FLAME-ing HOT!

I just cannot leave well enough alone….

Last year, I discovered a fantabulous 1920s wingchair at that most delightful of places, Class and Trash.  Actually, it was one of a not-quite-matching pair; while both chairs were of the winged variety, and both were covered in the same VERY vintage seafoam green nylon fabric, the legs were quite different on each.  One had very straight Chippendale-style legs, and was reborn into the world of total FABULOCITY as the infamous White Tiger Chair.  The other, with ornately carved ball-and-claw legs, waited ever so patiently for its own dramatic restyling.  

And behold, in all its glorious splendor:  the Flamestitch Chair!  Do watch the video for the full experience, Dear Readers, oh do!

We Heart The Flea

Oh, what fun!  Once again, I joined BFF Diana the Lady D for our quarterly pilgrimage to Chantilly, Virginia for the DC Big Flea.  The latest antiques and collectibles extravaganza was held on March 6^th and 7^th at its usual locale, the Dulles Expo Center.  And, per usual, the Lady D beat me there (but only by sheer minutes this time!), so she had nary a head-start on me.

Whereas the previous Flea, in bitterly cold January, had been one of the best attended in recent times, this particular weekend brought with it the first hint of spring – bright sunny days in the mid-50s.  Unfortunately for the vendors, the less die-hard Flea goers decided to spend their weekend on more outdoorsy activities.  Alas, the vendors’ loss was our gain: easy parking, and fewer contenders for the good stuff!

This time around, there was much less furniture offered and instead most of the vendors brought more ‘smalls’ – dishware, knick-knacks, jewelry.  Nonetheless, toward the end of the day I was most fortunate to discover these glorious armchairs, circa 1950s, at the booth of two wonderfully wacky ladies named Sarah Jean and Katherine.  Love Love LOVE these chairs – and the girls who sold them! The chairs’ lines are so elegant yet flirty (much like their previous owners), and the tufted backs are incredibly chic.  Granted, the upholstery is more than a bit tattered, but nonetheless you can see how – with the right combo of fine fabrics – they are easily within reach of total FABULOCITY!

There was so much to see, so many delicious finds to bring to my Dear Readers, that I had to create not one but TWO videos to capture it all!  Be sure to watch them both….There are many varied vendors, some familiar to you from the January Flea and lots new ones with wondrous wares.  So, pop the corn, settle into the comfort of your fave vintage chair (tattered or not!), and let the shows begin!

Part I:

Don't go away!  Here's Part II:

Luck Has (um…HAD) It!

Ah, success!  At least, a modicum of it…!

The first pieces of the “As Luck Would Have It” inventory offered at the Home Store in Manassas Virginia have been purchased!  Yes, Dear Readers, after all the collecting, all the hunting (and all the loading and storing), this Furniture Addict has sacrificed a few of his treasures in the name of commerce (actually, I prefer to consider it as “spreading the joy – for fun and profit”). 

Behold, the first babies to leave the nest (and by ‘nest’ I mean ‘storage unit’) during Home Store’s inaugural week….The most fab iron-and-glass chandelier (complete with ruched black velvet cord cover) pictured with the restyled white tiger chair was the first-of-the-first.  Later in the week, the ornate gold frame also seen here was claimed by some fortunate shopper.  

Then, this pair of Victorian cameo-back chairs with flawless gold-and-black striped velvet covering found their way to a new home.  (And, can you believe it, ALL of these pieces were discovered by moi on Washington DC’s Capitol Hill?!)  

Like any collector, I can only hope that my former treasures have found their way into the hearts of other like-minded furniture fanciers, who will behold them with the same affinity as I.  Adieu, my darlings, and bonne chance!

Gilt-y Pleasures

I am a great admirer of minimalist interiors.  Those sleek, clean, sparse spaces, unencumbered by fanciful ornamentation and devoid of superfluous objects.  Oh, yes, Dear Readers, I have a great respect for homes that adhere to such pure design concepts.

I just can’t live in them.

I like stuff.  Indeed, if it weren’t for ‘stuff’, there wouldn’t be a Furniture Addict Blog!  As anyone who’s familiar with this journal knows, I have a great need/passion/desire to collect and display ‘stuff’.  But not just any ol’ thing.  The objects of my desire must speak to me in some way….They must incite some spark, convey a certain Je ne sais quoi before I embrace them as treasures.

One of my collections was initiated a few years ago by the purchase of my jewel box of a home in Arlington Virginia.  The previous owner, a kindred spirit who had enjoyed many years of treasure hunting while living there, most magnanimously conveyed a spectacular gilded metal chandelier that she had installed in the petite dining room.  I was immediately mesmerized by this golden gem!  It fit so perfectly within the home’s Parisian-inspired décor that she must have recognized to remove it would be akin to stripping the structure of a vital organ.  (That, and the fact that its style was antithetical to the design of her future home in Mexico.)  Regardless, like all the other design choices she had made for my new home, its delicate ornamentation blended seamlessly with the vintage furnishings I brought to the space.

Little did I realize at the time that this fortuitous conveyance would lead to years of hunting for similar treasures.  Very soon after moving into my home, BFF Diana The Lady D and I were exploring a tiny nearby shopping district.  Immediately drawn into a home interiors shop by its fanciful window display, I was astonished to see hanging inside a gilded and bejeweled sconce which was the perfect match to my chandelier! 

Exuberantly entering the establishment, we were welcomed by the shop’s proprietor and discovered that the shop was actually a combination home décor store and interior design service.  I quickly inquired about the sconce, and the proprietor informed me that such objects were imported from Italy into the United States in the 1950s through the 1970s.  (In the Washington DC area, the primary purveyor of these imports was Lord & Taylor, a once high-end department store whose ultimate demise resulted in yet anther batch of the ubiquitous Macy’s).  Apparently, there were several manufactures of such gilded metal decorative objects, but most all were identified in some way as “Florentine”.  The sconce, while not marked, quite obviously fit into this category. 

After a minimal period of negotiations (my skills were not as finely honed as they are now), Diana and I left the shop accompanied by the newly acquired sconce.  Immediately upon entering its new home, I spied the perfect location to hang this treasure – on a hook serendipitously left by the previous owner, on a wall flanking the dining room entrance!  Standing in the living room, one can gaze upon both the chandelier and its smaller – yet no less glorious -- counterpart.

Since those two most momentous acquisitions, I have augmented my collection with other magnificent finds.  By far the largest piece is this coffee table.  Unlike the chandelier and sconce, which is sculpted in a stylized leaf design, the coffee table is resplendently created with two oversized lotus blossoms supporting a clear glass oval top.  This incredible item was discovered at one of my first DC Big Flea outings (accompanied by, of course, the Lady D).  The vendor from whom I purchased this beauty explained that, while she adored the table, her husband had insisted that she downsize her collection of Florentine gilt.  (I think she should have solved the dilemma by ridding her home of the husband, but we all make decisions with which we must live.  Regardless, her lapse in judgment resulted in a gain for moi!)

Other glorious pieces in the collection include a footed cake plate with gilded roses and roses etched in the glass; two table lamps (one from Joseph’s Coat, the other from Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market); and a pair of sconces discovered on my and Sharona’s first excursion to the Arlington Civitan Flea, as documented in an earlier post.  There is also a more diminutive (but no less ornate) sconce with delicately white enameled flowers, acquired at the DC Big Flea from David Haney of Fort Harmar Antiques of Marietta, Ohio (the same vendor from whom I’d purchased those most wonderful wing chairs.)

Quite honestly, I feel no guilt over my gilt.  These masterfully handcrafted pieces of la dolce vita provide me with endless visual delight.  Let the minimalists bask in their austerity.  But for me, like that doyenne of overindulgence Mae West once exclaimed, “Too much of a good thing…can be wonderful!”

Postette: The Lady D-List

What oh what would I do without BFF Diana, The Lady D?!?  As my Dear Readers are well aware, the Lady D has been an integral part of my vintage décor adventures for quite awhile.  Recall that it is she who introduced me – and subsequently, many of you – to the thrift store glories of Yesterday’s Rose and Joseph’s Coat.  ‘Twas Diana who unearthed the King Wing Chairs, and who shared with us the beauty of her vintage chenille bedspread. 

In honor of Diana’s ongoing contributions to Furniture Addict, and her unending search for décor that epitomizes FABULOCITY!, I hereby launch a new feature of Furniture Addict:  “The Lady D-List”!  Please check out the ever-increasing list of Blog-worthy sites on the right-hand side of this page (just below the Glossary) for Diana’s contributions…Happy surfing!   

Don't Cry for Me, Furniture Addicts...

Oh, Dear Readers…DID YOU MISS ME?!? The truth is, I never left you….Au contraire, I’ve been hard at work preparing for the next phase of my furniture addiction. Yes, it’s finally happening….The hunting and gathering of vintage treasures, the late-night dumpster diving, the endless Craigslist cruisings, all have led up to this inevitable point-in-time: the establishment of “As Luck Would Have It” -- THE SHOP!

As I confided in a previous post, the passion of my addiction has been focused on the hope and dream of having some type of storefront, virtual or otherwise, for displaying (and perhaps even selling!) the objects of my desire. And, thanks to Furniture Redo Diva Blanca, an unexpected opportunity was presented that is making the dream a reality.

Diva Blanca introduced me to a lovely and energetic lady named Won who is opening a new home décor mall in Manassas, Virginia. This new venture, “Home Store”, will feature a number of vintage and antique dealers, along with Won’s own stunning collection of imported furniture and locally acquired antiques. This is not your average antique-and-collectibles mall. While we furniture addicts can appreciate the attraction of such entities, Won’s vision for Home Store is even more appealing: a destination for professional decorators and collectors alike, offering a wide selection of high-quality new, vintage, and antique furnishings, all in a fresh and inviting shopping atmosphere.

Indeed, the space occupied by Home Store is so open and light-filled that visitors will immediately feel as if they are in an expansive Manhattan designer showroom. Won’s extensive background in high-end home furnishings is evident not only in the design of the Home Store space, but also in her meticulously selected collection of décor which she has brought in to complement the offerings of the vendors chosen to embark on this great adventure with her – including yours truly!

Yesterday, BFF Richard and I endured a treacherous trip to Manassas to deliver the carefully edited portion of my collection to the space I’m occupying in Home Store. Although forewarned about the snowstorm headed for the DC-metro area, we were not quite prepared for the insane conditions encountered on the route to Manassas. Richard arrived at my home right on schedule, at 8 AM, and proceeded to help me bring down the few items from The Mezzanine (ie, my attic) that had not yet made it to The Warehouse (ie, my self-storage room). We then proceeded to the storage facility and the awaiting moving van, which we filled with the Chosen Ones in record speed.

Although the snow had commenced only an hour before setting off on the road to Manassas, our route on major thoroughfares was already covered in snow. Richard The Brave agreed to drive the 16-foot behemoth while I took the wheel of my trusty Passat (which was also laden with items destined for The Shop). Immediately confronted with icy conditions and resultant accidents, I proceeded at an old-lady pace to our destination.

Arriving an hour and a half later (and a few minutes behind Richard, who somehow managed to pass me along the way!), we rushed to unload the truck and the Passat in the unrelenting snow. Sending Richard on his way to return the truck, I proceeded to undertake the daunting task of merchandising my allotted 9x12 foot Home Store space. I was most fortunate to have negotiated a prime location in the Home Store – the front window space, with the wrap stand directly behind me.

After much deliberation, the resulting display can be seen in this video. Although I haven't quite finished the display (I still need to merchandise the 'smalls', or all the knick-knacks....I was anxious to get home before dark!), I was so pleased how the space turned out, very much as I had envisioned! There are two themes, or stories: Gold/cream/black “Wild Things”, and silver/black “Rocker Chic”. The overall impression I try to convey is that vintage furnishings can blend seamlessly with contemporary items to represent an individual’s unique tastes. As you’re viewing the video, look for these representative items from my collection (some of which you’ll recognize from previous posts!):

From the Wild Things collection:

• Handpainted mirrored screen:  A recent find from C&T, this substantial piece has a distinctive French flair.  With stylized eagles and gold-painted trim, each panel is solid wood (and it weighs a ton!).
• White Tiger Chair:  as described in a previous post, this is a restyled 1920s vintage chair.  Very Joan Crawford, don’t you think?
• Cream Faux-Leather Tuxedo Chair:  With its brass nailhead trim, a very handsome piece that positively screams FABULOCITY!, especially in how it so perfectly complements the mirrored screen.
• Striped velvet Victorian Parlor Chairs, and an early-1900s Writing Desk:  acquired in Capital Hill.

And, from the Rocker Chic collection:

• Moderne Armchair and the Console/Game Table:  Surely you haven’t forgotten their respective backgrounds!
• Folding Wooden Table:  Recall that this is the piece I started restyling as part of my 'furniture repair and refinishing' class....Well, its extreme makeover is finally complete!
• Wooden Edwardian Armchair:  You might not recognize this one – a most fortuitous find from a neighborhood Exchange night months ago.  Just look at it now, as restyled in blue and silver geometric patterned velvet and metallic pewter paint (my design perfectly executed by Diva Blanca!)

Do enjoy your virtual shopping tour, Dear Readers….And I will be sure to alert you to the Home Store’s grand opening, as well as all upcoming receptions and special events.  Looking forward to seeing you in the As Luck Would Have It shop!

I kept my promise....Don't keep your distance....!

Flea Bitten -- The Video Game

Attending the DC Big Flea is like throwing gasoline on the fires of a Furniture Addict's passion. And BFF Diana The Lady D, being the consummate enabler, is more than happy to fuel the flames whenever the opportunity arises!

Such was the case when she encouraged me to join her in Chantilly Virginia for the quarterly Flea held on January 9-10.  For this Flea, both buildings of the Dulles Expo Center were packed with vendors and their followers.  The heady mix of furnishings and collectibles sent the throngs into a glorious Vintage Vertigo collective!

This was one of the best attended shows in recent memory.  In typical form, The Lady D arrived before the doors opened.  Even I managed to pull into the already crowded parking area within 20 minutes of the first addicts' entry into the cavernous South Building.

Once inside, I quickly located Diana as she perused a case full of vintage compacts.  We then proceeded to flitter hither and yon, absorbing as much of the extravaganza as possible.  Below check out our latest video production, documenting our romp among the relics:  (Note:  As I edited the video, I discovered that I need to study my Thesaurus to improve my arsenal of adjectives.  I think my  overuse of exclamatories would make for a fine drinking game....May I suggest selecting your finest vino/beer/soda, and proceed as prescribed below:

• For every "WONDERFUL!" or  "FABULOUS!" I mutter in the video, take one drink;
• For every "STUNNING!", take two drinks;
• "ICONIC!" earns you three drinks.

Remember....Unlike when shopping for vintage treasures, you should demonstrate responsibility and restraint when drinking!)