architect design™: Weekend finds

Monday, September 22, 2014

Weekend finds

This past weekend was perfect for shopping the local junk and charity shops and just enjoy the weather. I was so excited to find this antique Italian neoclassical sidechair (and for only $25, no joke) at my favorite Christ Child Opportunity shop. They've been in Georgetown for generations and support a great cause which is an added bonus.

I look forward to visiting Haute fabrics to find something appropriate for the chair to replace the green Naugahyde. Leather would be nice (calfskin?) but a deep chocolate or rust mohair would be lovely too -what do you think?

At my favorite local junk shop, Miss Pixies, I always find inexpensive silverplate that is my harmless addiction. It's so useful and at $1 a piece you can't go wrong!

This pattern is by Century Plate and named 'Grosvenor' which seems really Adam-esque (if thats a word) to me.

I also picked up a few forks that match some of my other silver. It's amazing what a difference a little polishing will make - before and after seen above. Did you find anything exciting this weekend?

19 comments:

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...: The last forks are in the Fairfax pattern.I love the classic simplicity. I inherited a set and almost never see them in shops. Imagine my surprise when I saw an identical set in a local antique store with the same monogram! I ran home to make sure it was still there.; September 22, 2014 at 1:58 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: Thanks Kerry! Yes, I'm a sucker for it too. There are so many patterns out there it's always amazing to see the same one twice.; September 22, 2014 at 2:08 PM
Chronica Domus said...: That chair is absolutely beautiful, what a find! It will come alive once you've reupholstered it with the fabric and color of your choice.

The Grosvenor pattern is collected by an acquaintance of mine who initially inherited several pieces from her grandmother and has since added enough pieces to use during a full dinner party. You'd be surprised, once you start doing your research and adding to your pieces, just how many oddities there are out there. My friend found some green bakelite-handled knives with the identical pattern on them.; September 22, 2014 at 2:35 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: CD, I nearly fainted when I saw the pricetag of the chair - one of my best finds ever I think!
A few of the pieces I bought I'm not even sure what they are - the very 'Victorian' notion of having these arcane utensils is really fun. I may never use the oddities, at least for what they're intended, but I'm happy to collect them!; September 22, 2014 at 3:01 PM
David said...: Fantastic chair, and I'm always in favor of rust mohair.; September 22, 2014 at 3:21 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: Thanks David! I'll have to see if I can find any interesting remnants -but I like the idea of playing off the green with a rust/orangey color. I love the texture of mohair especially.; September 22, 2014 at 3:26 PM
Ann said...: I love that chair! I'm really in love with greens lately ll due to a celadon vase in the window of my favorite local antique shop. I've been hemming and hawing for weeks. Although, you have such good luck at finding deals - we need to shop together. I seem to find great things but never at great prices!; September 23, 2014 at 2:20 AM
Bmore Bungalow said...: Lovely chair, especially for the price. I'm looking forward to seeing its transformation after you reupholster it. When I used to live in DC I would visit Christ Child frequently. They always have nice things at reasonable prices.; September 23, 2014 at 7:26 AM
Rick Bryant said...: My grandparents had the Grosvernor pattern. My grandmother probably served an army of DAR ladies using it. The coffee/tea service is particularly nice--and yes, I think Adamesque is a word.
You're a much better shopper than I am--keep up the good work!; September 23, 2014 at 7:34 AM
A Perfect Gray said...: great chair; great price. I love it when that happens.; September 23, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Karena said...: Stefan, that chair, what a find...I would love it in a deep merlot mohair...well any color mohair you like!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena; September 23, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Daniel Shigo said...: I really like the thought of rust mohair. That would be beautiful with the chair's green and dark blue undertones. Love the classic lines. So lovely.; September 23, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Daniel Shigo said...: I really like the thought of rust mohair. That would be beautiful with the chair's green and dark blue undertones. Love the classic lines. So lovely.; September 23, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Mark D. Ruffner said...: Hi, Stefan,

Oh, wow, what a find that chair was!! I would definitely go for the mohair. Say, wouldn't that chair look good in a Pompeian room?; September 23, 2014 at 3:35 PM
Row homes and Cobblestones said...: OMG Rust mohair for sure!!! BTW Miss Pixie is my friend Judy's best buddy, Small world, come visit me for a Philly tour,
XO,
Vera; September 23, 2014 at 5:57 PM
Deana Sidney said...: Love shopping in thrifts. We LIVE in them on most jobs. It seems I am forever finding things I love for myself while shopping on a job -- just no room for them. Agree on the chair -- rust mohair divine.; September 24, 2014 at 9:35 AM
pve design said...: Stefan,
As always, you have such a great eye! The chair is stunning and I could see it in mohair or even some sort of stripe or Black Horsehair. I always love black on a chair, or a lampshade.
Cutlery has certainly changed over the years and I always love finding a piece from the past, everything seems so much smaller and more demure.
As always, I so appreciate your comments. Next time you are in NY, we should plan to have a rendez-vous.
pve; September 25, 2014 at 9:17 AM
Hels said...: I found something wonderful, but it wasn't in a market. My parents in law had brought beautiful Czech crystal glasses with them when they left Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. When they passed away, the glasses came to me.

The table was set for a dinner party this week, complete with the crystal glasses. They looked too small to be useful, but utterly gorgeous to look at.; September 26, 2014 at 11:39 AM
Paisley Curtain said...: Great finds! one can never have enough silver and chairs. :)

Best wishes.; September 28, 2014 at 2:10 PM