White Elephant Antiques

Well, guess what...North Star Antiques was CLOSED!!! Yeah, I made Mark drive all the way over there, just to find they weren't open. Ughh! Just to be clear, I did call a couple of days in a row, but no one responded. Maybe that should have been a hint. Oh well, far be it for me to give up on a shopping trip. Luckily, I did find White Elephant Antiques was open. I'm sure many of you have read about this great place. Its really incredible! I lost track of how long we walked around, because every booth was so great. 

I'm crazy about this display! A board w/ chalkboard paint and the tiniest little hand, holding up music for an automated piano. It a total statement piece!

So, my plan didn't exactly work out the way I imagined, but it was still a blast! I actually have quite a few more photos on my Flickr site HERE. You didn't think I would keep it down to only 8 pics did you? 

Dallas Holiday

Hello! I'm working away, trying to get everything done in a short week; just like most of you are. Although, not totally certain; I think we may be traveling to Dallas for the weekend. I really hope we do because I LOVE Dallas shopping:) In order to find the best sites, I like to check out Style Swoon for great hints. Check it out. Its a great blog! Anyway, I saw an article about a shop called North Star Antiques. This place is going at the top of my list to see.

(Photos via Style Swoon)

(Photos via North Star Antiques website)
I'm just hoping they are open Thanksgiving weekend. Please, please be open!!!!!

Tick Tock, I Love a Clock:: French Edition

What is it about clocks? They're endlessly interesting, regardless of the size, shape or vintage.  And yet, they can be our friends (say at the end of a long day) or our enemies (the morning alarm).

I was watching my friend's French antiques showroom, Trianon last week while they were out of town and thought I'd share some of their amazing clocks.

This clock is undoubtedly my favorite. Just the right amount of glitz and bling! This is a 19th Century French marble and ormolu Lyre mantle clock with the most amazing ring of brilliants circling the dial.

And a closeup of the delicate detailing around the clock face.

This is a spectacular French Tortoiseshell and Gilt-Bronze clock in the Louis XV style, circa 1880.

 

 

Here's a closeup of the "Sun King" pendulum.

 

I also really love this "Clocksmith's Clock" from the Marais district of Paris, circa late 19th C.

 

 

This is a French gilded bronze Cartel clock with foliate casting in the Louis XVI style, circa 1880

 

 

And this clock is part of a 3-piece garniture set that includes a pair of matching candlesticks. This is a Chinoiserie style mantle clock, circa 1880. The delicate detailing is just enchanting!

 

 

And, the what chateau would be complete without a tall clock? This one is an Empire style French Wild Cherry Talk Clock, 19th C.

 

 

And finally, we have this elegant Tortoiseshell and Gilt bronze mantle clock, Louis XV style, late 19th C.

Hmm... wouldn't it be nice to wake up to one of these beauties?


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The free antique piano

Dr. Dreadful asked me if we wanted a free piano. One of his co-workers found it left behind by a former tenant in one of her properties. If we removed it we could have it.

I was told that it had white paint on it, had lots of carving making it look old and it was made in the 1960's. It sounded cool so I agreed sight unseen.

After much fuss and aching backs Dr. Dreadful and friends showed up with the piano at our house. It was indeed very cool.


Whomever painted this with a thick layer of interior wall primer does need a serious beating. Upon further inspection the piano didn't look to be constructed in the 1960's. After some serious googling I found that it is actually an antique. Based on the serial number it is around a year 1909-1912 Smith & Barnes. A similar one fully restored sold for around $9700. It does need a small bit of work, one of the hammers was broken but otherwise is one of the most amazing sounding pianos.

I did discover that the finish underneath the primer is recoverable. By using a piece of extra fine sandpaper I was able to get down to pure finish without damage. So this will be my January and February project, hand sanding the entire piano.
My sanity in March remains to be seen.

The images do not do justice to the detailed carving.