New Merchandise, really new....not vintage.

I connected with a wholesaler a few years back and visit a few times a year to pick up some fun NEW items that fit my retro or vintage camping themes. If you ever got a gift with purchase from me that is where I find them!  I hand pick these items and will have them for sale in my booth space and on eBay.  I also get the hand made Indian Kantha items from them.  I made a visit today and restocked on kantha placemats which never stick around long, some new to me kitchen towels and pillow cases. I am offering these limited quantities for purchase direct (I will PayPal invoice you! Send me your email address) and will get listings on eBay but your best price will be direct.  Kantha items go on Etsy because they are created from vintage saris. Here’s a preview of what I have. Shoot me an email with your wants and I will make you an invoice.  I will combine shipping, etc.  I got some fun stuff!  

Retro cotton kitchen towel approx 29” by 29”.  Printed on one side. So cute!  $12 shipped.   

Cotton kitchen towel in brown featuring white printed text.  Perfect for your camper!  These are all new with tags and make great gifts! $12 shipped. 

I love this one!  I have been selling door mats with this saying on one side!  I picked up 2 more today and have 2 left on eBay.  Will take some more out to the booth.  They are now discontinued I believe so this may be the last I get. I have 4 of these towels.  $12 shipped.

No lie, this is my happy spot! 💕👌 Another great cotton towel for home or camp! $12 shipped. 

These pillow cases rock!  100% cotton and nice 28” length size. Printed on 2 sides with back all small illustrations- trees, marshmallows on sticks, boats, fire, flashlights! $15 shipped.  Only 3 of these! 

5 of these! Same back side as the one above.  I also have a few at my retail space that say The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go. $15/shipped.  

Something new.  I got 2 sets of (4) woven Kantha placemats.  $30 shipped each set. 

Kantha quilted placemats! These always sell out for me on Etsy.  Each is 2 sided for twice the fun.  Let your boho freak flag fly at home or camp. I have 4 sets of 4 available.  If you want me to pick certain colors reach out and I can send you pics do you can select.  If not, I will mix em up! $30 shipped each set.  

I restocked some of my hipster Halloween kitchen towels that were a great hit last season!  Available direct $12 shipped or will be adding to the retail space in the next month.  

All of this stuff is new with tags and ready to gift!  I would love to get some to you so reach out if I can help you with an order.  Many of these items have been discontinued so I may not be able to get more. 

Thanks for your support!  I will be traveling to Pittsburgh in 2 weeks.  If you would like a large item delivered to the area hit me up now! This is the perfect chance to SAVE shipping!!!! Meet me in PITTSBURGH!! 💕👌 I will do my best to fit your item in my car with the family and bring it to you. Let’s chat!

LAST WEEK FOR ETSY 20% OFF SUMMER SALE!  Grab your goodies while you can! No coupon required.  

XO MALISSA

Lounge Chair restoration

I have been crazy busy this week with deliveries and even drove to Brooklyn for the first time ever!  It went very smooth and I would not rule it out for the future.  I also need to check my ez pass to see what tolls I incurred as I believe the Varrazano Bridge was $17 each way plus there probably was a few other charges along the way.  My kids were along and helped navigate. 

I was able to replace the Pirelli strapping in the lounge chair.  It was a pretty easy project.  I have the chair listed for sale AS IS, with an option to have custom cushions made.  I have fabrics available in my stash which would be included in the quote or provide your own.  I can also order you something at cost.  It is a great chair and comfy enough with the original cushions but will be amazing with new high density foam and a great fabric choice!  

I have not identified this beauty.  It is very similar to a Baumritter lounge but there is a metal plate on the front with logo worn off.  None of the Baumritter’s have that so I am pretty sure it is another maker.  Maybe some day I will figure it out!  The wood has been oiled and it is ready to go. 

I am not sure what I will work on next. We will be busy in the weeks coming with weekend trips and other summer activities.  I just had an ad in our local newspaper yesterday so hoping some classy local peeps find me.  I would love to help some locals furnish their homes!  

The art department at the Reading Eagle did a great job on my ad. 👌

A current view of my offerings at the Fleetwood Antique Mall.  If you are looking for a large mirrored shadow box, I got one in there and it is amazing!  I believe everything at this point is priced UNDER $100, minus the Ming table set.  Come have a look and take some great items home.  I will probably be shaking up my look come next month so this is last call before I do that.  We get lots of college students in August so I will be doing a display with them in mind! 

Thank you for reading!  Still in limbo with job hunting and not knowing what my future holds.  This is all I got right now so send me your referrals! I would love to work with like minded folks who need some fun new pieces!  XO Malissa

The Custom Bench finale and a look at the next project.

This cutie needed new guts and new threads. Like all of my restorations, I blame myself if I choose the fabric and it sits here a long time.  The best way for me to handle a restoration is to finish in tandem with a buyer, so they can call the shots. 

I picked up this adorable bench a few weeks back and picked up supplies right away.  Replacing the jute straps was pretty easy and a fun project. You know they are tight enough when you tap them and they vibrate like a drum!  

I had to rework a few loose legs.  The joinery was pretty awesome as the legs are under pressure, inserted into the cut hole and then a wedge is forced in expanding the circumference and locking in the peg. There are no screws or hardware keeping them in.  We did use a bit of glue to reinforce things.

I sanded and refinished the chipped and scratched legs.  Once there are dents and other imperfections in the surface, this is the best way to go.  What was revealed was beautiful mahogany frame and legs.  The stain allows the grain to come through which was not the case with the original painted finish.  Why cover up that pretty wood?    

I was very happy to connect with a gal who was interested in making this piece her own!  We chatted a bit and I told her what kind of fabrics I had in my stash.  She quickly decided the marimekko print reissue in poppies was for her.  I was learning towards that one myself!  It was an instant connection and my worked flowed forward. 

The seat stuffing all cut....new foam and cotton.  Trying out the fabric.  

Here she is complete!  I had her packed and shipped the following morning!  

I am on to the next project and it is currently available to customize! This stellar lounge chair is American and very similar to a Baumritter lounge.  There is a tag on the front but maker info has worn off.  I am getting ready to install the Pirelli straps and then will need to make new cushions. If you want to call the shots, now is the time to reach out to me.  I estimate the finished chair to be in the $500 range.  If you would like me to purchase fabric for you, that would be additional.  I would love to work with someone on this!

BROOKLYN....I have a delivery next Tuesday. If you are available during the day to receive and I can fit the item in my car with the hutch, I can bring you something! This is a rare opportunity as I do not normally deliver to the city.  Reach out now to arrange! 

CHANGES COMING.... 

I am doing some soul searching while in my time of job loss and subsequent job searching.  The reality of what I am doing now is that it does not pay my bills.  I’d love to just run with this business but reality is that I would need to sell $80,000 a year to have a shot at replacing a full time income and I do not think it is physically possible for me to do it alone.  I will continue this venture but I am not sure at what capacity as I am applying for full time work.  I am sick of being poor, honestly.  I work all the time on this and I don’t get paid.  I am not sure where I will be making changes until I get closer to a new career, but I can tell you I think I will be going back to my roots of smaller pieces.  Things I can pack easily for the bus which I can handle on the weekends without much assistance.  Full time work means I will not be able to meet a shipper here as they have no flexibility.  I will probably sell off my Smalls and stick to pieces I really want to take on.  Extra boutique like.  If there is a large piece in my inventory you are eyeing, reach out to me now.  If you are picking up or live in my region, let’s chat.  I can offer you ‘off my markets’ pricing.  They take lots of fees!  I want to thin out what is here so I do not have so much stuff to store.  If fall comes and I still don’t have a position lined up, I may restock for winter.  I will always be available for custom sourcing!  If I can head hunt, buy and get a piece ready for you, please reach out!  I also feel this venture will be less stressful on the side knowing I have an income.  I am open to part time work so if I end up in another flexible position I will definitely continue as it was but I am sure those jobs are few and far between.  In the mean time, trying to crank through my projects!  I have been very busy this year and this is normally the dead time of year!  Thank you all for supporting me and I will continue to serve you fabulous colorful restored vintage goods as long as I can! 🤗

XO MALISSA

Another research day in the books.

Last week I got to spend a few hours in Philadelphia after picking up some new inventory which a past client sold me as he gets ready to move out of the country.  I decided to keep the dining table so will be offering up my Heywood Wakefield triple wishbone table and dog bone chairs shortly.  If you are seeking, I can sell this set in need of a little refinishing (6 chairs our of 7).    I am thrilled with the round Herman Miller Architect's table and it really fits my room alot better.  For as much as I loved the Heywood set, it really is a large piece even with no leaves inserted!  That said, reach out if it interests you!

The beautiful building of the Philly Athenaeum. The library is on the 2nd floor.

The finale of the trip was a Harvey Probber catalog on reserve at the Philadelphia Athenaem.  This museum is an architect's museum.  So you can expect blue prints, buildings and other items of interest.  Harvey Probber furniture is actually more transitional than MCM.  More like Dunbar and Edward Wormley designs.  These designers played on traditional designs so you will see modern elements-curves and angles in tandem with tradition materials like cane and lots of brass bling.  Check first dibs and you will see a Probber piece will set you back quite a bit.  So now you know why I spend so much time on authentification.  If it truly is a Probber, it is a rarer piece.  None of my comps have labels and neither does mine.  Rule #1 of MCM.....never trust it because you SAW it on the internet.  PROOF PROOF PROOF.  If you are spending your money on something of provenance and the dealer does not provide you with adequate proof of this, or at least a well thought out reason to why they believe it is legit....keep walking.  Unless you really love the piece and do not care if it's legit, of course.  

My suspected Probber piece.  The brass rod is a common thread with other Probber pieces.  I have seen magazine racks like this that do not have the table top.  None of my comps are labeled.  

The librarian was waiting with my materials when I arrived for the scheduled appointment.  The folio contained just a small catalog.  I was able to take pics (as is common with museums and collections.....they want to protect their collections and do not want bad photos published.  Makes sense.  Copy right protection is real.  SO I cannot share any pics with you of the catalog but she is safe there in Philadelphia waiting for you to sign her out for the hour.  It may have had about 50 pages, in black and white with some nice photography.  The really cool X or scissors chairs that have a brass rod similar to my table were in there as were some other things I recognized from around the web.  The note on the chairs said '...The new "Probber" chair is distinguished by its elegance of line, achieved through the application of new electronic laminating techniques used in its manufacture.'  Probber was young....like 15 when he started pitching furniture designs to companies.  He really was a go getter.  His line of modular couches were one of the first in the realm.  He had his own furniture company for many years, selling through designers and did a lot of custom work.  Classy is the best way I can describe his designs.  Innovative as well.  So my table or similar magazine rack was not in the booklet.  I was told about 2 places in Delaware where I can expand my search.  I plan on investigating the holdings at Wintethur and Hayley.

BACK TO THE CUTTOLI LEGER RUG..... 

I also received a few documents from my friend at Kykuit.  These were published by scholars and I could not find a free copy to view but she managed to get me a copy and I am ever so thankful.  The one I really thought would be a great read, in fact, was!  Published by Virginia Gardner Troy, 'Easel Tapestries: The American Reception of the Marie Cuttoli Tapestries 1930s-1950s' hit the mark.  Ms Troy really delves into the history of Cuttoli and her creations and then the element of reproduction of an artists work.  She works through the timeline from the original tapestry series of the 1930s through the exhibition and reception of the works into the 1960s editions.  I found what I was looking for when she touched on this specifically with the following regarding Nelson Rockefeller: “10 years later (1962) he purchased Matisse’s ‘Papeete’ and 2 Leger carpets from Cuttoli via her partnership with Galarie Lucie Weill in Paris.  Both tapestries were deaccessioned by the 1970s.”  The literal meaning of deaccessioned is when a listed item is removed from a collection most likely to sell to raise funds.  We know those rugs were not sold as they still reside at Kykuit and are once again on display to the public.  Amazing how much information gets lost in a relatively short period of time!  Troy cites documents from the Rockefeller archives which means the information exists but to reasonably piece this story together takes numerous sources of varying origins.  It is quite fascinating to discover this and now I have proof of what I figured out some time ago.  This chapter can now be closed and I can say without a doubt what I have.  As to which socialite and art collector owned mine.....I guess I may never figure that out. 🤷‍♂️

New acquisitions.

i have been adding some really neat items to my inventory.  Here is a quick overview.  

Contemporary Italian chrome bar cart. 

Amazing Morris of Glasgow (yes, Scotland) mixed teak and mahogany veneer credenza.  Designed by Neil Morris.  Features angled shelves and felt lined top drawer.

Unmarked teak danish style hutch.  Features glass doors (not pictured), 2 drawers and bottom cabinet.  Compact size to display your collections.  

Currently working on rebuilding this bench and I have a buyer who is customizing it with me. New strapping installed!

More coming!  I just sold the first danish style lounge and have another that I will be restrapping and making cushions for.  Keep your eyes peeled to my Instagram or Facebook so you don’t miss anything!

Have a great week!  XO MALISSA

The best things in life are shared. My trip to Kykuit.

One of a very limited edition, there were less than 20 made. This Fernand Leger design, known as ‘Blanc’ was most likely made and sold during the 1960s American tour of Marie Cuttoli’s textile exhibit and in collaboration with Galerie Lucie Weill. *photo credit J Federici

It was just about a year ago when I won a gorgeous piece of history and started researching it.  I learned a lot about wool, moths and fine rugs.  The piece was multifaceted with history and part of a very limited edition of hand knotted rugs. The artist whose work was featured, Fernand Leger, was commissioned to create the maquette or cartoon used in the design. The woman who orchestrated this project has just as fascinating history.  Marie Cuttoli, originally the wife of a French Senator, had a vision of reviving the tapestry arts in the 1920’s.  She spent time in her Algerian mansion and appreciated the artisans there.  She worked with a group of women who learned to weave and create works of art from the cartoons.  

These pieces generally took 8 months to weave and thus most seem to have been ordered and shipped from Paris. I was able to find our a little about a few of the owners of these pieces scouring auction comps from Christie’s, Sotheby’s and other high end auction houses.  Some notable former owners include Vera G List, socialite, philanthropist and notable art collector.  I read a transcript from an interview with her in 1973 available from the Archives of American Art which explored her thoughts on collecting and her involvement in the organizations she supported.  Another collector/owner was Robert and Andriene (Andrea) Bollt.  Andrea was also known as an avid modern art collector and philanthropist.  

It was at some point after I listed my piece in my online markets that I was contacted by a curatorial assistant with Kykuit, the Rockefeller family estate.  They held a few pieces from the Cuttoli series in their collection and wanted to find out more about them.  I agreed to share my research, sources and comps with them and planned on making the drive to Tarrytown, NY to tour the estate. 

Enjoying the Grand Tour at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, New York.  *photo credit J Federici

I grabbed a friend and scheduled my appointment and Grand tour, as advised by the Curator.  She mentioned that only the 2 longer tours take you into the basement art galleries where the rugs are on display.  Also note that there are many beautiful Calder tapestries on display and any modern art fan would not want to miss this!  

The estate was absolutely amazing! From the gorgeous gardens to the amazing home and antiques, the tour guide was great and really gave us a lot of history on the family and how life was in that compound.  Heavily Asian influenced, the decor was elegant and scattered with Nelson’s modern tastes. It all worked well together.  

After the final stop on the tour at the coach house (filled with buggies that would make my Mennonite friends jealous!), I sat and chatted with the curator and showed her my catalogs and references, presented her with a written summary of comps and info and discussed theories on the origins of the pieces held in our collections. She was lovely and it was so refreshing to discuss this with a like minded individual.  Having to piece together the series of circumstances with these items really makes me appreciate the organizations that preserve this history.  I have used many of them and give back to support them when I can.  

Today I am traveling to Philadelphia to visit the Athenaeum to peruse a Harvey Probber catalog to see if I can authenticate a table I have that is attributed to him.  Another day, another fun expedition.  I will report on that next week.  In the mean time, I will leave you with a few of my shots in the gardens at Kykuit.  Have a great week!  

XO Malissa

Beautiful views of the Hudson River from this perch!