Saturday 26 January 2013

Winter Impressions


La Pouyette - December 2009

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, 
that it kisses them so gently? 
And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; 
 and perhaps it says 
"Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”  
 Lewis Caroll - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


La Pouyette - 2009

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The Beauty and Magic of Hoar Frost


by Starstream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24719166@N02/5984513953/ 

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by Andreas Trepte
http://www.photo-natur.de/

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 unknown

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Sunrise
by Dan Jurak   
http://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/danjurak.html

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Devon, UK - source unknown

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Wales, UK, source unknown

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Mecklenburg, Germany, source unknown

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City park, Germany, by aniabeta

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"Exquisite Scotland"


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with thanks to

http://www.exquisitescotland.com/gallery.aspx?id=19

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Black Forest, South-Germany

by Karl Herrling
http://www.fotocommunity.de/fotograf/karl-herrling/17130 


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by Dieter Biskamp
http://www.fotocommunity.de/fotograf/dieter-biskamp/415218

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by Catherine Faust
http://www.catherinefaust.com/index.php?x=about 

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“My old grandmother always used to say, 
Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, 
but winter friends are friends forever.”
George R.R. Martin

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Winter in the Périgord


Brantôme... 

 see also:   A snowy day of Romance
here

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Château de Montaigne, near St. Emilion

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Château Pitray, near St. Emilion

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more info about this beautiful wine Château

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At last but not least....


A beautifully snow-covered French country garden in the Limousin

by Marie Claude from the wonderful blog
L'almanach désuet
here

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La Pouyette 2009

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La Pouyette - February 2012


“Snowflakes swirl down gently in the deep blue haze beyond the window...


 

...The outside world is a dream.

Inside, the fireplace is brightly lit....



 and the Yule log crackles with orange and crimson sparks.
...There’s a steaming mug in your hands, warming your fingers.

There’s a friend seated across from you in the cozy chair, 

warming your heart.

There is mystery unfolding.”

Vera Nazarian, The Perputual Calendar of Inspiration

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Stay cozy and warm and - keep warm!


La Pouyette - February 2012

Bon Weekend!


Monday 21 January 2013

A winterly "cat intermezzo"...


....by Oskar



Not all that amused to be out in the cold....



...just about willing to pose for a few snap shots



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But -
enough is enough,


...is enough!

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 Back to the warmth of the house,

and back to comfort...
by occupying our large sofa and my favorite old English blanket...

....of which he has to be chased-off 
due to my own comfort

;-)

Then... 
...by moving around...


from here...

to

 ...there...

...finally..
...he found the right spot, comfortable enough to snuggle-up
without further 'disturbance'.

The right place for...

Snoring - Purring
Dreaming

Dreaming and having in his ear the music of

Mozart's concerto 20 in d, K. 466 - 2. Romance



performed by Friedrich Gulda,
Oskar's - and my - favorite musician for Mozart's piano sonatas and concerts.

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Dreaming
  maybe?
about the time when he was little...

...just 2-3 weeks old....(mother had disappeared)
 and still together with his two sisters and a brother.
6 years ago...


The time....


 when I've "calmed" them down with
piano music by Friedrich Gulda and Mozart

 
Oskar (on the right) with his sister Ottilie

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 By the time I'm writing this post,
we are both listening to the music, remembering the "old days",
and...
 "His Highness" is just soooo....


"UnHappy" 

"unhappy" as ever!

purr - purr - purr....

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by the way:
Winter - Oh winter...

snow at La Pouyette yesterday....
and
...this is how it looks today!

Grey with rainy and stormy "intermezzi"...



Thursday 17 January 2013

The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair


WINTER: 22 - 27 January 2013

London’s most popular event for decorators 
seeking unusual antiques and statement pieces for interior design.
Held in Battersea Park, close to Sloane Square and Chelsea.


Decorative Antiques Textile Fair
Image: by French Country Living Antiques


The Decorative Fair is a thrice-yearly specialist event for the discerning decorator 
looking to source unusual English and European antiques, 
original 20th century designs and works of art from all periods to the present day. 
From opulent show-stoppers to useful furniture, around 140 exhibitors offer 
a broad range of both fine quality and affordable pieces for inspired interiors, 
in the relaxed surroundings of leafy Battersea Park 
– just over the River Thames from Sloane Square and Knightsbridge.

Main entrance to the Fair is by crossing Chelsea Bridge.


 Chelsea Bridge in 1852



For all of you who cannot visit the Fair
I'm taking you on a 'virtual' Antiques Tour.

The Antiques and pieces you'll see here
are what I've selected that I find interesting and like

A "small" selection... 
which I've made from only a few of my best dealer friends 
and good colleagues who exhibit at the fair.


 I start with my dear friends

Toby Lorford and Lesley Ferguson

LORFORDS  ANTIQUES




Lorfords brings together a fabulous and inspiring collection
of decorative European antiques from the 18th century through to 20th century design
- and is a must for antique dealers, interior designers and discerning private buyers.




 English mahogany bookcase
A very handsome English mahogany bookcase reconstructed from mid-18th century elements



 Glazed white confit pots
 19th century Albi confit pots


18th century Bavarian cupboard

Magnificent late 18th century Austrian cupboard in later paint
Dimensions: H: 209cm (82.3")   W: 201cm (79.1")   D: 72cm (28.3")





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18th century Italian reliquary frame converted to mirror
Dimensions: H: 136cm (53.5")   W: 103cm (40.6")  
 18th century Italian reliquary frame - mirrored
 Painted Swedish pedestal table
19th century painted Swedish pedestal table



 Swedish longcase clock
Late Gustavian clock scraped to traces of early paint.




19th century Swedish bench
19th century Swedish bench.




Pair painted candlesticks
Pair carved wood and painted Louis XIV candlesticks
Dimensions: H: 143cm (56.3") 


1930s Buttoned pouffe
A large country house buttoned stool in original fabric c.1930
Dimensions: H: 51cm (20.1")   W: 81cm (31.9")   D: 81cm (31.9")




Italian sofa
A late 19th Century painted and gilded Italian rococo style sofa - recovered in vintage linen



Steel and leather daybed
A 1950s American gilt steel neo-classical daybed with original leather cushions


Spanish gilt brass and glass chandelier
A stunning Bagues style Spanish 6-branch chandelier c.1960
Dimensions: H: 86cm (33.9")   W: 66cm (26.0")   D: 66cm (26.0")

French armchair c.1880
French armchair c.1880 covered in c.1800 French indigo quilted fabric



4 early 19th century Swedish chairs
Matched set of 4 early 19th century Swedish chairs - Lindome.





Pair of mid 18th century Florentine mirrors predominantly with original glass - 
some breakages and some missing carving
Dimensions: H: 310cm (122.0")   W: 90cm (35.4")   D: 5cm (2.0")

Mid 18th century florentine mirrors



Pair late 19th century ebonised armchairs
Pair late 19th century French ebonised armchairs, recovered.



A rare 18th century Piedmontese mirror

Early 19th C Swedish elbow chair
Early 19th century rococo style Swedish elbow chair in later paint



Iron chandelier c.1900
Swedish iron chandelier c.1900


Early 20th C Howard & Sons bergere
A rare English 1920`s mahogany Bergere
in a French style by Howard & Sons




A gorgeously worn 1950s English rocking horse



Set of 8 English dining chairs
A charming set of 8 late 19th Century English oak dining chairs

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19th century Italian wine bottles 
Dimensions: H: 66cm (26.0")   (heights vary)

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18th century provincial Swedish stool
Late 18th century provincial stool with lift-up lift, recovered in antique French hemp



Pair copper lanterns
Pair 20th century copper lanterns

Swedish marriage chest
Mid 19th century iron bound Swedish marriage chest in original paint




Pair of Bagues wall lights
Pair of gilt metal and glass Bagues wall lights - with cream sleeves
Dimensions: H: 48cm (18.9")   W: 32cm (12.6")   D: 15cm (5.9")


 
Late 18th century Gustavian corner cupboard in original paint.



 
Pair of gilt metal and glass Bagues wall lights - with black sleeves





A 1960s French copper nail decorated mirror
Dimensions: H: 42cm (16.5")   W: 42cm (16.5") 




 French walnut buffet with original fossil marble top, circa 1800





Pair of very stylish English 1970's hardwood cube lamps


Art deco mirrored cabinet on rosewood base with gilt metal mounts circa.1930
- signed on back legs.




Georgian fanlight frame in original blue paint
- to be re-glazed or mirrored


19th century Swedish bureau with original painted interior

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French indigo flamme cushion
Early 19th century French indigo flamme linen/cotton cushion



Delft plates c.1780
Pair of delft blue and white plates c.1780


Toile de Abbeville cushion
C.1720 French Toile de Abbeville cushion



Pair stone flambeaux lamped
Pair beautifully weathered 19th century stone flambeaux finials - lamped




18th century French block printed cotton/linen cushion

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Swedish bucket dated 1746 - with old repair



Wooden sledges
Selection of 20th century wooden sledges


Soon winter will be over 
and the time comes for garden designs....

French iron arbour

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Circular iron garden border
A rare 19th century English painted iron planting border



Composition stone birdbath
A mid 20th Century faux-bois concrete bird bath

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Pair fire buckets
Pair early 20th century fire buckets

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Pair of French `rummers`
Pair of 19th century French `rummers`

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Selection of creil montreau creamware

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19th century carved candlestick
Dimensions: H: 118cm (46.5") 


All
 - and more - 
available at Lorfords Antiques
here



Tel: +44 (0)1666 505 111
Lorfords Antiques
30 Long Street
Tetbury
Glos
UK - GL8 8AQ

 see also post about Lorfords Antiques and the Fair
here


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The Fair is fun, fashionable and particularly well-known 
as an excellent source of painted furniture, 
Gustavian & Swedish design...

 
 Late 18th century Swedish cupboard in original paint -my own- (sold 2009)

...20th century design, 
 lighting...


one of a pair of French 1940's wall lights (sold in in 2008) - my own - 


...accessories and named-design furniture, 
and excellent mirrors.


Swedish mirror, ca. 1800, my own (sold in 2000)

 
The Fair's worldwide reputation, established over 25 years, 
entices international trade and retail buyers, interior designers, 
and private customers seeking unique and unusual furnishings 
and quirky accessories for decorating schemes.


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A Louis XIV Limestone Urn with Gadrooned Body
and Shell-Carved Frieze, circa 1700.

Rebecca, June and Doug
French Country Living





French Country Living 
has been established for over twenty years. 



French zinc lion's head
with the original decoration, ca. 1880


Specialized in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Period Furniture from Italy,
France and Sweden - with the original painted Decoration, 
and fruitwood Pieces of exceptional Colour.


Pair of Italian 18th century carved wooden doors with original painted decoration,
from the region of the Marche, ca. 1880


Wonderful Toiles Peintes and Screens  from the Interiors of Palazzos and Chateaux 
reflect the changing array of stock,
as well as Crystal Chandeliers, Wall Sconces and Mirrors.




 Based in Provence for the past 15 years and have developed a Passion for the Garden 
and relevant Eighteenth Century Architectural Pieces and Statuary.


 Home 1 - click here to view a bigger image

French Country Living
 exhibits at International Antique Shows across the Globe 
including three Fairs in the United States:
The Palm Beach Show,  the Los Angeles International Show 
and the Dallas International Show

The Summer Fine Art and Antique Fair, London Olympia.

and of course

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, London


 
 A French 19th century sculpture of  'Amazon on Horseback'
by Pierre Jules Mene, ca. 1860



18th century carved and gilded wooden mirror


Italian 18th century table with original paint decoration, ca. 1795


French 17th century carved wooden cherub
with remnants of the original paint


19th century French wooden ladder, ca. 1880
from the studio of the sculptor Theodore Riviere



An Italian early 19th century fer forge metal corona
with the original gilding, around 1800


American Settee with the original paint, circa 1800


18th century Italian tole and crystal chandelier

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Press:
French Country Living has been featured 
in numerous international magazines
such as i.E. 





Contact 1 - click here to view a bigger image
Detail of an Italian 18th century Grisaille Painting (shown above in full)
depicting Cena Dinner from The Decorative Cycle of The Sala Di Festa,
Palazzo Di Magnano Di San Lio, Sicily, ca. 1795







French Country Living
  has undertaken a wide variety of Interior Design Projects 
both in Europe and the States.

  Sourcing Antique Architectural Elements such as Fireplaces, 
Floors and Doors both for Modern and Historical Settings.

  Reputed International Antique Finders,
both for Interior Designers and Private Clients.
all info here:
http://www.frenchcountrylivingantiques.com/



 
Italian, 18th century


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Dean Antiques

 dean antiques


established for over 20 years, is located at Core One,
in the Kings Road area of Chelsea, London.


 

Dean Gipson specialises in an extensive range of period mirrors and lighting,
and an eclectic mix of decorative objects and 18th, 19th and 20th century furniture.



 Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Chairs
 Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XIV style Chairs 
French, with needlepoint



A Wrought Iron Star Burst Mirror
20th century, diameter: 43,25"



 Set of Six 18th Century Gilt Wood Prickets


20th Century Verdigris Copper Lantern


 A Pair of 19th Century Wrought Iron Lanterns
A Pair of 19th Century Wrought Iron Lanterns


19th Century Large Pine Bookcase
19th Century Large Pine Bookcase




 An Italian Ornate Wrought Iron Lantern with Dome Top, ca 1860

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A Bronze and Gilt Empire Chandelier
 A Bronze and Gilt Empire Chandelier, ca 1820



 A Large French Bronze Model of The Albani Vase
19th century



A Pair of 19th Century English Copper Lanterns
 A Pair of 19th Century English Copper Lanterns

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The showroom is always fresh and vibrant,
certainly a favorite destination for interior decorators, 
designers and private customers.



all and more 
here:


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  Moira Spooner
at
 Puckhaber Decorative Antiques




Puckhaber is located on the Lillie Road in London and in New Romney, Kent.
 Also exhibit at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair three times a year.


Fantastic antique carved Angel wings, French, early 19th century.
Dimensions: height 39cm, width 26cm and depth 3cm individually.



French antique pigeon, circa 1900, on a metal stand for display.
Dimensions: height 36cm, width 22cm and depth 10cm.



Attractive French 1930s Bagues style chandelier that resembles a Christmas Tree.
Dimensions: height 87cm and width 50cm.


Two French chairs, circa 1820, hand scraped back to the original paint



Early 20th century French artist's mannequins



Antique balustrade table lamps, circa 1900, original patina



Great collection of French mid 20th century planters.
Dimensions: height 25cm, width 50cm and depth 50cm.



Pair of faux bamboo Regency armchairs, early 19th century,
with original cane work and original paint.



Pair of Italian Terracotta Lions, circa 1770,
regal and impressive.




Set of enormous studded French skittles from the end of the 19th Century.
Old paint, with four balls of complimentary style and age.



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Collection of carved and gilt finials, French and early 19th century.
Dimensions: height ranges from 15-21cm.



Collection of French arts and crafts flowers in metal, very decorative, circa 1900, old paint.



Late 19th century charming French antique toy horse
Dimensions: height 45cm, width 42cm and depth 8cm.



Very decorative metal wings with original red paint, French, circa 1890,
mounted onto metal stands for display.
Dimensions: height 36cm, width 23cm and depth 4cm.

all and plenty more 
available here:
http://www.puckhaberdecorativeantiques.com/about-us/


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Art Nouveau, wrought iron, ca. 1900 - my own


I'm sure you will enjoy this "little" Antiques tour I've taken you on!
Enjoying it like I have while creating this post!


German large mirror, ca. 1820 - my own

Having exhibited for 10 years at the Fair (1999-2009)
I must say that I really do miss it.
An event full of excitement and inspiration! 


19th French 'Back-drop', 19th French butcher's table with original marble top,
Pair of 1930's re-constituted stone vases made into lamps
An image of my stand in 2003

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 Info about the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair
here:
http://www.decorativefair.com/visitor.html

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see also my earlier posts about the fair
here  and  here

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Please notice:
All images in this post are copyright of each individual dealer.
Do not use any of these images on  Pinterest  etc. without permission!
You can email me for further questions about this   here

Thanks for your understanding.


- my own -

A bientôt...