Moustiers Tin-Glazed Scalloped Tray FRANCE

 

Janine Metz behind the Duke & Duchess in Paris

This stunning long (15.25") scalloped French Moustiers tin-glazed earthenware tray boasts remarkable provenance. It once belonged to Janine Metz, Social Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

We can easily imagine this elegant tray serving hors d’oeuvres in Metz's Paris apartment, or lined with her exquisite Indian jewelry, which was auctioned at Doyle in 2019 — a true cocktail conversation piece!

It's on sale through Valentine's Day and can be found here. 

A Bowl of Love for the Holidays

 

We adore this 19th-century Chinese Export Pink Lotus punch bowl. Its pale celadon interior is accented with delicate gilt highlights and an elegant scrolling border that frames the brilliantly hand-painted pink lotus blossoms. Produced for the European and American markets during the Qing Dynasty, this piece reflects centuries of artistry in export porcelain. The lotus motif is a significant symbol of Chinese culture - representing purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. And, the color pink represents love and happiness. You can find it here. SOLD

Woven Rattan Victorian/Edwardian Top Hat

 

This delightful October find at Billy's Bungalow is English Haberdashery at its best. Featuring a wonderful Antique (Edwardian/Victorian Era) Woven Rattan Top Hat. It has the most distinct character just sitting on a table or a stack of books. Great for movie props, shop displays, and theatre costumes. This incredible Rattan Top Hat can be found here.

Hand-Carved Wooden Canadian Goose

We were so happy to discover this wonderful hand-carved Canadian Goose on our way to South Dartmouth, MA. It's an unfinished piece and quite large (18" long); hand-carved with feather details, glass eyes, and a wonderful wood grain. Its age and imperfections only add to its charm.

South Dartmouth is a beautiful coastal enclave that became the first section of southern Massachusetts with European settlers. It's home to Davoll's General Store, the oldest continually operating General Store in Masschusetts, established in 1793. It's owned by brother's Will and Ben Shattuck. Ben is a writer and we are a fan. His latest book of New England stories "The History of Sound" is a must read. 

If you are interested in our Canadaian Goose, she can be found here. SOLD

My client’s 100% Organic Exuberance Herbal Loose Leaf Tea blend will supports digestion + healthy skin + hormonal balance.

Herbalism is a holistic treatment based in Chinese medicine that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Honeyopathy’s blended botanicals and bee pollen uplift and balance your Qi energy flow with distinctive tastes and scents. This herbal infusion combines damiana, dandelion root, nettle, honeybush, grapefruit, and bee pollen to invigorate new birth and growth in Spring.

100% Organic

Hand-Blended

Caffeine Free

Airtight Stainless Container

Tasting Notes: Floral, Earthy, Sweet

SUMMER CORN

  

 

We are calling these Corn Dishes "Americana Majolica" as they are made of heavy clay with a thick opaque underglaze. Made in the 1960s, their glazed vibrance is a delight, much like these beautiful moments of summer. Tomatoes and corn are at their best and we include them in some form every evening until summer's end. The sounds and smells of shucking corn and the oohs and aahs over summer tomatoes are what it's all about. Find our Americana Majolica Corn Dishes here. SOLD

What Makes A Table Setting?

Table settings are the most fun way to set the stage for an afternoon or evening with friends. Here are a few I've saved to share with you. Never approached too seriously - with the exception of pressed linens - basically throwing it all together! Mixing not matching and having a great time while doing it. What are the sorts of things that can inspire a table setting?

TEXTILES

SPOTS OF COLOR

 

SEASONS

SIMPLICITY OR EVEN NEW PLACEMATS

MOOD

CASUAL FLAIR

HOLIDAYS 

SUMMER FUN 

CLASSIC COZINESS

MOTIFS - PAPER SAILING CHARTS FOR LOBSTERS (portrait place-cards)

CULTURAL MIX (Swedish, Guatemalan, English, Indonesian)

& ELEGANCE

These items are part of our personal collection and only sometimes available in our shop, Billy's Bungalow. But you will find objects for the table there and even special antique plates. Please visit frequently! 

BILLY'S BUNGALOW

It's been ages since I've posted here as I've been busy focusing on my Etsy shop "Billy's Bungalow" and other endeavors. The shop features Vintage, Antiques, Décor & Art. Here are a few latest finds - objects that tell a story are my favorite things!

The Antique Glass Fishing Float is very rare - it was originally crystal-clear glass and because it contains maganese, it turned this beautiful lavender color from the ultraviolet light from its years at sea! I adore Ikat Woven Cloths from the Cote D'Ivoire - these cloths have truly lived life and are wonderful on tables, as pillow covers, and wall-hangings. The Bamboo Coil Basket is another rare find - its woven star pattern represents the three prominent stars of Orion - regarded as the three gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity! The Peruvian Quinua Harvest Vase is intended to hold the seeds to be planted that year for good luck. It shows Peruvian people and their animals on the way to the field. And, finally a Set of Mexican Redware Nut Dishes because they are fun for cocktail hour! If an item interests you, please feel free to use the code: BLOGFRIEND10 at check-out for a 10% discount).

SOLD Rare Antique Lavender Glass Fishing Float SOLD

Antique Ikat Woven Shoulder Cloth | Ivory Coast

Mid-Century Bamboo Chinese Coil Basket SOLD 

Peruvian Quinua Harvest Vase SOLD 

SET of (6) Mexican Redware Nut Dishes SOLD

Link to the shop HERE.

The Decorator

NOTE: Since this post was written, Tom has a second book out Tom Scheerer More Decorating - and this time, he wrote it himself. Listen to this wonderful chat with Tom on the Ballard Design Podcast.

 I've been lucky to spend many happy days in several of Tom Scheerer's houses since his sister Jane is my best friend from art school days. Tom knows better than anyone how to create a house as Mimi Read so aptly describes in Tom's new book, Tom Scheerer Decorates ~ "He's the decorator for the long haul, the one who can compose a great-looking room that you never want to leave."

Tom learned a lot from forebears Billy Baldwin and David Hicks ~ "he's always maintained that their frank, generous books {including Billy Baldwin Decorates} taught him most of what he knows." Now it's our turn to learn from Tom in this gracious book from Vendome Press. In my opinion, Tom is the best. In fact, I'm sure that everyone who knows Tom well considers what Tom would think when buying fabric, wallpaper, or even napkins for a summer lunch. I know I do! It's the Tom Scheerer aesthetic—and this book beautifully envelopes it all—from the famous coral steps in the Scheerer family's East Hampton house to Tom's "splashiest" project at Lyford Cay Club {a Pinterest favorite}.

A surprise, textured pattern graces the hardcover of Tom Scheerer Decorates and his Lyford Trellis delights as well—with impeccable photography by Francesco Lagnese, generous resources, and pitch-perfect text from Mimi Read. The book consists of three sections: City | Country | Tropics.

You will stop and return to the images again and again to study the Scheerer sensibility—teaming with life—both refined and friendly, all with Tom's unique brand of chic to "underdecorate."

"It's my general philosophy to accept what's given and make it work without going to too much trouble," he says. "It's what makes one house different from the next. Why rip out a bathroom to spend $20,000 on designer tile just to have a bathroom that looks exactly like everyone else's? Why not bleach the sink, put a new scalloped shade on the sconce, and get on with life? That's what we did in our summer houses in the old days—it's why they had charm."

Tom Scheerer Decorates is a treat for all to learn about living well from one of the most gracious hosts of all. I do hope a cookbook is next. Tom is also the best cook. Ever. Do run to get a copy here.

See an earlier interview with Tom here.

Another post mentioning Tom's work here.

Thank you to Vendome Press for the early copy.

Beauport | GREEN

Detail "The Golden Step Room" at Beauport | Sleeper-McCann House

Lately, I've been attracted to the color GREEN. No, not the Pantone color of the year green, but this green. Beauport Green. Set against this pale aqua, even better. Add a touch of opaque white and a dash of black, divine! All in a décor of simple American style... Henry David Sleeper style. Sleeper (1878-1934), collector, decorator, Boston bachelor, and interpreter of American style. "The Golden Step Room" was one of many dining rooms in Sleeper's summer house "Beauport" in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Beauport evolved over a period of twenty seven years. Though a serious curator, Sleeper had a flair for color and arrangement. From Beauport's museum book ~ "Daring color harmonies and the playful interaction of repeating forms are as important to his compositions as allusion and narrative."

See a lot more of "Beauport" on my Pinterest Board here.