Early Saarinen Restored, more doctor office stuff and lots leaving!

It’s been about a month since I checked in. I started back at work with limited hours 2 weeks ago, It was weird after being home for 5 weeks. During this time, I was so surprised with all the support I received! Lots of things have left and are continuing to leave! I cracked into the last DOCTOR HOUSE boxes and am working through listing more medical goodies. I found some cool stuff! Check out my Etsy and check back as I have more to list. I have some things in my eBay as well,

While I was home and the sewing machine was handy, I decided to tear into the Saarinen 72 side chair pair. I got them tore apart, new foam in the seats, new upholstery crafted from a (supposed) vintage Knoll Greek key woven tweed. It looks fantastic and I took care in matching the pattern up on both. The fiberglass backs had some love too and I reinforced some cracks in the base of one with some epoxy and gave them a new coat of paint. They are fantastic, I originally sold them on consignment as ‘project’ pieces. Sadly, the eBay buyer forced a return on me and I pretty much lost everything and had to pay his $60 shipping fees. The only way I was going to come out ahead was to put the time in them. They are now listed in my markets. They are super as a pair but would also look great in a mismatched set around your table. They are definitely early production as noted by the fiberglass backs. The earliest had different legs, but they date to the 50s/60s for sure. They are comfy now and stylish and ready to rock your world!

PaiR of restored eero saarinen 72 side chairs, fiberglass backs made by Knoll.

I just sold the credenza part of the China hutch in my retail space. I will be adding hairpin legs to the top and using it as a display, once it is converted it will be ‘available’ for purchase. I think it will look handsome! The space is all set up and if you are popping by the Mall and staff is there, you can get a private showing. They are not officially open, but will take appointments. That said, if you’d like to shop my space, either reach out to me or call the mall for an appointment. Hopefully they will be open soon for regular shipping. We are going stir crazy but safety is first. Please remember your PPE when heading into any store in the state. I will announce when they schedule a grand reopening!

ReaDy for sUmmer! Picnic, camping, Boho decor!

Can’t wait to see thr hutch top oN hairpins!

i am working through listing back stock and if you enjoyed the vintage medical items, you may want to check in on my Etsy. I started going through the last 3 boxes of stuff and am getting it listed. I also found me a box of PPE! That is coming in handy since I need to wear it in the office all day and the handmade ones just aren’t that breathable. I really tried to take advantage of my time at home knowing the rest of my year will be complete census insanity. Kindly bear with me as I do intend to do both well, but will need to flex around a busy work schedule.

Shop madmodworldvintage on eTsy! 💗

Thanks to all my clients near and far that are keeping me excited about this little business while I am working my temporary gig and stockpiling some money. It had been the best thing for my family and sanity even though I am working double time. With the extension of census operations, I will now be working through most of the year! Keep sane and if you need shipping assistance, reach out!

XO Malissa ✌️

No Touch Pick-ups, a whole new world.

I hope this note finds you healthy and hiding out! We are sheltering in place and I have generally only been leaving home to pick up some groceries about 5 miles from home, once a week. It’s so easy to feel out of touch from the rest of the world! My husband is still working and thank God, as I may kill him if he is here all day, every day! Can anyone relate?! 😂. My kids started home school assignments and they are stressing me out a little. This is not working well for my underachiever and I am going insane micromanaging him. Successes are: I made some fantastic cookies that have been deployed to a friend’s birthday solitary celebration, we have been eating like rock stars and my husband smoked a pork butt for the most wonderful pulled pork ever, and I spent two days sewing us some masks….eventually we have to leave. Ha

My chairish shop is 100% functional and I had a chair picked up last week headed to the Midwest. I could get used to this no touch thing! I don’t have to lift a finger! My best shipper is back on the west coast taking a break so at this time, I suggest anyone needing a large piece shipped check my chairish shop for instant pricing. If you are new to chairish and make an account, you will get a $20 coupon via email that will apply toward any service fees. This market is pretty high end but know you are getting top notch service throughout. Your item is insured and handled with care. Please message or call me if you need help!
USPS/FED EX/UPS are all functional and any smaller packaged will go out promptly. If you are eyeing any smalls in my shop and want to negotiate, please shout! My goal is to eliminate my small items. Flea market season is on hold and I will be back to work for most of the summer and probably cannot manage a live show. I can do porch/driveway pick up for the locals, take PayPal for remote payment and whatever you need to feel comfortable. I think there are limited hours at the antique mall, meaning,if someone is there working, you can purchase things if you call ahead, or, I can access my inventory to retrieve items. I would gladly run out to grab something right now if need be.

Don’t forget to check out my website! I have listed a bunch of new items I have available from my wholesaler, Primitives by Kathy. All prices include shipping.

Working on getting 3 of these cute deco tables ready. Two are like this one and the other is halfmoon shaped. They all feature cobalt mirroRed glass. I took them on because i enjoyed their colorful style and deco stuff is fun.

i am currently working on a few projects and trying to add backstock to my shops. I got plenty of merchandise sitting around! Let me know if you are looking for something, I may have it! STAY SAFE my peeps!

XO MALISSA

Hanging in there….

Hope this update finds you and yours heathy, safe and hunkered down. I am using the down time to get some projects done and my storage areas organized. I have had some shopper interaction and wanted to share that my closest Greyhound Station is closed until further notice. Chairish is still coordinating shippers and last I checked with Jackie, she was still moving things across the country. In lieu of planning anything in the present, I am all for taking deposits to hold items and will ship or deliver when things improve. It’s a bit more budget friendly as well! If there is something you are eyeing….and more so now that you are sitting at home staring at your space more than ever, I am here to help! That said, I am going to try to get some back stock listed and I do have some furniture to get ready. I will be back at work when this passes and I do expect to be working most of the summer at this point, in my fast paced, 40 plus hour a week gig. I encourage you to reach out for direct pricing. Both of my markets are charging 20% in fees these days so I can save you a little by shopping direct with me.

I have just added some gift packages to my website! What a better way to send some cheer to your mid century loving friends across the country of across the street! Perfect for Easter, birthdays or just as a pick me up. You have 2 choices and I will pack with tissue and make them special. I will gladly add a personalized note from you as well! You will find them in the GIFT ITEMS FOR SALE page in my website.

This kit includes 2 eAmes dots travel kits and a set of 9 eames house of cards notepads. All new old stock and so fun. PriCe includes priority shipping to lower 48.

This kit includes 1 eames dopp kit plus the set of 9 eames house of cards notepaDs, shipped.

if you want to spread some mcm cheer, head to my website and purchase your kits there! Email or text me 610-223-5758 with any additional instructions. I will ship in 24 hours or less.

I hope those of you spending more time at home are enjoying your collections and your loved ones. We are cooking, baking and taking walks on our country road, going out only for necessities and my husband is essential but has his work truck home so he does not have to report to his garage every day.

Stay safe!

XO MALISSA

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