Eye Catchers at the Sacramento Antique Faire

 Last Sunday was the Second Sunday of the month.......meaning that the Sacramento Antique Faire was in full seasonal swing! The weather has taken a turn from rain to bright sunshine, and the Faire was full of people and good stuff!

I am not really in the market for myself, but I never fail to find a few things I cannot walk away from. Here are a couple of things that, for the price, were "must haves". I found a great basket woven from hemp for $10, and a "reverse Cheetah" hide pillow...also $10. I need to get a new down filler, but the pillow cover is in perfect shape! Hide on one side and dark brown velvet on the back.

 I also found a little bottle from Spain to add to my wicker bottle collection ($4!). Very cute.

There were a few other things I was contemplating, and in retrospect wished I had gotten....

 A little hex accent table with a Moroccan flavor was in really good shape. It could have been painted a fun color and gone almost anywhere.

This Earthenware urn was plenty big enough to be used as an umbrella stand. I loved the metal handles.

 It looks like this sign may have hung in a room for someone named "Julie"? Fun graphic wall decor for a child's room!

A steer head....almost had a fossilized quality about it. The horns were like driftwood.

One vendor had great bottles and baskets all from Europe.

One never knows when a little Snake Bite juice might come in handy. Hehe...

It was a great day of hunting on a beautiful Summer day!

Fresh Finds at the Sacramento Antique Faire

I had the chance to hit the Sacramento Antique Faire last Sunday ( it takes place on the second Sunday of every month. I was expecting rain, but it held off in the morning long enough for us to scan all of the isles and find some treasures.

The thing about antique faires I love is the hunt for that overlooked gem....it may not be in perfect condition, but it might be perfect for me. You may remember this blog post where I found the painting in the photo above for $30!!! This time, I came across the beautiful blue bottle....it worked out pretty well with the painting I think.

I have also been rearranging a few things in the Living Room to lift my spirits during this rain on, rain off season (right now....rain). Bringing out a few of my shells go a long way to get me thinking about summer. There is something about knotted rope that gets me reminiscing about sailing lazily about Balboa Bay. So when I came upon a large green glass bottle surrounded by knotted ropes, I stopped in my tracks. I assumed it would be a big splurge, since many demi-john bottles this size can be upwards of $300 on ebay. There was a slight bit of damage at the neck, so I thought "why not ask the price?".  Can you guess why it ended up in my Living Room?

$20........ That's why. I think I was a little in shock at first.....I almost walked away thinking the damage had significantly lowered it's value. Value, schmalue!!!! The late great Madeline Castaing was never fastidious about a decorative item being perfect...why should I be? $20 was an absolute steal and I love it! 

Here are just a few of the things I did not walk away with, but I dream of houses where they could find a home:

A few antique vendors from the Antique Trove in Roseville ( a half hour drive from Sacramento) made the trip down to the Faire. I am glad they did! I will be visiting the Trove a little more often in the future. (This booth is where I picked up my blue bottle.)

I loved the grey painted glasses case...just the whole display got me thinking. The books on top were a collection of Dickens greats.

I also had fun at this gardening display...the old concrete bird bath, the glass float in the bucket, the lidded metal containers, it all could have come home...but I must restrain myself or I would make the next episode of Hoarders.

I had to leave myself something to hunt for next time!

Armchair Traveling to Chateau Domingue

 Chateau Domingue....it just sounds romantic, doesn't it? I was just in a mood for a little getaway. I am too busy to go anywhere at the moment, but I can travel in my mind with a little help from the loveliness on the Chateau Domingue website.

 A shop and warehouse in Houston TX, Chateau holds a treasure trove of reclaimed and architectural elements and "monumental" antiques. One of the premier importers in the US in fact.

 With a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse, you can find just about anything here from French limestone flooring, gates and doors, lighting, and furniture, to garden elements, reclaimed architectural elements and art.  

 Owner, Ruth Gay, travels far and wide to bring the treasures home, and we all are the beneficiaries.

 So if you are in the mood for a little mind traveling, I cannot think of a better way to spend some time. Chateau Domingue is only a CLICK away.

Who knows....you just may find a souvenir or two you cannot leave without!

Do I Know You?

MJH Design Arts at the Pasadena Antique Center

When I was visiting Pasadena for my high school reunion last Spring, I had a bit of time to scour the local antique shops. Things have changed quite a bit in Pasadena since I grew up there, so I asked the advise of Christian from Maison 21 about where to go. The Pasadena Antique Center was at the top of the list.

I was with my oldest daughter and my Mom wandering through the enormous space which was divided up between lots of vendors....when suddenly I heard someone call my name....and it was not my daughter or mother. I turned around and there was a very pretty woman looking at me. I pointed to myself and said "me?"....and she said "yes....are you Katie from the Katiedid blog?" Quite shocked, I said "why, yes I am!". The woman said she was Mary, one of my readers. It was the first time I had ever run into a reader just out and about like that....and so far away from home! It was so strange to be recognized from a little photo on a blog. We fell into a conversation like we had known each other for years. Blogs seem to connect people like that. Mary Tinduksari, it turns out, is a fabulous purveyor of antiques, creator of bespoke light fixtures and furniture, and owner of the company, MJH Design Arts.

Mary has a wonderful design sense and has put together one of the most eye catching spaces in the whole of the Antique Center. Just look at that red Dorothy Draper-esque mirror in the top photo! And I loved the black tole sconces, an original design by Mary. Is is no wonder Mary has such a keen eye for beautiful things. She has lived all over the world....Spain, Mexico, Asia, New York, Washington DC, and has now settled in the LA area.

I think we spent a good hour chatting away while my posse hit the trail without me. I had to dash through the rest of the center to catch the rest of the scenery before we hopped back into the car for the long drive home to Sacramento.

I took these photos in the Spring, so please check out Mary's website for the most recent additions!

MJH Design Arts at the Pasadena Antique Center

The other space that caught my attention while at the Antique Center was put together by Angela Lee of Bonita Interiors. I was struck by the bright and creative way Angela put together the variety of antiques, art and accessories in her space. She also recreates furniture with vintage textiles, like the wingback chair in the photo below. Her vintage suzani ottomans are so fun too.

Bonita Interiors at the Pasadena Antique Center

I could have taken home quite a bit from this space, but I was trying to be good. I am settling for gazing at the photos for future ideas for my clients and myself. you can be sure I will be checking Angela's website for one of a kind treasures for my upcoming projects!

Bonita Interiors, Pasadena Antique Center

I hope I can get back down to Pasadena soon, since I only hit the tip of the iceburg when I was there last. So much shopping....so little time.

Be sure to stop in and say "hi" to Mary and Angela when you are in the neighborhood!

Local Color: Three Women

Three Women and an Armoire

When we first moved to Sacramento as a young couple and bought our first home, we had next to no funds for furniture. Tim luckily came across a shop that had pieces in our price range and came home one day with two teak patio benches (which we still have!) and a coffee table. This was about 14 years ago now, but we never forgot the shop. It seemed that it had closed.....it had at least fallen off of my own radar.

Lo and behold, some friends of mine clued me in that it was still in existence but had moved to a new and larger location. Where had I been anyway?!

The store in question? Three Women and an Armoire. (Um...really fun website BTW!) They still import teak furniture from the South Pacific at great prices, and have a large antique inventory from all over the world.

Here's a little peek ...

Fun teak birdhouse. Eye catching accessory!

Antique Octagonal Table

This table almost made it to my house.....but I had no specific place to put it. I still think about it.... a lot.

Outdoor Garden Area

This bench is just like the two we still have on our front porch. Prices are not much higher than they were 14 years ago! We painted ours a sort of a dark brown-black. (Here's a peek at one on the porch)...

Our Front Porch

New Wing Back Chair

A friend of mine got two of these new leather wing back chairs to put in front of her fireplace. We are painting her paneling and brick fireplace white for a dramatic backdrop!

Large warehouse full to the brim.

Three Women and an Armoire. A little bit of Sacramento shopping....a little bit of this....a little bit of that....and a lot of fun.

Shopping the Antique Faire

Sacramento Antique Faire

Sacramento has an Antique Faire under Highway 50 every second Sunday of the month. I am lucky it is about a half mile from my house, so it is easy to case it every month. One of these days I am going to have to get there before all of the pickers grab up all of the choice items...say about 6 in the morning?

One of the best things about the location, other than it's proximity to my house, is that the Highway provides shade over the whole Faire. Nice for us, and even nicer for the vendors!

Much cooler under the Highway

Over the Ocean Home and Garden Decorations

One of the vendors I like to find every time I go is Marina Geest (phone...209-327-9440) who owns "Over the Ocean", Marina is originally from the Netherlands and travels there frequently to bring us beautiful linens and antiques. I am hooked on the blue checkered dish towels and end up buying a couple every time I find her. She frequently has Oyster baskets and demijohns as well.

Over the Ocean Linens

Marina is partnering with Sue's Country Barn and Antiquarian this weekend for a huge container sale in Manteca this weekend if you are in the mood for a little Antique treasure hunting!!

Location:

12607 E. Hwy 120

Manteca, CA 95336

2 miles East of Hwy 99

Thursday June 17....6-9 PM

June 18-20 10AM-6PM

If only I were in town!!!

Moving on down the row, I found Abdoulie Jawneh from Nairobi who imports African artifacts. It was his first time to Sacramento having driven up from LA. Abdoulie had beautiful African beads and cowrie shell baskets. I ended up taking home the baskets in the photo below. Cowrie shells symbolize wealth and prosperity.....it never hurts to have a little help.

Cowrie Shell Baskets for Good Luck

African Beads from Jawneh Brothers Imports

To reach Jawneh Brothers imports.....phone 323-251-7349. Visit them in Los Angeles!

I was very happy to meet Andrew Church who specializes in vintage metal furniture which he refurbishes and sells at Alameda and other antique fairs throughout the country. He is based in Houston, and thought he might try out Sacramento! I hope he makes it back!!!

The table below was in the neighborhood of $395....much better than big city pricing!!!

Very cool metal furniture from Andrew Church

To reach Andrew, call 830-481-0080

There was another new vendor this week that had some very cool stuff.....vintage binoculars, flasks.......but I was sort of taken with something a little on the unusual side.......

It was a wood carved motorcycle that measured about 30" wide by 18" high. A little strange perhaps....but I almost took 'er home. But hey....if it's good enough for Cameron......

Carmen Diaz in the July Issue on InStyle Magazine, photo by Michelangelo Di Battista

I didn't have a chance to get this vendor's information, but they assured me they will be back next month. Maybe they will still have the bike. I can still dream......Peter and Jack would approve.

Curtis Park Home Tour....A Well Traveled Life

1912 Craftsman Living Room houses a high canopied bed from the island of Madura.

Last weekend, Tim and I got the bikes out of mothballs from the winter season and rode through our neighborhood visiting our neighbors' homes which were open for the Annual Curtis Park Home and Garden Tour held by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. Curtis Park was developed from 1910 through the 30's and 40's. Homes here range from Craftsman Bungalows to French Tudors, Mediterranean and Monterey to Bauhaus International style. The diversity is what gives this unique neighborhood it's quintessential charm.

I wanted to show you a house that took my breath away. I have passed this house a million times. It is one block away from ours. I never knew what was hiding inside.


The Living Room is furnished with art and artifacts from all over the world

The house is a beautiful example of Craftsman architecture with it's natural shingle exterior. This particular home has been meticulously restored down to the beautiful arched doorways trimmed in Eucalyptus. And one might expect the predictable Craftsman style furniture to complete the picture. But upon entering, I was completely taken away. I was charmed at first sight. It was clear that the owners of this house were travelers and had many stories to tell.


Dining Room with Teak table set with pottery made by a friend with Thai Stainless Steel. Plein Air Art.

It was hard to tear myself away from one room, there was so much to see. There was a life here. Many lives really. The owners have lived in many countries including Afghanistan, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Peru. The Living Room held a canopied bed where one could dream away the hours thinking about Bengal Tigers and soft scented nights under the stars.


The Dining Room was a place where I could imagine Baroness Karen von Blixen spinning stories of adventure while guests feasted on wild pheasant and exotic fruits, drinking Bombay gin.

Kitchen Nook

The kitchen was vintage and cozy with it's reading nook. There were cages of canaries singing away in the window next to this happy yellow rocking chair. A case of well loved books and collected crockery compose a very cheerful corner.

The Library

The library was full of artifacts such as the painted screen most likely from Indonesia. Books were housed in the original Craftsman bookcases like those under the window. Do you think you would find a volume of Rudyard Kipling's work here?

The Owners' Art Studio

It became very clear why this house has such character and complexity. Both of the owners are artists. Mary Czechan Coldren is a painter and printmaker. You can see her work above the cabinet in her art studio above. Husband Lee Coldren is a silversmith. I was reminded of artists Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe as I walked through this space with it's collections of horns, skulls, shells, seed pods and stones.

Back Foyer leading me out.

I was led through the house, room by room until I was to leave through a side foyer. It was the room that held the staircase leading up to even more wondrous rooms. But it was not to be. The upstairs was off limits on this tour. However....the foyer proved to be full to bursting with collections and furniture to keep me intrigued......at least until I can meet the owners formally and be invited to see more!

Cane and Walking Stick Collection

I am one who collects. I love things with a past and a story. So you can imagine how much I loved this rack full of walking sticks and canes. Where have they all been?! And who was holding them when they were carried along those many paths? And then there were the hats. On the walls on on the hat rack. There were chests and baskets....what did they hold? Shells from faraway beaches and decorated boxes.....and a curious jar of peanuts. Perhaps to feed the blue jays outside?

More of the Back Foyer

I was not allowed to climb the stair, but was very tempted to see if another world could be found in the back of the wardrobe.

Carved Wardrobe against a bright pink wall.

It was time to say goodbye to this worldly house and ride our bikes through our own little part of the world. I will bring you more of the tour later this week!

To find out more about our Curtis Park Community, click on over HERE.