Last April I wrote about New Orleans and Houston antique dealer Tara Shaw who had just introduced her latest venture – a reproduction line aptly named MAISON. Visiting Tara Shaw and seeing the newly arrived merchandise was surprising – the pieces were so gorgeous, such faithful reproductions, that I was slightly stunned. A few items I actually mistook for an antique. Tara spent years developing her line – getting the finishes perfect and it shows. MAISON is a mix of Italian, Swedish and French – her repro chandeliers are my personal favorites and the Swedish pieces are in class of their own. MAISON is being sold through different retailers around the country and I wish Tara all the success in the world. She is such a nice person, so sweet, always greeting everyone with an easy smile and a friendly “hello” – never harried though her sales can be quite chaotic with people rushing to be first at the goods (read the April article to learn how I almost had an heart attack at my first Tara Shaw sale!) The original offerings from MAISON were very well received and recently Tara debuted 18 new items from the line. You can see the entire line on the web site at www.tarashaw.com. The antiques are to the trade only, but Tara is happy to pair up retail customers with a designer so that anyone can purchase directly from the web site. If you don’t have a password – just register and one will be sent to your email.
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A partial look at the MAISON line – there is something for everyone’s favorite style be it French, Italian or Swedish.
Of the original Swedish MAISON items – the barrel chairs are a personal favorite.
The original MAISON line has two sizes of the Italian chandelier – large and larger. These pieces are so antique looking, you will swear they are! I love everything in this picture – from the corner cabinet to the chairs to the traditional expanding Swedish table!!!
This is the newest style of chandelier that Tara has – I love the curve of the arms.
A standing Italian styled lamp – love this! Are you SURE this isn’t an antique??????
An Italian carved wood bench – this would be great in a living room or paired, in front of a bed.
I am a sucker for sconces – these have a large antiqued mirror back. A pair would be nice flanking a large armoire or bookcase.
Here is another pair of sconces, smaller, these would be nice in a dining room or bedroom.
Louis XVI Mirrored Side Table, small – there are three different sizes of this cute painted table.
Wooden fragments – small, medium, and large. These would be great on a tablescape or in a shelving unit.
Louis XVI gilded mirror – I love this style of mirror, simple and elegant. The antique version of this is quite expensive.
Venetian mirrors – nice to use as a pair, flanking a larger piece. To see all the pieces in the MAISON line, visit www.tarashaw.com - To the Trade only – if you aren’t trade, you just need to register to sign in.
Besides the MAISON line- Tara Shaw is of course famous for her fabulous antiques – at even more fabulous prices. Here, an 18c Louis XIV Large Tuscan Canape – I love this and if I had a large dining room – I would use it there against a wall, or instead of chairs on one side of the table!
This 18th century Grande Biblioteque would be so beautiful in a library or living room – love the chicken wire!!!
19th century Swedish chest – the Swedish craze is still as strong as ever – wouldn’t this be great in a bedroom or an entry hall?
I love trumeaus – especially those with carved reliefs - 18th century trumeau with neoclassical relief.
19th century blanc font jardineres – bringing outside accessories inside is still in vogue. This pair is just beautiful – especially without a plant!
If I was building a kitchen, I would forgo upper cabinets and place this in the space! 19th century French vitrine.
Be sure to visit www.tarashaw.com – both the MAISON and the Antiques area. Remember, Tara will be happy to direct you to a designer to place an order from the web site!!!