March 8: Sotheby’s Amsterdam Sale
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>Get ready to do some serious drooling – Sotheby’s Amsterdam is delighted to announce that it will offer for sale the core body from the former Peter Stuyvesant Collection, property of British American Tobacco The Netherlands (BAT), on
Monday, March 8, 2010
Viewing March 1-7, 2010 – 10am-7pm
The sale will be an evening event following a week-long exhibition at Sotheby’s in Amsterdam. The works from the collection to be offered for sale are estimated to realize in excess of €4 – 5 million. The core body of the collection has over 163 works fresh on the market by leading artists such as Karel Appel, Manuel Rivera, and Jesus Rafael Soto!
to-sell-the-former-peter-stuyvesant-collection-in-amsterdam.html” target=”_blank”>Art Knowledge News has posted an excellent article with information on the background of this collection – a fascinating story that started as an experiment and resulted in the largest collection of Post War and Contemporary Art ever to come at auction in the Netherlands.
If you’re an arm-chair traveler, don’t worry – the auction catalog is available online, perfect for perusing with a coup de champagne in one hand and the laptop in the other!
Yours,
The Antiques Diva™
Pen Appeal
For today’s diva post, I’m sending you chez elle to read her post on Pen Appeal!
And Ladies, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, take note! An antique or vintage fountain pen (or pen accessories) makes a great “mantique” present for your significant other!
Until next time, happy shopping!
The Antiques Diva™
Diva-scovery: Juliana Antique Textiles
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>In 2009 I wrote I a blog post titled “Buying Notions in Italy” where I shared my passion for tassels, trims, tiebacks, cords and bows. Judging by the amount of emails I got from readers on this topic, my passion for passementerie is a shared one. The French say that passementerie adds that certain “je ne sais quoi” – that little something extra- that puts the finishing touch on a room.
to 10px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvwH5XQicWI/AAAAAAAAD0E/jfFFzysnb9w/s400/Juliana+King.jpg” border=”0″ />When I received an email from Juliana King, the brainchild and beauty behind Juliana’s Antique Textiles, asking for sources in Europe, I knew I had met a kindred spirit & now I bring you today’s Diva-scovery!
Juliana also adores passementeria (as well as antiques) but she’s taken this passion and designed a career for herself! She’s a pillow designer, but she doesn’t just make ANY pillow. Juliana combines antique embroideries and tapestries (and other interesting textiles) then carefully selects from her collection of European metallic “galloon” trims and sews them onto luxurious velvets, making gorgeous pillows fit for a diva!
A Few Diva-licious Pillows from Juliana Antique Textiles:
to 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvwH5uFJtgI/AAAAAAAAD0U/yIxQSRJXJy8/s400/pillow5+(1).jpg” border=”0″ />
15 x 18 – Rare antique European hand embroidered crown appliqué with metallic threading and jewels. Blue topaz velvet hand trimmed with tiny dark gold vintage metallic cording from France. $422
to 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvwI0e2zSZI/AAAAAAAAD00/7PU64LbV–Y/s400/remy3.jpg” border=”0″ />
18 x 18 – Antique gold and silver hand embroidered metallic ecclesiastical appliqué of a pelican feeding her young. Champagne velvet hand trimmed with vintage gold metallic soutache from France. $550
to 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvwH5wG855I/AAAAAAAAD0k/7bFwbmU8kFQ/s400/pillow6.jpg” border=”0″ />
Adele
16 x 16 – Antique French painted tapestry bordered with antique French metallic old gold galloon on creamy velvet and self-corded. $410
Juliana first became interested in textiles on a visit to the Guatemalan markets 17 years ago where she began to appreciate the hours and energy poured into hand-sewn goods. While studying in Spain during her college years, Juliana fell in love with anything European and old. Becoming enchanted by antique European textiles was inevitable!
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvwH5ZTkG3I/AAAAAAAAD0M/fDYt3DDCdzY/s400/juliana+antique+textiles2.jpg” border=”0″ />Juliana is constantly amazed by the incredible precision and workmanship that went into the antique embroideries featured on her pillow fronts. With the utmost of care, she creates one-of-a-kind unique pillows utilizing these pieces. And when a pillow goes from her personal collection into a clients home – adding that final perfect touch, that certain je ne sais quoi – Juliana is thrilled that another precious piece of our past is preserved, living on, garnering the attention and admiration it deserves!
Diva-scovery: Juliana’s Antique Textiles!
Visit Juliana’s website: www.antiquetextilepillows.com
Happy Shopping!
The Antiques Diva™
Think Outside the Decorating Box
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>You might remember a couple months ago I did a blog post on ton-usa-edition.html” target=”_blank”>The Urban Market’s November 8 antiques fair in Houston. On that post I included a picture of a darling wagon, calling it “the Find of the Day” and claiming it would make a sensational, eclectic coffee table for those who are interested in using fun finds in unique and interesting ways as home décor!
to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgGRbdOSI/AAAAAAAADxA/9uf0bJvqBTY/s400/antiques+diva+elle+decor+aug+july+2009.jpg” border=”0″ />Just a few days after posting that picture I stumbled upon a picture in the July/August 2009 Elle Décor magazine featuring a similar wagon just as I described this one’s potential! Needless to say, I had to share it with you to help you visualize how one might turn a wagon into a coffee table!
The text on the feature photo reads:
to 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgG5OqZjI/AAAAAAAADxI/zZpEHc0wBQM/s400/scan0117.jpg” border=”0″ />“The living area of the barn turned guest cottage of Dan MacDonald and Gregg Kaminsky’s Long Island New York retreat, Cow Pond Farm, which was decorated by Kathleen Clements, has vintage photographs and subway sign displayed above a Chesterfield sofa from Mecox Gardens. The pillows are made from old grain sacks and an antique bellman’s car serves as a cocktail table. The rug is by Lauren, Ralph Lauren Home.”
to 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgHX67ldI/AAAAAAAADxg/LXCySWPmEJ8/s400/Diva+Tours+-+Chatou.JPG” border=”0″ />Recently, while at Antiek d’ Eglantier Amsterdam, I stumbled upon these charming potato sacks and think they would go perfect with the décor in the room above!
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgHNIFAyI/AAAAAAAADxY/zix2ZtJF4sE/s400/Diva+Tours.JPG” border=”0″ />Meanwhile I might just use them for a “Do-It-Yourself-Diva” project to make footstools similar to this pair of footstools recovered with La Post bags which I found on my to-join-two-special-antiques.html” target=”_blank”>Fall French Flea Market Extravaganza!
Until next time, think outside the decorating box!
The Antiques Diva ™
Happy New Year!!
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Sx1V_R_R5KI/AAAAAAAAD8U/jshE3sSwLHw/s400/553.JPG” border=”0″ />Last January finds notes scrawled of frantic to-do’s before our move from Amsterdam to Berlin and one day is circled with a giant red heart that reads “Going Away Dinner with IWC Officers” as I remember all the ladies who showed up for my last dinner in Amsterdam before moving. We took over the restaurant in a gaggle of laughter and friendship and fun.
March finds notes on my interview with The Swiss News reminding me to tell the article’s author a few important informational bites, while April is filled with pink ink, writing Parisian notes, as I planned an outing to meet Travel+Leisure. And then there was May in Florence – twice we were in Italy this year and one page is filled with websites listing real estate listings in Italy. ear births and my new agenda is a blank page, I pick up my pen – a red felt tip – and write confidently my plans for the future.
Happy New Years, my readers – may this year shower you in all good things and blessings.
Merry Christmas!!
to 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Sx1S9-tGVCI/AAAAAAAAD7c/SnIdx2KXsiY/s400/victorian-christmas-postcard.jpg” border=”0″ />Have a Happy Holiday!
Merry Christmas,
The Antiques Diva™
DALLAS or Bust!
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>This December finds me dashing through the snow back home to Oklahoma to spend time with friends and family for the holiday season! In addition to stopping off in New York City to visit a friend and do some whirlwind Christmas shopping – this leads to me to ponder, “Is it still Christmas shopping if all the shopping I do is for myself?” – I’m also taking a few days to do the Diva Loca in Dallas!!! Although I grew up in Oklahoma, a stones throw away from Texas, I rarely crossed the border. So when it came to shopping in Dallas I didn’t have a huge repertoire of addresses on file.
Victorian Cobweb came to the rescue, posting some toriancobweb.blogspot.com/2009/11/girls-trip-to-dallas-tips.html” target=”_blank”>great antique shopping resources! Thanks Victorian Cobweb!
To read Victorian Cobweb’s Dallas Antique Shopping tips – toriancobweb.blogspot.com/2009/11/girls-trip-to-dallas-tips.html” target=”_blank”>click here!
Have a Happy Holiday Season,
The Antiques Diva™
PS: As always, Diva Tours is closed during December & January! We’ve some great antique shopping tours planned for Spring 2010 – email toma@antiquesdiva.com for details.
A Green Christmas
Katie promises, “All of it is based on not changing the meaning of your holidays or the things you do. It’s about rethinking and creating even cooler (greener!) solutions to bring your family together.”
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SxjIlD6a1II/AAAAAAAAD40/1zVTn5sRrAM/s400/katiesbook.jpg” border=”0″ />What this book will help you with this holiday season:
~ Repurposing & creating beautiful wrapping paper without purchasing brand new materials
~ Sending beautiful, eco-savvy cards and invitations
~ Hosting greener parties (while spending far less!)
~ Designing truly appreciated personal gifts that won’t break the bank or Mother Earth
~ Really, truly appreciating the greenest Christmas tree… and discovering if you’ve already got it
~ Decorating like an eco-diva – from handmade ornaments to updated decor and treasured keepsakes
~ Adding “green” to your yummy with simple tricks to green your baking
~ Wrapping up the holidays – from what to do with used cards to how to send the most beloved (cheap! green!) thank you notes
~ Spending less and embracing more
Purchase A Green Christmas here.
The book is organized by chapter and subchapter for quick and easy reading. Katie’s included pictures from her apartment, including a sneak peek at her solution to a Christmas tree! She also included an entire section of tutorials for crafts and computer tricks to make your holidays greener. The book is 37 pages long. For those of you who haven’t picked up your copy of A Green Christmas, there’s still plenty of time. The 37-page book includes a table of contents, a strong flow of content, and easy to follow instructions – all for $10.95.
Have a Green Christmas,
The Antiques Diva™
(seen right Chez Diva with Katie)
Plundering
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvLWbxUEv_I/AAAAAAAADu4/orhlVTZfwDo/s400/plundering.jpg” border=”0″ />On that note, dear Diva Readers, Happy Plundering!
The Antiques Diva™
Last Minute Diva: Amsterdam Art Opening and “Must Buy” Book!
Dear Diva Readers,
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>From time to time, I feel compelled to get off the antiques route and take in some additional European scenery. Today’s divergence is taking us down the “Fietspad”– that is, Dutch for “Bike Path”! I simply had to write today to tell you about a new book, Bicycle Mania, written by my good friend Shirley Agudo. And while bicycling might seem like a stretch for an antique shopping website to cover, it’s not as big of a leap in the imagination as you might imagine!
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Svvcxrm93RI/AAAAAAAADzs/QXRXLVr-4-8/s400/Antiques+Diva.jpg” border=”0″ />In addition to covering antiques, I often write about home décor and art galleries and that’s where Agudo comes in! Not only is Agudo a talented writer, but she is also a photographer with her art work appearing currently in an Amsterdam art gallery! From Nov 7-Dec 5 you can view Agudo’s current series at tographs/Contact.html” target=”_blank”>Eduard Planting’s Fine Art Photographs. Better yet, Meet the Artist this Saturday, November 14th from 4pm-6pm!
Eduard Planting Fine Art Photographs
Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 2 links
1016 KS Amsterdam
The Netherlands
I’m looking so forward to the launch of Shirley Agudo’s book Bicycle Mania – I’ll be driving from Berlin into Amsterdam for the weekend to see this special art exhibit & to attend the Book Launch Party!
To whet your appetite, why don’t you tographs/Bicycle_Mania.html#2″ target=”_blank”>visit Eduard’s website to see a sensational selection of Agudos work (and while you’re there why don’t you check out what else is on in Eduard’s Gallery!?).
A publicity email I received with information on the book launch reads:
“The Dutch are bicycle crazy. Nowhere else in the world is bicycling so ingrained in the culture as it is in the Netherlands. Never before has anyone captured its essence quite like American photographer and author Shirley Agudo, a long-time resident of Holland.
Depicted in this enlightening and amusing book are young, old and even NAKED cyclists in a country with more bicycles than inhabitants, transporting ‘anything and everything’ on their bikes – from tables and mattresses to four or five children and the family dog.
Shirley and contributing photographers Trevor Waldron, Ben Deiman and Max Rubenacker take us along some of the 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) of bike paths and into the heart of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities to show us how pervasive, practical and incredible the Dutch cycling culture really is.
It’s all here – the history, the infrastructure, the mentality and the global reputation of a culture gone completely mad about bikes.”
Until Next Time, Happy Trails!
The Antiques Diva™
(seen right peddling my way in the Dutch countryside)
