A Chalk- Painted Fabric French Settee!

Do you recall the struggle I had redoing my antique French settee?  If you missed it you can read about it here. Well, I am happy to say that I think I have conquered the beast!  It was a long journey to get here and there were times I faltered but in the end I am pleased to say,  IT IS FINISHED!!!

I was very tentative about many aspects of redoing the settee. First, it is an antique and I hesitated to paint and glaze the wood as I really did not want a painted look. As much as I like painted furniture, I also love beautiful wood. But, in this case, it was just too far gone. Second, I did not want to invest in reupholstering the piece so I made the big decision to paint the fabric! Third, since I was not reupholstering, I had to pry away the trim from the frame so I could paint and glaze the wood one color and then paint the trim another color without getting that paint on the frame. This ultimately proved to be the biggest challenge (mostly to my patience).

It took several coats to paint the fabric enough to get good coverage and I was literally down to maybe a tablespoon of paint left in the can, sweating out finishing as I did not want to purchase more paint (Annie Sloan Parisian Gray). I just kept thinning out the paint to stretch it. Then, there was sanding (yes, sanding) the fabric and nailing the trim back into place. Finally, since I do not sew (not much beyond a button and yes, I have tried) I had a new cover made for the seat cushion, as being down, it was too soft to paint, yet alone sand.

Here you can see the original velvet fabric which was kind of a faded yellow-green. It was stained and smelled rather musty. The cushion though still retained its shape so that was a plus. The wood had cracked in many places and would have been beyond my expertise to repair without being visible.

The trim still needs to be pulled tighter to the frame.

The painted fabric looks blotchy in the photos but it really is not.

I originally wanted to use a ticking fabric for the cushion but could not find one I liked. Then I tried a black and cream check but that also did not work. Ultimately, I ended up with this toile which worked best with the Paris Gray paint.

The fabric looks really rough but actually after sanding it is silky smooth.

Thanks to the very talented Amy Chalmers at Maison Decor for her advice on painting fabric. She gave me the confidence to try.  Amy has three shops in the Boston area plus an online shop so be sure to visit her beautiful blog!

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Auction Fever!

One of the top auction houses in the United States is a ten minute drive from my home. This is both good and bad. Good as there are always quality antiques available at auction only a ten minute drive from my home. Bad as there are always quality antiques available...need I continue?

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The auction house of Pook and Pook, established in 1984, resides in a historic stone inn not far from Philadelphia. From its inception it has attracted serious collectors, major museums and estate representatives. In 1999, Pook and Pook held the largest on-site single day auction ever conducted in the United States. Henceforth, the distinguished auction house has gone on to repeatedly break sales records and continues to attract consignors of the finest quality of antiques for auction.  Read more on Pook and Pook here.

This recent auction of a large collection of Flow Blue was estimated at $300-$500 with a realized price of $237.00! I am crushed I missed this incredible sale because I love Flow Blue (see my post here) and this was a real steal!

 This lot of 19th c flow blue plates and bowls was estimated at $150-$250 with a realized price of $178.00! You snooze, you lose!  Well, I must have been in hibernation!

On the other hand, this 19th c French giltwood bergere estimated at $800-$1200 sold for $1638.00. Go figure.

This early 20th c French giltwood vitrine realized $1337.00 but was only estimated at $400-$700!  Vitrine's are certainly at a value price as there are several others listed that also sold at very reasonable prices.

 This circa 1800 French toile panel (see more on toile here) was estimated at $150-$200 and realized $237.00

This horse head trade sign realized $385.00- close to the estimated $200-$400.

This French provincial pine cupboard was estimated at $400-$700 and sold at $273.00!

Do you remember Joni's post here on the divine Carol Glasser including her incredible pine dresser?  The cupboard sold at auction isn't quite the same but would go far in achieving a similar effect.

This pair of darling French 20th c cane seat chairs estimated at $100-$200 realized $119.00.

This pair with no estimate also sold at $119.00.

 A very charming pair of late 19th c French terracotta figural table lamps estimated at $300-$500 sold at $668.00.

 Four beautiful marble and alabaster lamps estimated at $200-$400 realized $213.00. The quality today is just not comparable.

A painted metal figure of a woman and child atop a tole decorated pedestal. It sold along with a three-piece marble pedestal and realized $59.00 with a pre-auction estimate of $200-$300.




Some of these prices are 2011 and 2012 but obviously many bargains can still be found at auction.   Here are a few of the items I am interested in that are coming up for auction soon.

 19th c pewter trays estimated at $200-$400

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INSPIRATION-
 I adore this kitchen and have been on the hunt for pewter plates ever since I first saw this arrangement !

19th c classical carved and painted column with an estimate of $100-$200

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INSPIRATION-
Jardiniere used as a table base. The column is similar- I would love to try this.

French Victorian iron table with marble top, estimate $200-$400

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INSPIRATION-
Designed by Marjorie Wollan  

19th c Staffordshire transferware estimated at $100-$200

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INSPIRATION-
London home of Malcom Kutner

Two olive demijohns estimated at $200-$400

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INSPIRATION
 Designer Elizabeth Tyler-Kennedy

French tabletop globe by J. Lebegue & Cie, estimate $150-$250

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INSPIRATION-
 Joni's globe collection

19th c French bee skep estimated at $200-$400

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INSPIRATION- 
This beautiful image from Trouvais features a bee skep.

20th c leather club chairs, estimate $50-$100

These would be perfect in my library in the making- although they are a bit bulky, I love the patina on the leather.

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INSPIRATION-
 Giannetti Home

A 19th c Chinese garden stool, estimate $200-$400

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INSPIRATION-
Design by J. Tribble 

Well, at this auction I will be found front and center. With any luck, everyone else will be home snoozing.




 I make every effort to credit original sources and link wherever possible. I would be grateful if you can provide information on any unnamed source.  If you are the owner of any uncredited images, no deliberate infringement of copyright is intended. I respect all intellectual property and will remove or modify any image or post at the owner's request.




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The Enduring Charm of Toile de Jouy!

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Toile de Jouy (cloth from Jouy) or simply toile consists of a traditionally white or off-white background with a single color print in a repeating and fairly complex pattern. Toile owes its origins in part to the importation of Indienne fabric from India to France during the late 15th century.  In the Middle Ages, fabric with decorative images was scarce and the block-printed, painted cotton Indienne fabric quickly gained popularity with wealthy Europeans. At the end of the 17th century, King Louis XIV became concerned at the dwindling French fabric industry of wool and silk and placed an unsuccessful embargo on the importation of Indian fabrics. Demand for the fabrics continued unabated and the failed prohibition was lifted in 1759. Ultimately the French monarchy decided to establish a factory to compete with foreign imports.

 

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Wood block printed Indienne fabric 

In 1760, after recruiting amongst Swiss and German fabric specialists and manufacturers, the Royale de Jouy was established by German-born Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf in the town of Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles. By 1774, over 900 workers were employed printing single color fabric in repetitive designs using the block printing method. Oberkampf eventually replaced block printing with copperplate sheets mounted on rollers that produced a continuous image. In 1783, the Oberkampf factory became "royal manufacturer" under King Louis XVI.  Aside from oriental subjects, images known as "cameos" were created based on fields, flowers and scenes from Provence and eventually came to be known as "Toile de Jouy". More than 30,000 designs would eventually be fabricated at the Jouy factory. Although the factory closed in 1843, many of the designs created by Jean-Baptiste Huet, Oberkampf's lead artist, are still in use today. 

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Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf

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18th century Oberkampf toile

Toile was very popular in Colonial America and is associated with preservationist towns such as Colonial Williamsburg. Toile has always remained in production and although at times it wanes in popularity, it continues to delight with its charming and historical images. Images as diverse as the Civil War, mythological figures, village life, the lives of the aristocracy, celebrations of events, literary and musical references, floral, exoticism including chinoiserie and the most enduring and popular French pastoral scenes. Similar fabrics with monochromatic designs printed in other factories are also by extension labeled toile.

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Originally known as the "Oberkampf Museum", the Museum of Toile de Jouy was established in 1977 in Montebello Castle at the initiative of the local mayor to revive the memory of the Jouy factory. In 1991, the museum was moved to the castle of the Eglantine. 

Musée de la Toile de Jouy

Castle Eglantine

54, rue Charles de Gaulle 78350 Jouy-en-Josas

Tel: 01 39 56 48 64

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"The delights of the four seasons," created by the Faience Enghien in partnership with the National Museums and the Museum of Toile de Jouy.

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Michael S. Smith- Elle Decor

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Carolyne Roehm

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Cathy Kincaid

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Design by Eleish Van Breems

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Martyn Lawrence Bullard

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Photo by Simon Upton

Framed panels of antique toile fabric.
Home of Glen Senk and Keith Johnson of Anthropologie.

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 Ballon de Gonesse toile

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Maison Cote Quest/Photos Christine Fleurent

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Design by Ginny Magher

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Carolina Herrera Jr.

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Design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard

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Design by Manuel Canovas

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Design by Melissa Myles Rufty

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Design by Jean-Louis Deniot

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French hand blocked toile wallpaper, ca. 1880

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Hand painted toile in the Swedish kitchen at Thureholm

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An early C19th French Buffet Du Corps lined with 19th century Toile du Jouy

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Painting by Jacques Lamy 

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Italian 18thc Toile Peinte

I make every effort to credit original sources and link wherever possible. I would be grateful if you can provide information on any unnamed source.  If you are the owner of any uncredited images, no deliberate infringement of copyright is intended. I respect all intellectual property and will remove or modify any image or post at the owner's request.

Thank you for visiting A House Romance!