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 504/581-3518GREAT 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 504/899-2668SIGNING OFF
If you are looking for anything special let me know, I'll try to find it for you.
Kevin
