Art Deco Desk

Art deco, Cottage style painted furniture, turn of century oak, vintage prints, gilded mirrors – all have something in common. Each of these styles and periods of furniture were brought back to life at Redeux this week.

Desks are a very popular item at Redeux. Finding an interesting desk really is like a Pandora’s Box – you never know what you will find in it or where and how it will be used. Redeux customers must feel the same since desks never stay in the shop very long before they are taken to a new home. Will they be displayed as conversation pieces or used to pay bills, study for exams, accommodate computers or write letters to loved ones – using an ink-filled fountain pen? A Redeux desk, as does all our furniture, has seen it all. So what, I wonder, has our latest treasure seen? Being an Art Deco period piece it has probably seen its previous owners through part of the Great Depression, been there when our troops went off to fight in WWII and other conflicts and also may have been where a parent read the letters sent back home. It most likely had newspapers placed on it that contained the previous day’s news of the first man stepping onto the moon. This desk has seen a significant slice of American history and is a piece of that history itself.  An Art-Deco slant top desk, it has been impeccably cared for. It has been given a little treatment at the Redeux Spa and is now ready for a new home.

Many of you that have stopped into the shop the past few weeks have noticed the chest of drawers up front that was being worked on. Some suggested staining it, some suggested giving it a new look with paint. Well, it now has what I believe to be the best of both approaches – a very pleasing creamy white body with a walnut stained top and knobs. It has a very classic beach/country look. Made by Hathaway in the 1930’s -1940’s, this 6 drawer chest measures 43x24 so it will be the perfect addition to almost any room.

Just in is a very different china cabinet/cupboard. Having doors that are solid wood, this piece might just as easily be used in a living room, family room or country kitchen in addition to its usual place in a dining room. It has interesting carvings and turnings.

Our mirror selection keeps getting more and more interesting. We have added several gilded mirrors in various sizes in oval and rectangle shapes. The Redhead claims to have read that if a person gazes into an old mirror they will actually look younger. I’m not sure of that, but these mirrors will make everybody and any room look great!

Paper weights and prints. 

 

We’ve found several vintage glass weights that are especially beautiful.  They’ll make great additions to your desk or table tops. The vintage prints we have just added to our collection include lovely florals and wood blocks.

Undergoing the Redeux Treatment is a drop leaf kitchen table and four chairs. It seems to date from the 1920’s -1930’s. The set will be painted. If interested there is still time to request a color. Right now, shades of green, blue, yellow and a red are being considered.

Many folks coming into the shop remark on our furniture pricing. They find it fairly priced and refreshingly affordable. A check of the internet, as an example, shows chests very similar to our painted Hathaway ranging in price from $500.00 to over $1,100 (a painted “vintage” retailer in Maine). The Hathaway piece is available much more affordably. Our policy at Redeux is to offer only authentic, American-made vintage furniture at the very best prices possible. Our love of American vintage furniture and our joy in restoring these pieces allows us to do business the Redeux way.

Hope to see you again soon,

Bill

Prodigal Son

Birmingham, Connecticut. As a life-long resident of this state and history buff, this town remained a mystery to me. But, there it was, stenciled on the back of a Victorian-era oak bookcase:” From Geo. C. Bedient – Birmingham, Conn.”

After lots of research and inquiries, it was discovered that a Birmingham, Conn. really exists. Or, rather, did exist. Birmingham occupied the land now known as Derby, Conn. The name change likely occurred sometime in the last half of the 1800’s.  Birmingham was the area that attracted many tradesmen after they had served their apprenticeships in the bustling port city of Bridgeport. Saddle makers, weavers,  blacksmiths and cabinet makers flocked to Derby due to its offering plentiful power due to its position on the river and because it was still a gateway to the Western Territories of a young and growing United states. George C. Bedient may have been a Bridgeport trained cabinet maker or may have come directly from England, as many folks had done. We don’t yet know. What we do know is that he and his company also had a shop located in Ridgefield, Conn. That building burned down in the late 1800’s. We also know that he built some very nice and sturdy furniture. One of his pieces, an oak bookcase with a typical Victorian top-rail, is now ready at Redeux. Come say hello to George. He's back home and his makeover is now complete.

After a long dry spell, we again have a china cabinet. Actually, two of them, with one now ready in the shop. There is also a matching server/sideboard. These pieces, dating from the 1930’s, can be bought together or singly.

We also have a lovely painted vanity that could serve just as nicely as a desk. It's an off-white with green and pink accents. Very, chi-chi.

Speaking of desks, a full-sized spinet type desk is now available. It appears made of walnut with Empire style legs and moldings. Some of you may remember the ladies writing desk from last year. This is very similar, but larger and a bit older. It is very striking.

Our collection of vintage mirrors and vintage paintings and prints continues to grow. We have also added several other interesting items to our offerings. These include a tall, wrought iron plant/candle stand painted white, a garden sundial, and a child’s Nichols & Stone rocking chair. Lots of other goodies, too, and even more are undergoing treatment at the Redeux Spa.

And, on a completely different note:
Calling all readers and book lovers. We’re starting a book club that will meet once a month. Maybe include an informal supper at the meetings, too. All types of interesting books will be considered. You won’t need a PhD. to join, just a love for reading and an interest in sharing. For more info call me or the Redhead at the shop 203-522-5588.

Looking forward to seeing you again, soon,

Bill

Double Duty

The old chewing gum commercial advertised that it was two mints in one. What an idea – two items for the price of one!  Redeux has gone one better. We’ve come up with two pieces that not only serve double-duty but are works of art as well.

First, is the long awaited Showers Brothers chest/desk combo. The second drawer of the chest actually folds down revealing a compact writing desk with cubby holes and a small drawer for holding stamps, pens, inks, etc.  This is a perfect furniture piece for those needing to maximize smaller spaces – with a dash of panache, of course (think NYC apartments).  This beauty has been given a warm chestnut stain and finished with a century-old formula of varnish to preserve it for future generations.

Secondly, we have now available the Hathaway piece. Many of you saw it in the shop awaiting “The Treatment”.  It has turned out beautifully. Originally a china or display cabinet with storage drawers, this piece makes a great bookshelf, too. It’s made of dark mahogany, with Hepplewhite brass pulls and has a very classic style.

Our mirror selection is expanding due to demand. We are featuring vintage mirrors and vintage picture frames with newly added mirror glass. Each has been specially selected for its beauty and uniqueness. Since everyone can use an extra mirror, these make wonderful gifts!

This past week we have discovered some great finds. Several marine prints, including one of the Port Jefferson Ferry, were obtained. Also, a complete framed edition of Pictorial Review, December 1932, is a rare find and would make a great art piece!

Our days are busy with giving each piece the special attention it needs as well as fine-tuning the shop. It seems that at Redeux nothing or no one can get away from doing double duty! It’s all great.

Thanks, again, to each of you for making this possible.

Hope to see you soon, stop by.

Bill

Redeux Saves Derailed Showers Brothers

How does a powerhouse of a company, seemingly doing everything right, go out of business in the blink of an eye?

That is the story of the Showers Brothers Furniture Company of Indiana. Started in the mid 1800’s, Showers Brothers made quality furniture and made several innovations in manufacturing including inventing laminating wood and were the first to switch from steam power to electricity. The company not only survived but thrived through depressions, the Civil War, WWI and WWII. So, what brought an end to this great company? Actually, it was two things. First, the cost of labor. As the cost of labor in the North rose, many companies moved to the South where labor was less expensive. Secondly, the motor vehicle and the highway system. Showers Brothers relied on the railroad to transport their furniture – often filling 16 train car loads of furniture daily. But, after WWII the highway system was expanded and trucks became the preferred method of shipping by manufacturers. Except for Showers Brothers. They stuck to the rails and quickly saw other furniture manufacturers fill orders more quickly and reach new markets not accessible by rail. Despite making furniture that would last several generations, the lack of understanding an emerging trend in American life caused this great company to go out of business by the mid 1950’s.

Redeux Vintage Furniture acquired a Showers Brothers chest desk a few months ago. Now that we have settled into our new shop, work has begun in restoring this lovely piece of furniture. Standing at just 41” tall and about 29” wide, the second drawer of this chest opens to reveal a writing desk, complete with cubby holes. Some of the work will be done in front of the shop. Stop by to take a look at the progress being made on this piece and to see what Redeux does.

This past week has been busy in many ways. So many new customers have come by and more and more  Friends of Redeux from the garage days have continued to come in to the shop. I will always be grateful for the support and encouragement from each of you. During this time I have also been able to finish a few pieces including an oak chest with carved mirror dating from the late 1800’s to very early 1900 ( picture at top); a rocker with stenciling and curved arms, probably made of maple, and different from most of the other rockers we’ve had in the past;

Also, a slant-top desk from Maddox Furniture and a very charming “small apartment” sized suite of living room furniture from the 1950’s. Made of maple, this suite consists of coffee table with rail, two matching end tables and a lamp table. It really is perfect for small apartments or rooms where space and function need to co-exist. Also, ready is an art-deco era floor lamp with cast "love birds" and Bakelight detailing and also a "printers box" from an old print shop in NYC - it makes a nice little curio/keepsake cabinet.  Lots of other goodies, too.

 
Coming up soon will be several bookcases, all are very striking.

 More mirrors will be added to our regular offerings. So many of you have requested them that Redeux will now feature vintage mirrors and also mirrors made from vintage picture frames.   Each will have its own history.

Hope to see you again soon.

Best regards, Bill

Grand Opening a Success!

The Grand Opening of Redeux Vintage Furniture this past weekend was a great success!

Many of our old friends from the “garage days” stopped by to say hello and their reaction to our new shop was 100% positive.  Folks visiting Redeux for the first time were amazed at our selection and value.  It was a great time and several suggestions were made and will be introduced to the shop as soon as possible.

There’s no doubt about it, the new shop is comfortable and we’ve had a few folks ask about having a place to sit. Talking about the furniture, the old manufacturers, the history of the pieces themselves seems to just come naturally at Redeux. So, we’re going to make it more comfortable to do so – and have coffee available, too.

More accessories, please.  Our selections of prints have been a great hit.  Pam Geiger’s prints of her oil paintings and our vintage prints have added a new dimension to Redeux and the reaction has been great. We’ll add vintage prints to our list when going our treasure hunts. We’ve also had requests for us to carry more lighting.

With so much going on with setting up the shop you might wonder if any new pieces were finished. Oh, but of course!

A Maddox Governor Winthrop style slant top desk has been finished. Made of mahogany, it is in very nice condition.

Two rocking chairs are now available. A nicely painted and stenciled Nichols & Stone is an elegant addition to any room. An older, spindle back chair with wonderful patina is also ready for a new home.

A nice tall side table with turned legs has turned out rather well, too. While working on this piece I nearly had to put in a call to my dentist to help with the extractions! Nails – lots of them – had been added over many decades to stabilize the legs. In taking this baby apart it was discovered that it was likely hand- made. It is now back to close to original shape and is lovely.

Lastly, the antique desk that I mentioned in the last blog is being sold in a new way – a Silent Auction. Just something a bit different for our Grand Opening. The desk appears to be from the early 1800's.  Come take a look and place your bid!

Please note our new hours and the shop telephone number: 203-522-5588.

Hope to see you all soon!

Best wishes,

Bill