Tag Archives: Antique Dealers

George

October 22, 2008UncategorizedAntique Dealers, DesignersMrs. Blandings

Some of you know that I used to work at a charming antique store in Crestwood. While I loved the furniture and the zen-like quality of the setting, the real draw was being in proximity to its owner, George Terbovich.

George owned another store right up the row where he carried all sorts of wonderful stuff and worked his design magic in the back.

In a bit of clever reconfiguring, he’s moved the design studio around the corner and expanded the original shop to accommodate more wonderful stuff and the antiques. The result is certainly one of Kansas City’s top retail destinations.

The shop is a visual delight.

George and his manager, Connie Beall, have gathered a treasure trove of unique objects, not one of which is a misstep.

And as someone who feels that good design is essential to good living, these things might not be essential, but neither are they superfluous.

They have subtitled the shop, “a lifestyle store” and this is surely the case. If it’s not my lifestyle (there are no Legos or Star Wars figures in sight) it is a lifestyle to which I would aspire.

Wonderful, original textiles.

Beautiful pottery new and old.

And, look, we have something in common.

George has a little crow thing going here.

I knew it wasn’t weird to like crows.

As I’d love to have a library table like this, piled with books of a variety of interests, I’m relieved I can enhance my collection from their collection.

George’s aesthetic is clean and pure and never overdone. He hobnobs with fancies and could spend his days jetting around and name-dropping about it, but will more likely tell you about his last weekend in the country and the small snake he saw while weeding.

When I worked for him, I’d live for days on his brief history lessons about the furniture as he would stop in to see how things were going.

He and Connie have expanded the offerings of apparel and handbags. No names. No labels. Not George’s style.

It’s worth it to take the time to try something on.

Because then you have a chance to pop into the sunny changing rooms.

And admire these absolutely perfect curtains.

Tick here to read an interview with George that outlines his philosophy much better than I. Then pop in and take a look for yourself. Enhance your lifestyle. Start today.

Breakfast at Christopher’s

October 16, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Christopher Filley was just back from Roundtop, Texas when I dropped in with my notebook to pick his brain about my latest article. It was more like post-lunch than breakfast, but it was a great way to fight off the mean reds, not that I had them. It’s like an alcoholic working in a bar, my having this job. So dangerous. So much temptation. Here are some of the new wonders that Christopher’s holds.

Wonderful fixture, currently not available at Pottery Barn or the like. Thank heavens.

Wonderful day bead. The gray green color of this paint is beyond beyond.

African sculpture. There is another piece that is currently on hide-away. There’s a lot of terrific stuff here and I’m hoping it goes unnoticed until I’m in the black again.

See, you could decide. Garden ornament? Interesting wall decor? Table top?

Love the combination. This lamp sits right inside the front door and I started clicking away here.

There were a lot of really great lamps. (Although one less when I left.) These Christopher and his partner Rich created out of found parts.

I know. Really great. I was tempted by these twins, but I only needed a single. I’m so disciplined.

The colors of this are so subtle. Even in this image the leaf pattern is a little more distinct than it is in person.

If I were the sort to say “bring the outside in” this would be my opportunity. But I’m not.

And another.
No surprise, the classic, sculptural silhouette of this urn also tugged at my purse and heart strings, but the color was not quite right for my kitchen. “Almost,” I thought as I ran my hand across the marble. Not forever, but we’ll always have Tuesday.

There’s so much more. Stop in if you are in town or give Christopher and Rich a jingle at 816-668-9974 if not. Tell him Mrs. Blandings has been talking about him again.

A Happy Life

October 6, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

I look to different magazines to bring me different things. They are all serving a broad audience, I know, so if each issue doesn’t speak to me, that’s ok. I’ll wait.

One of the things I like about Cottage Living is that it’s choices are very real. Personal. Cottage Living has a very clear voice. It consistently brings me homes that tell me something about their owners besides the size of their bank accounts or how hip their designers are trying to make them.

I happen to adore D’Ette Cole’s home, pictured here and in the October issue, but even if I didn’t I would feel I know something about her from seeing it.

That’s not just editors finding houses. That’s someone who understands what home should be about.

Cole is an antiques dealer in Austin. She uses red thumb tacks to post hundreds of fortunes from fortune cookies on a column in her kitchen. Her favorite? “Very little is needed to make a happy life.” Sometimes, just the turn of the page.

A Prize of Your Own

October 2, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Remember Steve Rogers and his booth Prize?

Seems I’m not the only one cleaning house.

Once a year Steve cleans out his inventory so he can begin the hunt again.

And, if you’re in town, you’re in luck.

Steve’s sale is Friday and Saturday from 9 – 4.

85th & Nall. Look for the yellow signs.

Will I be there? With bells on, darling.

Italy and Back in Day

September 30, 2008UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

These are the jars that I spied in the booth at Tablescapes right across the aisle from La Plates.

What’s this? A new spot? How could I have missed it?

But it’s not new. Round Trip Imports has been around for a while, I just wasn’t paying attention.

Round Trip’s owner Mary Lies (pronounced “lease”) was originally in town, but moved her shop to DeSoto, Kansas about a year ago.

DeSoto is not far. In a bigger city the twenty minute drive could be a trip to the grocery. But these treasures are more enchanting, and just as essential as bread and milk.

Wonderful furniture and accents.

Unique lighting.

Some of the best chairs I’ve seen and I am a self-professed chairaholic.

We don’t see a lot of Italian antiques or vintage pieces around town.

And it is such an easy drive, just off K-10 for you Jayhawk fans.

But wait, the news gets even better.

(What is that big pot? I adore it! Me, who’s easy on the exclamation points could not resist. There is nothing better than that charcoal-almost-black color.)

I’m not keeping this resource all to myself. Just because I’ve been twice in a week doesn’t mean it’s only for those of us who can hop in the car and be back by lunch.

You, too, can shop Mary’s wonderful spot. On-line. Here.

Tell her Mrs. Blandings sent you.

(Are you seeing the scale? Adore! There I go again.)