antique inspiration in Sydney

On a recent trip to Sydney, and with only a few days to spend, I couldn't resist a hunt in a few antiques stores.

This lamp has been made from an 18th century shoe. Isn't it exquisite?

And even more stylish is this lamp made from an plaster corbel. In this case, it can double as a bookend.

These light shades are actually 19th century French glass garden cloches. We have sold out of such cloches in our store, but I will be on the hunt for some more on my next overseas buying trip.

The pair of mirrors above are made from from original zinc window pediments from French châteaux which are known as oeil de boeuf or "bull's eye". These are highly sort after. I didn't check the price but they would have been pretty expensive.

I fell in love with these gorgeous marble topped side tables. They appear to be Italian and early 19th century . Wouldn't they be great as bedside tables? Or perhaps in a very decadent bathroom or dressing room...

And this little antique shop guard dog found a friend in this tiger. Hmmm. Whilst I was watching the dog sniffed around the tiger's head and then jumped back in surprise and fright as one of the tiger's whiskers happened to tickle his face. Too cute.

And we were fortunate enough to catch the wonderful Picasso exhibition at the Art Gallery NSW. It runs until March 2012. For more information visit here. A perfect way to finish a little break in Sydney.

a visit to Melbourne and the Johnston collection

On a little escape to Melbourne over the weekend, I visited the Johnston Collection, a collection of beautiful antiques brought together over many years by the late antiques dealer, William Robert Johnston. He generously donated his collection to the public in the form of a charitable trust which was to take effect upon his death. It is all housed within his former Georgian style Victorian period residence, Fairhall. In the image above is a wonderfully classic French Empire period commode with a marble top and a French gilt mirror. I love the light coming in through the French doors, lighting up the marble urn.

Another French gilt mirror above a Regengy period chair. The green glass Hundi lantern makes a change from plain coloured ones.

This French oak armoire dates to around c.1800 and is not going anywhere...the trims on the ceiling above it are fitted in around the top of the armoire! This piece is just outside the kitchen and would have once made a very good pantry cupboard for Mr Johnston. Although we did find out that he did not like to cook and preferred to dine out.

The kitchen is charming but definitely not a cook's kitchen. I fell in love with the French oak refectory table as it had a lovely honey colour. Windsor chairs are classic too.

This drawing room is gorgeous, especially the French doors which lead out to the little courtyard and garden. The most spectacular part of the entire room, however, is the Regency crystal chandelier (only just visible in the above picture). It is not electrified but holds candles encased by storm shades. It may have been the most beautiful chandelier I have ever seen. Again, I must get my chandelier up soon. I have nearly finished cleaning each lustre but I am now more inspired than ever to see it above the dining room table...watch this space.

For more information on The Johnston Collection, visit http://www.johnstoncollection.org/. All photos from here.

new in store...decoy pigeon and swan, feather cloche hats, chandelier and a dress mannequin

Both the swan and pigeon were originally used as decoys but now they make wonderfully unique display pieces. The swan gives off peaceful vibes.

These feather hats date from the mid 19th century. I have put one of them on an old wooden spool, an idea from a customer during the week who bought a spool to do just that.

This mannequin is an amazing shape, the waist is so small! The shapes dates it to the Victorian period when corsets were used to create such a small waist. It measures a mere 20 inches! It has been later decorated with decoupage.

We actually have two of these chandeliers. The lustres are sharply cut. The Regency gilt convex mirror in the background has also just come into the store. These are very hard to find.

antiques and interiors for decadent living

Decadent indeed! I love this dining room with the mix of opulance (crystal chandelier, French gilt mirror) and natural textures (linen covered chairs, pewter plates and washed timber table). Alex MacArthur, antique dealer based in the south of the UK, certainly knows how to put a room together...

The cupboard and the butcher's block to the left has heaps of character and warmth. Mixed this time with an industrial light fitting and stools. I could eat breakfast in this room every morning, no worries.

The collection of silver frames make an interesting display. She also uses found objects (antlers, shells) to decorate. My kind of decorator!

Another wonderful dining room with a gorgeous chandelier. I bought a chandelier on our last buying trip for our dining room. It is still in boxes...not for long though, these rooms have inspired me to unwrap each lustre and clean it until it sparkles. The mirror is wonderful too, as is the early table...sigh.

What a comfortable lounge room! The baker's stand is very, very similar to the baker's stand we have in store at the moment. I love to think of the stories a Parisian baker's stand could tell...all the quick pleasantries and exchanges between boulanger and client. In this room the baker's stand is a great feature against the wall, but also quite useful holding stacks of magazines. The coffee table appears to be a vintage gym apparatus. Another chandelier completes the room. All images from Alex MacArthur. Her store is in Brighton in the south of England and her nearby home doubles as a private furniture showroom where everything is for sale! If I get a chance on our next buying trip I will have to check it out. And report back.

more mirrors...in store

This fabulous Venetian mirror dates to the early 20th century. It is wonderfully aged and has a great shape. It would look fine indeed in a bathroom. I have an old mirror already to put up in my bathroom (if my bathroom is ever completed!). If I didn't have one, I would be grabbing this mirror for sure. Very classic. This mirror I can see propped against a wall in a dressing room or bedroom. It would also suit a bridal gallery or similar boutique. It has the age related mottling of the glass that I mentioned in my previous post. This mirror has the best look of all. You wouldn't want to use it to see yourself too clearly though. It is purely for decorative appeal. The frame is an old silvery colour, which makes a nice change from gilt.

This is one of my favourite mirrors that we have had the pleasure of displaying in store (not for long though!). It sold so quickly because of the marble frame, it really made it a different mirror.

And speaking of different, these mirrors made from Victorian arched window frames are wonderful. We have had a few of these in the last year or two. We have sold out at the moment but plan to find some more on our next buying trip. These could go outside on a courtyard wall.

antique mirrors to make a room

An early 20th century Venetian mirror in our store. I love the subtle pink tones in the frame.

Image from Alex MacArthur

A gilt mirror with a matched gilt console. The mirror has lovely "foxing" or age spots in the original plate glass.

Above 9 images from Eloquence, Inc.

A wonderful selection of mirrors available from Eloquence, Inc (in California, unfortunately!). I love the use of found objects in their displays - shells, coral etc. Oh, so stylish! An antique French mirror at home. It is mostly cream with gilt highlights. It has the original glass which is quite evident from the "foxing" or darker areas. I prefer mirrors that show age like this. Even larger mirrors such as this can sit easily on mantle pieces, no need to hang.

My favourite corner...

This is my favourite little area of the store at the moment - it is in the "soft furnishings" room. We have chosen a very muted colour scheme in this room, where the Gustavian centre table happily sits in the middle and a French bibliotheque holds vintage eiderdowns (see previous post at www.thedrillhallemporium.blogspot.com/2010/09/few-of-new-old-pieces-for-store.html). And in one of the corners of the room we have created a little vignette based upon a collection of 19th century glassware and a pair of grey painted mirrors. These mirrors are quite stylish, I imagine them in a bathroom above twin pedestal basins (if only I had the space for such luxury!).

This early 20th century Venetian glass mirror is on the opposite wall. It is quite petite but it is very charming.