A Glimpse Into The 18th Century

This exquisite pair of large, gilded French angels greet you at Liz Spradling Antiques at Bartlett Street – her new address.

Liz Spradling recently moved her beautiful collection of 18th century antiques from MAI to their new home at 2422 Bartlett Street.  If you have ever paid a visit to MAI, surely you noticed Spradling’s booth.   It was without a doubt one of the best there – overflowing with her handpicked antiques from Europe.     The move was prompted by Spradling’s desire to have her own space where she could spread out and properly display her wares.   The former factory on Bartlett proved to be the perfect spot.    The restored building has brick walls and high ceilings and a decidedly industrial feel.   Plus, she’s right next door to Found For The Home which is a great asset for them both.  Upstairs, a few of Houston’s finest interior designers have office space.  

Walking into the new shop, Liz’s merchandise shines.   The visual impact of the move is immediate:  everything just looks better in its new home.   In anticipation of her move, Liz went on a buying trip and her new purchases have since arrived and are now on display.   Not on display is a warehouse full of even more inventory – there is only so much space available  (I’m dying to see what is in storage!!)  Liz has a flawless eye.   There is something special, something unique to almost each piece she purchased.   Her knowledge of the 18th century is deep and she is willing to share it.   She graciously explains the appeal of her choices – pointing out details your own untrained eye has missed.

In all, it’s a joy to walk into a shop solely filled with such beautiful antiques.   Most pieces are from the 18th century, a few are from the 19th.    In a world today that is filled with tacky reproductions and cheap copies passed off as old, the beauty of seeing a true antique is thrilling.  And, when the owner is friendly and welcoming – it’s the proverbial cherry on top!

A close up of the delicately carved face.  I loved the brooch in the folds of neckline.  Liz patiently explained to me the differences between French faces and German faces found in putti.  

Here are some of my favorite pieces that I saw on the day I visited a few weeks ago:

 

Gorgeous French commode – I love the dark rich patina.

 

 

 

An unusual Swedish piece on the left – great painted finish.    On the right were these cute, matching chests.

 

 

  Simple, but simply beautiful.  

 

The finish on this 18th century French Buffet deux corps is perfect for today’s trend.

 

This was my favorite piece I think.  The lines, the hardware, the finish – fabulous!

A close second!   Those apothecary jars are to die for!!!!!

 

 

A wide shot of the back of the shop.  Behind the store – the glass looks into the back  of the former factory.  Very industrial chic.

Notice the two arms crossing on this charming painted and gilded carving.    Cute bench too!

 

 

A beautifully painted piece filled with French pots.  Notice how it’s painted with touches of blue in the carvings.

Charming, charming – what a great piece for a dining room.   Liz also has a large selection of white ironstone for sale.  Such pretty pitchers. 

 

 

  As Liz pointed out – notice how the two sides of this enfilade are not matching!!

 

 

 

Gorgeous console for an entryway.

Did you notice the dog in the mirror’s carving??  I didn’t at first – not until Liz pointed him out to me. 

There are wonderful mirrors and trumeaus throughout the shop. 

 

 

The cutest side table ever!   It just kills me how charming all these pieces are!!!  Those legs, that little drawer, the perfect painted finish.

  Another table to drool over;  its carved legs are so wonderful – notice the brace.

 

 

 

And another, great end table with a wonderful patina.

 

 

 

Not everything is pricey – there are smalls to pick from.  

There is a great collection of pillows made out of tapestries. 

And finally, a brick wall of station clocks.   Real ones, for once.

If you are in the neighborhood, Kirby and SW Freeway – stop in.  It’s worth having Liz walk you around and give you a tutorial on all the wonderful furniture. 

The website is: www.lizspradling.com    
It was designed by Nancy Morgan who also designed my  blog:  http://www.morganwebdesign.com

Here are the deets:

LIZ SPRADLING ANTIQUES

2422 Bartlett St.   No. 7  Houston, TX  77098

713-526-1400

In between Kirby and Greenbriar, down the block from Goode Co. BBQ

Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10-5 pm

  Saturday 11-4 pm

 

More Rough Luxe Bargains

Looking again at this ad from Cost Plus World Market:   I’m totally hooked on this type of “gray” or Kooboo wicker – and I’m hooked on this chair particularly.    Since a reader first forwarded me this ad, my mind is going in circles.  Should I????   $129.99 x 4 = $519.96

Blame the charming Cynthia who owns Indulge in Houston.  Her house was featured a few years ago in Cottage Living (remember that magazine?) and I think this was the first time I was clued into these chairs – with this particular shape.    Her table looks similar to mine…..hmmmm.  Cynthia has the most amazing style.  Look how cute this room is – look at that built in cabinet on the left. 

For a client, Sally Wheat paired the chairs with this metal Wisteria table – now unfortunately discontinued.  Bring it back!!!  I love the look of a metal table paired with the Kooboo wicker.

When I originally wrote No More Granny Wicker HERE,  I said that Restoration Hardware had some gray wicker for sale, but Pottery Barn didn’t.  Well, that’s now all changed as another reader pointed out:

Pottery Barn now sells two versions.  The smaller dining room chair is $349.00.   The larger arm chair is $499.    Still, quite a bit more expensive than Cost Plus World Market!!!!

Something about this picture from Pottery Barn looked familiar to me, no?

For some reason, it made me think of Jill Brinson’s house in Atlanta.  Another use of the chairs that has really inspired me this past year.  Maybe my all time favorite dining room. 

Here is the Pottery Barn arm chair,   a much larger, wider and deeper version of the dining room chair.

These chairs are in a dining room in Norway - from the blog: http://theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.com/ – mixed with chandeliers and antique Swedish furniture.  

Last month, they popped up in a Hamptons house done by Markham Roberts. 

Armoires and More in Dallas emailed me to say they have these great looking gray faux wicker chairs for just $395.  These are not wicker, but are true outdoor/indoor chairs.  They are so popular Armoires and More can hardly keep them in stock.    Plus, there’s a sale going on now too!  Armoires and More HERE.

My kitchen.    Does it need four Kooboo chairs?

My chairs are small.  I could easily stow them or use them around the house.   I do love my chairs – I bought them from Tara Shaw.  They are French antiques, with a painted finish.  What could be better?   Hmmm.   The table is new, but it came from Joyce Horn Antiques, a great resource in Houston HERE.  I wish I could photoshop the four Kooboo chairs here so I could see what it would look like!   Layla!!!  Help!!!

This is another version of a wicker chair that I love.    And it’s used how most people think wicker should be – outside.   This latest wicker trend, riding on the Belgian/Rough Luxe coattails, has brought the lowly product into the finest living and dining rooms. 

Who says we have to do wicker outside anyway?  In this absolutely gorgeous pool house, located in Houston, interior design great Pam Pierce did not use one piece of wicker.  Instead – she used all iron.   I could live here, 24/7.   So gorgeous.

But, if you do want to use wicker outside – here’s a great way to do it.    This is another Kooboo chair shape that I adore.   This is the Belgian/Rough Luxe look that is driving Restoration Hardware, Mecox, Pottery Barn, Cost Plus etc.   Here, they used a large trestle table with either a stone zinc, or limed wood top, with a set of wicker chairs surrounding it.   From Elle Décor.    These tables are a huge hit.  Restoration Hardware even sold out of one of its version.   Everyone wants a table like this, it seems.

The owners of the Wisteria catalogue used a metal topped table and wicker chairs – in their own version of the Belgian trend.

My nephew and his fiancé are looking for a table similar to this that Lisa Luby Ryan used.  The ones at Mecox are so expensive.  Even wholesale, they are still expensive.  And mostly, the wholesale companies are out of stock.   Almost every company that sells the Belgian limed oak tables are waiting on shipments, that’s how popular these tables are today.  We finally ordered a table that has a 3 months wait time.

Jane Wood Interiors HERE combined an antique limed table with a mixed set of antique wicker chairs. 

The Rough Luxe look is not trendy in Belgium – it is how they truly live.   But here, we certainly will remember the 2110’s for the unstained, splintery wood look. 

Should you use only antiques or is a new copy ok?   Since this look is so trendy, it might be a good idea to use a copy and save the money. 

These tables are hard to find in stock, unless you are willing to pay full retail.  

The zinc topped tables are less dressy than the wood topped ones I think.    Here Jenny Johnston mixed a lime wood base with the zinc top in Rosemary Beach HERE. 

Here, the Rough Luxe wood is used everywhere  - new and old - in a very contemporary setting. 

My nephew is looking for a table just like this.  Except they don’t want to pay the high cost at Restoration Hardware.  Do you blame them?

This ad shows the same table as above, but in a  lighter version, which I love.  These Belgian inspired, Rough Luxe tables look good mixed with lanterns or crystal chandeliers. 

Great table, great lantern, but I really don’t care for the chairs.  Eek!!!  Sorry.

I love this style of table.   I think everyone under the age of 35 is looking for this exact table!

$524.  - WOW

Ann who writes the blog, Peggy and Fritz, HERE, emailed me about this fabulous table at Cost Plus World Market!  WOW.  This is a perfect way to get the Rough Luxe look for a fraction of the cost.   Ann says she would pair this with four of the Cost Plus Kooboo wicker chairs and two white slipped chairs on the ends.  $524!!!!!  A steal! – you get the look at a fraction of the price.  When the trend is over, you could use it outside or as a desk.  The bench is so cute too.

Who knew that Cost Plus World Market was at the forefront of the hot Rough Luxe trend????

But, wait, here’s another “bargain” -  this great looking table from Restoration Hardware is now on sale for around – $1200, for the medium size. 

 

Ballard Designs – another steal compared to Mecox and Restoration Hardware.  Just $800.   I’m dying to see this in person.

Finally, a blogger Mitchell of Optimism and White Paint HERE from New Orleans, emailed me to say that he just recently bought the Cost Plus chair for a client to put next to a desk.  He sent this phone snapshot to say that the chair is small, which might account for its cheaper price.  He said it’s 26”wx25dx33.5h.   Pottery Barn’s dining room chair measures:  26wx27dx36h – so it appears to be just a few inches higher and deeper.   The Pottery Barn armchair measures 34"wx35" dx37"h – much wider and deeper than both dining room versions. 

Looks cute to me!!! Which gets me thinking again about my own breakfast room……should I??????