A Star is Born

January, 2012. It’s the start of a new year and at Redeux a star has been born. But, first things first.

Folks that have visited the shop within the past two weeks have seen our new front end counter and display layout. This arrangement actually gives us a bit more display area, especially in the front end of the shop by the window.

Readers of past Redeux blogs may remember my mention of Gary Wood, furniture builder, restorer and wood worker extraordinaire. Gary stopped by Redeux this past Friday to take a first-hand look at the shop. Gary viewed the pieces up in the shop and then we toured the downstairs “spa and holding area”. Gary provided some tips and insights about the various furniture pieces. Gary’s attitude toward antique and vintage furniture is to preserve. When restoration is required, take no shortcuts. He loves the “old wood”.  The Victorian writing desk, the Empire bookcase and several other pieces we looked at will benefit from his suggestions. Gary also gave me a sample of a new varnish that he is formulating and I can’t wait to use it on just the right piece. Gary gives classes every few months at the Woodworkers Club in Norwalk. You can view his website at:  http://www.garyrwood.com/.

 

In addition to having built the new counter and reorganizing the downstairs “spa” these past couple of weeks, I actually did finish some pieces. Just done is a simple, yet attractive, wood bookcase. It is 48” tall and made of pine. It has a warm walnut stain and a special topcoat that will give it many years of beautiful durability. Some nice iron  floor lamps are also ready.

Work begins in earnest this coming week. You’re always welcome to stop by, request a special piece be moved to the head of the line for getting the Redeux Spa treatment, chat or share a cup of coffee (tea in the afternoon!).

And, now for how a star was born at Redeux. 

Some of you may have heard The Redhead singing here in the shop. Her voice is, I think, angelic. Well, this Friday afternoon (at the time Gary Wood was also visiting the shop), two Broadway scouts came into Redeux. This could be the Redhead's big chance, I thought. But, alas, The Redhead wasn’t here. What did attract these two property scouts were several pieces of Redeux furniture – a couple of chairs and the painted farm table, pictured at the top. So, while The Redhead may have missed her chance, these pieces will be "acting" along with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Linda Emond and Andrew Garfield in the new Broadway production of Death of a Salesman at the Barrymore Theatre. Thus, a star is born at Redeux. You can see these Redeux pieces and the rest of the cast of Death of a Salesman at the Barrymore starting in February. You might be able to hear The Redhead at Redeux next week.

Stop by soon – or see you on Broadway!

Bill

Coming Home to Roost

The Redeux First Christmas Celebration was a great success with lots of friends of Redeux stopping by and having a cozy evening of conversation, food and lots of laughter. We all enjoyed it so much that The Redhead is making plans for another get- together sometime soon.

During the evening everyone had the chance to see some of the latest finished pieces and additions to our gallery of art. Since then some new additions have been finished and are ready to celebrate the holidays in a new home.

Pride of place, that is what this couple deserves. Recently liberated from the attic of a Connecticut River estate, this pair is again strutting their stuff. And what old rooster wouldn’t strut with a chick like this at his side? This couple has been together since about the 1940’s. Kept cooped up indoors for the past 60 years or so, they would feel very much at home next to a hearth, atop a credenza or similar piece of furniture or just about anywhere that would let them show off a bit. They are made of cast cement and are hand painted with great patina and aging. Perfect for the holidays when folks come home to roost or to give as an anniversary gift to a couple who thinks they have seen it all!

Speaking of hearths – this pair of art-deco andirons is great! They have real patina and proof of use, but are ready for more. They are simple, yet elegant.

You’ll get a kick out of these cast feet. Not sure if they are from a boot maker’s shop (definitely for a kids shoe or a very small size) or a shoeshine stand (think railway station) but these pieces also have an art-deco look and are period correct. Many possibilities for them – door stops, art sculpture pieces or maybe even some very different looking shelf brackets.

Let there be light! A few more floor lamps are now ready. They are made from iron and seem to date from 1920 -1930’s.

Play me a tune. For over one hundred years this Victorian piano bench has heard everything from Mozart to Tin Pan Alley, from Big Band Swing to Woody Guthrie and beyond. It has heard it all. The piece is unusual and I don’t think I’ll see anything quite like it anytime soon – if ever again. It has its original Victorian finish which has been gently revived in the Redeux Spa.

Other pieces, such as this small stand made by an E.A. Fuller in 1874, are coming upstairs as soon as they are ready. This little piece is only about 8 inches high and is covered by a galvanized tin top. There are no signs of it ever having a fabric cover so it was probably made to be a plant stand. The primitive signature gives it a special quality. Might it have been a gift from a young man to...? Hmm.

You’ll notice when you stop by some of the new decorating in the shop. We now have beautiful new curtains on the windows and at the back of the shop. More changes are coming soon as we plan to adapt to our growth (Thanks to you!). Not to worry. The changes are only for better display and some behind-the-scenes changes to our “spa” area. Redeux will always remain true to our purpose – offering you the finest and most interesting American vintage furniture, art and accessories... affordably.

Many of you that have come by often tell me how much you enjoy visiting at Redeux. I’m honored and delighted because Redeux means a lot to me. Now, I’d like your help, again.

The Redhead and I have been giving lots of thought as to how to make Redeux even better than it is. We have some ideas - but would really appreciate yours. So, when you have the time, please call or email me with one or two things you would like to see at Redeux. More variety of items? Different hours? You tell me. For any idea that we use we’ll figure out some special way to thank you.

Lastly, the Redeux Book Club has room for a few more members. We read nearly all genres of books. Each member gets to choose the “book of the month”, so the variety of books is ever changing and exciting. We meet here at the shop once a month at 7:00 P.M. and enjoy books, conversation, some refreshments, lots of fun and good friendship. If you’d like to join us give us a call at the shop, 203-522-5588. 

Our next meeting here at Redeux is Wednesday, January 18, 7:00 P.M. The book we will be discussing is “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese.

Stop by, say hello, tea is on. And don’t forget to send me your ideas for Redeux.

Hope to see you soon,

Bill

First Christmas

The decorations are up, the special stock is now on display – with more being finished daily – and a spirit of joy and thanks is in abundance at Redeux.

The Special Gift Table is a big hit. Our selection of holiday scented candles has arrived. Apples, maple, hollyberry and, of course, Oh, Christmas Tree are great scents for this time of year. We keep one of our favorite candles lit at the counter. These candles are great for the holidays, making every home more inviting and cozy feeling.

Our front window has some very special Victorian pieces on display. The first is a round lamp/side table made of oak with rattan inlay and edging. It is elegant, yet simple and the rattan makes it a very uncommon piece. Next, is a matching pair of Victorian side chairs. They have the original black paint, beautifully turned spindles and carvings. The seats have been recently caned. A converted oil-to-electric brass lamp sits atop the table. It has a soft, aged patina and the “wick knob” has “Pat. May 21 1895” stamped on it. 

Lamps are again in good supply. We have several floor lamps that are very nice, some art deco pieces, a few iron lamps from about 1900 or so and a nice selection of table lamps.

Glassware, both decorative and functional (including some very nice retro holiday glass sets), pottery, accent pieces, bookends and art work are ready for you.

And, of course, the Redeux furniture. In addition to what is in our window we have quite an eclectic collection of pieces ranging from dressers and china cabinets to desks, tables and trunks. More pieces are coming upstairs from the “Redeux Spa” almost daily. There are also several pieces on display at the Peoples Bank in Fairfield. Thanks to Marilyn Wiegman and the staff of Peoples United Bank for selecting Redeux as their “Merchant of the Month”. Stop in and see our display. If there is a piece you’d like we’ll make sure to hold it for you.

Plans for the Redeux First Christmas Celebration on Thursday December 8, 5-9 P.M. are coming along nicely, thanks to The Redhead. We look forward to seeing you and letting you know how much we really appreciate your support and encouragement this past year. We hope you can stop by, enjoy some refreshments, chat with other Friends of Redeux and let us say, “thank you”. 

What a nice way to start the Holidays!

Until December 8^th 

Bill

Growing Pains

Growing pains. Sometimes. But growing doesn’t always have to hurt.  And at Redeux we’re growing and loving it!

Since our 6 month anniversary in October, Redeux has been getting busier and busier. Old friends continue to revisit, always finding something new. New customers tell us they are delighted to have found us and appreciate what we do. As a result of all this activity, we have redoubled our efforts to find you the most interesting pieces of American made vintage furniture and art.

Several interesting pieces of furniture and art have been added to our inventory this past week.

First, we have the nice, painted farm table mentioned in our last posting. It has turned legs with a natural oak stain and the freshly painted top is mustard yellow.

Next, is a rustic twig-made side table. It has a very chic arts & crafts look to it and will fit with many decor styles. It is tall enough to accommodate a table reading lamp and a cup of tea!

Rocking Chairs are back in stock! We now have a few ranging from cane seats to sturdy wide-seat models, one with a cushion seat. All are beautiful.

End tables. We now have a beautiful matching pair of mahogany end tables with Sheraton/Hepplewhite style tapered legs.

Decor and art. Our "hidden treasures" have been unveiled and are now on display. We have two sets of retro “holiday glassware”. One recent visitor said one of our sets was similar to one used in the movie, “The Help”.  We also have several nice blue-stripped vintage bowls that would make great accent pieces.  

Our ever popular collection of vintage paperweights has been replenished with some really interesting pieces now available. 

This past weekend we participated in the Bridgeport Art Trail program which featured area galleries and other art venues. The collection here at Redeux was very well received. Redeux now has a virtual gallery of vintage paintings, pastels prints and photographs, many of them signed. A pair of Arts and Craft period frames, with prints of the George Washington and U.S. Grant families, would make a great addition to a den or library.

To be ready by this weekend is a round, Victorian side/lamp table that has slightly curved graceful legs with rattan overlay. This is the first time I have been able to acquire such a piece. It is made of oak and I have applied a varnish finish. Very nice!

The Redeux spa workshop continues working in high gear, and newly finished pieces come upstairs every few days.

Remember, Redeux is now open on Sundays from 12:00 until 5:00 P.M. for your convenience.

I look forward to seeing you again, soon.

Bill

Gearing up for the Holidays

This past week the Redeux furniture spa has been working overtime getting our latest arrivals of vintage furniture ready for new homes. It is quite a variety!

First, we finally have both a sideboard/server and a china cabinet available. Both are made of mahogany and date from the 1920’s / 1930’s.  They are similar in style.

Secondly, we have the tall chest of drawers, made of cherry, and mentioned in our last post. Simple lines, beautiful graining on the wood.

Lighting. We have several new table lamps ready. Thanks to our panel of “advisers”, we have decided to display some of our lamps with optional shades. 

Tables.  We will have two ready by this weekend. One is a 1950’s porcelain top with two “wing” pop-up extensions. The second is a wood farm table with a nice, mustard yellow painted top.

Chairs. We have had requests for wood chairs that can be caned. A few interesting old chairs have been found and are ready for all you folks wanting to re-cane them yourselves. We’ll also have within a week or so a pair of petite side chairs, newly caned. They are very charming.

Our selection of small decorative items has expanded as well. Several old “reproduction” and original cast metal pieces are in stock. An interesting pair of deco- period polychrome bookends is available. Pottery bowls, glassware and more paperweights are now in the shop.

Our new scented candle selection has been a big hit and our scented drawer liners are also proving to be very popular. Both of these items will be part of our special “holiday gift table”.

Currently in the Redeux spa are a few pieces in the process of getting a multi - step hand painting process. This process respects the age of the particular piece, while giving it a new look. Kind of like turning “Tug-boat Annie” into “Sophia Loren”.  

Pieces we have found that many others might disregard because they were so tired looking  are now getting a completely new life. Ah, the wonders of the Redeux Spa!

We have decided to expand our hours for the holiday season. Starting November 13 Redeux will be open on Sundays, 12:00 - 5:00 P.M.   

We will then also have in place our Special Gift Table with items available for $25.00 and less. Details about our special holiday activities will soon be posted here and sent out via email.

Hope to see you soon,

Bill