Lounge Chair restoration

I have been crazy busy this week with deliveries and even drove to Brooklyn for the first time ever!  It went very smooth and I would not rule it out for the future.  I also need to check my ez pass to see what tolls I incurred as I believe the Varrazano Bridge was $17 each way plus there probably was a few other charges along the way.  My kids were along and helped navigate. 

I was able to replace the Pirelli strapping in the lounge chair.  It was a pretty easy project.  I have the chair listed for sale AS IS, with an option to have custom cushions made.  I have fabrics available in my stash which would be included in the quote or provide your own.  I can also order you something at cost.  It is a great chair and comfy enough with the original cushions but will be amazing with new high density foam and a great fabric choice!  

I have not identified this beauty.  It is very similar to a Baumritter lounge but there is a metal plate on the front with logo worn off.  None of the Baumritter’s have that so I am pretty sure it is another maker.  Maybe some day I will figure it out!  The wood has been oiled and it is ready to go. 

I am not sure what I will work on next. We will be busy in the weeks coming with weekend trips and other summer activities.  I just had an ad in our local newspaper yesterday so hoping some classy local peeps find me.  I would love to help some locals furnish their homes!  

The art department at the Reading Eagle did a great job on my ad. 👌

A current view of my offerings at the Fleetwood Antique Mall.  If you are looking for a large mirrored shadow box, I got one in there and it is amazing!  I believe everything at this point is priced UNDER $100, minus the Ming table set.  Come have a look and take some great items home.  I will probably be shaking up my look come next month so this is last call before I do that.  We get lots of college students in August so I will be doing a display with them in mind! 

Thank you for reading!  Still in limbo with job hunting and not knowing what my future holds.  This is all I got right now so send me your referrals! I would love to work with like minded folks who need some fun new pieces!  XO Malissa

The best things in life are shared. My trip to Kykuit.

One of a very limited edition, there were less than 20 made. This Fernand Leger design, known as ‘Blanc’ was most likely made and sold during the 1960s American tour of Marie Cuttoli’s textile exhibit and in collaboration with Galerie Lucie Weill. *photo credit J Federici

It was just about a year ago when I won a gorgeous piece of history and started researching it.  I learned a lot about wool, moths and fine rugs.  The piece was multifaceted with history and part of a very limited edition of hand knotted rugs. The artist whose work was featured, Fernand Leger, was commissioned to create the maquette or cartoon used in the design. The woman who orchestrated this project has just as fascinating history.  Marie Cuttoli, originally the wife of a French Senator, had a vision of reviving the tapestry arts in the 1920’s.  She spent time in her Algerian mansion and appreciated the artisans there.  She worked with a group of women who learned to weave and create works of art from the cartoons.  

These pieces generally took 8 months to weave and thus most seem to have been ordered and shipped from Paris. I was able to find our a little about a few of the owners of these pieces scouring auction comps from Christie’s, Sotheby’s and other high end auction houses.  Some notable former owners include Vera G List, socialite, philanthropist and notable art collector.  I read a transcript from an interview with her in 1973 available from the Archives of American Art which explored her thoughts on collecting and her involvement in the organizations she supported.  Another collector/owner was Robert and Andriene (Andrea) Bollt.  Andrea was also known as an avid modern art collector and philanthropist.  

It was at some point after I listed my piece in my online markets that I was contacted by a curatorial assistant with Kykuit, the Rockefeller family estate.  They held a few pieces from the Cuttoli series in their collection and wanted to find out more about them.  I agreed to share my research, sources and comps with them and planned on making the drive to Tarrytown, NY to tour the estate. 

Enjoying the Grand Tour at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, New York.  *photo credit J Federici

I grabbed a friend and scheduled my appointment and Grand tour, as advised by the Curator.  She mentioned that only the 2 longer tours take you into the basement art galleries where the rugs are on display.  Also note that there are many beautiful Calder tapestries on display and any modern art fan would not want to miss this!  

The estate was absolutely amazing! From the gorgeous gardens to the amazing home and antiques, the tour guide was great and really gave us a lot of history on the family and how life was in that compound.  Heavily Asian influenced, the decor was elegant and scattered with Nelson’s modern tastes. It all worked well together.  

After the final stop on the tour at the coach house (filled with buggies that would make my Mennonite friends jealous!), I sat and chatted with the curator and showed her my catalogs and references, presented her with a written summary of comps and info and discussed theories on the origins of the pieces held in our collections. She was lovely and it was so refreshing to discuss this with a like minded individual.  Having to piece together the series of circumstances with these items really makes me appreciate the organizations that preserve this history.  I have used many of them and give back to support them when I can.  

Today I am traveling to Philadelphia to visit the Athenaeum to peruse a Harvey Probber catalog to see if I can authenticate a table I have that is attributed to him.  Another day, another fun expedition.  I will report on that next week.  In the mean time, I will leave you with a few of my shots in the gardens at Kykuit.  Have a great week!  

XO Malissa

Beautiful views of the Hudson River from this perch!