Seating flexibilty - the stool 'at auction'

Everyone needs a few stools around. They are extra, easy to move around seating. They can be a table in a pinch. And they can be a place to rest your feet! They fit neatly away under a console table, or pushed in to a corner waiting to be deployed.

The designer, Isabel Lopez Quesada, flanks a classically arranged console table with two chic stools. In an entryway they can be a great place to sit to put on your shoes, or easily moved in to a room where they're needed.

Via Pinterest

Here a simple, but elegant, stool serves as seating at a drop down desk, and as a samml table next to a chair when needed. 

Elle Decor

The designer, Thom Felicia, uses two upholstered cube stools for seating in a small library to expand the seating. 

From Elle Decor

The living room in Cristina Azario’s renovated brownstone in East Harlem, New York has chic taupe walls, fun kilim covered chairs, and an orange upholstered stool for a pop of color. 

Cakebread Designer Auctions is a new venture of New Orleans Auctions. In their first auction June 8th and 9th they include these two stools. The one on the left is a stylish George III style mahogany stool with very smart upholstery. It's early 20th century and the seat measures 23 x 18 inches. It's Lot 4 and has an auction estimate of $75 - $125.

This ottomon on casters is quite cute. It has lovely crewel upholstery, and would be very versatile and easy to move around. It's 19th century, and the seat is 23 inches in diameter. It is Lot 3 and has an auction estimate of $125 - $250.

There are many stool style options, and I rather like this Thebes stool. It has a rustic and modern feel at the same time. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $219 off an auction estimate of $300 - $500.

For something much dressier, this Regency style stool would add a decorative element to the room. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $375 off an auction estimate of $600 - $900.

I need to include some modern examples for those of you with a modern design bent, or for those of you who like to mix modern and antique, as I do! My go-to for modern is Wright Auctions in Chicago.They always have the big names in modern furniture design. The steel and leather stool on the left was designed by Poul Kjaerholm (Danish, circa 1961). It's a PK 91 style, and sold for $3,500 off an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

This teak and leather stool was designed by Poul Hundevad who was also Danish, circa 1948. It's a 'Guldhoj' folding stool and sold at Wright for $875 off an estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. I love the shape of the legs - such design interest in something so simple.







Whatever your style, a stool will always find a place in your home, and maybe move around as needs arise. If you are like me, you might just want to re-decorate every once in a while, so the stool in the living room might become a great place to lay towels in the guest bath.

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!

Bringing the garden inside - rustic decor.

I love the look of refined and rustic in the same room. Each makes the other look better. The room feels more relaxed and welcoming.

I love to look out for auctions that have garden furniture and decorations for those weathered pieces that come with character.

 From Pinterest

I love this simple metal chair in the refined apartment of decorator Rose Uniacke in London.

Both from Pinterest

A worn metal table piled high with simple decorations will always look confident and full of interest.

I rarely dedicate my examples to one auction, but the Kamelot Auction April 13th is chock full of garden furniture and decorations. These late 19th century marble topped iron garden tables are so good looking, and there are two! I can think of all kinds of places I would use these - entryway, kitchen, dining consoles... These are Lot 60, and have an auction estimate of $600 to $1,200.

This console table (circa 1940) is long at 72 inches, so needs the right space. It has wonderful scroll work decoration and weathered white paint. It's wrought iron with a marble top, and is very smart looking.  This is Lot 117 and has an auction estimate of $300 - $500.

I adore these benches! These would look fabulous in a living room or an entryway. Just make some cushions for comfort. These are Regency style wood rolled arm benches. They are Lot 314, and have an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,600. 

This classical cast iron circa 1900 garden bench has lovely decorative details. This would be wonderful in an entryway or as seating at a dining table with some nice cushions. This is Lot 43, and has an auction estimate of $700 - $900.

 These are very smart chairs. They are described at Schinkel style circa 1910. The decorative details and shape make these chairs that would be great hall chairs, or perhaps at a table in the kitchen. These are Lot 45 with an auction estimate of $800 - $1,600.

Why not use garden decoration inside as well? I love urns, and this lot of three iron urns of varying sizes make a great group. These are Lot 322 and have an auction estimate of $300 - $900. 

These neoclassical style bronze urns are particularly chic. I'd put these on top of a console table to anchor either side. These are circa 1910 (Lot 56) with an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.





Or course you can use all of these outside as well! There's nothing like creating a room in the garden with pieces like these. But I think they are all too wonderful to be left outside. Bring them in to your rooms for character and patina in your decor.

Bookshelves with character 'at auction'

Of course, you expect bookshelves in libraries to hold books - but they can be so much more! Use them to divide a room, add architectural detail, show off your objects, and add character to any room.

My old apartment

Here we used two freestanding shelves to add architectural detail to the room, and display objects. 

 

Via Pinterest

Industrial bookshelves are modern and add lots of character. I love them in almost any kind of space, and mixed with antiques or modern furniture. 

Via Pinterest

Here is an example of bookshelves as room divider. They delineate a space without closing it off. I love the collection of globes at the top too! (See a related blog Obelisks on bookshelves at Obelisk Decorating)

I love Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia for a great selection of decorative, and architectural pieces. These two bookshelves are very smart looking. The one to the left is a massive 155" wide and 94" tall Regency style wood bookcase. The X-frames give it such character. There would be lots of room to pile this high with books, and art. This sold for $800 off an auction estimate of $400 - $600.

Add brass to the X-frame for an even more chic look! This circa 1950 wood and brass Regency style bookcase sold at Kamelot for $2,200 off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. Because this is open, it would make a great room divider. 

For modern options, my go-to would be Wright Auctions in Chicago. This Edward Wormley open frame bookshelf is made of mahogany and brass. It's circa 1954, and measures 48 inches wide, and 76.5 inches tall. The design is subtle and very cool. This would look good against a wall, or between rooms. This sold for $4,375 of an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

This bookshelf was designed by Ico and Luisa Parisi (Italian, circa 1950). It's made of mahogany, walnut, and brass, and measures 44 inches wide and 49 inches tall. The design makes this a piece of art in and of itself. I would want to place this somewhere that the shapes can be seen from the side. This had an auction estimate of $7,000 to $9,000.

This bookshelf has wonderful carved shapes and details. This sold at a Copake Auction in Copake, NY for $675 off an auction estimate of $300 - $500. It measures 33 inches wide and is 63" tall. It's described as a carved 19th century folk art bookshelf. It has lots of interest.

I love this pair of corner shelves. I can think of all kinds of uses for them. Pairs are wonderful for adding an architectural element to a room. Think of these as flanking a sofa, and they don't necessarily need to be in a corner. These are described as George III style and made of mahogany. They measure 21 inches wide and 45 inches tall. These sold at a Copake Auction for $226 off an auction estimate of $150 to $250.

Think of bookshelves as an architectural element first, and then a place for books and art for added interest. Even if you're on a budget, you don't need to give up style. If you keep your eye out at auctions you will find something that adds interet, and is utilitarian at the same time.