Auction treasures: Pretty French and Swedish items!

 I love pretty decorating. I always have~since I was a young girl I favored 

this style of decor and adored my french provincial bedroom set as a young teen.

French and Swedish styles are my favorite now that I am all grown up,

and currently at auction houses these kinds of chairs will go for a song, 

mostly because the decorating rave is all mid century modern right now.

Above is a wonderful french provincial tufted back chair with some elaborate

details.  The fabric is old and worn but has silver threads woven in an ivory 

background and faded aqua can be seen here and there.  I love it!

It is not in the best shape as far as the upholstery goes, so that may need

to be addressed, but for now its a nice looking piece of French sculpture.

 Another fun french provincial chair I got was this one in purple velvet!

 This was the big thing I was hoping to get at the auction! Can you tell what it is? The rounded head.....its a mora clock case with a Boston clock works inside. The yellow stickers show that there were left bids, and one was a phone bidder too. So I knew there would be stiff competition for this clock.  It was a miniature mora clock standing about 4 feet tall, and it had everyone oohing and ahhing all over it! There aren't too many times at auction that I am determined to get something regardless of price, and this was one of those times. You all know I have an obsession with mora clocks and that we sell mora clock reproductions at our shop, Maison Decor.  I had never seen a mora clock like this one, its quite rare I believe.  There was interest from a reputable Boston auction house on this piece as well as all the left bids.  Would I be able to get my mora?  How much would I have to pay? Would someone push me out of the bidding? 

 Find out by watching the actual video of me bidding on the clock!

 There were a pair of Waterford crystal lamps 

with their original price stickers on the bottom

priced at $455! How much would they get at auction?

 This wedding cake chandelier was another item 

I really wanted as this style is one I love.

I don't see good vintage chandeliers very often, 

so this one was on my wish list in addition 

to the clock and the fun french tufted chairs.

 Well you can see I prevailed at auction! 

My mini mora clock was headed to its forever home.

Upon close inspection I could tell that the original paint 

had been stripped. I could see remnants of white paint 

and aqua paint on the edges of the backside.  

I am pretty sure I will be painting this clock, 

but for now was just over the moon about having this wonderful little clock.

 Mr. Maison Decor offered to get the clock running.  

Mora clocks have simple mechanisms inside and 

with a bit of thinking you can usually figure them out.  

I will post more on this part later.

 I was victorious on the wedding cake chandy too! 

 It was filthy rotten dirty, as my nana used to say 

when looking at us kids after we played in the yard all day. 

 Each crystal was taken off its tiered mount

 and bathed in white vinegar and hot water.

 What a splendid looking chandelier!  

It is going to be installed for me 

by Mr. Maison Decor when we have a chance~

perhaps on our anniversary next weekend!  

 This was another item I brought home from auction.  

I have always wanted a fainting couch and this one 

is in rough shape, so it could be my initial attempt at reupholstering.  

Then it might get loaded into Mr. Maison Decor's truck and 

brought to a professional.  But first I want to see if I can figure it out.

  Maybe my friend Betsy Speert will give me a few pointers, 

as she has taken classes and knows how to do 

a lot of this kind of stuff!!! (heheh hi Betsy)

 I rounded out my Sunday reading some of my new magazines.  

What a treat~I never get much time to do this kind of 

thing anymore as I am always in the shop. 

 Or playing catch up at the house.  But I am just excited to see 

Pretty Decor coming back into favor. 

 Check out the French and Swedish influences on this cover. 

 I think its fabulous!

Oh...and that Waterford crystal lamp came home with me too.  

At one tenth the MSRP sticker.  Now that's a good deal.