The Philadelphia Antiques Show 2011

On Saturday night, my husband and I got all gussied up to attend The Philadelphia Antiques Show "World Collectors Party" at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia.  While sipping cocktails, we browsed through some of the most amazing antiques I've ever seen.  And afterwards, we walked over to the Urban Outfitters building for an "after party" with hor d'ourves, more drinks, dancing, and prizes (by the way, the Urban Outfitters building feels so creative with it's two story ceilings and fabulous art installations-- if I knew how to work my camera in low lighting, I would have taken more pictures!).  But, let's talk about the antiques.  I have to be honest with you: the Philadelphia Antiques Show was even more inspiring than our recent trip to High Point Market.  It was.  We were both so incredibly impressed by the pieces featured here, it just made me realize why I love my job so much.  I took about 150 pictures.  :)

2011 marks the 50th anniversary for the Philadelphia Antiques Show, and all proceeds benefit Penn Medicine (this year's beneficiary is the Ovarian Cancer Research Center).

The show was FULL of the most beautiful hand painted portraits you've ever seen.  I love this couple shown in the upper left (seen at Peter Eaton & Joan Brownstein).  The bright orange hutch looked amazing on that charcoal wall (at Allen Katz Americana, Connecticut)...  and I fell in love with these antique chairs, upholstered in a plaid wool and then the original red leather (seen in the JAGR, Philadelphia booth).

A wall full of gorgeous Audubon Brown prints on the left (from Arader Galleries), and of course, my favorite Federalist style mirror on the right (available at Alfred Bullard Inc, Philadelphia)

A fascinating chest of drawers, topped with folk art portraits.  I loved the antique Pennsylvania State Seal, shown in the upper right corner. Both pieces are available at Old Hope Antiques.

This magnificent silver coffee urn is available at S.J. Shrubsole, New York

This embroidered bedspread was nothing short of breathtaking. Dating between 1820 and 1840, it was made in Pennsylvania (and will set you back about $8,500)

available through Old Hope Antiques

The flags!  If I could buy anything, I would have bought one of these.  I love that they are a graphic representation of one point in time.

This tiny handmade flag from WWI was my favorite. 

all flags are from Jeff Bridgman American Antiques.

another handsome portrait from Old Hope Antiques.

(seems like a modern hairstyle, no?)

A lovely booth, featuring another stunning set of portraits (at James Kilvington, Inc).  The rugs are from Peter Pap Rugs.  And, I loved these carved wooden fish (but can't remember who featured them!)

A collection of antique ship paitings looks amazing on that navy wall.  The sterling silver cups are from S.J. Shrubsole.  The gold mirror (on the red wall) is from Christopher T. Rebollo, it was made in Ireland in 1760 and was hand carved from Pine.  It was labeled $9,500 and is available HERE.

LOVED that portrait of the child with the bandage.  I thought it was funny (and a little unexpected).  It's available at Joan Brownstein.  The Windsor chair and antique secretary desk are from Nathan Liverant & Son.  The chair is a comb back Windsor armchair with carved knuckles and scrolled ears.  It was made in Philadelphia in 1770(!!!) and was priced at $27,500.  The patina on this piece was amazing: smooth and satiny from years of wear.  I loved it.

Portrait of George Washington is from the Schwartz Gallery. 

And, my love for navy walls continues.  Isn't this the most amazing color?

A charming embroidery sampler done by an 11 year old girl (from Ohio) dating to1837.  It reads "Maria Wise is my name. Pike Township is my station. Clark County is my dwelling place and Christ is my Savior."  I particularly like the little cat in the lower left corner, titled "Miss Puss"

Available at M. Finkel & Daughter

I was sort of obsessed with the pink wall treatment at the JAGR booth.  It was refreshing to see something so modern among such prized antiques.  Loved that large pink print, mixed with the old patinas (that dresser!) and the simple shapes of the side chairs.

more from Old Hope Antiques.  I love this portrait of the little boy, all dressed up!  It was painted by an unknown New England artist in 1840.

One theme for the event was Celebrations: Antiques That Mark The Moment.  Between birthdays, weddings, graduations and anniversaries, many fabulous pieces were on loan to complete the exhibit. 

One of my favorite items was this 1804 Massachusetts watercolor (at a price of $28,000)

Isn't this beautiful?

available through Jeffrey Tillou Antiques

And guess who we spotted among the antiques, you guys?  One of my favorite Keno Brothers, Leigh Keno!  Dave and I are huge fans of Antiques Roadshow, so naturally we love the Keno brothers.  They are incredibly knowledgeable and their enthusiasm for old furniture is contagious.  It was such a pleasure to meet him in person.

me with Leigh Keno, antiques guru.

I want to thank the amazing production staff behind the scenes of the Philadelphia Antiques Show for including us in this fabulous event.  Dave and I had such a wonderful time!  We're already looking forward to next year.

The Philadelphia Antiques Show is featured at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia and runs through Tuesday, April 12th!

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Weekend Plans

Happy Friday!  I hope you have some exciting plans for this lovely spring weekend.  After a busy week down at High Point Market, I will be catching up on work and organizing my office (oh, and aren't our taxes due next week? Ugh).  But the one thing I am truly looking forward to this weekend is the Philadelphia Antiques Show.

I first learned of this show a couple of weeks ago.  Dave and I were watching a PBS special on The Civil War (aren't we exciting people?) when this commercial came on:

The Philadelphia Antiques Show?  Sign me up, baby.  It looks like a great way to spend a Saturday night to me!  Booths full of fabulous antiques, as far as the eye can see?  If you're in the area, I encourage you to go.  You heard the man, you don't need to go with the intention of buying anything (although you might find something terrific!), just come with a learning spirit. 

via Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques

1780s Windsor Chairs via Greg Kramer & Co.

painting via Diana H. Bittel Antiques

The show starts tomorrow, and runs through Tuesday, April 12th.  Tickets start at $17.00 and

all proceeds from the event will go to benefit Penn Medicine and this year's beneficiary, The Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center.  So, it's for a great cause.  In addition to the marvelous antiques, they have some fun events planned: Saturday night is "World Collector's Night" at the Urban Outfitters building.  Then on Tuesday, there's a Luncheon with Alexa Hampton which sounds like it should be wonderful (I'm a big fan of hers... have you read her book?).

For more information on the Philadelphia Antiques Show, visit their website HERE! 

Maybe I'll see you there.

Happy Weekend!

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Snow Day!

image credit unknown

Philadelphia got about a foot of snow this weekend!  It would have been completely lovely if not accompanied by 50 mile per hour winds.  But now that the storm has passed, the wind is gone, the sun is out, and we have gorgeous blue skies.

And, guess which back-ordered item arrived a couple of weeks early?!  My bean boots! 



My husband bought me this pair for my birthday, and I love them!  I love the shearling, love the leather, love that this style has been around for almost 100 years.  They keep my feet warm and dry.  They're great.  (If you're thinking of ordering a pair, buy a whole size smaller. Really.  Even with thick socks they fit perfectly. One whole size smaller.).

Happy Snow Day wherever you are! 

And, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas holiday!  My folks drove in for a quick visit and we all braved the weather to see the Cleopatra exhibit downtown.  It was fascinating, and if you haven't seen it yet, book your tickets now!  The last day to see Cleopatra at the Franklin Institute is January 2nd.  (ps. The jewelry alone was worth the trip).

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Christmas Love (at Terrain)

I spent an hour on Saturday afternoon walking through Terrain in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.  Now, I had been to Terrain once before to attend a fall decorating event with Eddie Ross... but back then, I was a few minutes late, it was after store hours, and it was raining, so I just ran in and ran out.  I never got to stroll, and absord it all. 

It is such a beautiful store, and it was even prettier on Saturday-- all gussied up for the Holiday Season.  People were buying Christmas trees, and there was even a firepit outside.  Complete with wool blankets for keeping warm!  I love that attention to detail.  I didn't bring my camera, but thankfully I had my phone.  I just HAD to take some pictures-- I wanted to share this beautiful store with you!  Hopefully, it puts you in the Christmas spirit like it did for me...

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Sunny In Philadelphia

The weather in Philadelphia is BEAUTIFUL.  Check out our weekend forecast:

So, I went for a brisk walk this morning on a few park trails near our house.  The scenery was so pretty, I took a break from my "Lady Gaga Radio" on Pandora to snap a couple of pics with my iPhone.  I love how the sun is shining through the near-naked trees...

Now, all I need to complete my outdoorsy self is a good pair of Bean Boots!

(I hope my husband is reading this. Honey, my birthday is just a few weeks away)

Happy Weekend!

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Asian Pears

(pictured in this wooden bowl)

I bought 3 Asian Pears at this fabulous farm stand on Saturday.  The farmer gave me a small sample and after tasting it, I was hooked.  They taste like a pear but with an apple consistency.  Perfectly sweet (without being too sweet), and they're beautiful to boot.  I love their round shape and long stems, and they are a lovely shade of green.

I brought them home and we promptly ate all 3 Asian Pears. 

If I had known, I would have made Asian Pear and Gouda Grilled Cheese.

Happy Monday!

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