Chalk Farm - 3/8 - Vintage Objects and Interiors

December 19th, 2012

2012 is coming to an end. Can you believe it? I feel like it was just yesterday I was blogging about our first Christmas in California. It’s been a long year for me. I was diagnosed with a cancer recurrence in late January, and what I thought would be a few short months of treatment turned into a long, harrowing year of chemotherapy complete with a few blood transfusions and scares along the way. I’m happy to say that my last scan came back looking really good. I’m planning on 2013 being a relatively doctor free year!

2012 also had some pretty great highlights. We went to Paris, Hawaii and New York. My kids are all doing well in school and are happy and safe here in beautiful Westlake Village. I was a vendor twice at The Remnants of the Past show-such an honor, and so much fun. And as promised, my online store and my etsy store are both up and running, and both are busy and always full of lots of treasures.

I made a wonderful friend in Ruthie Marek, who’s blog Ruthie’s Gift is beautifully written. Ruthie has taught me a lot about grace and gratitude this year. If you haven’t read her blog yet, go subscribe right now!

California continues to amaze and inspire me. I love the climate, the people and if I had known the antiquing was going to be this good, I would have moved years ago! Ian and I have finally made some friends and we are beginning to make some great memories here.

We just put up our tree last night, complete with all things white and burlap.

I am so grateful for my family and my life. There have been many challenges this year, but also many sweet moments. Thank you so much to all of the Chalk Farm followers who comment and inspire me everyday.

So, as the year comes to a close, remember to hug the ones you love a little closer this Christmas. Be grateful. Take time to enjoy the little things. And breathe.

Have a wonderful holiday and a beautiful New Year.

Love,

Jennifer

xoxo

3 Comments • Posted in: Home and lifestyle

November 17th, 2012

Have you heard about dbO Home Pottery….

Dana Brandwein Oates founded dbO Home in 2005 after leaving nearly 20 years in the music business.Together with her husband, she left NYC for Litchfield County. Her vision was to create a collection of unique homewares for a bit of luxury everyday. For Dana, uxury is all about a soothing mix of tactile textures, natural materials and earthy hues created by hand, so her collection is anchored with the ceramics she makes one by one in our studio overlooking a spectacular view of the wetlands in bucolic Sharon, Connecticut.

Dana’s pottery has been acclaimed world-wide. She has appeared in countless magazines including In Style, Elle Decor, Domino, Martha Stewart Living, Victoria and Country Living.

Her gorgeous pieces are displayed in ABC Carpet & Home, my favorite store in New York City. Recently, my favorite ceramics shop in Paris, Astier De Villatte commissioned Dana to make a dinner plate for their magnificent collection.

dbO Home is committed to using sustainable materials, recycling materials as much as possible and working with local and Fair Trade artisans. The dbO Home line reflects the natural beauty of our surroundings while maintaining a bit of the urban edge of the city.

Each of Dana’s one-of-a-kind pieces are handmade and can take months to receive. I ordered mine for the shop in August and they have just arrived in time for the holidays.

Dana’s Honeycomb design came as an inspiration after visiting a friend who was a bee keeper. This trio of bowls was originally designed for a top chef.

The Queenann bowl uses Queenanne’s lace which is imprinted into the porcelain.

I love the shape of this bowl.

Dana’s pottery in Domino magazine….

I love Martha Stewart’s use of Dana’s Honeycomb platters in this photo….

I have very few pieces of Dana’s for the holidays so don’t miss out on these very special items in the store.

Have a great week.

xo Jennifer

No Comments • Posted in: Home and lifestyle

October 28th, 2012

Bringing France home to Westlake Village…

It can be really hard work finding antiques to sell. For those of you who know what I’m talking about, let’s all take a collective big sigh that another weekend is over. There are the estate sales, the flea markets, the garage sales and the thrift stores. All of it can get exhausting! The thrill of the hunt really is a lot of fun, but when you are searching full-time for treasures because its your JOB….well, it has its ups and downs.

Take yesterday’s series of yard sales, many of which listed “Antiques” in their ads. Yes, well, I suppose Smurfs can be considered antiques to a certain group of people. There was an old oak table that nearly broke my foot when I touched it and its top fell over. It’s owner explained, “it just needs a little love.”

Are casserole dishes from the 1970′s antiques? If they are, then that makes me old enough to be an antique too, so I’m voting NO!

Then there are the piles of old shoes, ratty-haired Barbies and cast-off dishes. A lamp with a battered shade, A broken eliptical machine, and two sofas that looked like something furry had been inhabiting them.

There was the 20 mile drive that led to a Pez dispenser collection, and the 30 minute drive that ended with a driveway full of Hello Kitty toddler clothes.

Occasionally though, there are the moments that make it all worth it. Those moments when your heart races because you see something so good, you want to hug the person rummaging in the bin next to you. The 4 antique frames from Belgium, the two sterling silver champagne buckets, the weathered white wooden garden urns covered in dirt begging for new blossoms. Ah yes, the moments when the truck is full and you’re patting yourself on the back for a job well done.

Sometimes, you can be really unlucky. And sometimes, luck is your middle name, as it was for me this weekend.

This gal was just trying to off-load some no longer wanted collectibles…and this Francophile pounced.

Here are some photos:

A vintage set of 5 Ceramic canisters from France ….

An enamelware coffee pot from Belgium….

Several Old French tins….

French linens…

A porcelain set of 5 French canisters…

More enamelware…

And lastly…..

I mean, could you just die? How gorgeous is this!

This one has already found a place on my mantle, and it’s staying here with me. The hardest part of all this treasure hunting, is having to part with all of the treasures. They are all listed on etsy, but…. I get to keep them all until they go to a new home.

You can find them here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChalkFarmHome

Have a great week!

xo Jennifer

No Comments • Posted in: Home decorating

October 22nd, 2012

Remnants of The Past Show October….

We are back from the Remnants of The Past show! What a great weekend. It was only a year ago that my husband and I, newly transplanted from the East coast, escaped for the weekend and attended the show. At some point, I remember saying to him ,”Wow..if I ever got asked to do a show like this, I would feel so honored.”

Cut to a year later, and there I was in my booth Friday night, pinching myself that I was doing the show for the second time. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this show. The vendors are so creative. Their treasures are so special and I learn so much from each of them. Our booth got a bit more refined than our first show, but keep your eyes on us. We are just figuring out our booth building techniques, so every show its just going to get better and better! I could be completely narcissistic and post the 350 photos I shot, but I’ll restrain myself and just give you a taste of the booth…..

I wore a lovely dress and heels on Friday night, but by the end of the evening, I was wandering the place barefoot.

This painting is from 1935 and I found her at a flea market outside of Paris.

These wine carafes came from a restaurant in Paris. Each of the enamel numbers have a different font. I had 20 of them!

A beautiful ceramic set found in France.

This 1920′s painting is one of my favorites. I love the colors!

French flags made by the talented artist, and my new friend, Rosemary Olsen.

Vintage Christmas ornaments wrapped with Tiffany Blue bows….

French Jam pots…

Enamelware….

This set of 1822 Blue books was bought by my favorite designer Brooke Giannetti, who’s blog Velvet & Linen I adore. I was so flattered!

French name plaques.

Jess Brown‘s gorgeous dolls were a special highlight in my booth.

This set of 18 19th century botanicals from France sold within 20 minutes of the show’s doors opening.

A beautiful portrait of a New York society woman from the 1930′s overlooks the booth.

Glittery crowns by Rosemary Olsen…

French children’s blocks. Aren’t they beautiful?

Lots of cafe au lait bowls….

Fall flowers from the local farmer’s market filled the French enamelware containers…

Old movie reels painted in a sage green….

Antique baskets and old French bread baskets….

A beautiful crown made by Rosemary Olsen matches perfectly with these burlap tied books from 1924…

Thank you Judy, the Remnants staff, my fellow vendors and my husband Ian for another fun and beautiful weekend in San Luis Obispo. A special thanks to my friends Robert and John, who helped carry many of these beautiful treasures through subways and airports for me from Paris. You guys are the best.

Have a great week!

Jennifer xo

2 Comments • Posted in: Home and lifestyle, Travel

October 14th, 2012

Perroquet Wallpaper by Nina Campbell

I first saw Nina Campbell‘s Perroquet wallpaper in Domino magazine and I knew I had to have it! I ended up wallpapering my powder room in my last house with the Black color and I loved it. It made the tiny space so dramatic.

Eliza is nearing the 3 year mark and it’s time to start thinking about creating her “Big Girl” room. I found a beautiful antique white wrought iron bed yesterday at a yard sale in perfect condition. I started daydreaming about how I would design her room, and I immediately thought of this wallpaper, but this time, I’d use it in white.