Books That Inspire Me

These are a few of the books that I return to again and again for inspiration and reference.

"The Paris Apartment" by Claudia Strasser, is one of these books. It is what Paris Style is about, showing a blend of multiple periods. It is a jewelry box of rich color and design.

"white on white", by Stephanie Hoppen is an amazing book illustrationing the use of all the "shades" of white along with wonderful taupes and muted pastels. Through the use of furnishings, accessories, food, flowers, and the four seasons, this book creates rooms ranging from country to ultra modern.

"Romantic Style", by Better Homes and Garden is a treat for the eye from start to finish, showing room after room ranging from simple cool and white, to the warmth of the Tuscany wine country.

Finally "Antiques from the Garden", by Alistair Morris. This book is a feast for the eye with photos of fabulous garden pieces from around world. It gives you just a taste of the amazing artistry through stone and metal done in the 1800's through the early 1900's.

The common thread, or theme, through all of these books is the mixing of periods ...Victorian, Art Deco, Paris Apartment, Hollywood Regency, Shabby Chic...they will all blend together creating any mood you desire.

With a little imagination and color, anyone can create a room of their dreams. Someone once told me "that just about anything will go together as long as you love!"..I find that with few exceptions, this truly is the case.

So put your imaginations to work! My motto is "Just do it!" You will truly be amazed at the results.

In the meantime, don't forget to visit my website for more fun items www.tace.com/place , www.rubylane.com/shops/place , and "aplaceofdistinction" on ebay.

My next show will be at Alameda Point - Antiques By The Bay, September 7, 2008, space #K-7. Besure to stop by and say "Hello"!

Beautifully designed rhinestone jewelry 1920's - 1950's, gorgeous vintage accessories, amazing architectual pieces, stunning lighting and mirrors, unique furniture, amazing victorian bamboo, unusual table top decor, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, French Paris apartment, pre-1900 French garden...you name it...I love it!

My antique business started over 30 years ago under the name of CHANTECLAIR. I specialized in pre-1900 textiles, ladies' accessories, jewelry and porcelains. Interestingly enough, my early background was art and architecture, so when salvage pieces came on the scene, it was an easy transition, but it is like losing a lover, how could I truly give up the other things?!!

Subsequently, I opened another division of my business called "A Place of Distinction". It is here that I indulge in all of the pretty and feminine things!

I say I am going to pick just one area and specialize in that, and next thing I know, I am looking down the road at something else! For most of my life I have criticized myself for being like this, and now finally, I have decided that it is alright to enjoy such a diverse world and want to be a part of it!

The bottom line is that I love owning and enjoying these wonderful items for a little while and then selling them to make room for my next "Love Affair". I can't pass up an object that is just plain quirky and unusual, and I adore the elegant and simple. I'm not above adding a little embellishment, and going a little "green"...finding new uses for old objects..."Objects Nouveau"... just to indulge my creative side!

I wish I had a house with a thousand rooms so that I could do each one differently, and I wish I had a store that could house all of the wonderful things I want to own for a few minutes and then let someone else enjoy for a lifetime!

My parents were artists, so growing up, I tended to be very visual oriented. For many years I worked as a make-up artist and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel the world from New York to London, Miami to Caracus, and San Francisco to Mombasa. The bottom line is that it has given me a wonderful opportunity to see the world, from the bright lights of Broadway to the jungles of South America and Africa. With it has come an appreciation of what makes art, the difference and beauty in textiles, the stunning diversity of architecture, and the amazing artistry in cemeteries of the past. Ornate ironwork and granite pieces produced in the pre-1900's are now prohibitive in price to produce today, and are highly sought as magnificent works of art.

The purpose of this blog is to pass along a thought on these things from time to time, to introduce you to my websites, to sometimes discuss one of these items, and to give you a schedule of some of the places that I show each month.

I am based in California, but do get wanderlust from time to time...however with the price of gas, I tend to wander a little less! In the past you mught have found me in Sun Valley Idaho, Aspen and Vail Colorado, or Marburger Farm Texas.

The world is the most amazing place, and I feel like a kid in a candy store!

I hope you will take the time to visit one of my sites... www.tace.com/place , www.rubylane.com/shops/place , or "aplaceofdistinction" on Ebay starting at 7:00PM each Wednesday.

If you live in Northern California, you can find me the first Sunday of each month at Alameda Pointe "Antiques By The Bay" in space K-7.

More shows are being scheduled, so be sure to check back!