Posts in category Holidays & Seasons

Antique Accessories ~ Great Father’s Day Gifts!

June 13, 2011 3 Comments Written by Inessa Stewart

Each Father’s Day everybody scurries about, scouring the stores for that special gift to honor their father, and the best way to do it is to give him an instant heirloom ~ an antique accessory for his office or study. You can find a great selection of antique inkwells, boxes, clocks, trophies, bookends and other wonderful antique gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime.

The perfect accent for the worldly gentleman, this antique globe was created at a time when the wealthy cruised about the world in luxurious ocean liners, and conversed about their travels with the aid of this mapped representation of the world as it was known then. Cast iron tripod base. Great on the desk or in the bookcase!
France, circa turn of the century.

Ideal for a gentleman’s bibliotheque, this pair of antique andirons have now been pressed into service as bookends. Finely cast from solid bronze, they feature a bas relief bust of Bacchus.
France, circa 1880s.

It was common practice in 19th century Europe to make antique trophies that could be placed in the bookcase, atop the mantel or on the desk from one’s hunting exploits, rather than the more common practice today of mounting on wall plaques. This antique Renaissance style trophy, cleverly designed to be removable for cleaning, it is obviously the product of truly talented artisans!
France, Circa 1850’s.

Boasting its original bronzed finish, this antique Empire style inkwell makes the ultimate desktop accessory, and depicts the impatient Napoleon, apparently waiting for the writer to finish his piece! Dark green marble base. France, circa 1890s.

This Second Empire mantel clock features a black patinaed finish with gold highlights that blends perfectly with the beveled and footed slate base. Brass Roman numerals and hands. A perfect enhancement on the mantel, shelf or buffet of your favorite room.
France, circa 1870s.

This mounted warrior, in full battle regalia of a Renaissance style, was cast in terra cotta and hand painted to perfection. Ready to grace any surface in your masculine decor, it has been carefully detailed by hand for surprising realism and historic accuracy.
Germany, circa 1890s.

and from everyone at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques & Interiors~

The High Point of our Springtime

April 28, 2011 Leave a Comment Written by Inessa Stewart

with each buying trip we never know what kind of finds and treasures we will unearth or what kind of adventure we will encounter, or what weather we will experience.

This trip to High Point we packed our coats, sweaters, umbrellas, sunglasses, summer shirts and tops. The temperatures fluctuated wildly from 35 – 85 degrees

during the week. On one hand there were bright sunny days but on the other, rain, hail and hurricane force winds.
Monday morning, the night of the big storm, we were awakened at 4am by emergency lights in our hotel room.

We were staying on floor 15 at a 28 story Sheraton Hotel and winds up to 80 mph knocked out the power. Armed with a flashlight and our I-Phones we walked down 15 flights, then Googled and used the GPS App to get to the nearest Starbucks, where we got breakfast and good coffee while the storm abated. Then, we were on our way only a few minutes later than planned – isn’t technology great!

Country French Sofa with Grain Sack Pillows

On every trip no matter what is the obstacle, it’s the excitement and enthusiasm that keeps us going.
We were not surprised to see that classic design and good quality remain in style, which is what we look for in new home furnishings and accessories. Naturally the timeless Country French look was everywhere. Of course the new has to stand toe to toe against the quality of our French and Italian antique collection, which is no easy feat.
Much of the new furniture we now carry is bench-made in the traditional manner just like antique furniture was made in days of old. As such, it can take six to eight months to arrive. You can’t rush quality. As I write this, we are just now receiving furnishings ordered in April and October 2010.
But as we all know ~ good thing come to those who wait!