Holiday Delights
December 2004

Whether bold and unique, or traditional, we each have a special way of expressing ourselves during the celebrations of life. Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa holds no exceptions when it comes to opening our homes to family and friends. Each of us, in our own special way, prepares traditional recipes passed down throughout the generations, deck the halls joyously, and open our homes and hearts to the festivities of the season.

To dress your home festively, and lavish your family and friends, here are a few simple ways that will appeal to the senses:

Quickly create pomanders by studding oranges with cloves in a decorative pattern. They have an unmistakably festive smell. Several can be stacked high on a footed cake plate or in a clear glass urn. Alternatively, tuck them in with greenery and candles on the mantle. The warmth of the candle flames will intensify the scent.

Personalize simple star-shaped cookies to use as place cards.

Label homemade candies or fine chocolates laid on pristine squares of white tissue paper gathered with delicate ribbons with names as place cards. They also make fabulous party favors. The child within all of us will revel in that treat!

Go beyond the traditional Christmas colors of scarlet and green and imbue your home with the rich hues of burgundy, bronze, and olive green to evoke warmth and opulence. Gather the most sumptuous elements you can find, such as richly colored glassware, velvets, tapestries, and brocades.

Ornaments are not restricted to the Christmas tree. They look great on the holiday table as well. Use small spheres with a slip of ribbon as napkin rings to enhance your color scheme and add shine to the table.

It all relates to creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Casual elegance is the order of the season, and it can all be pulled together with tremendous style and ease.

Happy Holidays!

 

Extending the Life of Old Furniture
November 2004

Often times, people inherit furniture pieces that do not quite fit into their current décor or they see an old piece and wonder how they can make it work in their home. Depending upon the age, quality of the piece and its value, a piece of furniture can be repurposed. Changing the purpose of a piece of furniture not only gives it new life but it fills an immediate need that you have. A retro chest of drawers could become a bathroom vanity; a great old kitchen table can have a rebirth as a fab new coffee table; or an armoire can be fitted as a gift wrap center. However, I would strongly discourage anyone from destroying the integrity of a valuable antique. I would urge anyone instead to do research on a piece before altering it in any way, unless you are not concerned about what the piece is worth.

There is an inherent value to keeping the furniture passed down from earlier generations: not only is it a connection to your past, it is also a source for acquiring older furniture which is quite often well made and can be restored for far less than it costs to purchase new pieces. By following a few simple design principles, you can work old furniture into your décor using the space you have, the things you like, and a reasonable budget.
Some simple guidelines for what you should keep or purchase:

What is your lifestyle? What are your needs for entertaining, storage, projects, hobbies, relaxing?

What will you really use? For example, if you do not entertain formally, it would be a waste of space to keep an inherited formal dining suite when a beautiful farmhouse table would be better suited to your style.

Does the piece express your style? A piece can be modified or updated to work harmoniously with your décor.

How much work does the piece really need? Is it well-designed, well-made, stable, and attractive enough to warrant the work? Remember, the cost of the rehabilitation comes from your design budget!

Most importantly, do you like the piece? If you have an extreme dislike for the piece, no amount of work will make it worth your time, effort, and money. Let it go!

Holding on to too many inherited pieces can lead to clutter and chaos in your home. Save what you love and what works in your lifestyle and let go of the rest. Afterall, it may be a must-have for someone else!

Antique Collecting 101
October 2004

Even the world's most treasured collections evolve from the acquisition of one cherished item. It can all begin with an inherited piece that no one else in the family desires but you saw the inherent value and charm it possesses. As the saying goes, afterall, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." These little jewels that we, as collectors, begin to seek out hold a secret meaning and reflect a deeper part of our personal identities.
 
It is of first and foremost importance to do your HOMEWORK! Who is the maker of the piece? What is the piece comprised of? What year was the piece manufactured? These are a few of the many components used to determine value. If it is an antique you seek, be aware that an article must be 100 years of age in order to qualify as an antique. It is a common misconception that items from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's are antiques. While having considerable age, these eras represent vintage pieces which are highly prized and sought after. A major factor in determining the value of an antique is the condition and rarity of a particular item.
 
For example, all periods of home décor are revisited periodically. However, French furniture is a perennial favorite among New Orleanians. Therefore, when a particular genre is highly prized, the price reflects the demand. When we consider the antiques of the future, it is best to seek out pieces that reflect what was highly prized at that period of time and of the best quality. In making your selections, whether for yourself or a gift, purchase the best quality item within your price range. Hot, fast and cheap does not make for longevity in the world of antiques and collectibles, even if they possess a pleasing look when first produced. Quality brings value with age!
 
The hunt is all part of the fun! Estate sales, auctions, flea markets and antique malls are excellent resources for en massing fabulous collections. Antique malls offer a host of dealers all under one air-conditioned roof. Generally, in the antique malls, you can find furniture, antique collectibles, vintage items and kitsch. Dealers often offer discounts when multiple items are purchased and always work with the trade. Many times, people come to antique malls to seek out those hard to find items that do not work in a "boutique" atmosphere. It is a fun atmosphere to rummage through and you never quite know what you are going to find. For that reason, many New Orleanians have become regulars at Magazine Antique Mall. The merchandise is always changing and the knowledgeable staff is always at your service. Some Uptowners say that it is one of the best kept secrets in town!