Darryl Carter makes antiques look so modern

Darryl Carter is one of my favorite designers for making antiques look so fresh and modern. The June issues of Veranda and Elle Decor both feature him in inspiring ways.

All photos from Veranda - Designer: Darryl Carter

In each of these rooms you can see the wonderful use of high and low antiques to create a modern space. He prefers light colored walls to set off the browns of the furniture, and it works (even though I am a color girl when it comes to wall paint!).

The top photo has several more refined antiques including what I almost consider signature pieces for his designs - the regency sofa and round table. In the middle photo he uses very rustic pieces to wonderful effect. The bottom photo features a cabinet that you might have found in an old shop. 

Two nice options for the table are these two Louis Philippe mahogany center tables coming up at auctions. The one on the left is in the next Doyle New York auction June 6th. This is Lot 663, and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

This one on the right is quite similar, but has the nice addition of a marble top. I like marble for hard wear. You won't worry about putting drinks on it, or scratching. This is in the next auction at Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia June 9th. It's Lot 47 and has an auction estimate of $600 - $900.

For a similar settee, I like this George III late 18th century painted satinwood settee that sold at a Christie's auction in New York. It has lovely detailing on the top which adds a lot of interest. If you want a really fresh look, upholster it in a white canvas. This sold for $2,500 off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

This one was a real bargain. This also sold at a Christie's sale with the same estimate of $1,000 - $1,500, but for only $375!. This is a mid-19th century French provincial fruitwood settee. Again, I would upholster it in white canvas for an updated look. 

I love Copake Auction in Copkae, NY for Americana and rustic furniture. This 19th century sawbuck work table would serve nicely as a kitchen dining table, or as the console table like the middle photo. This sold for $150 off an auction estimate of $200 - $400.

For a shop cabinet with lots of drawers, here is a 19th century hardware store cabinet that also sold at a Copake Auction. This sold for $300 off an auction estimate of $250 - $350. You could leave this in worn rustic condition, or polish it up for a more refined look. 

Darryl Carter has the touch that makes antiques fresh and modern. Auctions are a great place to replicate his look. Just paint the walls white, re-upholster the furniture in white canvas, and let the warm woods pop! I would need to add a little color, but that's what pillows are for! Try red!!

Take me to Scandinavia 'at auction'

I am not sure why Scandinavia produced so many fabulous designers of cool modern furniture, but it did. The design are simple, but oh so stylish. It's in the details. Add one piece of great Scandinavian design to a room, and it instantly gives it a modern vibe.

Skona Hem Magazine

This room is simple in many ways, and mixes high and low with great chic. The Ikea pieces allows this home owner to set off the Hans Wegner Sawbuck chair to great effect(foreground). 

Skona Hem

Arne Jacobsen chairs always work. This room has a fabulous orange leather Egg chair, and a pair of brown leather swan chairs off to the sides. The dark wall color is great for setting them off.

Wright auctions in Chicago has a Scandinavian Design auction coming up May 19th. It's the perfect place to pick up that one piece (or maybe two!) to add instant modern chic to your decor.

This piece just spoke to me when I saw it. The color of the leather is cool, and I can easily see it sitting opposite a simple white sofa. This is designed by Nanna Ditzel (Danish) in 1952. This is Lot 145 and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000. 

The first photo above has a Hans Wegner (Danish) Sawbuck chair in the foreground. Why not have a pair! These have an auction estimate of $7,000 - $9,000 and are Lot 179. These are circa 1951.

We have to include an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair. This one is circa 1970 (originally designed in 1958), and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000. These are classic and comfortable. Jazz up a traditional room with one of these instead of a wing chair for some fun!

A fabulous cabinet is like a piece of art in a room.  This beautifully detailed bar cabinet was designed by Edvard and Tove Kindt-Larsen (Danish). It's made of walnut, birch, glass and brass. It has a wonderful interior. This is circa 1945 (Lot 243), and has an auction estimate of $5,000 - $7,000.

This cabinet really needs close inspection. It's made of oak, leather and brass. The beauty is in the detailed workmanship and design. This was designed by Otto Schultz (Swedish) in 1940. It has an auction estimate of $5,000 - $7,000.

Skona Hem

This dining area ticks a number of design boxes. The chair and table were designed by Fritz Hansen, and the light fixture is by Poul Henningsen. The light would look fabulous in almost any style room.

Here is a Poul Henningsen (Danish) Artichoke lamp. It's made of copper, aluminum, and steel. It has a warmth to it with the copper color. This is circa 1957, and Lot 323 in the Wright auction. It has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000. This would be fabulous in a dining room.

This Poul Henningsen would be wonderful in a traditional entryway to give it a bit of an unexpected twist. This is circa 1933 and is called the PH 2/1 pendant lamp. It is Lot 295 in the Wight auction with an estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.









Visit the Skona Hem website for some Scandinavian inspiration, and then take a look at the Wright Scandinavian Design auction catalogue to see if you might add some Scandinavian vibe to your decor!

Flair with modern design

I picked up the February edition of AD Espana, and was taken with the many fabulous homes with great modern design.

In this Berlin home of the gallerist Karena Schuesslerthe warm design in this kitchen includes the iconic Hans Wegner chairs and the ceiling light by Poul Henningsen. 

In the Manhattan apartment of the artist John Currin and Rachel Feinstein, the library includes these wonderful chairs by Gio Ponti, who is one of my absolute favorite designers. I, of course, love anything Italian!

Another artist, Pablo Reinosa, has a wonderful apartment in Paris with great art, and who can miss the Eames chairs! Always a good choice for modern design.

Wright auctions in Chicago has a Modern Design auction coming March 29th. This is an opportunity to pick up some of these iconic designs. If we start with Charles and Ray Eames, the auction includes several examples to recreate the look in the Pablo Reinosa apartment. Lot 140 is the DAR chair in a wonderful pinky salmon color. This was designed in 1951, and has an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

I think it would go wonderfully with this sea green rocking chair by Eames. This is Lot 141, and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000. This was designed in 1950 and is the RAR chair. Rockers are always fun to include in your decor, and it's always interesting to see which guest gravitates to a rocker.

In the top photo the chairs are by Hans Wegner. , The chairs on the left are in the style of  Hans Wegner, and because they are 'in the style' these sold for only $549 at a Bonhams auction in Los Angeles. An authentic Hans Wegner pair sold at a Wright auction for $17,500. You choose!

If you look closely at the top photo you will see that the coffee table looks remarkably like this one being offered in the next Wright auction. This is Lot 210, and was designed by Carl Aubock, circa 1960. This has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

In the middle photo the white chairs with the cow hide seats are by Gio Ponti. His furniture commands a high price, and is quite sought after. I searched a few auction houses and only found this one that looks similar. This is noted as Lounge chair number 12. It sold at a Wright auction for $7,500 off an auction estimate of $4,000 - $5,000. I think the green leather is rather smart.






I love the inspiration I can get from international design magazines. I pick them up when I can, and often get a different perspective on style, even when the homes are in the US!

Table top architecture ' at auction'!

Architectural details are key to a layered look, but they need not be on the walls! Just about the chicest architectural elements sit on a table.

Splendid Sass blog - Designer Suzanne Kasler

Architectural models are a chic form of decoration. In this entry room designed by Suzanne Kasler the model of a staircase sitting on a table forms  a wonderful tableau inviting you in to the living room. 

The next Stair Galleries auction taking place March 10th and 11th in Hudson, NY has the perfect replica of the model in the Suzanne Kasler room. This is Lot 550, and is made of metal. It's very smart looking. It's 15 inches tall and has an auction estimate of $500 - $700. 

I was also taken with this Victorian collectors cabinet. It has wonderful detail including ivory knobs, and a tiled roof. It would serve wonderfully as an architectural model on a table top, and a great place for small treasures. This is Lot 514 in the Stair auction and has an auction estimate of $1,000 - $2,000. 

I know these are exactly table top, but I couldn't resist including these columns. Looking at the Suzanne Kasler room she uses columns to create an elegant room separation and grand entrance. This pair are 8 feet, 8 inches tall and are included in the Stair auction. These are Lot 275 and have an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,500. Just imagine what they would do for a plain space to make it architecturally interesting! Even in a rental, you could put these up for a glamorous effect, and take them with you when you move.

To give you a sense of realized prices, here are two examples from Christie's. This mahogany spiral staircase model is 20th century. It sold for $1,187 off an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

This is an interesting variation. This is described as late 19th or early 20th century English. If you collect little objects this would make nice display as well. This sold for $660 off an auction estimate of $500 - $800. I think the spiral staircase models are more sought after. I often like something a bit different, so this squared version appeals to me, and I could have gotten it for less. 




Look for decorative objects that have interest and might be a bit out of the ordinary. Architectural models are very chic, and auctions provide good hunting grounds!

Have fun with artist's models!

You have your furniture in place, the rug on the floor, and some great lighting. Now for the details. Every room needs decorative layers, and some of them should be fun. You want something to give you a little smile, or maybe something that will attract the eye of your guests.

Living Etc (UK)

In this classic living room, the addition of two artists models standing on the tray add some fun. Just imagine how you might shape their stance depending on your mood. One day they are standing straight and somber, and the next they are seeming to dance across the room.

Stair Galleriesin Hudson, NY has an auction coming up March 10th and 11th. It includes some fun objects. This early 20th century wood articulated artist model on a stand could be your own artistic expression! This is Lot 16 and has an auction estimate of $300 - $400.

Perhaps more interesting is this American folk art carved and painted African American man. It's more primitive in design, but very intriguing. It needs a stand, but I think would make a nice design pair with the previous artist's model. This is Lot 8 in the Stair Galleries auction, and has an auction estimate of $200 - $400.

To put potential pricing n perspective, these next two artist models sold at Copake Auctions in Copake, NY. This French wooden artist's moderl had an auction estimate of $50 - $75, and sold for $165.

This provocatively posed artist's model was 32 inches tall, and would make a statement. This has an auction estimate at Copake of $150 - $250, and sold for a whopping $800! Clearly it was desirable.












I think artist's models are fun, and have lots of posing potential. They are sculpture, art and decoration rolled in to one!

Small Space Solution: Try a daybed

Keeping with the theme of how to decorate a small home, my next suggestion is a daybed. It's a couch for entertaining, and serves as a spare place to put a guest (or in a very small space, even yourself!). An antique can be very chic, and all you need to do is pile it high with beautiful pillows.

Elle Decor - Home of Christopher Knight and Carlos Aponte

This room in the home of Christopher Knight and Carlos Aponte is loaded with style. They use an Empire daybed as a couch,  and the room can serve as a guest room as well. 

 Elle Decor - Designer: John Dransfield & Geoffrey Ross

In this living room, the designers demonstrate so well how antiques can be so perfect in a modern space.  Here they use a Charles X daybed as a chic couch, accented by the wonderfully blue painted Regency style chairs. The display of art on the wall creates a dramatic effect. 

This classic Louis XVI style fruitwood daybed serves the role perfectly. I like that both ends are the same height because pushed against the wall with pillows at the back, it works well as a couch. But when the time comes for it to be a bed, it converts easily. This sold at a New Orleans Auction for $492 off an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

For a modern aesthetic this sleek 'recamier' in the style of Tommi Parzinger would be very smart. This is included in the next Christie's Interiors auction in New York February 28th and 29th. It's Lot 742 and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. I love the shape, but I would need some color which can easily be added with a few pillows.

When searching at auction there are a number of terms that you might find as descriptions - day bed, recamier, and chaise longue. 

Now this is cool. This is a circa 1980 copper clad chaise longue with riveting detail.  This is terribly chic and would fit in a classic or modern decor. This sold at a Kamelot Auction in Philadelphia for $1,600 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,500.

 

There is nothing like a Biedermeier style or Regency recamier for high style. Just look at the curves in the back and the legs. It's very sexy! The lovely color of the fruitwood lightens it up, and the striped upholstery is perfect. This sold at a Brunk Auction in Asheville, North Carolina for $1,400 off an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. 

There all sorts of styles of day bed from classic to modern. Depending on your taste and how you want to use it in your small space, you'll have fun finding the right one for you at auction.

Small Space Solution: Get a secretary!

In a small home, the best furniture serves multiple purposes. Also, you need not give up style! In fact, in a small space, buying a few pieces of furniture with maximum style impact will make the room.

A 'secretaire a abbatant', or secretary, is the perfect fit.  Think of all the things it can do - it's a dresser, it's a display shelf, and it's a desk. This one sold at a recent Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY for $1,250 off an auction estimate of $600 - $800. It's a Louis XVI mahogany secretary with a marble top.  I love the curves in the interior shelves. Use your imagination as to what you put on display. Don't forget the top where you might add some beautiful Chinese vases.

This beautiful Biedermeier secretaire would work wonderfully in a small space. The birch wood would keep it light and avoid too much dark furniture. It is very smart looking. This is included in the next Christie's Interiors sale in New York February 28th and 29th. This is Lot 878, and is described as second half of the 19th century. It has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

For a more decorative look I love this Chinoiserie secretary. It has lots of storage, and looks so very chic. The red adds a pop of color to the room too! This is Lot 317 in a Kamelot Auction in Philadelphia February 18th. It is described as 18th century and has an auction estimate of $2,500 - $3,500.

House and Home Magazine (Canada)

A secretaire can be three pieces of furniture in one. When shopping for one at auction and setting your top bid, add up individual pieces in your head and you may find that you have a bargain! It's so much more chic in any event.