Pittsburgh's Handmade Arcade is Just Tip of Handmade Iceberg

Irwin Weiner ASID - If it's made by hand, it's going to be better. Probably more tender loving care into the object, more eco-friendliness, and carloads of personality. I've often commented that if there's a cure for contemporary mass-produced and machine-made home goods, it's buying handmade items to warm-up a space. I'm attracted to bulky-knit rugs, hand-screened prints in WPA colors and retro sensibilities, sculpture of any kind, and imaginative metal work. Of the latter, I love working with a local blacksmith and metal master Ray Matthis of Tutto Metal Design - see photo above. If you're a designer or homeowner, working with someone like Ray will guarantee that you have a unique handmade item in your home or client project. Other handmade sources of inspiration: Etsy shops, of course; Pittsburgh's Handmade Arcade (check out the Handmade Arcade for the Holidays this Saturday, November 12 from 11am to 7pm by going onto the Handmade Arcade website - and check out the video below for a look at a past arcade event); and the Modern Victorian/Steampunk home renovation work and furniture design of Bruce Rosenbaum (see photo below) and ModVic.

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ABC's of Valuing an Antique

Irwin Weiner ASID - My clients often ask me if something they've inherited is of any value. That triggers a series of questions from me: Is it an item you love? Does it hold wonderful childhood memories for you? Has it been passed down in your family for generations? Do you personally find it useful and/or beautiful? You can see where this is going. I'm not trying to get at monetary value at all. I think it's a great fringe benefit to own something of strong value, but the personal connection is an oftentimes overlooked consideration of the value of an antique, piece of furniture, or collectible. If there's a personal connection to a piece of furniture - "This is the dining room table we always used for family gatherings. Oh the Thanksgiving dinners we used to have!" - then I'll try to incorporate it into their decorating scheme.

An antique's value, apart from its meaning to the owner, is another matter ... and I think a secondary consideration unless the owner is thinking of selling the object. The following video from AntiqueJars.net covers very well the basics of defining and valuing an antique.

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Chair Love: 10 of Our New Faves

Jackson Crazy Armchair from Marie's Corner

Irwin Weiner ASID - So many chair, so little time. Here are a few of our favorite chairs. Click on each photo for more information. And enjoy watching the video on Thomas Heatherwick exciting interactive Spun chair! Our goal: to have every one of our clients sitting pretty.

Bubble Chair with LED Lights by RousseauPixel Chair by Vivian ChiuWoofer Chair by Saporiti Italia

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Richard Lavigne Sells Witty Goods at Knollwood Antiques

Irwin Weiner ASID - Still so many memories from the invitation-only opening night preview of the latest Antiques, Art & Design at the Armory show this past September 21 at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC, co-hosted by Ellie Cullman, Jamie Drake, and Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin.

Besides being one of the nicest dealers in Manhattan, Richard Lavigne of Knollwood Antiques has just launched his new showroom space at Center 44, one of our favorite open showrooms (over 25,000 square feet of awe-inspiring furniture and decor in handy Midtown). This gives Richard great access to all those designers and clients who prefer to shop online and do their research before bringing out the credit card. Smart thinking.

So what caught my eye? So many things that were either tongue in cheek or just plain cheeky. I loved the camp 1970s silvered resin faux rock console table (top photo). How about the pair of stylized coral estate lamps? (middle photo) I love their upright block shape, so easy to fit on a narrow end table and leave room for setting down a cocktail or snack plate. Richard's booth at the show was dotted with wonderful touches of coral accessories. And a home is just not a home without a wooden African baga tribal fetish (below, top photo) or this pair of delicate, stunning 1950s wrought-iron Italian lanterns (below, middle photo) or the megawatt glitter of a pair of Italian bronze and glass leaf design light fixtures (bottom photo). 

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