Autumn Weekend in Port Hope

" I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion" -Henry David Thoreau  Well, what a perfect weekend for both in Port Hope.  The pumpkins are ready for picking, carving and to be sat upon.  In addition, there are still some tickets left for Port Hope's 47th annual house tour tomorrow.  I'm sure there will be some velvet cushions, and the house tour always draws a great crowd. Before you set out on the tour, make sure you stop by the latest addition to the main street, Marche 59.  They offer a wonderful selection of real French pastries, breads and baked goods....all baked in house.  I am starting the weekend off a little early this morning with their chocolate croissant.  Very tasty!  Once you have finished the house tour, check out our great variety of shops in town.  They are filled for fall with lots to update your wardrobe and home.....chunky sweaters, warm jackets, suede boots, velvet cushions, cashmere throws, vintage and antique furniture and furnishings, a great selection of period and contemporary fine art....  Enjoy the foliage on your way out from the city.  It's just a one hour drive from Toronto.

Faux Bamboo Etagere

This very attractive, silver leafed, metal etagere has five smoked glass shelves, carved wooden ball feet and a pine cone finial.  It is very well constructed, but is not marked.  72" h., 20" x 20" at the base  American, c.1970 SOLD

Rope-twist Mirror

With a nod to the nautical, this circular mirror has a carved gilt wood frame with two rows of rope-twist decoration. 31" diam.  American, c. 1950 SOLD

Tulip Table and Chairs

Bright, cheerful, Saarinen style tulip table with four chairs.  This set is in great condition and the chairs have their original sunny yellow upholstered seat cushions.  It's the perfect set to brighten up a kitchen or sun room.  Table is 42" in diameter and 28" high.  American, c. 1970  SOLD

Kelly Wearstler; Beverly Hills House

Please click on link below to view some great rooms from Kelly Wearstler's Beverly Hills home. Check out the Paulin Groovy chairs covered in snakeskin.

http://blog.kezu.com.au/tag/hollywood-regency/

Brass and Glass Console Table

Chic, elongated octagonal, walnut, brass and glass console table.  This piece is not marked but is of very high quality and is in mint condition.  60" l., 20" w., 28" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

"Henredon" Dining Table

Here is another piece of high style 1970's design.  This table was made by Henredon and has a unique hexagonal pedestal base of burl walnut and polished brass.  The base supports a very chunky circular glass top with a beveled edge.  60" diameter, 30" high  American, c. 1970  SOLD

Silver Leafed Bar Cart

This elegant silver leafed bar cart is unsigned but of very high quality.  It is comparable to La Barge and may have been made by them.  The removable glass is bevelled and in perfect condition.  The beautifully detailed handles are bronze and are nicely patinated.  42" l., 21" w., 31" h.  c.1970's  SOLD

"Trend Alert" Chinoiserie Today

Elle Decor; October 2012

"Hans Olsen for Juul Kristensen" Rocker

Hans Olsen (1919-1992) was a Danish furniture designer who studied at the Royal Danish Academy's Furniture School and trained under Kaare Klint.  In 1953 he set up his own studio, and was known for experimenting with materials and form.  He exhibited at the annual Cabinetmaker Guild fairs in Copenhagen, one of the most prestigious places to show furniture in Denmark.  This rocker was designed for Juul Kristensen.  It has a very nice sculptural quality and is very comfortable as well.  The cushions and upholsetery are original.  Danish, c. 1950's SOLD

"Henredon" Tusk Table

Sensational, sophisticated safari style, seventies table.  This exceptional cocktail table by Henredon has a zebra wood base with four tusk-like prongs on which sit a square, very thick, bevelled glass top with rounded corners.  44" diam.  16 1/2" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

"Pierre Paulin for Artifort; Groovy Chairs"

Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1973, the "Groovy Chair" has become an iconic symbol of 1970's high design.  (Please see article below from a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal's Magazine.) These chairs, originally purchased in N.Y.C., are from the first year of issue and come with the original literature and an advertisement from the New York Times.  They are in a vibrant raspberry stretch fabric, are extremely comfortable and are in excellent original condition.  French, c. 1973 SOLD

"Edmund Spence" Credenza

Edmund J. Spence was an American designer, perhaps best known for interpreting international design styles  for the U.S. market.  His predominant countries of influence were Sweden and Mexico.  While he worked in the U.S., he also worked abroad and often used local woods and materials as well as local craftsmen to produce his furniture.  One of his most acclaimed lines was a blonde line produced in Sweden and imported by the Walpole Furniture Co. of Massachusetts.

From that line comes this fantastic piece by Edmund Spence which ranks in the top five pieces we have shown here at Michael Thomas.  It is a wonderfully sculptural piece which melds rich maple and birch woods, and exceptional design and craftsmanship, for an artful end result.  54" l., 19 1/2" w., 34 1/2" h.  American/ Swedish c. 1950's SOLD

Trio of Nesting Tables

Graceful set of three, nicely constructed, chrome and glass nesting tables.  Largest table is 18" l., 12" w., 21" h.  American, c.1970 SOLD

"La Barge" Mirror

Large and impressive silver leaf mirror by La Barge with a very ornate frame of shell, floral and acanthus leaf design.  47" h., 31" w.  Italian, c. 1970 SOLD

"Baker Furniture Co." Coffee Table

Described as "Palm Beach chic perfection", this substantial coffee or cocktail table by Baker has a thick glass top with a scalloped and stepped brass edge.  The base is made up of eight wooden legs with wood and brass supports.  It is an exceptional, casually elegant piece.  44" diam., 18" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

"Wm. Hengerer" Chest

This handsome, rock maple chest was a custom piece for the Wm. Hengerer Co. of New York.  It was fashioned after an early 18th c. American design and features five drawers with tear drop pulls and nicely carved ball feet.  33" l., 19" w., 46" h.  American, c. 1930 SOLD

Cue the 70's

Please click on the link below to view a great article on 70's design from the Wall Street Journal:

 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443855804577601310423471418.html#ixzz266ylJ5Gm

Check back later this week when we will be offering a pair of raspberry "Groovy Chairs", designed by Pierre Paulin in 1973.  They were chosen as one of the "best designs of the decade" by the Wall Street Journal in the above article published last month in the W.S.J. magazine.

"Bethlehem Furniture Co." Cabinet

Known for their superior craftsmanship and cabinetry, The Bethlehem Furniture Company produced pieces with old world quality and attention to detail with updated design and functionality.  This smaller Empire style blonde mahogany and satinwood cabinet has two drawers and two adjustable shelves.  The columns and pulls are ebonized.  The columns have bronze decoration as do the doors.  26" l., 15" w., 30" h.  American, c. 1940's SOLD

Murano Glass Pendant Light

Cool, Venini style, mouth-blown glass pendant light.  The glass shade on this large hanging light has a warm green tone and is accented with vibrant white swirls.  14 1/2" w., 10" h.  Italian, c. 1960's

Pair of Wall Sconces by "Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier"

These 1970's chic wall sconces were designed by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier.  Each sconce has three lights on a rectangular chrome back plate.  31 individual glass rods "float" on a chrome support.  The sconces come with five spare glass rods.  16" l., 5" w., 5 1/2" deep.  Italian, 1970's  SOLD

Back to Business

 "Flipper"  the 6 ft. dolphin

 "Emergency Drinking Water" from the '40's (pre Evian)

We arrived back late last night from a fantastic vacation.  We had a bit of vacation a.d.d. and packed a lot into just under two weeks.....Hudson Valley, Hamptons, Cape Cod and Boston.  We wound down in the Berkshires, and hit Brimfield, but all we brought back from there were some fun pics.   Had we only had a truck in Brimfield, we could have brought "Flipper" back to Canada.....  However, we picked up loads of great things while we were away.  I will start posting them today.  Later next week the blog, and shop, will be chocked full of cool stuff!

Holidays

 Adriana, our fantastic friend and favorite hostess

 

 Our pool house away from home in the Hamptons

We headed out last week for vacation and as always are mixing a little business with pleasure.  We found some great pieces for Michael Thomas that we will be posting when we return to Canada.  In the meantime, we will be doing lots of swimming, lots of lobster eating and having lots of good summer fun.  While we are away the shop will be open normal business hours with the exception of Labor Day Monday when we will be closed.  We wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday!