What I'm working on.....

9.28.2010

This is my new baby, and therefore my new project. This antique china cabinet was going for super cheap on ebay and I snatched it right up for a Buy it Now price, since there were a bunch of inquiries about it. Below are the two pieces, and I am going to paint them both and put wallpaper on the back wall of the cabinet.


It's absolutely gorgeous, but does need work. It has it's original mid century paint and this gross green putty inside the cabinet. Yuck! Maybe it was used to hold down objects displayed inside? Who knows. It's been a pain to get off, I can tell you that much! These are a few photos from my inspiration folder that came to mind when I purchased it...

via ebay



via ebay

Celerie Kemble via Flickr


My original idea was to paint it a glossy pale gray with a yellow floral wallpaper inside, probably with a metallic gold in it. Then I realized it wasn't the most guy-friendly combo and I have to keep my man in mind! I think I've settled on black glossy paint and a black floral Designer's Guild wallpaper inside the cabinet.... something that we both will love! I'll be posting pictures soon when it's closer to done!

XO Athena

Mercury Glass Lamps

9.20.2010


I was at Anthropologie today looking at some adorable mercury glass votive holders, and it got me thinking about how I've always loved loved LOVED mercury glass in general, especially lamps.

via Pottery Barn

This Pottery Barn one looks so warm and earthy with the burlap shade!

via ebay

I love the floral shade on this one. I would buy some of that fabric if I could get my hands on it!


via ebay

via ebay

There are sooooo many cute ones! Might have to add a pair to my already obnoxious collection of lamps, hehehe!

XO Athena

My Mid Century Brass Geometric Table!


I love my new brass side table that I scored on ebay for a steal of a deal! It looks perfect in my home and what I love is how unique it is! It was such a surprise today that I accidentally stumbled upon two very similar tables on 1stdibs...for $5200! Well, guess I lucked out!


XO Athena

Honey Interiors

2.12.2010

My jaw hit the floor when I stumbled across the website for Honey Interiors. It seems like every one of my obsessions was featured in the portfolio: bold graphic patterns, burl wood furniture, vintage paintings, mid-century brass lighting fixtures and wall sculptures... The list goes on. It's obvious that designer Tamara Kaye-Honey is not afraid to be quirky and fun, which I love!








































XO Athena

Sofa Obsession

1.20.2010

Well, it all started one day while I was just perusing the Room Service Store website. For those of you who have not experienced Room Service, it has the coolest furniture and accessories. A mix of glam Hollywood Regency and sleek Mid-century Modern style with lots of crazy 70's colors. I spied this beauty, the Koening Sofa, priced at $2,195 with gray-blue leather encased in white high-gloss painted wood. The obsession had begun.


Truth be told, I love the gray color but am not the biggest fan of the leather, just because I personally prefer the cozy feel that fabric provides. Nonetheless, I was in love. It was really the fact that the sofa was encased in wood that got me, plus those curvy little legs and cute bolster pillows didn't hurt either. I love things that are unique, and to me this sofa seems so different and unexpected. It was not until months later that I noticed they also make it in natural wood, priced at a mere $1,995.


This one really got me going. That being said, I'm almost always a big fan of painted wood over unpainted. I've just never been into having a plethora of natural wood in my home. My personal belief however is that you must have some of it to warm up your home visually. Natural wood just has a certain depth and richness that paint can't provide. I'm very particular about unpainted wood, but a sofa enveloped in the right hue of it sounds delightful to me! I recently spotted this vintage rosewood one on ebay for $3,200.



I literally had my jaw agape when I saw it; it was such a fine, genuine mid-century beauty! My boyfriend inquired about what I was freaking out over. When he looked at the computer screen he simply said, "Oh yeah, I could make that." What, make my wildest dreams come true? I was so excited! He and my friend swore they could make me a wooden case sofa, no problem! So, when I have more space to get a new sofa there is absolutely no doubt that I will be taking them up on that. That fabric is not gonna fly though. In my daydreams the sofa wears velvet, probably a cut velvet like the Du Barry line of Osborne and Little. I literally have no clue which of these colors is the most gorgeous. I want them all.








Just for fun I started perusing the internet for other pictures of wood-encased Danish sofas and found this picture from Mad Men on flickr. See what I mean? This sofa is soooooo swanky! I have been wanting to start watching that show just for the decor and clothes!


The ebay sofa listing also pointed me in the direction of 1stdibs, which has tons of sofas like this for much more. Here are a few of those pretty lil guys for your viewing pleasure, all vintage Milo Baughman. These range in price from $5,625 to "contact seller", aka "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" ;)







This concludes my ode to the beautiful sofa. Hopefully one of these days I'll have my own custom-made version!

XO Athena