What I'm Loving This Wednesday: Maison Fontaine Hardware

Maison Fontaine has an incredible variety of hardware that includes over 30,000 different styles. The line includes modern designs as well as pieces designed all the way back to the 1700s. 

All of their products are incredibly beautiful, timeless and made of the highest quality. The French company has been known for centuries for their elegant creations and while for much of that time the only people to have their hardware were French royals or wealthy Americans who had it imported or brought it back from France themselves, it is now much easier to get your hands on it. Maison Fontaine is now sold in the Cote France store in New York City, oh how I would love to visit it!

The line includes several collections from many different decades so it is easy to find just the right style to complete a period specific installation. The images above feature a antique door pull and lever from 1905 and a gold plated door pull. Maison Fontaine pieces aren’t that easy to come by, but when you see one there is a pretty good chance you will love it, I know I do!

 

          

 

St. Pete Swoon, Part II (Furnish Me Vintage)

Alrighty, so this is part II of my awesome day in St. Pete. Earlier I shared about Paper Street Market. Lovely, Celesta told me I had to go down the street and check out Gasplant Antiques (she told me they had amazing Mid Century, so of course I was interested!), so I made my way further down Central Ave. I walked up to the pink building and in the store I go...

My first instinct was kind of "Meh, it's an average antique store." But I was excited to look around and see if I could find any goodies for my client.

So I wondered around the first floor, then made my way to the stairs. I went up the staircase and was greeted with the stunning vignette. My jaw hit the floor. It spoke to me and I swear it said "Well hello darling, you've arrived to your dream vignette. Please, stay a while."

I cringed as I over heard a husband scoff about "ugly door knobs, and weird legs" on the furniture. I honestly wanted to sit him down and give him a good education on Mid Century design. How could he ignore the beauty and craftsmanship in this stunning furniture? Not everyone has to love it, but you gotta respect it!

I walked a little to the right and went to the next vignette, featuring Bertoia Chairs and beyond...

Then I grew sad, I thought my little Mid Century world was in St. Pete was done, or so it seemed, but then this lovely sign caught my eye and I quickly learned there was an upstairs...

Oh, Furnish Me Vintage, you are my newest best friend (I'll be by later in the week with new "BFF" necklaces)...

I went up the stairs and turned the corner, I honestly thought I had died and went to Mid Century heaven. This is where all the good furniture in the world comes to rest in peace. I was sure I was in heaven, I was going to see the Pearly Gates any moment, angels would start singing, a white light would rush over me. But nope, I wasn't dreaming, it was in fact reality. So I wiped the drool off my face and made my way through paradise (insert Coldplay song, "Paradise")...

This sofa is drop dead sexy. And I love the fabric they selected for it...

I wouldn't have a hard time finding a spot for these babies in my house...

Every man wants a recliner, and over and over again I keep telling David no. They kind of make me sick inside. They are just such an eyesore! But I think I may have found the chair to make us both happy, this chair could surely be my man's best friend. It reclines back ever so gracefully and has a lovely ottoman to prop up your soles...

I love the wire detailing... call me crazy, but we just might have a winner...

I love the Edison Bulb print! (and everything else pictured too)

A striking piece of wire art...

So please, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, Florida finally has an amazing Mid Century source!! The owners are delightful and you will love them. I am so happy to have found this shop! If you stop by, tell them I say hello!

St. Pete Swoon, Part I (Paper Street Market)

Today the weather has been quite gloomy due to the Tropical Storm brewing in the air. It's okay though, I didn't let this gray weather get my Saturday down.

This morning I was browsing Facebook and I ran across a post from Stiltskin Studios talking about a sidewalk sale down at Paper Street Market. Intrigued, I hopped in the Jeep and journeyed down to good 'ol St. Pete. I had no idea what I was in store for....

So let me introduce you to the wonderful Paper Street Market. It's a great shop owned by a husband and wife team, Sean and Celesta. You can tell they really love what they do, it gushes out of them!

I love their tag line "Antiques For A New Generation". It's so true, our generation is looking for a different kind of antique. While Rococo Chairs are wonderful, there is something about a rusted piece of industrial furniture that makes me excited and ready to drop it into a lucky interior somewhere.

Here are a few things that caught my attention as I walked through their shop...

Calling all camera lovers! Take a look at this awesome lamp crafted by a local artist, it's base has a camera!! How cool is that? Oh yes, and you vintage drinkers, they have some pretty sweet old school bottles as well. I would like to deck a bar cart out with these...

Paper Street Market also has a great selection of re-finished and un-finished furniture. Along with some great lighting. Lighting varies from task lighting and decorative lighting. I loved some of their ceiling pendants.

Aren't these vintage photo prints so fantastic? They are mounted on a linear board...

I mentioned they had furniture right? Oh yea, but did I mention how GREAT the prices were?

 I love this three drawer dresser...

Paper Street also has a HUGE selection of industrial letters, all different sizes and colors, I want to get a big "S" for my soon to be new last name! ;) Oh yea and check out those sweet coke crates...

Last but surely, most definitely not least, these glass beauties caught my attention. I want to figure out some way to make them into an interesting chandelier.... we'll see what I come up with...

I hope you're as excited about Paper Street Market as I am! Get over there and pump some industrial finds into your interior. Be sure to share some pics if you do. And when your there, tell Sean and Celesta I say hi! :)

Blending the Old with the New

As a designer, it's basically our job to be a chameleon... we may have a style that we favor more than another, but all in all we have to be able to work with it all. The modern, traditional, transitional and eclectic (even sometimes the ugly). I personally like to work with  clients pieces that they have inherited over time or through family members, it's like building a story in your home, showcasing your favorite pieces and adding a bit of sparkle (where needed)

Last month, the design firm I work for, Sarah Van Assche Interiors participated in the International Antiques Fair at the Merchandise Mart, here in Chicago. It was definitely an interesting experience. Basically we had to showcase a beautiful way to blend antiques and current pieces, in a 10'x20' "room"... and I have to say, I think we did a pretty darn good job! :)

 

Montauk Sofa; Cocktail Table: Bradley Hughes; 

Chandelier: Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings

Collection of Chair Etchings: Richard Norton Antiques

Antique Chinese Cabinet: Three Friends Studio;

 Pair of Bergeres: Mike Bell Antiques; Area Rug: Michaelian Kohlberg

Chaise lounge: Montauk Sofa; Art: Museum Works Galleries; 

Console Table: Mike Bell

The ladies of Sarah Van Assche Interiors: Megan, Sarah & myself