Screens are great decor 'at auction'

I bought an antique leather embossed screen in London not sure exactly where I would deploy it, but I bought it because I always wanted one. It has always easily found a place in my decor. In my current house it fills what would have been an empty space in my bedroom.

A beautiful screen can fill a wall, divide a room, or just be a beautiful object!

The Spanish decorator, Lorenzo Castillo, uses screens quite often. Here are two examples. One is an embossed leather screen mounted on the wall behind a sofa creating a huge decorative focal point in the room. The second is a simple upholstered screen where the frame does the speaking with it's carved curves. It adds a layer to the room, and softens the look of the mirrored dresser.

In Coco Chanel's Paris apartment a massive Chinese screen fills a corner and provides chic decoration.

 

Here is another Lorenzo Castillo room with a fabulous screen behind an antique sofa creating quite a statement in this living room. The upholstery is a bold choice given the rest of the decor. 

Auctions provide ample variety and price range when shopping for a screen for your decor.  I've selected a range of styles as examples.

I love my embossed and painted leather screen, and here is one that was sold at a Sair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY. I think this one is quite smart looking. It sold for $1,900 off an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. It measures 76 inches tall and a total width of 85 inches.

This Chinese four panel lacquer screen also sold at a Stair Galleries auction, but this one went for $100, off an auction estimate of $300 - $400. This measures 72 inches tall and 64 inches wide. This would be great on a wall, in a corner, or as a very chic room divider.  

For a very different style, you might consider this French 19th century neoclassical painted screen. The design is quite delicate and lovely. This measures 67 inches tall and each panel is 31 inches. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $1,000 off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

A Chinese screen with a gold ground is a wonderful way to brighten up a room. This is a very large six panel screen measuring 67 inches tall, and each panel is 25 inches wide. The design is crane and bamboo. This sold at Doyle for $2,125 off an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. 

If you can't afford the real thing, this 'Zuber type' wallpaper 6 panel screen is just the thing. I could easily see this mounted on a wall in a dining room, or any other room for that matter. This is being offered at a Christies Interiors auction in New York June 18th and 19th (Lot 376). The auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000, and it measures 95 inches tall and each panel is 17.5 inches wide.

For a modern vibe, this Paul Evans (1931 - 1987) circa 1970 brass and chromed metal screen is very cool. This is being offered in the same Christies sale (Lot 719) with an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. It measures 80 inches tall and each panel is 12 inches wide.

In Michael Smith's home the entire wall in this room is taken up by a wonderful screen. Think of all the ways you can use on, and find one that will move with you no matter where you live at auction!

Small console tables for Small entryway 'at auction'

Many of us has, or has had, a small or non-existent entryway, and the challenge the space presents when decorating. If like me, you believe that entryways are important to setting the scene for the rest of your home, you will want to figure out how to create a special look without much space.

A compact, but special console table is a great place to start, and auctions offer a myriad of options.

All from Pinterest

I've used the first photo at the top before because I just love the wall mounted console that brings such style to this small space. Add a mirror, and a great ceiling fixture, and everything else falls in to place. 

Doyle New York has an 'Important' furniture auction coming up May 22nd. There are a number of console tables on offer. This lovely decorative 19th century Louis XVI style oak table with marble top would be wonderful in a small entry. This measures 26.5 inches wide and 12.5 inches deep. This is from the estate of Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, and has an auction estimate of $700 - $900 (Lot 123).

A wall mounted console is the most compact option you can choose. This carved oak console with grey veined marble top is also from the Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl estate. It's a late 18th century Louis XVI table measuring 39.5 inches wide and 19.25 inches deep. It is Lot 310 with an auction estimate of $2,000 - $4,000.

This highly decorative Empire painted and parcel gilt table has a rouge marble top, and is from the 1st quarter of the 19th century. It measures 40 inches wide and is 18.5 inches deep. This is Lot 283 with an auction estimate of $2,000 - $4,000. 

I love this Art Deco wall mounted console and mirror (circa 1925). This was sold at a Christies auction for $2,000 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. This is surprisingly made out of aluminum with a marble top. The detailed decoration and the pairing with a mirror makes for an instantly chic entryway!

A pair is almost a bonus! Put one in the entryway, and the other can dress up almost any other room in the house. These sold at Christies for $1,125 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. These are late 19th century French giltwood tables with marble tops. They are 28 inches wide and 13.75 inches deep.

This Empire style table is very smart looking. This sold at a New Orleans Auction for $1,107 off an auction estimate of $600 - $900. This is made of mahogany, giltwood and onyx, and measures 30.5 inches wide and 15.5 inches deep. This would create a very stately look in even the smallest of entryways.

I love auctions specializing in garden furniture. They often have wonderful pieces for bargain prices. Kamelot Auction in Philadelphia had a garden and architectural antiques auction recently. These iron and bronze console tables are both very decorative. They are circa 1930, and the larger one measures 37 inches wide and 13 inches deep. They sold for $600 off an auction estimate of $600 - $1,000. One in the entryway with a great mirror would make for a great welcome for your guests. The second would make a wonderful serving table in your dining room, or a bar in the living room. So many options!

Give your entryway character, no matter how small. A decorative console table found at auction is so much more interesting than what you might find in most furniture stores, and often at a better price!