The treasure hunt
Hi there! Meg here, in France, with Ann. We had all good intentions to post this week about our visit to the over-the-top design/gift/lifestyle mecca, Maison et Objet, in Paris. We couldn't wait to fill you in on all the inspiration we have been inhaling at this massive show, which is overwhelming in the very best sense of the word. And, we wanted to share a little about the goodies we're snapping up for the store and gallery right now in the South of France. But, between our crazy travel schedule, a freak wildfire that shut down the highway we were on for about five hours - and spotty wifi (the biggest culprit!), we're reposting a blog we wrote last year about how we shop for our treasures. Read on and enjoy...and we promise to make it up to you next week with our updated report from Paris!
This was the scene last Sunday when the A-9 in the south of France was completely shut down in both directions. We were worried about how close this was. Our fellow Euro drivers were funny, helpful and chatty as we sat there for a couple hours watching flames, smoke, helicopters and the aerial fire fighters dropping load after load of water on the fires.
Picture this: it’s almost 8 a.m. somewhere in France. Depending on the season, it’s either 20 degrees or 90 degrees and it’s either pouring down rain or blazing hot. There’s a huge crowd of people mashed up around a gate (and because it’s France, everyone is smoking and doing power shots of coffee from tiny plastic cups.) Everyone is sizing each other up – or recognizing friends and fellow dealers with big smiles and bonjours. All of a sudden, the very official-looking security guys open the gates and the crowd surges forward, pushing and shoving and doing everything possible to be the first one through the gate.
Welcome to our world – and the one we just love. This is how we begin an antiques fair and we swear, it’s positively addictive.
Once those gates are open, it’s a free-for-all. Buyers are sprinting to their favorite dealers who are frantically unloading their trucks as fast as they can. If you’re lucky, you can hop on the truck and pick your goodies before they even hit the ground. Or, if you just wait five minutes, all the treasures are artfully and creatively displayed and you can start the serious shopping.
After years and years of doing this, we have a great system. We have a certain way we like to walk the fair, both of us checking out the merchandise and heads on swivels. There’s a sense of emptying your mind of everything else and waiting for that certain something to catch your eye.
It’s hard to see the diamonds in the rough when there’s so much sheer stuff to filter through. But when we see it, we are all about laser focus – and sealing the deal.
Things we look for: gorgeous patina. Beautiful lines. Integrity of craftsmanship. Originality. Collectibility. And, of course, when we see something that grabs our attention, we have to think about the end use – who will buy this and how would they use this? That’s the fun part and our inspiration comes from lots of sources: the talented designers we work with on a daily basis; the wonderful shelter magazines that fuel our inspiration and of course, good old Instagram.
So, from our last buying trip, here’s what we saw – and how we envisioned it right then and there:
Then there was a collection of old books. We’re suckers for these beauties and whenever we can find them, in good condition with pretty spines, we try to snap them up.
We’re on a little bit of a chinoserie kick these days, so when we spotted this knockout of a commode, we sprinted over to make it ours.
We found a really gorgeous 18th century painted commode and fell madly in love with it. It’s French, but the profile and patina definitely feel Swedish:
And how can we ever forget our darling French snails that had us swooning one freezing cold day at the Paris flea market?
This pretty little stone and iron table was irresistible.
Look how Amy D. Morris used one just like this:
And don’t forget about art. We have the most fun finding little gems that are simply stunning in their state – which is usually dusty, old, without any provenance and completely tantalizing!
Amy D. Morris worked her magic with old art this way:
We didn’t waste a minute when we saw this lovely little commode just waiting to be snapped up and sent to on its way to Huff Harrington:
And lo and behold, Robert Brown (the newly awarded Southeast Designer of the Year) used a similar piece in this vignette:
There’s nothing more exhilarating than being ecstatic about the goodies we uncover – and the happiness we feel when these babies find their forever homes with our clients. And not to worry, we’ll be going back again in June to keep up the hunt. Looking for something special? Shoot us an email at home@huffharrington.com and tell us what’s on your wish list and we’ll keep our eyes open for you.
Ta ta.
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What happens when two committed Francophiles, art lovers and design junkies get together over a bottle of red wine? A fine art gallery with a little je ne sais quoi is born, followed a few years later by its home furnishings and décor sibling.
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