BRAVO HEDDA!

As some of you older folks or movie buffs may know, hedda hopper was a very popular gossip columnist in Hollywood back in the day. She knew some... stuff! WELL, as fun as it might be to follow the personal lives of the shop owners on Magazine street, (there is a reality show in there) I have to keep myself welcome in their shops, so I cant spill the beans about all the drama. But, I can tell you where the bargains are, who's got in new shipments, who's serves a great lunch... that sort of thing. Why do I know? you ask. Because I've been pounding the magazine street pavement for years, plus I earn my living off that street. So, I am only too happy to share the my knowledge.

a goodlooking secretary

WORD ON THE STREET


So many shops have either just gotten, or are about to get, new shipments!
Aux belles chose, Empire Antiques, Bush Antiques, Uptowner Antiques, and Orient Expressed are but a few of the folks I've seen unloading trucks.
Meanwhile, others are making plans to go shopping in Europe despite the strong euro and weak dollar. Petricia Thompson is leaving soon and I hear that Karla and David Katz of Karla Katz Antiques are planning a trip in September. So let them know if you are looking for something special.
The summer heat is slowing things down a bit, but so far there are no signs of any great summer sales. Business seems to be brisk in most of the shops I frequent.
A new sandwich shop opened at 3454 Magazine Street (where Winnie's Artsy Cafe used to be). I had a really nice oyster po boy there and my friend had a po boy with chicken livers and coleslaw that was delicious as well.


SHOPPING

I have to confess that I play favorites with my clients. Oh not with them as individuals but with their furniture. There are certain pieces of furniture for which shopping is a great pleasure.


Ann Koerner Antiques 504/899-2664

Whether you call them secretaries, desks, scribans or Abatants, these types of writing cabinets are some of the most beautiful examples of handmade antique furniture.



Karla Katz Antiques 504/897-0061

These pieces evoke such a sense of elegance and history. Of course they are perfect for the formal rooms of a home.



Ann Koerner Antiques 504/899-2664

But, since they come in so many styles and sizes, I have seen them successfully used in kitchens, back hallways, and even mudrooms.



Agora Galleries 504/525-2240





Petricia Thompson Antiques 504/897-5477

A small secretary can be a great bedside table for any bedroom.







Ann Koerner Antiques 504/899-2664

They are the perfect place to use laptop computers, and because most of them can be easily locked for privacy; you can store papers, save keys, hide petty cash, or lock up your love letters.




Empire Antiques 504/897-0252


IF YOU SEE THEM....







These kinds of simple crockery containers make great looking and versatile accessories. I try to buy them whenever I run across them. They are inexpensive and look wonderful bunched together filled with.....whatever. Make a bouquet of wooden spoons and you've got the perfect house warming gift. But, as I like them, I tend to keep them for myself. One warning....not too much color! The plainer the better. The ones with drippy glazes or designs on them, can look just awful.




FIND OF THE WEEK



I love this beautiful lamp base I found at Ann Koerner Antiques. With the right shade you'll have something really fabulous.




Ann Koerner Antiques 504/899-2664




SIGNING OFF


With all the new shipments coming in this week, I should have quite a lot to show next time.
So, I guess I should say, "tune in next week". And if any of you get a chance to shop New Orleans, drop me a line about it. I'd love to hear about where you went, what you bought, and how you were treated. Word of mouth is everything in this business.

Kevin

MAKE YOUR BED

TREND


A few years ago, photographer Kerri McCaffety took my picture for Southern Accents magazine. I usually hate having my picture taken by anyone and rarely enjoy looking at the photographs. However, Kerri put me at ease and both the process and the resulting picture turned out much better than I had expected. Since then, I have made a point of following her work. But this week I began to get the feeling that her work was following me. At so many of the shops I frequent, I kept seeing her books, especially her book "Obituary Cocktail" with its gorgeously rich photographs of famous New Orleans watering holes. Constantly catching Kerri's name out of the corner of my eye began to open my eyes to something of a trend. For years I've noticed home furnishing and antiques shops carrying a few coffee table books here and there, but these days the selection of offerings is becoming vast and various.




It's better than most bookstores. Cook books, photography, and all sorts of obscure design books can be found. Authors are having book signings and the antique bookcases for sale are often filled with the latest local history or architecture books.



So next time you are out in one of your favorite home furnishing haunts, be on the look out and you might find that book you missed at your local bookstore.






SHOPPING

"Reproduction" is usually a foreboding word to me. It typically is synonymous with poor quality. And so when I find quality reproduction pieces it's like hitting pay dirt. I hit it this week at Bush Antiques.


Elaine Bush, who specializes in antique beds, is now offering a small but great selection of good looking, well made, and, thank heaven, standard size reproduction beds


The finishes are nice, the lines clean, and the prices are great.


available at Bush antiques 504/581-3518



GREAT FIND

Someone is going to end up with a wonderful piece of art and a great conversation piece when they buy this charming, hand painted papier panel from the 18th century. It is a large piece (63" x 71") with beautiful blue, green, and gray coloring. It has a light airy look and yet it's age and character are unmistakable. The price is right as well ... $2,795.00 .... for an antique piece of art that size? I'd have bought it, if I had a place for it!!!!!

available at balzac antiques 504/899-2668


SIGNING OFF

If you are looking for anything special let me know, I'll try to find it for you.

Kevin

WELCOME

WORD ON THE STREET

No big scandals to report... Jimmy Schneider just got back from a buying trip to France. He said that the dollar, of course, is a disaster over there right now and that he didn't see many American buyers. However, he did say that he got some great things. So, you should stop by and see his pics, if you want to beat the rush when the container arrives.

Ann Koerner and Balzac Antiques got in new shipments recently. Ann got a particularly beautiful and well priced enfilade. Balzac, as usual, got some great artwork - really interesting things.

Ann Koerner Antiques gustavian armchairs
$14,000.00 / pair 504/899-2664

SHOPPING

This week has been all about chairs. I've been shopping for pairs that will work well
in a mixed decor, and I have come across some truly elegant options.

Karla Katz Antiques pair of 19th c directoire bergeres
$6,250.00/pair 504/897-0061

All these antique chairs have classic, clean lines that, with the right upholstery, can take on a fresh, contemporary look.

Uptowner Antiques 19th c directoire style chairs

$6,400.00/pair 504/891-7700


Whether you float them in the center of a room, or flank them on either side of a doorway, they have the added versatility of looking great from any angle.


Petricia Thompson Antiques period directoire bergeres
$12,500.00/pair 504/897-5477







Prices vary, but they are all great investments. Especially when compared to newly made, mass produced furniture that drops in value almost instantly after purchase.



FIND OF THE WEEK

Wirthmore Antiques 19th century french painted iron bed

$2,150.00 504/269-0660



This nineteenth century iron daybed is currently available at Wirthmore Antiques. I just love it. It just looks interesting and yet simple. I can just see it on a sun porch or in a beach house, and the price is unbeatable. If you decide to buy it, please mention that you learned about it here.


SIGNING OFF


Hey, if you are looking for something special, let me know. If it's out there I'll come across it.
..... make a beautiful home for yourself and your loved ones - it's never a bad investment.

Kevin