French Connections

January 7, 2009 by ark_admin

Ellen Golden’s interest in French antiques grew from a single tour of the French wine country in 1984. After nearly 25 years of annual trips abroad to take in the sights, study French culture and learn the business of antiques, the Little Rock-based importer and owner of Antiques on Kavanaugh says she’s most surprised by the stylistic variety and international influences in the pieces she discovers. “France was such a center of culture and academia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their styles had a great influence across Europe,” she says. But this international exchange of aesthetic trends worked both ways, as French craftsmen were also inspired by the styles of other European nations. “When we went to Russia in 1995,” she says. “I was really struck by how similar the pieces were to the French.”

Recently, while browsing through an antique shop in France, Ellen discovered the perfect example of the marriage of French and Russian influences: a special edition set of delicate Limoges porcelain dishes adorned with intricate reproductions of the famous Fabergé egg collection. The dainty tea cups, demitasse cups, dessert plates and petite aperitif plates caught her attention because her daughter-in-law had begun collecting them several years earlier. Ellen explains that the dishes’ intricately designed subject matter—the historic Fabergé eggs—“were originally commissioned by Russian Czars Alexander III and Nicholas II between 1885 and 1917 and fabricated by Peter Carl Fabergé.” Brightly colored and stunningly ornate, the jeweled and enameled eggs were an ideal source of inspiration for porcelain makers from France’s Limoges region, and the eggs’ vivid hues stand in sharp contrast against the pure white background provided by the fine porcelain.

Yet the dainty Russian-influenced Limoges pieces represent only one facet of French design. “People think that French antiques are all very frou-frou,” she says. “But there are a lot of heavy, masculine pieces too. There’s really something for everyone.” Indeed, Ellen’s own favorites include heavy, substantial pieces: mirrors, tapestries and large furnishings with beautiful wood graining.

In order to make showroom space to display the large pieces she loves, Ellen is completing a comprehensive store renovation. In early 2007, she purchased the Antiques on Kavanaugh storefront she shared with two other antiques dealers and began remodeling, relocating to a smaller location around the corner while work was underway. Adding curb appeal to the World War II-era building, the renovation includes the construction of a new double-gallery façade. The reconfigured showroom’s large open foyer is an impressive greeting to visitors, while a second floor provides extra square footage for the many new pieces Ellen has been storing in anticipation of the completed renovation. “We love the cottage feel of our temporary location,” she says, “but I love to buy big things, and it will be nice to have the space to show those pieces again!”

…

An Open and Shut Case

December 18, 2008 by ark_admin

1. From Cobblestone & Vine in Little Rock, the antiqued fleur-de-lis hook works in a variety of spaces thanks to its form and function.

2. The Lalique crystal collection by THG includes the handcrafted Metropolis, square knob, which boasts a raisin motif on its crystal inset and a sterling-silver finish.

3. From PC Hardware in Little Rock this rectangular drawer pull from Atlas Hardware would work perfectly in a bathroom thanks to its soft, blue-green glass inset.

4. Achieve a slightly more masculine feel with this drawer pull offering a black finish and bronze detailing. Available at Lewis Lighting and Home in Benton.

5. Creations by Alno offers this festive Swarovski crystal knob for a true touch of elegance. Available at PC Hardware in Little Rock.

6. This petite square pull offers understated style with its embossed flower petal image. Available at Lewis Lighting and Home in Benton.

7. For a feminine touch, choose these ceramic flower pulls from Vesta’s in Little Rock, with their variety of colors and soft detailing.

…

Tea for Two

November 18, 2008 by ark_admin

Left to right:

Spode Blue Italian china offers scenes of bucolic life, and each piece is a story unto itself. Available at Ragans Gifts in Stuttgart.

Delicate in design, the hand-painted Herend Hungary porcelain china cup and saucer afford artwork-worthy gold detailing, and each piece is numbered. Available at Fifth Season in Little Rock.

From Vietri, the Canape plate offers imprinted botanical motifs, while the complementary mug is scalloped along the rim and handle. Available at Vintage Cargo in Eureka Springs.

Sturdy in construction, the footed Alfresco mug by Vietri is colorful and oversized for a full cup of your morning Joe. Available at House to Home in Hot Springs.

Diminutive in size but not in style, the bronze-finished teacup and saucer is sure to be a conversation piece. Available at Kitchen Co. in Little Rock.

…

The Cast System

November 18, 2008 by ark_admin

The beauty of a work of art or a photograph is only made better by a unique frame, and this collection of Elias Artmetal art cast frames are no exception. Davis Tillman of Tillman Antiques in Hot Springs came across one from this collection in New Orleans years ago, and he spent the better part of a year researching the company, the production techniques and the origins of the casts. Today, Davis is able to work directly with the company to purchase these meticulous crafted frames.

Made in the United States using antique France molds, these frames are cast of pewter and electroplated with real 18-karat gold. “What makes these frames so unique is that they incorporate sterling silver into the pewter,” Tillman says. “It gives the flash-gold look of the late eighteen hundreds, and it’s a sheen and a quality you aren’t going to find elsewhere.”

The original French molds impart all the intricate details and unique forms from the art castings. “There are not many stores that carry these frames, and I just fell in love with them. The high quality of materials and antique detailing make them really stand-out pieces,” Tillman says.

Within each frame, Tillman placed an etching, from a damaged book. “We’ve saved these etchings from water-damaged books and other art collections,” he says. “They would normally have been trashed with the entire piece, but we were able to preserve and frame them. It’s nice to pair the French-inspired frames with images of the same era.” No matter what they are holding, these frames are works of art and would make a wonderful addition to any home or antique collection.

…

Wicks and Wax

October 28, 2008 by ark_admin

With their architectural inspiration, these large white columns and black candles make a dramatic pairing. Available at mertinsdykehome in Little Rock. From Pacific Rim in Little Rock, the wooden pedestal offers a sturdy base and a choice of green and brown hues. Traditional in shape and updated in dramatic black, these candlesticks are available at Haus Werk in Little Rock.

…

Time for Turkeys

October 28, 2008 by ark_admin

Each autumn, Little Rock collector Jane Fraiser celebrates the first of November by bringing out her array of turkey salt-and-pepper shakers, china and other decorative pieces, amassed over many years of antiquing. “I got a set of shakers as a gift many years ago,” she says, “and I’ve always loved antiques, so I gradually began picking them up here and there, especially on my travels with the Little Rock Antique Club.”

A classic symbol of autumn, turkeys often adorn ceramics meant for the Thanksgiving table, since the bird was purportedly served at the first Thanksgiving. It was certainly hunted by early settlers, and Benjamin Franklin famously referred to it as a “Bird of Courage.” For Jane, it was her love of the season that prompted her to begin her collection, which primarily consists of early to mid-20th century pieces. “Autumn is my favorite time of year, and the turkeys are definitely part of that,” she says. “They’re certainly not fine antiques, but I love them, and my family loves them.”

Unearthed at collectibles stores across the region, the turkeys are displayed in a place of honor in Jane’s kitchen each fall until it’s time to set the Thanksgiving table. “Then I do a cornucopia centerpiece and nestle them in amongst the gourds and vegetables,” she says. The platters, of course, are used for serving the family meal, and nothing is too precious to be used and enjoyed. In fact, Jane’s grandsons Parker and Garrett, publisher Kelly Fraiser’s sons, have grown up playing with them. “Garrett asks about them every time he’s at my house,” Jane says.

Jane’s celebration of fall doesn’t stop there; she also has a large collection of decorative pumpkins. “Autumn is just a great time of year,” she says, “and these collections go hand in hand.”

…

Jane’s collection began with the gift of turkey salt-and-pepper shakers and has expanded in serving pieces and other porcelain works.

Serving Up Style

September 22, 2008 by ark_admin

Clockwise from left: White patent leather pops on this rectangular tray by Two’s Company, and its sleek design lends itself to a variety of situations. Available at The Full Moon in Little Rock. The beautiful black-and-white motif on the inside of this black server lends a delicate yet striking contrast. Available at Coker Hampton in Stuttgart. Introduce some color into your life with this orange square tray from Murphy Long Design in El Dorado, and the easy-to-clean interior offers wood-grain-like details. Classic in its design, this pewter platter from Corazon in Fayetteville boasts slightly wavy edges for a contemporary feel.

…

Reinventing the Vanity

September 22, 2008 by ark_admin

The vanity is the heart of any bathroom, whether it’s a powder room or a spacious spa retreat. Options are endless, no matter what direction your tastes run, but incorporating an antique piece is a striking way to add rich history and surprisingly current style to your space. Interior designer and antiques dealer Ivo Jones of House of Ivo, Inc. in Conway has been employing this technique for years, with beautiful results. “To use an antique chest, server, buffet or credenza  as a vanity adds a unique, more individual look,” he says. “It’s a much warmer look  than the basic vanity can deliver.”

According to Jones, the first step is to determine the size and style you are looking for. “Old world, contemporary, Asian, modern or even  traditional, this will set you in the direction for the piece needed,” he says. Locating an item that’s an appropriate height is key to ensuring that it’s comfortable for you and guests. It’s also important to consider how much work it will take to transform the piece into a functioning vanity, and if it has appropriate counter space and storage.

To transform an antique into a working vanity, a skilled carpenter is essential to preserve the integrity of the piece and to ensure that moving parts, such as drawers and doors, continue working properly. Jones recommends choosing all hardware, from the sink basin to the faucet and any new door hardware, before making any alterations to the piece. “Once you make that first cut, it’s difficult to  restore or make a drastic change,” he says. “But it’s truly a satisfying way to take a small space and make it unique to your family and home.”

A lifelong collector, Jones appreciates antiques for their individuality. “Antiques have such an individual  look and superior quality,” he says, “but with new items there can be hundreds if not thousands of the same  piece floating around.” Born into a family of antiques dealers, Jones bought and sold his first piece as a child, and by 14 he started his own business, rearranging rooms for friends and family. His business has grown exponentially from simply dealing in antiques to providing complete design services for a variety of clients from his two locations in Conway and a cabinetry showroom in Little Rock, which also offers reproduction vanities. “We do it all, from  remodeling projects to new construction plans, with an emphasis on kitchens, baths and every room in between,” he says.

…

Wall-To-Wall Glamour

August 15, 2008 by ark_admin

From left to right: From Romo the Lasari flocked wallcovering in Miraflores boasts an oversized floral motif for a striking yet elegant atmosphere.

Surround yourself in sparkling shine with the Bedazzled selections from Maya Romanoff. The flexible wallcovering covered in tiny glass beads reflects light, and it’s surprisingly durable.

From Romo, the Rubani Seraphine sports trails of petite blossoms and pops of color.

Fun and vibrant, this gold and cream botanical print from Osborne & Little offers a modern twist on classic gold elegance.

All selections available to the trade only.

…

Vintage Jewels

August 13, 2008 by ark_admin

From Sissy’s Log Cabin, this Georgian brooch features a technique called plique-a-jour, in which translucent enamels are held in an open framework. Handmade in about 1785, it’s covered in light brown diamonds and pink tourmaline.

Carved from hardened lava, this cameo from Tillman’s Antiques is a beautiful miniature portrait.

Even more recent pieces, like these vintage brooches, are extremely collectible. The bejeweled frog and coral rose were both made in the 20th centry, while the purple sapphire and diamond piece is a French art deco piece; Tillman’s Antiques.

…

French Connections

An Open and Shut Case

Tea for Two

The Cast System

Wicks and Wax

Time for Turkeys

Serving Up Style

Reinventing the Vanity

Wall-To-Wall Glamour

Vintage Jewels

Subscribe!

Start your subscription today!

Subscribe

About Us

Follow Us

Newsletter

Advertising

Subscriptions

How to Submit