Meet Crystal...

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I'm not sure why but I've always loved everything from the wonderful spooky decor, to childhood memories of sitting on the floor sorting my little candies after a night of "trick-or-treating" with my best friend.

Every year I try and purchase a new item to add to my little Halloween collection. My collection ranges from vintage jack-0-lanterns to new pieces crafted by talented artists.

Crystal creating in her studio

The other day I stumbled upon this fabulous site, VintagebyCrystal. Boston-based Crystal is a full-time crafter and creates amazing one-of-a-kind items by using antique and vintage materials.

All of Crystal's work is inspired by objects of the past. She specializes in cotton-spun ornaments and figures much like the ones that German artists made over 100 years ago.

AND, the talented Crystal has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show. You can watch her with Martha here.

So, what did I purchase from Crystal? A cotton-spun cat lady and a funny jack-o-lantern head figurine.

But I must tell you that her things sell quickly since they're one-of-a-kind. If you love her work as I do, get her updates by following her blog, her website, and her Etsy shop.

Her Christmas items will be for sale very shortly. And I'm jumping for joy as she has created a Chanukah line! I'll be buying up some of those treasures for sure!

Thanks Crystal...can't wait to get my little people!

images; Vintage by Crystal

You Won't Want to Miss This!

I'm thrilled to announce that Joni from Cote de Texas and I have teamed up to offer this special giveaway.... an antique gold leaf lyre-shaped convex mirror (above) from Paris Hotel Boutique!!!

But first I must introduce you to Joni. Houston-based interior designer Joni Webb shares her love of house & garden, antiques, interior design, and country French decor interpreted for the Texas coast in her popular blog, Cote de Texas.

The blog is mixed with a bit of history and a lot of humor. Joni's blog has won several awards including The Washington Post's top 10 blogs in 2008. Additionally, she has been featured in publications such as Better Home & Gardens, Houston House & Home, and HGTV.

And Joni c0-hosts a fabulous blogging and interior design weekly radio show, The Skirted Roundtable, with the fab Megan from Beach Bungalow 8 & Linda from Surroundings. They have interviewed some of the most influential designers and editors including Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of Elle Decor, and Stephen Drucker, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful to name a few.

So go visit Joni at Cote de Texas, check out her lovely blog, and enter our giveaway!

Good luck to all!

Estate Sale Manners

I was just talking to a fellow antique dealer friend of mine who recently attended a local estate sale. His nicely covered pile of leather bound books held for him at the front door were stolen by another shopper. Where have all the manners gone?

I have been attending estate sales for about 15 years now. It never ceases to amaze me the lack of manners and etiquette at these sales. There are some cardinal rules among estate sale shoppers;

• If any item has a "sold" tag, someone has done the work to find it and is going to purchase it. Hands off.
  

• If there is an obvious pile of items in a corner, ask before you rummage. They are probably someone else's gathered treasures that they have set aside because they can't carry them around.

• Don't push and shove. Courtesy is rule #1.

Objects are just material things and there is certainly enough to go around, isn't there? I've cut back on my estate sale attendance since I've witnessed some of the most horrific incidents including my girlfriend getting knocked down on the ground for complimenting a man on his turquoise jewelry. He was definitely crazy.

Do you have any of your own estate sale nightmare stories to share?

Are there any comments you want to add on estate sale manners?

image credits; 1. Emikokolala 2. Stephanie Moisan 3 & 4. unknown

Join us at the Show!

I'm thrilled to be joining forces with the talented Lisa Golightly at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire this coming Sunday, October 3rd!

I haven't sold there in many years and can't wait to sell alongside my good friend Lisa. We will be selling everything from eclectic French accessories and estate jewelry, to furniture and Lisa's one-of-a-kind unique creations.

We're so excited to be in the first row. That means you won't have too walk far to visit us...and we're close to the concession stands which always makes my day!

If you're in the Bay Area, please be sure and stop by:

Booth A-20

Click here for show times and directions...

Please come by and say hello. Hope to see you!

image: McCall Style & Beauty Cover, 1942, George Eastman House Collection

The Most Ornate Parking Garage

The former Michigan Theater in Detroit (built in 1926) is now an indoor parking garage. That's right. After a period of closures and re-openings, the Michigan Theater was permanently closed and partially demolished in 1976. Due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure.

The ceiling is still the same, so one can get out of the car, look up and see the gorgeous inlay. Sad isn't it? I just hate to see old buildings destroyed, and yet in some way I appreciate the beauty of it.

image 1; Sean Hemmerle via Pinterest, image 2; Wikepedia

Seasonal Sale at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Happy Monday Everyone!

We're making room for our Fall/Winter inventory and are offering several selected items that have been reduced, from accessories to furniture. You'll have to browse around a bit to see the selected markdowns. {Sale runs through September 27th}

Click here to enter our sale!

Your Opinion...When is Too Much Enough?

Leah at Revival Home recently did an interesting blog post about mass production. It touched a nerve in me and sparked a little debate on Facebook.

We're supposed to be going "green" right? That means recycling and other ways to save the environment.

{reproduction clock}

So my question is, why are the masses gobbling up items that are mass-produced? Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful "new" items out there that I myself purchase and covet. This society thrives off of consumerism.

But if more people consumed less, wouldn't we truly be going green?

{reproduced European globes}

{reproduction map}

{reproduction French wooden chandelier}

When I received the latest catalog from Restoration Hardware my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Big companies are knocking off every look that decorators and antique dealers have made hip and trendy. This includes Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Z Gallerie, the list goes on. They find a look and quickly have it manufactured in China. Hmm...not liking that.

And in many cases the reproduction pieces cost significantly more than the vintage pieces. Are people really buying the knock-0ffs? Guess so.

{reproduction dress form}

{reproduction hourglasses}

So tell me, what do you think of mass consumerism?

What about the knock-offs of vintage/antiques being made in China?

Where do you think the antiques/vintage business is headed?

Are we really going green?

photo credits; 1. Tim Walker. 2-7, Restoration Hardware

New Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Fall is in the air. With brisk mornings, cooler days, and leaves changing colors, Paris Hotel Boutique offers you our latest finds to capture the mood of this beautiful Autumn season.

Several unique items have been added to the website since last month's mailing. All are being showcased today for the first time! Highlights include:

Antique Medicine Ball

Assorted Vintage Mirrors

Ornate Antique Apothecary Scale

Early French Jeweled Watch Stand

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Silver

Unique 19th Century French Drawers

Reverse Glass Doctor's Sign and much more!

Please click here to see our latest additions...

HAPPY AUTUMN!

A Peek into Pat's World

If you've ever attended the Alameda Point Antiques Faire you may have had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Pat Story. Pat and her sweet hubby Ray have been selling at "The Point" for over 10 years.

Not only is Pat one of the sweetest people in the world, she has an eye for the unique and wonderful.

Her loyal following of vendors from interior designers to shop owners patiently await for Pat to unload her truck the first Sunday of every month to see what gems she uncovers. From large funky props and garden statuary to shiny pieces of silver, her booth is just about cleaned out by the end of the day.

Pat at her happiest...selling her treasures...

More of the unexpected...this gigantic tuba!

Pat's aesthetic can be seen in her 1940's Northern California cottage-style home. A clean neutral palette of whites, infused with bits of silver, sparkle and natural elements. Not overly done and very soothing to the eye. Pat does not like clutter!

See that giant trophy cup in the background? Where does she find these unique items?

Hope you enjoyed a little peek into Pat & Ray's world.

Be sure and visit them at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire the first Sunday of every month, rain or shine. Booths number D01-02.

(And if you're a good little girl/boy, Pat will spoil you with a yummy loaf of pumpkin or banana bread during the holidays. Ssshhh...don't tell her that I'm spreading the word...)

image credit: Alameda: me; home shots; Jessica Fish

Ethereal Eye Candy.

Happy Ever After~
Is this what Cinderella saw through her eyes?

That is the title of this stunning blog post by Jamie Beck, From Me to You.

I was elated to discover Jamie via fellow blogger Shilo while searching photo credit for that lovely pink chair image that I recently posted. Funny thing is that I had swoon over Jamie's blog before, but just assumed that the photos were random images taken from the internet. But no, the entire blog is Jamie's brilliant photography.

Jamie resides in New York City, collects vintage cameras and typewriters, and shares her beautiful photography with us. These images are of Jamie daydreaming among the French rooms that inspired her at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stunning, don't you agree?

For more amazing eye-candy, be sure and visit Jamie's blog From Me to You here.

image credits: Jamie Beck