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 tr…

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 t…

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 reproductio…

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.

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. 

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 st…

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!

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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.  

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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!  

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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. 

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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 

A look at the many shapes of a Pearsall Jacks Table, plus new projects for spring!

I had an amazing weekend of deliveries!  The wave lounge is happy in it’s new home and the gold velvet tufted set is also loved and moved in.  I have the best clients! Love you guys!  

This piece is happy in it’s new home!  Love making furniture dreams come true! 

This piece is happy in it’s new home!  Love making furniture dreams come true! 

So what is next? I know you guys want to know!  First off I was so smitten by that Royale fabric, I just ordered 7 yards in blush.  It will be used on those great little Billy Baldwin style x benches I have. I have one ripped apart and ready for upholstery and will get to work on the second.  I have my pricing and these will be priced at $800 for the pair.  Super labor intensive project but worth the save!   I am thinking of adding a few buttons up top for interest.  I am a few months out from getting these to upholstery but at any time, feel free to claim them! They will be perfect at the foot of a bed! Very sturdy and well made.  They will be tailored and refined, much different than my typical mcm offerings.  

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I am also going to collect more of the Craft Associates/Adrian Pearsall pieces that I am buying. I still have the jacks coffee table available which is priced under others in my markets.  There are replicas of this table out there so be careful.  What sets mine apart is that the end piece is not square.  That skew fits in the glass much better and adds more visual interest than the squared up version.  

The catalog page for the piece.  

The catalog page for the piece.  

Love that mine is not squared off but skewed! If you are spending money on this table, make sure you spend time comparing your options!  They are NOT all the same!

Love that mine is not squared off but skewed! If you are spending money on this table, make sure you spend time comparing your options!  They are NOT all the same!

Variation. Possible knock off as not in Pearsall Catalog. The only way to confirm authenticity is by reaching out to the Pearsall family,  They will authenticate a piece for a small fee. 

Variation. Possible knock off as not in Pearsall Catalog. The only way to confirm authenticity is by reaching out to the Pearsall family,  They will authenticate a piece for a small fee. 

This one is like mine! ☝️ 

This one is like mine! ☝️ 

Knock off-Reproduction-non authentic.  Whatever you call it, not the real deal.  Awkward looking too!

Knock off-Reproduction-non authentic.  Whatever you call it, not the real deal.  Awkward looking too!

Not as sexy with this glass.  I suspect it may not be original.  Glass is super expensive to have cut and if you do not have the original shape traced to give the shop, you get this. 

Not as sexy with this glass.  I suspect it may not be original.  Glass is super expensive to have cut and if you do not have the original shape traced to give the shop, you get this. 

I have no reason to believe mine is not authentic as it comes from a home with many more authentic pieces.  Speaking of that, I am ready to pick up more of these great pieces!  The upholstered goods all need restoration.  I will be taking them for quotes and yardage requirements as soon as I pick them up.  Then I will come up with as is pricing.  You will be able to purchase and arrange your own work.  You also can purchase and I can use my negotiated rates with my upholsterer (at his cost) plus I can help you with fabric selection using my wholesale and trade accounts (you save even more!).  

WANTED: SAVVY SHOPPERS WHO WANT VINTAGE FURNISHINGS CUSTOMIZED AND PERFECTED JUST FOR YOU! 

There is a pair of this model.  I will not be splitting them! You can customize them to match your decor and I can arrange all of the work! 

There is a pair of this model.  I will not be splitting them! You can customize them to match your decor and I can arrange all of the work! 

I also have this piece with the ottoman coming.  It is amazing and you might have to fight me for it.  

I also have this piece with the ottoman coming.  It is amazing and you might have to fight me for it.  

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This piece will be restored by me for me!  Super excited to finish this for my own living room. I have been wanting the perfect couch to replace our 14 year old sectional which my husband loves too much!  This 10’+ piece fits that bill! I even bought the fabric!  What do you think? 

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I am staring an 8 week class this Thursday with Kutztown University’s Small Business division.  Looking forward to seeing where I can take this business next.  I love working with people across the country but I also know that my only way to grow and succeed is to break out with more services locally.  I need to connect to local professionals who would use my services.  I am not at the point where I feel I can support loans for capital and being a bookkeeper for much of my working life with other small business owners has taught me that life is very volatile and honestly, my personal funds cannot support my business so I will be treading lightly through this but excited to knock heads with other like minded entrepreneurs and see what opportunities are out there.  I would love to eventually end up in a retail/work space but I am far from that and overhead is the kiss of death in small business.  I will do my best to keep my response times quick during this but I will be busy!  Our final project is pitching our business to a bank for a loan! My 13 year old told me she’d do my PowerPoint presentation. 😂😂😂😂😂 

I have a few folks considering the orange convertible couch but no commitments yet.  It is so cool that I would have kept it if my husband was not so comfy with our sectional.  I am willing to drive pretty far to deliver so mid Atlantic peeps, take a look.  I need a few days to get it cleaned for delivery but this weekend is wide open for me so reach out!  

Really sexy and comfy, very good original condition with only minor signs of wear, back folds down flat for snoozing/guests, under seat storage.  Very cool piece!  

Really sexy and comfy, very good original condition with only minor signs of wear, back folds down flat for snoozing/guests, under seat storage.  Very cool piece!  

Have a great week! XO Malissa