'Tis The Season For Outdoor Antiquing

July in New England has definitely improved in terms of both weather and new finds along the antiques trail – beginning with these two Ball turquoise mason jars I found at the Elephant's 
Trunk Country Flea Market in New Milford, CT.

Ball Mason Jars, approx. 9.5" tall x 4.5" wide.
Based on the script-like logo, these date from between 1910 to 1923.

I don't usually buy "country" antiques, but the turquoise color and large size of these attracted my attention. They make perfect accent pieces in my red and gold living room.

Yesterday I attended the Brimfield Antiques Show on a gorgeous sunny summer day. I missed the May show due to inclement weather. Needless to say, I made up for lost time with a few fun bargain purchases.

One of my favorite Christmas dealers had a fun Santa blow mold I couldn't resist. This one is popping out of a chimney and has a happy, jolly face.

Dapol Industries plastic Santa, made in the mid to late 1970s?, possibly in Worcester, MA.

The back says, "Dapol Industries Decorative Outfit. Made in USA. For Indoor Use Only."

I also bought a plastic ghost (back says, "1995 Empire Ind., Inc. Made in China") and an angel (identical to one I already have). The angel has no markings, but according to my Collector's Encyclopedia of Electric Christmas Lighting, it was made by the Levinson Mfg. Co., USA, around 1955. She originally came with a white plastic pedestal base. A true bargain at $5!

1955 Angel prays for 1995 Trick-Or-Treating Ghost.

I also purchased a C-7 Santa bulb from the same dealer who sold me the plastic Santa and Ghost.

C-7 Santa bulb, marked "JAPAN" on screw-in base. Dates from 1950s?

My crowning purchase of the day? This unique decorative wall piece, the likes of which I'd never seen before.

Though it's missing a few "jewels," I really love the design and shape of the black velvet crown and the curvaceously scrolled swag, as well as the unusual twisting finial. The back says,

GOODMAN-DEAN-SCOTT, INC.
CONTINENTAL BOUTIQUE   34263
MONARCH CROWN-SWAG

I couldn't find much info on the company, but one online comment I found suggests Goodman-Dean-Scott was based in Chicago. This piece was probably made anywhere from the early 1960s to the mid 1970s.

In any case, I really like it, and it was a bargain at $23.
It's also missing a couple of small "hook loops" on the left part of the swag. I'm thinking crystals may have hung from them originally. SO, I visited the hardware dealer at Brimfield for a few crystal drops, including these two ruby ones.

Positively REGAL!

Finally, here are a few photos of quirky-cool, novelty-WOW items – Brimfield usually has a wild selection of them!

BIG CAT – yours for $1,800!

"No parking, I'm on vacation."

Got wheels?

Pimpalicious dining set with paint-by-numbers dogs portrait?!

Happy (Antiquing) Trails to you!

Manic for New York's Botanical Garden

The spring season is most enjoyable and meaningful when it involves a fresh experience.

I was fortunate to visit the New York Botanical Garden for the first time on Mother's Day – and on a day when the weather was sunny and gorgeous. (Special thanks to my Westchester friends for driving us out there on one of the busiest days of the year).

The Garden's sprawling 250 acres offer an oasis of peace and beauty in the midst of a frantically-paced, overly-congested metropolis.

Comprising 50 different gardens, I only had time to visit a few, but I was so impressed by what I saw. One of the highlights was the impossible-to-miss Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Completed in 1902, this "crystal palace" style structure was designed by the greenhouse architectural firm of Lord & Burnham. At the time, Americans were obsessed with traveling abroad and intrigued by exotic cultures. This extravagant greenhouse gave citizens of all economic classes the opportunity to view plant life from around the world.

I viewed some unusual and colorful flowers in the rainforest section:

I also enjoyed the water lily garden, which would be especially soothing on a really hot summer day.

Also interesting and decidedly less soothing – the desert plant garden.

Of course, Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without lilacs, and they were in full bloom.
My favorites – and the most fragrant – were the deep purple lilacs.

Like all great gardens, this one flourished with creativity and whimsy, exemplified in this botanical insect sculpture.

Finally, after a long nature walk, it was time to bug off.

Happy Spring!

Drawing "Caprice" on a Whim

In March of 2013 I started a series of drawings based on a china beaker I bought in Filene's Basement many years ago. The bottom says,

"CAPRICE"
WREN
Fine Bone China    Made in England.

I have a set of four – two of them I bought in Bermuda back in the 1990s – and I use them for tea regularly.

I was especially intrigued by the four figures inside the architectural window frames and decided to draw them large scale on my 11" x 14" sketchpad. I used an HB pencil and black Tombo marker.

Image I From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker  – 3/2/14

One of the biggest challenges was getting the proportions correct for each figure.

Image II From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 3/10/13

As far as I can tell, each figure is involved in some domestic pursuit or getting ready to go out.

Image III From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 4/17/13

I have two title ideas for this series and I'm not sure which I will use yet:

Answer The Call

or

Look Harder

Image IV From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 3/2/14

My current idea is to frame these using the image/photo of a worn brick wall on paper and tearing the paper so the edges are ragged. I just haven't found the right paper and image yet. I'm also not sure if I will frame each drawing in a wood frame or leave them loose.

I think the Look Harder title will work really well with "brick wall" paper frames.

Stay tuned. I may change my mind.

Miami — Swank & Slick, Luxe & Luscious

OK, so this post is really over a month late, since I basked in the tropical heat of Miami in mid-March. But, as always, Miami is one of the best cities for design aficionados, and this (my 6th?) visit was no exception.

I had always wanted to stay at the Todd Oldam-designed, The Hotel, South Beach, after visiting the lobby bar and rooftop pool on a previous visit. The splurge was worth it.

Originally built as the Tiffany Hotel in the 1930s, this Art Deco gem has graced the intersection of Collins Ave. and 8th Street ever since. The location is ideal, and Oldham's design is cohesive both inside and out, beginning with the outside patio.

The tropical green, blue and yellow stripes are repeated inside the rooms.

Bath with beautiful, carnivalesque tile.
Note tile even surrounds the shower floor drain.

Close-up of bathroom floor tile.

Even the cabinets' mosaic hardware is cool.

And, of course, what would Tiffany's be without diamonds?

Diamond light sconces in hallway.

For me, the real oasis of calm amidst the non-stop bustle of South Beach was the rooftop pool.

Yes, that's my sunscreen, Surf Style shopping bag, book and water – ahhh.

One highlight of my visit was wandering around the Delano Hotel – always a luxurious pleasure.

Dinner on the water, anyone?

Night chess, anyone?

Elton-Joe, Live at the Delano!

I found more design inspiration at the Mondrian Hotel, where I went to watch the sunset.

I especially liked the lobby and its staircase 

designed by the handsome Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders.

Mondrian Hotel lobby – cutout staircase.

Mondrian Hotel carport – bell chandeliers.

Mondrian bathroom etched glass door.

I saw more cool art at the Carlyle Hotel on Ocean Drive.

Elizabeth Taylor wall mural by Argentina-born artist, Havi Schanz.
He paints brilliantly over architectural floor plans!

Donna Summer wall mural by Havi Schanz.

A true highlight of my getaway was my birthday dinner at Baoli restaurant on Collins Ave. One of my best friends in the world treated me, and it was totally fabulous. 

The roof is open to the sky, and the space transforms from a restaurant to a nightclub at around 10:30pm. The wait staff hands out sparklers to ignite the party and they dance in front of the bar.

Marilyn and I SO approved.

Miami is a girl's best friend. 

Hasta luego, mis amigos!

TV Lamps Ahoy!

Today was the first time I've been out antiquing since last December, and it was a fun pick-me-up for a gloomy, rainy day.

I considered embarking on new territory and driving up to Essex, MA (I'll try another weekend), but decided in favor of training it out to Cambridge.

Arrrrrgh! I unearthed a third TV lamp to add to my collection: a wonderfully tacky Pirate Ship.

Pirate Ship TV Lamp – coincidental that I found this on a rainy day?

I especially like the hole perforations, which make it different from most other TV lamps. The bottom says "Made In Japan," so I'm guessing this dates from the 1950s or 1960s. It was a bargain, reduced from $35 to $28.
I placed it above my kitchen cabinets, but may move it if I find a better spot. I think it may be too high up to really see it well.

I also saw a few other TV lamps, including this great Stallion, marked at $78 – a bit out of my budget.

This Gazelle was cool, too, priced at $58.

Happy vintage treasure hunting, maties!