On the Fringe. » Antiques

Time For Change

toddrichesin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:30:27 +0000

My former office.....now a giant chunk of square footage we don't need

So after 7 years, our home, Casa Real was ready for a little facelift. Thanks to a horrible hail storm in April of 2011, we ended up with a long list of things that needed to be done. The major projects were to replace all the windows and exterior doors, as well as the slate roof. Our contractors, Schmid and Rhodes in Knoxville, TN, asked us if we would clear out some of our “stuff” to make the process a little easier for them…..and we thought that was a fantastic idea in order to provide the most protection for our artwork and antiques. It also opened the door for the list of things that needed to be done.

: The Den….all empty

The list grew, as most projects do, and now includes the following:

*Reconfigure the former office and create a media room, office, and entertainment area that services the pool

*Create a new storage and display piece for the new media room that will house part of our collection of antique accessories as well as new components for television and sound

*Create an updated mantle and overmantle for the new media room

*Eliminate the horrid track lighting in the office, and in so doing, create a sensible lighting plan, and install a new wooden ceiling

*Replace the marble floor in the kitchen….which continues to crack despite our efforts to correct it….with antique heart pine, and while in the process, replace the parquet floor in the den with the same flooring; thus unifying the entire main floor.

*Replace interior door hardware with lever handles appropriate to the style of the house, and add detail to the door painting

*Fresh paint colors for the green guest room, master bedroom, and laundry room

There are probably other things that will pop up along the way, but this is the bulk of the list. My goal is to document the project as it goes along, and provide before, during, and after photos of the work.

Our goal is to give our home a fresh look. As a designer, it is easy for me to look at a client’s home in a fresh light. Since I am so attached to this place, and spend so much time here…..it is really hard to do that with my own home. The repair work forced us to remove the majority of our “stuff” and it is giving us an opportunity to “re-think” exactly how we want spaces to function, and to really look at how things can be put together differently. We are adding some new pieces into the mix as we go along, mainly with the goal of creating more storage space for a growing collection of antique accessories.

Foyer into dining room

One of the first things we did was to remove all of the artwork and accessory pieces. We packed many of them, but there were two bathrooms that were getting no work at all other than fresh paint on the doors and trim….plus the new door hardware. A few weeks before we started on the major project, we had those areas completed, so we could start packing them with “stuff”. Next, the movers came and packed up what was left and we carefully moved everything to a climate contolled storage facility. Then, up came the rugs which have gone out for cleaning and any needed repairs, and finally, Prestige Cleaners came to get all the draperies to get them back into tip top shape and to store them for us until we are ready for installation. The process took time, but it was a well organized plan, and we worked on it a little bit each day for about a week, it became a manageable task that way, and it did get completed.

The above photo is of the upstairs hall bath filled with paintings and lamps. It is best to store paintings vertically, and when you can, put them back to back and front to front. This really helps minimize frame damage from hooks and wires rubbing on the finished part of another piece.

Today was the first full day of work, and most of what happened was protection for the surfaces we were not changing. The upholstered walls in the dining room were covered, floors were covered, and the few pieces of furniture we were able to leave in the house were covered with foam board to protect them. This will be an exciting process, at least for Bobby and me, and I hope that you enjoy reading about our newest adventure.

The Foyer

The living room

Summer’s Final Days

toddrichesin — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:27:00 +0000

Fountain and our little house

Summer is always a favorite season at Casa Real. We love this garden. After the hail storm here in Knoxville in April, it was crippled. Mother nature has been a fast healer, and finally, in summer’s final days, it has become beautiful once again. Enjoy these photos of our little paradise in Summer’s final days.

Espalier apple tree with germander near the deck

Quite possibly the most ridiculous thing we have ever purchased at an antique show.....but it does remind us of our favorite place.

The stone patio

: Impatiens in the shade garden

: Madonna beside the pool

The side lawn

Shade garden steps

Encore azaleas

Fountain and geraniums in the front garden

The entry

Every garden needs some Royalty!

The magnolia garden path with the croquet lawn in the background

At the curb

Bird bath and path to the storage area

In the magnolia garden

anemones near the driveway

Old-World Style in a Farmhouse

toddrichesin — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:15:10 +0000

Traditional Home is one of my favorite magazines. I have had a subscription since I was in college. Their outlook on design is much the same as mine. Classic interiors that are timeless. There are ways to make them feel fresh, and that is exactly what we do at Todd Richesin Interiors! They have just published another one of my projects in the November issue. We are happy they liked it as much as we did, and hope you will enjoy it as well. This is a farmhouse I designed for a couple with grown children. They wanted a home that felt grounded. That it had been in the spot for generations. We accomplished this by having an incredible builder, and by using some beautiful and unique antique elements, including a set of antique windows from a house in Provence. It is a one of a kind home, for a one of a kind family. Debbie, my client, is an amazing cook among other things, and she loves for the entire family to be there at the same time…..enjoying each others company, and making memories in a house that will be around for generations. They also breed and raise the most amazing horses. Irish Draught Horses. These are majestic animals, and what a perfect spot to do it. The entire project fits together perfectly…..just like Debbie’s family and those beautiful horses. Enjoy.

Read the entire article at http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/farmhouse-style-renovation_ss1.html

Laurel Magazine – “Home of Distinction”

tori — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:35:52 +0000

Laurel Magazine is monthly shelter magazine focusing on life in Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina and the surrounding community. They do lots of interesting stories about local happenings, new restaurants, where to stay, what to see and do, and also feature some beautiful homes in the area. For the September issue, they selected a home I designed in the Old Highland Park neighborhood in Highlands, for a couple whose main home is in Knoxville, for their “Home of Distinction” feature.

A little about the house……my clients love the mountains, and wanted a cozy retreat there. We worked with a favorite color scheme of hers….blues and oranges. The result is a beautiful interior that feels fresh. This is an unexpected color scheme in an area where most people choose browns, greens, and neutrals. Most of the rugs in the house were custom braided rugs I designed. Antiques are a favorite source of inspiration for my client, so we used old pieces wherever we could. The colors are happy, the upholstery is comfortable, and the space is relaxing. I love it, and hope you enjoy. More photos of this project are located in the portfolio section of my website under the heading “Old Highland Park.” www.toddrichesininteriors.com/index.php?page=old-highland-park

Villas of the Brenta Canal

toddrichesin — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:03:47 +0000

Palladio's Villa Foscari or "Malcontenta"

On our travels we are forever gathering design inspiration to bring back to our clients. What better place to do that than to visit a few Villas in the Veneto? We toured three villas along the Brenta Canal. The Brenta Canal is a natural waterway that connects Venice with Padua. In the 18th Century (and even before) wealthy Venetians built summer houses along the canal as status symbols and as a way to escape the summer heat in Venice.

Our first stop was one of the oldest villas, Palladio’s Villa Foscari, built between 1555 and 1560. This is proof that “classic” never goes out of style. The proportions of the exterior are perfect! Inside, every surface is covered with frescoes done in the 1600’s. They have faded now to a beatiful patina of soft colors and subtle detail. Magnificent! The villa is now privately owned and none of the original furnishings are there. The owner has chosen a simple neutral background with very early Italian antiques which really showcase the spectacular frescoes. The garden was very simple and understated.

The portico of the Villa Valmarana

The next stop was the Villa Valmarana in Mira. It was a much smaller villa, but still had an impressive presence from the canal. Inside the walls were covered with frescoes as well, although a little less spectacular than the ones at Villa Foscari. Valmarana was furnished beautifully with antique Italian furniture. The front garden was a beautifully manicured boxwood hedge with a giant topiary yew in the center. My favorite part was the charming side porch. Such a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the rose garden beyond.

Charming side porch of the Villa Valmarana in Mira

Side entrance of the Villa Valmarana

Canal view of the Villa Valmarana

Canal view of the Villa Pisani in Stra

The crown jewel of the Brenta Canal is the Villa Pisani. It is one of the “newer” villas, but its 114 rooms are sure to impress. Napoleon I owned this palace at one time, and completely redecorated the interior in the French Empire style. I would have preferred the original Baroque Italian style, but it was still beautiful. Some of the original frescoes remained, as did a few of the original Murano glass and carved wooden chandeliers. Most of the original furnishings and chandeliers have been stolen over the years. Outside, there was a lovely garden with a long canal that led to a gigantic “facade” that appeared to be another villa in the distance. Also on the property was what has to be one of the most amazing boxwood labrinths on the planet; in the center of which rises a large stone column surrounded with a spiral stair where you can study the maze to find your way back out.

Garden of Villa Pisani

The canal at Villa Pisani in the garden

Custom Lamp Shades, Venetian Style

toddrichesin — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:10:43 +0000

Angela with me in her fantastic shop

On our first day in Venice, we visited the studio of Angela R. Greco on the Ponte Delle Ostreghe, near San Marco. Angela and her sister have been in this same location for years, and make the most beautiful Venetian style lamp shades I have found anywhere on the planet. Each shade is made by hand, and you can see their love for their craft in every piece. Angela’s typical shade is made from Fortuny fabric, and stretched over a wire frame. I love these shades because they have an exuberance of style not found in most American lighting. They have the fantastic shape of the Venetian shield style shade, plus color and pattern brought by the fantastic fabric. A stunning combination. We chose this trip a small pair of shades in blue and silver for a pair of lamps in a bedroom.

Angela hand sewing the lining of a shade while her sister looks on

Besides being a fantastic place to find the fabulous, Angela’s shop is warm and friendly. She loves to see people enjoy her work, and welcomes photography. It is fun to see Angela and her sister again on this trip….in their matching smocks and pearls.

Lamps in the shop of Angela Greco

Bobby and I outside the shop

A carved wooden lamp base with a fantastic Fortuny shade

Never Refuse the Venetian Offer

toddrichesin — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:07:29 +0000

A beautiful room in the Palazzo

Antique shopping is always a part of our travel, and Venice is no exception. You never know where you might end up, but if you are truly interested in the products a merchant has, and you are polite, doors might open. Today we were casually walking toward Campo San Maurizio in San Marco and happened upon a shop we have visited many times called “V. Trois Antichita.” We were admiring a fabulous 18th century painting of young boys dressed as architects when the owner started talking with us. When he found out we were dealers, and that I was a designer, he asked if we would like to visit his “annex” a canal away. All I can say is this is why you don’t refuse the Venetian offer. You never know where it will take you.

We walked a canal away, and down a narrow sidewalk to what appeared to be a common entry door. Turns out, the “annex” was the palazzo where the owner was born and grew up! It was fabulous. We walked up to the “piano nobile” or first floor, and into a wonderland of 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th century Venice. The palazzo was built in the 1600’s, and still maintained some original details. It had been burned in the 18th century, so some of the decoration was more of that period…..but it was all amazing. I could not focus on the antiques at hand because of the setting in which they were displayed. As you can tell from my photos, I didn’t even know what to shoot. The experience was fantastic, and it is great to see how Venetian houses really looked….and in some cases still do. The owner doesn’t live there anymore, but his mother does. He traded this splendor for “the simple life” of a one room studio. Much easier to maintain….and a lot less to dust.

Another view of the main salon

Art Restoration in Venice

toddrichesin — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:42:19 +0000

The beautiful studio of Bruno Vianello

A favorite stop in Venice is the studio of Bruno Vianello on Calle De Pistor in Castello. Bruno is a painting restoration specialist whose work appears in the Accademia, the Hotel Danielli, and in many private Venetian collections. Currently, he is working on a group of Biblical paintings from the 16th century in which he has beautifully restored the canvases; erasing years of soot and dirt; water damage; and bad patches by previous restoration. Bruno typically deals exclusively in restoration for museums and private collections, but always has a few “treasures” available for purchase in his studio. It is a treat to see such a talented craftsman.

A work in restoration for a private collection

Through the years, Bobby and I have been fortunate enough to have purchased a number of paintings from Bruno that are still in our private collection. We are always inspired by the beauty of the art here, and it is easy to find pieces to love.

Interior Design in Paradise

toddrichesin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:35:36 +0000

Besame Mucho on Petronia Street

Ten years ago when we started to vacation in Key West, we never suspected it would become a favorite spot. It has, and as we have come here more for both pleasure and work, we have discovered many secrets of the island. One is that there is really great shopping.

When installing our project here, we pre-planned very well, but there were still a few items missing that had to be purchased locally. This was a great thing in my opinion because it gave us an opportunity to work things into the house that were really authentic to Key West. The antique shopping in Key West is pretty limited, but we always manage to find trreasures to take home, as well as for our shop, Bobby Todd.

Besame Mucho pictured above is one of the most beautifully displayed shops we have visited anywhere. The owner is an artist with her vignettes, loves what she does, and it shows. Her products are top quality, and the setting is totally charming. She has an excellent assortment of home fragrance, even including the ever-so-hard-to-find Santa Maria Novella line from Florence. She carries Kiehl’s cosmetics, beautiful candles, books, religious icons, jewelry, and is starting to carry some clothing. There are always unique one of a kind pieces as well. This time, a collection of vintage Chinese lanterns. A few photos of the shop interior follow.

Besame Mucho Interior

Besame Mucho interior

Another favorite spot is Duck and Dolphin Antiques at the corner of Fleming and Simonton. The owners have been in the spot for years, and we continue to be amazed by the quality and rarity of their merchandise. Priceless in Paradise could well be the name of their shop. They carry beautiful French furniture and accessories from the 18th and 19th centuries, Continental accessories, incredible old silver and crystal, and are beginning to feature more and more antique items from Asia. It was a surprise for us to find a shop with the quality of products they have on the island, but they continue to be one of our favorite stops. You can’t judge the content of the shop from the exterior, so be sure you get close enough to peek in the windows.

Duck and Dolphin Antiques

Window display at Duck and Dolphin

A few other favorites are Island Antiques on Fleming, and In One Era on White Street. There is also an amazing men’s store which provides a great diversion from antiquing. Located on Fleming, it is called Assortment, and should not be missed. The owners hand select every item, and can tell you all about the designer, fit, and quality.

All that shopping tends to make us hungry, and there is no better spot to fix that problem than at Sarabeth’s. You will find David, the owner, in front of the restaurant six days a week on the corner of Southard and Simonton waiting to escort you to a sunny or shady table of your choice. The food is fresh, and among the best on the island. Bobby loves the tuna salad and marinated tomatoes. I love the crab and shrimp cakes. All good.

Sarabeth's

We are always charmed by the beautiful cottages, piercing blue sky, and sway of the palms. That is reason enough to visit Key West; but, when you are ready to venture out, there is lots to be discovered.

Sarah’s Pretty House

toddrichesin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:47:07 +0000

Living room with the Italian chest and prints from Bobby Todd Antiques

On our trip to Nashville, we visited our friend Sarah Ross. Sarah is a friend of mine from high school, and she is a great customer at our shop, Bobby Todd Antiques. We stopped by to see the progress on her house, which she has done entirely by herself. She has done a great job, and I wanted to share her look. Sarah grew up with parents who collected primitive antiques. The look was great, but as she began furnishing her home, she realized she wanted something a little more glamorous. She loved the color palette of soft blues and browns, and wanted to introduce a few modern influences as well as some painted Italian pieces. She has done an amazing job. The house looks fresh, youthful, and sophisticated. She used a wonderful mix of antique pieces from Bobby Todd with some new things, and the look speaks for itself. Congratulations Sara on such a beautiful job.

Glamorous mirrored lamp tables and a comfy sofa. Modern lamps add a sophisticated touch

The foyer with plates and an antique mirror from Bobby Todd. The primitive chest harkens back to her original pieces. The mix is great!

Beautiful Italian paintings on hand stenciled walls.

The guest room with fern prints from Bobby Todd and a collection of brown transferware plates. The blue and brown theme is continued from the living room.