Tag Archives: Antique Dealers

1st Prize

April 11, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Remember, I’m on a bit of a quest. One of our local antique malls, Mission Road, used to be a pretty reliable spot for, well, good stuff. Occasionally you would find something really terrific. As with most antique malls, there is a lot of junk, but that is also fun and I’ve certainly bought some of that, too.

Sadly, the last few times I have been, things have really disintegrated. From a style perspective. And while I’m not a provenance purist, if you are going to call yourself an antique mall, I think your things should be at least vintage. Or older. New, I have a problem with.

But, I was trolling around there last weekend, and I did bee-line back to a new booth that had piqued my interest on the previous visit. It’s a little wonderland in what amounts to the back alley of the mall.

Steve Rogers has set up a little mecca amidst the horrid, hand-rubbed reproductions.

And, as chance would have it, he was there when I was there. This is a man with a passion. And a family. And a full time job. You can see from the images that he has rounded up wonderful architectural pieces, intriguing objects, trends and classics alike.

An absolute delight to visit with, Steve and I discovered we are both from Tulsa, though I am much older. He calls his little piece of paradise Prize, and it is aptly named.

Go. Turn a blind eye to the poor reproductions. Keep your head down. Focus.

Keep your eye on the Prize.

This Just In

April 9, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

I’m working on my next article for Spaces, so I’ve been dashing all around town to take in the latest. My column is called “Hunters & Gatherers,” so it’s my job to get out and about a bit. I consider myself lucky if I can hunt, maintain a bit of control, and not gather. At least not too much.

The sister shop to the antique shop I worked in, George Terbovich, which will soon be larger and carry both antiques and a careful selection of really good things that you cannot get just anywhere, has some great stuff in for Spring.

The bisque fruit, above is hand sculpted and painted. The stems are actual stems, but the leaves are made of metal.

The only problem with these canvas bags is figuring out which one to buy. Or buy first.

Again, it’s not “if”, it’s “which?” The stitching on these quilts is actually brown. I was not their only admirer while I was there; one of the best designers in town was also taking a look-see.

Connie Beall, George’s manager and buyer, has expanded her selections in anticipation of the larger space. She has a stylish selection of clothing including these breezy white linen pieces. (A harbinger of Spring, I hope.)

Naturally, the black and white caught my eye.

These scarves are chic and would be just the thing to pick up a tired ensemble. That frayed edge reminded me of some pocket squares that the Sartorialist profiled in GQ a couple of months ago. (Oh, yes, you have to read the men’s magazines. The writing is almost always better.)

Bags, too. No labels, as George doesn’t approve of such things. Adore the white, but somehow I always end up with that British tan.

Depending on how you look at it, I did well. I got to catch up with some wonderful women and spy some goodies, all under the guise of working. And I didn’t buy a thing. Yet.

Soccer Mom

March 28, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Speaking of 1st dibs, wouldn’t these polo stools be the most fabulous accessory for the Blandings boy’s sport spectator?

Chic and stylish, I can just picture one swinging from the crook of my elbow. Much better than the nylon and plastic folding contraption. Why do I think Hollister has one of these already? What? You haven’t met Hollister Hovey? Also in the category of chic and fabulous, and, guess what, she has a Kansas City connection. Naturally.

The One That Got Away

February 29, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Barbara Farmer, from Parrin & Co., called me early this week and told me that she had seen a wonderful table at auction, and it made her think of me. (See, good things happen when you know your dealers. They look out for you.) So she bought it.

An absolutely stunning Tommi Parzinger dining table. Barbara thought it would look great in my dining room. Except she sold it. Before she even had a chance to call me. I totally understand. A willing bird in the hand is worth more than a flighty bird in the carpool line. I went to visit it anyway, I mean, wonderful is wonderful, sold or not.

As I worked my way up the block I ran into Christopher, who asked, “Have you seen the table? I wanted it for myself.” This was serious. So we all stood there together and ohhed and ahhhed.

And then I moved on. One has to. She did have a terrific collection of the silver and enamel Reed & Barton bowls that I can’t seem to get enough of. Not too long ago, Louis, a reader, let me know these are not Alexander Calder as he and I had previously believed. I found out from lovely Louis; he, sadly, found out through the grouchy Calder Foundation. I still love them.

And the table, if it’s piqued your interest, has a twin on 1st dibs as we speak. Click now, these are going fast.

Darling, You Shouldn’t Have!

December 27, 2007UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

You might remember that I treated myself to a little armillary sphere right before the holidays. I blanched at the self-indulgence and told Mr. Blandings in a very firm tone, that I should receive nothing else for Christmas. “The sphere was my present,” I proclaimed. “Nothing else.”

So whether it was from devotion, or fear that this was some sort of test, he ignored my request and picked up this sensational pair of marble compotes from Christopher Filley’s. For me.

Well. They can’t be returned, naturally, that would be so unkind to Christopher, and he is always so good to me. I just don’t know how he knew just the thing. He couldn’t possibly have thought I was hinting when I told him it was such a toss up when I was there – sphere or compotes. Could he? I know he didn’t think I meant for him to get them just because I was fretting – once or twice – that they might be sold during the season as they are just the thing anyone with impeccable taste might fancy. Did he?
He was doubly rewarded; once under the mistletoe by me, and, earlier, by Christopher and Rich who called him “Mr. Blandings” while he stood helpless and lost in a place he can’t quite understand. “Mr. Blandings.” He just loves that.