valentine's day Armchair Traveling to Chateau Domingue

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 Chateau Domingue....it just sounds romantic, doesn't it? I was just in a mood for a little getaway. I am too busy to go anywhere at the moment, but I can travel in my mind with a little help from the loveliness on the Chateau Domingue website.

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 A shop and warehouse in Houston TX, Chateau holds a treasure trove of reclaimed and architectural elements and "monumental" antiques. One of the premier importers in the US in fact.

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 With a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse, you can find just about anything here from French limestone flooring, gates and doors, lighting, and furniture, to garden elements, reclaimed architectural elements and art.  

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 Owner, Ruth Gay, travels far and wide to bring the treasures home, and we all are the beneficiaries.

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 So if you are in the mood for a little mind traveling, I cannot think of a better way to spend some time. Chateau Domingue is only a CLICK away.

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Who knows....you just may find a souvenir or two you cannot leave without!

valentine's day Do I Know You?

MJH Design Arts at the Pasadena Antique Center

When I was visiting Pasadena for my high school reunion last Spring, I had a bit of time to scour the local antique shops. Things have changed quite a bit in Pasadena since I grew up there, so I asked the advise of Christian from Maison 21 about where to go. The Pasadena Antique Center was at the top of the list.

I was with my oldest daughter and my Mom wandering through the enormous space which was divided up between lots of vendors....when suddenly I heard someone call my name....and it was not my daughter or mother. I turned around and there was a very pretty woman looking at me. I pointed to myself and said "me?"....and she said "yes....are you Katie from the Katiedid blog?" Quite shocked, I said "why, yes I am!". The woman said she was Mary, one of my readers. It was the first time I had ever run into a reader just out and about like that....and so far away from home! It was so strange to be recognized from a little photo on a blog. We fell into a conversation like we had known each other for years. Blogs seem to connect people like that. Mary Tinduksari, it turns out, is a fabulous purveyor of antiques, creator of bespoke light fixtures and furniture, and owner of the company, MJH Design Arts.

Mary has a wonderful design sense and has put together one of the most eye catching spaces in the whole of the Antique Center. Just look at that red Dorothy Draper-esque mirror in the top photo! And I loved the black tole sconces, an original design by Mary. Is is no wonder Mary has such a keen eye for beautiful things. She has lived all over the world....Spain, Mexico, Asia, New York, Washington DC, and has now settled in the LA area.

I think we spent a good hour chatting away while my posse hit the trail without me. I had to dash through the rest of the center to catch the rest of the scenery before we hopped back into the car for the long drive home to Sacramento.

I took these photos in the Spring, so please check out Mary's website for the most recent additions!

MJH Design Arts at the Pasadena Antique Center

The other space that caught my attention while at the Antique Center was put together by Angela Lee of Bonita Interiors. I was struck by the bright and creative way Angela put together the variety of antiques, art and accessories in her space. She also recreates furniture with vintage textiles, like the wingback chair in the photo below. Her vintage suzani ottomans are so fun too.

valentine's day Bonita Interiors at the Pasadena Antique Center

I could have taken home quite a bit from this space, but I was trying to be good. I am settling for gazing at the photos for future ideas for my clients and myself. you can be sure I will be checking Angela's website for one of a kind treasures for my upcoming projects!

Bonita Interiors, Pasadena Antique Center

I hope I can get back down to Pasadena soon, since I only hit the tip of the iceburg when I was there last. So much shopping....so little time.

Be sure to stop in and say "hi" to Mary and Angela when you are in the neighborhood!

valentine's day Local Color: Three Women

Three Women and an Armoire

When we first moved to Sacramento as a young couple and bought our first home, we had next to no funds for furniture. Tim luckily came across a shop that had pieces in our price range and came home one day with two teak patio benches (which we still have!) and a coffee table. This was about 14 years ago now, but we never forgot the shop. It seemed that it had closed.....it had at least fallen off of my own radar.

Lo and behold, some friends of mine clued me in that it was still in existence but had moved to a new and larger location. Where had I been anyway?!

The store in question? Three Women and an Armoire. (Um...really fun website BTW!) They still import teak furniture from the South Pacific at great prices, and have a large antique inventory from all over the world.

Here's a little peek ...

Fun teak birdhouse. Eye catching accessory!

Antique Octagonal Table

This table almost made it to my house.....but I had no specific place to put it. I still think about it.... a lot.

Outdoor Garden Area

This bench is just like the two we still have on our front porch. Prices are not much higher than they were 14 years ago! We painted ours a sort of a dark brown-black. (Here's a peek at one on the porch)...

Our Front Porch

valentine's day New Wing Back Chair

A friend of mine got two of these new leather wing back chairs to put in front of her fireplace. We are painting her paneling and brick fireplace white for a dramatic backdrop!

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Large warehouse full to the brim.

Three Women and an Armoire. A little bit of Sacramento shopping....a little bit of this....a little bit of that....and a lot of fun.

valentine's day Shopping the Antique Faire

Sacramento Antique Faire

Sacramento has an Antique Faire under Highway 50 every second Sunday of the month. I am lucky it is about a half mile from my house, so it is easy to case it every month. One of these days I am going to have to get there before all of the pickers grab up all of the choice items...say about 6 in the morning?

One of the best things about the location, other than it's proximity to my house, is that the Highway provides shade over the whole Faire. Nice for us, and even nicer for the vendors!

Much cooler under the Highway

Over the Ocean Home and Garden Decorations

One of the vendors I like to find every time I go is Marina Geest (phone...209-327-9440) who owns "Over the Ocean", Marina is originally from the Netherlands and travels there frequently to bring us beautiful linens and antiques. I am hooked on the blue checkered dish towels and end up buying a couple every time I find her. She frequently has Oyster baskets and demijohns as well.

Over the Ocean Linens

Marina is partnering with Sue's Country Barn and Antiquarian this weekend for a huge container sale in Manteca this weekend if you are in the mood for a little Antique treasure hunting!!

Location:

12607 E. Hwy 120

Manteca, CA 95336

2 miles East of Hwy 99

Thursday June 17....6-9 PM

June 18-20 10AM-6PM

If only I were in town!!!

Moving on down the row, I found Abdoulie Jawneh from Nairobi who imports African artifacts. It was his first time to Sacramento having driven up from LA. Abdoulie had beautiful African beads and cowrie shell baskets. I ended up taking home the baskets in the photo below. Cowrie shells symbolize wealth and prosperity.....it never hurts to have a little help.

Cowrie Shell Baskets for Good Luck

African Beads from Jawneh Brothers Imports

To reach Jawneh Brothers imports.....phone 323-251-7349. Visit them in Los Angeles!

I was very happy to meet Andrew Church who specializes in vintage metal furniture which he refurbishes and sells at Alameda and other antique fairs throughout the country. He is based in Houston, and thought he might try out Sacramento! I hope he makes it back!!!

The table below was in the neighborhood of $395....much better than big city pricing!!!

Very cool metal furniture from Andrew Church

To reach Andrew, call 830-481-0080

There was another new vendor this week that had some very cool stuff.....vintage binoculars, flasks.......but I was sort of taken with something a little on the unusual side.......

It was a wood carved motorcycle that measured about 30" wide by 18" high. A little strange perhaps....but I almost took 'er home. But hey....if it's good enough for Cameron......

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Carmen Diaz in the July Issue on InStyle Magazine, photo by Michelangelo Di Battista

I didn't have a chance to get this vendor's information, but they assured me they will be back next month. Maybe they will still have the bike. I can still dream......Peter and Jack would approve.

valentine's day Curtis Park Home Tour....A Well Traveled Life

valentine's day 1912 Craftsman Living Room houses a high canopied bed from the island of Madura.

Last weekend, Tim and I got the bikes out of mothballs from the winter season and rode through our neighborhood visiting our neighbors' homes which were open for the Annual Curtis Park Home and Garden Tour held by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. Curtis Park was developed from 1910 through the 30's and 40's. Homes here range from Craftsman Bungalows to French Tudors, Mediterranean and Monterey to Bauhaus International style. The diversity is what gives this unique neighborhood it's quintessential charm.

I wanted to show you a house that took my breath away. I have passed this house a million times. It is one block away from ours. I never knew what was hiding inside.


The Living Room is furnished with art and artifacts from all over the world

The house is a beautiful example of Craftsman architecture with it's natural shingle exterior. This particular home has been meticulously restored down to the beautiful arched doorways trimmed in Eucalyptus. And one might expect the predictable Craftsman style furniture to complete the picture. But upon entering, I was completely taken away. I was charmed at first sight. It was clear that the owners of this house were travelers and had many stories to tell.


Dining Room with Teak table set with pottery made by a friend with Thai Stainless Steel. Plein Air Art.

It was hard to tear myself away from one room, there was so much to see. There was a life here. Many lives really. The owners have lived in many countries including Afghanistan, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Peru. The Living Room held a canopied bed where one could dream away the hours thinking about Bengal Tigers and soft scented nights under the stars.


The Dining Room was a place where I could imagine Baroness Karen von Blixen spinning stories of adventure while guests feasted on wild pheasant and exotic fruits, drinking Bombay gin.

Kitchen Nook

The kitchen was vintage and cozy with it's reading nook. There were cages of canaries singing away in the window next to this happy yellow rocking chair. A case of well loved books and collected crockery compose a very cheerful corner.

valentine's day The Library

The library was full of artifacts such as the painted screen most likely from Indonesia. Books were housed in the original Craftsman bookcases like those under the window. Do you think you would find a volume of Rudyard Kipling's work here?

The Owners' Art Studio

It became very clear why this house has such character and complexity. Both of the owners are artists. Mary Czechan Coldren is a painter and printmaker. You can see her work above the cabinet in her art studio above. Husband Lee Coldren is a silversmith. I was reminded of artists Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe as I walked through this space with it's collections of horns, skulls, shells, seed pods and stones.

Back Foyer leading me out.

I was led through the house, room by room until I was to leave through a side foyer. It was the room that held the staircase leading up to even more wondrous rooms. But it was not to be. The upstairs was off limits on this tour. However....the foyer proved to be full to bursting with collections and furniture to keep me intrigued......at least until I can meet the owners formally and be invited to see more!

Cane and Walking Stick Collection

I am one who collects. I love things with a past and a story. So you can imagine how much I loved this rack full of walking sticks and canes. Where have they all been?! And who was holding them when they were carried along those many paths? And then there were the hats. On the walls on on the hat rack. There were chests and baskets....what did they hold? Shells from faraway beaches and decorated boxes.....and a curious jar of peanuts. Perhaps to feed the blue jays outside?

More of the Back Foyer

I was not allowed to climb the stair, but was very tempted to see if another world could be found in the back of the wardrobe.

Carved Wardrobe against a bright pink wall.

It was time to say goodbye to this worldly house and ride our bikes through our own little part of the world. I will bring you more of the tour later this week!

To find out more about our Curtis Park Community, click on over HERE.

valentine's day City of Angels: Blackman Cruz

Studded Safe, BC Gentleman's Wing Back Chair, BC Salamander Sconces look gorgeous with a spot of red from the snake skin Windsor Chair

Blackman Cruz. One cannot help running across furniture or light fixtures from this iconic Los Angeles store when flipping through a magazine. Elle Decor, AD, Met Home, you name it....they've been there. I have been following the unique and offbeat offerings from Blackman Cruz for years. Not a stretch to imagine it was one of the destinations on my list when visiting LA a few weeks ago.

It was not a disappointment! Adam Blackman and David Cruz founded the company in 1993 with the thought that they were not alone when it came to a passion for the strange and curious treasures unearthed in their travels around the world.

Blackman Cruz Salamander Wall Sconce

It was not long before they began creating their own furniture and lighting designs, like the Salamander Sconce above.

Dark Grey Paneling sets the tone for Drama with the BC Crown of Thorns Mirror, Brass Ball Series Lamps by Lika Moore and Bergeres.

The furniture, lighting, art and accessories have always captured my imagination. So it was an extraordinary experience for me to see the vignettes that were put together in the shop itself. The vision of the owners became very clear, and I loved it.

In 2008, the showroom moved to a larger space formerly occupied by Probe, an infamous gay nightclub popular in the 70's and 80's. Blackman Cruz took great advantage of the the dramatic, somewhat Gothic, woodwork creating fabulous backdrops for their exotic offerings. The dark gray color is a perfect foil for the buttery linen Bergeres in the vignette above. This is an idea that could be reproduced by any of us!

Blackman Cruz Crown of Thorns Mirror

This mirror is another example of the creativity behind this dynamic duo that is Blackman Cruz.

Ornate Gilt Chair with Red Velvet looks beautiful with Italian Poliarte Sconce circa 1960

valentine's day Italian Iron Altar Candelabra c 1840 is placed with Art Deco Lounge Chair, Limited Edition Bronze Prana Hand Andirons sculpted by Adam Kurtzman, and sconce BC Theater Sconce

Closeup of Prana Hand Andirons by Adam Kurtzman

valentine's day 1960's Brutalist Coffee Table and Brasilia Chair and Ottoman with one of a pair of Bronze Architectural Lamps c 1870 and a grouping of glass domes.

valentine's day BC Harlow Throne in Persimmon with the BC Screening Room Daybed with Hidden Compartments (I love hidden compartments!) and BC Screening Room Coffee Table

valentine's day How fun is this Hanging Pod Chair?! Christian and I had fun swinging in this one!

valentine's day Leather sling chairs looked very cool below the round wall opening

valentine's day One of a Pair of English Arts and Crafts Benches, a series Black and White Nudes c 1920's and a Gianni Vallino Table Lamp.

valentine's day Set of Four Neoclassical Style Klismos Chairs around a gorgeous metal game table. Glass Case holds many one of a kind art objects.

valentine's day Love this BC Hanging Rattan Lounge next to the vintage Nailed Leather Top Table. BC 3-Squared Sconces in Nickel

valentine's day Thonet Rocking Bentwood Lounge, Austria c1880 and Italian Cast Iron Chimera Fixture, 19th Century

valentine's day Collection of Vintage Dog Collars. The collector in me went crazy for this idea.

valentine's day Stunning Gothic Tracery Mirror with what appears to be "Apollo" Sun Lamps

valentine's day XIX Century Bronze Repousse Torso on Wood on top of a Chinese Root Console

valentine's day BC Horny Lamp with antique wood Mannequin....seems to have lost his head!

valentine's day Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Chaise 1958, Arturo Pani Steel and Brass Trim Pedestal Table

valentine's day BC Minotaur Club Chairs look so handsome on this red, black and mustard striped rug!

So there you have it.....Blackman Cruz. One of the most unique and ground breaking showrooms in this City of Angels. This showroom combines the serious and the oh-so-not-serious, the brilliant and the dark, the handsome and the curious, traditional and modern to create a new vision, that in the blogger's humble opinion is....sublime.

A big THANK YOU to my friend Christian May of Maison 21 for squiring me to Blackman Cruz!!! A better guide I could not have had.