Antiquing on eBay

I don't know what made me think of it, but I looked around and realized that a fair portion of my decor was found on eBay. 

The top five antique prints were from eBay

Almost every room in my house has something from eBay. I was an eBay junkie 15 years ago. I was amazed at how much people would spend to buy collectibles that I had had packed up for years. In turn, I began snapping up interesting Asian antique textiles.

It has been my go to choice for specific antiques ever since.

A few years ago I finally figured out that I could narrow my results by mileage from a zip code. That helped me with my first eBay furniture purchase, the end tables and coffee table in my living room.

I get so excited when I get a real bargain too. This Brunschwig "Le Lac" fabric was an eBay score along with the Brunschwig " Les plaisirs des Indochines" that is on my dining room chairs.

 

 

Buying furniture on eBay is not for the faint of heart. I recently bought my desk on eBay and picked it up locally which dodges some of the problems with buying online.

My desk a local eBay purchase

These chairs were an eBay nightmare. They were a little unusual and that is why I liked them but they were upholstered in a red fabric with huge dragonflies. The idea was to have them reupholstered but thanks to Greyhound shipping literally throwing the chairs, I had a bigger problem on my hands.

Luckily, I had just found a furniture repairer that was excellent. I have not had the nerve to try it again.

I have had better luck with antique lighting

and rugs

 

 

With the exception of one overseas,unscrupulous art dealer, I have had great luck with buying art on eBay too.

 

Over the years, eBay has become a safer place to buy but you still need to do your checking into seller ratings and trust your gut.

Do you eBay?

Chinoiserie shopping

A little post about "the many that got away" by Beth over at Chinoiserie Chic got me thinking and wondering what goodies could be had on eBay right now.

This stork patterned bowl is currently less than $30 HERE

It would be a lovely way to corral jewelry.

Ooh! Too bad there are not a pair of these. The auction ends Sunday evening but it has no bids and might be relisted HERE

The photography is not so great on this darling table with removable trays but its sort of local to me. Hmmmm. See it HERE

Well its not exactly Chinoiserie but my parents had one just like it in red and given the resurgence of the bar cart we all need a new/old ice bucket. HERE

Um, could you die over this fabric. Seriously! Its pink. Its chinoiserie. Its really freakin' expensive.
Ten fabulous yards of this Clarence House fabric, New Vase is listed for $1299.99 HERE

I forgot to mention in my last post that I am having a 15% off summer sale on Etsy. I have paintings taking over and I need to make room. Use the code SUMMERSALE25. It is good for commissions too just because I love doing them.
I also have prints on Fine Art America and using the code KUFYFG also get 15% off and I can add any other paintings on request.

Evolution of a living room

One of a pair of mid century Duncan Phyfe style tables

When I bought this house I was sure that I would paint my living room a deep, slightly orange red, just like my last house. I thought I would reuse every bit of furniture in the same way too.
The way it came together surprised me and I only have one thing left to do.

I kept the Duncan Phyfe tables and this wonderful settee. I found that the light was vastly different and my stodgy style was evolving and classics could include modern pieces.

I played with different ideas in my head and settled on Sherwin-Williams Faint Coral, a barely there pink, as the wall color. This color doesn't like having its picture taken. Most of my living room photos look like the walls are beige.

I played with different art work and furniture arrangements, but the layout is tough. There is a very large opening to the entry way and a large set of arches perpendicular to that leading into the dining room.

Here are the things that led to my living room as it is today.

While I was in Culpeper, Va  at Georgie Mae's buying those terrific chairs for my dining room I found something that really took the room in the feminine direction that I was aiming for and it was a huge departure from things I normally like and it surprised even me.

I absolutely had to switch out the lighting. 

There was one of those brushed nickel "boobs" in the living room. I replaced it with  this antique chandelier...

 that I got on eBay for just $250. Those are big box store prices !

Next I bought these chairs,

here you see them reupholstered and repaired after a 5 month battle with the shipping company, which doubled their cost ! :(

Harummpf!

Next, I bought more chairs...

at a price that would have me in divorce court if my husband knew.

 Don't judge, it was my own money.

All the while my windows had stupid mini blinds.

I worked in a drapery workroom for awhile and know how to make drapes myself but I just don't have the time or proper setup to "board" the drapes and make them properly, especially with a toddler about.

I bought ready mades and some trim. Read about it HERE.

I wanted Lucite rods but settled for an enormously more cost effective choice.

I snagged the brass-look rods and Lucite finials at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a reasonable price.

Around the same time, I ran into my local Salvation Army and fond this Korean chest for $15.

It serves as a table between the chairs that I, now love to sit in. They are so comfy.
The mirror got propped there and actually works. It reflects the back of the Korean chest that is covered with writing.

Let's talk about the art work.

Above the Bombe chest I have this abstract.

It is one of the few pieces of art that I have not tired of. 

Over the sofa I had this piece by Jenny of MFAMB fame.

I like it but it wasn't doing it for me in the room as a result Helen's room is shaping up nicely for a 3 year-old.

I ended up with a painting that my husband loves and one that came from being in an enormously happy place.

He calls it "ED" The title is "Hatching a charmed life"
It is oddly very difficult to photograph.

Next is an antique, French impressionist painting that I bought for less than $30 on eBay.

I really love it. The frame is new.

I have all sorts of accessories that mean something to me.

 
The room is full of high and low but almost everything was a bargain like these $15 lamps from Walmart.

Coffee table must go

I totally love the black velvet bolsters I had made

This is pretty much the way it is now.
I know the rug is too small but I love it. The colors are perfect and it was my grandmother's.
The one thing that I hate is the coffee table.
Six years ago I was looking for the Duncan Phyfe style end tables and found an eBay seller locally that had some but they came with the coffee table. I had not even thought about the coffee table situation for my, then new, house so I took it figuring I'd deal with it later.
Well guys, its later and I can't make up my mind on anything.
 There are too many tables that I love.
One of these days I hope to do a gleeful post on my new gorgeous coffee table.

I am happy with the room so far.
What do you think?

50 shades of green

Queen's green or Princess green china

Nothing titillating here. I have been wondering why I have so much green china and just bought more. I don't like green all that much unless it is in plant form.

Several years ago I bought this Varages French Country set of plates at a yard sale. I was majorly into French country style at the time but it has a lot of green.

I haven't seen this since I packed it up 2 1/2 years ago for my kids when they move out

The reason is that I inherited all this china.

I love the Princess green formal china ( first photo) that my great-grandmother received for her 1920 wedding mostly because it is simple and because I already have it.

Metlox California Ivy

My grandmother used this more casual California Ivy pattern for both holidays and less formal family dinners. It has grown on me. Sorry, I love a silly pun.

I have her dinner and salad plates along with a few serving pieces. 

I recently saw some at my local Salvation Army store and though it was overpriced until I got home and checked out what was on eBay and realized that it is a mid-century collectible.

I search on eBay every so often just to see what is out there.

 Last week, I got these pieces for $40.. a steal!

I have a few of the platters but was thrilled to get the pitcher and that darling little divided dish in the center. I actually use the pieces that I have but never seem to have enough serving pieces.

Now I do even if it is green.

In my next life I think I want this...

Mottahedeh Tobacco Leaf

it makes me weak kneed. It might even work with the Princess Green china.
 I wouldn't kick this out of the dining room either.

Motttahedeh Red Dragon

Do you like your china? What pattern is it?

Blue and white confession

I have a confession to make... (sounds like a line from a '70s family sitcom)

I have a long held obsession with blue and white porcelain.

The photo above shows my entry hall which, in my opinion, does not contain nearly enough blue and white.

I have some that was my great great grandmother's and a few new pieces but I am itching for more.

In a effort to affordably find more I went first to eBay and then Etsy.

I urge you to try this search, just type "blue and white" after clicking the vintage modifier in the drop down menu of Etsy's search box.

It turns up some very interesting results.

This mid-century bowl is just plain cute but not what I was after.

Nice but I already have lots of plates.

Lovely but I have a more extensive set in Czech porcelain.

 Hmmm. I have a cow creamer but it is all white. No, no one is enough.

Yes, this is right but at $400 it was a bit more than I want to spend.

Starting to think that I'll only find crap for for a few dollars.

This painting is charming.

I should mention that I have a thing for boxes too.

This one is $55. I am still on the fence about it.

I am now bidding on these on eBay.

They seem to fit the bill.

 Sorry I forgot to link to everything. If there is something you must have email me and I'll do my best to find it for you.