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Mid Century Side Tables

By Lane McNab on April 1, 2013

I’m back from an amazing getaway with my two cousins Kelsey and Meredith over the weekend. We went to Napa and did it up right–I need to detox after all the good food and wine. If you follow me on Instagram you saw the pictures of our trip but I’ll do a post soon to share more details. It was special for us for just having a girls getaway but also more than that as it was a very special place for Kelsey and James so we enjoyed toasting him and remembering the good times with him.

Onto other things for tonight though. I hope everyone had a good Passover or Easter or beginning of spring and if you are home with your kids on spring break–I feel ya. We had a rainy start to our vacation week and I was pulling out every craft I could think of this morning. The rain stopped after lunch and tomorrow should be nice so we are getting out of the house for sure. I may be posting less this week because I really do want to spend some time with these guys while they are home.

Last week I mentioned I was working on stuff for the upcoming flea market. I will have a much smaller inventory than usual but I did find these two mid century side tables:

For some reason I only photographed one but there are two. I hated the finish on them and the veneer was in pretty bad shape on one side but I loved the lines, the brass feet, and the drawer. I thought I could refinish them to more of a walnut color but the veneer was really thin and wouldn’t take any sanding. So plan B was paint them. I don’t usually like painted mid century pieces–especially when they are painted to try to turn them into something they aren’t–so instead of my usual ASCP I decided on a high gloss black, but only on the outside:

I think it really brings out the brass and the detail on the drawer. These could be so cool in the right space. I’ll have them for sale this weekend barring the rain that’s been forecast.

How was your weekend?

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Flea Market Antique Faire Coming Up

By Lane McNab on March 22, 2013

I mentioned yesterday that Camille, Wendy and I are selling at the Alameda Antiques Faire again next month–It’s actually 2 weeks away and I am so unprepared! Usually at this point I have several large projects like dressers and buffets waiting to be sold but right now, I’m pretty cleaned out. I have several little things but no large furniture pieces.

Part of that is by design. I’ve gotten a little tired of moving all of those large pieces and nothing is more depressing than having to put unsold large items back on the truck at the end of the day.

But, I do want to have some fun, functional pieces to sell so the other day I found this well made, solid vintage cabinet at a salvage yard:

I had some green glass knobs left over from another project so I decided to use those and set them off with ASCP Graphite:

And I decided to go with something bright and summery as a surprise for the inside:

I used ASCP Florence and Antibes Green inside. It’s a departure for me and really plays off the knobs. I would love to see this cabinet over a buffet or in a kitchen setting off someone’s collection of ironware or white porcelain. It would also make a nice hutch sitting on a desk for extra storage.

And the little parrot pitcher will be for sale too! Couldn’t pass him up.

I hope to get to some other projects this weekend and next week and show them to you as I can. I have a table to strip and repaint which I hope to get done this weekend.

And tomorrow John and I are going to an 80s themed fundraiser at the boys’ school. I am borrowing some tutus from Becky’s daycare and wearing some black leggings and going with a Cyndi Lauper themed interpretation. I went to get accessories today at H&M and could not believe how everything in the store was 80s: neon, ripped t-shirts, shoulder pads, zippered jeans, etc. I truly thought most of that style would never come back, but what do I know!

And lastly, I finally got my Facebook page up and running so please be sure to sign up to follow me if you are on FB. Would love to connect!

Have a great weekend!!!

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Client Sneak Peek: Living Room Before and After

By Lane McNab on February 25, 2013

For a lot of my clients who are new to using a designer, the transformation is a slow process. Also, a lot of people want to have a general plan that they can implement over time as money becomes available. That’s actually how we do it in our family most of the time too unless it’s a big construction project.

I’ve been really excited about a couple’s beautiful downtown Oakland Victorian condo that I’ve been working with them on since late summer/early fall. We have been ordering furniture and fabric and getting things framed and it’s starting to come together. We’ve been focusing on the living room but the rest of the house is starting to get transformed as well. Although we are still awaiting several items in the LR, here’s a sneak peek of their sofa area.

First the Before (aren’t the windows gorgeous?):

And now the After:

We still need lamps, some more throw pillows and accessories over here but I wanted to show off this beautiful sofa. The large nailhead trim is killing it for me as well as the upholstered back and soft lines. These ladies have fantastic taste and I would describe their style as hip/antique/global. You can’t see it but on the other side of the room are two mid-century chairs and a beautiful tansu.

And you can see which coffee table they went with from my previous post and I think it was the perfect choice. Such a nice combination of wood and metal to go with the vintage typewriter side tables. I also applaud their bravery in following my recommendation to go with this antique Persian rug. The color and wear in it adds so much warmth and texture.

And the gallery wall was a very important piece of the puzzle for them as they have many photographs of friends, ancestors, relatives, etc. I love the history and personality it adds to their very social space.

Also, one partner in the couple just returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands and brought back the adorable little carved turtle. Such a great accessory!

Thanks for stopping by and happy Monday!

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Obsessed

By Lane McNab on January 26, 2013

So as part of my resolution to share more on the blog (you didn’t know I made that resolution because I didn’t share it! Dammit!) I’m about to detail (confess?) a weird obsessive phase I routinely go through. I’ll call it my Ebay Spiral…

Several years ago I became obsessed with finding oriental rugs on ebay. This was way before I started a blog–this was like 2007. I didn’t actually buy any, I just spent hours each night searching ebay for perfectly imperfect vintage oriental rugs. I had dozens lined up in my watch list and eventually I did buy one or two small ones (which I later sold–buyer’s remorse?) but mostly just wasted a lot of time looking at oriental rugs. One could argue that I was researching (for what, I’m not sure) or adding to my designer knowledge and education but really I don’t know what I was doing. I did learn some of the lingo and can recognize a caucasian vs a kilim vs a persian, etc and I learned a little about wool quality, but really I was just obsessing. That lasted about 8 months and then I dropped it like a hot potato.

Next I got really obsessed with finding charcoal sketches, mostly of female nudes, on ebay. That was actually a bit productive as I acquired one of my favorite art pieces in our house (the one in our master bath) from 1929:

After that I continued with my art phase and searched for watercolor portraits and then oil paintings of abstract horses (I know, weirdly specific–I never found what I was looking for with that one. If I don’t find exactly what I’m looking for I don’t buy anything which may be a good thing but also means I have lost hours of time with nothing to show for it!). Then it was abstract or primitive sculptures of horses (another bust) and that brings me to my latest obsession.

For almost a year now I have been stalking brass animal sculptures on ebay. I think it started with the awesome parrot I got for my client’s apartment last year:

I have yet to buy one on ebay (although I bought one at the flea market last month) but I really covet them! Again, it is weirdly specific: They can’t be too literal (usually–although sometimes this is a plus). They have to be vintage–mid century is usually the best although the 1970′s provided some awesome examples. Not mounted on anything (usually, although I have seen some cool lucite bases with some). And they have to be animals.

I was just doing one of my ebay searches and I came up with some awesome ones:

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.26.50 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Owl-sculpture-/281053287964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417014d61c

OK, this owl is super literal and super adorable. I want him for my living room!

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.38.30 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Sculpture-of-a-Fawn-Large-/261160329779?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cce5e6233

I love this sweet little fawn. How cute for a little girl’s room!

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.24.38 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ALL-BRASS-2-DEERS-FIGURES-SCULPTURE-/350698114653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a73c8e5d

I know, this is really literal too but it’s not over the top. I’m thinking of the ones you see of horses stampeding or dolphins leaping. If you want dolphins, there are a ton of those by the way. Brass dolphins must have been huge at some point. There are also a LOT of phalluses. I’m not kidding–brass phalluses.

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.28.24 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Solid-Brass-Buffalo-Bison-Sculpture-/310573884467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484fa56433

There are also a lot of really dramatic brass bulls. I think they were a big thing for Gordon Gecko types in the 80s (representing the stock market and all). But I like this little guy because he’s actually a bison and he’s kind of folk art looking.

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.30.16 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-large-Brass-Male-Camel-Figure-Figurine-Statue-Sculpture-3kg-/271143987679?pt=AU_Decorative_Arts_Homewares&hash=item3f2170e9df

And I’m totally in love with this ginormous camel! I love him! I love that he loves champagne too.

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.34.44 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Elephant-Sculpture-/380544485133?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589a38070d

At first I did not know what this was which made me like it even more. A cute little funny weird elephant. I also have a thing for elephants…

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.39.53 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cowboy-Decor-vintage-27-1-4-brass-sculpture-Longhorn-Steer-head-skull-bull-cow-/200884669172?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec5a8caf4

Combining two things I love: brass and animal skulls! It’s a win/win. This could work in somebody’s house…I just have to buy this, meet them and then give it to them…

Screen shot 2013 01 25 at 3.35.57 PM Obsessed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WONDERFUL-HUGE-HEAVY-BRASS-PENGUIN-MID-CENTURY-SCULPTURE-HOLLYWOOD-REGENCY-/350701263015?pt=Art_Sculpture&hash=item51a76c98a7

I know, it’s very literal and life-like–but it’s a penguin! And it’s huge! I did not know penguins had such crazy claws. Don’t they just have webbing? That looks like a dragon’s feet…

As I mentioned, I bought one of these brass beauties at the Alameda Antiques Faire last month. I gave it to John for his office because he really wanted the one I gave to my client (which really is the best one I’ve seen so far) and this is to kind of make up for that. I’ve actually moved it to the living room and I do like him here:

I just may have to get one or two more to move around the house. I wouldn’t want this guy to get lonely…

Brass animals? What do you think?

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Little Bench: Before and After

By Lane McNab on July 19, 2012

Several months ago I found this little upholstered bench at an estate sale. It was really cute and good quality but very dated:

You can see below it has that terrible faux finishing technique that was so popular in the sixties and seventies with the speckling. Most pieces I find with this are antique reproductions of a high quality so there must have been something to that kind of finish that was very “in” at the time…

The upholstery was actually in good condition and high quality velvet but the gold color of it with the antique white and the gilding screamed early 70s boudoir. I was basically dreading having to reupholster it so I stuck it in our storage shed all winter. Then, today when I brought it out, I realized it wasn’t really gold velvet, it was mustard yellow, it just needed a peacock blue to accent it the right way…

I used ASCP Aubusson Blue with a dark wax to give it that darker peacock blue tone. I left a little of the gilding for two reasons: First, I liked it. And second, it made painting up next to the upholstery so much easier. I basically didn’t have to paint right up next to the piping because the line of gilding made a little buffer.

This little bench has such great lines. And the upholstery has a ton of tufting.

Great carved details too.

This little bench will be going to the flea market along with all the other pieces from my recent posts. I had been thinking I wouldn’t take it because I had decided I just didn’t like it–but now I think it’s one of my favorites! The colors and style are so out of my usual box but I guess it’s good to push yourself now and again.

Also, before you think I traveled to Venice and took photos in a crumbling palazzo, I’m actually in the middle of replastering my living room walls. I can only do it in bits and pieces when the kids are out or sleeping so who knows how long I will have to put up with my living room in a shambles. Sometimes I just get a bee in my bonnet though and have to start doing something. Anyway, I thought the crumbling plaster fit the feel of the bench–sort of faded European nobility or something. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Downton Abbey…

Thanks for stopping by!

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Antique Door Turned…

By Lane McNab on July 14, 2012

Chalkboard and coat-rack!

You may remember a few weeks ago I was stumped as to what to do with an antique door I had found in our yard. It was one of the original doors to our house and had been exposed to the elements so long the center panel had rotted out. Here is the before picture:

Thanks to everyone who posted such great suggestions on what to do with it! I went with the chalkboard idea mostly because I decided to sell it at the flea market and I wanted to keep it simple. Thanks to Camille at The Vintique Object for guidance on what materials to use for it (hard board).

I cleaned the whole thing up really well and then warmed up the wood with some wax. Also. I was able to find these antique brass hooks and attached them to the sides to add interest and more function.

I think would be so cute in somebody’s entryway with a little bench at the bottom and some baskets for shoes, etc.

The bag hanging on the hook was another find–a vintage woven market bag. That will be going to the flea market as well.

Sorry for being off the blogging radar this week. John was out of town, Becky has had a really bad stomach bug, and something beyond my technical skills was going on with the formatting on the blog. Thankfully my IT guy returned and I think we are getting back to normal.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Vintage Mirror

By Lane McNab on July 2, 2012

Here’s another project I worked on over the weekend for the flea market in August–a salvage store vintage mirror. The before wasn’t too bad but it had that speckled finish that drives me crazy and immediately dates a piece.

And here are the afters:

I’m running out of room to showcase things now so I had to hang this one in Becky’s room. It’s pretty large and would be more appropriate over a mantle or large dresser.

Here’s a detail of the paint. I used ASCP Old White with a new color called Florence underneath. I did tweak Florence a little with some Graphite…

Also, you may have noticed the website is changing a bit. A very talented graphic designer designed a logo for me (as a favor to John! I am forever grateful! Free interior design advice? Refinish some furniture for him?) and I am in the process of getting all the kinks with the current blog ironed out but it may take a while. I know the only way to leave comments is to click on the individual post and then find the comment form. Also, I have a lot of catching up to do with filling up my other pages. Thanks in advance for your patience!

And thanks for stopping by!

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Vintage Door Knocker

By Lane McNab on May 22, 2012

I found this little stag door knocker in London last month and have finally gotten around to hanging it:

It was too small to go on an exterior door (nevermind that our front door is all glass anyway) so it now hangs on our guest bedroom door.

John is a total Game of Thrones geek (I mean that lovingly) and he says it is very House Baratheon…So sad that I totally get what he’s talking about. I do like how it adds an interesting detail to the room as well as to the hallway now. Plus I obviously have a thing for deerheads/antlers since they are in several rooms in the house.

Now I am picturing different vintage doorknockers on other bedroom and bathroom doors in the house. Perhaps this is a new collection starting…

What are some little interesting details you have around the house? Is there something you like to collect?

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Poker Chairs

By Lane McNab on April 19, 2012

Sometimes I find an antique and I like it but when I find out about its history, I like it that much more. There’s something about knowing an object’s provenance that makes it go from good to must-have. Yesterday I was out scavenging at my favorite salvage places and found these chairs for my bachelor client. I was wanting something in the room that was more traditional to create a more eclectic/collected look. The chairs are antiques from an old gentleman’s poker club that had been around for decades–probably since before prohibition.

They originally had caned seats but those had been replaced some time ago and I plan to just put cushions on them. My favorite part is the wear on the arms of the chairs. I can just picture poker players smoking cigars and leaning on the arms of the chairs while they think about their next move:

They also still have their original paint…

And the carving on the backs is so pretty too. The cutouts on the backs were used as handles so chairs could be moved around quickly. They also have brass rings on the back that were used to hang them on the walls for easy storage.

I bought four of these but I’m secretly hoping my client will only need two of them and I can keep the other two for my house. I’d love to replace the caning someday and stain it like the oak peaking through the paint…

My client’s apartment is quite small so there’s a good chance he won’t need all four of them. With the mid-century Eames chair, the clean-lined Madmen style sofa, the oriental rug and now these poker chairs, I’m looking forward to getting it all in the space and seeing how it works together. I also bought a small dining table that will double as a desk but that piece needs some love before it will be camera ready : )

Thanks for stopping by!

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Entryway Update

By Lane McNab on April 17, 2012

I just can’t seem to leave our foyer alone! I am always tweaking it–actually, I think I am always tweaking every room. But here are some little updates that I have been doing:

First, I changed out the rug. The old one had bothered me since I painted the walls last year. It went from Ralph Lauren Barn Owl White to BM Winter White. I also painted the door black from white at the same time and added the ceiling medallion and the vintage lantern. This rug works so much better with the paint color and floors too.

Here’s the old one:

And new one:

The new rug is actually a very old one. It had been in John’s family for a while and although the top side is a bit worn and not as pretty, I used the old textile trick of showing the reverse and it looks so nice with the orange in the floors.

Also, Camille from The Vintique Object had a post recently about an entryway redo where she hung DIY chalkboards for the kids. It’s a great way to leave them little reminders before they head out the door. I used that idea for the window and hooks I was already using for the kids. I just painted the window panes with chalkboard paint:

(I was not trying to be artsy with these pictures–it is just an impossible angle to photograph with the stairs). The chalkboard paint definitely takes this project up a notch. The baskets below the hooks have been a great way to catch all the little things that go in and out.

A side note: I recommend either removing the glass entirely from the window and replacing it with particle board or at least taping the back of it with duct tape if you are at all worried about overly-enthusiastic coat hanging and chalkboard writing. I think I will replace it in this project before the kids are actually big enough to reach it and start to write on it themselves.

And an update on my client’s bachelor pad: We painted last week and it looks fantastic. Still waiting on the sofa and several other pieces to arrive but I hope to be able to post final pics in mid May.

One more thing: I am going to London (!) next week–by myself–to visit my cousin and her family and would love any recommendations of must see shops/restaurants. Can’t believe I am actually taking this trip…

Thanks for stopping by!

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