Last week, I headed out with my friend Laurie for yet another urban picking adventure. We make a day of it with the goal of heading to our favorite estate company and then thrifting and shopping the whole way home. This trip did not disappoint and although I would say I am not really in spending mode right now, I got some great items at a relatively low cost which always is good! The highlight of the trip is always a great view of Manhattan from NJ. I find that shopping in this area gets me a different selection of goods that are not readily available in the more country area I typically shop.

My favorite picks are the two Flokati rugs I bought home. I already have one of my own, so both of these are listed for sale. The Flokati is of Greek origin and is made of wool. The pile is left long and it has a great shag. They are used as a throw over a couch, bed or bench and as a rug. They have some weight to them too. These are both in excellent condition and have no stains or issues. One is a larger rectangle size and the other is smaller and almost square. Take a look and see if you can accommodate one. They are great for MCM purists, boho and eclectic decors and more. They add a real nice texture to a space and are a great neutral cream (natural wool) color. Both are listed in my etsy and chairish shops. Great holiday gift!

WIKI: A flokati rug is a handmade shag wool rug. Making flokatis is a long-time tradition of the Vlachs in the Pindus mountains. The natural color of a flokati rug is off-white, but they may be dyed different colors. The entire rug is wool, including the backing from which the tapered shag emerges. After the rug is woven, it is placed in the cold water of a river to fluff the shag. They continue to be handmade in the mountains of Greece and are regarded as desirable in American modern decor and children's rooms.

Next up, to go along with my recent Asian kick, which, by the way, is TRENDING right now! I buy what I love, but so many times I come home with stuff and start poking around or get an email and whammo, there is my new found style, already being marketed and discussed in one of my markets! I just got a mailing from F Schumacher, fine purveyor of fabrics, wallpaper and accessories that I have a trade account with and they are launching a fabulous fabric panel line all with beautiful Asian designs. I do pay attention to current trends in the design world as that is how I stay relevant. So I found some beautiful Vietnamese Silk Lanterns. In Hoi An, they celebrate every full moon with a beautiful lantern festival in which thousands of silk lanterns are hung about town all aglow. I picked up 3 of these lanterns, all with an inner bamboo frame system that collapse for easier storage and shipping. They are VERY large and I find them very attractive in a grouping but am pricing individually. The smallest one needs some glue and I have not repaired it yet so have not listed it. You can find them on etsy.

I get lost in this beautiful painting. The black background is actually green foliage and pink accents. It was amazingly done!

I have worked through the art and ming tables I picked up the other week and most everything is live on etsy and chairish. I hung the paintings in my living room for safe keeping while they wait for a home and I am in love with them. The details are lovely and it really classes up my space. I know whomever takes them in will love them just as much. I added everything I know about the artist, which sadly, is not much. Most of it from observation of being in her home and not necessarily facts about her art career.

I just accepted an offer on the Adrian Pearsall Jacks end tables. The kidney shaped cocktail table is still available. I will hopefully be looking to bring some of the upholstered items from this lot home shortly. I keep going round in my head about them. For as much as I'd love to restore them and then list them for sale or even coordinate the restoration for the buyer, I really do not have the kind of budget to invest into them without having someone lined up to fund it. I may just offer them as is for the buyer to do their own coordination. I have a house full of items I have a lot of money invested into and they just do not seem to find homes fast. It makes me sad but it is what it is. I cannot tie more money up into things that sit for a year or more. That said, if you really love them and want me to help you get them done, I will gladly and enthusiastically take on the project.

As the push to the holiday season approaches, I will be trying to get through some back stock to list and may even thin some of my personal collections. I did just list an amazing tension pole lamp that I was planning on keeping but decided since I have another to restore that can replace it, I will let it go. Keep checking my Facebook and instagram for latest additions to the inventory as I usually post it there first.

Heading out for the weekend so any sales that come in will be shipped Monday. Have a great weekend! xo Malissa

The Blog.

Flokati- it's a rug, it's a throw, Vietnamese silk lanterns.