Something other than 20th century design

We do 20th Century Design but we also live in a rural area of Virginia just off the Chesapeake Bay.  Having our business on line and on 1stdibs allows us to have a relaxed life style, that is when Lewis is not driving all across the country searching for all the wonderful pieces that we have in our shop.

This year Lewis helped me plant a mini vegetable garden.  He planted several zucchini plants. We wanted to make sure that we had enough.  How crazy is that!  Mid June the zucchini started to mature.  One day there would be a small zucchini and before we knew it it would triple over night.  I started searching for good recipes.  I have found several that I love, but I think the best by far is a recipe for zucchini muffins.

I took a basic recipe that I found on the web and did my own thing.  Lewis and our neighbor Christine loved them.

Zucchini Muffins

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1.5 cups grated zucchini (about 2 small to medium-size zucchini’s)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract (or vanilla paste)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. baking powder
Cinnamon and sugar for topping

I added .....More of these would be even better.....
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger...
1/4 chopped walnuts
1/4 golden raisins....
I substituted pumpkin pie spice for the nutmeg.

preheat oven 375

About 20 to 30 Minutes...Watch for when the look done insert a sharp knife or toothpick...

The excitment is building....May Brimfield 2014

Hurray, it is almost time to go shop and experience all the fun at the Spring Brimfield Shows.  For several years I have gone to and exhibited at the various Brimfield fields of Antique Dealers.  I have also gone just to buy.  You never know what treasures are out there waiting for you to scoop them up.  No matter what type of items you love to collect you are likely to be able to find them at the Brimfield Antique Show.

Today my son, Chris Trimble is packing for the trip.  He shows at the Meadows on the main road that goes though the show.  He takes up his 18th century antiques, and his large collection of Indian arrow heads.  Chris a history buff himself ever since first studying history as a child living in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Some how he found that living where history was made, actually helped history come alive for him.

I loved to search out good art in the fields there. I was brought up in Norfolk, Va. among art as my parents owned and ran the first art gallery it that town.  Both my parents were painter's and my Dad had a great love for art.  He was a self educated art authority.  The Gallery, Auslew, specialized in American paintings from the Hudson River School though the early 20th century. I spent much time as a young child in the Gallery especially in it's early stages.  I remember doing paintings in the back room when I accompanied my Mother there on school holidays.  Art just was in my blood.

Lewis, my youngest son discovered Modern design while studying Art at Virginia Tech.  He spent many hours in the Architecture library going though books on the various Architects and realizing that they were responsible for most of the early innovations in the designs of modern furniture.  He developed a great eye for both the design and the lines in very good modern furnishings and accessories.  So this is what he searches for.

We have a friend and customer whose family go every year to the shows in search of fine old books, and the great foods that you will find in the food courts.  Lewis wants to eat as many Lobster rolls as he can.  Chris loves the pilgrim sandwiches.  I loved the fresh Blue Berry Pie, and Lemon Aid.  There is definately something for everyone.

George Nakashima

http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com/

 While visiting a friend I noticed a small unique table it was beautifully constructed out of a natural burled  wood.  I commented on the piece and she proudly announced that it was by Nakashima.  I admit that I had only heard the name but never the less I was duly impressed, both by the obvious pride that she had and more so by the piece itself.

Nakashima was born in 1905.  He studied Architecture at the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor degree.  From there he went to MIT where he earned a Masters Degree in Architecture.  After finishing his degree he travel via a tramp steamer, spending about a year in France, North African and landing in Japan.  There in found work with, Antonin Raymond, who had worked with Frank Lloyd Wright on the Imperial Hotel.  While there he was able to travel through out Japan studying the Architecture and design.  His first experience in furniture design came when he working with Raymond on a project in India designing some of the furniture.

He returned to states in 1940 and started to make furniture and teach woodworking.  When war broke out people of Japanese descent were intern into A Camp in Hunt Idaho, where he met Gentaro Hikogawa, who was trained in the tradition of Japanese woodwork and carpentry.  He learned patience and the use of traditional hand tools to strive for perfection in all his work.

George Nakashima, Arlyn Table, 1988, redwood, American black walnut, East Indian laurel, madrone burl. Est. $300,000 – $500,000; sold for $822,400. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby

In 1943 Antonin Raymond came to his aid and arranged for his release from the camp.  Nakashima went to Raymond's farm in New Hope, PA, here he explored the natural qualities of wood exploiting the natural knots, burls and grain of the wood itself.  He is know for his large polished slab wood tables with large butterfly joints and natural edges.

Nakashima Table with butterfly joints