It’s on!

I knew it was coming. It’s here. My free time is non existent. Easy to pack items will get out quick but anything bulky, fragile or needing a custom box may take me longer to get shipped. i Will keep you posted so you aren’t wondering when your item will ship. I do not see any easing up until summer. I am on duty one weekend a month which will require me pretty much working 2 weeks straight without a day off. We also have some overnight work coming at the end of month. Trust me, it’s insane! Thanks for all your orders! I appreciate the support. Also note that I brought home a Heywood Wakefield bedroom set and all of it will be listed when I get some daylight and time. Gorgeous condition! Full bed, encore tall boy, encore lowboy with mirror and a nightstand. I will get listed as soon as I can but reach out if you are looking and I will send you info.

I took this today on my way out thr door. NeeOre time to get the big pieces.

As they lived. All CHAMPAGNE finish. Beautiful shape.thebed has headboard, footboard amd rails. Full size.

Marie Cuttoli: Comeback queen of Textiles

If you have been following along for a while, you may remember my find of a lifetime; the rug I am pictured with above. I have a speculation as to how it arrived at the small auction house I snagged it from. I believe it went unsold from a art collector/socialite/wealthy individuals estate and ended up improperly stored in the back of a warehouse or similar. The moths found it and began to ingest the beautiful wool fibers and do their thing, munching that awesome creation. The design, known as ‘Blanc’, was commissioned by Marie Cuttoli from her friend, Fernand Leger, the cubist artist. Cuttoli, who was married to Paul Cuttoli, French senator, knew all about being a wealthy art collector. She had many cubist art friends and she supported them in their craft. Her extensive collection of original paintings are held by the National Museum in Paris. She was not just satisfied to collect art and had a vision to translate this into weavings. She trained a bunch of women in Algeria, where she and her husband were living, to hand craft tapestries depicting the art of her friends. This was in the 1920s, early 1930s. She was also known for her fashions, which she sold in a Paris at her haute couture boutique, Maison Myrbor. Her goal dabbling with tapestry was to bring the art back into the limelight with a modern twist.

Flash forward to the 60s. Marie sends her creations to the USA on a museum tour basically to sell more rugs. She offers a limited edition of some designs made just for the tour, ordered by those folk who wanted the freshest collectible art for their personal collections. Those included Nelson Rockefeller and many of his peers. The rugs did not sell as good as she hoped, which kept the number in existence pretty low. They pretty much turn up in the secondary market once a generation. I have found comps over the last 20 years- as high as $40,000 in high end auction houses. Moving them at that price means finding the right market of wealthy collectors. It’s not an easy thing to do.

During the two years I protected and researched my rug, I was able to adventure to museums for research, found a copy of the 60s tour catalog and even bought a book on Cuttoli in French. She turns up in many doctoral candidates research papers and being a pioneer in women’s business, many have a respect for her as a package….not just as an art producer/collector/fan, but how she turned an art form back into a business and making it viable again. I got to visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, NY and share my research with the Assistant Curator and view Nelson’s two Cuttoli rugs on display. The final thrill was last November, I finally found someone who appreciates this piece and Cuttoli as much as I and had the ability and expertise in textiles to have it restored. After an amazing afternoon in Manhattan, I handed her off to a beautiful soul who would get her taken care of.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered an exhibit opening THIS WEEK at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia featuring Cuttoli, her tapestries and her story! It only runs for a short time and I hope to get there to witness. A new book published on her ‘in English’ is also accompanying the show. She is finally getting famous in America! Yes, the Parisians adore her. I was told by a French fan on my Instagram that she is not famous in America…..true…..but we are behind the times.

There is a resurgence in interest in women in the textile business and focusing on the orchestration of their creations. Academia is starting to find it a worthy discussion in art history and it is fabulous to see it unfold as an awakened mind. Get out to the Barnes and see a selection of Cuttoli’s creations….haute couture fashion, tapestries and her own collection of original paintings by cubist masters. I guarantee you will be a fan too!

I am looking forward to seeing the exhibit. Will be squeezing in a trip as soon as I can!

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/barnes-foundation-highlights-tapestry-patron-marie-cuttoli/2302845/

Link to the Barnes Foundation info.
Check out a video overview by the curator in the Barnes Foundation Facebook page! Sorry not able to grab a link.

XO Malissa

My new temporary life.

I am about a month into my new life of full time work and filling in the cracks with housework and business dealings. Many have reached out about things but I have been moving the most stuff locally via FB marketplace. I need to keep stuff moving even though I am not actively adding much to my inventory. If there is anything you are eyeing and I can help you along in your search, please reach out. I still have consignments looking for homes too and I need them to go. I will be adding backstock to my inventory as the winter rolls on. My job will be stressful and fast moving ending with a thud at the end of census operations….probably in June but I found my not to exceed termination date published as August 31st. This is a great opportunity for temp work that pays well so encourage anyone in that position to apply! We will be hiring through March so it is not too late to get a job. 2020census.gov/jobs.
I have a delivery meetup scheduled this Saturday in central PA off the turnpike. If you want something smaller that fits with my wall unit and can meet me in Somerset or East on the turnpike, give a yell!

I have 20% off in my retail space for the month of January! Head out to Fleetwood Antique Mall and take some stuff home. I only get to check in over the weekends but have plenty to restock with so come shop with me locally!

Here’s some fun! Last Monday and the next 2 are the Winterthur episodes of Antiques Roadshow I attended last summer. I was not filmed nor waited in line to talk to the cameras, but I found myself in the first aired episode and again in episode 2!

You can stream the episodes on THEIR WEBSITE.

XO MALISSA

Episode 2 at Winterthur.

Last Minute Holiday Info.

I am officially in the throes of full time employment albeit temporarily and it will come to an end but not much before July. I welcome you to reach out to arrange pick up and purchase of most smaller furniture pieces at my retail space. Most of my items can be placed out there if you give me a few days notice. Unfortunately, I will be working evenings and weekends as we get into peak ops on the census and that will definitely limit my availability. I will be trying to keep up with my shops but I can tell you, it’s already exhausting with my commute, hours and housework. That said, I wanted to give a quick reminder of my MEET AND GREET next Saturday, 21st! I plan on hanging out all day at my space in Fleetwood Antique Mall and want you, my friends and fans that are local to come out! I have great last minute gifts and will have a gift for you as well! I am not giving them out to just everyone who comes wandering by so please ask me! Your choice of a great Eames Office ‘house of cards’ theme notepad. I have sets of all 9 designs gift wrapped and will have some for sale too. If you need a gift for a mid mod fan, I got you! They are cheap too so won’t break the bank! For stockings or just a thoughtful gift, come grab some! See you (around) 10am and I will stay until 5:00 or later if I have folks to chat with. Got questions about my business or how I work my shipping miracles or tell me about your collection? It’s a good time to chat! Want something in my online inventory? I can bring that too, just message me a few days in advance. I will offer my SALE on anything in my inventory but you will need to give me a heads up. 15% off, 35% if you wear an ugly sweater! I will probably have snacks too! Come celebrate my best year in business with me! 💗.

Online sales are running out of time for christmas. Larger items going Fed Ex to west coast are probably pushing it after the beginning of next week. Priority Mail should be out before next weekend. My prices all included cheaper of shipping options so if you are under a holiday deadline, they please reach out first as I don’t want you to be disappointed. I can quote faster options at your additional cost.

I have my (late) grandmother’s chair at the upholsterer! I can’t wait to see it next week. Will post pics when it comes back. You guys really think I can walk away from this life for 6 months and not keep restoring things??? 😂😂😂😂 I can actually afford to pay for it now! 💗✌️ See you next weekend local peeps! Happy Holidays to those I won’t see! XO Malissa

EAMES DOTS Dopp kits promo video

If you are in need of a gift that won’t break the bank, check out these Dopp kits! I made a little video to tell you about them in under 2 minutes. ha. I have VERY LIMITED red bags….like 2 here at home and maybe 3 or 4 more out at the mall. I have a few here that have color bleed issues where the red bled into the cream material. I was not planning on selling them but giving them as gifts when someone buys a large expensive item. (yeah, I DO THAT!). So act quickly if I can send one of them. Grey bags I have loads of for the moment! Grab some while I got them especially if you need a decent quantity.

My census job is getting closer….background check is back. Hopefully I will hear from someone this week with my start date and other info. Please shop early so I can get you taken care of before my life gets totally insane. :). I promise to keep working on back stock while I am working full time but I am not sure how much I will be buying. If you need something sourced, by all means reach out! Thanks for the holiday love! xo Malissa