Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all!  A beautiful blanket of snow has fallen to make our picture perfect Canadian town.....well....picture perfect.  Our 1837 place is decked with remnants of home in the states. The Moravian Star and all the candles in the windows are reminiscent of Bethlehem, PA, near where I grew up.  The first Moravian Star was believed to have been made around 1820 in Germany.  The Moravian Bookshop, where this star came from, was where I worked as a kid and through University (or College as we say in the states).  It is the oldest continuously operated bookstore in the world, founded in 1745.  I believe it was the inspiration for Indigo and Chapters, Borders and Barnes and Noble ;  ).......best books since 1745, best gifts and gourmet foods since 1979!  If you have a chance to visit historic Bethlehem at Christmastime, you will find most homes lit with stars on the porches and candles in the windows.....very simple, very beautiful.  While it has been a great break, we are looking forward to getting back to the shop for business as usual tomorrow! 

Christmas Cheer

Fun and festive hand painted ceramic Santa shot glasses.  1 1/2" h., 1 1/2" diam.  Japanese, c. 1950 (12 available)  SOLD

"NOEL" Mugs

Set of four very playful hand painted ceramic Santa mugs with a seasonal greeting.  3"h., 3" diam.  Japanese, c. 1950  (2 sets available)  SOLD

Two More Sleeps

"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."

LOVE

In response to a very difficult week, both personally and globally, a friend in NYC came up with this idea which I thought was wonderful.  She is calling it the "human experience".  The human experience has now made it's way to Canada and Port Hope.  I am on my second sheet this morning.  The best part is watching people's reactions and smiles.  Feel free to try it.  

Chrome and Brass Table Lamp

Chrome and brass segmented column table lamp with brass rings, base cap and finial.  (new shade)  28" h.  American, c. 1970  SOLD

"Oh Deer"

We have got a bevy of deer here that are in need of good homes for Christmas.  Each handmade twig deer is appx. 18" l. and 24" h. and has it's own unique personality. They have been reduced from $28.00 down to $14.00 for quick adoption.  All adopted

The Amaryllis Are In Bloom Again

"The amaryllis are in bloom again at Michael Thomas. Such a strange flower, suitable to any occasion......"  Well technically it should be calla lilies, but seems to work with amaryllis as well.  By the way, it's from "Stage Door", a fantastic 1937 film starring a young Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden and Ann Miller, amongst other notable actors.  If you haven't seen it, it is worth a watch.

Also worth a look are our "Fleur de Noel" wooden decoupage trays available in several sizes and patterns.  Coordinating tea towels and napkins are also available.  SOLD

There's No Place Like Home

Once again this year, our Christmas window was inspired with our December charity in mind.  The idea was based on the Habitat vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

  

This year, we wanted to keep it Swedish simple.  After painting the back wall a beautiful shade of pale gray, and building the house framing with 2 x 4's, the outside was lit. Then the kid's Christmas decorating began.  As one of the children hangs the lights, the other gets ready to place the gold star atop the tree. Soon after, the snow began to fall and Christmas was complete.

Wouldn't it be a wonderful life if this were the way everyone experienced the holiday.

   

  

Home for the Holidays

Everyone deserves a home for the holidays...... and all the days.  This is something we believe in very strongly.  That is why we have chosen Habitat for Humanity as our charity to support this December.  Habitat for Humanity's mission is "To mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty."  Their vision is a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

During the month of December, 10% of the profits from each sale at Michael Thomas whether a candle, piece of furniture or piece of art will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity in support of their efforts to give everyone a safe and decent home for the holidays and everyday.

"James Mont" Style Asian Modern Credenza

Striking mahogany credenza in the style of James Mont.  This very handsome cabinet has four center drawers which are flanked by doors with carved Asian motif plaques.  Each door opens to a compartment with one divided and lined drawer and one shelf.  The original brass hardware adds a nice, clean, modern element.  The base features carved Greek key decoration.  62" l., 20" w., 32 1/2" h.  American, c. 1950  SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; "Altered States"

This work was inspired by the 1965 Italian film, "Fists in the Pocket", which was directed by Marco Bellocchio.  It follows a young man, Lou Castel, who takes drastic measures to rid his dysfunctional family of its various afflictions.  In this scene, the group of alter boys look off camera, judging someone outside of their grouping.  Charcoal on paper.  Framed, 28" l., 21" h.  SOLD

Pair of Candle Sconces

Elegant pair of double arm, silver leafed metal candle sconces.  This pair of sconces has a warm, rich patina and beautiful detail.  Each candle has a toggle switch to turn off/ on.  They are hard wired and currently are adapted to plug into a wall outlet.  They come with pleated fabric shades.  c. 1960  SOLD

Silk Tie Frames

Handsome "silk tie" frames with wooden backs and detail.  They are available in a variety of patterns.  New, 4" x 6" opening $39.50  5" x7" opening $47.50

"La Barge" Italian Regency Mirror

Very chic La Barge double framed, carved wood and gesso, Italian Regency style mirror.  The frame is silver leafed with gold and black accents.  43 1/2" h., 27" w.  Italian, c. 1960's SOLD

Life Aquatic Magnifying Glasses

Novel assortment of aluminum and glass water creature magnifying glasses in the form of a frog, turtle and crocodile.  New, SOLD

Pair of Blanc de Chine Lamps

Exceptional pair of highly decorative, reticulated porcelain, covered jar lamps with a traditional design of blossoming fruit trees.  The base as well as the top may be lit individually or they may be lit together.  Base  is 17" h.  (sold with new black hardback shades)  c. 1950's  SOLD

Fleur de Lis Bookends

Smart pair of fleur de lis bookends in a high gloss white finish.  8" h. 5 1/2" l., 4" w.  New, SOLD OUT

Face Lamp

With a modernist, Picassoesque feel, this black wire lamp is both sculptural and playful.  It comes with a black parchment shade with white lining.  26" h., 12" diam.  New,  SOLD

Mahogany Three Tier Table

Elegant three tier table/ stand with beautiful inlay and brass mounts.  16" diam., 22" h.  American, c. 1950's SOLD

Helene Cenedese; Boat #3

New work by Helene Cenedese, Boat #3.  Oil on board, 30" l., 24" w.  SOLD

"Henredon" Nesting Tables

Classic to a tee.  This set of three mahogany nesting tables was made by Henredon and each table has a tooled and gold embossed leather top.  The leather is in exceptional condition as are the mahogany frames.  The largest table is 24" l., 18" w., 24" h.  American, c.1954  SOLD

"McGuire" Wheat Sheaf Table

This beautiful table by McGuire is made of rattan which has been cinched and shaped into a sheaf of wheat.  It has it's original glass top, but it would also work well with a larger piece of glass.  24" w. 17" h.  American, c. 1970 SOLD

"Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff" Pair of Barrel-Back Chairs

Lawrence Peabody (1924-2002) was a noted architect, interior designer and furniture designer who trained at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen after serving in the Navy in W.W. II.  Every decision he made was in the name of art, even his decision to serve in the Navy during the War.  According to his daughter "He chose the Navy because he liked the uniforms.  He loved those bellbottom trousers."  She went on to remark "I really think his mission in life was to beautify everything."

This beautiful pair of cotton velvet barrel-back club chairs was designed by Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff Furniture of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The chairs retain their original bright yellow, gold and cream patterned upholstery which is in excellent vintage condition.  The chairs have smart modern oak bases and are on casters.  American, c.1950's SOLD

Pair of Bronze Marly Horses (after Guillaume Coustou)

This impressive pair of Marly Horses are old and very large casts of the Horses of Marly, originally scuplted by Antoine Coysevox and inspired by the statues of Fame and Mercury.  The original horses were commissioned by Louis xiv from Coysevox for the horse pond at Marly.  In 1739, Louis xv commissioned two groups from Guillaume Coustou (Coysevox's nephew) for the Chateau de Marly.  This pair of bronzes (after Coustou 1677-1746) have their original and undisturbed patina.  Each base has the cast signature "Coustou".  They are a truly grand and commanding pair of bronzes.  Each sculpture measures 30" h., 26" l., 13" w.  French, late 19th c. SOLD

Rococo Mirror

Magnificent and massive, this very ornate gilded mirror is decorated with shell, acanthus and floral motifs and has a rich warm patina.  The thick bevelled glass is original.  52" l., 38" w.  French, 19th c.  SOLD

Pair of "Henredon" Chests

From their "Artefacts" collection, this handsome pair of Asian modern chests was made by Henredon.  Each chest has two doors with great looking brass hardware which open to one drawer and one adjustable shelf.  Single chests measure 39" l., 18" w., 31 1/2" h.  American, c. 1970 SOLD

Urn Lamp

Classic ceramic urn shaped lamp with a silver metallic glaze and black fabric shade.  New.  21" h., 14" w. with shade.  SOLD