Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Spoils of war

Perhaps not literal war but estate sales can at times feel terribly hostile. I've witnessed fist fights over who saw what first! I wanted to follow up on a previous post on estate sales and share with you some of my new treasures. There have been a lot of great sales lately and my nest is quickly becoming 'feathered'!
 My biggest find this past weekend was a cookie jar which I instantly recognized as the Renwick Gallery here in DC. I was particularly interested as it's my favorite museum in the city. You may remember I have a cookie jar of the Villa Rotunda which has been one of my favorite objects for years!  The Renwick had been relegated to the basement in a rear corner of the sale and I scored it for only $10! I always poke around in back corners at these sales where things get missed. I also found a beautiful wool 19th century persian runner in an upstairs back closet which I'm going to use in my kitchen that I got for a steal (currently at the cleaners or else I'd share it as well).
 A set of fine crystal cordial glasses with this beautiful monogram also came home with me from the same sale. After reading THIS article in the NYT, my New Year's Resolution will be to hold monthly dinner parties and I have to be prepared.
This cute little framed photo of "Aunt Joan golfing in the 20s" caught my eye and makes me laugh every time I see it - seen propped up here on my living room mantel.
 I rarely leave a sale without a bag full of books. I really don't know what I'll do with them all!
You may remember my haunted chairs. I still haven't treated the wood (thanks so much for the advice on that!) but I didn't follow the majority vote on fabric and used the wood plaid I had from Ralph Lauren. I like the colors in my apartment and even if the pattern isn't perfect for the chairs, they add the right dose of color to my still neutral space and I just love plaid!
Everyone kindly keeps asking to see my apartment and in dribbles it will start to appear; it has a long way to go still.  Here are 2 of the haunted chairs flanking my bar in the corner of the living room.  As you can see I need more art (or sconces?) to flank the mirror but I have my Grandma's Christmas tree set to go for the holiday season!

17 comments:

Hels said...

Your set of fine crystal cordial glasses is lovely and the monogram is elegant. But what drink will you use them for? Children still drink cordial, but adults probably don't.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Hels - port or baileys - after dinner drink type things.

pve design said...

I have two sconces that I would love to send to you.
I think they would be perfect. Love the Plaid.
pve

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Aww thanks Patricia! I think the plaid makes them more cozy and it's in my favorite colors.

Stephilius said...

I don't know if you know this, but "My Empress" by Mouchanow - though distinctly suspicious as an historical document, even rumored to be a fabrication - is an extremely rare book. Any more like that in the stack? Good job!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Stephilius -the house was FULL to brimming with interesting very old biographies, primarily of royalty. I wish I had bought more but I got about 10 that I thought looked interesting. Good to know!

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Love the plaid. I think art and sconces. Two very small paintings, one under each sconce, maybe.

Parnassus said...

Despite the crowds, house sales are still a lot of fun and a good place to pick up bargains. I even find lots when I go late in the day. I am also addicted to picking up old books, and those ones you got with the red corners look intriguing.

Your apartment is looking very elegant, and is making me ashamed of my own non-efforts.
--Road to Parnassus

Mark D. Ruffner said...

Congratulations on your great finds! Is the frame of Aunt Joan by chance made of celuloid?

Karena said...

Wonderful Stefan; such great finds. I love the plaid on the haunted chairs! Entertaining during the Holidays is so fun!

xoxo
Karena
Art*by*Karena

Divine Theatre said...

Plaid is my favorite color...and I love it on your chairs! I cannot wait to see more!

I am glad you can use the Craigslist information. Let me know if you find anything of note!

xo

Andie

DAM said...

Congrats on your place - it looks very handsome.

Do you know what color the walls are painted? was that you or as is?

Thanks much.

DAM

ArchitectDesign™ said...

DAM - I did major construction and very little was left so I can answer all questions -haha. The wall and ceiling color is "architectural gray" from Sherwin Williams.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

In fact -that wall behind my bar in the living room is new!

Diogenes said...

OK, seriously, you found the Villa Rotunda at TJ Maxx? That is too funny. I love the Villa and the Renwick cookie jar too. What a great find.

Thomas Hogglestock said...

I would love to know the provenance of the Renwick cookie jar. Wouldn't it be great if it were part of a cookie jar series (the Hirschhorn, NGA, the Corcoran, etc.)?

Anonymous said...

Finally a peak at the new residence. Looking lovely Stefan. Love the plaid on the haunted chair. I love estate sales, one never know what treasures one will find.