Part 3: Another Person's Treasure

Okay, let me just start by saying that I had the auspicious fate of being the child of a style diva. I mean style across the board; from the car she drove, to the clothes she wore, and to my advantage and gratitude, the way she decorated.  She was a natural and I owe my style sensitivity to her.  With the exception of the lounge chair in photo four, which I'll get to, shown are just a few of the pieces I was able to shall we say, "inherit."  Family member's would call it something else as they knew when I arrived for a visit I was sneaking something out of the house.  I'd like to think of myself in this regard as a preservationist, because trust, most of these vintage/collectables would be on the corner as old furnishings for fire-wood or given away, so really I'm not taking away, but giving back.

 If this is really your thing it pays to take a drive around the neighborhood, especially in New York where things are more dense, and see if there is anything in the trash worth saving.  I don't know if my former boss, design icon, Thomas O'brien searches the corners, but he digs deep and refurbishes unbelievable pieces of furniture, lamps etc. to bring back the luster they were intended to dispaly and sell for.  Anyway, anyone privy to mid-century/vintage style and design has seen the pieces shown in vintage shops just about anywhere, with the exception of the lounge chair and ottoman; I haven't seen that baby anywhere. They still strike a hefty price and because of their timeless design are often knocked off so it helps to have a knowledge of what's what, but if the style and quality are sufficient, there's no need to get caught up in names; it all depends on budget, lifestyle, and scope of importance.  

As I've mentioned, I've been fortunate and these styles just happen to fit into my vision as they are not for everyone, however, I reiterate, that even if they're not for you there's money to be made.  A case in point is the chair in photo two.  My father, at the time stumbled across something on the net and saw how much this chair was worth and thus tried to reclaim it with the intention of selling it, citing he didn't remember relinquishing it to me. ATSS, "family," I tell you.  Belonging to my mother as one of her choice pieces, although it stayed folded in a corner, I would never sneak this one out of the house and therefore got permission to retrieve it.  However, I did offer to sell it back to him at the family rate of 10% off; just kidding. For me this is a piece of my life that I'm able to keep close to me in the spirit of my mom and dad and would only feel right selling it at three times the current asking price.  :)

The chair I mentioned earlier in photo four is another gem that was passed to me from my uncle.  It is a modular take of the Butaca chair and something I and everyone adored since I was child.  I'm honored to be the owner, finally. I like the weathered look and only plan to replace the cushioning.  I'm still waiting from him for word on a beautiful burnt orange marbel coffee and side table he still possesses. Another piece I've been eyeing since I was four.

As your eye and aesthetic develope you will come to know the history of many iconic pieces and their value giving a whole new meaning to junk, but if it's passed down, embrace it and treat it the way it was treated so you could have it. Oh, I might as well mention, the wooden plaques in the photo of my blog header, you guessed, moms! Right at home in my livingroom.

Part 2 "Another Person's Treasaure"

The next two pieces shown are part two of my series, "Another Person's Treasure."  Let me also state that there is no implication that the pieces shown are junk.  I re-emphasize that they're all quality pieces(collectables and antiques) and are highly sought after.  I'm simply demonstrating ways to aquire them by spending little to no money.  If you opt to sell them, they can be extremely profitable depending on where, how, and who's buying, but whatever you do, the thing that makes them beautiful to own, if they fit your style of course, is their origin, especially from family.  For instance, the chair in photo 1 is an antique passed down from my girlfriends grandparents.  It's a traditional creole style lounge chair that has 3 adjustments to sit upright or recline. Its design is reminiscent of many contemporary styles with the exception of it's wood and a basket type weave combination.  It's familiar in many French Caribbean homes often arranged with a creole style bench in a seating area or fumoir as it's called;  an open section off of the living room or dining room where one can chat, smoke, drink, or listen to music in a way that's semi-private and out of the way of traffic. Old and out-dated to many, it's still very stylish and adds a nice touch; mixing well with a contemporary look.  It's value is upwards from 800 euro (around $1100 U.S.)

The chair in the second photo is the classic molded fiberglass arm chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames.  Another piece of mid-century design widely used because of it's timeless style.  It comes in a variation of leg styles including a rocking chair version. So many pieces from the mid-century and early century make me re-think the word modern.  In fact, modern to me, in terms of furniture design, is something we're still trying to catch up to as these designs are forward and deemed  retro by merely their bith date.  Many designs from the 20th century are so forward that the perception of antique is susceptible to change.   In any case, I found this piece driving through Bed Stuy, a neigborhood in Brooklyn.  I was at a traffic light and noticed it from my truck in the midst of real junk at one of these real junk shops sporadically sprawled around Brooklyn.  I'm talking stuff on top of stuff; layers of grit with a modicum of organization.  I was hoping to see Fred and Grady (Sanford and Son sitcom from the 70's) sitting out front sipping some ripple.  I immediately pulled over, grabbed it off of the pile of real junk and asked the real junk dealer how much?  To my astonishment, the real junk dealer sitting in a van in front of  the real junk shop serving as the cashier area told me (sit down for this one) "Six dollars." I couldn't believe my ears!  Knowing that this baby easily fetches for $200 - $250, I would have given him sixty which is what I thought I heard at first, but wasn't sure because clearly he didn't say "six" or did he?  So in my incredulity I asked him to repeat the price while trying to conceal my excitement, just to be sure I heard what I thought I heard or what he actually said, and to hear again the sweet melody of "six dollars" which I heard clearly this time. I almost gave him ten just because, but who had time to dicker to pay more; I had to exit expeditiously before he tried to change the price, detecting my giddiness as a give away to him giving me such a low price. Don't you just love serendipity?  The point is, get to know what you're looking for or what you can make work because often it's right under your nose ready to be given away.  If you have the time, patience, and an eye for what you want, you can implement some choice pieces this way, all while saving money and without sacrificing style, to create not only a home, but a story. 

Another Person's Treasure

What's up guys,

The next few blog publishings will be a part of a series dealing with items that were given away, passed on, or found at very inexpensive prices during random searches.  Often these items are given away or sold cheaply ignorant of their value and status, and those of us who are in the know snatch these pieces up either for personal use or to sell at competitive prices.  An example of this is the Mid-Century Saarinenesce Tulip Side Table displayed in the photo.  Not known if it's an original, as it's been widely manufactured with slight alterations, this table still befits that classic and timeless look.  The original owner gave it to me like a piece of gum thinking it was junk. Keeping quiet, I immediately snatched it up (Saarinen enough) and made it work.  It's very durable and stylish and works with just about anything as seen in layouts in a large variety of publications. Since I retrieved it probably 10 years ago in its original defaced black, it has gone through several color changes to revive it and to compliment whatever room-scape I was working with at the time.  It's been mat yellow, mat green, red as seen in the photo, and I'm contemplating white for a different installation. Oh what a can of spray paint can do.  I had the glass cut to measure ($12.00) to enhance the look; giving it more depth and protection of the surface.  It can be seen on my website gallery (wix.com/ktroy3/1-three) used in a bedroom to give that splash of red often used in decorative schemes.  A good portion of furniture, art, and accessories I have are items inherited from family and therefore have grown up with my whole life. Needless to say they have some mileage, but to my pleasure and advantage, many are iconic increasing their value both sentimentally and monetarily.  Either way, to me, they feel brand new; possessing an energy that is timeless and transcendent; transitioning to find new life in my home and hopefully passed on to give the next owner the same satisfaction they've given me.  So the next time someone you know is transforming  a room/house, or if you're sifting through the basement of your parent's house, or passing by a garage sale, and in my case helping a friend move; keep your eyes open to things they may have closed their eyes upon.  Trust me, there's nothing like the serendipity of discovering and receiving treasures that cost you nothing.  Continue to follow my weekly blogs displaying more great pieces in the "Another Person's Treasure" series.  Cioa, and go clean your room.