One day last year my sister and I went into an antique store in Lafayette, Ca. We were just looking around. Sis was looking for a drop leaf table for her art room. I was just looking. Then Sis spotted this chair....
I don't know if there can be "love at first sight" with a piece of furniture, but my sister set her sights on something across the room. I saw her move toward a corner filled with armoires, buffets and tables. There was a different look in her eyes. I had seen this look before. It was "furniture lust".There is nothing rational about it..., nothing reasonable or explainable..., it's just plain old fashion desire for something that's drop dead gorgeous. When we were young and foolish it was a good looking guy, but now it's FURNITURE. Sad but true.
She was not leaving the store without this chair. It spoke to her. .., probably in French. It was saying "Buy me, you will never regret it. I will always make you happy." So she did and at a very good price. This is the most outrageously, over the top, elegant, well made, tapestry covered, carved chair I have ever seen. Look at it!
The fabric is in very good shape and the wood is beautiful. The seat has collapsed and needs to be braced, reconstructed underneath and re-filled with something. Other than the seat it's in excellent condition. I can't find anything like it on the Internet. It's one of a kind and it sits in a new corner; in my sister's bedroom in the condo in Pacifica. It's a love affair of the heart and it was meant to be.
Come..., sit...., have some tea and a brioche. It will make you feel like European royalty.
Go to Roomie's With a Past for other Past Due Tuesday posts that will delight your love of vintage and antique things.
