A couple of new items added to the website, and much more to follow next week. Above is a vintage silver leaf settee upholstered in a steel bluish-silver silk. I'm crazy over silver leaf!
These Mid Century faux bamboo chairs have been reupholstered in a white linen. They have black lacquered frames.
You can check them out here...
I was reading today's San Francisco Chronicle Home & Garden section which had a few noteworthy stories regarding antiques. Definitely worth reading. Enjoy!
I love Maison Jansen and thrilled to see the resurgence of Jansen decor in the vintage world. One of the 20th century’s most influential decorating house, Maison Jansen produced a client list from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Jackie Kennedy. “Maison Jansen designed custom furnishings for interiors that celebrated the firm’s lavish aesthetic of Bourbon historicism combined with Hollywood-style glamour.”
The latest book, Jansen Furniture, available at Amazon.com, showcases over 600 photos of chairs, lighting, tables, sofas, and decorative objects. It’s absolutely beautiful to look through and a "must have" for the decorator/antiques enthusiast.
The books forward; “Jansen Furniture, the companion volume to Acanthus Press 2006 Jansen, presents over 600 photographs and illustrations from the archives of the celebrated firms workrooms. For the first time unique furniture designs have been identified with specific commissions and are presented here both as individual pieces and in situ, revealing the firms gift for translating the personalities and ambitions of its clients into a vocabulary of silks, mirrors and pedigreed woodwork. Jansen Furniture is an elegant design resource that affords the 21st century designer and furniture collector an inspiring look an authentic and revival furnishings designed to transform any period, modern, and eclectic interior.”
Set of Louis XVI-Style Banquettes and Tabourets, c. 1965 
I was recently reading a post on Poppytalk's blog on Neoclassical design trend that inspired me to write about it.
Canadian House & Home's 2008 Trend Issue shows some fun, current images of decorating with Neoclassical style. I just love the look and have vintage pieces in my home and offered on my website.
Originating in the late 18th Century, Neoclassical design is inspired by the architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome.
Neoclassical furniture is characterized by restrained, symmetrical design and tends to be rectangular. Art Deco is a decorative style emerging in the 1930's from French origins and inspired by a Neoclassical influence.
I just love the Greek key motifs, geometric shapes and lines of Neoclassical design. I think Canadian House & Home has it right. It really isn't a trend though. It can be integrated in any decor from modern to traditional and never go out of style.
This is my favorite acquisition! A vintage Neoclassical style chair from the famous Crown Room at the Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill in San Francisco. It is quite rare and dates to c. 1960. I have some in my home and was thrilled to acquire this. The "magical" Crown Room was renovated in the late 1990's and is now used for meeting and conferences. I acquired my first "Crown Room" chair at a flea market many years ago and have been on the "hunt" ever since then! Ten years later, I have 4 in my home and one offered on my website. I left the original paint in tact and had them upholstered to match the original upholstery. Sorry that these lovely chairs are no longer at the Fairmont, but happy to have my own! They are the epitome of Neoclassical design and with the hotel history, I couldn't be happier!
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This month's issue of San Francisco Magazine, the "Ultimate Home Decor Issue" is a wonderful guide for design finds in the Bay Area. Nineteen of the region's most discriminating design experts share their favorite local shops and artisans. Love it! The issue also features my Victorian gilt faux bamboo corner parlor chairs. The chairs are available for purchase on my web site.Thank you to my friend Sheri Sheridan at Swallowtail in San Francisco who was my partner in getting this placement.
If you are visiting San Francisco in the near future you should check out Swallowtail located in Russian Hill. It's one of my favorite and most eclectic shops in the City! Check out these photos... The store is jam-packed with the most interesting furnishings...modern decor, black & white photography, eclectic vintage and quirky objects. Much of my own home is furnished with Swallowtail finds. 
The 30th Annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase was held last month and what an amazing home it was! I've never toured a 55 million dollar home, and this was amazing. The views, spectacular! The tour was held at the gorgeous mansion located at 2901 Broadway, at the top of Pacific Heights. This home, designed in 1927 by Henry Clay Smith for local industrialist Milton S. Ray, opened its doors to the public for the first time ever. Owned by the Mitchell family since 1946, this Renaissance style mansion consists of 10,000 square feet, with 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths on four levels and has been decorated by some of the best of the best. The elevator foyer featured a pair of my gilt corner chairs.
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