On the Fringe. » Antiques

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.

Antiquing in Historic Franklin, Tennessee

toddrichesin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:10:53 +0000

Franklin's charming shopping district

We found ourselves in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend for a friend’s 40th birthday party. A trip out of Knoxville would not be complete without some antique shopping on the way. As you will soon determine, antique shopping to us means lots of things….exploring the town and any interesting shops, good food, and of course, antiques. We ventured to the charming town of Franklin, Tennessee, and were delighted with what we found. We see lots of different towns when on the “hunt” for treasure for the shop, but it is refreshing to see a town that has done such a fabulous job of re-inventing itself as Franklin has. The downtown is small, everything is within walking distance. There are shops for all walks of life and all budgets. Clothing for men, women, and children; bridal registry; antiques; gardening; and other gifts. There are many restaurants as well. We chose Merridee’s Breadbasket at 110 4th Ave. South. It is a great place for a sandwich on homemade bread, good ice tea, and delicious desserts.

A great men’s clothing store is F.M. Allen at 347 Main Street. It is very well done, and feels like an English men’s club inside, complete with fireplace and billiards. If you want a martini, you can have it at F.M. Allen. The clothes are beautiful, handmade, and all imported from England and Italy. Everything is private labeled with the F.M. Allen label. Thanks to their incredibly beautifully setting that drew us in, I have a new shirt.

Now, to the meat of the post…..antiques. There is a cluster of antique shops at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Margin Street. All of these shops are in old houses or warehouses. New and old mix in most of the shops, so don’t think everything you see is an antique because I can assure, it is not. For the most part, the shops are charming in this area. A bargain can be found if you look hard, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

There are a couple of antique shops on Main Street as well, and behind Main, on Bridge Street, is the Winchester Antique Mall. It is in an old house as well, and their merchandise is interesting. Most everything here is in good condition, and ready to be taken home and loved. Again, don’t be afraid to negotiate. At the entrance to town is Alexander Plaza, and there you will find Harpeth Antique Mall. This is also a good place, although it doesn’t have the charm of the historic downtown. You may or may not find a treasure. We actually did find a fantastic Italian secretary here, that is on its way to Bobby Todd.

Below are a few more photos of Franklin.

Historic Downtown Franklin

The cutest Welcome Center ever

Beautiful new townhouses on 2nd Avenue

More beautiful townhouses. I love this lifestyle!

Chicago’s New Metal Crafts

toddrichesin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:27:45 +0000

A beautiful antique French iron lantern

Lighting is an integral part of what I do as designer. It has the power to be one of the most important elements of a design because it can control the mood of a room. Bright light promotes activity, while dim light promotes relaxation and conversation. Lighting also is important because it is a great way to continue the look of a space.

Finding lighting fixtures that are appropriate to a space can be difficult. A lighting source like New Metal Crafts takes a lot of the work out of the process. New Metal Crafts is a Chicago resource I have used for years. On our recent Chicago visit, I was finally able to go to their showroom and was blown away by the depth of their collection. They have executed many custom pieces for me in the past, and any time I have an antique fixture that needs repair or rewiring, they are the only place I will send it. Their work is always first rate, and their knowledge second to none. Lighting is often overlooked as a design element, but after a trip to New Metal Crafts, you will realize how important it can be. Following are some photos of the showroom and warehouse.

New Metal Crafts

A fabulous pair of Italian lanterns waiting on the perfect home

An endless array of smoke bell lanterns

Detail of one of many "walls of sconces"

More crystal than Versailles

Antique railroad lanterns awaiting conversion

Walls of bronze sconces

Beautiful mica shades on iron sconces

The third floor attic, a treasure trove of antique parts

More treasures in the attic

Antiquing at the Scott Market Atlanta

toddrichesin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:55:09 +0000

One of our favorite places to treasure hunt is the Scott Antique Market in Atlanta. Scott’s is a monthly show featuring antique dealers from all across the country as well as Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. You can spend $10 on something fun, or $10,000 on something serious. And there is everything in between. Prices vary monthly. It is impossible to predict when you will find a bargain, and even more difficult to collect every thing on your shopping list. Go to Scott’s for the hunt, and enjoy the time there. If you take a shopping list, expect to find anywhere from 0 to 10%. If you have a long list, your chances are better. If you go with an open mind and for the fun, you will definitely return home with some treasures.

Outside one of the two buildings housing Scott Market

Bobby selecting items for the shop

Merchandise in one of the exterior tent pavillions

Antique paintings in a booth

Ralph Lauren Chicago

toddrichesin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:47:54 +0000

Stairs to the third floor

Our early winter get-away this year was to Chicago. It was our first time being there. We have always chosen New York over Chicago, and after this trip, I am not sure why. Chicago is a fantastic city. The “Magnificent Mile” is nothing short of its name. On these trips, we are constantly searching for design inspiration. One of the easiest places to find it is at a Ralph Lauren flagship store. The Chicago outpost does not disappoint.

The first floor is dripping with Ralph Lauren signature style. Antique Persian rugs underfoot, luxurious fabrics everywhere you look, and more mahogany than a rain forest. Add in an impeccably dressed staff, beautiful merchandise, and end-of-season sales, and it is a shoppers paradise.

Third floor stairs

I could not resist the temptation to be a tourist in this interior design wonderland. The attention to detail in this store is beyond expectation. Every where you look is another original detail. The artwork is amazing. It is well curated, grouped to make sense, and hung in the most creative fashion. The stair ways are a perfect example of how creative the design is. These are areas that often times go forgotten. Ralph Lauren has not missed an opportunity to make sure you know where you are every minute you are in the store. Antique paintings floor to ceiling in the stairs is a great way to let your clients know where they are. In the above photo, equine images are grouped around a fantastic antique English clock. Sisal underfoot conjurs manor houses of the United Kingdom

Hallway to the Purple Label salon

The above photo shows one of my favorite signature Ralph Lauren holiday looks. The wide plaid fabric draped to the lantern is a creative, understated touch for Christmas. Note the herringbone floors, another of the endless details.

Main Staircase

The main stairs take you to a grand castle in Scotland. How could this be Chicago? Beautifully polished mahogany paneling, scores of serious art, blue and white porcelain to brighten it up, and stairs wide enough for semi trucks to pass; it just doesn’t get any better. Even the ceiling is period appropriate. The same art hanging technique is equally effective on mahogany as it is on the sisal of the upper floor stairs, but definitely more dressed up.

The necktie salon

One of my favorite spots in the store is the necktie salon. This is a great place for ideas, and the source of the majority of my bow tie collection. See how warm the red silk shades make the space feel. A simple traditional brass chandelier suddenly becomes fashionable with this bright detail. Mahogany, old rugs, and more fabulous art top it off.

A beautiful room display in the Home Gallery

The Home Gallery on the fourth floor is also inspiring. In this vignette, fabrics from Ralph Lauren’s “Indian Cove Lodge” collection make you want to sit down and have a brandy. The furniture is also fabulous, and is now available through Todd Richesin Interiors, as are all the Ralph Lauren wallpapers and fabrics. My favorite, the spool chair in “Sagamore Check.” So sophisticated, understated, and chic.

The I can't believe its in a retail store bathroom

After spending so much time in the store, there is one place I had to visit before leaving. What a treat. A public restroom with total privacy, fantastic style, and meticulously maintained. The art was whimsical, and the marble floors and counters say quality. The unusual sconce application is totally inventive and a signature Ralph Lauren look.