It's A Wrap!

Michael Thomas, Port Hope is now no more.  It has been a great six years and a great week.  Thanks to everyone who stopped in to say goodbye and for the cards, notes, emails and gifts?!?  I am sincerely grateful for all the warm wishes.  I want to take this opportunity to also thank Marilyn Moore, Cynthia Chiasson, Sharifa Chivers, Alan de la Vigne, my big bro. and of course Richard Lane for all of their support and hard work in the shop over the years.  The best is yet to come.  Stay tuned!

"Louis Vuitton" Steamer Trunk

She's a grande old dame.  She's got a few more wrinkles, but her character and beauty are incomparable to newer models.  This early production (turn of the century) Louis Vuitton steamer trunk is all original and retains its original leather strap and buckle which is very rare for a trunk of this vintage.  It has its original lining with Louis Vuitton label and serial number 132816.  The interior of the trunk is in very good condition and odorless.  The brasses have the appropriate stamps.  As an added bonus, this trunk comes with a number of fantastic vintage travel stickers including White Star Line, Canadian Pacific and the Carlton Hotel in London.  This would make a very special coffee or side table or piece at the foot of a bed.  French, early 20th c.  SOLD

Paris Flea Market Sale!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are our last three days, and it is Michael Thomas like you have never seen it before (and we liked it that way).  It is our Paris Flea Market in Port Hope and there will be lots of clutter and lots of fantastic bargains!  We have brought in and up a slew of "new" items that were retired for a while, or that are less than perfect, or that just didn't seem to make their way to the selling floor.  It will include many smaller items; ceramics, glass, picture frames, etc. as well as vintage oil paintings, mirrors, occasional chairs, tables and more.  Everything (exluding contemporary art) is at least 50% off with many items as much as 75% off.  If you make it in at the right time, you may even be treated to a glass of Veuve or some good vintage French pop music.

First and Last

It was 6 years ago this week that Michael Thomas opened it's doors.  Our first window was this "Taking Flight" installation.  We used lots of leftover canvas drop cloths and hung them in layers from the front to the back of the window (with concentric cut-outs).  Our big aviary featured bird pieces that would later be for sale in the shop, and a paint can and splattered wall to give that "coming soon/ under construction" vibe.  We have had lots of fun creating our Windows on Walton and we hope you have enjoyed them too.  Sunday August 24th will be our final day, and this will be our last window at 56 Walton.  

"Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville" Desk and Chest with Bench Platform

Italian Chrome Chandelier

In the style of Sciolari, this sensational twelve light chandelier has three rows of lights.  The bottom row features six lights framed by concentric tubular chrome circles and accented with fine cut crystal drops.  The center and top rows feature three lights on each row.  Each light is framed by a chrome circle accented with a single cut crystal drop.  The chandelier can be lit fully or the top six lights or bottom six lights alone.  22" diam., 20" h.  Italian, c. 1970  SOLD

"James Mont" Style Cabinet

Mahogany, Chinoiserie cabinet in the style of James Mont.  This very stylish cabinet has two stationary shelves and glass sliding doors on the top.  Below two doors with carved and polychromed decoration open to a storage compartment with one stationary shelf.  41"l., 15"w., 63"h. American, c.1950  SOLD

Jean-Michel Frank Style Sofa

This sensational custom made vintage sofa was inspired by the 1940's designs of Jean-Michel Frank.  The lines are clean and modern and the hardwood construction is exceptional.  You would be hard pressed to find a better quality sofa at any price.  It is newly reupholstered in a hip, mid-tone gray fabric which is a much truer gray than represented in the photos.  76" l., 34" w., 30" h.  SOLD

"Heywood Wakefield" Credenza

Sreamline moderne credenza by Heywood Wakefield in their champagne finish.  The credenza has three center drawers and two end storage compartments.  48" l.,19" w., 34" h.  American, c. 1941  SOLD

Bamboo Table

A classic turn of the century, two-tiered bamboo table.  This great looking and very versatile table has a hexagonal top and base and a gallery of very thin bamboo pieces on the base.  26" diam., 31" h.  English, c. 1900  SOLD

Parker and Peretti

Well, I can't recall the last time I took a Saturday off when we weren't travelling, but I am doing just that today.  We are leaving the shop in Marilyn's more than capable hands, and the day will be spent by the pool with Parker in our temporary digs with the latest issue of Vanity Fair.  I just finished the article on Elsa Peretti.  What an amazing and beautiful woman.  She is such an extraordinary artist, style maker, and human.  I was very lucky to have met her and gotten to know her a little during my days in the Estate Dept. at Tiffany & Co.  She is the coolest.

Driftwood Lamp

It is a beautiful, warm, sunny morning here in Port Hope.  A day like this turns our thoughts to summer, cottage and casual living.  In terms of home accessories, this epitomizes all three.  This large scale vintage driftwood lamp has a wonderful sculptural body, its original finial and a new burlap shade with parchment lining.  32" h., 26" l., 18" w.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Light Fantastic

All new and vintage lamps and lighting are 25% off.  Please click on the "Lamps" category to view the available styles.

"Curtis Jere"; Maple Leaves Sculpture

The Curtis Jere design house was founded in California in 1963 and produced sculptural works ranging from the representational to the highly abstract.  Works produced by the company, particularly those of the 1960's and 70's, have become highly praised and sought after today.  Writer Mitchell Owens wrote a two page article on the history of C. Jere for the November 2010 issue of Elle Decor.  In it he remarks that "Today those pieces are attracting the admiration of leading dealers in vintage chic".  He goes on to note that after launching in 1963, Jere sculptures were distributed by Raymor, a cutting edge studio in New York City, and retailed at Gump's in San Francisco and other high end retailers in several major cities across the U.S.  This large and very decorative patinated brass sculpture by C. Jere was made in the seventies and features clusters of animated maple leaves emanating from three substantial branches.  46" l., 34" w.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

"John Van Koert for Drexel" Tall Chest

Designed by noted 20th c. designer John Van Koert (see earlier posts for more information on designer) this tall chest of drawers was part of the Drexel Profile Collection.  The design of the chest as well as the hardware is very sculptural, and the piece has a beautiful "profile".  34" l.,  21" w., 48" h.  American, c.1950's  SOLD

"Bassett Furniture Co." Cabinet

Neat, simple, clean lined cabinet by Bassett Furniture from their "Town-House" collection.  It has three shelves on the top piece, one of which has a sliding natural fiber door.   All three shelves have double plate rails for display.  The lower portion of the cabinet has two woven natural fiber doors that open to a compartment with one recessed shelf.  This piece is very versatile and would make an excellent bookcase, display cabinet or bar.  73" h., 32" l., 18" w.  American, c. 1963   SOLD

"Bijan" Brutalist Metal Sculpture

Bijan was born in Iran in 1936 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1959.  In 1962 he moved to L.A. where he attended the Art Center School of Design.  That same year he opened his own art studio.  Bijan's metal sculptures were seen worldwide in the sixties and seventies, and at the time he was referred to as the "Father of Metal Sculpture".  This is an exceptional signed wall sculpture from that period in the Brutalist style.  36" l., 16" h., 4" d.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

"Knoll" Coffee Table

Composed of four large cylindrical chrome drums and a thick (2") marble top, this coffee table by Knoll packs a dramatic modern punch.  42" square, 15" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

Mahogany Chest

Handsome and very versatile, classic mahogany four drawer chest.  34" l., 18" w., 32" h.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD

Winding Down

As we wind down in the shop over the next two and a half weeks and Parker winds down in our temporary home in the country, we will still be bringing in new pieces.  We probably won't have a chance to photograph everything and update the site, so stop in to see what's new.  We will be updating the blog regularly though with some pretty significant markdowns.