Friday’s Favorites ~ Week 12 . . . Holly Farrell

A weekly round up of a few of my favorite vintage finds, vintage paintings . . . from pins to posts . . . to websites and videos . . . to thoughts and ideas . . . featuring some really great vintage that I think you will absolutely love . . .

Last week I talked about how I love to see vintage as art. Today I would like to talk about an artist who uses simple vintage objects in her work . . . and someone who truly inspires me. I have followed her work for several years now and I continue to love what she does . . . her name is Holly Farrell.

Holly is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Toronto, Canada. She began painting at the age of 29 to alleviate stress for her then current job. Over the years she has mastered her techniques, and her work has been seen throughout the world with her most recent exposition at the Megumi Ogita Gallery in Tokyo, Japan.

What I absolutely love about her work is how she takes the simplicity of commonplace objects and gives them a soul . . . a past . . . a story to be told! She brings life to a shelf of old bottles, an old chair, or a cracked vintage doctor’s bag . . . it is a place where Still-Life meets Portraiture. There is a soulfulness in the detail . . . a simplicity to the colors used . . . bringing an essence and beauty to each and every piece. I personally LOVE her work . . . and I hope you do too!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!
Xoxo – liz

Liz Le Dorze
www.seaboldvintagemarket.com

All photos were from Holly Farrell’s Website and Facebook Page with permission from the artist.

French Vintage ~ Soupe de Oseille ~ Fresh Green Spring Soup!

Last spring, my father-in-law gave me a few sacks of washed greens that looked a bit like spinach. The greens were actually 'oseille' or in English, sorrel. The only recipe I came up with last year to use the plentiful bright green tender leaves was to make a creamed-sorrel side dish for a pork roast and although it was good -- it didn't win me over to seek out these vitamin laden, slightly bitter greens again.

… Until now. Our spring here in Normandy has been intermittently chilly, rainy and absolutely unpredictable with sudden bursts of gorgeous sunshine that lasts for mere minutes on a bad day and an hour or two on a good one!
So yes, soup is still very much on the menu. But my cravings for hearty thick, stewy-soups, have given way to a desire for garden-fresh and very green vividly flavored ones.

Because ‘oseille’, has a tart and snappy bite, it is parfait for spring soup! I also have a gorgeous organic basil plant that is sitting on my kitchen table and is pinched several times a day. Eventually, (read 'could not be soon enough!') I will be pinching my own herbs and veggies from the 'potager' that is bravely sprouting up in the raised beds we put in a few months ago.

~ Soupe de Oseille ~

2 large leeks, rinsed well and chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tsp salt
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup green peas
3-4 generous handfuls of sorrel, rinsed with stems pinched-off
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Sweat the leeks and garlic in 3 tbs. of olive oil until tender. Add salt and cubed potatoes and cover with stock. Cook until potatoes are tender, reduce heat and add peas and about a minute later add sorrel. After the sorrel has wilted, process with a stick blender until smooth. Add chopped basil and process to desired creaminess. Serve warm.
As soup goes this is an easy one! It's a perfect fresh-green and comforting for those chilly spring days--or moments.....soup!

A bientot!
~ Cat ~

Sunday Brocantes
More “French-inspired” recipes can be found at www.365FrenchDays.blogspot.com
 

White Vintage and Vintage Garden House

Playing in the Dirt with Casual loves Elegance

I love how Gail Peterson puts her Blog Posts together at Casual Loves Elegance. It comes from her heart. She is renovating her 1970's Mediterranean home in San Diego. She carefully hand selects each and every piece she finds when out treasure hunting. All her photo's have been taken by her, she has a great eye.

Enjoy her Garden House and love her vintage tractor that sits as a prop in her grove.

I hope you'll join Gail at Casual Loves Elegance Blog, as well she will be selling on Second Shout Out and you'll see some of her hand picked vintage that you will go crazy for.

Happy Day!
Susan
secondshoutout.com

French Vintage

Allo Allo {Deux Américains à Paris}

A great short film in Paris! Enjoy!

Allo Allo {Deux Américains à Paris} from Land of Nod Inc. on Vimeo.

Vintage Art ~ Friday’s Favorites week11 ~ Vintage as Art

A weekly round up of a few of my favorite vintage finds . . . from pins to posts . . . to websites and videos . . . to thoughts and ideas . . . featuring some really great vintage that I think you will absolutely love . . .

Yes - I do love a good vintage market . . . and yes I do love a good vintage shop . . . but there are often times when I just want to love a piece of vintage on it’s own - as if it was a piece of art sitting quietly on an empty wall . . . or a chair sitting quietly in a corner of a room. A simple, yet very pure approach to vintage.

I like the idea of not over complicating it with displays or signage . . . I truly want to look into it’s soul . . . to see it’s authentic self . . . to think about it’s untold story . . . and to stand back and admire it for what I think it stands for.

I want to see Vintage . . . as Art!! Here below are a few examples of what I am talking about . . .

Take this chair from Giannetti Home . . . it absolutely stole my heart the moment I saw it!!

I fell in love with the beauty of it’s form . . . the simple details in the carving . . . the finish on the wood . . . the colors in the antique tapestry . . . it all takes my breath away!

I want to look at it over and over again . . . I want it sitting in a beautiful and quiet corner in my dream house!!

Click here to see more of this beautiful 19th Century Belgian Wing Chair – available on 1st Dibs.

Chairs are always at the top of my list when it comes to vintage . . . I also bend at the knees pretty much everytime I see a vintage or antique WolfDress Form . . . as they are my vintage weakness as well! :)

Here is one of my favorites that I have ever owned . . .

Over the years - I have owned lots of dress forms . . . but this particular dress form was a true beauty . . . I loved to look at her – I thought she was stunning as I photographed her in each and every photo shoot we did with her. And sometimes - I would would even find myself doing a double-take when I would see her in the studio or warehouse where I work. Yes - she made me very happy!

I sold her recently and was a bit sad to see her go . . . but she went to a wonderful customer of mine that I know will appreciate her just as much as I have – and that makes me happy too!

As I was looking around the internet the other day . . . I came across Haven Vintage . . . I couldn’t help but think they too see Vintage as an Art .

I love the simpllcity of their photographs and their styling . . . I love how they focus on the vintage piece itself . . . it makes me want to look at it over and over again - as I would want to do with a piece of art that might inspire me . .

Unless of course . . . I just think of “Koerrer’s Beer” from Toledo Ohio!! :)

Vintage as Art? . . . personally – I am loving that idea!!!

I do hope these images leave you with a bit of vintage inspiration . . .

Happy weekend everyone!!!

xoxo – liz
Liz Le Dorze

Seabold Vintage Market

www.seaboldvintagemarket.com

Antique Plates

Beautiful and collectable, antique and vintage oyster plates made in porcelain and pottery.

A quote by Jonathan Swift, "He was a bold man that first ate an oyster."..... The French King Henry the IV was said to down 20 of the bivalve mollusks... in one sitting. In France, oysters (called 'huitres') were a staple, not a luxury to coastal residents. They were both plentiful and affordable.

The height of oyster consumption was considered to be between 1810 and 1870, and before World War I when the numbers of oysters available would dramatically decline due to over harvesting and alteration and destruction of their natural habitat.

Oyster serving plates came into vogue when the middle and upper class sought a tidier presentation and service option for their guests. Plates made with recessed wells were designed to hold the 'half-shells' in place without spilling the liquid. Plates with deeper wells were made to hold the oysters without their shells -- and this type of plate turns out to be the most sought-after type by collectors.

Both beautiful and collectable; antique and vintage oyster plates made in porcelain and pottery are seeing a huge increase in collecting momentum. Although found in Great Britain, the United States and all over Europe, many of the highest value were made in France.

Good quality French oyster plates sell in the range of $75 to $500 per plate, sometimes more.

Most fashionable is the French 'Majolica' pottery plates identifiable by their intense colors and sea motifs.
Thinking about collecting oyster plates? Here's a few tips:

~ Choose what you like! Love the intense colors or prefer a bright iron-stone white? Decide on a 'theme' and go for it!

~ Invest in a guide to oyster plates and become familiar with the makes and marks. Even if you are collecting just for fun--it's great to know when you have really found a treasure!

~ Avoid chips and cracks. Some scratches are expected if the plate held rough shells over the years, but for the most part chips and cracks great decrease both the investment and decor value.

I have to admit, when we eat oysters at home (which we do quite often!) our serving option usually consists of a large tea-towel a small bowl of 'mignonette' or a few slices of lemon.... standing over the counter....

'Purists' prefer oysters on the half-shell with just a slice of lemon. Rich in zinc, iron, calcium, selenium and vitamin A and B12.... and I would be remiss not to mention the reputation of oysters for their aphrodisiac properties...vrai or faux? You be the judge

I adore the variety of colors and forms of vintage oyster plates...
… for both their charm on the table...and around the home!

A bientot mes amis!

~ Cat, Sunday Brocantes

Photo credits : 1. 365 French Days/Sunday Brocantes 2. Linda Horn 3. Moss Antiques 4. Ruby Lane 5. Groove Food 6. Sunday Brocantes 7. Tradtional Home.

Where to find Antiques ~ Hidden Treasures

London's Best Kept Antiques Secret

The wonderful Lillie Road in Fulham, London is home to over 19 antiques shops offering a huge selection of antique furniture, lighting, mirrors and decorative objects. Originally the number one destination for British and international interior designers, it has a growing reputation as the place to source original pieces bringing with it a new swathe of individual buyers keen to explore the delights of the Lillie Road.

One of my favourite shops is Nimmo & Spooner. Myra Spooner and M. Charpentier have been in the antiques business for over 17 years and specialise in furniture, lighting and mirrors from the 18th to 20th century.

Nimmo & Spooner 277 Lillie Rd, Tel: 0207 385 2724

Nimmo & Spooner 277 Lillie Rd, Tel: 0207 385 2724

If you're into chandeliers, a trip to Hindley Antiques is an absolute must. Nigel Hindley a lovely friendly chap and amongst other things, has the most superb selection of French chandliers from 1900 to the 1920s.

Hindley Antiques 281 Lillie Road, Tel: 0207 385 0706

Anyone with a love of antiques and a pampered pooch must visit Alexander Von Westenholz. He not only deals in 19th century antique furniture, sporting prints, Victorian / Edwardian taxidermy but also sells dog boxes which are copies of an early 20thC dog bed made from stained ash and set on old croquet balls with a feather cushion and loose cover.

Alexander Von Westenholz, 297 Lillie Road,
Tel: 0207 386 1888, www.avwantiques.com

Maison Artefact has been located at 273 Lillie Road for over 8 years. They deal in mostly 19th century French, Swedish and Italian pieces with a wonderful selection of stoneware, metal pieces and other decorative objects. The stunning 19th century French clock face in the photograph below is a massive 117cm in diameter and can be made to work for an additional charge.

Enormous clock at Maison Artefact,
273 Lillie Road, Tel: 0207 381 2500

Beautiful mirrors and dining table at Maison Artefact

The garden at Maison Artefact

Exploring antiques shops wouldn't be the same without a quick pit stop and fortunately the delightful Arturos Art & Delicatessen doesn't disappoint. It is a typical Portuguese deli with a lovely garden where you can sit and enjoy a really good cup of coffee.

Visiting the Lillie Road is very easy - it is a 15 minute walk from Barons Court and Fulham Broadway tube stations and there is pay and display parking in the adjoining streets. One word of warning - a few of the dealers lock their shops up and work in nearby offices - they will usually leave a number to call on the front door. Enjoy your visit!

Thanks for stopping by ~ look for my next blog post on Second Shout Out Vintage Marketplace!

Louisa Blackmore

Email: louisa@westegg.co.uk
Website: http://www.westegg.co.uk
Blog: http://westegg-interiors.blogspot.com

Re-purposed Antiques and Vintage

At Second Shout Out Vintage Marketplace we are extremely excited about Jonathan Rachman. You'll be able to shop his curated vintage and antiques pieces on our marketplace launching soon. We just finished his lifestyle video which will be available on our launch day. It shows Jonathan's personal side, his uniqueness and how meticulous he is and just how much fun Jonathan is. You will thoroughly enjoy watching Jonathan's Lifestyle Video.

Interior Designer Jonathan Rachman participates in 2012 San Francisco Decorator Showcase with a masculine library featuring a curated collection of global artifacts.

Rich hues, curios with pedigree and cleverly re-purposed objects tell a fascinating story for this well-heeled gentleman's room.

Photograph credited to: John Merkl

San Francisco based globetrotting interior designer Jonathan Rachman of Jonathan Rachman Design has curated a gentleman's library at this years San Francisco Decorator Showcase that highlights his talent for and love of collecting and re-purposing. The overall design captures the ultimate in sustainability by re-purposing antiques, vintage items and found objects.

An elegant European sensibility meets a touch of industrial design for a gentleman's library that is classic but current, timeless but also contemporary. Each object evokes curiosity, becoming in turn, a conversation piece. Every element contributes to an overall cohesive design. Jonathan believes in preserving artifacts and found objects from the past for the enjoyment of the future generation. His room is a harmonious collection of artifacts from Asia, Europe and America, be it antique, vintage or industrial. As Jonathan says, "I believe in telling a story with every room I design."

Photograph Credited to: john Merkl and Christina Cavallaro

Above Photograph is a World War ll American A-26B "Invader" Bomber Wing tip. Removing the paint exposed the original aluminum patina.

Photograph Credited to: John Merkl

Photograph credited to: Christina Cavallaro

Photograph Credited to: Christina Cavallaro

Photograph Credited to: Christina Cavallaro

Photograph Credited to: John Merkl

Photograph Credited to: Christina Cavallaro

Visit Jonathon's third floor room at the 2012 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. It is open from April 28-May 28, 2012 at 2020 Jackson Street in San Francisco. The house is open everyday of the week except Mondays. The hours are: Thursday, Wednesday, and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (last entry), CLOSED MONDAY (except Memorial Day).

Tickets are $30 each, seniors $25. More information on this annual charitable event benefiting the University High School Scholarship fund, can be found at http://decoratorshowcase.org

Jonathan Rachman brings an international story to his firm. Born in Sumatra in Switzerland and having lived in Europe, he now makes his home in San Francisco.

Ciao for Now

Second Shout Out Vintage Marketplace

Susan Hoover

203-557-0539

susan@secondshoutout.com

Website: http://www.secondshoutout.com/

Blog: http://www.secondshoutout.com/blog

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/secondshoutout

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SecondShoutOut

Google +: http://bit.ly/googleplusSSO

Keep the Cogs Turning ~ Vintage Chic

As you probably know, West Egg sells restored antique and vintage furniture and decorative home accessories. Part of the fun of this is taking something and giving it a new, functional use. For example, we restore vintage trunks and these get used, more often than not, as coffee tables. We recently had a wonderful vintage toolbox which was re-purposed as a magazine rack and we sell vintage French glassware which can be used as vases or utensil pots.

Taking this idea to the next level is Guy Trench at Antiques by Design. I first came across Antiques by Design when they joined West Egg's SourceBook last year. Guy sources antiques, old materials and reclaimed items and then creates really beautiful and unique indoor and outdoor pieces.

His latest design inspiration is to use old cogs as lighting which is, frankly, genius. With industrial chic at the top of so many interior design wish lists, he has really created something original and stunning.

I love the fact you get something 100% original and new but you're also re-using materials that were already created. These lights would make a great feature over an island unit in a kitchen - they are definitely going on my wishlist.

What do you think of these lights? Is industrial chic your cup of tea or not so much? I'd love to hear your comments and if you have any brilliant re-purposing finds send us a link or a photo.

For more information about Antiques by Design, visit www.antiquesbydesign.co.uk.

Friday's Favorites ~ European Luxury Bedding . . .

A weekly round up of a few of my favorite vintage finds . . . from pins to posts . . . to websites and videos . . . to thoughts and ideas . . . featuring some really great vintage that I think you will absolutely love . . .

I could post on Texas forever - as there was so much to see there!! Around each and every corner there was something absolutely wonderful!! When I walked into this particular tent - it took my breath away . . . not only was it air-conditioned on a hot Texas day . . . but there were beautiful, gorgeous textiles everywhere I looked. And for anyone who knows me well - this is where my heart will often skip a beat!! :)

The company is called Pandora de Balthazar from Florida . . . and is owned by a lovely woman named Pandora. She was so gracious with her time and also allowed me to take photographs of some of these beauties! Thank you Pandora - I will most definitely be back!! :)

Here are a few of my favorites . . . the first one being my very favorite piece I saw on the whole trip - should have come home with it . . . next time!! Enjoy . . .

For the lovely story behind this wonderful company - go to . . . www.pandoradebalthazar.com

You will be glad you did!! :)

I hope these images leave you with a bit of vintage inspiration . . .

have a great weekend everyone!!!
xoxo - liz

Liz Le Dorze
Seabold Vintage Market
www.seaboldvintagemarket.com