The culmination of my obsession documented by a really crappy photographer…

Why can I not take good pictures?  Is it my composition? Is it my camera?  Obviously the lighting isn’t helping.  Whatever, now I just want a new camera.

So here is the damage done, to what, in person, actually looks pretty hot, if I do say so myself.

ONE WINDOW 
  SHOWROOM

WORKSHOP/OFFICE

BATHROOM

The bathroom is the most yummy shade of glossy navy, ah, you just can’t tell from this picture!  I will have to find someone to help me take decent pictures one day.

Come by and visit me!

WED/THURS: 11-6
FRI/SAT: 11-8

INVENTORY UPDATE (part 1)... geez, it's about time!

Scavenger items galore.  You know the drill; bad pictures, good stuff.

Hello, Kitty. 
How darling is she?  She would be very sweet next to a fireplace, or in a little girls room.

Mod in Italy... oh, somebody stop me.  You may not believe me, but this is not just a table, it's a lamp too!  How fabulous is that?  You can turn on the top cluster of flowers or the bottom, or both, to get the perfect ambiance for your cocktail as it rests on the lovely little table top.  It has the tiniest little stamped metal tag that says MADE IN ITALY.

Mirror, mirrors....are better photographed on the wall.
You all have good taste, a creative flair; vision, if you will.  That is why I know you can look past this absurdly composed picture, and see this mirror in all it's glory.  Beautiful in it's fabulously vintage-y current condition, or in a high gloss white or some yummy color.  You decide.

You know what they say about the size of a lamps shade...
Ok, this lamp is HUGE.  22 1/2" to the top of the marble and 37" to the top of the shade.  Bad shade, ignore it.  Imagine peacock blue silk, or black with gold lining, or any number of lovely combinations.  So pretty!  circa 1960's 
 

Night night, night light.  (that will have to do, until I become more clever than I am)
Adorable is the first word that comes to mind.  In a totally eastern influence sort of way.  Is your kid too cool for Pottery Barn, but still needs a little ambient lighting for bedtime?  This emits a perfect warm glow and is about 12" high.

Tufting and brass together, what more can a girl ask for?
These are the sexiest legs I have ever seen.  This little bench is in perfect condition with the ever so charming original gold brocade fabric.  Very sweet.  It would , however, be smokin' in charcoal velvet or in black patent.  Oh my, imagine the possibilities!
15 1/2" tall, 49" long and 19"wide

I HEART Peacocks.
Don't they make a beautiful couple?  He doesn't have to flash his feathers, since he has already found his other half.   He has a bit of a fierce look in his eye, while she is just as demure and graceful as can be.  Don't tell anyone, but they're not metal (they're plastic, shh).  It doesn't make them any less lovely...but it does make them less expensive!

Ok, that's it for now.  There will be a part 2 soon.  Look for it in the next couple of days.

If there is a Heaven, it would look like this

The Viceroy in Miami is officially, without question, the BEST place I have ever been in my life.  No matter where you look, you are surround by such divine luxury, that it's hard to breath.  My visit capped off a glorious day of visiting all the vintage and antique shops that Miami has to offer, a few glorious examples to be seen below.  How insane is that horse lamp!!!!!!

Trust me when I say that there is no better way to end a day than cocktails and a bite at The Viceroy.  I was the biggest dork snapping pictures like a tourist, but I didn't care.  These pictures can't even begin to explain the decadence.  

That fireplace is roughly 15' high, and why, exactly, don't I dip all my furniture in rubber!?  It's ingenious!

Can I get married again just so that I can have my wedding shower here?

I'd like another cocktail please, and can you just rub this sun block on my back?  Oh, it's time for my spa appointment?  Well, you know, a woman's work is never done...

This is the river of joy... what more can I say?  Well, this... that chandelier ~ no less than 15 FEET across and lemon yellow.

So, imagine, if you will, a day spent browsing some of the most phenomenally designed furniture of the last 60 years, having lunch with daytime wine,  more shopping, followed by this feast for the senses, yummy dinner, inspired cocktails and, let's not forget, riveting conversation the whole way through, provided by my fabulous MIL Rena!  Hey, Rena, when are we going to see that Taj Mahal Opera?

Do it again, ooh, ooh, do it again!

Back in the day...

Bing Crosby with Phil Harris and Bob Littler listening to record player, Seattle, 1956
This lovely vintage chesterfield sofa is a piece of Seattle history. Littler's was an upscale clothier from 1931-1996. This is where you would sit to admire you gentlemen or lady friend as they tried on some of the finest attire Seattle had to offer. As the picture above clearly implies, it's entirely possible that Bing Crosby actually sat on this couch! What? You say that's a quite a stretch? Aah, what do you know.

It's such a shame that cigarettes are out of fashion, doesn't this lovely lounger make you want to relax in your silk peignior while sipping a manhattan and smoking a, why maybe, a Chesterfield?

(not that I condone smoking, bad dirty habit...)

I think I see a trend forming...

Apparently, I have a thing for black and brass. Who knew. Certainly not I. I don't think anything in my house is black and brass. I just built my house and chrome is already losing it's luster, metaphorically of course. (the parts not covered in apple juice and yogurt are still quite shiny). And don't get me wrong, chrome is classic and will never fall out of my favor, but brass is really capturing my eye these days. The black lacquer on these pieces is like an aged piano finish and the insane brass hardware is picked up by a simple gold painted detail that frames the drawers. You can see a similiar piece here (see how the mega price tag on that one ever so subtly points out what a great value mine is? (for prices email me)), also made by American of Martinsville. This is seriously well made stuff.

see them at KOAP

425 822 2003 info@koaphome.com 120 central way kirkland, wa 98033

this makes me want to..... ~ SOLD

sit by a fire sipping brandy and reading Hemingway. Or at least it makes me wish I were the type of person that sat by fires, sipping brandy and reading Hemingway. Somehow, that seems a little more swanky than sitting around drinking wild turkey and crying over past issues of Domino. But I digress, back to the chair. I'm thinking it is from the 30's as it was the favorite chair of a 1929 Harvard grad, and was lovingly cared for for 60 some odd years by his wife. The proof is in the Hasty Pudding, as the leather on this chair is near perfection.

Please, have a seat. presented at KOAP Home

425 822 2003 info@koaphome.com 120 central way kirkland, wa 98033

Roger Sprunger 60's Coffee Table

This table cannot be done justice in a photograph. I don't care how good the photographer is. I mean, how could you get any better than this, right! Ok, fine, so photography is not my strong suit. But this table is so devine, that I am sure you will forgive me. Incredible brushed brass legs in the style of the Gateway Arch by Eero Saarinen in St. Louis.

This is the real Gateway Arch. See the resemblance, they could be twins. And by the way I did (not) take this picture too. Can't you tell.Table can be seen (and purchased) at KOAP in Kirkland

425 822 2003 info@koaphome.com 120 central way kirkland, wa 98033

Scavenger

I am pleased to announce my latest venture (to no one, as no one reads my damn blog!) I have started selling a line of hand picked vintage furniture and accesories (i was going to say objet d'art, but I don't think I can pull it off ) Most of my pieces will be featured at KOAP, the fine retail establishement of my new friend Diane Shultz, in Kirkland. It's really a trip to my pieces in a real store. I mean a really real store. Not an antique mall or consignment shop (or goodwill), where they'll take any old crap. I feel validated!

So when you see the Scavenger tag at the top of a new post and you will be able to see whatever new lovelies I have for sale. Seriously people, if you buy some of my stuff, then eventually I can take the vicariously out of my name and actually get some goodies for myself!

Upholstery, among other things.

I love so many of the new designers, but the really high quality stuff is so expensive. And the really crappy quality stuff is so expensive. Not to mention that whole contributing to global destruction and consumerism.

So I really love vintage furniture. Better quality materials, construction and prices. I have furnished most of my 3000 sq. ft. house for like $12 on craigslist. But I need to reupholster almost everything! Seriously, almost everything. I would love to buy everything vintage from 1stdibs.com where it's already refinished and reupholstered and fabulously perfect, but no such luck.

So here is a wonderously adorable website to check out. Nia at SummerlandStyle.com does upholstery, design consultation and sells her beautifully redesigned furniture finds. I will be eagerly awaiting her upcoming StyleGuide, which I hear may include some DIY videos on how to upholster my craigslist treasures myself! Ah, I'd rather wait till I can afford to hire her to do it.