katyelliott.com » furniture

Where To Find: Brass Pulls & Casters

Katy Elliott — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:13:20 +0000

Spotted at auction

I often find chests at auction missing a few of their original brass pulls. Optimum Brasses in the UK produces replicas using the lost-wax process. Over 7000 different items are available in their inventory and can be viewed in their online catalog. Above a Chippendale chest I bid on and lost at auction with it’s original brass pulls.

I’ve had my eye on the below sofa by Max Rollit since spotting the piece in Ben Pentreath’s den. I’ve had a hard time finding a similar piece stateside. I’ve been investigating having a local workroom build me one to fit the proportions of my den. Ben suggested I check out the casters at Optimum Brasses for the project.

Max Rollit “Katzsic” sofa

Since we’re talking brass pulls I wanted to share a few ideas for the kitchen. Handsome pulls dress up drawers and give the space an elegant antique feel. My two favorite examples are below from Plain English’s website.

Two kitchens from Plain English

A few selections I pulled from Optimum Brass’s catalog for reference. Aren’t they all just gorgeous? My friend Lizzie in New York had this to say, “I always love calling them on the phone because the ladies who answer have the sweetest accents!”

From Optimum Brass’s catalog

My First Auction

Katy Elliott — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:48:49 +0000

Image courtesy of Northeast Auctions

On Sunday Greg and I attended our first auction in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I’ve been intimated by the process and was nervous about the whole idea of bidding. Would I over bid? Or bid by accident?

I got a tip about this particular auction a few weeks ago at a Historic New England workshop and heard a few of their 4-drawer chests would be auctioned off at Northeast. I scoured the auction catalog and found the bowfront chest above. The piece had no notation coming from Historic New England’s collection but I was able to find the chest in their Collections Access section.

Image courtesy of Historic New England

The maker unknown, dated 1800-1810, and described as, “Chest of drawers with four graduated bowfront drawers; cock beading; bail handles; ogee bracket feet.” In the above photo you’ll notice one of the legs is badly damaged. In the top photo supplied by Northeast Auction the leg looks as if it’s been repaired? Northeast notes the piece as: New England Chippendale Bow Front Chest of Drawers.

I went into full daydream mode for weeks with this chest and where I would put it in my den. The cherry and the bowfront were gorgeous; I really liked the size and how the chest wasn’t heavily ornamented with veneers.

When we arrived at the auction we were able to preview all the items. I was able to inspect the chest, open all the drawers and take a closer look at the repair done to the leg. I registered with the auction by supplying my driver’s license and signing off on a form that made me aware of the 18% buyer’s premium and then I received a number card to bid. The buyer’s premium is a fee imposed by the auction house in addition to the hammer price. It’s something to keep in mind when bidding on items. If you’re looking at passed auctions you’ll often notice two numbers. One is with the buyer’s premium and the other is without premium.

Images courtesy of Northeast Auctions

I also checked out two rugs I spotted in the catalog; the auction house rolled out both for me and let me view outdoors. I tend to like the more worn antique rugs with some fading. The above is a large Khorrossan and below a smaller Kuba rug.

Once the auction started I was surprised how quickly they moved through items. Tea sets and bowls went for thousands of dollars. What had I got myself into? The room was full of dealers with much larger bank accounts then me. Was I out of my league?

As we moved closer and closer to the lot I got really nervous and overheated. I removed my number stuck between the pages of my catalog and got ready. The bidding started on Lot 588 and within moments I had bid a few times. I got nervous and was out bid. I was devastated. A few more chests came up that had similar estimates that went for about half the price. Why? We left before the rugs came up; I was too depressed and I wasn’t that in love with them. We went out for lobster rolls and tried to come with tactics on how to win next time.

In the end it was a learning experience—how an auction is run and I got over my fear of bidding. And I realized I have a thing for Chippendale 4-drawer chests with beautiful ogee feet. Will I ever find another?

Learning More About Early American Antiques

Katy Elliott — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:54:00 +0000

On Sunday, Sharon from The Marston House sent me over to meet with Gail White an antique dealer specializing in Colonial period antiques and accessories. Situated down a side street in Wiscasset with no signs or markings is Gail’s house. Inside her home is filled with chairs, tables, boxes and art—almost everything is for sale. Gail spent over an hour with me describing each piece I remarked on as well as giving me cues on what to look for. Gail will be at the upcoming Antiques in Vermont show in Manchester (Oct. 2) as part of Antiques week. For more info on the show: 802-236-2342.

Below photos I snapped with a super cute and affordable settee and book tips. Thank you to Gail for being so sweet and taking the time to meet with me.

Gail White Early American Antiques
35 Pleasant Street
Wiscasset, Maine
By Appointment Only
207.882.8180

Medium stretcher tiger maple and replaced maple top circa 1710-50, MA or Ct.

Early pieces are large (women’s fingers can almost never touch) and heavier because of first growth wood.

An antique brass chamber candlestick I purchased from Gail. She noted the little hook we associate with chamber sticks came later.

On the back of the candlestick are these notes. It was sold in recent auction at Skinner’s as part of Sally Whittemore. The Macon House on the right indicates a tavern. I’m not sure where the Macon House was located.

I spotted this settee as soon as I walked in. Not period but a reproduction Gail picked up about 10 years ago.

The Barrel Settle is available for purchase through theseraph.com in Sturbridge, MA. I would suggest spending some time clicking around on this website; I found some really cool pieces including arm chairs and windsor benches.

Beyond New England Thresholds, Samuel Chamberlain, amazon.com. A great book for inspiration on how to arrange furniture in older homes.

The Impecunious Collector's Guide to American Antiques, John T., Kirk, amazon.com. Gail told me to read this book, “like a novel”.

Recent Find: Antique Federal Style Candlestand

Katy Elliott — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:39:52 +0000

Over the weekend I was on the hunt for a sofa. I took a drive up the shore popping into stores in Salem, Essex and Manchester. I picked up this table at The Stock Exchange, a consignment shop known for it’s quality wares.

The table reminded me of a candlestand I’ve been eyeing at Linda Rosen Antiques. My table has the same basic lines, the top looks like maple but I think it’s been recently stripped and has very little varnish. I thought it was worth a try for $125. For now it’s going along my bedside but I’m sure it will come in handy next to a chair or sofa in the future.

The Stock Exchange
3 Beach Street
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
seconsignment.com

Federal Cherry Candlestand, $575, Linda Rosen Antiques.

Vintage Ikat Sofa

Katy Elliott — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:50:55 +0000

I spotted this library over at Abbey Goes Design Scouting last week. I can’t stop staring at that sofa. As Abbey describes, “I love the WASPY touches; the dogs, the bar, the eagle mirror.” I’ll take the sofa, books, the eagle mirror and that blue jar.

I’m still on the hunt for a small settee for my library. I saw a sofa so similar last fall at Grace Sales in Marblehead for $450. Damn, I should have bought it!! How cute would have it been slipcovered?

Below samples of Peter Dunham’s Rajmata fabric which as similar feel to the sofa above. I love the blue but my eye is drawn to the rusty red too.

Melanie Acevedo via abbey goes design scouting via the lil bee.

Boxy Sofa with Pillows

Katy Elliott — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:52:46 +0000

Ben Pentreath’s living room

About a month ago I mentioned a few sofa shapes I’ve been eyeing as potentials for my den. Everyone seemed to be split on the boxy shapes I was suggested. Some found it to be really interesting and simple; others thought it looked way to stiff and uncomfortable. On Ben Pentreath’s blog this morning I spotted the exact sofa I’m in love with adorned with beautiful printed pillow surrounding the backside. Everything about this room is perfect! I want it all: the chairs, ottomans, lamps, tables…so warm and inviting!

We have a sofa right now with really comfy back cushions. More often then not we throw them on the floor when we want to cuddle together. I never put pillows on the sofas because it just adds to the clutter. I guess that’s why I’m more keen to this look and I like the idea of cuddling in the corner of a high arm. I can choose semi-firm pillows and a beautiful array of prints (I have a textile obsession) and fill the back side, right? And hopefully they won’t end up on the floor!

I still need to find a sofa I can afford. Be on the look out for boxy shapes with really pretty legs—vintage or not—around 72″ And be sure to check out Ben’s lovely shop and blog too!

Spotted: Windsor Bench at Todd Farm

Katy Elliott — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:57:29 +0000

I got up at 6:30 am on Sunday and headed up to Todd Farm for some bargain hunting! Todd Farm flea market is held every Sunday in Rowley, Mass from April 3rd to November 7th. The market boasts over 240 vendors featuring an assortment of vintage wares and antiques.

I’m on the hunt for brass candlesticks, tables, mirrors and rugs. I didn’t find any of those things (I bought $1 ikat belts) but I spotted this gorgeous windsor bench for $600. The proportions were a bit different and felt earlier and more primitive? I found this similar bench on an old auction site from 2008. The seat was really deep and made of one solid board. The seller said she inherited it from her grandfather but it didn’t fit in her new house.

My mind scrabbled to where I could put it?? At almost 6 feet long it’s too large for my house. I wish I had a longer wall in my someday mudroom or a dining room table long enough to use the bench on one side (like this). Such a beauty! Hope it went to a good home!

Long bench at table featured on design*sponge.

Spotted in Williamsburg

Katy Elliott — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:46:13 +0000

Portmanteau

I’m in New York this week for a blogging conference and thought it would be fun to share a few things I’ve spotted. First up, a few stores I popped into in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Saturday. Above a really cute 1950′s ticking stripe tufted settee spotted at Portmanteau. I’m not a huge fan of the wood finish but the petite shape—measuring 39.5 inches wide—gave me hope that I can find a comfortable and cute piece for my someday library. Maybe the settee could work in your house?

At Sprout Home I oogled their plants and accessories. I have my eye out for cool and affordable outdoor boxes—my boxwoods are coming out of the front garden and going into planters. A beautiful Oxalis plant and succulents caught my eye too.

So this is funny…While I was out Sprout Home I snapped a photo and posted it to my facebook fan page. Christine Foley the owner of Moon River Chattel left this comment:
Hey!!! You’re on my block. I’m heading into my back yard right now to plant groundcovers I bought there this a.m. Come say hi , back of Moon River Chattel.

I was totally blown away when I got the message. Crazy internet/instant connection world we live in, right? Love it. Christine is awesome! We swapped renovation stories and had a good laugh about the gross things you find in the walls when your renovate old buildings aka the rat. It was so nice to meet her and check out her beautiful store Moon River Chattel. A peek inside below.

Sprout Home

Moon River Chattel

Searching for the Perfect Sofa

Katy Elliott — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:31:05 +0000

My den in progress

I’ve been hinting about a sofas for my den but realized I haven’t shared any inspiration. We are still painting the den. Check out a little peek of the room in progress above. I love that we choose green for the molding and cream for the walls and not vice versa. I would like to put a sofa on this wall but it has to be small. A 72″ sofa would be perfect and not overwhelm the space.

I was cruising around this morning looking for curtain inspiration when I came across the below room by UK designer Max Rollit on Simple + Pretty’s blog. OMG gorgeous! Love the walls, furnishings and that sofa! The Katzic sofa in a beautiful yellow is by Rollit and inspired by a antique piece similar to this one. Note the antique sofa is referenced as an English George III Settee. Hold that thought…

John Derian’s Cove and Geranium sofas have really similar lines to the Katzic sofa from Rollit. Derian references his inspiration from the American Sheraton and Hepplewhite styles. So what came first the George Settee or the American version? I assume The George settee and then the American version was later inspired by the style?

So all these sofas would work in my space but they’re all really expensive. The den is on our second floor and two bedrooms are behind it. I can’t choose a piece that is so over the top that I resort to plastic on the furniture. This shape is perfect but I need to keep looking and hopefully score a vintage knock off. Have I set myself up for something completely unachievable on a budget?

RIBA exhibition
Interior from Max Rollitt
Katzsic Sofa from Max Rollitt
George III Settee circa 1795 from Max Rollitt
Cove Sofa from John Derian

Geranium Sofa from John Derian

Windsor Inspired Outdoor Furniture

Katy Elliott — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:53:20 +0000

When we first bought the house the thing I was most excited about having outdoor space—even it was really small. I planted a perennial garden on the side of the house and have been brainstorming driveway surfaces that could easily turn into a garden patio in the summer months. This will be a third full summer in the house and we’re still not ready for the driveway, next year or maybe late this fall?

This morning a stack of new catalogs came in the mail and I was flipping through West Elm when I came across the new Dexter Collection. Spindled backs inspired by traditional Windsors but build for the outdoors using driftwood. I like the idea of mixing the collection with vintage pieces like an old trestle bench or metal chairs so it wouldn’t be too matchy matchy.

West Elm’s Dexter Collection Dining Chair, Bench and Fishbone Napkins.