One of my favorite things to do is search online for unique objects. During my free time, for hours on end, I obsessively search for something different, something special. There are some incredible creators out there and thanks to the internet and magical places such as Etsy, they are available to us wherever we are. Most of the time I will start by searching for something specific, but often I fall into a rhythm where one search flows into another and I might find a great console table when I started off looking for some linen bedding. Occasionally during my internet sourcing I come across something that makes me catch my breath. More often than not it is a one off piece that just happens
My family has always been somewhat obsessed with interiors. I have plenty of memories of my parents planning and executing renovations, dreaming about and building new houses. Conversations about paint colors, transforming furniture, dreams and plans for each of our living spaces are common place in our family reunions. For most of his life, my brother seemed to be the only one who was immune to this affliction. He begged to be left out of antiquing excursions, and thanked us politely, and a bit blankly, when we offered a gift to cozy up his home. So I was somewhat shocked, and completely delighted, when he declared he wanted a new look for his loft in Brooklyn and asked me to help him ach
Chapter 1 De- upholstering It starts with an old chair. One that might look worn and out of date. The layers are peeled off, one by one. Each tells a story. Of time, place, somebody's home. This particular chair is remarkably heavy and well made. This means it is hard to de- upholster, even if there is only one layer of fabric. It is attached with a countless number of hand applied tacks, no staples in sight. The inside is horsehair and natural wool fiber- this is the first time it is getting re-upholstered. Chapter 2 Sanding This is not an easy piece to sand. Lots of curves and crevices. Details and more details. Hard wood and hard varnish. How is it possible that a chair this intricate, t
You know that feeling, when you discover something truly special? A shop, a piece of pottery or furniture......you hug it to yourself because it feels like it was made just for you, but at the same time want to tell everyone about it because it is just so great! This feeling is intensified with vintage finds, which are truly unique. Even if more than one piece were produced, each has a different history which re shaped it into its current state, making it truly exclusive. The idea of exclusivity is interesting. Scarcity can create value: Gold is valuable in part because it exists in limited amounts. The same is true of items such as couture or high end clothing and accessories, and high e