Christie Antiques Show Wrap Up

Since I didn't make it to the Christie Antiques Show this past spring, I sure wasn't going to miss the fall show as well. I got up bright and early, hoping to be one of the first on the field, since I was determined to find myself a pair of bamboo bedside tables. Ha! Arriving slightly behind schedule at 8:15 am, there were already hundreds of people ahead of me. Undaunted, I started to wildly zigzag through booths, heading for the back of the field before it was picked over (as per a tip from Eddie Ross). With my first purchase in the bag by 8:30, I decided to take a more methodical approach to covering the field, quickly snaking up and down each aisle, stopping only at booths with furniture. After a total once over (not finding my faux bamboo tables), it was time to slow down and soak it all in. I spent several more hours leisurely combing through every booth, until my cash was completely depleted. Here are the spoils of the day:

There are two Christie purchases in this photo.
Can you spot them?

My first purchase was this pair of
art deco brass book ends which I scored for $25:

The vintage book ends have a lovely hint of patina:

My second find was a small porcelain Rosenthal vase
with a graphic gold pattern (a $30 impulse splurge):

Although I don't know the true value,

I found a similar vase on ebay for $115:

My big purchase ($200 bucks!) was this smoked glass
coffee table with bent wood base:

It could be a 1970's "Falcon" coffee table, which was
designed by Sigurd Russel for Vatne Mobler.
(I think I may have the base upside down here):

Not sure what type of wood the base is made from,
but there are 20 layers of thin strips:

After so many hours of walking and shopping,
I relaxed with a snack under a nearby tree.

I'm glad to have had such a beautiful day for the trip to the Christie Antiques Show. I even came home with one free item: a sunburn! Next time I'll remember the sunscreen and a little more cash:-)

Bonus Gift

In my family, the adults draw names in order to reduce the stress caused by overspending and overshopping. But this year, my Mom and I decided that we would get each other a little extra something, since it would be just the two of us at home on Christmas Day.

My Mom spotted these bookends during one of our excursions to Nostalgic Journey in Peterborough, a great spot for antique hunting. These beauties are hand carved in Italy from genuine alabaster. Considering I've had bookends on my shopping list for a year and a half, it's a treat to finally have the perfect pair!

Thanks Mom!!

Design Details...Bookends

Bookends...it sounds like such a boring detail, but they can be a fun decor accessory. My new quest to find a great set of bookends came up after installing a new shelf at the office. The mental picture of a row of binders triggered the thought, "This will be the perfect place for a set of really cool bookends."

If this is what you visualize when you think of bookends, you are in dire need of design inspiration:

I was thinking about a pair of sculptural marble pieces, but after browsing on ebay I found bookends in a variety of materials. The possibilities are endless!!

Vintage Reading Girls

Lincoln Memorial

Egyptian

Metal Sculpture

Antique Chinoiserie

Brass Art Nouveau

Gilded

Bronze & Marble

Next Saturday I'm off to Dundas, Ontario to check out the Christie Antiques Show. A great pair of bookends has just been added to my shopping list!