Laura

Laura is the face in the misty light

Footsteps that you hear down the hall

The LAUGH that floats on a summer night

That you can never quite recall…but she’s only a dream.

Yes, she is a dream. But, she is also very real. Born about 60 years ago, Laura had been the center of attraction for many years. She was most at home in the cozy dining room, standing in the corner – seeing everything. She often was adorned with little niceties – nothing too flashy, mind you – she was at heart a country girl. As the years passed Laura just wouldn’t change with the times. People who once admired her looks as being simple, yet elegant, began to look at her as “cute’ and then, finally, just tired. That’s when she met The Redhead.

The Redhead loves to shop. Or, better put, she loves to poke around looking for little treasures. In the oddest places, sometimes.  Often, we meet very interesting folks in these out of the way places. Laura was one of them.

Laura explained to The Redhead that she was there not so much to shop as she had nowhere else to go.  That’s all The Redhead had to hear. She is such a softie.

Fast forward a year or so. Laura has been with us since that first meeting. We took her in and cared for - and about- her. She told us some of her past.  And, some of her dreams. She wanted to again be the center of attraction. Could we help?

We asked our new Redeux Spa Cosmetologist, Marion, to perform the makeover. A country girl never looked so beautiful! 

Our Laura is the realization of our research and Marion’s efforts to give new life to some very interesting, yet vintage, gals. Stop by and see Laura. Maybe you’ll take her home with you. She’s a lot of fun!

These past few weeks have been busy at Redeux. The Redeux Spa has been working mostly on our new line of cottage furniture and readying some smaller accent pieces. A small, painted drop front desk should be ready for this weekend. An interesting wall shelf with drawers and acorn style pulls is ready now.

Pottery, newly arrived and of various kinds, both functional and decorative, is now on display in the shop. 

Stained glass. We have an exquisite stained glass window. Dating from about the late 1800's, this beauty would look great hanging in a window or against a wall. The colors and design are fantastic!

Our large (5x3) carved mahogany mirror is ready for your special spot. It can be seen in our front window.

Speaking of large, our oak office-style desk needs a new home and we need the room. It has a file drawer, lots of hand detailing and is available for a very special price!

Also, Redeux is exploring ideas for expanding what we offer in the shop. Our criteria is it must be made in the USA. If you would like to see us carry something, especially gift-giving items, just let us know.

Looking forward to seeing you soon. Stop by!

Bill

Cottage Furniture

At long last the Redeux spa has begun the Redeux American Cottage Furniture line of vintage furniture. It was no easy task, but the results and response have been worth the effort.

Our first task was the research: when and how painted furniture was introduced to America and what types of paint and colors were used. Several trips to  

Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, the Florence Griswold Museum and mansion and lots of reading helped to form the basis for how we wanted to proceed with our painted furniture. Next, came the selection of paints. Many types were tried. Most had several good features, but all left something to be desired. More research and testing were needed. Finally, the only paint that was found to be satisfactory to Redeux was…our own formulation! 

So far, two pieces using this special paint formula have been completed – a night stand painted a cottage white and a small side chest painted green with wax highlights. Both have that special "cottage look" that so many of you have been asking for. A comparison of Redeux Cottage Furniture with some of the painted furniture pieces available both online and in some of the local “home furnishing” specialty shops will, I think, astound you – in several ways. I look forward to your comments on our Redeux Cottage Furniture.

 

In addition to painting furniture, the Redeux Spa has also been busy readying several very interesting pieces being finished naturally. Included is a stunning, art-deco matching set of a china cabinet and sideboard/server. The detailing is exquisite – these pieces are a great find!

Also, a smaller sized drop-leaf dining table with saber legs and claw feet is just in and now available. This beauty can seat 6 – 8 people nicely.

Lamps. Our selection is now the best it has ever been. We’ve found some great table and floor lamps, including a pair of hand –painted glass table lamps and matching floor lamp. These vintage lamps have Adirondack style scenes hand painted on the glass and shades. There are also some lovely pottery table lamps and glass, converted to electric, oil lamps.

Our travels bring us to many interesting spots throughout New England and it is in some of the most out-of-the-way spots that we find items that make very interesting decorating accessories. Two different sets of candle sconces are just such items.

Mirrors. We have many sizes and styles now in stock. One in particular is a mahogany beauty that is quite large with carved detailing – just waiting for the right home!

Redeux is celebrating Teachers and Librarians – those folks who are forming the future America. Who knows, maybe a student of one of our local teachers will be the one that figures a way for the American furniture manufacturing and design industry to be restored. Let’s hope!

So, all teachers and librarians are invited to an afternoon get-together at Redeux, Thursday, March 1st, 4:00 -7:00 P.M.  We’ll have refreshments and some “specials”, of course.  Teachers / Librarians: If possible, please RSVP the shop by February 28th.  Call 203-522-5588         

Looking forward to seeing you again, soon

Bill         

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