Living Auction Decorating

We have finally moved in to our new house which has been under construction for 2 years. Still some things to do, but mostly there. I thought I'd take a few photos of Auction Decorating in action in my own home.

This is the sitting area in our bedroom. The sofa and chairs were bought at Lots Road auction while we were living In London. We bought them with our new house in mind and love them now that we found a spot for them. The Chinese table in front of the couch was purchased at Stair Galleries auction in Hudson New York for a song! It was an opportunistic purchase on the day. It fits well with my mantra to mix old and new, and always have some Asian influences.

The candelabra was also bought at Lots Road, and is a piece of sculpture to me. I also think it warms up the space. It weighs a ton, and luckily was shipped as part of my expat assignment shipment on our return to the US.

Our dining area is part of an open plan living room, kitchen and dining. The table was also an opportunistic buy at a Stair Galleries auction. We attended the auction, bid on several things and lost all of them. This came up towards the end, and it didn't get much take up. We paid $300! Not bad.

The rug is from a Lots Road auction. The chairs are from Room and Board. The chandelier is from Ochre. The antique English oak console table is early 18th century and was inherited. I love mixing the new with antiques. I never want to be a slave to one period of style.

Trunks and luggage in decor

There are all sorts of ways to incorporate vintage luggage in your decor. Suitcases stack to make a table, and trunks make great coffee tables. Or they can just look decorative!

HGTV via Apartment Therapy

The Louis Vuitton trunk or stacked suitcases always looks fabulous. In this case a steamer trunk makes a great coffee table. 

 House Beautiful - Designer: Chad Eisner

A nice wood trunk with leather strap detail make a great bench at the end of the bed.

Ideal Home, UK

A classic Chinese trunk with decorative lock detail is a very chic option for a table.

Auctions are great places to source trunks and luggage.

At the June 19th and 20th auction at Bonhams in Los Angeles they have this great set of five pieces of Hartman luggage (Lot 8403). This would give you lots of stackable options. I think the cream color with brown trim is quite chic. This has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

The next Christie's Interiors sale in New York June 21st and 22nd includes this set of four French suitcases of various makers (Lot 587). I like the fact that they are different because it makes for a more interesting stacked design.  These have an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

The Christie's sale also includes this 19th century Italian leather trunk with metal binding. This has that great look of the trunk at the end of the bed in the photo earlier. This would make a terrific coffee table or bench. This is Lot 560 and has an auction estimate of $500 - $700.

This American late Victorian steamer trunk, ca. 1900 sold at a New Orleans Auction for $492 off an auction estimate of $75 - $125. The straps and the brass hardware make this quite decorative. Put this in a casual room and even use it for extra storage.

I always like a Chinese trunk as a coffee table. I have a red lacquer one. This one that sold at a Brunk Auction in North Carolina is particularly decorative. The large Chinese leather trunk is on a stand and has gilt accents, stitched and applied ruyi scepter, bats, characters, dragons, large brass lock plates with two locks and key, four bronze handles (late 19th/early 20th century). This sold for $600 off an auction estimate of $500 - $1,000.



Trunks and luggage make for an interesting alternative to furniture, and can be very chic. Keep your eye out for bargains, and collect a few pieces over time for an eclectic look.

Stools fit for Royalty!

Stools are an amazingly versatile piece of furniture. They are extra seating when you need it; a great place to put towels for your guest in a bathroom; a coffee table with just the addition of a simple tray; and can be works of art in themselves.

Canadian House and Home 

In this living room an X form stool is an extra seat, and a place to throw your sweater when the fire gets too warm. 

A few auction offering caught my eye for some stools that are elaborate and would add an element of luxe to your decor. 

This Empire style stool is very elegant. The gilt touches and the chic blue damask fabric make this a stand out in any room. In a bedroom it's a great place to sit and put on your shoes in the morning. This is Lot 121 in the Doyle New York 'Belle Epoque' auction June 8th.  It has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

This fabulous little bench is also in the Doyle sale. This is described as an Empire style parcel gilt curule stool. The rams head decoration makes this particularly interesting. The fabric is very Empire as well. This is Lot 198 and has an estimate of $600 - $800.

I was taken by this Fer Forge iron version, circa 1910. It's very smart looking, and you could cover it with outdoor fabric and have it on your patio. This is in a Kamelot Auctions sale June 11th in Philadelphia. This is Lot 605 and has an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

Christie's has a great archive of sales results, and I often look thee to get a sense of prices. I found this cool Egyptian revival stool with inlaid mother of pearl that sold for $2,750. It's circa 1900. I love this used as a table by a chair or sofa for a real talking piece. 

Elle Decor 

Placed in front of the fireplace, a fabulous stool is a work of art, and an extra seat. Add an interesting one to your decor to add some elegance!

Adding drama with a cool chandelier

Take any room, add a cool chandelier, and it will change the character of the space. It will draw your eye up, and make everything else in the room look better than it did before.

Elle Decor - Designer: Joe D’Urso

This contemporary space gets added drama with this modern light fixture is by Verner Panton. Chandeliers clearly don't need to be the one your grandmother had!


I looked at several upcoming auctions for cool chandeliers and here are just a few.

This wonderful chandelier exudes mid-century modern Italian flair! It sparkles and almost looks like a glass waterfall. This is included in the next Kamelot Auctions
auction June 11th in Philadelphia. It's Lot 545, is made by Camer, and is 29" tall. The auction estimate of $600 - $1,000.

Doyle New York has their next Belle Epoque auction June 8th. These usually include a nice selection of affordable items from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and not all strictly 'Belle Epoque'. I think this rock crystal 12 light chandelier has real drama. It's delicate and seems like it dances. This measure 29.5" tall and is 38" in diameter. This is Lot 519A, and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

The Doyle auction also include this fabulous Art Deco bronze and molded glass light. The mounting has great detail. It looks like a big icicle. This is Lot 458, measures 16.5" tall, and has an auction estimate of $600 - $800. This would add real impact to a hall or entryway.

For a simpler look, this Art Deco frosted glass chandelier is  just beautiful. This was made in 1925 and measures 19.25" tall and 13.75" in diameter. It is Lot 600 in the next Christie's Interiors sale in New York June 21st and 22nd. It has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. This would look great in an entryway, or a modern dining area.

The Christie's sale also include this tole peinte and glass lantern. This is Lot 488 and is described as late 19th to early 20th century. Try this in a kitchen or bathroom to give it extra pizazz! The auction estimate is $1,500 - $2,000.













Chandeliers come in many shapes and sizes. Think about your style, and add some drama to any room in the house or apartment!