Have you ever seen framed, colored intaglios? I recently saw them for the first time in the dining room of The Jefferson. Makes me wonder - are these colored plaster, Coral or Carnelian?
These two images are from a French blog here - the first image is a collection of both cameo and itaglios. These were noted as coming from the collection of the late Yves Saint Laurent.
Have you seen intaglios that aren't the typical white?
Colored Intaglios
White Elephant Antiques








Dallas Holiday
Hello! I'm working away, trying to get everything done in a short week; just like most of you are. Although, not totally certain; I think we may be traveling to Dallas for the weekend. I really hope we do because I LOVE Dallas shopping:) In order to find the best sites, I like to check out Style Swoon for great hints. Check it out. Its a great blog! Anyway, I saw an article about a shop called North Star Antiques. This place is going at the top of my list to see. 

(Photos via North Star Antiques website)I'm just hoping they are open Thanksgiving weekend. Please, please be open!!!!!
Tick Tock, I Love a Clock:: French Edition
What is it about clocks? They're endlessly interesting, regardless of the size, shape or vintage. And yet, they can be our friends (say at the end of a long day) or our enemies (the morning alarm).
I was watching my friend's French antiques showroom, Trianon last week while they were out of town and thought I'd share some of their amazing clocks.
This clock is undoubtedly my favorite. Just the right amount of glitz and bling! This is a 19th Century French marble and ormolu Lyre mantle clock with the most amazing ring of brilliants circling the dial.
And a closeup of the delicate detailing around the clock face.
Hmm... wouldn't it be nice to wake up to one of these beauties?

The free antique piano
Dr. Dreadful asked me if we wanted a free piano. One of his co-workers found it left behind by a former tenant in one of her properties. If we removed it we could have it.
I was told that it had white paint on it, had lots of carving making it look old and it was made in the 1960's. It sounded cool so I agreed sight unseen.
After much fuss and aching backs Dr. Dreadful and friends showed up with the piano at our house. It was indeed very cool.
Whomever painted this with a thick layer of interior wall primer does need a serious beating. Upon further inspection the piano didn't look to be constructed in the 1960's. After some serious googling I found that it is actually an antique. Based on the serial number it is around a year 1909-1912 Smith & Barnes. A similar one fully restored sold for around $9700. It does need a small bit of work, one of the hammers was broken but otherwise is one of the most amazing sounding pianos.
I did discover that the finish underneath the primer is recoverable. By using a piece of extra fine sandpaper I was able to get down to pure finish without damage. So this will be my January and February project, hand sanding the entire piano.
My sanity in March remains to be seen.
The images do not do justice to the detailed carving.























