#fridayfind

G. S. Sprague & Co., Boston, Massachusetts, was an esteemed supplier to New England outdoorsmen at the turn of the century.  The shop was located (according to a mention in the November 1921 issue of Outing Magazine) at 138 Federal Street.  Crafted in the United States of rawhide, leather, and ash (and originally purveyed by Sprague & Co. in the early 20th c.), this pair of snowshoes is an enduring piece of Americana and tribute to New England's outdoor sporting tradition.

#fridayfind

Amazing vintage pond boat from Newport, Rhode Island estate, in as-found condition with original paint, mast & beam. 

Charlotte Design Sale

This morning, in a little brick warehouse in the South End, a gaggle of dealers held a tag sale. The mix was interesting, and I took iPhone snaps as I made my way through so I wouldn't forget what I'd seen.

I picked out a little antique bergere (1st pic), a Scalamandre 'Millbrook' painted spindle/spool chair, a 1/2 dozen antique Wedgewood platinum + bluebell hand-painted porcelain plates (last 2 shots), a boho-fun John Robshaw hand-blocked shower curtain, and a pair of small vintage hand-painted benches. The plates, spindle chair & shower curtain are for me. The bergere & benches have already been picked up by the upholsterer and hopefully will be @ Post & Gray before the month is out.

Keno's Inaugural

Say what you will, I love the Keno brothers. I've watched them on TV, read them in Traditional Home, seen them in Nantucket & New York, and will soon be shopping their new line @ High Point. They're talented, adorable, polite, well-dressed & well-spoken. (One went to Williams, but it just wouldn't be right to hold that against them.)

{love the dog & chair & rug}

Leigh's Manhattan townhouse on E. 69th, which also used to house his antiques business, is classic & elegant.

A mix of incredible antiques & an '80's deli sign. 

This Saturday marks the inaugural of his latest venture, Keno Auctions. 

{George}

{Adam}

{John James Audubon 8 volume set, Birds of America}

{Blvd. Saint-Germain watercolor}

{Reyes lightship basket}

{big fat Sussex pig}

{Daddy loves him some banjo}

{antique Nantucket}

{a nest of 8}

{classic Cahoon}

Browse {& maybe even bid?} 3 separate sessions of goodness @ artfact.com

High Point

This weekend was the show @ Liberty. Somewhat disappointing overall (rain, lots of Victorian, and high prices), but I did find a fresh little antique birdseye maple desk with scalloped trim and some wonderful old metal baskets.

On the way home I stopped at Furnitureland South to see the latest arrivals (couldn't resist this shot of the 4-storey highboy)

And no trip up I-85 would be complete without Lexington Barbeque. Somehow I managed to avoid the temptation of the B&G apple & chocolate pies next to the countertop cash register, and went straight for the chopped pork with slaw on a homemade roll. No doubt the best in North Carolina...

Foodie heaven.

Post & Gray Home

I've been truly fortunate since opening at Sleepy Poet. A loyal customer base made my first few months better than I could have imagined, so I've opened a second space for estate in Charlotte at Post & Gray.

P&G is located in a chartreuse & gray painted brick warehouse in the recently gentrified South End, just around the corner from Design Center of the Carolinas. With a fabulous staff and intimate feel, P&G clearly caters to the design industry, and its dealers offer a remarkable selection of items in a wide variety of styles.  If you live in or near Charlotte, I highly recommend a visit! (Check the web site for location & hours.)

Brimfield Antiques Show

The extraordinary outdoor market known simply as 'Brimfield' - one of the largest and best known in the country - has been held in this small Massachusetts town for 50 years.

The final show of 2009 begins today, and whether you favor traditional or modern, you'll find much to love.

And after Brimfield, there's no place better than the bake shop @ Old Sturbridge Village for warm cookies and lemonade to go.

The American Antiques Show

During my January trip to Manhattan for American Antiques Week, I also attended Antiques at the Armory and The American Antiques Show. Although the Winter Antiques Show highlighted the big names, and the Armory Show offered affordable pieces for young collectors, TAAS was by far the best show of the week. Admittedly I am biased. Childhood friend Jeff Noordsy and his fabulous wife Holly of Noordsy Antiques, positioned just across the aisle from Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques, were clearly one of the best new exhibitors at the Show. 

While the Noordsys are best known for their extensive collection of antique bottles & glass, it was their offering of period decorative arts that garnered significant attention. During the gala benefit preview, the buzz indicated that the entourage accompanying a certain omnimedia executive known for her exquisite taste and collection was paying close attention to this remarkable flag-holder, most likely created in celebration of our nation's centennial...

and another astute collector snapped up this perfectly lovely portrait of a young girl very early in the show...

All in all, TAAS is a show not to be missed.  Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with the Noordsys, and for more coverage of TAAS, check out Antiques and the Arts Online.