Reworking a Normal House into a Showcase Home

We are embarking on a journey to take a normal ranch style home from the 20th century into a home that will embrace the 21st century while showcasing both mid 20th century and older fine pieces of furnishings as well as art.

We have signed the papers and are now the proud owners of this dated rancher.  The lot is ho hum nothing special, except for the expansive views of the Indian Creek Golf Course.  This takes just under a half acre and makes it feel like a well groomed estate.  All the better because the majority of what we see we do not have to keep up.

The giant over grown bushes are all gone, and the house has had a coat of white wash as well as new paint on the shutters and doors.  Lewis has planted the yard as well as a shade garden on the side where we get little sun.

Every morning we have our coffee on the sun porch watching the sun come up over the golf course.

Large open kitchen and family room/ breakfast room

When we walked into the house we were surprised to see that in spite of the ho hum exterior that there were large open areas to the home.

If you look carefully you can look into the living room and then into the sun porch. In the next photo you will see that the entrance is large 16x6 feet.

There are great plans already in the mix.  These lighting fixtures are coming down, as well as taking up the nasty rug.  We will be taking out the kitchen as well, and putting down re-purposed hardwood flooring.  The front entrance will have some brick paver accent flooring.

The living room area

The walls are painted paneling.   We are hoping to find some ship lap to use here. We will be redoing the fireplace and taking down the fan. Up with the rugs here and throughout the house.  You can now see the sun porch below.

Sun porch and view

The rug here is not as bad as the rest of the house, but we still plan on ripping it up and the window treatments were not cheap, but no to those as well. The last residents were smokers and the smell and nicotine stain on the window treatments need to go.  All and all the house is open the entire length of the building.  We will not feel confined at all here. This is the beginning I can not wait for the finished home.

There is Gold Leaf and then there is Water Gilt

Wooden Gilt Lamp Base..note flowers have more sheen

There are a lot of frames that claim to be gold leaf.  Knowing what you really have in front of you when you go to buy a piece is being able to see into the piece.What is gold leafing and what is water gilt?  Most frames that you will find today are merely "gold" leaf, and most of these are done with imitation gold leaf which is actually very thin brass leaf.  The same goes for silver leafing today which mostly is aluminum leafing.  Years ago my father did gold leafing and I remember going into his shop and seeing tiny bits of powdery gold fluttering in the air.  These were the tiny pieces that did not adhere to the frame.

Nineteenth Century Water Gilt frame

Gold leafing is the layering of a tissue thin sheet of gold over a surface.  The surface needs to be prepared with a sizing and the the leaf is gently applied on to this surface. Today this is usually an imitation gold leaf.  When this is used the piece needs to be varnish to retain the gold sheen.  Older gold leafing was done like this but with real gold leaf.

Gold leaf chair on wood note the difference in color/tone

Water gilding differs greatly from gold leafing.  Water gilding is gold leaf that is applied over Armenian clay, or red gesso, referred to as a bol. The gold leaf is then applied very delicately as the real gold leaf is very thin and can easily blow around.   Once the gold leaf is applied then an agate tooth shaped burnisher is used to burnish the gold itself.  This gives the gold a luster and sheen that you do not find in regular gold leafing.

Water Gilt Frames

Early Modern Designs in Furniture, Eugene Schone

Monumental Desk by Eugene Schoen at Donzella

Born in 1880 in New York , Eugene Schoen, studied architecture at Columbia University and graduated in 1901. He traveled to Europe and studied architecture with Otto Wagner and Josef Hoffman.  He attended the Paris Exhibition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925.  Greatly influenced by what he had seen he started designing furniture after the French avant-garde style he had seen there. He opened an interior decorating business and designed the furniture himself. He was able to combine the new materials that were coming into the market place with the more traditional materials and woods used in Art Decco Designs.

Designing and selling furniture during the Great Depression was not an easy task.  He was able to display his furniture in his own shop. Schoen exhibited furniture at the Pennsylvania Museum of Fine Arts and participated in two exhibits of industrial design at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This helped get him through the depression era.  In 1931, Schoen became professor of  Interior Architecture at NYU.

He designed furniture for Schmieg & Kotzian, Inc., Designers and Cabinet Makers, 521 East 72nd Street, New York along with Paul Frankl.

Schoen recieved the Gold Medal Award of the Architectural League of Crafts.  His designs led the way for other modern furniture designers.

Etagere by Eugene Schoen Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gillian Bryce was at the Modernism Show in Palm Springs

Painting by  William Fredericksen, Estate handled by Gillian Bryce

Our friend Gillian Bryce just got back from doing the Modernist show in Palm Springs California.  She shows with us at 214 Modern Vintage in High Point and travels all over with her great collection of  Art and twentieth century design.  She has a knack of finding wonderful and sometimes yet to be discovered artists. Gillian has a large following of collectors of unique and interesting pieces.

Crowds milling around Gillian Bryce's Booth at the Palm Springs Modernist Show

Water Color by Martin Sumers

Christopher Thurman, Sputnik Modern Booth at the Modernism Show

To see more of Gillian's items visit her website http://www.gillianbrycefineart.com/.   Also visit Gillian and Lewis at the up coming High Point Market Show in Apirl  http://214modernvintage.com/

Spreading Our Wings Ready to Fly

Life is treating us well.  We have a full house of wonderful pieces of twentieth century design and even a few very special earlier pieces.  1stdibs has done well for us, but now is the time to spread our wings and fly.  In addition to 1stdibs we have signed up to the newest decorative design site for vintage and antique dealers Incollect. Their site is impressive and there are more opportunities for interaction between the customer, the designers and the dealer.  This makes communication so much easier for both parties.  We are looking forward to a long relationship with them.

Visit their site and look for us under furniture.

: https://www.incollect.com/cms_login/sign_up/748d909d56167bcfc5edd66095378752/siteId/302

Eighteenth Century enters into our mostly Twentieth Century Shop

We are still alive and kicking.  Sorry that we have not posted recently.  Time just flies by if you are having fun or not.  We have had all sorts of things going on.  During the very cold winter our heat pumps went out, and we were stuck at home while trying to get them fixed.  That however, did not keep us from continuing to add to our collection here at the shop.  You never know what you will find.

Sheraton Period demilune card table 1780

Just when we firmly established that we are dealers in twentieth century modern pieces, we run into an estate of really fine eighteenth century pieces.  Lewis brought home a hand painted card table from around 1790.  He also found a tall bureau signed and dated 1723.  This appears to be from somewhere around Austria.  Both of these pieces are in remarkable condition.  It seems that they came out of an antique dealers estate.  Unlike most dealers who keep those beautiful damaged items too lovely to throw away, this dealer seemed to keep the best for himself.

European Bureau signed and dated 1723

Another find from the same estate are a beautiful pair of eighteenth century cutlery urns.  These are monumental in scale and once again in remarkable condition. They are mahogany with banded boxwood inlay.

Sheraton period cutlery-urns

More from 214 Modern Vintage at the 2014 Fall High Point Furniture Market

signed Venini Chandelier

Among the fabulous items seen at the 214 Modern Vintage in High Point is this large Venini Murano Chandelier in Lewis Trimble area. Then there is the huge collection of Walnut Rude Osolnik candlesticks.

While there Lewis continues to feather our nest with great finds from his friends who show there with him. Here is a fanciful mirror picked from our friend  Hilary D. Eklund of Tandem Antiques in Hudson NY... Great large scale to this mirror.

Fall 2014 Antiques at High Point Furniture Market

architectural dining table by le opere ei giorni @214modern

Lewis is all set up for the opening day of the antique part of the High Point Furniture Market.  Designers have been coming in all day.  The table above by le Opere ei Giorni is a contemporary piece from an Italian designer of furniture.  The base is fiber glass over a wooden boat like structure the top is book matched mahogany with a glass insert.  Le Opere ei Giorni makes limited editions of each of his desighs this being # 1 of a limited series of 10 pieces.

Assorted Murano and pottery pieces 

We have a great collection of assorted Murano, and other glass pieces as well as wonderful pottery pieces in our showroom at 214 Modern Vintage in High Point NC.

Pair of Lucite Lamps flanking Blenko bottle vase and a Huge Murano

Loading up for Fall 2014 High Point Market

We have been working really hard redoing our spot at 214 Modern Vintage for the up coming Fall 2014 High Point Furniture Market .  Last week Lewis loaded up his Van with furniture, pottery, murano glass and pairs of lamps and headed to High Point.  He is back in the shop ready to take more abstract paintings and brutalist pieces as well as Italian and noted designer furnishings from the mid twentieth century to be displayed in his space.

Kraka Vase by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors 

 

 

Groupings of 1940's Murano Glass pieces

Stunning grouping of studio pottery with fantastic crackle glaze

Large Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Cenedese

 

 

Please pick up one of our cards when you visit us.

 

 

 

New Author in Town

It is amazing how many talented people live in our little area just off the Chesapeake Bay.  I blog about 20th century designers, but also about our area and the interesting people, who live here.  One of our friends, Bradley Stephens is extremely talented.  He is a Renaissance man in almost every aspect.  Brad has been know locally for his artistic abilities.  He writes plays and acts.  Evidently he has been writing books as well.  Recently he has published through Amazon four Novels.  I am currently in the process of working my way through these.  Each one is distinctly different from the other.  The characters are vivid and totally believable.  He structures his plots masterfully keeping the readers interest peaked.  We are so proud of him and of all that he has accomplished.

The first book that he publish is called "The Letter."  This is a mystery revolving around events that occurred years before and how this mystery was solved by a caring woman.  Another is "A Child Called Lazarus."  A child comes back to life possessing unnatural powers, and the effect of these on the characters in the book.   "Bird of Prey" is a thriller and the newest one is "Seagaw Island." 

I have done several other postings on this site about Brad.  You can search for these by entering Brad Stephens in search on this page.  There I talk about his unique eye and his folk art work.

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

It's Spring and Lewis is Heading to High Point

It just seems like yesterday that we were getting ready for the Furniture Market in High Point.  Lewis will be at 214 Modern Vintage, 214 E Kivett street, High Point NC.  We have 150 square feet more space to fill so Lewis is busy figuring out what new thing from the shop to take down to the show room.  There is so much new here to choose from.  He will be taking the chandelier that hung during Tony Bennett's and Lady Gaga's performance at President Obama's second inauguration.

He will be taking an old Italian trestle console from an old convent in Tuscany.  Another couple of totally unusual pieces are a pair of carved hand chairs. He is packing up this week and keeps adding more and more pieces as he goes.

More Great things at 214 Modern Vintage

214 Modern Vintage is the rocking new stop the must see at this fall's Furniture Mart in High Point.  I have been Blogging about Lewis Trimble and setting up our booth at 214, but now I want to show you some of the things that the other dealers have brought to the showroom.

Lewis at 214 Modern Vintage High Point Furniture Mart

Sofa Abstract oil painting  with green Murano glass Obelisks

After many problems Lewis finally made down to the show room at  214 Modern Vintage, High Point Fall Furniture Mart.

Lewis working on set up

After taking his first load down, he was way laid by a constant week of nothing but rain.  After waiting out the rain he was finally able to pack up carefully the second load going down to High Point.  Last night he worked late getting ready.  This was a new experience for us.  What to take how much can we get into a van and how much to fill our space.  So many things to consider.  The show opened today.  The whole group was ready and excited with the days prospects. 

Wonderful sculptured Andirons by Sculptor Curtis Norton

Fabulous Murano floor lamp

Here is an over view of part of our space with Orange Murano Chandelier

Abstract Beach Painting by Turner

Abstract Painting by Lewis Trimble

Fontana Arte Mirror and custom floor lamp with Murano shades by Curtis Norton

Another view of our space with corner of Probber sofa

I will continue to Blog about the show through out the week long show.....Check for more picture of the spaces at 214 Modern Vintage.  If you are in the area please stop by and visit all the great modern vintage dealers there.