"What Happens When I Find Something I Absolutely Love?"

Recently, I showed you the fabulous antique lantern I found at a local antique shop.   I had asked the question "What happens when I find something that I absolutely love?"  Am I content for awhile, or do I feel obsessed to continue the hunt to find what other treasures are out there just waiting to be discovered.

What do I do?  I have a filing pile 7" high, and projects all over the house waiting to be started or finished.   So what do I do????   I'm feeling guilty, BUT I also feel obsessed.   So I get in my car and drive to my favorite local antique center, and guess what?   I found this fabulous mirror.    I loved the carving, the shape, the soft grey color of the background and the gilt that had mellowed with age.  The mirror was bevelled and original.  The tag said "Awesome Mirror from the Dodge Mansion Ca, 1790".    Should I buy it?  Do I need a mirror?  Where am I going to put it?  What will my husband say?    

I have to leave the store as I am running late for a doctor appointment so I quickly take a few photos with my Iphone.  After the appointment, I decide to stop at another huge antique center, and picked up nothing but two old shells.  I drive home still thinking about the mirror.   As soon as I get home, I immediately look on the internet to do some research.   OMG, I found that these mirrors range in price from $2,000 - $20,000.  I couldn't believe it.   The mirror I saw was in amazing condition for its age with no repairs that I could spot, original bevelled mirror, good quality carving, beautiful overall design, and provenance.    I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  I immediately text the images of my great find to a few friends of mine that antique shop with me.  Then, I tell my husband about this incredible find and that not only do I LOVE the mirror, IT'S A GREAT INVESTMENT!    I get my computer and show him about ten other antique trumeau mirrors for sale to prove that this was mirror was really a steal.  

It is now 9 pm, and I had left the store at noon.  What if someone else spotted it and bought it already?  Maybe it has sold?   I can hardly sleep as I am so excited about the mirror and worried that it could possibly be gone as I did not put a "HOLD" on it.   While the center doesn't open until 11 am, I call at 9 am, 9:30, 10:00, and at 10:20 a sales person answers the phone.  I ask her if she can check to see if the mirror is still there and put a "HOLD" on it for me.   I describe the location of where I spotted it.  She puts me on hold while she looks for the mirror.  She gets back on the phone and tells me that she can't find it.   UGH!!!!   Then I ask her to look again and give her more details on where it is located and guess what?   It was still there.   Well, then comes the big question, "What is the best price?"  She said that this dealer discounts 20% on any items over $100.   That's it - IT WAS MINE.....    I asked her to put a "HOLD" sign on it, and I would be there when the store opened at 11 am, to buy it.  What do you think?  Isn't this an amazing treasure?

In my research, I learned that trumeau mirrors originated in France in the 18th century and were intended to hang on a wall between windows as a decorative element and to bring more light into the room.  There wasn't electricity back then so this would be helpful in extending the hours of daylight.   Most were painted, and the upper portion would have a relief carved design or a painting.  As with most antiques, the price depends on the age, size, style and condition.

I really wanted to talk to the dealer to get more information on the mirror.  The label said that it was from the Dodge Mansion.  Meadow Brook Hall is often referred to as the Dodge Mansion and I wanted to know if this was where the mirror came from.  Unfortunately, he was not available so I will try and catch up with him sometime in the future.  In the meantime, here is a photo of Meadow Brook Hall which is often referred to as the Dodge Mansion.

The information below was taken from the Meadow Brook Hall - Dodge Mansion web site.

One of America's greatest estate homes, an icon of the automotive aristocracy, and the home of the founders of Oakland University

Meadow Brook Hall is the historic home of one the automotive aristocracy's most remarkable women, Matilda Dodge Wilson, her second husband Alfred Wilson, a lumber broker and their four children, Frances and Danny Dodge, and Richard and Barbara Wilson. It exists as an indirect product of the achievements and good fortune of her first husband, automotive pioneer John F. Dodge, co-founder of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company who quickly prospered in the burgeoning auto industry before his tragic death in 1920, leaving Matilda one of the world's wealthiest women. This fortune not only built one of America's finest residences and country estates, it also supported numerous Detroit charities and organizations, and made possible the founding of Oakland University.

Meadow Brook Hall was built during the country place era, a time when wealthy American industrialists pursued rural life in settings of great beauty. It represents one of the finest examples of Tudor-revival architecture in America and is especially renowned for it superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale of 88,000 square feet. Inspired by the country manor homes in England, it was designed and built by the Detroit architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman and Grylls between 1926 and1929, at a cost of nearly $4 million.

Carefully preserved with original family furnishings and art, the 110-room mansion is elaborately detailed with carved wood and stone, ornate plaster ceilings, Tiffany stained glass, custom made hardware, and filled with fine and decorative art. Although the interiors reflect various historic styles, the house is equipped with every "modern" amenity appropriate to the active lifestyle of the Wilson's and their children.

Meadow Brook Hall was built on the 320-acre farm estate John and Matilda Dodge had purchased years earlier as weekend country retreat. The Wilson's expanded the estate to include 1,500 acres and several residences. For the Dodge and Wilson families, the farm estate provided a splendid setting for recreational activities and pastimes such as equestrian sports, motoring, and gardening and developed into one of the finest agricultural complexes, producing the finest lines of pedigree livestock.

Are you an "Antiqueaholic"?  I'm sure there have to be others out there like me.    How do we cure this addiction?  Do we really want a cure?  I would love to hear your stories, and about your favorite finds.  Please post a comment so I can prove to my husband that I'm not the only "Antiqueaholic".

CHRISTMAS IN THE DINING ROOM

When you enter our home from the side door entrance into our mud room, you look down the hallway to this focal point. We were very fortunate that the previous owner of our 1937 Connecticut style stone and white painted brick farmhouse had done such a beautiful job when they added on to the original house.    The mirrored French doors are one of my favorite features and really add to this viewpoint.  Now imagine it with just the framing.  It would have looked OK, but not near as important as it does with these mirrored French doors.

Our dining room is filled with antiques, actually too many for my taste now.   These beautiful English yew wood Windsor chairs ca. 1820 are my husband's favorite.  Through a relentless search of just about every antique shop in England, we had put together a set of eight perfectly matched chairs.  Apparently, someone else was fond of them as well..... When we returned to the states after living in England for 3 1/2 years, someone had opened our container and stole all eight of them.  Fortunately, we were insured and were able to purchase a set almost identical to them from Michael Harding Hill, a Cotswolds antiques dealer who has specialized in Windsor chairs since 1971.

One of my many weaknesses is wooden bowls.  This one is exceptional with a beautiful patina and an unusual raised lip.  I placed it on an antique bread board so it appears like a footed bowl.   I had to take this photo quickly as I just picked up our daughter, Gina, today for Christmas break.  She loves pomegranates and I knew this arrangement would not last long.  OK, I have also acquired a liking to pomegranate with Swirlberry tart yogurt as well.

 Last week, a few friends of mine went out antique shopping.  I picked up these amazing silver plated candlesticks.   Notice the art nouveau details and the brass showing through on the edges which really adds to the beauty of these stunning candlesticks.

 I had purchased these potted trees a few weeks ago.  I had placed the pots in heavy zip lock freezer bags, wrapped them in burlap and tied them with beautiful taupe ribbon from one of my favorite shops, Kate's Paperie.  After watering these trees a few times in my kitchen to be sure they did not leak, I thought I would be safe to leave them on my dresser and water them.  Well, I learned my lesson..... yesterday when I walked in the dining room I was SICK when I noticed a 9 inch water spot under and around one of the pots.

 Here is another recent purchase of mine - this hotel silver teapot.   It is made by Meriden/Roger Brothers ca. 1905.  It has a reeded repoussee design around the lower body, a hotel crest, and a double button finial.    Isn't it fabulous?

 This French hand forged chandelier from Ironware is a favorite of mine.  The shape of the leaves is similar to the original hardware on the windows and doors in our house.

We are planning to move to Houston some time within the next year so this will probably be our last Christmas dinner in our dining room.  I am always taking photos of this house so I can eventually put together a hard cover book on  what has been my "dream house".  I have a great appreciation for professional photographers after taking so many photos and then looking at them on the computer and seeing the lights are too bright, the plate is crooked, the cup needs to be moved to the right, etc., etc.  I spent two different days taking these photos (about 100 shots, these were my favorites).  One of my New Year's resolutions will be to learn the tricks of this trade.

FALL FLOWERS DISPLAYED IN ANTIQUE BROWN POTTERY

On Saturday mornings, I enjoy making a trip to our local farmers market for fresh cut flowers.  I love the boldness of the yellow sunflowers combined with the very textural chartreusse cockscomb displayed in antique brown jugs and French wine bottles.

Our Family Room

I decorated our home with neutrals because it is so easy to make simple changes for different times of the year or when you just feel like something different.  I really love the combination of cream, chocolate and pumpkin.

My Antique Baskets

I am always amazed at the fine craftsmanship in these small baskets. These are all French and most of them were doll baskets.

Decorating My House for Fall

While I know most people purchase wine based on its taste, age and quality, I also look at the label design.