Eight Fresh Start Ideas for the New Year!

   Back to the Future in a Mid-Century Modern Home

Once the holiday decorations are taken down, your rooms may look less enticing than you remember them and just a little, well, boring. That’s why the quiet of the winter months is the perfect time to refresh your most lived-in spaces. Senior Designer Price Connors of Dujardin Design Associates, Inc., knows that a room can be brought to life again with some relatively minor changes.

 

 

Price makes his home most of the year in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with his life partner, Marty. An expert in mid-century modern furnishings and an avid art and antiques collector, he has spent his life gathering vintage pieces, sometimes refinishing them to give them new life. What’s old is new again throughout his home with a very distinctive personality. And he’s happy to share his own delight in ever-changing interiors to get your year off to a beautiful beginning.

 

One: Slipcovers are Simple

For nine years, a handwoven kilim rug in rich tones and patterns made a dramatic statement and grounded the living room room in warmth. A pair of 1957 Dux white chairs, frequently found in Frank Lloyd Wright designs, are slip-covered in white for summer. “In 1957, they were extremely high style,” says Price. “Georgia O’Keefe had that exact chair in her bedroom in New Mexico.”

The chairs have clearly stood the test of time and are a modern classic today.  So when Price wants a new look, instead of changing the chairs, he simply changes the cushions. And voila! The room is subtly altered. (Keep an eye on the barrel-shaped green velvet chair to the left of the sofa, though.)

“Changing the fabric on an upholstered piece of furniture is a simple way to renew the room,” he advises.

 

Two: Change a Chair

A view from behind the chairs shows them now with a plaid wool slipcover. But that green velvet chair? It’s been replaced–twice. “I get bored with chairs,” Price admits.

 

Proving his words, the first switch was to an Arts and Crafts chair with a cushion covered in Japanese kimono fabric.  It had a short-lived residence before being exchanged for something with a bit more zest.

Don’t miss all the wonderful mid-century modern touches: the lamp to the left of the sofa is vintage 1950’s from designer Tommy Parsinger.

 

Which chair do you like better? The latest side chair is a 1950’s black lacquer zebra print. Note the unusual throw pillow with semi-precious stones. Price brought the pillow home from a trip to Agra, India, on a trip to see the Taj Mahal.

The chair is by James Mont, known as a notorious figure in American design when he achieved fame as “the designer to the mob.”

 

Three: Add Punch with Pillows

A pop of color has been added with a persimmon orange pillow. The pillow and the matching throw on the sofa were both made from Frank Lloyd Wright fabric reproduced for the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only “fully realized” skyscraper. In addition to his design work, Price works at the Tower and Arts Center in preservation and conservation, as director of tours, as an educator, and as a longtime supporter.

The two end tables by the sofa are circa 1940’s, by John Robes-Giddings.

 

 

Four: Your Carpet is a Canvas

The biggest change in the room is the lighter, brighter floor covering. This rug represents the Southwestern part of the country where Price and Marty live. The sense of place is reinforced not only underfoot, but everywhere throughout the room. This is a deeply personal space that Price says Marty embraces as well.

Although making changes to a shared home can be a for better or worse kind of challenge, Price is careful to ensure that the home reflects both their tastes and experiences. The lamp to the right of the sofa, a favored Greek key design, once belonged to Marty’s grandmother.

Note the bronze Thai rain drum to the left of the Eames chair. Rain drums are named for the unique sound they make when struck by the monsoon rains of Southeast Asia. Price carried this drum home from the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar in Thailand.

 

Five: Embrace the Art Movement

In this instance, Price doesn’t mean a school of art or philosophy, but rather, don’t be afraid to move things around.

“Changing your art –either rotating new pieces in or just changing their location–also gives the room a new look,” Prices says. Years of collecting treasured pieces has given him ample choices throughout his home. “Marty never knows what home he’s walking into,” Price laughs.

This bee is a commissioned piece from artist Amie Jacobsen in Independence, Missouri. She created this very special sculpture for Price in hand-cast glass and stainless steel.

 

Six: Tell a Fascinating Tale

Every piece in this home has a backstory, as befits a lifetime spent collecting meaningful objects. This black walnut table with a live edge, Price explains, came from a company in Kansas City that reclaims fallen trees and makes them into furniture instead of chopping them up. Marty had a welder in Bartlesville make the legs as a birthday present for Price.

What was once a solid wall is now a 19th century Chinese window screen. Placing it in that space opened up more light in the room without giving up any privacy.

 

 

Behind the screen? The front door, designed by Price from solid redwood, and adapted from a Frank Lloyd Wright design.

 

 

The art on this wall frequently changes. Note that the bee and black walnut table has moved its location– and is now positioned beneath another commissioned piece, a horse painting by the artist Robert Peterson who served as the Artist-in-Residence at a recent Price Tower Gala.

 

 

A closer view of the horse painting. Price noted that Robert Peterson has painted portraits for the new African American postage stamps, and is now represented in several museums. Price particularly likes this artist’s backstory: “He only began painting in his 30’s. He was working in a factory, and now he’s a world famous artist.”

Directly beneath the Peterson artwork is a painting of butterflies by Hunt Slonem, purchased at the Quidley & Company Gallery on Nantucket. The antique frame was selected by the artist.

 

Seven: Cultivate a Sense of Place

Part of Price’s passion for collecting is fired by artists who interpret the history, landscape and beauty of Oklahoma, and the southwest. His deep collection of mid-century modern furnishings make it clear that he believes in timeless beauty and classic design. The regional emphasis of his art is no accident, either.

Another beloved piece: the Doel Reed print in an original hand carved mahogany frame. Doel Reed is a well-known printmaker in Oklahoma and New Mexico, continuing Price’s commitment to collecting the work of local artists and craftspeople.

 

 

Underneath the Doel Reed print is a Dale Chihuly glass piece, and a striking box circa 1970’s from Karl Springer. These pieces move from location to location, too, giving the room and the art a fresh look and perspective.

 

Eight: What’s Old is New

Everything in life, including architecture, design, and furniture, has been built on what came before. As the Bible says, “There is no new thing under the sun.” Don’t be afraid to seek out items that have had a life in another place and time. If there’s a particular time period or design style that interests you, study it so you can recognize form and function, clean lines and fine design. Or hire a designer who’s made a study of design principles his life’s work, as Price has.

This view shows the dining room looking across the open space to the living room. The mid-century modern look continues here with a dining table and chairs circa 1965, from the John Widdicomb Company.

“I found this set years ago in New Jersey. All the fabric on the chairs is original as the older couple who owned this set kept the chairs covered in plastic,” Price says. “The table has three leaves that came in their original boxes: they had never been removed.”

 

Behind the dining room table is a vertical piece of artwork by a Brazilian artist, created with tumbling blocks of wood. The two watercolors are by another local Oklahoma artist, a teacher at the University of Oklahoma and a student of Doel Reed. More local art celebrating the richness of life in Oklahoma!

On the right is a 1940s radio cabinet, also designed by the infamous James Mont.

 

Price Connors

Happy Decorating!

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Trudy

 

Time Travel: Antiques in Design

Using antiques to create distinctive interiors for my clients is a longtime signature of Dujardin Design Associates, Inc. Striking, original looks can be achieved by blending old and new, traveling across time to access the most beautiful furniture, accessories, objets d’art, paintings and rugs.I believe that every room has space for something old, a one-of-a-kind treasure that speaks of our shared past. Above, we used a wall hanging composed of 18th century Tibetan Buddhist prayers written on bamboo to bring Far Eastern calm to a contemporary space.


My favorite thing about using antiquesin my interiors? They’re the ultimate in green! Repeatedly recycled over decades, these pieces have been made from old-growth wood, protecting today’s forests, have long ago completed any off-gassing from the finishing process, and slow the resource intensive cycle of new production. Above, contemporary lamps, sconces and tables blend elegantly with an antique German Beidermeier armoire and mirror over the mantle.


There is beauty in contrasts. Rather than trying to achieve a single, monotone look, give your living spaces the dash and dazzle of opposites. In this Nantucket home, we paired a 19th century gilt mirror with 21st century whale art in hand-blown glass by Raven Skyriver.


Just as you might add a fabulous piece of vintage jewelry to complete an outfit, your room can use some jewelry too. The room above is bejeweled with the Tang Dynasty horse on the shelf near the window and the 18th century Chinese cocktail table, along with other priceless Asian artifacts.


I love the look of this marine-encrusted, glazed stoneware storage jar, dating from the 15th-17th centuries and found in the South China Sea.

One way to showcase old pieces is to use them in unusual ways . Here we took an antique rug and hung it on the wall as a stylish piece of art.

Juxtaposing a sleek white bedside table with an elaborately carved antique bed from the West Indies is a beautifully soothing contrast.

Don’t be afraid to use color to enliven an old piece. Unless it’s a priceless treasure, go ahead and paint it, refinish it, change the drawer pulls, and make it your own. Or let it keep its timeworn patina. Either way, it’s a fascinating addition to your living space.

Let your antique collections add fun and a little surprise. These small articulated artists’ models are the whimsical touch that brings this space to unexpected life. Another wonderful thing about antiques is that they add a completely unique look to your home. You won’t find these models available in catalogs or at mass market retail stores.

Ready to go shopping? Don’t miss the The Nantucket Historical Association’s annual Antiques and Design Show, this year from July 29th to August 3rd. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Five New Ideas about Old Things

 

As a design advisor for this year’s Nantucket Historical Association’s annual Antiques and Design Show, I’m excited to both participate with a Dujardin Design tablescape created especially for the event, and to attend to see what the world of antique dealers and designers have to offer this year. I love using antiques in my interiors, both for my clients, and in my own home. These treasured parts of history are beautiful mixed into traditional or more contemporary designs, and as I tell my clients and friends, they are the ultimate in “green!”

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1) Antique furniture can be a beautiful addition to a sustainable lifestyle, as well as a link to the past. Not only do carefully selected pieces add artistry and the patina of age, they help to maintain your home’s indoor air quality. Created with less-toxic products years ago, antiques have long since completed any chemical off gassing.

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2) By restoring and repairing fine furniture, the resource-intensive cycle of endless new production is slowed, as is the fossil-fuel based packaging and delivery system.

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3) Beautiful and sturdy, wood pieces made before the 21st century were constructed with timber with tighter growth rings, which simply doesn’t exist today, enhancing its value as a treasured collectible.

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4) Antiques are recycling at its best. Beloved family pieces, delicate porcelain, fine china and the softly faded colors of aged Oriental rugs do not belong in a landfill. Treasures from another time can be loved and used again. An item that has been passed from home to home and hand to hand brings history to life, and honors the work of artisans who lived long ago.

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5) Antique collections are a very personal expression. I often find that a simple gesture, such as placing an antique tea caddy on a mantel, can inspire my clients to begin a collection of their own. Learning about the subtle differences between artisans, the period of time when an item was made, or the materials that were used to make it, gives us a greater appreciation for life. Whatever you collect, it is unique to you and your home, and cannot be duplicated.

antique scrimshaw poker chips

I encourage you to spend a summer weekend looking for old and rare treasures of your own. Being “green” has never been so much fun!

 

 

Sailor’s Souvenirs and Whirligigs

 

Are you interested in collecting nautical antiques, but aren’t sure where to begin? There are few things as exciting as beginning a new collection, particularly when the items are reminders of love from long ago. Sailors in the 19th century were often away for long periods of time.  It was common practice, then as now, to bring a girlfriend or wife something special when returning home from a long trip. A popular item was a glass rolling pin, often decorated with poetry or artwork. The rolling pin opened on one side so it could be filled with salt, a treasured commodity as a high tax on the preservative made it very expensive until about 1845.

 

Most of the blown glass cylinders came from Liverpool, Bristol, or Nailsea, all known as manufacturers of glassware. Bristol was the best known; I have two Sailor’s Souvenirs of my own from Bristol.  Some of the glass items popular at the time were vases, candlesticks, salt cellars, cups and saucers, and other ornamental items.

 

Nailsea was quite close to Bristol, actually started by a Bristol glassmaker in 1788. Nailsea made many little “fairings” and love-tokens, including the rolling pins. Some people believe the rolling pins were used to smuggle spirits during the strict British Excise laws. Most likely, however, they were filled not only with salt, but also with spices, cocoa or baking powder.

 

To keep the salt dry, the glass rolling pins were often hung by a fireplace. Superstitions abounded in the maritime community, and it was thought that if a rolling pin fell to the floor and broke, that the sailor would either be in a shipwreck or lost to another woman.

 

Another charming folk art collectible is the sailor whirligig.  Because the whirligig depends for its movement on the same principles which propels a weathervane, it is thought that the first whirligigs were made by either farmers or sailors, the groups most concerned with wind direction and a change in the weather.  “Nantucket” or “sailor” whirligigs were popular toys in the 19th century, and the most common form is that of a sailor twirling his paddle arms.

 

Supposedly the whirligig was a child’s toy during a time of strict religious practices. A father would whittle a toy that moved by wind alone to entertain a bored child who was forbidden to play during the day. It’s unclear whether or not this is a true story, but the whirligig today is among the most valued of folk art objects, particularly with its original paint.

 

There are Victorian-era collectibles for any budget, so start searching for some of the beautiful and fascinating items that interest you. Some rolling pins can still be found quite inexpensively; others are rarer and cost more. An interesting source of additional information on folk art and antiques is Jim Linderman’s blog Dull Tool Dim Bulb. Find it here.

Some of these images were found on the internet, and are included under the U.S. Fair Use Law because their inclusion in this post illustrates an educational article. If you are the owner of any image which you believe to be copyrighted, please contact me at info@dujardindesign.com. 

A Deeper Shade of Green at the Philadelphia Antique Show

This year, I was honored to be asked to speak at the prestigious Philadelphia Antique Show, taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from April 28th to May 1.  Although previous commitments meant I had to decline a speaking role, I did submit an article to the Show catalog, describing the link between antiques and ‘green.’  The following is what appears in the catalog. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll go!

(Photo:  This antique German Biedermeier Chest in walnut burl is circa 1820. On top is a hotel silver tea service. Hotel silver was made for the grand hotels in Europe and the United States, and today conveys a reminder of the sumptuous lifestyles of the past.)

Antiques have long been collected for their beauty and their value as historical treasures, but perhaps it is time we look at antiques in an entirely new way. Not only do they add grace and style to my home and the homes of my clients, they are also the ultimate in green design, a personal passion of mine!

I have always been an ardent collector of antiques, and the addition of carefully selected pieces to sophisticated interiors is a recognizable signature of my design style. Sharing my love for classic pieces comes naturally to me.  I find that my clients quickly embrace the elegance of antique furniture, and often become collectors themselves.  Homes are brought to life when old paintings, pieces of porcelain, or folk art add their charming artistry.

No matter how your personal style is expressed, every home has space for antique pieces. Even the sleek lines of a contemporary home can be complemented by eye-catching antique furniture; a room can artfully blend both old and new. A writing desk in the corner, reclaimed barn wood on the floor, or a wing chair handed down through generations can add flair as well as refinement to a home’s interior.

In addition to their beauty, antiques provide a bonus you may not have considered.  As we learn more about how to assess the health of our living quarters, and steps we can take to keep our homes clean and pristine, we should think about the ways antique furniture can be an integral part of a green lifestyle.

(Photo: This is a fabulous collection of treenware dating from the 19th to the 20th Century.  Note the darning egg, and the antique stereoscope–the earliest form of television!  The book displayed is by British treenware master Burt Marsh.)

No Chemical Vapors Are Brought into your Home 

Your home’s interior should be a place of fresh air and health.  Yet any new piece of furniture, cabinetry, flooring, or finished wood has some chemical overtones.  Many fine finishes release vapors in a process called off-gassing. In a closed environment, such as an energy efficient, airtight home, off-gassing can increase indoor air pollution to levels several times higher than those detected outside.   Antiques are a healthier choice than modern furnishings because they were created with less toxic products years ago,  and any off-gassing has long been complete.

 

(Photo: This living room is a showcase for beautiful antique accessories, including a 19th Century ship’s model behind the sofa, and a pair of lamps made from 18th Century Chinese Export porcelain.  A pair of 19th Century British handcarved candlesticks and a 19th Century ship’s captain’s lap desk are on the cocktail table.)

No New Resources are Used 

Every beautiful piece of wooden furniture originated from a tree. Whenever we purchase new wood furniture, unless we choose products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we are contributing to the deforestation of our planet.  In contrast, wooden antiques are products of trees culled long ago from old-growth forests.  No new resources were used in their construction, making their restoration and re-use a green endeavor.  It just makes sense to find a place in our homes for older pieces.

(Photo: This study reflects the long seafaring history of the coast, with a 19th Century ship’s telescope, and a 19th Century ship’s barometer hanging to the right of the window.  Framed antique prints are on the wall, and on the mantle is part of a collection of sea captain doorstops.)

No Negative Environmental Impact is Created 

Beyond the health issues in our homes, we should consider the costs to our planet.  Even the very greenest furniture manufacturers distribute impurities into our air, waste systems, and water.  New furniture requires the production of finishes, dyes, and sealants. Shipping them demands the creation of packing materials, and they arrive in retail stores via large vehicles powered by fossil fuel.  The EPA estimates that three million tons of furniture are taken to landfills every year, only to be replaced with brand new pieces that can carry a large environmental cost.

(Photo: An extremely rare 19th century English scrimshaw tortoiseshell is displayed above the fireplace; on the mantle are several antique lighting devices:  a corkscrew pigtail candlestick complete with hook for hanging over a chair, a rush light holder, and antique binoculars.)

 Antiques Are Recycling at Its Best 

Beloved family pieces, eighteenth-century Philadelphia furniture, and the softly faded colors of aged Oriental rugs do not belong in a landfill.  Treasures from another time can be loved and used again.  A federal mirror that has been passed from home to home and hand to hand brings history to life, and honors the work of artisans who lived long ago.

(Photo: This is a mint condition 18th century British Woolie, The Ship of Bengal, unusual for the ship’s identification as part of the design, and for its display of the British flag.)

Antiques Bring Unique Craftsmanship to a Room 

Rather than purchasing a mass-produced item, treat yourself to something created in a small workshop by a craftsman who made good use of few resources. In previous centuries, home furnishings were made by hand before machine assembled items flooded the marketplace.  Artisans from years gone by had knowledge that largely disappeared during the Industrial Revolution.  Old joining techniques were abandoned in favor of more rapid assembly using staples and nails.  Fiber board was created and the beauty of the wood itself was lost.  Take the time to consider the difference between a finely hand-wrought piece and one processed in a factory.

 

(Photo: This English antique dining table and chairs date from the 16th and 17th Centuries, and are displayed with an 18th Century tapestry and Chinese blue and white porcelain.)

Antiques Have Stood the Test of Time 

Classic pieces are sturdy and well-made, which is why they have lasted. The quality of their wood is usually stronger, created from timber with tighter growth rings, making repair a simple task when necessary. Furniture that is unworthy of a craftsman’s repair time adds to our cycle of wasteful consumption. Your rooms can be filled with the kind of solid, enduring pieces that elevate both your life and your home’s design.

(Photo: This closeup of a Chinese puppy displayed on a modern Lucite block is from the Han Dynasty, circa 206-220 BC.)

Antique Collections Are a Very Personal Expression 

I often find that a simple gesture, such as placing an antique tea caddy on a mantel, can inspire my clients to begin collections of their own.  There is tremendous beauty in items preserved throughout the years, particularly if they illuminate another time and way of life.  Learning about the subtle differences among artisans, the period when an item was created, or the materials that were used to make it, gives us a greater appreciation for life.  Whatever you collect, it is unique to you and your home, and cannot be duplicated.

(Photo: A nautical/maritime collection of whaling logs dating from 1840 offers a fascinating glimpse of the past as you trace the daily activities of a whaling ship.  The whale stamps mark successful captures.)

My personal collections include treenware (hand-carved wooden items used in the home long ago), old hotel silver, blue and white porcelain, and things that speak to me of lives lived on the ocean, including whaling artifacts, scrimshaw carvings, and sailor whirligigs.

(Photo: This 19th Century Chinese-influenced etargere is showing a collection of blue and white porcelain, both Chinese Exportware and Staffordshire English pottery.  Hotel silver has been added for sparkle.)

Remember, It Is Not All Furniture 

You can find antique cabinetry, flooring, doors, beams, posts, mantels, and other architectural pieces. Consider a gorgeous eighteenth-century door to add punch and personality to your entry, or if that is not in your budget, how about antique doorknobs and a doorknocker?  An old mantel delivers instant charm; remilled old timbers bring panache to the pantry. Add the incredible details that your home may be missing.

(Photo: The antique ship’s wheel is from an old Australian ship; the 19th Century ship’s porthole made into a table holds a sextant. A wonderful South Pacific map on the wall was drawn by James Cook, the famous explorer who later became Captain Cook.)

Antiques Add Beauty and Joy to Life 

There is a thrill when you spot the perfect nineteenth-century French farm table, Georgian stand, or double pedestal dining table.  You feel an immediate connection to the Italian walnut commode or a beautiful pair of small paintings.  Antique collectors know that old things have a soul, based on their authenticity.  Whether you fall in love with hand-embroidered vintage textiles, white ironstone pitchers, or a four-door linen press, you can feel good about reducing your footprint on the surface of the earth.

 

 (Photo: Elegance is added to entertaining with this 19th Century French balloon-handled fish service.  The introduction of a seashell is a casual complement to the 19th Century blue and white Staffordshire plate and 18th Century drinking goblet.)