Weekend hustle. Pics of the new couch.

I had a great weekend starting off with picking up the pink velvet couch.  Wow is it stunning!  Wanted to share pics of it cleaned up and it is AVAILABLE.   Listing is up on ETSY and coming soon to Chairish.

I so love the feather cushion!  This piece was restored in the not so distant past.  Everything is in amazing shape including the feather insert.  

I won these French made pillows that I thought would be a perfect match! They also have down inserts.

After a cleaning and refreshing of the wood, these carvings really shine! This foot design is known as a lion paw or hairy paw. The shell motif was less common in American reproductions in the early part of the 20th Century.  I found no clues on it’s maker and most pieces from this era are not as elaborate as this piece.  The upholstery redo is fantastic work.

The left side eagle has been repaired and failed so I will be tending to that. Otherwise, only issues are some light stains on the fabric which are pretty minor.

Pieces this great really do not turn up that often and I will say after extensively searching for another, there are some damn boring Chippendale reproductions out there!!!! The carvings not only make this piece, the shape does.  As you can see the camel hump is less pronounced and the flared ends really create a nice almost exotic look.  Not every Chippendale is the same and this one has everything going for it.  The pink velvet makes it very pertinent to today’s hot colors and textures and it will be timeless while adding class and elegance to your space.  Whether you have a Victorian home or a craftsman style bungalow, this piece will fit in with your eclectic look.  

Please note if you are local to me, reach out for a cash price if you buy direct!!!

Next up, source to order fun.  

I always am hunting for pieces for clients and sometimes it takes longer than others.  I found one long dresser last year and placed it with the first person on my list.  I also had another waiting and this weekend I found a beauty!  

Beautiful walnut veneer 9 drawer chest reminiscent of the Broyhill Sculptra line but unmarked and still unidentified.  Recessed pulls on center drawers and beautiful gold and black filigree pulls on the ends.   

I brought it home and cleaned it up while reporting to my client details on condition and concerns.  There was only one area with some veneer chipping so we discussed that and made a plan.  I did some work blending in the area and it really helped. Delivered 24 hours later! If you are searching for a special piece, reach out with details and I will try to help you find it! 

Adding some stain to darken the area and then adding a clear coat to protect and seal helped this area blend in.  

After the touch up and not so much attention is drawn to the area.   

I was thrilled to visit my friends and clients who had me restore a pair of Heywood Wakefield dining chairs for them a few years ago.  It’s always great to visit my babies!  Plus I got to meet their adorable pups, Elvis and Audrey! So happy I could hook them up with this dreamy piece! 

The orange convertible couch is getting picked up tonight and heading to Delaware.  Things are on the move!  My etsy store will remain 10% off through the end of the month and they will be advertising sales etsywide.  

A reminder that I am heading to New England next month.  If you are searching for a larger item and can meet me in Nashua area with a side trip to Rye on the coast or Rhode Island....message me now! I am delivering a 2 pc set so as long as I can fit your item in my car, I can save you shipping!   

Thanks for reading!!!!  Have a great week! 

XO Malissa  

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 

Riding the Wave.

A quick update on my current projects. After a week of working with my client on the Wave Lounge, the fabric is choosen and ordered.  I sent samples from F Schumacher to her and while she was impressed, she ultimately went with a Joybird selection.  I am thrilled to be able to order it for her and saved her an additional 10% off their normal sale pricing!  Yea for trade accounts!!! She picked a gorgeous golden yellow and I am so excited to see it in person!  Here is a preview.  

I am currently sanding down the legs for a refinish and hope they will be ready by the time the fabric gets here.  I expect this to be ready about a week after it gets to the upholsterer and then I can schedule delivery! I am sure you guys are as excited to see this transformation as we are!  Don’t forget that I have some great and highly collectible Craft Associates/Adrian Pearsall items coming.  They all need a redo and I would love to help you customize a restoration!  Message me and I will make sure I pick up what you want next! The seller is working with me on that! 

This awesome pair is claimable.  I will price as is with option to restore! If handling that scares you, no worries! I will take care of the dirty work for you! All you need to do is make the decisions!  

The end tables are sold and at their new home. Cocktail table is ready to deliver and listed in my shops.  The Havana chair and ottoman is claimable!  Such a great set!  What color would you choose?

There is also an awesome couch in this set that I have claimed as my own. That will be the last item I get from this Home and it will be customized for my own living room!  I look forward to that and may even do my own work.  Stay tuned!  

Another fun thing I was able to do in the last few weeks was work with a client and friend on some cushions for the Eames Fiberglass chairs. After discussing her goal of covering up the screw caps on the seats (because there was upholstery on the chairs originally but pulled off by the former owner who said they were not in repairable condition), I got my mom and dad in the mix to develop a comfy cushion that would do the job of covering the caps, be comfortable but stylish and my personal goal was to make them interactive so if you change up your decor or want another set of cushions, we can just whip them up.  The prototype was born! 

My dad had a few sheets of this plastic foam and it makes a great cushion and spill resistant! We decided on an envelope closure which makes the cover washable if it is fabric and totally interchangeable with another cushion!  I know my client loves to change things up in her home and figured this detail will come in handy whether she knows it yet or not! 😂🤘🏼 This is some fabric my mom had laying around.  It does look nice with the chairs but we pursued vinyl in all of it’s kid friendly glory! 

Who knew vinyl could be so colorful?  Although we could not get an exact match, the shade of the bottom left was closest. I support my local country fabric shop whenever I can! It’s on a farm about 5 miles from me and saves me a 1/2 hour drive to Joann’s.  Just always have to remember they are closed Sunday since they are owned by Mennonites!  

I spent the day sewing and got them all together. We are attaching them with Velcro tabs that will stick to the screw tops on the seat, easily removable later and replaceable if they fail.   

Of course the chairs are now SOLD and ready for delivery this week!  They are going to be perfect around the dining table with all new floor glides and their fab new cushions!

Don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you love something in my inventory and want to make it work for YOU!  My mom is a super talented seamstress and has her own little alterations side gig so I am in good hands! She has been overseeing my recent sewing projects as I polish up on my skills!  

As for my client....,well, let’s just say she is in the middle of a super kick ass kitchen renovation that includes the most spectacular St Charles kitchen cabinets ever!  I hope she will share her story with us here!  It’s a big project and she dove in head first!!!! I know you guys will want to hear about it!  I am going to clear out my mall space at the end of the month...what do you locals want to see next???? I will be taking out the dining set and all the holiday clearance items.  Stop over this weekend and take some things home!  50% off holiday, 20% off everything else, 10% off the dining set and the Danish casework.  Leave a comment of what you’d like to see on display!  I have the cane and wicker rocking chairs, the Yugoslavian set may fit.....so much good stuff to show off!!!! XO Malissa

Holiday Promotions Start Now! SHOP SMALL, shop often!

I have a few things to buzz about for the holiday season coming up as I get myself organized.  Here is what is happening:​

ETSY SHOP: 10% off all inventory except furniture and fabrics is on NOW THROUGH NOV 20!  Early birds are being rewarded! Stop by and see if you can knock some gifts off your list or shop for yourself, I WON'T TELL! 😜  ​

BLACK FRIDAY GIFT WITH PURCHASE.  I did this last year and prepared to do it again! I got lots of little items from Primitives by Kathy to give away!  Any etsy orders shipping from Thanksgiving through Christmas will get a free gift from me! 🎁 while supplies last but I have plenty so do not think I will run out. If you shop earlier, just message me that you want the Christmas gift and I will include in your package.  I love doing this and hope my customers like it.  GIFT WRAP? I will gladly do a special wrap or add a card for you, just message me.  Etsy wants us to charge and specifically offer it and honestly, so few people ask for it that when they do, I accommodate no charge.  I want your item to make it safely so my main concern is packing it properly. 

If this bowl were for sale, I'd be pricing it between $50 and $80.  You can claim it FREE with a $200 purchase! 

FLEETWOOD ANTIQUE MALL SPACE.  The mall may run some promos and I may participate but nothing is firm yet. Starting today in my space only (tags marked MW) I am offering up a fabulous 8" Catherineholm enameled Lotus bowl in harder to find yellow and green​.  From today through Christmas, the first person who spends $200 (in a single transaction) in my shop will be able to take this great bowl home FREE! I only ask you take a pic of you in my space holding the bowl when you claim it! 💕👌  if it goes unclaimed by Christmas, it will go back in my china hutch.  😂🤘🏼 

MAY I SUGGEST? I just stocked up holiday items, added my beautiful dining set at a crazy cash/carry price.....$1000 for 6 restored chairs and a table! I have the chairs at $1200 online without the table. Come see it, all set with glassware and china looking pretty.  I have a few great pieces on display! I also have gifts from Primitives by Kathy and lots of fun vintage goodies to choose from.  Don't forget the Lane Rhythm Hutch is also available for a crazy low price of $500!  If you are looking for a handsome bookcase or china/collectibles Hutch this could be the one! Priced for the local market and ready to use!  

Stop by and shop the mall! It really is a fun place with an awesome selection.  Let me know how you like it! ​

Took a few pics of the daybed as I removed from my showcase.  It is such a lovely piece.  If you know of someone looking for a multi use piece like this, send them my way! I will deliver in the region. Perfect for a nursery for new parents, den, spare room and more.  All newly restored with sturdy metal frame on gorgeous hairpin legs. 💙

all new foam, professionally upholstered.

Includes original details like piped edging, tufting and zipper access on the small pillows. 

Thanks for following along! I will have more updates on my rocker restoration soon! Fabric is on the way! XO Malissa