMart in January and July, as more dealers participate to accommodate the design congregation.  It is a huge and I would allow time for shopping Thursday before market. It opens to the public at 1:00p.m.

This bucket made my list. I was looking for an attractive container for firewood for my family room as I am converting my fireplace back to its original old school function.  For under $100.00, it was a no brainer.

O.K. so shoot me now. I saw this map in a booth and was quite taken with it. My picture is terrible so I uploaded this image for you. It was unbelievably fascinating as it maps the largest engineering project of  17th Century Europe. The Canal Languedoc Royal which connected the Mediterranean to the Atlantic provided safe inland passage for cargo that was endangered by rampant piracy on the high seas--yes maties, the Barbary Pirates.  The cross sections along the perimeter depict the numerous locks, aqueducts, tunnels and dams. The circular emblems flanking the center medallion illustrate the heraldic crests of the families contributing to this massive project. The royal landed houses of the region had compelling reasons to finance and provide labor for the endeavor. Le Midi is dry and their crops and other commodities were precarious at best. Other than navigation, irrigation was possible by managing the water assets that could be moved at will, or stored in reservoirs.

People think shopping and collecting is a flibbity-gibbet activity. The price for the map was $1,800.00 at Scott's. I am not making a purchase from Sotheby's or an established dealer. While the price is low for a potentially fabulous possession the question is: Is it worth the gamble? Do I want a fake print in a bad frame? Not one article or auction resource described the underlying material. It was not hand made paper and it looked like velum to me, but I couldn't quite confirm. So, I walked. I regret it and should have trusted my eye. One finally sprung up for sale on Monday for $10,500 so I am a tad ill. I saw that one sold recently at auction for $2.300; a fairly wide spread in price. So much for the drama of collectibles. I know a great deal more because of my agony than I knew yesterday. The highly vertical AmericasMart is on the docket for the next day. While horizontal High Point Market is my metier, I am braving AmericasMart for the third time by scheduling design events.

Annie Selke image via Pinecone Hill/Haskell Harris image via CalderClark 

I could not resist the Annie Selke, textile genius founder of Pine Cone Hill  and Dash and Albert, interview with Haskell Harris, contributing editor to  Garden and Gun and author of the blog Magpie by Haskell Harris. Who can resist a discussion titled: "Great In Bed?" I met Annie at The Design Bloggers Conference a couple of years ago and she is hilarious and brilliant company. Annie is one of those authentic people whose taste and style goes repetitively viral. I honestly think her secret is that she lives fearlessly with enthusiasm, has personality and is always delighted by seemingly random passions. For example: visit Annie's YouTube video's  documenting her new love for tractors, chainsaws and other heavy equipment.  Haskell, I have known since she was an adorable toddler--legacy to a delightful, eccentric Southern family. The interview could only be symbiotic and entertaining--birds of a feather and all of that!

The Atlanta Market launch for Bunny Williams new rug collection for Annie's Dash and Albert line is a marriage made in heaven. The quality of Dash and Albert combined with Bunny's exceptional taste and livable elegance will make this line hopefully eternal. It was riveting to hear about the photo shoot at Bunny's beautiful home in the Dominican Republic and her incredible hospitality--hint: anticipate guests every need! Visit Annie's blog to see more tropical eye candy from B.W.'s gorgeous get-away.

I also attended the Steven Stolman/Scalamandre event sponsored by their Port 68 collaborators. Steve has been the president of Scalamandre since July 2011 and has written an iconic history of this eponymous fabric house. Scalamandre Haute Couture is a must-have book for your design library. I will say Port 68 is greatly enhanced by the iconic fabric patterns. I need those tiger ottoman/cocktail tables.

On Saturday, I wandered around Building 2 to view the beautiful table top options. I started on the ground floor of the gift building to taste all the food, which surprisingly gets old rather quickly. As I ascended through garden and outdoor, I found myself delightedly in the D. Gaber and Associates showroom and had the great good fortune to meet the renown equestrian artist, Julie Wear, as I admired her beautiful china. I have seen a great deal of sporting art over the years, and Julie's work defines the apotheosis of this genre in our time.

Photo by John Nation

 Julie Wear's painting for Queen Elizabeth II of her beloved Stallion

The Broodmares of Woodford County

Since I seem to have gotten on to an animal riff, the Lacefield Designs dog beds are the best--ever. 

They are not quite up on the website yet, but call us if you want them!! 

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liz@dovecotedecor.com

More Tony Duquette and out and about in L.A.

While we were visiting Hutton and Ruth Wilkinson's fabulous Casa Contessa we were treated to a peek at Tony Duquette's iconic and inimitable Dawnridge.

A 1960's portrait of Tony Duquette by Marion M Pike. Many notables sat for her including Coco Channel, Norton Simon, Zubin Mehta, Rosalind Russell, and Ronald Reagan.

 

The main reception room is magnificent theater. Abalone panels made by Duquette with spray paint and glue, signature sunburst lighting, corals, golds, and whimsical Duquettery conjures a lost temple hidden in a jungle.  Until you look up at the ceiling!

This Venetian murano glass masterpiece cascades a perennial bouquet of lilies and light over the drawing room. Ventian style inspired Duquette, as Venice epitomizes the confluence of grand European and opulent Eastern design.  Carnivale masks and fancy dress were the Duquette signature entertainment. Elizabeth Duquette, adored wife of Tony nick-named Beegle, painted the entry doors to the house, setting the stage. 

Industrial salvage columns anchor the torchieres flanking the doors,buffed and sprayed in gold.  Theater set people were the original smoke and mirrors preceeding the current DIY movement. Hutton Wilkinson, Tony's creative partner, and current president and creative director of Tony Duquette, laughingly calls them his ironic columns. 

 

Lavish passementerie trim detailing around the door moldings in the entrance halls are the non plus ultra. Talk about industrious bees, the house was their life, their workshop, and mad design laboratory.

 Duquette archives via Kohler/Baker

Loretta Young wears her Tony Duquette mask at the bal de tête in Los Angeles. Here Tony and

Loretta accept first prize for her mask. Friends, we so did miss cafe society.

 The famed "meuble" that Tony Duquette created for Elsie de Wolfe, who later became Lady Mendl, was returned to the Duquettes through her estate. This was the secretary that launched a thousand interior design jobs, as Elsie de Wolfe, grande dame that she was, promoted him internationally. 

Detail of the inset

Brilliant Hutton Wilkinson has turned it into a knock out fabric for Jim Thompson's Duquette line.

 

Stacy Kunstel of Stacy Style and Annie Selkie of Pine Cone Hill and author of Fresh American Spaces, dressed for the occasion. It was also great  to finally meet fellow blogger Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence, who has also published her take on the wonderful hospitality bestowed by the Wilkinsons. 

Thank you Hutton and Ruth for all your amazing hospitality to the bloggerati during the Design Bloggers Conference! And.. if you haven't seen Hutton's dazzling designs for Coach, you must be blind. Its hot, hot, hot and all over media town. 

Visit Dovecote Decor's online store 

to see our ever growing line of 

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More New York International Gift Show

I was lured to alicia adams alpaca, as we were both guests in the Take Fun Seriously House. We were ships crossing in the night, so I went over to introduce myself.  We were amazed to learn about alpaca fiber, in contrast to Llama and cashmere, not to mention charmed by an effervescent Alicia!

Alpaca is one of the rarest fibers in the world, is softer than cashmere and comes in over 24 natural colors. The wool is fabricated and formed into Alicia's designs by traditional Peruvian artisans. The prices are reasonable, relative to cashmere, so naturally we were excited. 

Alicia and her family raise a herd of 200 Alpaca on their 80 acre farm. Her stylish designs executed by the indigenous people of Peru, combine quality and style, while supporting communities whose craft would be lost without the support of well traveled designers and consumers. 

While Alicia's soft designs entranced me, I embrace the opposite end of the spectrum with equal delight. 

One of a kind Uzbekistan quilts still rock my world. 

Dovecote Decor carries these traditional rag rugs HERE.  Using upholstery grade fabrics in varying color combinations, Patricia Lukas will customize your rug to blend seamlessly with your wall paper and fabric schemes. Sister Parish used them in numerous projects to achieve the understated American Country House look. They are still fresh, sensible and work in a multiple settings. 

In this Maine cotttage, Sister Parish layered bold stripes, quilt patterns and fabrics to achieve her signature of comfortable eleganceW. 

Note how the hooked rug beneath the coffee table makes the graphics pop, when layered over sisal. 

A few examples of hooked rug patterns that we use at Dovecote Decor to layer a room can be seen HERE.  We have many different patterns, so call if you are looking for something not on the website.   

John Robshaw's quilts are another fresh traditional way to punch up a traditional room. 

Annie Selke's Pine Cone Hill has a glorious selection of linens and pajamas, a leading cause of increased bedhead.  Down the aisle there were some more irresistible bed time options. 

On a more formal note, I was searching for some table top items, inspired by House Beautiful's October 2011 issue. It is hands down, my favorite dining room of the year. 

I love the soft green and lavender glassware in this stunning Pat Healing dining room. Lately, clear glass is looking tired to me, so in search of chic table setting ideas, we found some great inspiration. 

Laurent Trade and Designs had nicely scaled hand blown Italian glasses that I am longing for. 

Kiss that Frog (above) has delightfully French themed accessories. These glasses say bienvenue!

All of these glasses are on my wishlist, but our big purchase is my favorite new invention EVER!

We purchased three of these, as shown. This rolling English hamper of suede and leather from Gourmet Trotters and co. U.K. has exquisite details such as, salt and pepper grinders, French cutlery, cutting boards, linen napkins. Both the Queen and Prince Andrew own several! They are very clever in design, as the modular nature of the sections, makes it easy for loading. The lids and bases are magnetized to increase their stability while rolling across a bumpy lawn. I have sold two already, so if you must have one, give us a call. 

Dovecote Decor offers a fine selection of furniture, lighting and accessories

HERE

If you are looking for a specific item that you do not find on our website, please call us: 

336-705-1316

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Annie Selkie Fresh American Design Booksigning at Belle Maison

Winston Salem is so excited by Annie Selke's visit to Belle Maison next week. I remember the first time the girls and I saw her Pine Cone Hill textile line in the early 1990's at High Point. We loved the clean, vibrant colors and patterns. The comforters are truly the coziest I've ever snuggled under. They are as beautiful in our house today, as they were 10 years ago. When the weather gets cold, I'm wrapped in Pine Cone Hill.

Images ranging through Annie's design categories, help readers define their personal vision: "In Fresh American, there’s no “right” way to create your ideal living space—design ideas become flexible, fluid, and, most of all, fun. You might find that you lean mostly toward one style, but still want to incorporate elements of another. That’s what Fresh American is all about—composing spaces that are entirely you." Are you "Romantic," "Nunaced," "Happy," "Cultured," or "Exuberant?" You might be a combination. Here is how you identify the zodiac of your taste preferences, and execute your look. 

A simple way to evoke the "Happy Preppy" look, Annie explains,  is to loose the pink and green cliches associated with the era. A two tone color palette, in a mixture of graphic plaids, florals and stripes creates an harmonious, pulled together room that is fresh and...well, happy. 

First time apartment owners and renters purchasing one piece at a time, frequently choose a neutral palette, as they select functional pieces on a budget. It makes sense, as neutral goes with everything. A calm design scheme is desirable in urban settings, as a refuge from the bright lights and big city chaos. Beach houses in these hues merge seamlessly, bringing the outdoors in. Done incorrectly, neutral can telegraph indecision, or lack of effort--read rental. Done correctly with textures, shades layers and sculptural forms, it spells c-h-i-c. Annie deciphers the code for lovers of this aesthetic. 

"Cultured Eclectics" love collections, curiosities, art, one of a kind and quirky pieces. It takes confidence to pull the trigger on a great flea market find or e-bay treasure. The big question is: " How do I pull all these disparate interests together. You've got the fever, Annie's got the cure. 

Every day exuberance takes me back. I can vividly remember the first time I walked into a house and saw a shocking pink sofa. It was my boyfriend's house, and his Mother was remarkably pleased. Incorporating graphic wall papers, and florals while celebrating modern design is how this style is achieved. 

If you are a Refined Romantic, you may be a Taurus, lover of home and hearth. Refined Romantics treasure craftsmanship and provenance. Lose the lace and the frills, and look for objects with history, and shine. Bring in fresh flowers from the garden and add floral accents with pillows, wall papers and fabrics. 

Come See Annie Selke at 

Belle Maison in

Historic Reynolda Village

Visit Her Website

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Your Shopping List For Market!