Showing posts with label chinoiserie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chinoiserie. Show all posts

Friday, November 30, 2012

SPEAKING OF ELEPHANT GARDEN STOOLS....

Life is just weird.  I've come to be a true believer in the idea that if you put something out to the universe, the universe will answer.  Hopefully it is the answer you are looking for.  Yesterday morning I did a post on Chinoiserie garden stools and how I was specifically obsessing over the elephant version.  Shortly after, I receive an email from a neighbor asking me if I had been to the estate sale in our neighborhood because it was full of items from the 60s/70s that I might be interested in.  She forewarned me that "digging" would be involved.  Since I had no knowledge of said estate sale (I'm off my game), I hopped in the car to check it out.  She was right.  Let's just say this person had a collecting problem and not the good kind.  After doing an initial once over and seeing nothing of interest, I decided to do a more thorough inspection of the back room that was piled high.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a trunk sticking up out of the pile.  I hurried over and pulled back the boxes to unearth a very cool vintage elephant garden stool.  THANK YOU UNIVERSE!
 
Here's a quick look at my current selection.  Don't you need one of these under your tree?  Have a great weekend everyone!
 
 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

CHINOISERIE: THE GARDEN STOOL

Ever wonder the history of the oh so popular garden stool that is showing up today in all types of interiors.  I grabbed this quick history lesson from one of my favorite sites:  Circa Who.
 
"The garden seat, or garden stool, first appeared in elite Chinese gardens as early as the Sung Dynasty (960-1279).
Su Han-ch’en scroll painting CIRCA Sung Dynasty via National Palace Museum
Garden seats can be used as either a table or seating indoors and outdoors. Styles of garden seats range from elaborately ornate to beautifully simple and are usually made of porcelain, ceramic, terracotta, or wood. Garden seats are a stylish way to add color, texture, or a touch of Chinoiserie. "
 
 
I love the garden stool especially the elephants.  I have to admit I'm becoming a little obsessed with them.  I currently have two elephants and one blue and white drum in stock.  If you are interested let me know.  I've taken Gogo Studio down for now while I get new inventory loaded.

 

Source: teenvogue.com via Sunny on Pinterest







Wednesday, August 1, 2012

THE DESIGN GODS HAVE SPOKEN

Earlier this year I visited a shop in Bellevue called TAG (Treasures, Antiques and Good Stuff).  This store is awesome and if you have not discovered it yet, please take the time to visit.  The owner, Jennifer, has a great eye and her prices are very reasonable.  Ever since that first visit, I've been coveting a Pagoda Chinese Chippendale mirror she had on the wall behind the checkout counter. 


I recently stopped in and was delighted to see the mirror still available and marked down slightly.  Knowing that a mirror was not on the top of the priority list especially with the laundry room remodel underway, I fought back the urge and left empty handed.  Two nights later as I lie in bed looking at one of my design books trying not to think about the mirror, I close the book only to see the exact mirror on the cover staring back at me.  The Design Gods were sending me a message!  On the cover of Celerie Kemble's To Your Taste is the exact Pagoda mirror from TAG. 



I immediately emailed Jennifer and told her I wanted the mirror.  Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.  If you want something bad enough and the universe is giving you signs (at least this is how I explained it to my husband), chances are the decision to get it is the right one.

When loading the mirror in my car, I noticed it is marked on the back "made in Italy for La Barge Mirror".  I did some research and discovered that I have a very nice mirror on my hands.......like hand down to your kids type of mirror.  Circa Who has one in her shop right now at a staggering $2200.00 (exact same dimensions)!!!  So if you see one of these ladies at an estate sale, be sure and snatch her up.

Circa Who

Circa Who Info:VINTAGE Labarge PAGODA Mirror in good as found condition. There are scuffs, scrape and some old repairs to the as found gold finish. (see photos)
Dimensions (in inches):
Height: 63
Depth / Diameter: 3.75
Width / Length: 31
Seat Height:
Maker: LaBarge
Price: $2200

Right now, the mirror is hanging in my staircase and she looks fabulous against my Benjamin Moore Peony wall.  The entire scene will look even better once the staircase is updated with carpet removed, glass panels installed and brass handrails but that is a post for another day. 



Here are some other designer shots using Pagoda Mirrors.







Have the Designer Gods ever given you a sign? If so, I would love to hear about it.