Category Archives: furniture

Sussex armchair envy

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Editor

A friend of mine recently acquired two superb Morris & Co., Sussex armchairs (c1860) Not that I envy him. It’s just one of those events that plays on your mind in quiet moments of décor envy. I had recommended he … Continue reading →

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The Balloon-back chair (1830-1850)

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Editor

No other piece of furniture has had quite the same fall from grace among collectors as has the balloon back dining chair. Once the most highly sought after piece of colonial furniture – a set of ballon-backs, however pert, not … Continue reading →

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Interesting things with lamps

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Editor

When I first moved into this house I really only occupied one room – now the Studio – which was then somewhat exposed to the street. This more so once we took out the aluminum joinery and put in enormous … Continue reading →

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Operation Yellow Sofa

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Editor

We have a yellow sofa. It is a Victorian piece picked up at a Cordy’s sale. When we saw it we were bowled over by its rugged attractions and amused to hear that it had passed unloved through a least … Continue reading →

Posted in auction finds etc., furniture | 1 Comment

In praise of footstools

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Editor

The auction drought is over, from mid December to end of January there’s little in the way of auctions to feed the need of an obsessive auction goer. However from this week that is all over, not only have Cordy’s … Continue reading →

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An Absurd Luxury

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Editor

Luxury by its nature is absurd. It is excess – not what is needed – but what the heart cherishes and the mind daydreams about. The ‘plate room’ is Douglas and my luxury item in terms of the renovation of … Continue reading →

Posted in auction finds etc., colour, furniture | 4 Comments

The Romanovs and Me

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Editor

One of my favorite places in Napier, where we live, is the local auction house – Maidens & Foster. It is, I suppose, a lot like the country auction houses that still survive in Britain – deliverers of treasure into … Continue reading →

Posted in furniture, Uncategorized | 3 Comments