Durable Good

Don’t read the papers. Turn off the news - at least for the next month. We are entering a very special season... one of continuing hope, joy and light.

Working on pieces of furniture in the Redeux Spa workshop, one gets a better sense of what is real: A wise use of natural resources, pride of craftsmanship, the dignity of labor.

There is not one piece in the shop that has not witnessed at least one war. Many have seen several. Economic depressions, good times and times not so good have come and gone. They have survived. They continue to serve. At the end of the day that’s all we need do – use what we have been given wisely, as best we can and help one another. 

Spend some time in the Redeux workshop and you may give your therapist a vacation!

Speaking of therapy, several pieces of furniture here have just been given a little TLC Therapy. 

The off-white makeup vanity (that had been up on the floor) has been given a whole new look with a great shade of custom green Redeux chalk paint. This piece might also look good as a hallway table - plenty of room for keys and mail!

This same color paint has also been used on the really charming night table, pictured above, that still retains its natural maple wood top.

There are several new painted pieces – a red child’s rocking chair with a hand-drawn design. Absolutely one of a kind! 

Also, recently up from “The Spa” is a Lane cedar chest with an artist- painted floral design on a black background. It's stunning and perfect as a blanket chest or coffee table.

The Empire-period server that has been at the back of the shop awaiting “The Redeux Treatment” for some time is now ready for a new home. It is a great piece for a dining room, large hallway and perhaps even a living room. The top section is detachable, so this period - piece is very versatile. It has the original glass mirror – “character” and all.

We have several new lamps available, including a pair of cut glass bedside lamps and a black iron floor lamp.

For those looking for extra seating for holiday guests, we have an assortment of side and dining chairs.

Our assortment of vintage glass jars and containers are very versatile as gifts… and affordable! Fill them with potpourri, shells, sea glass and other collectibles or just as they are. Most have the labels from the original tobacconist shop from whence they came.

As the holidays and Holy Days fast approach it is easy to get caught up in all the hectic activity. For too many of us, because of dire economic and social reports, it will be a season of uncertainty and concern. Not to worry. By the kindness we show one another – family, friends and strangers – we can make our own report – that of truly "Durable Goods".

Please stop by, tea/coffee is always on!

Wishing you a very happy Hanukkah (December 8 - 16) and Advent & Christmas season (December 2- 25). 

Bill

Mission Style

Kiss Furniture.

Now, before you think I want you to run to the living room and hug and kiss your sofa like The Redhead smooches every shaggy-haired mongrel she comes across – stop!

In this case, Kiss means, “Keep it simple, silly”, the philosophy behind the Arts and Crafts, Mission and Craftsman styles of furniture. While there are some differences between the styles, there are more similarities, thus blurring the lines and causing a bit of uncertainty in labeling a particular piece of furniture as belonging to one style or another.

Starting in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, furniture buyers, designers and makers had grown weary of many of the excesses of the Victorian style. Ornamentation of furniture with carvings, reliefs and turnings had become easier and less expensive with the machinery of The Industrial Age. Too often, these elements were added simply because they could be.

Gustav Stickley, Joseph McHugh and other furniture designer/builders began creating furniture that emphasized quality craftsmanship and materials, simple lines - often exposing joints and other construction techniques – and the pieces’ function greatly dictating its form.

So, what’s the difference between the styles? Using the KISS principal, here is my take.  

Mission style is almost always constructed of oak. It is a bit chunky, has straight lines, often has exposed joinery and lacks ornamentation. See the desk above and chairs below for an example.

Arts and Crafts furniture has much of the Mission style but is a bit less chunky, utilizes various woods, has a bit more of a “refined, yet rustic” look and very often has some decorative elements – cut outs, carvings – often inspired by nature. Leaf and flower cutouts on the furniture sides, clover patterned tops, some animal figuring are indicative of Arts and Crafts style. See the following pieces.

Craftsman Style is very closely related to Mission. Interestingly, Stickley strongly disliked the term although his pieces are often referred to as being of the Mission style. Simple lines, less bulky, excellent construction and utilizing various woods, Craftsman style was the American version of Arts and Crafts that had originated in England.  This style, too, emphasized form determined by function.

So, when viewing an Arts and Crafts, Mission or Craftsman style piece of furniture think of The Redhead and a stray dog – just give it a KISS!

Hope to see you soon,

Bill

Teachable Moments

Working with wood often results in teachable moments - if we pay attention.

Chopped, sliced, ground down, cut to pieces - trees of oak, cherry, maple and every other variety have become the things of beauty found at Redeux Vintage Furniture. 50, 75, 100 and more years old, they have outlived those that took them from the forest and those that changed them. Interesting what happens when change comes. Weak, defective trees can wind up as scrap. Strong ones with character can wind up as things of beauty – more useful because of the change than without it. A teachable moment? Maybe. 

Work continues at Redeux. We’ve had to change some plans regarding our painted furniture. Our “artist series” has been postponed – for now. We are, of course, continuing with our cottage - painted pieces.

Our latest painted piece is a “Hoosier” style cupboard. Made in the 1930’s, this piece was likely manufactured by the Sellers Company. These cupboards came in various styles and originally were part of a mid-west (thus, Hoosier) grocery chain’s marketing scheme. Points were awarded to customers so they could buy one of these cabinets at a “discount”.  Of course, since they had various shelves, bins and cubbyholes for food items the owners would become more frequent and loyal customers of the grocery store. Decades later Plaid, Green and other “bonus stamps” would be given out by other grocery store chains to redeem for merchandise. But, nothing was quite like getting a Hoosier cabinet. This interesting piece of Americana would be a nice addition to a kitchen or even a sun-room potting area. It has been cleaned and given an updated paint job (from a poor job added sometime in the 1950’s or so). The original enamel work top surface is intact. 

For you Mission Furniture aficionados we now have a desk in excellent condition. It has original hardware, side book shelves and great patina. It’s a real beauty.

For end tables we have a few interesting pieces in. A “Jamestown Lounge Company” oak table is a solid beauty with interesting carvings. It also has a drawer and a storage shelf. 

Another is an oak table with elegantly shaped legs, bent wood elements and a center drawer. A matching pair of mahogany tables should be ready very soon. The grain on this pair is exceptionally beautiful. Stop by to take a look – even before it is given the “spa treatment”. 

For those interested in some useful collectibles we have just gotten in a rather large assortment of jars - of various sizes, shapes and designs - that came from a tobacco shop. Most have the original labeling on them with the names of the tobacco. A few can be seen on the photo of the Hoosier cabinet.

I’m working on all the special items many of you have asked for. Wendy, Emily, Kathy and Joanne – I’m working overtime!!

This coming week, October 2 through 6, Redeux will be celebrating our “Year and a Half Anniversary”. Yes, we’ve been here for one and a half years already! We’ll be having some “very specials” on many items, refreshments and “The Redhead” will be here on Saturday the 6^th to greet you all. 

Finally, let me ask each of you to please spread the word about Redeux. If you like what we do tell a friend.  If there is something we can or should have done better – please tell me.

Hope to see you soon. Don't forget to stop by during our "Year- and- a- Half Anniversary" Celebrations!

Bill

Where have you been?

Where have you been?

A question you may have asked of me since it’s been a few weeks since my last posting. It’s also a question I’ve been directing toward several of the new arrivals at the shop.

For the past year, visitors to the "inner sanctum" of Redeux – “the spa” – have glimpsed a rather large object that has been kept under wraps. Some may have even seen some of its detail carvings or the remnants of a somewhat shattered foot poking from the protective blanket.  Its size alone was enough to cause the procrastination of the work needed to be done. But, more daunting was the fact that I knew that this particular piece was really something. It had a history – even if I didn’t know what, exactly, it was. Pieces like this weren’t made for a mass market or a casual buyer. O.K., so what is it? 

It’s art, created in a bookcase. Standing at about 6 feet tall, it has double glass doors and several shelves. And, original glass, waves and all. Its varied-grain oak perfectly fits into its Victorian design. But, the carvings. The carvings give it life. 

The open-mouthed lions carved into the center and front edges have guarded generations of books. My work on this piece is nearly done. I know my limits. I also know that with a piece of furniture such as this, less is definitely better. All that remains is a final buffing, re-installing the shelves and getting a better idea of its pedigree. And, then its journey will continue.

Redeux, as you know, focuses on vintage rather than antique. This past month, however, several furniture pieces that are true antiques have made their way to our shop. Some called out to me. Some were entrusted to us to restore and to then find them new homes. It’s a trust I do not take lightly. So, our collection right now has a lot of pieces not usually found in many shops, certainly not at Redeux.

Mid and late 19^th century farmer’s tables - in cherry with turned legs and in oak with heavily reeded legs, 

a painted Victorian era plant/side table with marble top and  an elegant flame mahogany Empire chest of drawers

 – all of these periods and pieces - and more - are now at Redeux.  

To each of these pieces I had asked, “Where have you been”? Now, I wonder, where will they go?

In my last posting I mentioned  Lauren Aronoff, the artist whose latest collection of work, both on canvass and furniture, will be unveiled at an upcoming show at Redeux. Watching Lauren at work these past several weeks reminds me of a book I read some time ago that was a collection of essays edited by Gregory F. Pierce – “Of Human Hands: The Spirituality of Work”. Whether she is painting a garden scene, a single flower, an abstract or her favorite animal friend, Ms Aronoff brings something very special to her work. Watch for the announcement of her upcoming show.

While I may not have posted on this blog for a few weeks, you all were certainly on my mind. Whether scouting for special items to fulfill as many requests as possible or working in "the Redeux spa" to give just the right makeover to each piece of vintage furniture, you were in a very real sense right there with me. Without you Redeux would not be possible. Thank you for your support, encouragement and ideas. If you'd like to post something on this blog or send me an email, your comments are always welcome

Speaking of thanks, Gary Wood  garyrwood.com   gets a special thank you for providing me with some very special varnishes and wax. This past month these materials proved their worth in gold on the Empire and farm table pieces. 

Also, Jim Young of Old Gold Furniture Restoration in Black Rock was helpful in advising me on a few pieces. 

Of course, The Redhead. Without her...nothing...

Looking forward to seeing you soon. Tea is always on!

Bill