Antiquing in England

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This Anglophile LOVES antiquing while in Britain. The Decorative Antiques and Textile show is a favorite held three times a year. Let's take a peek at what caught my eye

Intaglio's are still white hot but displayed in unique ways  (sorry for the quality, my I-phone)

Antique dealers from all over Europe attend. This is obviously a dealer from France with a chalkware Joan de Arc

Same dealer. Take a close look at this intriguing lamp fashioned from a french barn door hinge.

Speaking of chalkware, I adored these pigs and wanted them for my kitchen. At 800 pounds =
$1,475.00 dollars, this was not to be

I love framing objects and was mesmerized by this early 17thc gown

An 18th c bureau from Spain with original paint. Has anyone antiqued in Spain? This piece has me thinking.........

Simple but different with the button placement

Classical elements were abundant. Notice the blue butterflies under a dome?

Here is another dome with a display of ancient ship ballast balls

A bibliothique, or French library cabinet. Notice the narrow profile

This long ago barrister's cabinet from London

The whimsical nature of this toy captured my imagination for it's charm. This Dutch toy made of paper mache cost $1,660.00!

Sorry for the glare, and no it is not an antique, but the decorative art of the talented Elisabeth LeCourt

In case you were wondering, yes, these are crafted of maps

Some of my purchases.......     Found this heavy linen fabric in France and loved the wide stripes and colors. What separates this from typical linen is a subtle oil cloth-like coating. Thinking this would be perfect for a current interiors client. They have been wanting a fabric for bench seating at their kitchen table, we have searched. With children, this was a shoe-in but they changed their minds......7 yards was a bear to carry around........and now it is for sale

Maxwell of London is the finest bespoke riding boots in England. What drew me to these is the small women's size. Not original, but may turn these into lamps.

What can I say? It spoke to me! Victorian era parade horse harness. As my luggage became unbearably heavy I thought I could wrap this around my neck, breeze through security and if stopped claim, in an insulted tone, 'I am a jewelry designer!' Would have broken my neck!

Like everywhere around the world, 'antique centered towns' are disappearing in Britain. One of those that remains is Tetbury England. In planning our 2013 tour, Sylvia and I made a visit to this royal town in the Cotswolds. Prince Charles' Highgrove is in Tetbury so needless to say, this is an upmarket region. We are on the list to receive tickets to Highgrove Gardens for next year's group.

In town is his stunning shop called again, Highgrove Garden shop.

Terrific imagination abounds, like this gardening can turned wall sconce

A series of garden sconces, all different, were fashioned from vintage gardening implements. Notice that the bell cloche on top is the 'light'

A diminutive courtyard. Isn't the painting scheme attractive? As we departed, Sylvia queried 'did you know that there were signs posted everywhere stating 'NO PHOTOGRAPHY?' Actually I did not, aren't you glad?

Endless antique shops lined Long street. Here is a Knole sofa with contemporary lines. So named after it's origin at Knowle House in the 17thc. It's design was for visiting Monarch's to receive their guests and once had adjustable arms. Knole House is the family home of Vita Sackville-West, erected in 1605.

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Next years trip.......September 5th through September 13th, 2013. Won't you consider joining us?

Thank you for visiting!
xo
Debra

For the love of France

The Dordogne region of France is to me, pure magic. Considered one of the most unspoiled 

regions of Europe in the southwest of the country. Gastronomic France, un-touristed, genteel and medieval France. With my tour group recently returned, I wanted to share this stunning region. 

The land of the prized 'Black Diamonds'; the black truffle. More and more the truffle hunters use dogs versus the typical female pigs, the latter of whom may bite your fingers off for the delicacy. Apparently to pigs, (how do they know these things) truffles resemble the scent of an amorous male boar!

Fairytale castles abound

The region of dizzying heights culminating to the Dordogne River

Market remembrances made me weep, when I arrived home that is, and went to the local grocery chain

Antiques are attainable 

Charming cafes and villages vie for attention

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And the gardens! This is Marquessac, know as the "cloud" gardens, high on a ridge, it's boxwood seemingly trimmed with cuticle scissors.

Traditional French gardens are about symmetry and controlling Mother Nature. Viewing is historically from above

We had the lovely 'La Combe'  B & B to ourselves. Our hostess Wendeley Harvey, is a renown cookbook author,  gourmet meals were lain before us like the queens we were for a week. Due to a friend of Sylvia's, Wendeley deviated from her typical format of accommodating chefs and their groups only and will do so again for us next year.

Her charming and naughty companion was ever-present, particularly when backing out of the driveway.

A quick few days in Paris, how could you not!

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Clingnancourt, the main market. Word is that Vanes may be a good bet too, anyone been?

Ralph Lauren Paris in a once and still opulent Parisian mansion. Sylvia and I wanted everything and could afford nothing.......sigh.........

Loved this simple arrangement outside his shop

Particularly loved seeking out the many floral shops with their massively creative offerings.

In a shop window, one side in French, the other English. Loved this saying!

Bonjour France for now. Reservations are now open for France 2013, September 20th through 28th, hope you can join us!

Next post........Antiquing in England, wait until you see what I found

With love,
Debra

Back in Step

What a summer that was.........blazing hot, drought induced and madly busy!

I was unprepared for the spate of business for both interiors and gardens with never enough time to spare. Good and bad, don't you think? I have missed my readers, and actually my friends and family. But with all that madness I knew that my annual jaunt to Europe to guide a tour and to REST was in sight. Just arriving home, Autumn brings hopes of a return to normality, however Christmas retail lurks nearby.

So what has been going on besides gardens & interiors?

 THIS! Discovered this wine in France and about to begin the hunt for it here and this vineyard in particular. Like Pinot? This will ruin you forever. This strictly red wine girl is hooked on Sancerre!

 Have always liked Dash and Albert rugs, I jumped in and am carrying the whole line. As an introduction to my readers, enjoy free shipping and a 20% off first order discount. (good until 11/28)

 NEST candles, ahhhh, our favorite scents and a top seller in the shop. As a good client, we were invited to a private party at Laura Slatkins home on the upper east side of NYC, her 8 story private home! OH MY, OH MY! I fear I did not make any friends. Upon entering her massive dining room, the period empire table (seating 20) was surrounded with her new fragrances. Picking up a bottle by it's lid which was my first mistake as the bottle departed it's lid and landed with a massive thud on the said period table, after silencing the room and much visible heart clutching later, the hostess managed to avoid eye contact with me the remainder of the evening. (nothing like getting noticed in a crowd)

Oh and this "star" was there with an entourage (for the uninitiated, this is Dina of the Jersey 

housewife fame)

ANY free time was spent here, gathering gorgeous inspiration, fab recipes and interesting D-I-Y projects........I am sadly addicted

Found a new blog I like, 'The Caledonian Mining Expedition'. Take a peak

Discovered this stunning perennial, Gentiana. The most vivid blue flower that blooms nearly all summer. Great for the front of the border. Mr. 5th has joined my business and reluctantly taken on the ordering. I was siting nearby when he was reading my handwriting and placing the order. Gentiana was  ordered like this......."I would like 24 genitalia!" i over heard and matched the roar of laughter from the other end of the line. "If you tell anyone this, I will never order again!" shhhhhh 

Never would have guessed my "dream" vehicle would be a 1935 Ford pick-up truck. 

Purchased from a friend, I thought with the proper signage it would make a nice vehicle marketing my landscape business, don't you think? Only problem is the learning curve, so far I cannot get the double clutching down. Beware if you see me on the road!

We recently completed our group tour to Dordogne France and to Paris, will share in the next post. 

Then it was four glorious weeks in England, scouting for next year's English tour, catching up on sleep and rest. Oh and shopping, wait until you see what I found!

 Thank you to my dear friends and hosts Sylvia and Joe for housing me, feeding me and loving me in the magical town of Sherborne, England

Let's catch up, I miss you all

Debra

PS:  working on a new look for my blog, not there yet. What do you think so far?