The Couch of Dreams

Last week I accompanied a friend to pick up some auction winnings and fell in love with a little couch there.  I know I focus on Mid Century Modern, but I shop with an estate company that pulls from NYC metro and they offer many high end furnishings and décor that are not in my normal sourcing realm.  This said, if you are looking for anything more traditional or ornate, please know I may be able to help you out with this.  So back to the couch of dreams....what stole the show is that it's blush velvet upholstery was in relatively decent shape, only in need of a cleaning.  The cushion has a down insert in it!  So posh!  The style is classic Chippendale but features a very elaborately carved eagle with his talon in his mouth at each arm and of course, the paw feet.  I have found no other couches like this online and it is most definitely the best of it's kind.  They told me it was from the 1920's but I will be picking it up tomorrow so cannot wait to see if there are any more clues.  If you follow my facebook, you may have seen when I posted the picture last Friday with a 'does anyone love this as much as me???' post?  Well, in fact someone does and reached out.  At this point, she is first in line to claim this beauty.  In case she turns it down, it will get listed in my markets.  I will be picking it up tomorrow along with some auction winnings I picked up.  If you want me to have a look at anything while I am on the road, shoot me a message!  I would be more than happy to shoot you pics of items that are for sale and keep an eye open at auction.  The preview for the next week's auction is usually available which is always good to get a look at.  The smalls I am bringing home will probably get listed over the weekend.

Amazing 1920s Camelback Chippendale style couch.  Beautifully carved arms and legs featuring eagles.  This color is so hot right now in decorating trends.  Paired with navy or neutrals, it is sure to look fabulous in an eclectic or traditional space! I am hoping to reveal more clues as to the dating of this piece when I get it home. This is new territory for me so I have a lot to learn and look forward to delving into another era and style!

The eagle is so dreamy! Rolled arms are a common element to a Chippendale style couch.  The elaborate carvings in the arms do not seem to be common, according to my searches! Most later reproductions (the original English Chippendales date to the 1700s) seem to lack the arm carved details to this extent.  

This foot is known as a lion's paw foot. Another popular foot style on Chippendale furniture is the Ball and Claw, which is literally an eagle claw holding a ball.   A note on the shell referring to early 1900s Chippendale reproductions:  Shell motifs carrying over from the Queen Anne period may be present, but are not as prevalent in this style as they were earlier in the 1700s.

So couches may be the thing for me!  The orange couch just sold.  So I will be couchless if the pink beauty gets claimed right away.  One thing I do still have is the beautifully restored day bed.  I would love to find this thing a home.  It is amazing.  I do realize it is more of a specialty piece which makes it a little harder to place.  My home would not be able to accommodate it until I kick a kid out.  :)  If you have any interest in it let me know.  All brand new cushions with just the right detailing.  Super neutral navy fabric from Joybird's pet and kid friendly line.  Make great seating and can accommodate overnight guests.  I would love to see it go to new parents as it would be a great addition to a nursery where you can catch some Zs and lounge comfortably with a baby.  Wish I had something as nice when my kids were babies.....I slept on the floor more than once!  ;)  Of course, great for a den, spare room and more.  All the details have been taken care of!  Delivery in my region no extra charge.  Get an instant shipping quote on my chairish.com listing. 

For my birthday, I found a great little Eames fiberglass side chair featuring an H base.  It was painted so I spent a lot of time stripping it down.  It is so cute and dated 1959.  I believe it to be an early Zenith production and the black finish on the base is original.  Super cute and worth the work to add it to my collection!  Here is a look at the project.  Stripping it took some physical work, but the product did not ruin the original shine at all!  I even got the labels free of paint!  I worked quickly in sections and was careful not to let the stripper sit too long as there were disclaimers on the product not to use on fiberglass.  It had no ill effect! 

There were 4 layers of paint on this chair!  It took some elbow grease and was not the most pleasant job.  I have a full day into it.

NEW ENGLAND SHOPPERS!  I have a delivery scheduled in April to Rye, NH.  I will be staying in Nashua for 2 days and then making a stop in Rhode Island on the way back.  If you are looking at something larger and I can fit it in the car with the set I am delivering, I would gladly bring along for you to pick up or I can meet you.  I am tag teaming the trip with a friend.  Please reach out!  I can hold your item with a deposit until the delivery.  This is a rare opportunity to save some shipping! 

ETSY SHOP IS 10% OFF until the end of the month.  MOST ITEMS included but there are a few I left off.  Please stop by and grab some awesome items while they are on sale!  Leaving you with a few new items to check out!  Have a great weekend!  xo Malissa

JUST LISTED: beautiful 21" diameter faceted mirror.  Great for a hall, foyer or smaller wall.  Mirrored glass is mounted on a heavy wood piece and features black painted wood with gold painting trim. 

Picking these auction winnings up Friday as well!  Not sure which items I will be keeping but will be evaluating this weekend and getting them listed.  I love having access to some very eclectic pieces and I welcome you to request weird stuff!  The fun of shopping out of my area is finding higher end pieces!  Reach out if you see something you love as I will let you have first shot! 

Adventures to come!

I have been keeping this secret since I have had other things to talk about but this week’s update will fill you in!  In my business life, many things happen that just seem to materialize and I just cannot explain why I was so lucky to be at the right place at the right time with the right instincts for everything to happen.  Finding the awesome Fernand Leger rug was one of those moments.  Although I am blessed to have it in my possession, I knew early on that it came with some issues I had to tend to like the cleaning (a $250 investment) and then there is the restoration work to replace the knots that were chewed by some hungry moths which is quoted but out of my budget without a buyer in the wings. I have spent a lot of time researching it and have purchased materials useful in my quest.  You see, the woman who is responsible for this awesome piece was responsible for bringing back the tapestry arts in the 1920’s in addition to being a patron of the fabulous artists she honored.  Her Paris fashion house, Maison Myrbor, also turned out haute couture clothing which is found in museums around the globe.  The tapestry arts were never a booming industry but she exhibited over the years and info can be found.  

Back to how I fit in here.  I was contacted by a woman who works for a prominent estate, now museum of the family’s collection and he has my rug in her collection along with another in the series.  They have no info on them and are hoping I will share my research  with them. Of course!  I will be taking time to write my notes out for her and will be visiting the estate when they open for the season this spring to meet with her.  I cannot wait and will be sharing my experience with you all when I get back. I have one local stone to unturn on this research as the traveling exhibit where the rugs in my series where sold in the 60s came to Allentown so the museum is on my list to contact to see if they have info or perhaps staff or volunteers I can reach out to.  This whole adventure will help me build provenance with the rug as well as myself.  Overall a fun adventure!  Such a special piece of art and textiles with only 20 or less ever made.  A super rare collectible!  

On another note I am running a sale on most furnishings in honor of my birthday month just in the Etsy shop.  If you are looking to add something to your home, reach out now to secure the price.  Many items leave me with little profit at that price but I need to move some big items so trying to entice the people with them in their carts to commit.  Subject to end at my whim.  I also have a set on hold that will be delivered next month to New Hampshire.  Reach out if you see something and are near or could meet me during that trip.  If it fits with the set I would meet for a fee way less than the cost of shipping. 

Don’t forget I have an album of new gift appropriate items pinned to the top of my Facebook.com/madformodmalissa page where you can claim items, fill a box and I will pack and ship to you.  These are all priced at wholesale! With spring holidays on the way, take a look and claim some goodies!  I will need your email and will send you a PayPal invoice. If you are local to me I can get your items delivered.​

Thanks for following! Lots more fun to come soon!  ​

​Xo Malissa 

Wanted: Customizers!

I have waited a long time to pick up these fabulous Adrian Pearsall pieces and they are finally here!  I am so happy the gentleman I am purchasing them from is working with me and allowing me to collect them as I raise the funds.  That said, all of my recent sales have helped me attain this goal and my future sales will help me save them. Now is your chance to work with me to make these your own!  I will be taking them next week for the upholstery quote so I will have a better idea of the final price to restore.  I am pricing them as is, but If you would like me to handle the restoration work, you get my services no extra charge.  The only thing you will pay is the upholstery work and fabric, which I can help you get at wholesale or trade rates.  I will help you with fabric selection and purchase, plus any wood issues will be tended to.  There is some clean up needed but I should not have to strip them.  I might need to order the rubber strapping if the upholsterer does not have it available.  I found a supplier for it.  After I talk to him this week I will have a better idea of where the final cost will end up. Here’s a look at how they are now.  Serious degradation and brittle foam, hardened straps....just as I expected.  They still hold me but def not usable as is unless you like to vacuum foam powder hourly.  They were in a barn for a while too so the rebuild will include new foam and Dacron as needed, new strapping and new fabric of your choice- I will get yardage requirements at my quote. The good news is the legs unscrew on all of the pieces so I think there is a chance I can box and ship fed ex.  This will help save the white glove costs.  Will have to check dimensions to be sure. Delivery or meets in my region are no extra charge.  

Try to look past their condition.  I can see them looking fabulous in a tweed or textured weave but maybe a velvet?  That would really class them up!   

They are very low profile.  Super sexy and not a common style to find especially in a pair!  No, I will not split them up.  The mother, who is now residing in a nursing home, had them only about 5 years until she decided to redecorate and had them all reupholstered to match her new look!  So this is not the original fabrics.   

Just as cute from behind!  

This chair is called the Havana Chair by collectors.  You see them pop up without he ottoman which I believe was an option, but OMG....do not be tempted to skip the ottoman to save a few hundred bucks!  This set is an alternative to a chaise!  It is so wide that 2 can sit on it.  It will take up some space but this will steal the show in your room, sorry to say.  So be flamboyant with the color.....maybe even a big bold print cause if you got this set, you need to flaunt it and enjoy the heck out of it! If you are in new construction and have a huge master bedroom......this would be amazing in a corner.  

That little bit of walnut arm trim is so handsome!  And the tufting.....love the tufting. 

My listings are up on etsy.  The Havana chair is currently not visible because the etsy police need to verify it was not smuggled in from Cuba. 🙄🔫  I am sure once they review my response the ban will be lifted.  I thought about telling a story or how a refugee floated to Miami on it... but then figured that everyone is taking jokes too seriously these days and I don’t need a hassle.  So the Havana chair that has nothing to do with the actual Havana in Cuba but everything to do with kick ass Adrian Pearsall design will be available to peruse shortly.  😜

A word about customizing these pieces.  You will pay for the item in full up front as priced in my etsy shop, I will get to work on your restoration.  This process will take a few weeks.  If you plan on looking at Joybird fabrics, order your swatches right away! I get 30% off listed prices plus the shipping charge.  There is a 5 yard min but these pieces will both use more, I suspect.  If you would like to shop at fschumacher.com, I can have samples sent to you.  Send me a list of what you’d like to see.  Schumacher is leaps and bounds better quality and finer fabrics than Joybird, but they are not priced for average America.  You can expect to pay $45+ per yard and they have some choices at $200/yard.  I can look up what you like and give you the info before you get your heart set on it.  Upholstery charges and fabrics if I purchase for you will be payable prior to shipping or at delivery. You will get photos and updates as I move along.  I am just as excited to be doing your restoration as you are to be buying it! ❤️

NEW HERMAN MILLER YARDAGE!  

I just bought some great old stock yardage by Herman Miller that has huge quantities.  I have listed on etsy by the yard.  If you would like to select any of these for your makeover, I will give you a better deal than the $10/yard I have it priced at.  I have lots and lots!!!! Here is a preview.   

They are all listed on etsy.  Message me if you want more than one yard and I will make a custom listing and combine the shipping.  Etsy adds shipping to each qty.  I will only charge you what it actually costs to ship.  

How can you use these that they won’t scream 1990??? If you are trend savvy you will know without this pic. 😂  looks great with the pinks and purples now trending.  This is top of the line commercial grade fabric.  The decorator I got them from used to recover furnishings in her beach house and said she was very pleased how they held up over the years of heavy use.  I will be cutting to order and to length off my bolts.  More info in the listings.  This is also a great choice for you business owners that may have seating needing refreshed in your offices and waiting rooms!

Also new and listing shortly is a great pair of early Knoll Don Petitt bentwood arm chairs.  How sexy are these oak beauties?  Petitt worked to develop the laminating process used in these chairs before he designed them.  These are 70s or earlier.  They are no longer in the Knoll lineup and are not in my 90s catalog so probably retired by the 80s.  They are so sturdy and great for use in a commercial setting.  Need seating in your office? Knoll quality that won’t set you back $1000 a chair and sturdy for folks that have a hard time getting in or out of a chair.  I think about these things because I have had past clients buy items from me for those very reasons!  They also make great dining chairs or interesting accent chairs.  Your eyes will keep following those smooth bends. 💕

Original fabric is under the blue tweed.  I have no idea condition.  There are a few light stains but no eyesores.  They can be recovered to suit your space.  

Use these as captains chairs at your table! Mixed dining chair sets are very attractive and eclectic.

Thanks for reading! Reach out if I can assist you with something! I am busy taking a class right now trying to make my business better! I may try testing out what I learn in the weeks ahead.  I will definitely be looking to connect to interior design pros in my region. If you know someone I need to talk to, send me a note! ✌️ Malissa