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

Grape Crush

I'm loving purple right now, from the palest lavender to the deepest pansy.

{via House Beautiful}

{via Elle Decor}

{via Mrs. Howard}

{via Asprey}

A few months ago I found a 1/2 dozen mid century chrome chairs at auction.  I knew I needed to find some fabulous coverings that would wear like iron because these chairs are incredibly comfortable and will certainly get a great deal of use, wherever they land.  For the first pair, I was originally thinking fun / neutral -- maybe a warm caramel leather, rough side out.  But when I walked into the back room of the shop to view the hides, I immediately fell in love with this Clarence House mohair velvet, in a color I can only describe as Concord Grape. It is the most amazing fabric in the most amazing shade.

I picked up the chairs yesterday and brought them over to Post & Gray Charlotte {back, on table}, along with the vintage Louis XV-style chair in a cozy charcoal wool felt {front} and the pair of curly maple Queen Anne benches with Belgian linen cushions. I love they way they all turned out, but those Concord Grape Brno's are so soft and sleek, I'll really hate to see them go.

UPDATE: I've had a few inquiries this morning for additional information. The grape mid century pair is  $1,500 & the gray Louis XV armchair is $850. Please e-mail me at estate.charlotte at gmail dot com if interested. 

Going... Going... Gone

Today was the auction @ Wm. A. Smith's.  The room was packed, the pace was fast, and everyone around me appeared to be having a terrific time. Despite a late arrival, I won some great pieces...

A large, repaired 19th c. Imari punch bowl with scalloped edge,

An 18th c. sea chest with canted sides, original hardware and blue-green paint,

An 18th c. pine New England blanket chest with original paint & hardware,

 

and a large antique SUPPLY sign crafted of wood & tin, signed C. I. Brink.

Great Old Stuff

A Woodstock, Vermont estate is going on the block tomorrow and the preview party is at Wm. A. Smith Auction House today. With so much antique eye candy, where do I look first?

This is one of the first lots that caught my eye -- can I live without these gilt wood sea serpents?

The cranberry scoop appeals to my love of all things coastal. 

Antique Chippendale is good for the soul, and this Maple piece from the late 1700's is no exception.

I'm a big fan of old signs with good wear in easy-to-love colors.  

This stepped back spice box with old green paint has wonderful patina.

Although singles abound, great sets of old brass candlesticks are hard to find, and I love this beehive shape.  These would be fabulous with bayberry candles from Brian Howell (of The Bee Man Candle Co. in Charlotte, North Carolina) and big wavy glass hurricanes.  

I love the warmth of this tiger maple...

and the whimsy of this Federal mirror with its reverse-painted winter scene.

First lot @ 9:00.  I've got a seat reserved on the aisle.  Wish me luck!