I must say, I was pretty proud of myself for the restraint I showed while shopping the Lucketts Spring Market. With the exception of one piece, I stuck to my list (you can find my list HERE) and didn’t buy small things that would add clutter to collections I’ve been trying to thin down. I had the perfect spot for everything I purchased, and I didn’t regret leaving things I felt tempted to buy at the market for others to enjoy.
But, here is what I did buy…
As I shared yesterday, I made a beeline for these antique oil paintings. First of all, I just love portraits and the character they bring to a home. Second, I love that these are old, likely from the mid-1800s, based on the clothing and date of their restoration. While I can paint pieces to hang on the wall, I can’t paint 150-year-old paintings. It’s the age and history that attract me to these as much as the artwork. And I knew just where I wanted to hang them…
They went in the dining room, flanking the beautiful French cabinet I bought from Ekster Antiques a few years ago.
The mock orange bush is in full bloom, so you will see it in a bunch of pictures!
I’m still debating with myself about the wall mural, but I decided to hang the portraits and leave that decision for another day.
I find the gentleman to be a stronger portrait than the lady, but I do love both of them, and the fact that they are in antique matching frames. I’m not sure if they are original or part of the 1970s restoration.
I actually love the crazing as well as the patina and warmth that oil paintings acquire over time.
It does mean that the woman’s portrait looks best from certain angles where the glare is eliminated.
And they complement the antique painting of the little French boy perfectly. He’s one of my favorites.
In addition to the paintings, I bought a little pine table to act as a side table in the guest room. I was originally looking for a dresser or small washstand to add some storage, and I did find some that would fit the space and style of the room, but I ultimately liked the versatility of this table. It’s the kind of piece you could use in several rooms in several different ways. It’s even big enough to be a small sewing table or a little desk, which works well for the guest room/sewing room.
The guest room is still in “as-is” condition, but I hope to work on it soon. I may even hire out stripping the wallpaper because that is the big hold-up. I know it’s a multi-day project for me to steam off the paper and wash off all of the glue. Once that’s done, though, it’ll be easy to paint and get this room looking pretty. It clearly needs new window shades, and some curtains would be nice. We’ll get there. Until then, it’s clean even if it is a little dated.
Anyway, here is the table in the guest room…
The chair that’s paired with it is totally impractical, but I thought it was the sweetest antique chair! I couldn’t resist it. Jeff makes fun of me for buying “decorative chairs”, but I know a lot of you understand.
I was also so excited to find a basket that was perfect for housing Sebastian’s toys. Normally, I have to hem and haw over something, but I saw this basket and picked it right up. The lid has handmade wire hinges, so I can remove it for him to have easy access, and then, when it’s not in use, I can set the lid back on. He’s at my mom’s house right now (we dog-share), so I put it on a stack of baskets while it’s not being used…
It was a little dusty, so I rinsed it off with the hose and set it out in the sun a couple of days ago. I used to be really nervous about washing wood and wicker with soap and water, but after years of buying really filthy things from yard sales, antique stores, and junk shops, I’ve gotten over that. If I can’t wash it with some soap and water to make it clean and smell nice, I probably won’t buy it! (You can read some of my favorite methods and products for cleaning antiques and used pieces I buy HERE.)
The small thing I bought was a little piece of fan coral for $15. There were so many amazing pieces of vintage coral at the market, but I restricted myself to one small, well-priced piece that I could tuck onto the living room shelves.
It was a great antique shopping day and I am already looking forward to the Lucketts Fall Market in a few months…
21 Responses
It is my humble opinion that the new portraits are strong enough to hold their own and compliment the mural! They are a nice addition to the dining room.
The portraits are stunning and they look so good in your dinning room.
I’m curious as to why you think the antique chair in the guest room is impractical? I think the ensemble looks darling in the room. Nice pick!
It’s so small in scale and isn’t very comfortable! It would be fine for sitting to put your shoes on or something, but wouldn’t be functional as a desk chair.
I hope you keep the dining room mural. It looks like it was a fun day.
Honestly I like the guest room as it is!
oh, wow. I have never been all that enamored with the wall mural, but now? with the portraits on top, I love it! somehow, the depth of the black background anchors the wall in the best of ways.
I love that new wee table. It’s such a perfect size right there. I really like that chair with it, too.
I find it utterly fascinating that you now have a “family” collection of portraits: Father, Mother, son in your dining room.
I do think they get a bit lost in the busy pattern of the mural – but I like things beautifully simple so I am a harsh judge of busy patterns.
Congratulations on sticking to your list!
I love the portraits in your home. They are very nicely detailed and the people look healthy and vigorous which sometimes isn’t the case with old portraits. The little desk is perfect and I do understand the impractical chair… I have had a number of them I couldn’t resist, but one really does need study chairs for daily use. I wouldn’t want me, family, or guests falling through an adorable but unstable chair because I thought it was ‘cute’
Just a thought – if the surface of the man’s portrait is less reflective (less glare), maybe switch them? The woman’s portrait would then be seen from the kitchen, or as you walk in from the kitchen, in a more “straight on,” glare-free way. As they are hung now, the woman’s portrait will always be seen from a side angle unless you walk over and stand right in front of it. Looking to that side of the cabinet, all someone will see is mostly the shiny glare. BTW, her eyes!!
Crown moulding would look nice
I just love that little table and chair!! They go together so well. You find such great things for your home. And I agree those twin beds were beautiful!! If only :). I also wanted to comment on your post on your drawings of houses and you talked about making lebkuchen cookies. My Mother made those cookies every year and put them in a huge tin to let them soften. Such good memories.
Well Miss Marian, I picked up some smalls that weren’t part of your list. My daughter and I went Friday afternoon (sooo humid) and shopped without a list. Last Fall I wanted brass candlesticks and found three pair of unique ones, but this Spring I just wanted to see what struck my fancy. We just had shelf/cabinet built-ins installed along one wall of the living room. Even though I (according to my husband) have plenty of items, eight new shelves demanded that I find more to decorate them. So I found two aqua vases, one a McCoy, and another dealer selling old prints from books had just about anything you could imagine. I selected two rose prints that will need framed. (I named my house Rose Hill, even if only in my mind). All this to compliment my Grandma’s-Scandi Bright-Traditional decor scheme. Whoa TMI! Anyway, I had a great afternoon at Luckett’s Spring show and look forward to next Fall. So glad you found your list items.
Congrats on your new “old” finds. Wow! These portraits are just what this room needed. The dark portrait backgrounds anchor and the gilded frames brighten the room as well as bring out your hutch. This room is now perfect without being matchy-matchy. Great instincts.
Perhaps, the portraits could be swapped a few times a year. The grand lady would be more visible, less glare [ if she could be asked, I would think she would agree], moreso, it may reduce fade from the window beside her. What slays me is how stern and serious they both look, typical pose lasting well into a hundred years more. They are probably much younger than one can imagine, only because of the serious pose. They definately compliment the room and the mural. Kim
Love the little table, and I have rarely met a basket I didn’t love. I couldn’t get your HERE button to work to find out how you clean your baskets.
Sorry! I fixed it and you can find the post here – https://missmustardseed.com/my-go-to-supplies-for-cleaning-antiques/
Pay someone to strip that wallpaper and use your time making some of your beautiful art to sell…a win win!
I know you have been on the fence about the wall mural, but can I echo what a few other readers have posted and say the antique oil portraits have really complimented the wall mural and make it stand out so beautifully now. I never realized a piece of art could do that, but it has! I was leaning toward your thought of wallpaper in this room because to be honest the mural wasn’t doing it for me, but I have changed my mind now that the oil portraits have been hung. I always heard decorators say every room should have a touch of black in it and maybe that has brought out the mural to a new level.
I’m always glad when I see your mural is still there 😆. I just love the colors you landed on, and I think the style is so fun compared with the older more traditional ones. ❤️ Also I get it about the chairs!
I agree that the portrait of the lady deserves the place of honor. After all in her era a woman was the mistress of her home. Her eyes and her lace collar are magnificent.