Pssst...Listen Up!

Pssst...Listen up     It's an Estate Sale!

Once upon a time, there was an accomplished and distinguished

gentleman who moved to Kentucky from Virginia. Along with him,

he brought his collections and memories of a lifetime.

Many an evening he would spend sitting at his

Sheraton style, mahogany dining table, reflecting on his life.

Pssst...$2,500 and the wisdom is free 

Whilst the ladies of the house restored the SiverPlate

to it's original condition.

Pssst...Over 60 pcs. of Silverplate, Lady Rothschild would be envious!

Then they would lovingly return it to it's proper home

Pssst... We have a pair of these Chippendale style silver chests.

Now mind you, the gentleman from Virginia

wasn't partial to silver: he had an appreciation for all

precious metals.

Pssst... We have five beautiful mirrors

An evening spent by the fire...

Pssst... Accessories from three fireplaces

with his favorite cigar...

Pssst...Three Tea caddies starting at $100

and his favorite book.

Pssst... Oui, Madame, lots of English & French antiques

His biggest dilemma...Where to sit!

Pssst...Comfy huh? and $300! Like new!

The Chinese Chippendale Bench perhaps?

A Louis XV style bergere?

Maybe the Louis XVI style fauteuil.

Pssst... Oui, they are all authentic antiques

A Philadelphia style Chippendale chair?

Pssst...Both are sets, ca. 1880 and 1920

A beautiful French antique Provencial caned canape in walnut

Pssst...  Oui that is a 100% wool carpet  from  Pashawar Pakistan, 9 x 12

and we have more, more more!

He loved art, whether a copy of oil on canvas

Pssst...Marchioness de Pontejos by Francisco Goya

  

or an original hand painted French privacy screen.

Pssst... One of a kind!

You see, this is a lifetime collection, so many treasures

Pssst... Hepplewhite & Chippendale, yes Copeland too!

Did I tell you about the Limoge boxes?

and more Limoge boxes?

Pssst... A steal at $35 each

On the Queen Anne Lowboy!

Six mink coats even!

Diamond laced Michele watches, yes plural!

Pssst... We have 3 retail at $1500, only $300

Baccarat crystal that the gentleman never used

Did I mention he liked to travel?

He had a fondness for the Orient

and the color, turquoise.

And things that resembled the sun on the horizon.

Pssst... Hepplewhite buffet with inlaid sun rays

Demi-lunes of any sort

Then there is the not so old, but nice!

Like trundle beds of iron

Things for the kiddies too!

Pssst... Haddon Rocking Horse, England's oldest  rocking horse maker

You didn't think we would forget the puppies, did you?

As you can see, the gentleman had some fine things.

Pssst... The list is endless.

I'll leave you with a few more photos

Pssst... Like new! $300

and now for the details:

Saturday, July 30th,  8am ~ 5pm

Sunday, July 31st. 12pm ~ 5pm

We are pre-selling, so call if you are interested!

A bientot mes amis and

hope to see you Saturday!

Intimités du Coeur

Cher Madame Antiquariess,

Oh Madame, please forgive me as I have not put pen to paper for awhile, but know that you are always radiant in my thoughts.

I have some exciting things to share with you.

Do you know the place Verona, Italy? More specifically,

the casa of Julliet Capulet at 23 Via Capello?

Oh, the story so intriques me Madame, as I know it will you too.

Romantics from all over the world go there to leave letters to Julliet. The walls near her balcony are covered with scraps of paper bearing intimacies of the heart.

This is a place where the line is blurred Madame. The line between reality and imagination, and yes, the letters are answered. What a magical place Madame! A place where believing with such conviction makes it real. A place where, when the heart speaks...someone listens.

It reminds me of all the letters I've written to you Madame and have plastered on my wall. Why some, would probably scoff at the notion. Have they never been to such magical places Madame?

Why when in my friend, Elise’s garden, in the South of France, I am unsure of who to converse with first. The pixies, nixies, nymphs or Pigwidgeons. They all compete for my attention.

Oh Madame, there is simply nothing better than walking into a Fairytale. A place where the walls become the pages of the book and the characters begin to cross the line.


This is the Kingdom of Monique. A small barn in a village outside Paris, where Monique writes her story. A place where the walls are also covered with intimacies of the heart.

A place where pieces of the past, become au courant and the "Marchand de Vin" rules.

A place where eighteenth century antiques reside in harmony with the present. A terra cotta bust, an oil portrait, and a mirror of mercury, all once chattels of aristocracy, find themselves holding court amongst the more modest.  

It is here, in this place that Monique creates a flirtatious atmosphere with display cabinets, lamps and sconces, all created by her company, Pigwidgeon.

 As I turn the pages, something new takes the limelight. An ephemeral wall reminiscent of a childhood memory.
A peek behind a curtain hung from a surviving bonnet, gives me glimpses of a soul who changes from ballerina to poet with the wave of a wand.

Oh Madame Antiquariess, the traces of paint on the antique library shelves whisper a story to me. Such a beautiful place, to leave the remains of the day.

Why is this room not called a living room Madame? I find it has breath! 
Sometimes I find American ways so lacking. I read just the other day, that prior to being called the Living Room, our front rooms were called parlors. Before the  the creation of Funeral homes, (parlors) often wakes were held at the home of the deceased. I guess the trendsetters of the day felt it necessary to change the name to Living room when that tradition ended. Sort of implies that the rest of the home is... dead??? Then the kitchen is called the heart of the home. Sort of implies the rest of the home is void of heart. I much prefer a Salon, Madame. A room for gathering, a place to entertain, a place to display art for all to enjoy and discuss the topics of the day.  I want a French home Madame. The French just get it!

Such a beautiful place Madame. A tapestry of Monique’s life.

It is a magical place don’t you think Madame? A story told through the heart.
Isn’t that what a home should be? A place where the walls are the pages upon which to write your own story and all those characters deep within your soul have a voice?
Just like Julliet's wall Madame. Monique's home is covered with scraps of her life. Her intimacies of the heart. Written  not just for Julliet, but anyone, who cares to listen.


Wonderful and just in time for Valentines Day!

Hearts to you Madame, and all my wonderful readers!


Photography credits 5-13,  Gilles Trillard
Campagne Decoration