Friday, November 28, 2008

Pair of Art Deco Benches ( France c 1930's )

I think these are beautiful.
They are soooo Palm Beach.

You just never know who's bottom sat on them.

I would sandblast them and leave them in a natural iron finish.

Imagine this pair of Art Deco Fireplace Benches recovered and sandblasted.

They would really be a show-stopper , and would enhance the fireplace as the focal point in a room.
Pair of fanciful wrought iron 1930's fireplace benches.

The motif depicts maidens dancing before the sun, while Pan plays his flute.
Price$3,800

height: 40.64 cm (1 ft. 4 in.)
depth: 30.48 cm (12 1/2)
width/length: 106.68 cm (3 ft. 6 in.)

Dolce
3700 South Dixie Highway #8
West Palm BeachFL, 33405
Phone: 561-832-4550

E-Mail: dolceantiques@bellsouth.net

( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Only Russian Tea Room In NYC

Before heading to The Russian Tea Room, perhaps a bit of food for the heart and soul.

The Carnegie is next door.


The City. I love the contrast , constant contrast, and beautifully choreographed.

I can't help showing so many awning shots, I get all excited with anticipation.

This shot shows what it really looks like at night, when the lights are lowered.

The Russian Tea Room is such a spectacular place. If you go to NYC, and are with anyone you want to show a good time, take them there.

I promise they will never get it out of the heads. It will be permanently filed on their ' Chip '.

I took my daughter there when she was about 6 years old and we had brunch.

We were both dressed up and she was consciously testing her very best table manners.

The waiters were so lovely, and needless to say the presentation of the meal was elegant & amazing to a little girl from Boca Raton.

It was such a memory for me as well.

She will never be that same innocent, beautiful, big eyed little girl again.

We were both so happy that day, we were all smiles, hugs and kisses.

Unfortunately, sometimes money can buy happiness and on that day

The Russian Tea Room contributed to it greatly.
When I was little my parents took me there...........it was nothing like this.
It was a landmark of course, and they did take me.
But I remember it being done in the dark maroon-ish reds. It was dark and dingy feeling.

It really does look like this.


The ceiling is gold leafed. They spent something like 6 million dollars on the interiors the last time they restored it. ( within the last 15 years or so )




Seriously, try to get there.
Especially if you have an innocent, big eyed , beautiful little 6 yr old girl .
The Russian Tea Room NYC: http://www.russiantearoomnyc.com/
( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Friday, November 21, 2008

Bath Tubs On Wheels

As soon as they can get the other bath tub up here ,



we can finally get down to filming another great 'Cialis' commercial.

And you thought showbiz was glamorous.

( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Petite Table Easel

Who wouldn't love a Petite Easel for a desk or a table top ?

You could display a photo, a painting, or a book.
And it has lighting attached, how great is that ???
22.75 H x 11 W x 10 .5 D

It could be fabulous in an office setting for the designer displaying beautiful sketches, maybe a book publisher displaying a clients possible book cover . They walk in , and pop, the light hits the art work that's held up by the petite easel.
( ....And all ' sans the cigarette girl ' holding artwork. )


I myself would use it for actually painting a smaller painting.

This would make a grrrrreat gift.
It is $ 279.00 from Thomasville Furniture.
The sku is :68950-1002

( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )



Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

It Looks Like ' Shark's Skin ' !

When I first saw these tables I was all excited,

I thought they were covered in Shark's Skin....

One of the most special pieces of furniture that I have ever seen was a small French Art Deco bar ( celery green colored ) that I found in Paris on rue Jacob.

It was covered in Shark's Skin and the lines of the piece were so simple yet clearly Deco. It even had the original tassel with a single semi-precious gemstone on each door pull. It only measured about 38 H x 24 W, the cost on it was $ 123,000.00.

I couldn't justify the cost to my client , ( I certainly tried) so I took a pass on that one.

Believe me, I looked all over for my picture of it.....sorry, no luck. If I ever find it I will post it.

You will just have do with these, but believe me these are less costly !!!!!
( the console is about $695.00 )

This collection of tables look like 'Shark's Skin' .



On this collection from Gump's , the ground color is chocolate with broken eggshells sealed into the surface.

This is covered in Real Shark's Skin.

I find the similarity unbelievable!!

If you can achieve the same look with broken eggshells, who cares?


These are from Gumps www.gumps.com

( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Monday, November 17, 2008

Jean Royere - 1935 French Art Deco Fire Screen

The materials are steel, bronze and marble.



I saw this and would absolutely use it for an inspiration to a room.



It is exquisite



It Could be so Very Regency-Hollywood !!! .....Cary Grant laying on the sofa in front of a burning fire wouldn't exactly hurt the over all atmosphere.


H (2 ft. 11.3 in.) D (6.3 in.)W or L (4 ft. 8 in.)



Location:

Richard Norton Inc.

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza

Suite 612ChicagoIL, 60654-1066

Phone: 312-644-9359

E-Mail: rnantiques@ameritech.net


( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Sunday, November 16, 2008

c1920 Gold Round Mirror From Spain - Surrounded By Leaves

Like I said, everything that is old is NEW AGAIN !



This is a dead ringer for one of the many ' gold, round mirrors surrounded by gold leaves ' that is being sold everywhere . And if you have wanted one and you have been shopping.......the prices vary, from really cheap to expensive.

But if you bought this.....when the current trend was over, you would have a reason for staying with the look.

website : www.jeanmarcfray.com/new_arrivals

Then again ..... you can head out to the consignment shops or the antique malls.
If you look, you will find it, because it is there !

You will have to be quick, when you see it, grab it , pay for it, then get out of there !
...Because someone just like me is right behind you .


Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Saturday, November 15, 2008

c1940 - Silver Spanish Mirrors


What do they say ,everything that is old, is new again ?







( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hip & New Antiques ?

This is a perfect example of how great and antique or repo can look when upholstered in a contemporary fabric or style.

Have fun with fabrics. "Make everything your own !"

Not that you're listening,
But I would do a bench seat ( one long seat cushion ).
And make a couple of contrasting pillows.

Multiple seat cushions look 'cheapo' to me .
Multiple cushions came about
from furniture manufacturers trying to save money on fabric.
They can use much smaller cut pieces of fabric ( scraps ) to cover multiple cushions, they need a much larger piece of fabric if it is a large cushion.


( enlarge any picture for more info and a closer look )

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The ' Laurel & Hardy ' Trunk

Speaking of 'ice breakers', and instant conversation makers.....
imagine you had this trunk behind a love seat or sofa , or you could use it for your media in some capacity. Whatever.

This is a trunk from the collection of ' Laurel & Hardy '.

I would be extremely psyched to use something like this in my family room.
And it is an important piece of nostalgia .
And In regards to design, it does not get better than that !

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A Mirror Framed In Oysters

( click to enlarge for details )

I know it sounds disgusting to frame a mirror in oyster shells,

but in the right application it would look really great.

And what I love most is that it would not be expected, and it would bring an element of curiosity out of your guest, which is always good.

One of my design trademarks is to accessorize with items that almost always stir a question out of a house-guest.

Like: What is that ? Where did you ever find it ? How did you ever think of using it for that purpose ?

Built-in ice breakers are priceless. And you won't appreciate it until you need one.

Over a powder room sink would be perfect.

Buy it here: www.wisteria.com


Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Saturday, November 8, 2008

An Ice Box Made of French Oak - Versus A Refrigerator

The La Glaceier Antique(ish) Refrigerator.

This arts and crafts look alike is really the best that I have seen.

The interior is as much a work of art as the exterior, providing state of the art refrigeration that is also state of the art luxury with its interior satin finish stainless steel shelves, a brass light, stainless steel meat hooks and separate temperature controls for food conservation compartments and the wine areas. Depending on the model selected, one can store as many as 68 wine bottles, and the doors may be glazed or solid wood.

There are only 2000 units year made.

This is supposed to look like an ICE BOX. ( google it,... if you are too young to remember one )

And it really does.

Not that I have ever seen a real ice box......but my grandmother called a Refrigerator an Ice Box when I was a small child.
You can customize these babies.

This Ice Box/ Refrigerator is exquisitely crafted, fully pegged, solid French Oak casing with an antique finish. They then go on to adorn it with solid brass fittings and finish it up with your name on a solid brass plate! Cha Cha Cha !!!

Go here to find out more: http://cft411.com/2008/10/31/refrigerator/

If I were to 'spec' this for a client, this would be an easy sell to the husband.
It's such a manly Fridge-
I always like to give the husband a goodie or two. It makes the total cost a little easier for him to swallow.
We must keep him happy as well. No ?
Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Friday, November 7, 2008

Peacock Walls and some good, bad, & ooogly












This paper is the entire reason for this post.


This is wall-covering from Schumacher.


Can you imagine what impact you can make with this gorgeous paper.

The only bummer is that they are real feathers.


(Hit pic and enlarge , the info is on the bottom)









This is sea glass for your garden.


The fabric from this site is sooooooooooooo inexpensive.





Alexander Henry Home Fabrics.


This is one of the latest trends for 2009,

Using semi precious gemstones for the coming year on furniture and on accessories, there will be rhinestones glued on furniture doors and drawers. Jeweled drawer pulls, etc, etc.

You should see the throw pillows, with jewels and metallic fabrics.

YUCK.





Candles anyone ?


If you are doing a kids room , whatever, this is happy fabric . It is from the same place that has great prices.

And if you do have kids.......perhaps a rubber vase ?


These are for the babies. They call them 'Fuzzy Bunz', they are a riot and come in many colors.

And lastly, who wouldn't want to come home to this little face ?

Click on any pic to enlarge for info at the bottom


Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design